Government Introduces Support for Employers to Address Labour Shortages
From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Announcement
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted various sectors in Canada, creating new hurdles for temporary foreign workers and their employers in a swiftly transforming job market.
Expedited Process for Temporary Workers
Fast-Track Work Transition
May 12, 2020—Ottawa—Canada’s job market is facing challenges due to the pandemic, affecting temporary foreign workers. Many with employer-specific permits lost jobs, and travel restrictions have stranded some in Canada. Previously, changing jobs required a lengthy permit process.
Now, sectors like agriculture and healthcare, which are essential for Canadians, urgently need more workers. The government has launched a temporary policy to speed up the process for temporary foreign workers starting new jobs.
Workers already in Canada with a new job offer can begin working while their permit application is processed, reducing the wait time from over 10 weeks to just 10 days.
This policy aligns with Canada’s comprehensive strategy to bolster the economy and protect public health amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Official Statements
“Immigrants, temporary foreign workers, and international students are crucial to our COVID-19 response in Canada. Their dedication helps keep Canadians healthy and ensures essential services. This new policy will help businesses hire the necessary workers and enable unemployed individuals to contribute to our economy during this time.”
– The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
“Temporary foreign workers are vital to our workforce and COVID-19 efforts. They meet urgent labour needs, ensuring food security and essential services. While jobs remain for Canadians, these changes support our economy by allowing existing foreign workers to contribute during these extraordinary times.”
– The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
Key Information
- The pandemic has heavily impacted Canada’s labour market. Despite encouraging Canadians to fill vacancies, a shortage of workers in critical sectors like agriculture could threaten food security and healthcare capacity.
- Eligibility criteria for workers include being in Canada with valid status, holding an employer-specific work permit or working under an exemption, and having applied for a new permit with a valid job offer.
- The work permit application request will be reviewed within 10 days, and if approved, workers will receive authorization via email to start their new roles.
- Employers must still follow existing processes, including obtaining a valid Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and naming the worker on the LMIA. For LMIA-exempt cases, an offer of employment must be submitted through the International Mobility Program Employer Portal.
- In 2019, nearly 190,000 employer-specific work permits were issued to foreign nationals.
Related Resources
- Instructions for work permit applicants for changing jobs quickly
- How COVID-19 is affecting immigration, refugees, citizenship and passport services
Contact Information
Contacts for media only
Kevin Lemkay
Minister’s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
IRCC.COMMMediaRelations-RelationsmediasCOMM.IRCC@cic.gc.ca
Marielle Hossack
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Carla Qualtrough
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
613-725-4923
819-654-5552
marielle.hossack@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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FAQs
How does the new policy benefit temporary foreign workers?
The policy allows workers already in Canada to start new jobs faster by reducing permit processing time from over 10 weeks to 10 days.
What sectors are primarily affected by this change?
The policy targets critical sectors like agriculture and healthcare, where labour shortages could impact food security and healthcare services.
What are the eligibility requirements for workers?
Workers must be in Canada with valid status, have an employer-specific work permit or exemption, and apply for a new permit with a valid job offer.
What are employers’ responsibilities under this new policy?
Employers must secure a positive LMIA or submit an offer via the International Mobility Program Employer Portal for LMIA-exempt scenarios.
How has the issuance of work permits changed since last year?
In 2019, nearly 190,000 employer-specific work permits were granted to foreign nationals, indicating a high demand for foreign labour in Canada.
