The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) allows Canadian employers to hire foreign nationals to fill labor shortages in Canada.
The TFWP is jointly administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The program allows Canadian employers to respond to genuine labor shortages by allowing them to hire internationally while ensuring that Canadian citizens and permanent residents have the first opportunity to apply for open job positions.
Labour Market Impact Assessment
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and a temporary work permit are required to be obtained before a foreign national can begin working for the Canadian employer through the TFWP. An LMIA is a document that serves as proof that there will be a positive or neutral impact to the Canadian labor market if the employer hires the foreign worker. This document replaced the Labour Market Opinion (LMO) process in June 2014.
Employers in Canada should be aware of the requirements, wages, advertisement efforts, exceptions to the advertising requirements, and how to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment.