P.E.I.'s new immigration approach hurting service and retail sectors, business groups say - Action News
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PEI

P.E.I.'s new immigration approach hurting service and retail sectors, business groups say

Two of P.E.I.'s chambers of commerce say the province's plan to reduce immigration is hurting businesses and has prompted hundreds of foreign workers to leave the Island.

Workers may have to leave P.E.I. if they see no pathway to permanent residency here

A sever wears a blue facemask and black uniform. She is serving a table of two people a glass of white wine and a beer.
Some employers in the service industry are concerned about losing staff when their work permits run out. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

Two of the Island's chambers of commerce say the province's plan to reduce immigration is hurting businesses, and has prompted hundreds of foreign workers to leave P.E.I.

And a small restaurant in Summersidesays it may have to close rather than expand as it had been planning, with three of its workers on the verge of leaving.

The provincial government announced in February that it is reducing its intake of potential permanent residents under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)by 25 per cent, and will focus on nominating workers in health care, child care and the building trades.

The Summerside and Charlottetown chambers of commercesay that leaves many who work in retail and the service sector without achance at permanent residency any time soon.

Kaley O'Brien, CEO of the Summerside Chamber of Commerce, said many of those workers have left their jobs, and the province.

Woman with orange sweater.
Kaley O'Brien, CEO of the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce, says many employees on work permits are leaving because they don't see a future on P.E.I. (Laura Meader/CBC)

"We have employers that can no longer staff certain positions," O'Brien said.

"They're having a struggle keeping the workforce that they do have because employees are scared. Employees are scared they're no longer qualified for their [permanent residency], and that they don't see a future here in Prince Edward Island, and they're leaving."

Recruitment now harder

The chambers say the immigration changes are also making it tough to attract new foreign workers who aren't likely to come without a pathway to permanent residency on P.E.I.

"We urge the government to work collaboratively with business, chambers, and stakeholders to develop solutions and address the challenges posed by population growth without compromising the vitality of our economy and the quality of services provided to residents and visitors alike," said Bianca McGregor, CEO of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, in a news release.

The two business groups are calling on government to reassess its plan.

'I might have to shut down'

In Summerside,Harneetand GurpreetBrar co-own the House of Spice. They had been hoping to start up another restaurant and open a store, but that plan looks doubtful now.

Woman in a burgundy sweater and man in a blue turban and shirt stand in a restaurant.
Harneetand GurpreetBrar, the co-owners of House of Spice in Summerside, said they are losing both staff and diners as the impact of the new rules becomes more clearer. (Laura Meader/CBC)

"We have two or three people who [wanted] to apply [through]PNP and immigration program," said Harneet Brar."They're going to leave I'll be out three employees like this.

"If I don't get employees, I might have to shut down."

"It's a little shocking to us," said GurpreetBrar.

On top of the loss of staff, Harneet Brarsaid the restaurant is also losing patrons as people who had been regulars leave the province to seek their fortunes elsewhere.

Rajwinder Kaur is one employee planning to leave House of Spice rather than give up her dream of obtaining permanent residency.

Smiling woman in burgundy smock and black turtleneck stands in restaurant.
Rajwinder Kaur has been working at the House of Spice Restaurant in Summerside, but says she now will be looking for a job in health care or construction in order to continue seeking permanent resident status. (Laura Meader/CBC)

"Everybody's talking about the changes and everybody's in the stress," Kaur told CBC News.

She said she will try to find a job in health care or construction on P.E.I. to gain the experience she needs to continue qualifying for permanent resident status.

In an emailed statement to CBCNews on Monday, the P.E.I. government said itis not considering any immediate changes to its immigration policy.

"Given the pressures faced in critical sectors such as health care, education, among others identified as high-priority earlier this year, these are the temporary measures the province must undertake at this time like other jurisdictions," the statement reads.

"These measures are being monitored and will be adjusted when and where needed."

Corrections

  • An earlier version of this story quoted a Summerside Chamber of Commerce official who said the immigration situation had led to the brief closure of a Tim Hortons restaurant drive-thru on Monday. In fact, that closure was due to a power outage.
    Apr 23, 2024 12:58 PM AT

With files from Steve Bruce