Restaurants Canada applauds province’s move to hire more international newcomers

‘With this action, we’re going to be able to hire and have access to employees where we have extreme shortages,’ says Luc Erjavec

CITYnews\ Chris Halef

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The Atlantic vice-president of Restaurants Canada says the government’s move to hire more international newcomers will help the struggling hospitality sector.

Last week, the Houston government announced it would be making additions to the Occupations in Demand immigration stream which include food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, related support occupations, food and beverage servers and light duty cleaners.

Luc Erjavec, Atlantic Canada’s vice-president for Restaurants Canada, told CityNews Halifax this is a welcome decision.

“With this action, we’re going to be able to hire and have access to employees where we have extreme shortages,” he said.

Erjavec said the positions added are very difficult to access through traditional immigration programs.

“Traditionally, there’s a non-refundable $1,000 fee just to apply for one of these positions,” he said. “So eliminating that is a great step that will reduce costs for restaurateurs, allow us to stay open and to employ more Nova Scotians which is win-win-win for every one.”

According to the province, employers will have the option to hire these workers without the need for a labour market impact assessment before offering the position.

There also won’t be a requirement for the employee to work with the employer for six months before applying to Nova Scotia’s Provincial Nominee Program.