Ontario Recruiting Quebec-Based Workers: What's Going On?

At the Centre de formation professionnelle des Portages-de-l’Outaouais, students are flanked with signs promoting a “variety of trades grouped under the same labourers' union in Ontario.” Welding job opportunities are advertised with wages such as $54.62 an hour, and heavy machinery operators $61.02 per hour. 

“That ad was part of a bigger labour recruitment campaign for Ontario,” explained a LiUNA union spokesperson.

Ontario's efforts to recruit Quebec-based workers are raising considerable concerns and fueling many debates in Quebec. At a time when labour shortage is already apparent, especially in the construction industry, this inter-provincial rivalry raises a lot of important questions.

Tough Choice for Workers

For many Quebecers, the thought of crossing provincial borders to work in Ontario is both tempting and complex. From alluring wages to promises of bigger paycheques, the opportunity is hard to overlook. However, moving forward with such a decision isn’t without its share of consequences.

“There are a lot of advantages for a Quebecer to cross the river,” stated a Journal de Québec source, one familiar with the construction industry in both provinces. “Wages are similar, but in Ontario, the guys don’t pay for insurance, there aren’t any payroll deductions, so paycheques are bigger.”

On top of the recruitment campaign that’s currently running in Ontario, the government of Alberta just implemented a one-time, reimbursable tax credit of $5,000 to bring in workers from other provinces. However, according to Guillaume Houle, Public Affairs Manager for the Association de la construction du Québec (ACQ), this argument is far from convincing. “Pension funds and insurance benefit plans are a lot better here. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, especially in the event of a workplace accident.”

The construction industry is facing a major labour shortage. Close to 12,000 jobs were vacated last year at the height of business operations in Quebec. According to the Commission de la construction du Québec, said figure could soar to 16,000 over the next few years. The ACQ is counting on proposed Bill 51 to modernize the construction industry and fast-track construction training, allowing workers to be compensated whilst training. 

Meanwhile, the Quebec government maintains that measures are in place to attract experienced workers, foreign workers, and recent graduates. As part of this initiative, there’s a career extension tax credit as well as tax credits specific to recent grads choosing to establish themselves in remote regions.

Language Barrier

Ontario might seem more welcoming to immigrant workers, especially in terms of language. French is often a third language for foreign workers, one they haven't fully mastered.

In Quebec, to obtain that prized piece of paper that allows individuals to transition from a closed to an open work permit, one must be able to communicate in French at an intermediate level. In other words, be able to conjugate conditional and imperfect verbs, as well as “lead normal, everyday conversations,” according to the government’s established proficiency levels. 

Moreover, the waiting period for obtaining permanent resident status is often painstakingly long whereas, Ontario’s Express Entry System allows immigrants meeting job market requirements to get their permanent resident status within three months only. 

Simon Bertrand, Meglab’s Human Resources Director, saw, first-hand, interns leave for Ontario just as they were about to sign an employment contract with him, he said to Le Devoir newspaper. 

A Crucial Assessment

This situation sheds light on the need for reassessing Quebec’s labour retention strategies. It entails finding the right balance between economic enticement and preserving the identity and vitality of Quebecer communities.

Ontario's recruitment process isn’t solely a question of numbers or politics. It’s a reality, made up of personal choices and shared challenges, affecting individuals, businesses, and communities. 

*All quotes were translated into English by RenoQuotes.