The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce says issues around talent attraction and retention are “dramatically” affecting the way businesses operate in Newfoundland and Labrador.

CEO Rhonda Tulk-Lane was recently in Ottawa pressing decision makers on issues around talent and immigration.

To set the stage, Tulk-Lane points to Canada’s national fertility rate of 1.4 children per woman, but in Atlantic Canada that number is lower, at 1.14.

She says the situation has been a “long time coming,” noting that people aren’t having children as fast is needed, and businesses aren’t able to find the right kind of talent.

She has seen instances, as an example, of restaurants not being open on Mondays and Tuesday, which is the result of them not having the workers to do the job.