Businesses face significant staffing shortages amid pandemic recovery efforts
As businesses throughout the economy continue to battle their way back from pandemic losses, many are facing a new fight as staffing shortages grow across many sectors of the economy.
"It's challenging; everywhere you look there's a door that closes," said Bassell Khalil, owner of Napoli's Cafe in Stittsville.
At Napoli's, after nearly two years of battling lost revenues, they're faced with this new fight.
"The business is there, but unfortunately we just need more staff to keep going. There's business to be had but we can't get it at the moment," said Khalil.
For months, the restaurant has been looking to hire new staff but the calls have gone unanswered.
"I've put out ads—Facebook, Instagram, Indeed—I've done it all. I have something posted on our door, and there are no bites," said Nicole Khalil, Manager at Napoli's.
And they aren't alone — the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said at the start of 2020 that 79 per cent of its member were already having staffing issues.
"Now with COVID, we have new challenges added on to the labour challenges that already existed," said Julie Kwiecinski, Director of Provincial Affairs for Ontario with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
In Tremblant, a tourist hot spot in Quebec, the same issues ring true.
"Right now, we can say that we have anywhere between 200 to 400 jobs that are needed," said Cristina Romero, General Manager of the Tremblant Resort Association.
The resort association has been forced to close some businesses on days they'd typically be open in order to alleviate the pressure on the staff they do have.
"To keep staff safe and sound, and rested enough to be able to keep their jobs, for our stores restaurants and hotels to keep their employees," said Romero.
The concern about impacts on already diminishing and overworked staff are also true at Napoli's.
"Our cooks are basically working 60-hour weeks," said Khalil.
Some experts and business owners believe the benefits offered for workers by the federal government have been a deterrent for some to return to work.
But with those programs set to end in late October, there is hope finding new staff will become easier.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.