Although the Temporary Foreign Workers Program predates the ascension to power of the Harper regime, there is mounting evidence that the abuses occurring under the program, none of which I am aware predate 2006, have been nurtured by the current cabal that consistently elevates the interests of business over the well being of citizens.
The latest example, as reported by CBC, comes from Saskatchewan where, in March, Sandy Nelson, who worked at Brothers Classic Grill and Pizza [previously called El Rancho] in Weyburn, Sask., for 28 years, along with her her co-workers, received the following letter:
"Due to changes in operations we are currently discharging all of our staff".
Some of them were subsequently hired back, including two waitresses who are temporary foreign workers.
But Nelson was permanently dismissed.
And Nelson was not the only victim of a program gone awry. Shaunna Jennison-Yung worked for the restaurant for 14 years before meeting the same fate:
The jobs they have aren't jobs that nobody wanted. We wanted them," Jennison-Yung explained.
She said to make matters worse, as a supervisor, she was unwittingly training her replacements.
"It's hurtful to be put aside and have people that you trained to do your job now doing your job. It's heartbreaking is what it is."
Predictably, the owners of Brothers Classic Grill and Pizza uttered the standard evasions and platitudes in response to CBC inquiries:
"All obligations to any employee are taken seriously. This includes the protection of personal information."
Additionally, they offered that "employees are a valuable asset to any business."
So valuable, apparently, that they are fungible commodities to be disposed of as the owners' agenda sees fit.
UPDATE: As occurred after a recent story emerged of Canadians suffering under the TFWP at three McDonalds's outlets in Victoria, the federal government is reacting with
Employment Minister Jason Kenney has asked his department to investigate Brothers Classic Grill and Pizza in Weyburn, Sask., a spokeswoman for the minister said Monday.
The spokeswoman added:
“Our government will not tolerate any abuse of the temporary foreign worker program. Our message to employers is clear and unequivocal — Canadians must always be first in line for available jobs.”
In an expedient moment of high dudgeon, the government warns of “serious criminal sanctions,” including fines and jail time, if employers lie on their applications about their efforts to hire Canadians.
May I make so bold as to suggest that the Harper regime's interest in this case will last about as long as the media's interest in it does?
P.S. Be sure to check out Montreal Simon's excoriating post on this topic.
