BC UNEMPLOYMENT: CONSTRUCTION

Will Tariffs Affect Candidate Searches in Canada?

While Canada may have won a reprieve from U.S. tariffs, the threat still looms, creating economic uncertainty.

“It’s universally accepted that tariffs would hurt our economy,” says Henry Goldbeck, President of Goldbeck Recruiting.² Goldbeck suggests that this uncertainty may cause companies to hesitate when it comes to expansion. However, he remains confident that candidate searches will persist.

“It will reduce new hires,” Goldbeck explains. “But if you need people, you need people. If you’re an established company and your sales manager or top accountant retires, these people will need to be replaced.”

Canada’s Response to Tariff Threats

Goldbeck acknowledges that while the ideal Canadian response strategy is unclear, it is essential to take a firm stance.

“We must communicate our importance to the U.S. economy and be tough at the same time,” he advises.

Goldbeck is particularly concerned about the long-term effects of U.S. tariffs, especially on foreign investment.

“Is Volkswagen going to invest in a plant in Ontario if the U.S. isn’t going to be an open market?” he asks.

In his view, Canada may need to consider adopting more protectionist policies, akin to the pre-NAFTA era, if access to the U.S. market becomes limited.

Challenges in Engineering Recruitment

In the short term, Goldbeck notes a cooling demand for project managers and site supervisors in the construction sector. However, he predicts an emerging engineering talent crunch, particularly in construction and manufacturing.

Intermediate and senior engineers in these industries are aging out, creating a skills gap. According to Goldbeck, many companies have not adequately prepared younger employees to step into these roles.

“It’s hard for smaller companies to attract intermediate and senior engineers with niche experience,” he says. “In the past month, we’ve seen five or six candidates decline offers because their current employers made very strong counteroffers.”