As a result of the commodities boom, the Canadian economy is producing record numbers of jobs – jobs that are not being filled.

Production lines, research labs, truck depots and medical centres are short-staffed, to cite a few examples.

This, according to Monte Solberg, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, is a risk to Canada’s prosperity.

A vast array of foreign workers want the chance to show that they can do these jobs. Canadian employers have to be able to use their employees’ full range of skills, and hire the additional skilled workers needed for success.

Mr Solberg said that the government is determined to take steps to address this issue.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program can be part of the solution. Through this program, Canadian businesses have hired 95,000 temporary workers in the last year, to cover a wide range of jobs from seasonal agricultural workers to people with highly specialized training.

Mr Solberg said the government was determined to revitalize the immigration system, hence strengthening the economy and enriching Canada’s society.

7 May 2006