Cabinet minister urges employers to hire Canadian skilled workers

Canadians must be “first in line” for available jobs: Minister

Minister of Employment and Social Development Jason Kenney is urging employers to find Canadian workers to fill job vacancies.

Speaking at the inaugural Skill Migration National Employer Conference, Kenney emphasized the importance of addressing Canada’s growing skills shortages. But employers should make every effort to find skilled workers who are Canadian, he said.

"Canadians, including newcomers, must always be first in line for available jobs. Searching for the best candidate should begin at home," said Kenney.

"Canada has one of the best-educated workforces in the world, but there are too many people without jobs and jobs without people. Our government is taking action to increase employment by ensuring Canadians are able to fill job vacancies."

Attracting and retaining talent is also a key priority, Kenney said, and the government intends to build a faster and more flexible immigration system that focuses on economic growth and attracting new workers with the skills employers need.

The Canada Job Grant, along with other measures in the Economic Action Plan 2013, will help connect Canadian workers with job opportunities.

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