N.B. businesses struggle to find staff during peak tourist season
New Brunswick businesses in the tourism corridor of Route 114 are desperate for workers, even as the summer season slowly winds down.
In Alma, next to Fundy National Park, two of the village's larger restaurants were closed Wednesday due to staffing issues.
The Tipsy Tails was closed Tuesday so employees could get at least one day off. Closing for a day costs owner Jeremy Wilbur thousands of dollars in lost revenue.
"When you're closing in peak season, in a seasonal business, it really hurts financially. We've got people coming from away that are coming just to eat at the restaurant. When they show up and see that the door is closed and they're only here for one day, they're disappointed," said Wilbur.
It's a bad situation, but Wilbur knows it's not unique to the region.
"I've got friends in Ontario that own restaurants, top chefs, and they can't get staff. When I grew up in the business, you would work almost for free for those chefs, and now they can't even get people as well," he said.
They're short-staffed up the road in Hopewell Hill too at Broadleaf Ranch.
The ranch and adventure business' co-owner, Wendy Hudson, praised her staff, many of whom are cross-trained and help in other departments when needed, but she could still use three or four more people.
"It's really not just tourism and it's really not just between Hillsborough and Alma. It's Air Canada, it's all the trades. Everyone is wondering why it's so difficult to find workers, regardless of what line of business you're in," said Hudson.
In Hillsborough, Briggs Maple owner David Briggs lost a few employees earlier this summer. He's in desperate need of replacements and is clearly frustrated.
"Very. We don't have a lot of population in this area to work from," said Briggs. "Anybody who's out there is either employed or retired. It's not easy."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.