Author: Azadeh Haidari-Garmash, RCIC
When we muse about New Brunswick's thriving food industry, we often envision the fervent business owners, the abundant local produce, and the communal unity. But there's an unseen hero—the immigrant workforce. Now, we'll tackle a critical concern that's causing a ripple effect in New Brunswick's food sector: the repercussions of immigration reductions.
The Pulse of Production: Mrs. Dunster's and Fancy Pokket Bakery
Mrs. Dunster's and Fancy Pokket Bakery, two pillars of the Maritimes' food sector, are ringing the warning bell. These entities are more than just brands; they're cornerstones of the community, heavily reliant on immigrant labor to keep the gears in motion. The dearth of local applicants for job vacancies has nudged them toward an increasing reliance on overseas talent.
Mrs. Dunster's: A Tapestry of Cultures
At Mrs. Dunster's, the team is a lively tapestry composed of 275 staff members from 13 different countries, conversing in 26 languages. A staggering 52% of these employees are immigrants. However, despite this cultural blend, a shadow of uncertainty looms. The Atlantic Immigration Program, an essential channel for recruiting foreign workers, has been curtailed, leaving out vital roles such as bakers. CEO Blair Hyslop has candidly voiced his concerns over the scant local interest in these positions. The potential fallout? As many as 56 employees could face an uncertain future over the next three years, with 15 potentially impacted as soon as this year.
The Personal Impact of Immigration Reductions
Imagine a lively workplace suddenly dipped in a gloomy aura. That's the reality for many at Mrs. Dunster's, where apprehension about job stability and immigration status is taking root. The emotional ripple effect is discernible as workers fret over work permit renewals and the fading dream of permanent residency.
Fancy Pokket Bakery: A Tireless Quest for Talent
Fancy Pokket Bakery tells a similar tale. With immigrants making up 82% of its workforce, President Mike Timani is facing a formidable challenge. Despite attempts to recruit locally, even considering former inmates, employee retention remains a hurdle. For Timani, his immigrant workforce isn't just pivotal to the bakery's triumph but also to its community contributions.
Obstacles in Scaling and Expansion
Both Mrs. Dunster's and Fancy Pokket Bakery are feeling the squeeze as they grapple with business expansion against a dwindling local workforce backdrop. Immigrant workers are not only vital for their operations but also provide for families back home, nurturing hopes of family reunification—an aspiration now muddled by policy changes.
Sectoral Bias and Immigration Quotas
New Brunswick's immigration quotas are now tilting towards sectors like health, education, and construction trades. This bias comes at a cost, with the province’s capacity for permanent residence applications poised to halve by 2025, plummeting from 5,500 to a mere 2,750.
Economic and Social Fallout
While immigration reductions aim to match housing and social service demands, experts caution that such moves could choke Atlantic Canada’s economic growth. The food industry's dependence on immigrant labor underscores potential threats to economic stride and labor supply if population growth predictions fall short.
Nevertheless, the Atlantic Immigration Program has reopened for new applications from designated New Brunswick employers to endorse a position offered to a foreign national.
However, the province will not be considering designation and endorsement applications for occupations falling under the following categories:
- Restaurant and food service managers
- Food service supervisors
- Cooks
- Bakers
- Bartenders
- Other customer representatives
- Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
- Administrative assistants
- Shippers and receivers
- Process control and machine operators — food and beverage processing
- Fish and seafood plant workers
The Path Ahead for the Atlantic Immigration Program
While the Atlantic Immigration Program continues to accept new applications, the exclusion of specific sectors will lead to economic stagnation and inefficiencies for both the private sector and the province.
