Staffing concerns could be a grinch for struggling businesses in upcoming holiday season
Some struggling businesses are hopeful the upcoming holiday season may help them out, but there are concerns staffing shortages could be a grinch in some sectors.
Keri D’Avignon’s family was out at the mall Friday, window-shopping for Christmas.
“We’re scouting to take pictures of toys for our Christmas list," said 10-year-old Luke Nault.
Last year, holiday shopping in person was impacted by the second wave lockdown. This year D’Avignon said they’re looking forward to coming back again, closer to the holidays, to buy their presents in store.
"We want to get out, we enjoy coming to the mall and being around and seeing people and sharing the holiday spirit," she said.
Retailers are hoping there will be more foot traffic this year, but with pandemic labour shortages, it could be difficult to staff up fully or bring in temporary extra holiday workers.
“I’m concerned that other factors like shortage of labour and supply chain challenges are really going to dampen what could be an otherwise prosperous holiday season," said Jonathan Alward, director of provincial affairs for the Manitoba branch of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
The restaurant and food services industry have been hit by staff shortages. Roberto Galli, the owner of , Dolce Bake Shop, said he knows the pain of trying to hire during the pandemic.
“It’s been hard to deal with," he said. "People apply and then don’t show up to the interview."
Galli said he feels he has enough time before the holidays kick in to fill his roster.
“We still have a month and we can get ready, hopefully we can hire more staff," he said.
A lump of coal from Ottawa could help. The Canadian Response Benefit for those out of work is set to end which could result in more job seekers.
“I think it could certainly be one of the challenges you know really amplifying the labour shortage issues right across the country," Alward said.
The Canadian Response Benefit is set to expire on Saturday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.