Employers in Quebec's Eastern Townships hoping immigrants can help fill labour shortage

A labour shortage in Quebec's Eastern Townships region is leading employers there to pin their hopes on immigrants.

A said the lack of labour is forcing some businesses in the area to share skilled workers while others are increasing salaries and even offering subsidized housing.

A recent job fair for newcomers that was held in Sherbrooke, the region's largest city, had 5,500 positions available, up from 800 positions last year.

The available jobs ran from labourers and cooks to educators, engineers and project managers.

The , which is known in French as The Estrie, is a big draw for tourists with its historic towns and natural beauty. Located an hour's drive east of Montreal, it is a popular escape for people seeking a quiet break from the big city.

The Eastern Townships region was one of the top three regions in Canada with the greatest year-over-year growth in job vacancies in the second quarter of 2018, Statistics Canada reported last month.

The Conference Board of Canada has estimated that Quebec could face an overall labour shortfall of 292,000 workers by 2025.