Shortage of staff, shops closed during high season

In Saguenay, despite the influx of tourists, many businesses have decided to close their doors during the construction holidays. Labor shortage has once again become a question.

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These two weeks allow employees to rest, but some companies are left behind due to staff shortages.

“In April, I’m almost alone, but I usually have five production employees,” explains Jean Maltais, owner of Justin Maltais Photo.

Its only long-term employee is 77 years old and the man who could take over the reins of a company founded in the 1960s, is already working more than 12 hours a day.

“She’s ready, but she needs support to move forward,” Mr Maltese said. I’m willing to give it a few more years, but you never know what will happen.

This is the first time he has had to close his business during a construction holiday.

“We are close to the customers, but we continue to work to complete the contracts that are already due. We have to endure, he said. It is sure to create dissatisfaction in situations like this, but usually, customers understand because often, they too experience the same thing.

Many restaurants have also decided to close during the holidays.

These closures are generally welcomed, but cause frustration among some tourists.

“We’ve already had to turn around 3 or 4 times since the holiday started because restaurants were closed,” one of them said.

Employees of these businesses are satisfied. This is the case of Marc-Andre Tremblay.

A cook at Resto Roberto in Chicoutimi didn’t want to take a vacation, but he decided to make the most of it.

“It’s so used to working non-stop that I thought I’d find a job somewhere else for two weeks, but I’m finally taking a vacation,” he explained.

According to Cook, closure is not an option, but a necessity.

“We are not machines. We work hard to make up for staffing shortages, but at some point the corps has its limits,” said Mr Tremblay, who believes the trend is here to stay.

Restaurants that made the decision to close last summer during the holidays have also chosen to repeat the experience in 2022.