Workers potentially in danger at Olymel company
Speaking Out on Immigration: Olymel's CEO Addresses Concerns
The CEO of Olymel, Yanick Gervais, has joined the choir of business voices advocating for a review of government immigration policies. Addressing the Metropolitan Montreal Chamber of Commerce (CCMM) on Thursday, he voiced his concerns, saying, "It's like changing the rules in the middle of the game!"
With approximately 200 temporary foreign workers potentially needing to depart Olymel in the coming months due to government restrictions, Gervais emphasized the need for "awareness" from elected officials concerning temporary foreign workers. He admitted to grappling with language and housing issues but questioned whether these were the areas to focus on when reevaluating immigration policies.
Olymel, Canada's leading pork producer, has faced labor shortages and has relied on temporary foreign workers to make up a quarter of its workforce. Despite repeated restructuring efforts, the company continues to rely heavily on this demographic due to the remote location of its plants.
CCMM's new president, Isabelle Dessureault, echoed Gervais' sentiments. She pointed out that there are solutions elsewhere in the world, such as in Europe and Scandinavia, where countries successfully manage to maintain their languages and welcome foreign workers without compromising on quality.
Recently, the Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce, along with several small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), pleaded for a moratorium on new restrictions in the temporary foreign worker program. They argued that current immigration policies are detrimental to the productivity and growth of local businesses.
Pork Politics and Tariffs
Gervais also echoed the hopes of many in the industry for a resolution to the 25% tariff imposed by China on Canadian pork since March. This move came in retaliation to Ottawa's imposition of 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. With a new government now in power in Ottawa, Gervais remains optimistic that China will soon abandon the tariff on Canadian pork.
Olymel has adapted to the challenges by diversifying its export markets and focusing on higher-value-added products. These changes, combined with strategic decisions taken since the COVID-19 pandemic, have, according to Gervais, positioned Olymel to face uncertainty brought on by American tariff policies.
As Gervais put it, "Every crisis should be an opportunity." Though the geopolitical climate may be tough, Olymel is pioneering a resilient approach to counter the challenges it faces.
The following industry, in this case the pork production industry, has been impacted by government policies, specifically the 25% tariff imposed by China on Canadian pork. Yanick Gervais, the CEO of Olymel, a major player in this industry, has expressed concerns about this tariff and the need for a review of immigration policies that are affecting temporary foreign workers within the finance and business sectors.
