Flydive1,
You are 100% correct: the rest of the world does face a pilot shortage. I would argue, slightly against Willie Everlearn, that so too does Canada. Our shortage is not a general shortage of pilots like many parts of the world, but is specific to the higher experience (+5,000 hrs) positions outside of airlines. We don't need pilots from outside Canada to fill the Boeings and Airbuses, we need experienced pilots to come fill positions flying medium turboprops - the sort of jobs that many Canadians cannot yet fill because of a lack of experience vs. insurance requirements or positions that some Canadians may not want to fill because of the allure of the airlines. I'll admit, sitting in Yellowknife or Iqaluit at this time of year turns many people away. But, that is where the shortage is; not in Toronto, Calgary, or Vancouver.
The issue is that there are certain airlines in Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver who feel that a Canadian ATPL holder is not qualified to operate those Boeings and/or Airbuses. Of course they are qualified, they just need the required type rating. But training is expensive, so in order to get around the need to train a local pilot for $40,000 this airline brings in a pilot from overseas, does the minimal training required (say $15,000), and tells tells the government that there is no one in Canada who is "qualified" to fill the position. Of course the government acquiesces because this is a company that pays taxes.
Imagine if a European airline turned around to their government, told that government that none of its citizens could be hired because they were not "qualified," then proceeded to hire a Canadian, American or any other non-citizen pilot. Imagine now the outrage that would occur when it turned out all that airline had to do was train its citizens. India, the Philippines, China, Africa: they all hire ex-pats to fly their aircraft...that is until they have enough home grown pilots to fill the ranks.
Like everyone is trying to say - we don't hold the pilots taking these jobs at fault. They are simply doing the same thing that thousands of Canadian pilots are doing: looking for work. The problem is that we have companies openly bending the rules to save a few bucks. What's worse is that these savings are not being passed onto the employees, but we will save that discussion for later.
Anyways, the hotel wants to give me free beer for the next hour because I'm staying with them during my company paid sim training. So I will do the good Canadian thing and do my part to rid the world of beer. Wish me luck.