Canada begins the Recognized Employer Pilot Program’s 2nd phase. This implies that an increasing number of Canadian employers have gained eligibility to proceed with the Recognized Employer Pilot Program. REP exists explicitly to expedite the processing for Canadian employers who have complied with the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Furthermore, REP offers an advantage to eligible employers with the LMIA. This means they will get prolonged validity periods and more accessible LMIA applications after the initial evaluation.
Canada Begins the Recognized Employer Pilot Program’s 2nd Phase
Employers can participate in REP if they have acquired three positive LMIAs in the past five years. The second factor is if they are recruiting Temporary Foreign Workers for only the positions genuinely in demand due to shortage. This is in accordance with the Canadian Occupations Projection System’s data.
The TFWP enables employers to recruit foreign nationals who can fulfill the ardent demand of the Canadian workforce. When an employer submits the LMIA to the ESDC, it must assure that they have not been able to hire any Canadian citizen or permanent resident for the same job position even after several attempts.
Typically, LMIA work permit applications hold a validity of 18 months, and those with REP eligibility must receive LMIA’s validity for up to 36 months. Hence, employers must also gain the benefit of accessible LMIA applications ahead of time.
According to the Employment and Social Development Canada, qualifying employers can expect the following:
- A less complex application procedure for LMIA applications for positions under the list of COPS.
- A Job Bank Designation demonstrates their recognized status to enhance the interest of potential workers.
- Reduced interactions between participating companies and ESDC during the pilot program due to streamlined LMIA forms that allow companies to hire more TFWs for legitimate job offers during REP.
Canadian employers must expect a far more detailed than average initial evaluation to ensure that only reputed employers actively participate in the program. According to ESDC, employers must be able to apply for REP concerning LMIA submission without any extra information requirement. The ineligible REP candidates will also receive a decision or outcome on their LMIA.
Recognized Employer Pilot Program’s 2nd Phase – What are the Qualifying Occupations?
REP’s first phase came out in September 2023 for employers recruiting workers under the primary agricultural sector. The four occupations under it are as follows:
- Livestock Laborers;
- Nursery and Greenhouse Laborers;
- Harvesting Laborers; and
- Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
More than 80 in-demand professions from a variety of industries are now eligible for the REP, marking a significant extension of Phase 2. According to ESDC’s observation, listed occupations with work permit eligibility through the Global Talent Stream are not a part of this list. This is only because these occupations are eligible for faster processing.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Canadian employers who plan to employ a candidate through the TFWP must submit an LMIA to ESDC. When evaluating an application, the department determines whether hiring foreign labor will benefit, hurt, or have no effect on Canada’s labor market and economy. The employer will probably have the right to employ foreign workers if ESDC determines the impact will be neutral or favorable.
Workers hired through the TFWP are issued closed work permits, prohibiting them from working in Canada for another company.
ESDC will verify that employers are adhering to a number of requirements. Examples include paying the salaries specified in the employment contract, adhering to all applicable provincial and territorial employment laws, and offering abuse-free, safe working environments.
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