Anne Quach denounces the Conservative’s plan

Incumbent MP Anne Minh-Thu Quach denounced the Conservative’s failed Foreign Worker’s Program which affects a number of agricultural producers in the region.

“Thanks to inaction on the part of the Conservatives, a number of agricultural producers had problems with the Foreign Worker’s Program in 2014 and continue to in 2015, indicated Ms Quach. With the upcoming harvest, it’s clear that the program has to be changed to ensure that businesses in need of workers have access to the program. The NDP considers the current processing times unacceptable.  It now takes 100 days to process an application sent by mail or 112 days for an online application to this program, whereas in 2014, the processing time for the same procedure took only 48 hours or 8 days respectively.”

Mario Bourdeau from Vergers Bourdeau, asserts that “Anne Quach and her team have always been there to help us with this issue. Foreign workers are essential to the effective operation of any local agricultural production. Processing times and conditions to be met should remain the same, regardless of the worker’s country of origin.  It’s ridiculous that we have to put pressure on the minister every year to process our applications. The situation has to change. Local producers are a vital part of our country and our economy.”

She was pleased to learn that the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Chris Alexander, and Minister for small businesses, Maxime Bernier, yielded to the combined pressure of the NDP, of various stakeholders and of agricultural producers such as Mr. Bourdeau.

Ms Quach points out that the NDP voiced concerns about this program last year. Fees for employers have increased along with the wait time.”

M.P. – Translated C.J.