Canada is on the verge of strategizing the workforce by introducing immense skilled talent from the international community to the local workforce, adding 82 more employment sectors to the Recognized Employer Pilot Programs (REPs) list. With the new addition more and more employers from Canada will be able to recruit skilled workers from a massive talent pool, The initial part of the REP was completed in September 2023 for employers hiring employees in the primary agriculture and farming sector. It included just four occupations:

Livestock labourers
Harvesting labourers
Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
Nursery and greenhouse labourers

The second phase expansion was massive adding more than 82 professions to the grid. Starting from January 2024 applications will be considered from the new REP occupations list. EDSC  (Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)) confirms that occupations that are Global Talent Stream eligible are not included on this new list because they are already eligible for faster processing.

Employers must have obtained at least three positive LMIAs in the previous five years to be eligible for the REP. Furthermore, they need to be employing TFWs for jobs that the Canadian Occupations Projection System (COPS) indicates are “in-shortage.”

1) Three or more favorable LMIAs within the previous five years.
2) Vacancies for jobs that the Canadian Occupations Projection System (COPS) has classified as “in-shortage.”

ESDC affirms that eligible employers can also expect:

1. A simplified application process for LMIA applications for the positions on the COPS list.
2. Low number of contacts between employers and employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) due to the overhauled LMIA forms that empower the employers to hire additional manpower through genuine job offerings.
3. Extended validity of the LMIAs, normally the validity is 18 months;  but those eligible for the REP will receive LMIAs valid for up to 36 months.
4. A job bank status showing recognition will enable the employers to gain more trust from the prospective applicants.

Program for Temporary Foreign Workers

Employers in Canada who plan to hire a candidate via the TFWP are required to submit an LMIA to ESDC. After reviewing the application, ESDC determines whether hiring foreign workers will benefit or hurt Canada’s economy and labor market. The employer will likely be permitted to hire foreign workers if ESDC determines that the impact will be neutral or favorable. Closed work permits are issued to employees employed through the TFWP, prohibiting them from working in Canada for another employer.

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