Several local business owners approached town council for assistance at last week's regular council meeting, as the effects stemming from the moratorium placed on the temporary foreign workers program continue to be felt.
Several local business owners approached town council for assistance at last week's regular council meeting, as the effects stemming from the moratorium placed on the temporary foreign workers program continue to be felt.
Richard Wurst, owner of the Neighbourhood Inn, and Sal Naim, owner of Mr. Mike's Steakhouse Casual and Players Lounge were joined by Tanya Oliver, Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, as well as several other local business leaders, where they stated unequivocally that unless something changes with the foreign workers program, the town will lose "a large number" of its amenities.
"We're here this evening to represent the (local business sector) regarding the moratorium imposed by the federal government," Wurst said. "This decision is going to be absolutely devastating to this community if nothing is done. If things remain as they are, Bonnyville and the Bonnyville business sector are about to change for the worst."
After months of controversy surrounding the much-maligned program, Federal Employment Minister Jason Kenney announced an immediate moratorium on the fast-food industry's access to the program April 24, stating "serious concerns" remain following a government investigation earlier this year.
As of the Nouvelle's press deadline May 16, news coming out of Ottawa suggested significant changes to the program could be imminent. During a closed-door meeting with employer groups last Thursday, Kenney floated several major reforms that could see costs skyrocket for employers looking to participate in the program.
Wurst said there had been a number of meetings in the region over the course of the past two weeks, with the general consensus being the local business sector needs political support if it has any chance of fighting the federal government's decision.
"Basically, we're here today looking for support. There have been a lot of myths and mistruths told about this program, but the bottom line is if you started at one end of main street and went all the way down, looking at every business, the list is endless for those currently making use of the temporary foreign worker program," Wurst said. "This could totally shutdown the Town of Bonnyville."
Coun. Rene Van Brabant said he is in complete support of the local business community, adding that he feels the federal government made a mistake in suspending the program, while Coun. Ray Prevost agreed with Wurst, saying without the program the business sector in Bonnyville was in jeopardy.
"I think as a result of this decision the business sector is in jeopardy, but I also think Bonnyville itself is in jeopardy," Prevost said. "Potential developers will be looking and thinking twice about constructing in town now knowing that the temporary foreign worker program has been suspended. Everyone stands to lose as a result of this decision."
He added, "It makes me cross to think (the federal government) has painted everyone with the same brush. Just because somebody somewhere down the line has abused the system everyone has to be punished? It doesn't make sense to me. If we did this for everything, we wouldn't have a welfare system, we wouldn't have a health care system. Those that don't follow the rules should be fined accordingly, but don't punish those that have done nothing (wrong)."
Coun. Jim Cheverie also chipped in with his thoughts on the move, branding the decision to group a crippled Alberta labour market and treat them the same way as the rest of Canada as "outrageous".
"There are in excess of 800 temporary foreign workers in northeast Alberta right now working jobs that Canadians (cannot or will not) do. Having us tied in alongside Ontario and Quebec is outrageous," Cheverie said. "The program is wrong, it needs to be regionalized. Our issues are completely different from the rest of Canada."
Naim believes the biggest obstacle local business owners need to overcome is making the general public aware of just how important this program is to their everyday lives.
"This is a very complicated program and I think for the most part the average person doesn't understand totally how it works," Naim said. "What we need them to understand is how important this is, not only to us, but to them too. They need to see how much this program improves their quality of life. The (national) media has done a good job so far of scrutinizing the program and (the offenders), but we really need to do our best to raise awareness and counter the common misconceptions people can take from hearing one or two negative things."
The effects are already starting to be felt, with local restaurant Green Oasis being forced to heavily reduce its hours as a result of a labour shortage.
Wurst suggested the town could look to support this awareness campaign by including letters in water bills notifying the public about the affect the suspension of this program could have on the town. Mayor Gene Sobolewski said he would support that idea, but also brought up the idea of getting an audience with Minister Kenney.
"If we were to get an audience with Minister Kenney, as a joint venture (between council and business owners) we would need to have ironclad statistics, providing just why we need this temporary foreign worker program in Bonnyville," Sobolewski said.
In the meantime, Naim said he and other business owners would be doing everything they could to raise awareness regarding this issue.
MP for Westlock - St. Paul Brian Storseth will be hosting a round table discussion regarding the moratorium placed on the program today (May 20) at noon at the St. Paul Royal Canadian Legion.
