October 8, 2008

RICHARD GILBERT

The new ramp leading to the new Winnipeg Airport Authority is visible in the foreground.

Winnipeg Centre MP decries use of foreign trades on portions of airport expansion project

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

A Winnipeg MP claims temporary foreign workers (TFWs) are displacing local tradesmen on an airport expansion project, while the subcontractor who hired the workers says the MP is electioneering.

Ottawa-based Reemaco Inc. was hired by Ellis Don to hire qualified workers to construct a new air terminal at the James Armstrong Richardson International Airport in Winnipeg.

Reemaco hired about 22 TFWs, mostly from Lebanon, as carpenters to build a ramp.

However, an NDP member of Parliament is extremely upset and angry about the use of the foreign workers on the project.

“We were horrified to learn that local qualified trades people were not being hired and being laid off, while temporary foreign workers continue to be brought in,” said Winnipeg Centre MP Pat Martin.

“Our workers are sitting outside the fence looking in while Lebanese workers are flown in from Moscow. The labour brokers now realize that Canada is an open door and the temporary foreign workers are flooding in.”

A union rep said local workers could have filled the positions.

“Manitoban’s are being sent home and the temporary foreign workers are staying there,” said Wayne McLennan, the business agent for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters.

“I have people on my out of work list lining up for work.”

He said that there were 50 unionized carpenters and scaffolders working on the job, but that number dropped to 10 as a result of layoffs and the use of TFWs.

Reemaco Inc.’s owner strongly disagreed and said Martin is misinformed.

Raid Raphael Kassis argued that Martin only raised concerns to help his chances of re-election, as the matter was first brought to the attention of local media about a week before the federal election was called.

“If you go to the Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) website, you can see that there is a list of trades under pressure and in Manitoba one of those trades is carpentry,” he said.

The new process, which identifies occupations under pressure, has been developed by government to assist employers find workers.

Anyone who wants to hire foreign labour for occupations listed on the under-pressure list are only required to conduct minimal advertising, rather than the more comprehensive recruitment efforts normally required under the TFW program. Carpenters are listed as under pressure in Manitoba.

“It was not Reemaco who did the research and studied what occupations and trades were needed in this market,” said Kassis. “Reemaco advertised for months and could not find people.”

Kassis said the HRSDC followed established procedures by giving his company the approval to hire the TFWs, which included confirming with the union that there was a shortage of carpenters.

McLennan said he was contacted by the federal government, but he did not tell them there was a shortage.

“When the department called me and said, could we supply workers for this project? I said absolutely,” said McLennan. “We have people on the books.”

Kassis said he would like to tap into that pool.

“I really wish he (McLellan) had those people and would send them to me,” he said.

“It would have been a lot cheaper than paying for the transportation, housing and allowance that are needed when hiring temporary foreign workers. The fact is that we truly can’t find qualified people.”

The federal politician also said he believes there are problems with the apprenticeship system.

“We could have started 20 new apprentices on this job. Instead, a bunch of foreign workers are eating our lunch. They won’t hire union workers, but they will hire temporary workers from Lebanon. I want these guys out of the country.” 

According to Kassis, Martin and McLennan should challenge the government and not his company if they have a problem with his use of temporary foreign workers.

“I should not have to defend myself because I am not doing anything wrong,” he said. “To use this as a political stunt is wrong.”

He has followed proper procedures.

“It doesn’t matter where these people come from. I recruit qualified people and the Canadian Embassy will do the homework,” he said.

Kassis also objects to the sentiment that has been stirred up against the foreign workers.

“They (people) are now calling my crew terrorists,” he said. “This is shameful.”

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