Former Burnaby MLA Harry Bloy is running a third-party recruiting business that brings in Asian temporary foreign workers to fill Canadian jobs.
Bloy is listed as the president and CEO of Global Business Canada, according to his new website, but it's unclear how he's earning money, as the services he offers are free.
"Global Business Canada is a consulting company that helps business owners around the world, especially in China and other Asian countries, discover potential opportunities and find desirable partnerships in Canada," the site reads.
Bloy is billed as a former MLA who "served with distinction" and has "extensive government and business connections across the country."
On the site's Foreign Trained Workers section, Bloy writes in first person, outlining his background and the services he offers.
"For many years, I have been travelling to Asia (China, South Korea and India) representing the Province of British Columbia, introducing businesses in these countries to businesses in British Columbia," he writes. "Workers from Asia have an excellent reputation of being experienced, dedicated and punctual. 'We find the workers from Asia to be qualified. They come ready to work every morning, and they are willing to work any extra hours. It is a pleasure to have them as part of the team,' says one of the employers."
Bloy is offering a number of services at no cost to Canadian employers, including a review of the company's needs, information on hiring foreign workers in Canada, and completion of paperwork for a labour market opinion, which is only required for temporary foreign workers.
"We can hire that one unique person you require," Bloy writes, with no further explanation.
It's not clear how Bloy is earning money from his endeavours, since the services he offers to Canadian employers are free, according to his website. It's illegal to charge temporary foreign workers fees for finding jobs, handling paperwork or securing visas. Companies that apply for a labour market opinion have to pay a $275 fee (except for low-skilled farm work), and the federal government prohibits employers and third-party recruiters from recovering that fee from the workers.
It's also not clear where Bloy's getting his information.
"British Columbia alone will have a shortage of one million workers in the next 12 years," Bloy writes on the site.
But B.C's Labour Market Outlook 2010 to 2020 states there will be one million job openings throughout the province over the next 10 years, and there will be an estimated shortage of 61,500 workers by 2020 - far short of one million.
Another service Bloy is offering involves writing "invitation letters" to Asian governments and businesses wanting to visit Canada.
The NOW tried contacting Bloy, but he didn't respond. His business address is listed at 604 Columbia St., in New Westminster, where people can rent office space, but the NOW's photographer was told Bloy hadn't been there for some time.
Bloy's Global Business Canada was in the media last week, after he came under fire for using the provincial coat of arms on his letterhead. Only current MLAs, executive council members, judges and the Lieutenant Governor can use the coat of arms, according to B.C. law.
The NDP brought the issue up in the legislature, while the Liberals said Bloy agreed to stop using the symbol.
Bloy's political career ended when he decided not to run for re-election, following a series of gaffes and scandals.
To see Bloy's site, go to globalbusinesscanada.ca.
– With files from Jeremy Deutsch
UPDATE: Since we posted this story, Bloy's site has gone blank. Click here for a Google cached version.)
