Ahuntsic Bakery Faces Staff Loss as PEQ Ends
Ahuntsic Bakery Faces Staff Loss as PEQ Ends
Significant Workforce Reduction at La Bête à Pain
La Bête à Pain, a bakery located in the Ahuntsic neighborhood of Montreal, has experienced a sharp decline in its workforce. With the termination of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), the bakery has lost 4 of its 10 foreign workers. This change has raised concerns about how the end of this program will impact local businesses.
Impact on Local Employment
- 72% of businesses report being affected by the termination of the PEQ.
- 35% of companies are uncertain about their future operations.
Steven Bengoa, the head baker at La Bête à Pain, voiced his feelings in an interview about this troubling situation. He expressed a sense of betrayal, stating, “Once we arrived, we realized the promises made did not hold true.” Bengoa highlighted a growing distrust towards Quebec, once viewed as a welcoming environment for workers.
Financial Consequences of PEQ Termination
The cancellation of the PEQ is expected to create substantial financial challenges. On average, businesses may face a loss of $531,000 each, which totals approximately $2.2 million over two years for affected companies.
Concerns for Future Planning
Ariane Bijould, the human resources manager at La Bête à Pain, emphasized the difficulty of future planning. “People are becoming disillusioned about moving to Quebec for just two years,” she noted. This sentiment represents a broader hesitation among potential immigrant workers, who are now reconsidering the value of uprooting their lives.
The situation at La Bête à Pain is a telling example of how the PEQ’s end affects not just the bakery but also other businesses across the province. As uncertainty looms, the local economy may continue to feel the repercussions of this policy change.
