April 2022: Labour Market Impact Assessment and Global Talent Stream Updates – Canada is on the road to economic recovery from COVID-19. In February 2022, Canada added 337,000 jobs lowering the unemployment rate to 5.5%, the lowest since the onset of the pandemic. The country also announced solutions to address labour shortages
Canada’s economic recovery exceeds many firms’ ability to fill positions, and the Government of Canada (GoC) is focusing on establishing a robust, resilient workforce in all industries to support Canada’s continuing economic growth.
Bringing in temporary foreign workers to fill occupations when there is a Canadian talent gap is one way to overcome labour shortages. In the latest GoC press release, the modifications to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) are intended to assist Canada to develop its workforce.
Changes to LMIA Program:
- LMIAs (Labor Market Impact Assessments) will now be valid for 18 months, an increase from 9 months. LMIAs are documentation that shows the Canadian government that hiring a foreign worker will not have a detrimental impact on the labor market. Previously, LMIAs were only suitable for 6 months pre-pandemic.
- The maximum length of employment for High-Wage and Global Talent Stream employees will be increased from 2 years to 3 years. Workers will be able to qualify for more pathways to permanent residency as a result of this extension, allowing them to contribute to the Canadian workforce in the long run.
The Canadian labour market is even tighter than before the outbreak.
In the third quarter of 2021, the employment vacancy rate reached an all-time high. Last year, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program approved 5,000 Global Talent Stream posts and 23,000 High-Wage Stream employment. Together, these projects account for nearly 21% of the LMIA posts granted for 2021.
To ensure employers across the country can hire TFWs promptly, Service Canada implemented a series of measures to increase capacity and expedite the processing of LMIA applications. This means boosting staffing resources, in all regions including Quebec.
Employers are encouraged to submit their applications online to speed up the process. These changes will not affect the stringent checks undertaken through the process to keep workers safe and protect labor market conditions. All changes are occurring alongside the GoC’s ongoing work to strengthen worker protections.
For companies looking to learn more about the latest updates and impact — reach out to a VanHack immigration expert.
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