Category: Economic

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Economic Ft Mac

TFWs Will Not be Used By Contractor at Fort MacMurray International Airport After Layoffs

Fort MacMurray International Airport, TFWs

The possible use of TFWs at Fort MacMurray International Airport to replace laid off custodial staff has many people upset. Protests at the airport have been held and a lot of criticism has been given, some of it from people in high places and important positions. Initially Robert Clements was unresponsive to the concerns of the community and labor groups but that is starting to change. First Clements held firm and made comments that stopped short of guaranteeing that the staff at the airport would not be replaced with TFWs. In fact the CEO of the facility even told others that he would not stop Bill’s Cleaning Service from using TFWs if these were needed, The weeks of very visible protest and criticism have caused Clements to change his stance some.

During a recent press conference Fort MacMurray International Airport CEO Scott Clements provided some assurance that TFWs will not be used to fulfill the contract between the airport and Bill’s Cleaning Service. Clement said that the contract for the custodial services will include a pledge that no TFWs will be used, only Canadians. According to AFL president Gil McGowan the pledge is not enough. McGowan told the media “I’m afraid that six months to a year from now, when no one is looking and the scrutiny has passed, they’ll see TFWs filling these positions. Even if no TFWs end up at the work site, the fact remains that with this plan, Mr. Clements is turning good jobs into bad jobs at a time when the people of Fort MacMurray need as many good jobs as they can get.”

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Economic Ft Mac

Pay Cuts Accepted By CUPE Workers at Fort MacMurray International Airport Before Layoffs Announced

CUPE workers, Fort MacMurray International Airport

CUPE workers at Fort MacMurray International Airport had accepted pay cuts before the upcoming layoffs of custodial staff were announced. According to the CUPE Local 1505, the union that represents custodial workers at the airport. Pay cuts were accepted by the union and it’s members in order to help bring operational expenses under control after the new $258 million terminal. The layoffs are highly controversial in the area, and the company chosen for the new contract to replace the laid off workers is Bill’s General Cleaning. This company has been criticized in the past for their use of temporary foreign workers and many fear that TFWs will be used in replacing the custodial workers at the airport. These concerns have led to protests and vocal complaints, both against the layoffs themselves and against the facility.

If CUPE workers have already agreed to pay cuts previously then Fort MacMurray International Airport should be respectful of this during the negotiations. According to one worker, Darlene Christopher, she took a 10% cut in pay soon after she started her employment with the airport facility. When discussing the situation Christopher said “I actually quit my other job because I was promised so much security and benefits at this job, I have to depend on my kids to try to help me right now. I shouldn’t have to, I should have my job to help me take care of myself.” According to Gil McGowan, president of Alberta Federation of Labour “This is absolutely no way to pay back workers for such intense loyalty. We will have no choice but to implement a very aggressive campaign with implications for both the airport and the municipality. That could include making this an election issue in the next municipal election. We won’t forget this.”

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Economic

Canada’s Economy Counts on Reliable Liquidity Says Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Wilkins

Available as: PDF

The financial system needs reliable funding and market liquidity to support economic activity, Bank of Canada Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Wilkins said today in her speech to the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “We learned from the crisis that liquidity can be a fickle friend, and its absence can amplify financial distress,” she said.

International and national authorities, including the Bank of Canada, have made significant progress on a series of reforms to reduce the costs and chances of any future crisis. The reforms “are also to make sure that taxpayers won’t be on the hook for the cost of any future turmoil,” she said.

The reforms are making the financial system safer, and the risks of financial transactions will be priced more appropriately. The transition is challenging market participants to adjust their business models to the new reality. While the Bank is watching this evolution closely, Wilkins said individuals should understand the importance of market and funding liquidity. “Everyone should be aware of all the risks involved in investing, including liquidity risks.”

Senior Deputy Governor Wilkins emphasized the role the Bank of Canada fulfills in promoting the stability and resilience of core funding markets in normal times, as well as during times of extraordinary market stress. The Bank of Canada published two consultation papers today on proposals to adjust the Bank’s frameworks for financial market operations and for Emergency Lending Assistance. The goal is to integrate the lessons of the crisis and “to promote the economic welfare of Canadians by supporting the stability and resilience of our financial system.”

“A solid economy rests on reliable funding and market liquidity,” Wilkins said. “If we all do our part, a more robust financial system will emerge, to the benefit of the people it ultimately serves: businesses and households who save and borrow.”

Source:: http://www.bankofcanada.ca/2015/05/canadas-economy-counts-reliable-liquidity/

      

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac Politics

MLA Don Scott is Getting Criticized for His Travel Expenses

MLA Don Scott, travel expenses

The MLA Don Scott, who represents the Fort McMurray-Conklin area, has been under some criticism for his traveling expenses by the opposition. Scott’s fiscal history has been under increased scrutiny after a 2013 Poland trip costing $24,100 was made public. Service Alberta disclosed that Scott was in Warsaw Poland on September 25 and September 26 of 2013. The MLA was attending an International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners as the accountability, transparency, and transformation associate minister. The politician left on September 18, and traveled to London first. This trip was paid for by Scott according to his itinerary at the time. The travel expenses are being criticized by many people, including Brian Jean who stated “Only in Alberta could the minister of accountability think it is proper to book ultra-elite, first-class tickets to Europe for himself and his assistant. I couldn’t imagine spending $8,700 on a flight to Europe.”

Brian Jean is not the only one critical of the travel expenses of MLA Don Scott. Ariana Mancini, NDP candidate, called into question whether the trip was even necessary in the first place and said “The PC Party claims to be responsible fiscal stewards, but we see misuse of public dollars so frequently. His peers from the other provinces were not so careless. Even well-meaning people like Mr. Scott can be led astray by the culture of corruption that has rotted the PC Party to the core.” Scott has defended his expenses by saying “It represents the only overseas trip I’ve taken as a minister and I followed Alberta’s guidelines for overseas travel. I went to help find the best practices to implement in Alberta, which the Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation already praises as the gold standard in Canada.”

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac

Fort MacMurray International Airport Staff Layoffs Lead to Warning From Alberta Federation of Labor

Alberta Federation of Labor, Fort MaMurray International Airport, staff layoffs

Planned staff layoffs at Fort MacMurray International Airport has led to a warning from the Alberta Federation of Labour. Ever since the layoffs were announced by the facility many have been upset over the plan and have been very vocal about there dissatisfaction. In addition the company who has received the contract for the custodial services currently performed by the custodial staff at the airport has used foreign workers in the past. This has led some to claim that the contracted company plans to replace the staff being laid off with temporary foreign workers who will receive a lower wage. 23 full time employees and one part time staff member will be let go when Bill’s General Cleaning takes over custodial services at the airport according to the recent contract.

When discussing the staff layoffs at Fort MacMurray International Airport the Alberta Federation of Labor president Gil McGowan stated “Our message to the Fort McMurray Airport Authority is that if they proceed with this plan, there will be consequences. Our strategy will involve more than an information picket line outside of the airport.” CUPE Local 1505 president Les Collins said “The employer hasn’t proven otherwise, nor have they given the union any documentation in writing stating to that effect, that temporary foreign workers will not be used.” McGowan told the media “I can say that if the members of the airport authority make this decision, it is not an issue we will forget or something we will allow to blow over and fade away. Alberta’s unions will not stand for the plan the Fort McMurray airport’s CEO is trying to implement.”What is happening now in Fort McMurray and throughout Alberta is completely unacceptable. We will do what we can to stop this.”

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac

TFW Reforms Called For By Brian Jean

Brian Jean, TFW reforms

TFW reforms are being called for by Brian Jean, although the Wildrose Leader does believe that Canadians and Fort MacMurray residents should get first shot at any jobs available before temporary foreign workers are offered an employment opportunity. Jean told the media during an interview “First, people from Fort McMurray are the ones that should be prioritized for jobs locally. The second are Albertans. Then Canadians, and if there is a real demand and shortage, then temporary foreign workers can be used. But that program should be an accelerated citizenship and residency program. If they have shown they are honest and trustworthy, if they work hard after coming to Canada, we should give them the opportunity to become Canadian citizens. I’ve heard from lots of businesses who are not happy with the way Alberta is being treated right now.”

While Brian Jean is calling for TFW reforms he also says that he understands why there may be a need for foreign workers at times and any increase in labour shortages would be disastrous. Jean was also critical of the large number of work camps across Alberta and the fact that land costs and other prices in Fort MacMurray are incredibly high. Jean commented “It’s a mess all the way through. Those people don’t pay taxes to Alberta while they use our services. If people want to work in Alberta, they should be able to move to Alberta and bring their families to Alberta, pay their taxes in Alberta.”