Latest news with #MEQ
CTV News
21-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Quebec manufacturers fear ‘catastrophic autumn' due to declining foreign worker numbers
The flight simulator assembly plant is seen at the CAE facility in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press) The decline in the number of temporary foreign workers is worrying Quebec's manufacturing sector, which fears a 'catastrophic autumn' for the workers and businesses affected. 'It's really one minute to midnight because people are starting to leave,' said Julie White, president and CEO of Quebec Manufacturers and Exporters (MEQ), in an interview on Monday. 'When you don't know if you'll be able to work in the fall, you might decide to leave.' She is asking Prime Minister Mark Carney to grant grandfathering rights to workers already in Canada. 'We are asking the federal government to allow these workers to stay in Quebec,' said White. 'They already have housing. They are already here. They are working. They are paying taxes.' Since the spring, the business community has been increasingly vocal in its opposition to the tightening of criteria for access to temporary foreign workers. Previously, companies could only hire 20 per cent of low-wage temporary foreign workers. This threshold has been lowered to 10 per cent. Companies could lose workers who are essential to their smooth operation if nothing is done quickly. According to White, this tightening is 'putting a spoke in the wheel' for companies that are already dealing with an uncertain economic environment in the wake of the trade war. MEQ cites revenue losses if companies are unable to recruit the necessary workforce. 'There is a lot of nervousness on the part of businesses, and a lot of misunderstanding about what is happening.' In Quebec, a worker earning less than $34.62 per hour is considered low-paid, according to the terms established by the federal government based on the median wage. This threshold does not take into account the reality of several regions, lamented White. 'It must be understood that, in several regions, $34 is much higher than the average income. So, this creates difficulties,' she said. White said that she has the ear of Quebec elected officials in the Carney government, but things are not moving fast enough for her liking. 'It's good to be listened to, but we need to be able to make a difference. We don't feel that Ottawa shares the same sense of urgency that we have in the regions of Quebec right now.' The office of Employment and Families Minister Patty Hajdu defended the changes, which are intended to 'reduce Canadian employers' dependence on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).' 'To be clear, the TFWP is designed as an extraordinary measure to be used to fill critical employment gaps, only when qualified Canadians and permanent residents are unable to fill the vacancies,' insisted the minister's attaché, Jennifer Kozelj. 'It does not replace Canadian talent and is contingent on ensuring that steps have been taken to recruit Canadian workers,' she added. 'Now is the perfect time to invest in Canadian talent.' Kozelj declined to comment on whether adjustments would be made to meet the demands of the business community. White responded that foreign workers are necessary for manufacturers, as the local workforce is scarce and many workers are approaching retirement. 'If there were local workers, manufacturing companies would hire them,' she said. Recruiting foreign workers involves costs and administrative procedures, which White estimates at approximately $15,000 per temporary worker. 'It takes time and investment,' she emphasized. 'It's not a simple solution. We don't do it because it's easier.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 21, 2025.
CBC
21-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Quebec manufacturers urging Ottawa to let temporary foreign workers already here stay
Manufacturing businesses in Quebec are calling on the federal government to allow temporary foreign workers already employed in the province to stay and continue working in the industry. In September of last year, the federal government capped companies' ability to hire low-wage temporary foreign workers at 10 per cent of their workforce compared to 30 per cent previously. It also limited contracts for these positions to one year. According to Manufacturers and Exporters of Quebec (MEQ) president Julie White, this is not sustainable for the factories in Quebec's regions that are starting to see the consequences of these changes to the temporary foreign worker program. "We anticipate that the fall might be catastrophic for many manufacturers if we don't review the rules that were announced last fall," she said. Hundreds of temporary foreign workers are already packing up and leaving the province because their permits have expired and their employers can't renew them, she said. Some are leaving despite their permits still being valid for a few months because they aren't confident that their contracts will be renewed when the time comes. Despite support from the provincial government and conversations with the federal government, federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu is too slow to act, says the MEQ. Ottawa aiming to reduce 'dependence' on program In an emailed statement to Radio Canada, Hajdu's press secretary Jennifer Kozelj said the government was "committed to reducing the dependence of Canadian employers on the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP)." "To be clear, the TFWP is designed as an extraordinary measure to be used to fill critical employment gaps, only when qualified Canadians and permanent residents are unable to fill the vacancies," she wrote. "Now is the ideal time to invest in Canadian talent." But the MEQ said Canadian workers can't fill the gap. "We are in an extraordinary situation," said White, noting that the current trade war is already weakening the manufacturing sector, on top of a labour shortage. "The businesses that go and recruit TFWs [temporary foreign workers] don't do it because it's easy or fun… they don't have a choice." There are 11,000 vacant job positions in manufacturing in Quebec, according to the Institut de la statistique du Québec. "What we want from the federal government is the sensibility to our specific needs here in Quebec," said White, adding that she was disappointed with their statement. The MEQ wants Ottawa to grant the industry a special privilege that would allow temporary foreign workers already working in Quebec's manufacturing sector to stay in the province and continue working. It's something Quebec Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge has supported, said White. In a statement to Radio-Canada, Roberge's office said that maintaining a level of temporary foreign workers in certain regions was important for manufacturers facing labour challenges. It encouraged the federal government to "concentrate its reduction efforts in the Montreal and Laval regions," said spokesperson William Demers. White says the federal government needs to act fast to grant the exemption and let workers stay so Quebec's manufacturing can continue to function. Even having a few temporary workers missing can affect entire production lines, she says. "If you lose 10, 15, 20, 25 workers in a matter of a couple of weeks and you don't have the capacity to find more, businesses won't be able to be productive," she said.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Mainstreet Equity Corp. (TSE:MEQ) Could Be Worth Watching
Mainstreet Equity Corp. (TSE:MEQ), might not be a large cap stock, but it saw its share price hover around a small range of CA$182 to CA$195 over the last few weeks. But is this actually reflective of the share value of the small-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Let's take a look at Mainstreet Equity's outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change. AI is about to change healthcare. These 20 stocks are working on everything from early diagnostics to drug discovery. The best part - they are all under $10bn in marketcap - there is still time to get in early. According to our price multiple model, which makes a comparison between the company's price-to-earnings ratio and the industry average, the stock price seems to be justfied. We've used the price-to-earnings ratio in this instance because there's not enough visibility to forecast its cash flows. The stock's ratio of 7.27x is currently trading slightly below its industry peers' ratio of 8.95x, which means if you buy Mainstreet Equity today, you'd be paying a reasonable price for it. And if you believe Mainstreet Equity should be trading in this range, then there isn't much room for the share price to grow beyond the levels of other industry peers over the long-term. Is there another opportunity to buy low in the future? Since Mainstreet Equity's share price is quite volatile, we could potentially see it sink lower (or rise higher) in the future, giving us another chance to buy. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for how much the stock moves relative to the rest of the market. See our latest analysis for Mainstreet Equity Investors looking for growth in their portfolio may want to consider the prospects of a company before buying its shares. Buying a great company with a robust outlook at a cheap price is always a good investment, so let's also take a look at the company's future expectations. Though in the case of Mainstreet Equity, it is expected to deliver a highly negative earnings growth in the upcoming, which doesn't help build up its investment thesis. It appears that risk of future uncertainty is high, at least in the near term. Are you a shareholder? Currently, MEQ appears to be trading around industry price multiples, but given the uncertainty from negative returns in the future, this could be the right time to reduce the risk in your portfolio. Is your current exposure to the stock beneficial for your total portfolio? And is the opportunity cost of holding a negative-outlook stock too high? Before you make a decision on MEQ, take a look at whether its fundamentals have changed. Are you a potential investor? If you've been keeping tabs on MEQ for a while, now may not be the most optimal time to buy, given it is trading around industry price multiples. This means there's less benefit from mispricing. In addition to this, the negative growth outlook increases the risk of holding the stock. However, there are also other important factors we haven't considered today, which can help crystallize your views on MEQ should the price fluctuate below the industry PE ratio. So if you'd like to dive deeper into this stock, it's crucial to consider any risks it's facing. For example, we've found that Mainstreet Equity has 3 warning signs (2 don't sit too well with us!) that deserve your attention before going any further with your analysis. If you are no longer interested in Mainstreet Equity, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Medscape
04-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Adapting Diet to Chronotype Boosts Weight Loss, Gut Health
Among patients with overweight/obesity, a diet adapted to an individual's chronotype was more effective in promoting weight loss and improving cardiometabolic health and gut microbiota (GM) than a conventional low-calorie diet. 'Emerging evidence suggests that aligning dietary patterns with an individual's circadian rhythm, or chronotype, may optimize metabolic processes and gut microbiota (GM) composition and function,' the study authors wrote. 'Given the burden of obesity, a chronotype-adapted diet — aligning meal timing with biological rhythms — could be an innovative approach to weight management.' The study, presented at NUTRITION 2025 in Orlando, Florida, showed that, overall, fat percentages decreased significantly in the intervention group, while the control group showed no significant change. In addition, a GM analysis revealed greater production of anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the intervention group than in the control group. For clinicians, considering a patient's chronotype during dietary counseling would be 'a practical and feasible starting point,' principal author Monica Dinu, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Florence, Florence, Italy, told Medscape Medical News . 'This can be done easily with a simple [tool] like the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ).' Aligning Meals With Chronotype Researchers conducted a 4-month, open-label, randomized controlled trial. A total of 140 adults with overweight/obesity were assigned to either a chronotype-adapted, low-calorie diet with meal timing tailored to their metabolic peaks (morning vs evening chronotype) or a standardized low-calorie eating plan. Chronotype was determined using the MEQ, which offers 'a practical, noninvasive method that can be easily applied in both research and ambulatory settings,' Dinu noted. The team did not impose strict time windows for meals, she said. 'Rather, the intervention was based on the distribution of energy intake throughout the day. Morning chronotypes consumed approximately 80% of their daily energy intake in the earlier part of the day (including lunch), whereas evening chronotypes consumed the majority in the later part (also including lunch).' 'The dietary intervention adhered to the principles of the Mediterranean diet, and we did not recommend any fasting periods,' she added. 'Our focus was on aligning meal timing with individual chronotype rather than restricting eating windows.' Both diets had an equivalent daily calorie content, adjusted according to gender and starting weight. The primary outcome was weight change. Secondary outcomes were changes in body composition, biochemical markers, GM composition, and SCFAs. Which Chronotype Worked Better? A total of 117 participants (84%; mean age 49 years) completed the study (57 in the intervention group and 60 in the control group). While participants in both intervention groups experienced significant weight loss, reductions were greater in evening chronotypes (−3.7 kg) than in morning chronotypes (−3.2 kg) and control participants (−2.5 kg). Fat mass percentages decreased significantly in the intervention groups (−2.8% in evening and −1.6% in morning chronotypes), whereas the control group showed no significant change (−0.5%). Both the intervention groups showed reductions in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, but only morning chronotypes showed a significant decrease in glucose levels (−2.9 mg/dL). A GM analysis revealed enrichment of SCFA-producing bacteria, such as Clostridiales vadin BB60 , and a reduction in Nitrososphaeraceae in the intervention groups, accompanied by an increased production of anti-inflammatory SCFAs compared with the control group: Isobutyric acid, +0.42% vs −0.25%; 2-methylbutyric acid, +0.43% vs −0.44%). The team concluded that a chronotype-adapted diet may be more effective than a standard low-calorie diet in improving body composition, metabolic risk profile, and GM in individuals with overweight/obesity — particularly among evening chronotypes. 'Evening chronotypes also experienced greater weight loss and reported reduced hunger despite consuming more calories later in the day, a timing typically discouraged,' Dinu noted. 'For individuals with an evening chronotype, adjusting the distribution of energy intake to better match their biological rhythms may lead to more effective and sustainable weight management,' she added. 'While further research is needed, these findings support the potential of chronotype-based strategies as part of a personalized approach to dietary intervention.' The research received no specific grant. No conflicts of interest were declared.
Business Upturn
10-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
From Black Hawks to Boardrooms: Former Lockheed Engineer Now at Drew Sutton Leadership Rewires CEOs to Lead Without Burnout
Georgetown, May 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Georgetown, Kentucky – After earning 30 patents in military aircraft design and leading multimillion-dollar defense teams as Chief Engineer at Lockheed Martin, Drew Sutton uncovered a hard truth: even the most sophisticated strategies and systems collapse without the cultural infrastructure to support them. Now, in a world where AI and automation threaten to drain the soul from organizations, he does what most executive coaches can't. He helps CEOs and founders restore the soul of the corporation and shows that tech-empowered culture is the only path to lasting success. With a background in aerospace, systems engineering, and cognitive performance, Sutton has emerged as a strategic voice for founders and organizations navigating complex growth, mental fatigue, and team misalignment. His company, Drew Sutton Leadership (DSL), combines military-grade systems thinking with human-centered coaching to help businesses escape chaos and scale with clarity. 'Most executives aren't lazy or unmotivated. They're just overwhelmed and under-aligned,' Sutton explains. 'The secret to sustainable growth isn't hustle—it's intelligent systems.' Sutton's insights are rooted in elite, pressure-tested leadership environments. As Chief Engineer for Lockheed Martin's $30 million HC-130J SACU program, he led a 25-person multidisciplinary team across ten technical divisions, managing areas such as flight safety, cybersecurity, financial oversight, and supply chain coordination. His leadership scaled the division from just two members to a thriving team of 41. Earlier in his career, he led the rotors research team at Bell Helicopter, where he earned 30 patents in rotor system design. However, his work in Mission Effectiveness Quantification (MEQ)—a cognitive load measurement model co-developed with Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory—gave him a unique perspective on how mental capacity, decision fatigue, and system alignment influence leadership outcomes across all sectors. 'Decision fatigue doesn't just slow leaders down—it destabilizes entire organizations,' Sutton says. 'I show them how to clear the fog and lead from power, not pressure.' Through Drew Sutton Leadership, Sutton advises growth-stage founders, executive teams, and organizations looking for something beyond motivational hype. Clients begin with a Breakthrough Session, an immersive consultation where Sutton reverse-engineers the hidden patterns, misalignments, and mental clutter that stall progress. Sutton then customizes and installs systems, integrating clarity, structure, and leadership rhythm. His frameworks blend mindset development, culture optimization, and executional infrastructure—strategies proven under pressure and adapted for real-world growth. Sutton's work draws from his proprietary Focus Control Method, Culture Scripting process, and certified Business Made Simple framework application. These tools equip leaders with the mental bandwidth, team clarity, and operational systems to break through plateaus without sacrificing purpose or well-being. Clients across industries—including aerospace, software, real estate, manufacturing, nonprofits, and religious institutions—credit Sutton's methodology with delivering fast, sustainable impact. One client reported increasing revenue-producing activities from under 50% to 90%, resulting in their highest monthly revenue and projected 6x annual growth. 'Drew's meeting systems completely changed how we operate,' shared Justin P., a serial entrepreneur. In addition to consulting and team coaching, Sutton is also a best-selling author and keynote speaker. He is known for weaving technical precision with storytelling that connects. His workshops and talks are designed to help founders reclaim their time, recalibrate their teams, and reignite the spark that got them started in the first place. 'Every leader I work with has a fire inside them,' Sutton says. 'My job is to eliminate the noise, align their world, and help them build something that lasts.' As AI acceleration, market shifts, and decision fatigue continue to challenge leadership at every level, Drew Sutton stands out as a rare guide who combines hard science, soul-level clarity, and real-world results. Visit to schedule a Breakthrough Session or to interview Drew Sutton for media, podcasts, or events. ### For more information about Drew Sutton Leadership, contact the company here: Drew Sutton LeadershipDrew Sutton+1-859-333-3373 [email protected] 100 Gateway Path, Georgetown, KY 40324
