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Tag: Randy Boissonnault

  • Randy Boissonnault Steps Away from Cabinet Amid Allegations of False Indigenous Claims

    Edmonton MP Randy Boissonnault has stepped down from his cabinet role as Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages Minister to address allegations regarding his Indigenous identity.

    In a statement released Wednesday before question period, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office announced the decision. “Prime Minister Trudeau and MP Randy Boissonnault have agreed that Mr. Boissonnault will step away from Cabinet effective immediately. Mr. Boissonnault will focus on clearing the allegations made against him,” the statement read.

    Temporary Leadership Transition
    Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor will assume Boissonnault’s ministerial responsibilities while the Edmonton MP works to address the accusations. This marks a shift from Trudeau’s earlier defense of Boissonnault on Tuesday, where he praised his contributions to the cabinet.

    Allegations and Reactions
    The controversy centers around claims that Boissonnault misrepresented an Indigenous background during past elections. Additionally, his former company allegedly misidentified as Indigenous-owned to secure federal contracts reserved for Indigenous-led businesses. Boissonnault has categorically denied these accusations, calling them “false.”

    Liberal MPs, however, are urging Boissonnault to provide a clearer account of the situation. B.C. MP Ken Hardie emphasized the need for transparency, stating, “A good bit of clear light on the situation is the best disinfectant.” Hardie also suggested that Boissonnault should face the media directly to clarify his position.

    Conservative Scrutiny and Liberal Defense
    Conservative MPs have called for Boissonnault’s resignation, turning the allegations into a heated topic during Tuesday’s question period. While some Liberal colleagues support Boissonnault, others, like Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, referenced prior ethics reviews that cleared him of wrongdoing.

    Despite the controversy, Liberal cabinet members, including Sean Fraser, vouched for Boissonnault’s professionalism but refrained from commenting on his personal claims of Indigenous identity.

    Background of the Claims
    Boissonnault had previously stated that his great-grandmother was a Cree woman, though he now admits this was inaccurate. His family maintains Métis heritage, backed by records from the Métis Nation of Alberta. Boissonnault, however, does not claim formal Indigenous status himself.

    The situation remains a significant political challenge for Boissonnault and a point of focus for the opposition as investigations continue.

    Source: Swifteradio.com

  • Canada to Raise Minimum Wage for Temporary Foreign Workers in High-Wage Stream

    Canada to Raise Minimum Wage for Temporary Foreign Workers in High-Wage Stream

    OTTAWA – The Canadian government is set to increase the minimum hourly wage required for temporary foreign workers in the high-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program. The adjustment, effective November 8, aims to encourage employers to prioritize hiring Canadian workers.

    Currently, under the high-wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) stream, employers must pay at least the median wage of their province to qualify for hiring foreign workers. However, according to an unnamed government official, Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault will announce on Tuesday that the new wage threshold will rise to 20% above the provincial median hourly wage.

    In Ontario, for example, where the median hourly wage stands at $28.39, employers will soon be required to offer at least $34.07 per hour to hire foreign workers under this program.

    A Shift Towards Prioritizing Domestic Workforce

    The federal government’s objective with these wage adjustments is to reduce reliance on temporary foreign labor and encourage businesses to increase recruitment of Canadian workers. This move follows criticism directed at the Liberal government for expanding the number of temporary residents in Canada, which some argue has exacerbated housing shortages and driven up living costs.

    The TFW program has also faced scrutiny over alleged mistreatment of foreign workers.

    Employers hiring foreign workers through the LMIA stream must demonstrate that they could not find suitable Canadian candidates for the position. The upcoming wage increase will apply to 34,000 workers under the high-wage stream, according to government estimates. While current work permits will remain unaffected, renewals will be subject to the new wage rules.

    Surge in Temporary Foreign Workers Amid Tightening Rules

    Public data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that 183,820 temporary foreign worker permits were issued in 2023, a sharp increase from 98,025 permits in 2019, reflecting an 88% rise over four years.

    The upcoming change follows other efforts to limit the number of temporary residents, including restrictions on the percentage of low-wage foreign workers in certain sectors and eliminating permits in metropolitan regions with high unemployment. However, the new wage rules will not impact workers in agriculture, who have traditionally been exempt from similar changes.

    This policy shift signals the government’s continued efforts to balance economic needs with labor market protections while addressing concerns about the growing reliance on temporary workers.

     

    Source : The Canadian Press