The federal Canadian government has come to an agreement with the Quebec government to introduce three important measures that will serve to help Quebecer enterprises who are deeply affected by the current labor shortage.
What does this new agreement entail for foreign workers looking to be employed in Quebec?
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Such measures include the easing of certain restrictions pertaining to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Notably, for certain sectors of activity, this agreement will permit an increase of 10-20% in the allowed number of foreign workers in a single workplace. Additionally, this will also include the addition of certain low-specialization and high-demand professions to the Liste des professions admissibles au traitement simplifié – a list that enumerates the professions eligible for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. These measures will be in effect until December 31, 2023.
Transitory Open Work Permit
At the request of the Quebec government, the federal government has agreed, as of August 31, 2021, to allow certain temporary foreign workers currently staying in Quebec to hold a job of their choice while they await permanent residency. To benefit from such a permit, the worker must be a holder of a Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ) in the category of skilled workers and has received an acknowledgment of receipt pertaining to their permanent resident application. This permit will be valid for an initial period of 24 months and may be renewed for another 12 supplementary months.
International Mobility Program Plus (IMPP)
A new temporary program will be introduced within the International Mobility Program. The program allows for the annual issuance of 7,000 work permits to certain CSQ holders. The permits will entail an exemption from the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The IMPP’s goal is to allow for an accelerated arrival to Quebec and the opportunity to work in the province.
Quick Important Facts:
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program
- Increase of 10-20% in the allowed number of foreign workers in a single workplace.
- Eligibility expanded to low-specialization professions (Level C, according to National Occupational Classification).
- Exemption of certain low or no specialization professions (Level D) from advertising requirements and demonstration of recruiting efforts.
- Exemption of application processing refusals for certain sectors of activity.
- Transitory Open Work Permit
- To obtain this permit, the worker will be required to provide an acknowledgment of receipt of their permanent resident application.
- The permit will be valid for an initial period of 24 months and may be renewed for another 12 supplementary months.
- International Mobility Program Plus (IMPP)
- Issuance nearly 7,000 work permits to persons whose candidacy answers to Quebec’s economic market demand.
- Those who are eligible are exempt from the LMIA requirement.
