Temporary foreign workers work at a vineyard in West Kelowna, B.C., on May 16.Aaron Hemens/The Globe and Mail
Everything but
Re “Canada’s productivity problem isn’t that big if we exclude oil” (Report on Business, Aug. 13): So much media has bemoaned the lack of productivity in the Canadian economy versus our neighbour to the south that whispers questioning such claims appear to have gone largely unnoticed.
Turns out data suggests that our productivity, excluding the oil sands, doesn’t merit all the self-flagellation. Perhaps the Canadian economy has been unfairly tarred and feathered.
Steve Pedretti Toronto
By removing the impact of the oil industry in both Canada and the United States, “the two countries’ growth rate for productivity is similar if oil is excluded” and “indicates that there is no immediate need for drastic action.”
The accompanying chart, however, shows Canadian “non-oil” total-factor productivity growth at 10.76 per cent from 2001 to 2018; that averages a measly 0.63 per cent each year. Meanwhile, it is further noted that “in healthy economies it grows at 2 per cent per year.” Clearly, then, we have a problem with productivity both in Canada and the United States.
How might we improve productivity? Innovate. Innovate now. And innovate often.
Dave Augustyn Pelham, Ont.
Labour problem
Re “Fraud in the temporary worker program isn’t the problem. The rules that rig the labour market are” (Editorial, Aug. 10): The Globe and Mail argues that the core problem of Canada’s temporary foreign worker program are the rules themselves. There are also the gross human rights violations that are systemic to this 51-year-old program.
In tying migrant workers to employers, the TFWP entrenches indentured labour in Canada, fostering conditions of exploitation and workplace abuses that have been well documented. The United Nation’s special rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery says that the TWFP is a “breeding ground” for such practices.
The TFWP is also designed to make it difficult to impossible for temporary foreign workers, who have been racialized, to become permanent residents. If Canada is serious about being a human rights defender, it should end the TFWP and give migrant workers, who are truly needed to fill labour shortages, permanent residency upon arrival.
Leah Shifferaw, Migrant justice team lead, Kairos Canada Toronto
Re “Canada’s temporary foreign worker program a ‘breeding ground’ for modern slavery, UN report concludes” (Aug. 13): I welcome the report of the United Nations on Canada’s temporary foreign worker program. I don’t often agree with Pierre Poilievre, who says it “should never be used to … suppress the wages of Canadian workers.”
Yet that is exactly what the previous Conservative government allowed for a time when Alberta and Saskatchewan fast-food giants complained that they couldn’t find workers, and needed to bring in TFWs. Rising wages in the oil patch meant not that there weren’t any Canadian workers, but that chains didn’t want to pay enough to attract them.
Heaven forbid my coffee should cost a little more if served by a Canadian worker. Capitalism swears by the laws of supply and demand – except when it can find a loophole.
Mike Sullivan Stratford, Ont.
Welcome home
Re “Lose, lose” (Letters, Aug. 13): Much has been written, mostly negative, about the role of investors in the real estate market. My question to critics: Exactly who do they think is going to provide the rental housing so desperately needed for a growing population?
Take investors and small landlords out of the market and watch the supply and quality of rental housing shrink dramatically. As an investor I take significant financial risk, work hard to maintain my properties and provide quality housing for 17 people.
To those who want us out of the market, they should be careful what they ask for.
Bill Chappell Toronto
One more thing
Re “Canadian human rights chief pick Birju Dattani resigns after report finds flawed vetting process” (Aug. 13): Following this lengthy and thorough investigation, it is clear to me that the correct decision was made.
Sadly, however, one important note in this disappointing affair is missing: a simple “I’m sorry” to the Canadian people from all involved.
Bernie Farber, Former CEO, Canadian Jewish Congress; founding chair emeritus, Canadian Anti-Hate Network; Thornhill, Ont.
Other way around
Re “Talk about…” (Letters, Aug. 13): The Deputy Chief of the Toronto Police Service defends the recent arrest of New Brunswick MLA Dominic Cardy during his counterprotest, describing that it was meant to de-escalate a potential threat of violence.
As Mr. Cardy was one counterprotester among a large group of protesters, it was presumably to prevent violence against him. Arresting the potential target of a threat seems backward.
Further, I believe that making an arrest to prevent a potential event is going too far. Citizens should not be arrested because the police are worried something might happen (excluding terrorist plots, etc., which this obviously was not).
It seems that policing of protests these days is all about not doing anything to upset the protesters. This isn’t good enough.
When protesters break the law, block traffic or threaten people, they should be arrested – not their targets.
Robert McCullough Edmonton
To a close
Re “Medal haul” (Letters, Aug. 13): I find it interesting that there is such a wide range of views on how Canadian Olympic athletes performed. Perhaps that comes from varied expectations? I find it equally concerning that people assign great importance to the results.
My view of Canada would not change in the slightest if our elite athletes failed to win a medal ever again. What makes this country great has nothing to do with their success.
Recreational sports are essential – a healthy mind requires a healthy body – and many sports teach important life skills: improvement through practice, a sense of fair play, healthy competition, teamwork, etc. They are worthy of public funding.
However, there are more important priorities for public funding than the facilities, equipment and coaching required to produce world-class athletes. Child poverty, homelessness and clean energy are just a few.
Those who wish to define Canada by athletic success are free to fund their view.
Mark Roberts Gananoque, Ont.
Re “Channel changer” (Letters, Aug. 13): I completely agree with a letter-writer: Anticipating a slew of commercials from CBC’s broadcast of the Olympics closing ceremony, I recorded it and watched later that evening in less than 90 minutes.
As to the CBC announcers who sat in amazement, where was Brian Williams to tell us what going on with intelligent commentary?
Duncan McLeod St. Catharines, Ont.
Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Keep letters to 150 words or fewer. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: letters@globeandmail.com