Philippe Morin
Northern News Services
Monday, March 19, 2007

HAY RIVER - Any doubts about whether or not there is a worker shortage in Hay River was answered loud and clear last week.

About 40 people, most of them employers, turned out for a March 8 public meeting on the issue.

'I think the consensus in the room today is we do have a problem,' said Mayor John Pollard, who called the meeting with the Hay River Chamber of Commerce.

Prior to the meeting, Pollard had said one purpose was to see if there is a widespread problem.

Many employers at the meeting blamed a lack of affordable housing in Hay River for their difficulty to attract and retain workers.

Others said some people don't want to work or don't have the work ethic necessary to keep a job.

Mike Wilgosh, the manager of the Hay River Building Centre, noted he has been trying to find an assistant manager for four years.

Wilgosh said young people in particular don't seem to be instilled with a desire to work.

'The schools need to start a program to get kids interested in starting a career,' he said.

Verna Woznica, owner of Cabin Fever gift shop, said young people won't work for $12 or $13 an hour, especially after working on government summer jobs. 'They want $20 an hour.'

Woznica said that makes it very difficult for small retail stores like Cabin Fever. 'We're at the bottom end of the food chain here.'

Jack Rowe, president of Rowe's Construction, said there are shortages of skilled tradespeople and managers in various fields.

While some people blame competition for workers from NWT mines, he said, 'People don't realize McMurray and that Alberta economy is gobbling up people.'

After listening to those and other concerns, Pollard asked what could be done to alleviate the situation.

Among the suggestions was upgrading the town's website to include job listings.

Most of the people thought it would be a good idea for the town to investigate holding a job fair in some area of Canada.

One resident, Ken Latour, said there are already unemployed in the community. 'We don't have to go looking for them.'

However, Latour noted some have learning disabilities or work ethic issues, and may have to be helped to develop the skills necessary to hold a job.

Pollard plans to call another meeting in about a month.