How realistic is the suggestion of relying on artificial intelligence (AI) and robots rather than immigration to fill labour shortages in Quebec?
Part of the Parti Québécois’ 97-page immigration plan announced on Monday was to implement a shift to automation and robotization in sectors were there are labour shortages.
“Countries facing a demographic reality similar to that of Quebec, such as South Korea and Japan, are banking on the robotization of their industry and the introduction of artificial intelligence to perform unskilled work,” the plan says. “Quebec, like the rest of Canada, is lagging far behind in the automation and robotization of its industrial processes… As long as cheap labour floods the job market, businesses will not invest sufficiently in automating their activities.”
A potential PQ government would invest in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade and the accommodation and food services, but also is interested in looking at how robotics can be used in agriculture.
Experts in economics, …