Canada faces skilled workforce shortages amid economic ambitions

Liberal Members of Parliament have warned that Canada’s efforts to fast-track major nation-building projects are straining a workforce already struggling to meet demand. Speaking at a Future Skills Centre conference in Toronto, parliamentary secretaries Leslie Church and Karim Bardeesy highlighted significant gaps in the national labour supply.

Leslie Church, parliamentary secretary to the minister of jobs, noted a disconnect between job seekers and industries, citing skill mismatches and training barriers. She stated that the government is investing in apprenticeships and training incentives to address these weaknesses.

Karim Bardeesy, parliamentary secretary to the industry minister, observed that Canadian businesses have historically invested less in employee training compared to other OECD nations. He also noted that employers are facing a shortage of soft skills, which he described as a lingering consequence of the pandemic.