Feds make it easier for foreign workers to come to Canada; Alberta unveils plan to meet labour shortfall of 86,000; Federal public-sector workers harassed but happy: employee survey; Wal-Mart bias not proven; Older people working more; Museums, galleries rely on volunteers; Calgary the costliest place to park; WCB rates fall in B.C.
Feds make it easier for foreign workers to come to Canada
Calgary — Temporary foreign worker offices in Calgary and Vancouver will help employers who plan to hire temporary foreign workers who are exempted from the labour market confirmation process. The offices will pre-screen supporting documents from employers to streamline the application process. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Monte Solberg said the offices will make it easier for temporary foreign workers to come to Canada and fill shortages in companies and sectors hardest hit by labour shortages. The pilot program will begin on Sept. 1.
Alberta unveils plan to meet labour shortfall of 86,000
Edmonton — Concerned about an expected shortfall of about 86,000 workers in the next 10 years, the Alberta government has unveiled a 10-year plan focused on raising training levels, increasing workforce participation of Aboriginals and other under-represented groups and promoting high performance work environments. The report, Alberta’s 10-Year Strategy, also noted the province has the lowest university participation in the country, with only half of Grade 10 students going into a post-secondary institution within six years.
Federal public-sector workers harassed but happy: employee survey
Ottawa — In a year of change, including major reorganizations in a number of large departments and the implementation of the Public Service Modernization Act, satisfaction levels within the federal public service have remained high. According to the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency, the 2005 employee survey showed 90 per cent were proud of their work and 82 per cent felt their organizations were a good place to work. The same survey found that more than one in five (22 per cent) federal public-sector workers had been harassed in the past year, while 17 per cent felt they had been discriminated against while on the job.
Wal-Mart bias not proven
Regina — There’s no evidence the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board is biased against Wal-Mart, said a Court of Queen’s Bench judge in throwing out the retailer’s attempt to prohibit the board from hearing cases involving the company. Wal-Mart has been fighting union certification by the United Food and Commercial Workers at some of its stores. It said bias among board members means it cannot get a fair hearing.
Older people working more
Ottawa — More people are working in their later years than before, and they’re working more hours, according to a study by Statistics Canada. In 2005, 68 per cent of men aged 55 to 64 had jobs, up from 59 per cent in 1998. Among women in the same age group, 51 per cent had jobs in 2005, up from 41 per cent six years earlier. Researchers also found that men, aged 55 to 64, were working an average of 4.4 hours a day in a paid job, an increase from 3.2 hours in 1998. Women of the same age worked 2.4 hours a day on average, up from one hour in 1992.
Museums, galleries rely on volunteers
Ottawa — Volunteers are not only the backbone of heritage institutions, they’re practically the flesh and blood as well. A 2004 Statistics Canada survey of heritage institutions found 85 per cent of the total workforces at art museums and galleries were volunteers. At historic sites, volunteers made up 74 per cent of the workforce, while at zoos and botanical gardens they accounted for 62 per cent.
Calgary the costliest place to park
Calgary — Calgary has surged past Toronto as the most expensive city to park in Canada, with a spot now costing $375 a month. Toronto comes in as the next most expensive, averaging $300 a parking spot, up from $285 in 2005. Calgary’s monthly rate last year was $245, according to Colliers International, a Seattle-based real estate services firm. The average cost for a monthly parking spot in Canada is $195.
WCB rates fall in B.C.
Richmond, B.C. — Thanks to strong investment returns, stable injury rates and lower duration of injuries, workers’ compensation premiums in British Columbia are expected to fall for 68 per cent of employers. Those in sawmills, paper mills, industrial construction and home construction will see as much as 20 per cent in premium cuts. Those in road construction, general trucking, public schools, hotels and supermarkets will see rates drop 15 per cent. Average base rates for employers will fall by 9.8 per cent. Premiums will stay the same for 10 per cent of employers but will increase for 22 per cent.
Calgary — Temporary foreign worker offices in Calgary and Vancouver will help employers who plan to hire temporary foreign workers who are exempted from the labour market confirmation process. The offices will pre-screen supporting documents from employers to streamline the application process. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Monte Solberg said the offices will make it easier for temporary foreign workers to come to Canada and fill shortages in companies and sectors hardest hit by labour shortages. The pilot program will begin on Sept. 1.
Alberta unveils plan to meet labour shortfall of 86,000
Edmonton — Concerned about an expected shortfall of about 86,000 workers in the next 10 years, the Alberta government has unveiled a 10-year plan focused on raising training levels, increasing workforce participation of Aboriginals and other under-represented groups and promoting high performance work environments. The report, Alberta’s 10-Year Strategy, also noted the province has the lowest university participation in the country, with only half of Grade 10 students going into a post-secondary institution within six years.
Federal public-sector workers harassed but happy: employee survey
Ottawa — In a year of change, including major reorganizations in a number of large departments and the implementation of the Public Service Modernization Act, satisfaction levels within the federal public service have remained high. According to the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency, the 2005 employee survey showed 90 per cent were proud of their work and 82 per cent felt their organizations were a good place to work. The same survey found that more than one in five (22 per cent) federal public-sector workers had been harassed in the past year, while 17 per cent felt they had been discriminated against while on the job.
Wal-Mart bias not proven
Regina — There’s no evidence the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board is biased against Wal-Mart, said a Court of Queen’s Bench judge in throwing out the retailer’s attempt to prohibit the board from hearing cases involving the company. Wal-Mart has been fighting union certification by the United Food and Commercial Workers at some of its stores. It said bias among board members means it cannot get a fair hearing.
Older people working more
Ottawa — More people are working in their later years than before, and they’re working more hours, according to a study by Statistics Canada. In 2005, 68 per cent of men aged 55 to 64 had jobs, up from 59 per cent in 1998. Among women in the same age group, 51 per cent had jobs in 2005, up from 41 per cent six years earlier. Researchers also found that men, aged 55 to 64, were working an average of 4.4 hours a day in a paid job, an increase from 3.2 hours in 1998. Women of the same age worked 2.4 hours a day on average, up from one hour in 1992.
Museums, galleries rely on volunteers
Ottawa — Volunteers are not only the backbone of heritage institutions, they’re practically the flesh and blood as well. A 2004 Statistics Canada survey of heritage institutions found 85 per cent of the total workforces at art museums and galleries were volunteers. At historic sites, volunteers made up 74 per cent of the workforce, while at zoos and botanical gardens they accounted for 62 per cent.
Calgary the costliest place to park
Calgary — Calgary has surged past Toronto as the most expensive city to park in Canada, with a spot now costing $375 a month. Toronto comes in as the next most expensive, averaging $300 a parking spot, up from $285 in 2005. Calgary’s monthly rate last year was $245, according to Colliers International, a Seattle-based real estate services firm. The average cost for a monthly parking spot in Canada is $195.
WCB rates fall in B.C.
Richmond, B.C. — Thanks to strong investment returns, stable injury rates and lower duration of injuries, workers’ compensation premiums in British Columbia are expected to fall for 68 per cent of employers. Those in sawmills, paper mills, industrial construction and home construction will see as much as 20 per cent in premium cuts. Those in road construction, general trucking, public schools, hotels and supermarkets will see rates drop 15 per cent. Average base rates for employers will fall by 9.8 per cent. Premiums will stay the same for 10 per cent of employers but will increase for 22 per cent.
