Canada is Introducing a New Pilot Programme for Temporary Foreign Workers
The Recognized Employer Pilot, scheduled to commence in September, is an initiative introduced by the Canadian government as a component of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This pilot aims to provide qualifying firms with the opportunity to obtain Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) that are valid for a duration of three years.
The primary objective of the program is to streamline the process of LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) applications and alleviate the administrative workload for companies who have previously demonstrated consistent adherence to the standards of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
The government has established a set of three measures aimed at assisting qualifying employers in strategizing their workforce requirements and reducing reliance on temporary personnel. This measure will assist these firms in mitigating the volume of program applications received over the course of the subsequent three years.
The three steps are as follows:
In order to meet the eligibility criteria, firms must possess a minimum of three favourable Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) throughout the previous five-year period for the identical profession. These occupations are selected from a defined list that is determined to be experiencing a shortage based on data from the Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS).
Prospective individuals will be required to complete a comprehensive initial evaluation procedure that is predicated on their past involvement with the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The purpose of this measure is to guarantee that the Recruitment and Employment Program (REP) specifically focuses on organizations who possess the most effective recruitment processes.
The employer will be required to undergo the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) examination, which serves the goal of verifying that there were no available Canadian employees to fulfill the employment position for which the firm intends to hire.
The implementation of the Recognised Employer Pilot will occur in two distinct phases. Commencing in September 2023, primary agricultural companies will have the opportunity to begin the application process, while all other employers will become eligible to apply in January 2024.
The deadline for employer applications for the REP is scheduled to conclude in September 2024. Additionally, the government has indicated that firms who meet the criteria outlined in the Recruitment and Employment Program (REP) should anticipate a streamlined application procedure for upcoming Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications pertaining to occupations listed on the Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS).