We often have conversations in Bermuda about non-Bermudians taking jobs that Bermudians could be doing.

And we’re not just talking about high-paying positions in international business. We see the conversation happening in hospitality, construction, retail and other industries as well.

But I think there’s another side of this conversation that we should focus on. How do we get Bermudians excited about jobs and careers in industries where they may believe they won’t be treated fairly, won’t have opportunities to advance or won’t earn enough money to live a happy and comfortable life in their own country? It’s a delicate balance.

We can tell Bermudians they should take certain jobs, but if someone believes the wages aren’t enough to pay their rent, raise their family and enjoy some quality of life, we have to listen to that as well. Likewise, if employers are saying they can’t find enough Bermudians willing or available to fill positions, we can’t simply ignore their reality either. This is where immigration becomes complicated.

Immigration can be incredibly important to a country’s economy. It can provide businesses with workers, bring new skills and ideas into a country and help address shortages in the labour market. Bermuda has benefited tremendously from people who have come here from around the world to work and contribute to our community. But there also has to be balance.

I remember visiting New York City years ago and something caught my attention. From the cab driver to the people working at the hotel and restaurants, it seemed like almost everyone I interacted with had been born somewhere outside of the United States, let alone New York City. There’s nothing wrong with that. New York is one of the world’s great immigrant cities.

But it made me think about what happens to the people who were born there, raised there and whose families contributed to building those communities for generations. Some people leave expensive cities and move elsewhere for better opportunities, more affordable housing or a different quality of life. But does Bermuda have that same luxury?

We’re a tiny island in the middle of the Atlantic. If a Bermudian becomes unable to afford living here or can’t find opportunities here, moving somewhere else isn’t simply moving to the next city or state. It potentially means leaving your country, your family, your culture and the community you’ve always called home. Are we comfortable with that becoming the solution? I’m not.

To be clear, this isn’t an argument against immigration. I believe good immigration policy can be extremely beneficial to Bermuda. Our economy needs people. Businesses need talent. Our aging population creates additional challenges, and there are jobs and skills that we may not always have enough Bermudians available to fill. However, immigration shouldn’t come at the expense of Bermudians who have spent generations contributing to this country.

The answer also can’t simply be restricting immigration and assuming Bermudians will automatically fill every position. If we want more Bermudians working in hospitality, construction, international business or any other industry, we have to ask why some aren’t pursuing those opportunities in the first place.

Is it the pay? The hours? The working conditions? The lack of advancement? Do people feel they’re treated differently from overseas workers? Are Bermudians being properly trained for the opportunities available? Or have attitudes toward certain types of work changed? These are important questions.

Employers also have legitimate needs. A business can’t operate without enough people to do the work. If qualified Bermudians aren’t available or aren’t applying, employers need options. That’s why I don’t think this conversation should become Bermudians versus non-Bermudians. It should be about creating an economy where immigration helps Bermuda grow while Bermudians still have a realistic opportunity to prosper in their own country.

Because if we don’t find that balance, the gap could continue to widen. More Bermudians may decide that the only way to build the life they want is somewhere else. And slowly, families whose roots in Bermuda go back generations could become less and less present here.

Economic growth means very little if the people we’re supposedly growing the economy for can no longer afford to participate in it. Bermuda needs immigration. But Bermuda needs Bermudians too. The challenge is figuring out how both can prosper together.

We often have conversations in Bermuda about non-Bermudians taking jobs that Bermudians could be doing.

And we’re not just talking about high-paying positions in international business. We see the conversation happening in hospitality, construction, retail and other industries as well.

But I think there’s another side of this conversation that we should focus on. How do we get Bermudians excited about jobs and careers in industries where they may believe they won’t be treated fairly, won’t have opportunities to advance or won’t earn enough money to live a happy and comfortable life in their own country? It’s a delicate balance.

We can tell Bermudians they should take certain jobs, but if someone believes the wages aren’t enough to pay their rent, raise their family and enjoy some quality of life, we have to listen to that as well. Likewise, if employers are saying they can’t find enough Bermudians willing or available to fill positions, we can’t simply ignore their reality either. This is where immigration becomes complicated.

Immigration can be incredibly important to a country’s economy. It can provide businesses with workers, bring new skills and ideas into a country and help address shortages in the labour market. Bermuda has benefited tremendously from people who have come here from around the world to work and contribute to our community. But there also has to be balance.

I remember visiting New York City years ago and something caught my attention. From the cab driver to the people working at the hotel and restaurants, it seemed like almost everyone I interacted with had been born somewhere outside of the United States, let alone New York City. There’s nothing wrong with that. New York is one of the world’s great immigrant cities.

But it made me think about what happens to the people who were born there, raised there and whose families contributed to building those communities for generations. Some people leave expensive cities and move elsewhere for better opportunities, more affordable housing or a different quality of life. But does Bermuda have that same luxury?

We’re a tiny island in the middle of the Atlantic. If a Bermudian becomes unable to afford living here or can’t find opportunities here, moving somewhere else isn’t simply moving to the next city or state. It potentially means leaving your country, your family, your culture and the community you’ve always called home. Are we comfortable with that becoming the solution? I’m not.

To be clear, this isn’t an argument against immigration. I believe good immigration policy can be extremely beneficial to Bermuda. Our economy needs people. Businesses need talent. Our aging population creates additional challenges, and there are jobs and skills that we may not always have enough Bermudians available to fill. However, immigration shouldn’t come at the expense of Bermudians who have spent generations contributing to this country.

The answer also can’t simply be restricting immigration and assuming Bermudians will automatically fill every position. If we want more Bermudians working in hospitality, construction, international business or any other industry, we have to ask why some aren’t pursuing those opportunities in the first place.

Is it the pay? The hours? The working conditions? The lack of advancement? Do people feel they’re treated differently from overseas workers? Are Bermudians being properly trained for the opportunities available? Or have attitudes toward certain types of work changed? These are important questions.

Employers also have legitimate needs. A business can’t operate without enough people to do the work. If qualified Bermudians aren’t available or aren’t applying, employers need options. That’s why I don’t think this conversation should become Bermudians versus non-Bermudians. It should be about creating an economy where immigration helps Bermuda grow while Bermudians still have a realistic opportunity to prosper in their own country.

Because if we don’t find that balance, the gap could continue to widen. More Bermudians may decide that the only way to build the life they want is somewhere else. And slowly, families whose roots in Bermuda go back generations could become less and less present here.

Economic growth means very little if the people we’re supposedly growing the economy for can no longer afford to participate in it. Bermuda needs immigration. But Bermuda needs Bermudians too. The challenge is figuring out how both can prosper together.