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WATCH: Big White finally gets foreign worker visa approval

KELOWNA — The ski industry in Western Canada heavily depends on the temporary foreign worker program according to Michael Ballingall with Big White.

However, even after coughing up some extra cash following changes made to the federal program in June, the program has continued to cause problems for ski hills like Big White.

Ottawa introduced the changes including fee increases for applicants following reports of abuse of the program by big companies.

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Ballingall says he finally received confirmation from the federal government for 30 temporary foreign worker visas Wednesday, almost three months after the applications were submitted.

On top of those 30 positions, which are for high-skilled ski instructor jobs, Ballingall says there are many other spots to be filled, something the ski hill is working on doing through a two-day job fair.

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It was held Monday and Tuesday and he says hundreds of people came from all over the globe in hopes of landing a job at Big White.

He says they are looking to fill seasonal jobs, everything from lift attendants and ski instructors to hotel service staff.

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