Document Details

2010-07-12

Steve Arnold

The Spec

Canada's immigration policies are failing a country desperate for workers to replace retiring baby boomers.

Union leader Mike Gallagher, business manager for Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, says that's the only conclusion to be drawn from the experience of Oakville resident Lee Mallozzi -- a British immigrant facing deportation because of a paperwork error on his application to stay in Canada.

"Our immigration policy isn't being conducted on a rational basis," he said in an interview. "It's being done on a hodgepodge kind of basis."

Gallagher and the operating engineers have taken up Mallozzi's cause as an example of how simple errors can deprive the country of badly needed workers. As part of its support, the union is holding a fundraising event at its Oakville hall, 2245 Speers Rd., tonight. Money raised will help Mallozzi pay legal bills for his fight to stay here.

Gallagher explained Mallozzi arrived here from England three years ago with his wife Josie and two children and obtained a temporary work permit. He worked at an Ontario steel company. Five months before the permit was due to expire, he applied for an extension, but because his employer made a technical error in filling out the required form, Mallozzi was told days before his initial permit expired he and his family would be deported.

After protests by the union and others, that action has been stayed while the family restarts the application process. Until the extension is approved, however, Mallozzi is not allowed to work in Canada, putting the family in danger of losing their home.

Gallagher argues Canada needs an immigration policy focused on attracting the most talented people possible to the country, not just filling immediate needs by bringing in temporary workers who have no commitment to building this country.

"That has to make more sense than just bring in temporary workers who don't leave behind any tangible benefit for the country," he said. "The Mallozzis are the kind of people we want in this country; skilled, hard workers with a young family and a squeaky-clean record."

Canada's need for a replacement labour force has been illustrated several times. The number of temporary workers admitted into the country has climbed to more than 192,000 in 2008 from 103,000 five years earlier. At the same time, a study by the Construction Sector Council concluded that industry alone will need at least 8,000 new heavy equipment operators between 2010 and 2018 to replace workers who retire and die.

Earlier this year, the Conference Board of Canada warned the country will need 100,000 more immigrants every year than the 250,000 currently allowed in if it is to boost productivity and pay for future pensions.

Hamilton immigration lawyer Howard Eisenberg agreed the current policies aren't meeting the country's needs. "It's a complicated process and it isn't serving our needs," he said. "The system is hard to understand, highly technical and very bureaucratic. It's very cumbersome and it results in too many people with PhDs and MDs driving taxis."

The current system, he added, makes it too difficult for temporary workers to apply for permanent residency in Canada:

"Right now we're too busy trying to see if an applicant meets the technical requirements for Category A or B. We've gotten too far away from looking for people who want to build a real stake in Canada."

Mallozzi could not be reached for comment.

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  Union: Foreign worker's plight sign of failed policy (http://www.thespec.com/news/business/article/9976--union-foreign-worker-s-plight-sign-of-failed-policy)
  

Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations - general

Policy analysis

Public awareness

Ontario and United Kingdom

English