The Canadian government has declared it will begin the Recognized Employer Pilot in September in an effort to assist alleviate labor shortages. Recognized Employer Pilot for Temporary Foreign Workers.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) will oversee the Recognized Employer Pilot, which aims to lessen the administrative burden on repeat employers who have a track record of proving compliance with TFWP requirements.
Under the REP, qualified employers will have access to LMIAs that are valid for up to 36 months and get access to a streamlined LMIA application process.
To hire foreign employees under the TFWP, Canadian firms must pass an LMIA, a test of the labor market. The LMIA’s goal is to prove there are no Canadian workers available to fill the position the firm is hiring for.
According to the Canadian government, these actions will aid qualified firms in better planning for their personnel requirements and cut down on the number of LMIA applications they must file over the course of three years. Employers who have been recognized will also profit from a Job Bank accreditation that displays their standing to potential employees.
Employers must have at least three positive LMIAs for the same occupation during the previous five years in order to be eligible to participate in the REP. The list of occupations on which this requirement is based is based on data from the Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS). Based on their prior interactions with the TFWP, these employers will go through a more thorough upfront evaluation process, ensuring that the REP only targets those with the greatest hiring practices.
The REP will be rolled out in two phases. Beginning in September 2023, primary agriculture employers will be able to start applying.
All other employers will be eligible to apply in January 2024.
The REP employer application period will end in September 2024.
Future LMIA applications for employment on the COPS list should be expected to follow a streamlined application process for employers who qualify under the REP.
Additionally, because LMIA forms have been made simpler, participating firms and the Department of Employment and Social Development (ESDC) will have fewer points of contact while the REP is being tested. This will let employers hire more temporary foreign employees.
According to ESDC, technical briefings will be provided to stakeholders to give them additional information about the REP and the application process. It promises to provide more information shortly.
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