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The Political Justification of Migrant Workers in Alberta, Canada
Resource type
Authors/contributors
- Barnetson, Bob (Author)
- Foster, Jason (Author)
Title
The Political Justification of Migrant Workers in Alberta, Canada
Abstract
Considering a series of oil-driven economic booms, the use of inter-provincial and international migrant labour has become an important part of labour market policy in the Canadian province of Alberta. The increased use of temporary foreign workers is controversial. Narrative analysis of legislators’ statements in the legislature and the press between 2000 and 2011 reveals the government using three narratives to justify policies encouraging greater use of foreign migrant workers: (1) labour shortages require migrant workers, (2) migrants do not threaten Canadian jobs and (3) migrants are not being exploited. Close scrutiny of each narrative demonstrates them to be largely invalid. This suggests a significant disconnect between the real and espoused reasons for the significant changes to labour market policy, changes that advantage employers and disadvantage both Canadian and foreign workers. The findings are relevant to understand the political dynamics of economically related migration.
Publication
Journal of International Migration and Integration
Volume
15
Issue
2
Pages
349-370
Date
2014
Journal Abbr
Int. Migration & Integration
Language
en
ISSN
1488-3473, 1874-6365
Accessed
10/12/14, 2:12 AM
Library Catalog
Citation
Barnetson, B., & Foster, J. (2014). The Political Justification of Migrant Workers in Alberta, Canada. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 15(2), 349–370. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-013-0292-6
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