News Release
December 19, 2005
Government Relations - 1153
SASKATCHEWAN'S IMMIGRATION PROGRAM HELPS FILL TRUCKER SHORTAGES
More long haul truck drivers could soon be on the road in Saskatchewan. Through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) the province is looking to attract foreign truck drivers to Saskatchewan trucking firms. "The provincial government is working hard to attract immigrants to our province," Minister responsible for Immigration Pat Atkinson said. "By establishing the Long-Haul Truck Driver Project we will be able to address labour shortages and help increase our workforce." The truck driver project will allow Saskatchewan firms to bring workers to the province under Service Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker policy for occupations requiring a high school diploma, or specific on the job training, and then hire them as permanent employees through the SINP. As of today long haul truck drivers can begin working in Saskatchewan for a trucking firm on a foreign work permit. After six months, if they are offered a permanent job, they may apply to the SINP for permanent resident status. "The current driver shortage might be the tip of the ice berg with our current baby boomers retiring at a staggering rate; we in the industry have been positioning ourselves for some very rough times ahead," Saskatchewan Trucking Association president Doug Barry said. "Our association has been working to recruit members of our aboriginal population, along with our youth, to enter our industry at the earliest possible opportunity. In the interim we must look toward experienced drivers to fill the vacancy and the Saskatchewan Immigrant Program." In the fall of 2003, the Saskatchewan Trucking Association and the provincial government ran a pilot program to attract 240 long haul truckers to address labour needs in this sector. This project is the latest enhancement to the province's immigration program, which will approve approximately 5,000 new immigrants a year by 2008-09. For more information on this and other immigration programs in Saskatchewan visit the website at www.immigrationsask.gov.sk.ca.-30-
For More Information, Contact:
| Gladys Wasylenchuk Government Relations Regina Phone: (306) 787-1370 Cell: (306)529-8630 |