The Langley Chamber joined a private meeting with federal Immigration Minister Sean Fraser and representatives from chambers of commerce from across BC, to discuss the ongoing labour shortage and the role immigration can play in meeting workforce needs for businesses. 

In the meeting, the Minister shared actions taken to alleviate application backlogs and to better target immigration to meet labour market needs in each province. 

The Langley Chamber raised with the Minister the need for further investment in immigrant integration, to ensure newcomers can fully and successfully join the local labour force and fill the job vacancies in Langley.  The Langley Chamber also pushed for a national leadership role in addressing foreign credential recognition and labour mobility -- making it easier for newcomers to practice their professions in Canada and be able to do so if they move to different provinces.   

Facing a structural labour shortage, Langley businesses need action to bolster the workforce, including innovative training programs, targeted immigration, and programs to help bring more people into the workforce.