ICYMI: Canadians expose foreign worker mess in oilsands | CBCNews.ca Mobile

More controversy regarding Temporary Foreign Workers and alleged abuse of the program to the detriment of Canadians:

Alberta’s minister of jobs, skills, training and labour said cases like this need investigation but foreign workers are still needed in the oilsands.

“We shouldnt penalize a whole industry, a whole economy, a whole region because there are some unfortunate circumstances. What we need to do is to get better at investigating those complaints and providing remedy to them,” said Kyle Fawcett.

When CBC News asked the federal minister responsible if visas may be revoked in this case and he indicated its possible.

“Weve done it… We have sent people home when their presence here as temporary foreign workers was based on misrepresentation,” said Immigration Minister Chris Alexander.

Signs with phrases in foreign languages are up at the Husky Sunrise worksite to help workers communicate with each other.

“We are saying to all employers you will only have access to this program if there’s not a qualified Canadian to do the job.”

The union said, because of a grievance it filed, the latest crew of new arrivals was pared back from 70 to 20 workers.

“These are widespread concerns,” said Nuygen from CLAC. “Safety is definitely one of the top two issues. The other is temporary foreign workers getting jobs ahead of Canadians.”

Demosten said foreign workers are still being promoted, however, to higher paying, non-union foreman jobs over him and other certified Canadians.

“People who don’t speak English are our bosses. They are telling us what to do and they don’t have any idea what to do.”

Canadians expose foreign worker mess in oilsands | CBCNews.ca Mobile.