We welcomed some tradesmen to our home this week. I say welcomed, because a few weeks ago we were told the earliest we could expect a service visit for our air conditioner was August. Really? We asked to have our request go to a waiting list. Someone cancelled and our appointment was moved up. While he was here with a young assistant, I asked the more senior technician, “Why such a delay?”

“Company’s having trouble hiring people,” he said. “That’s why I have an assistant with me. He’s training on the job.”

Three years ago, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) described this predicament as an economy with “underappreciated” work. A CFIB report found that small Canadian firms lost $38 billion in business opportunities because of labour shortages, particularly in the construction sector. (more…)

Ed Casella, master hardware specialist in Stouffville, Ont.

Some time ago, I decided to repair a door handle inside our house. (This sort of thing happens when I suffer writer’s block and need a short-term distraction.) So, I went to local big box stores looking for the correct hardware.

The only replacements they offered were huge new assemblies wrapped in that impregnable plastic. And, even if I could cut open the package, there was no guarantee the new assembly would fit my door.

“Ed’s,” I suddenly remembered. “Ed’s Hardware in Stouffville. That’s where I’ll go.” I made an appointment to see Ed Casella, drove down to meet him at his farm, and it was all I could do to keep from buying every old piece of hardware in the place – antique doorknobs, padlocks, floor grates and everything else under the sun … from a bygone era. (more…)

Ted Barris

author | journalist

Posts with the trades tag

Dull economy without sharp trades