How would you feel if you were asked to work in another country doing jobs that the workers of that country did not apply for and then after you accepted and went to work there for two, three or even four years they changed the rules on you?
Foreign workers were told that Canada needed workers in some areas such as the food service industry and hospitality. You would be given a work permit for two years if no Canadian was available for the job. After two years you could have your work permit extended for another two years. During this time if you fit into the category of skilled and unskilled workers, such as manager, cook, counter attendants, you could apply for permanent residency. You will make a low wage (but to my knowledge above the minimum wage level), but will be able to send money back to your family to help them survive.
Now the rules change. After working for three years in this country, you are now told that any extension will only be for one year. You had counted on not only being able to work here, but apply for citizenship. You are in an unskilled position, but have a university degree or have worked in restaurant management in your home country for six years. You have left your two-year-old son and six-year-old daughter for the purpose of establishing a new start in this country you know is so great.
Does Mr. Kenney realize the hardships that you the workers have gone through for several years to realize your dream of becoming Canadian citizens and bringing your families here to have a new start with lots of promise?
Does he really believe that you hard-working, loyal employees can be replaced by Canadians in positions that Canadians have already rejected?
Does he realize the implications for the companies who have relied on this help? Already the anxiety level of both workers and employers has risen substantially. How can Mr. Kenney honestly change the rules in midstream and disregard the efforts and trials that these men and women have gone through to realize the Canadian Dream?
Wake up, Mr. Kenney. Your knee-jerk reaction to a few complaints of abuse, that you were supposed to be monitoring, is not a viable solution for Alberta, and its foreign worker population.
Please let Mr. Kenney know as the Alberta politicians have stated “This is not a workable solution for Alberta.”
Val Merchant, St. Albert
