Business owner expresses dismay or dissatisfaction

Regroupement 7 Jours Faces Challenges in a Changing Job Market

In the bustling town of Sept-Îles, Regroupement 7 Jours, a family-owned business specializing in ready-to-eat meals, is facing a unique set of challenges. The business, now led by Jacques Lafrance's daughter, Marie-Maude, employs 125 workers across its four locations.

The recruitment of temporary foreign workers, a strategy the group has turned to in recent times, comes with its own set of hurdles. The process is time-consuming and requires a significant commitment from the employer, such as helping workers open bank accounts. The cost of recruitment through an agency is at least $14,000 per person for Regroupement 7 Jours.

The main concern for Regroupement 7 Jours is finding suitable workers for their projects. Despite the uncertainties involved, the group is willing to invest in helping its employees obtain permanent residence. This is a risk they are considering, given the current rules set by the Ottawa government, which require compliance with federal labor standards, including proper work permits, fair wages, and safe working conditions.

The human resources manager, Anne Madore, has had to write multiple letters to the government to justify the need for workers in better-paid positions. The problem for Regroupement 7 Jours, however, is not a lack of funds, but a lack of workforce.

This situation has led Jacques Lafrance, the president of Regroupement 7 Jours, to lament that creating jobs is no longer as straightforward as it once was. New projects at the group are currently on hold, and the business has had to significantly reduce its opening hours to survive.

In a bid to adapt, Regroupement 7 Jours has recently expanded its café on boulevard Laure, complete with a new boutique. Jacques Lafrance, currently wiping down the dining area of his café space, remains hopeful for the future.

Despite the challenges, Regroupement 7 Jours continues to face the changing job market with resilience. The group is committed to helping its temporary foreign workers overcome the barriers to permanent residence, in the hope of securing a stable workforce for its future projects.