It seems as if every visiting politician has something to say about the labour shortage and all the hundreds upon hundreds of jobs that remain unfilled in the area. Yes, the Lakeland has trouble filling positions in nearly every sector, from oil and gas to hospitality. It seems that everyone is searching for a solution to coax people into coming to Alberta.
Here's a solution for you: if a man comes to Alberta and works for years to become a skilled labourer with the goal of bringing over his common law wife and his young son from the Philippines, maybe we should change the process. Maybe it shouldn't be that hard.
Vingilio Morales left his family in the Philippines and came to Canada to work and earn a place here for his wife and his son. He died suddenly last month without completing the allotted time necessary before his family could move to be with him.
Without belittling the community's efforts to raise funds to send to the Philippines for the wife and son Morales left behind, there should be something more we can do.
We need more people; they are dreaming of a life in Canada. Can't we think of a way to make that happen?
There are other cases like this, where foreign workers come over and then can't stay or can't bring their families.
If Alberta is so desperate to fill positions in nearly every employment sector, why aren't we more welcoming to those who would love to come to our community?
Every politician who comes through says the same things about all the opportunities here, all the positions we will not be able to fill in the future and how hard it is to find skilled workers for the positions open now.
Maybe if we invite those who want to come, like Morales's family, we can fill the empty spaces in our community and also give them the chance their husband and father died trying to give them.
We're really proud of our life here in Canada. That doesn't mean we shouldn't be welcoming and share it with those who'd love the chance to make a life here too.
