Unqualified and Untrained Labor: The Hidden Crisis Undermining Canada's Service Standards

Canada has long been a beacon for skilled immigrants from all over the world. With dreams of building better lives for their families, these individuals came to this vast and diverse land, bringing with them talent, dedication, and a strong desire to contribute to the prosperity of their new home. The success stories are countless—engineers, doctors, educators, and entrepreneurs—immigrants have helped shape modern Canada by building industries, enhancing education, and strengthening healthcare.

These individuals came with a common goal: to build a better future not just for their families but for the country they chose to call home. This mutual exchange of values and opportunities has made Canada a land of promise and growth for generations.

Yet, a worrying trend has emerged in recent years—one that undermines the very values immigrants and Canadians have long upheld. There is a rapid and visible decline in the quality of services in everyday life. This decline is particularly alarming in the fast-food industry, where food safety and quality standards have reached distressing levels. Cases of food poisoning, contamination, and other health issues related to fast food consumption are increasingly being reported. Several fast-food outlets have even been temporarily closed due to breaches of hygiene standards, raising concerns about the sector's integrity.

When examining the root cause of this disturbing decline, one common factor becomes apparent: the infiltration of untrained, unqualified, and cheap labor into various industries, including the fast-food sector. Many of these workers are international students and some refugees, and international students often hold temporary student visas and work permits. While their desire to secure permanent residence in Canada is legitimate, and their contributions are essential, the lack of proper training and understanding of Canadian work standards poses a significant threat to public safety.

The situation presents a paradox. On the one hand, these international students and the refugees, much like skilled immigrants before them, aspire to build a future in Canada. On the other hand, many arrive with little or no preparation for the professional and cultural expectations required to thrive here. Rather than respecting and adopting the standards in place, some become defensive and even hostile when their mistakes are pointed out. Social media is filled with examples of confrontations between untrained workers and customers, displaying a troubling pattern of disrespect and disregard for the norms of Canadian society.

These issues extend beyond the workplace. Even in everyday interactions—on the road, in retail stores—there is a growing sentiment that some international students behave irresponsibly, often mocking or ignoring attempts to guide them toward better behaviour. This disregard not only affects customers and colleagues but also threatens the overall fabric of society.

While we respect and support their aspirations, these individuals must understand that to live and work in Canada, they must first adapt to its rules and standards. This is not only a matter of safety and professionalism but also of mutual respect and cultural integration. If decisive measures are not taken to address this issue—both in terms of training and cultural acclimatization—we may face more significant consequences, potentially losing the very essence of what makes Canada a great place to live.

The time to act is now, before these challenges spiral further out of control. The skilled immigrants who helped build this country deserve to see it continue on a path of progress, not decline. And for all future generations, we must preserve the integrity and quality of the services that make our society strong.