Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) released their annual labour survey that found that labour shortages over the past year have resulted in over $13 billion in economic losses. Over 500 respondents were represented across the country in various subsectors of the manufacturing sector from small businesses to large multinational corporations. Participants noted that over the past year, 62% of manufacturers have lost or turned down contracts and faced production delays due to the lack of workers. Eighty per cent of manufacturers reported that labour shortages in related sectors – like transportation and logistics – are further affecting their businesses negatively. Fifteen per cent of employers admitted that they are considering the relocation of some or all their production outside of Canada due to the labour shortage. Finally, over 70% of respondents have increased wages and benefits as a method to retain and attract workers to their companies.

CME is calling on all levels of government to take action to fill the more than 85,000 vacant positions in Canada’s manufacturing sector within a year. Specifically, they ask for government support in four areas:

• Providing more support for automation.
• Bringing in more economic class immigrants and enacting reforms that reduce backlogs and improve processing times.
• Providing employer-led training benefits to help upskill and reskill the workforce.
• Renewing and increasing funding for programs that encourage persons from underrepresented groups to seek careers in manufacturing