Businesses struggling to find and retain qualified workers amid widespread labour shortages
From concrete finishing to heating, cooling and mechanical labour, local businesses say they’re struggling — not just to find qualified workers but retain them as well.
According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 55 per cent of small businesses are affected by labour shortages.
One of the hardest-hit sectors, experts say, is restaurants.
Aside from big-name fast food joints, local eateries such as La Rucola, Salt Sushi and Armando’s all have jobs posted online for local recruitment.
But according to Dave Deluzio, executive professional at Roseland Golf and Curling Club, they are not seeing the same amount of people applying as they previously would.
For applicants they do make the cut, however, Deluzio adds they bail on the opportunity shortly after being offered a position.
"We've had people qualified for the job. They seem excited and then, after a couple of days, they decide the job isn't for them.”
In response, some employers are promising incentives.
"If we find some kids with a bit of ambition, we will pay for the schooling, their gas licence, whatever it may be. We help them with all of that,” said Grant Higginbottom of Syles Mechanical.
“We are looking for sheet metal workers, HVAC technicians, plumbers, and electricians. We’ve been looking for everybody.”
Meanwhile, Bonduelle is looking to hire both seasonal and full-time workers by offering a $1,500 signing bonus in hopes of attracting more applicants.
In the public safety sector, Windsor police is looking to recruit people by setting up booths at community events.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
BREAKING McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.