Where are the jobs for born-in-Ontario Canadians?

I wrote in July, 2013 about “illegal” immigrants ” squeezing the home renovation and home building industry in the GTA. Now legal immigrants in some places seem to be getting a head start over local born and bred Canadians, especially in some declining townships in Ontario. Even  in larger cities like Windsor, Ontario, where unemployment has risen to 40 per cent, locals face more competition with an increase of 86 per cent of foreign workers. In London, Ontario unemployment has risen to 27 per cent and again, foreign workers have increased 87 per cent.

I thought the idea was to get jobs for people out of work. How can this happen when it seems government floods the area with foreign workers at the same time? 

A reliable source who was visiting family in Fort Erie, Ontario within the last seven days where the biggest employer way back was a company called Fleet says that company is almost gone and so is the town.

There are many unemployed, yet locals tell of new immigrants coming into town, sponsored by persons who receive a government payment for each new immigrant who arrives under their sponsorship. Each new immigrant is given accommodation and financial support for two years. I say, what about the locals who have lived there all their live, during the good, the bad and now the downright ugly times and who are now out of work? Do they receive the same handouts?

I realize regeneration is what it’s all about, but surely everyone deserves a share in the wealth, especially if you were born and bred in the town or city you live in!

Is government causing this? In my opinion, yes, in the same way its rules and regulations are growing the construction underground market. No tradesman wants to be part of this market, but with the introduction of organizations like the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) which, given the opportunity, will shortly un-employ many thousands of self-employed home renovators in Ontario, they don’t have much choice.

It is changes like this along with the WSIB forcing mandatory coverage for all self-employed trades and an HST that discriminates against renovations that make it harder in Ontario for legitimate contractors to keep their heads above water.

Whats do you think of all this government red tape? Could the latest organization called OCOT finally push many more into the underground market?

CARAHS was founded as a non profit association to advocate and mentor independent self employed renovators and home services (Canadian Association of Renovators and Home Services)  

GOLD members toll free hot line 1-866-366-2930 for issues on WSIB, Safety MOL,reducing fines or job site closure, customer issues and more. Unlimited usage. 

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