BORDEN-CARLETON — Greg Snair says if he doesn't find employees soon he will have no choice but to leave P.E.I, taking 22 Island jobs with him.
Snair moved his family business, Snair's Golden Grain Bakery, to Borden-Carleton's industrial park in 2005. He has been struggling to find employees ever since.
"Bottom line is if we can't get employees or some sort of help so we can compete with higher wages, we will have to relocate to either Moncton or Halifax," said Snair.
Snair's Golden Grain Bakery produces between 32,000 and 38,000 bagged units per week. They supply customers across the Maritimes, including several Island businesses.
Snair says he does not want to leave, but fears there is no alternative. He believes businesses that pay high starting wages, and the Island's unemployment insurance program, are part of the problem.
"I believe people can make more sitting at home on minimum wage," he said. "So why would they work?"
Snair says he pays all of his employees higher than minimum wage, most a couple dollars higher, but says in order to compete with nearby businesses that pay $15 to start he would need financial help.
"I've lost a lot of workers to higher paying jobs," he said. "We're a small business, we simply can't afford to do that."
He says he began turning to government for help more than two years ago and has yet to receive it.
Borden-Kinkora MLA George Webster says he is aware of the issue, but that his government is not responsible for putting people in those jobs.
"I don't think the P.E.I. government can make people go work there. They make their own choice to work in that field or not," said Webster. "I certainly can't make people go there to work."
Webster said he does make recommendations to people who turn to him seeking work but after that, his hands are tied.
"I would encourage him to check with our human resource people. That would be my approach," Webster said.
Snair has spent months looking into other options. He has posted job advertisements in local newspapers and on various online job sites. He says the only other option he has been advised of is a program that hires international workers.
"I don't want to have to do that. I'd love to see Islanders in these jobs. Why should I have to hire people from away when we have so many people here without jobs?" Snair said.
Not only is the lack of employees forcing Snair to take his business elsewhere, but it is also preventing his business from growing.
"How can I expand when I don't have enough workers to do what we do now?" he asked. "It's holding our business in a hard place."
Webster does not want to see the jobs leave P.E.I.
"Every job is important. That's the bottom line for us," Webster said.
Snair says he is open to any help that could make it possible.
"I'm trying to create work here, not only for myself but for my employees," said Webster. "I will do anything, I'll meet with anybody who can help me. I am proud to say Snair's Golden Grain Bakery is locally made and delivered on P.E.I."
