New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant says the new jobs available at the Air Canada call centre in Saint John is proof that his job creation efforts are working.
Gallant went from desk to desk speaking to employees at the call centre on Saturday before announcing taxpayer assistance to expand the workforce by dozens.
"We’re going to be offering $360,000 in payroll rebates through Opportunities New Brunswick," he said.
Derek Vanstone with Air Canada says those dollars will make a difference.
“It really sort of rebates of taxes and other things that would have to be paid,” he said. “Really does make the difference in the decision on where we're going to go."
Nicole Furlotte has worked at the call centre for nearly 20 years. She says all things considered, she’s happy for the long-term work.
“Right now, the economy, it is so hard to go somewhere and find a good career,” she said. “You don't see people hiring that much anymore.”
The call centre will add 80 workers on top of the 50 hired last year.
When David Alward was premier not long ago, he stood at the same location, delivering a similar speech on job creation.
But Gallant insisted his Liberal government is doing things differently.
"Our approach is a diversified one,” he said. “We're not putting all of our eggs in one basket. We have to support all industries that have the potential for economic growth."
Norm McFarlance is a former mayor of Saint John and former Tory cabinet minister. When it comes to job creation, he says governments in the Maritimes don't have a lot of choice.
"Any opportunity that comes, I think government should latch on to it," said McFarlance. "I think the premier is trying as hard as other premiers in the past have tried, but their hands are pretty well tied.”
Air Canada now has 270 employees in their call centre.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Mike Cameron.
