May 23, young professionals gathered at The Sticks to network, meet new people and enjoy some appetizers. This second Young Professionals Under 40 gathering, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, was a social and professional event open to all young professionals who work in Lloydminster and area. The event connects young professionals to one another and to the Chamber of Commerce and other business resources. The success of these events determine that more will be held in the future.
The Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament is tomorrow at the Lloydminster Golf & Curling Center. This tournament is very popular every year, but this year especially so. We ended up with an overfull tournament and folks on the waiting list. Maybe has something to do with the extra long winter we had. Everyone is anxious to get outdoors and enjoy our world class golf course right here in Lloydminster. If you were unable to join us for this tournament, be sure to think about coming out to the Nine & Dine which we hold in August at our beautiful rural golf course, Rolling Green.
I'm off to Drumheller this week for the Alberta Chambers of Commerce Annual Meeting and Policy Session where I will present three policy resolutions on behalf of our Chamber. Highway 17 Upgrades, Physician Development and Ports To Plains Transportation Corridor. In addition, I will be part of a panel presentation talking about our success in attracting young people to our board and the value and gifts that our Chamber has received by having so many young people involved. We will also be having a discussion about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the recent changes to the program. Alberta Chamber has mobilized the Prairie Caucus to respond to this program that could have devastating effects on western businesses and the entire Canadian economy.
MP Leon Benoit was in town last Friday to discuss the Hire - A - Vet program with Chamber members. The Government will act more as a clearing house for this program, rather than put resources behind it to encourage businesses to participate. Mr. Benoit was also asked to answer questions regarding the Temporary Foreign Worker program and went away from the meeting with a very good idea about how it will effect Lloydminster businesses and how strongly apposed Lloydminster businesses are to the withdrawal of the Accelerated LMO as well as the clause to devise a plan to transition to Canadian workers. I asked the question if the government knows if we actually have enough skilled workers to fill the labour shortage. It is my understanding that as baby boomers retire, those who were never born behind us will not be here to pick up the slack. Mr. Benoit stated that there was strong public opinion that the TFWP was being abused and so the changes were a reaction to that. When asked where this public opinion was coming from, a definitive answer was not given. What's best for Canada ............... or what's best for the government? The Lloydminster Chamber has alerted both MP, Gerry Ritz and Mr. Benoit that we are interested in hosting a Consultation meeting here in Lloydminster that we understand the government will undertake over the summer to discuss the TFWP and what needs to be done to make it work better.
Till next week ...........
Pat
