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Hiring Foreign Nationals

November

3

Diana's Pro Tip - in Uncategorized

News from Service Canada for Employers hiring Foreign Nationals

The new Recognized Employer Pilot (PER) Program

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that an employer in Canada may need to get before hiring a foreign worker. The REP will provide simpler and more predictable access to labour.

A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job. It will also show that no Canadian worker or permanent resident is available to do the job. A positive LMIA is sometimes called a confirmation letter.

The Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) is a 3-year pilot project with 2 phases. Starting September 12, 2023, applications will be accepted for positions on the Phase 1 REP occupations list. Applications for Phase 2 will start in January 2024. The phase you apply for will depend on the position you’re trying to fill.

Employers are eligible for the REP after three successful LMIA applications.

The REP offers a streamlined approach for employers who:

  • regularly access the TFWP to fill positions for in-demand fields from the REP occupations list, and
  • meet the highest standards for working and living conditions and worker protection

Recognized employers can benefit from validity periods of up to 36 months for LMIA applications that receive a positive decision. They can also access a simplified LMIA application when hiring additional workers.

The REP will provide simpler and more predictable access to labour.

New National Occupation Code matrix in the Express Entry system

The government aims to accept in a record 1.45 million newcomers in the next three years. This is linked to a change in rules made under the express entry system through the Budget Implementation Act that was adopted in the House of Commons in June 2022. The new selection tools will allow Fraser and future ministers to select immigrants to fill job gaps in specific industries and regions. By way of example, Fraser said he can now sift through applications to address New Brunswick’s shortfall of French language educators, Nova Scotia’s chronic lack of nurses, or Ontario’s constant struggle to find enough carpenters.

How can you benefit? Reduced costs and increased efficiency.

Repeated LMIA applications are not necessary when your business frequently hires workers with the same National Occupation Code.

Tiff Macklem, the Bank of Canada governor stated that if Canada’s labour pool was larger, he probably wouldn’t have needed to raise interest rates as aggressively as he has this year to contain inflation. That’s because the shortage puts upward pressure on wages and hinders the ability of companies to keep up with demand.

Immigration is changing to keep up with employer’s needs. Whether you’re hiring a physician, carpenter, millwright, or HVAC trade worker, contact us to discuss your future options to hire from abroad.

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