The St. John’s Board of Trade Chairman Denis Mahoney said the biggest obstacle to sustained growth in Newfoundland and Labrador is a lack of available labour, reports The Telegram.
Speaking to the Newfoundland and Labrador branch of the Canadian Home Builders Association on Sept. 10, Mahoney said the province is facing one of the most significant demographic challenges in the country.
Mahoney said the Board of Trade has been lobbying the provincial and federal governments to raise immigration targets and reduce red tape.
“We desperately need to grow our population in this province if we plan on still having families that are going to live in these new homes in the coming years,” he said.Having said all that, Mahoney said he believes it’s an exciting time to live, work and invest in the province.
Victoria Belbin, the homebuilders’ association CEO, said Mahoney’s message resonated as its members need people to build and buy their homes.
