A Survey of the Attitudes of Employers in Newfoundland and Labrador toward the Recruitment and Employment of New Canadians and International Workers

Abstract

The study was based on a random telephone survey of Newfoundland and Labrador businesses and a second survey which focused on employers who were known to have hired international workers or New Canadians. Results of the survey indicated that firms have had some difficulty finding skilled workers in the last five years, and they expect that there will be a more pronounced skilled labour shortage within the next twenty years.

Less than 10% of the random sample had employed New Canadians or international workers in the last five years. Many indicated that they hire from the local labour market, and many had not received an application from the immigrants. These businesses indicated that they did not see a labour cost advantage to hiring New Canadians and international workers. They also felt that recruitment and training costs would be higher, particularly with respect to language barriers, and that these costs might not be recovered because these workers may not stay in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The majority of firms who hired New Canadians and international workers reported a positive experience. Many of the negative responses were related to concerns local labour should be hired first. Local business would hire New Canadians and international workers if there were incentives in place, and most businesses were not aware of the incentives currently available.