As labor shortage worsens, Quebec launches overseas hiring blitz


Labor Minister Jean Boulet predicts over 1.4 million jobs will need to be filled by 2030 in all sectors and regions.

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Battling a major labor shortage that is slowing the province’s economic recovery, the Quebec government announced Monday it is launching a recruitment blitz aimed at hiring 3,000 foreign workers over the next year.

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The target set by the “Journées Québec” program is double that of 2021, and might grow larger in the coming years.

Details of this year’s program were announced by Labor Minister Jean Boulet, who is also the minister of immigration.

The program will see recruitment teams visiting 17 countries in an effort to fill vacancies that have dogged several of the province’s economic sectors. Employers may also participate in the program.

Priority will be given to French-speaking candidates from countries such France and Morocco, a step it is hoped will accelerate the integration and retention of recruits.

The employment sectors requiring immediate attention are information technology, engineering, construction, health care and daycare services.

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The program also focuses on hires in the hotel and restaurant industries, both of which have been hard hit by the pandemic.

Boulet described the province’s labor shortage as “acute” in all sectors and in all regions, and predicted there will be more than 1.4 million jobs to be filled by 2030.

Given the overall rarity of employees, “immigration is one of the options available to businesses,” Boulet told reporters.

However, the Legault government does not intend to raise annual immigration levels for Quebec beyond the current 50,000.

Monday’s program is being carried out in collaboration with Québec International, Montréal International, and the Société de développement économique de Drummondville.


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