All media requests should be directed to Émilie Potvin, Director, Public Affairs, epotvin@chamber.ca, (613) 238-4000 ext. 231 or (613) 797-1860.

Ottawa - Monday April 29, 2013 - Changes announced today by the government to the Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) program will add costs, delays and red tape for Canadian businesses.

Most companies using temporary foreign workers are small businesses that can’t afford to wait to find the appropriate workers and don’t have many options for training. Nor can they pay much higher wages to persuade Canadians to relocate.

The Temporary Foreign Workers Program is often the only way for small businesses to find the people they need. While they would much rather employ Canadians, or permanent immigrants, these businesses often have no choice but to look to temporary foreign workers to take jobs that would otherwise go unfilled.

Click here to download the speaking notes for the Hon. Perrin Beatty as presented to the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association.

OTTAWA / Today, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Grant Thornton LLP announced the launch of the Private Business Growth Award, which seeks to recognize Canadian privately-held businesses that are successful at creating growth beyond their top or bottom line.

“Privately-held businesses are key players in the Canadian economy, and for truly dynamic companies, growth is at the top of their agendas,” says Bill Brushett, National Leader, Clients and Services, Grant Thornton LLP. “While some companies simply chase top or bottom-line growth, those that are committed to achieving long-term success must look strategically across all core aspects of their business and grow them in harmony in order to fully achieve their objectives. Real growth is about getting better at what you do year over year. This kind of holistic growth creates value beyond the top or bottom line.”

Click here to download the speaking notes for the Hon. Perrin Beatty as presented to the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.