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| July 27, 2009 |
Vol 6, Issue 7 |
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Greetings! |
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There are signs of optimism creeping back into the Canadian economy, brightening up what has been an unusually damp and cool summer here in Ontario. Housing statistics are encouraging and the Bank of Canada has recently forecast a return to growth much sooner than expected. Let's hope these forecasts hold.
This edition of CERC Enews features interesting stories and information on immigration, changes to visa and travel requirements, housing trends, topical talent management issues and the growing concerns around a possible outbreak of the H1N1 flu later this fall.
If you've not yet registered for CERC's conference, New Challenges - New Solutions September 27 - 29 in Ottawa there is still time to do so. Conference delegate registrations are up slightly over last year at this time (220 registered delegates) and we are on track for another successful event. The conference has been designed to meet the challenges of today's uncertain times. With a faculty of world class speakers and real life case studies, this conference promises to be one of the best in CERC's 27 year history.
I hope to see you in the Nation's Capital in September.
COME TO LEARN
COME TO GROW
COME TO NETWORK
Best regards,
Steve
Stephen Cryne
President & CEO
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Adjusting the Balance: Fixing Canada's Economic Immigration Policies
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 A recent study from Toronto based Maytree Foundation identifies several shortcomings in Canada's economic immigration policies and outlines recommendations to improve the current system. According to the study's author Naomi Alboim, "the government has put too much emphasis on short-term fixes, temporary workers, and devolved decision making." The report calls for renewed focus to long term solutions, permanent residents and a national framework for immigration policy decisions. Several of the recommendations contained in the report are consistent with positions CERC has tabled with the Federal government in recent years. Those recommendations have called for greater emphasis on skilled workers selected for their human capital and employability. Read a summary of the report |
Housing Markets Rebound
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 National resale housing market activity bounced back strongly in the second quarter of 2009 above levels reported for the same period last year. Demand continues to rebound sharply in some of the most expensive markets in the country, skewing the national average price upward.
According to statistics released by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), actual (not seasonally adjusted) home sales, via the Multiple Listing Service of Canadian real estate boards, totaled 147,351 units in the second quarter of 2009 - the fourth strongest quarterly sales figure ever. Up 1.4 per cent from the second quarter of 2008, this marks the first year-over-year increase in quarterly activity since the fourth quarter of 2007.
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Business is Not Prepared for H1N1 Pandemic
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 Recent surveys and reports suggest that the economy is more of an urgency than business contingency planning in the event of a serious outbreak of the H1N1 flu. In the UK a recent study finds that over one third of companies have no business continuity plans in place in the event of an outbreak in that country. For those organizations with workers on foreign assignments, particularly in locations where access to, and quality of, medical care are not on par with Canadian or western standards, planning for an outbreak will be vitally important in the months ahead.
Earlier this year CERC conducted a survey of its members to learn how organizations were managing the H1N1 outbreak at that time. The CERC survey found that 80 per cent of companies surveyed had contingency plans in place in the event of an outbreak in the workplace. This will be important information in planning for a future outbreak. |
Hiring Temporary Foreign Workers for the Olympic Games
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 Given the magnitude of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, HRSDC/Service Canada has put a process in place for companies that may need to hire temporary foreign workers to meet their labour needs up until April 21, 2010. Employers will be expected to develop recruitment strategies that will ensure that Canadians and permanent residents have the first opportunities for available jobs, including advertising jobs on the national Job Bank for a minimum of 14 calendar days. |
Temporary Resident Biometrics Project
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 The Government of Canada is moving to eventually use biometrics for all non-Canadians entering the country. At the moment, as a first step, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) in partnership with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is leading a five-year project to introduce biometrics into Canada's temporary resident program.
When the current project is implemented, applicants requiring a visitor visa, a study permit or a work permit will be required to enrol 10 electronic fingerprints and have their photo taken before they arrive in Canada. When a visa holder arrives at a Canadian port of entry, the CBSA will verify that the visa holder is the same person as the one to whom the visa was issued.
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Travelling to the U.S. Under New WHTI Rules
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 The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is a U.S. law that requires all travellers, including U.S. and Canadian citizens, to present a valid passport or other approved secure document when entering the United States from within the western hemisphere. Read More |
New Visa Requirements for Visitors from Mexico and the Czech Republic
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 Recent changes enacted by Citizenship and Immigration Canada will make it more difficult for people wishing to enter Canada from Mexico and the Czech Republic. The new rules mean that nationals from Mexico and the Czech Republic who want to travel to Canada will first need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa and meet the requirements to receive one. It is up to the applicant to satisfy the visa officer their visit to Canada is temporary, they will not overstay their approved time in Canada, they have enough money to cover their stay in Canada, they are in good health, they do not have a criminal record, and are not a security risk to Canadians. These requirements are the same for anyone who wants to visit Canada. |
Revamping for a Recovery
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 According to a Harvard study of publicly traded companies coming out of the last three recessions, 41% ceased to exist in their former public state (they went bankrupt, liquidated, went private, or were acquired); 48% hobbled through in varying states of vulnerability; and only 11% emerged intact (some even stronger) with growth rates of 25% or more in the subsequent three years following the recession. Only the most proactive, visionary companies ever "win" the recovery after a major recession.
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U.S. Still Struggling with a Shortage of Skilled Labour
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 In the U.S., the national unemployment rate is now up to 9.5 per cent, with 7.2 million people having lost their job since December 2007, the highest it has been for 26 years. Despite this record unemployment, according to the latest research from The Conference Board, if anything, U.S. employers are still struggling to find people with even the right basic or applied skills. Read more |
Managing Millennials
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 In this article, the author highlights some of the myths around the management of staff from the millennial generation, and speaks of the need to manage people from all generations as citizens of an organization. |
| Thank You to our 2009 Conference Sponsors |
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GOLD
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| CERC Careers |
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Employers - post your positions or search resumes from registered prospective employees.
Job Seekers - search positions (simply insert Relocation into the keyword search) and post your resume online at the CERC Career Centre.
Director, Business Development
Primacy Relocation
Toronto, ON
Manager, Global Mobility
unknown
Calgary, AB
Sales Executive
MAC Furnished Residence Inc
Toronto, ON
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 E-News Sponsor |
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Premiere Van Lines understands the art of moving. Being entrusted with people's belongings is an enormous responsibility. Learn what we mean when we say "The Art of Moving". | |
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Help spread the word about CERC. Forward this E-News to a friend or colleague by clicking on the link above. We hope that you continue to enjoy receiving this electronic update. If you have an idea for a story, or would like to contribute an article, please send an email to info@cerc.ca.
Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC)
180 Dundas Street West, Suite 1010
Toronto, ON M5G 1Z8
Tel: 416-593-9812
Toll Free: 1-866-357-CERC (2372)
Fax: 416-593-1139
Leadership for Workforce Mobility |
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