Gunness & Assocaites | Canadian Immigration specialists in Ontario

IRCC sets new wage rules for employers recruiting temporary foreign workers From January 1, 2024, employers recruiting through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) must adjust foreign workers' wages to match updated prevailing rates, as per Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Although some employers are exempt, this usually requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The Job Bank updates provincial wage differences annually.  Canada is inviting foreign workers to boost its economy amid labor shortages, with potential losses of $38 billion due to shortages, as the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) reported. Foreign workers in Canada are legally entitled to the same rights as Canadians, with employers required to ensure a fair work environment and access to healthcare. Even if the prevailing wage falls, the updated wage can never fall below the wage identified in the positive LMIA at any time during a TFW's employment period. Emplo

Foreign skilled worker demand has risen this year for Canadian employers Western Canadian employers seeking overseas skilled workers have seen a significant rise this year, with a 39% increase in LMIA applications nationwide and 83% in Western Canada.  Yukon is the sole exception, with a slight decrease. Nunavut had the highest application growth, followed by Northwest Territories, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. LMIA processing times are slow, with Alberta having the longest. This is because fewer applications are in priority processing streams.  Efforts have been made to modernize the Temporary Foreign Worker Program , including distributing files across the national network, moving away from paper applications, and simplifying applications for compliant employers through the Recognized Employer Pilot. The Recognized Employer Pilot The Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) is a two-phase, three-year pilot project. Applications for positions on the Phase 1 REP occupations list will be accepted