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2006-07

Canada’s new government helps to match foreign skilled workers with companies in need

Calgary, July 31, 2006 — The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced the creation of temporary foreign worker units in Calgary and Vancouver on a pilot basis, effective September 1, 2006.

“We will help facilitate the entry of temporary foreign workers into Canada where they are needed by working with the companies and sectors most affected,” Minister Solberg said. “Not a day has gone by since I was appointed Minister that I have not heard about labour market shortages threatening to hold up Canada’s economic growth. We’re taking the first steps to addressing those needs.”

The temporary foreign worker units will provide advice to employers who plan to hire temporary foreign workers who are exempted from the labour market confirmation process. The units will also prescreen supporting documents from employers to streamline the application process of such workers.

“Temporary foreign workers help support economic growth and prosperity, and I’m pleased that CIC is working with provinces and communities to address labour shortages in Alberta and British Columbia,” said Minister Solberg.

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For further information (media only):

Minister’s Office:
Lesley Harmer
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
613-954-1064

Ottawa :
Mélanie Carkner
Media Relations
Communications Branch
613-941-7028

Temporary Foreign Worker Units

Q. What will the temporary foreign worker units (TFWUs) do?

A. TFWUs will provide a valuable service to Canadian employers and the business community as a whole by helping to facilitate the entry of temporary foreign workers into Canada. The units will offer guidance to employers and human resources service providers seeking to employ foreign workers who are exempted from the labour market confirmation process. The labour market confirmation process ensures that temporary foreign workers have a positive impact on the Canadian labour market and that they are not competing with Canadians for the same jobs.

TFWUs will also provide advice on work permit exemption. The units will prescreen supporting documents from employers to streamline the application process of such workers and provide an opinion for the use of officers at the port of entry. In addition, staff at the units will prescreen some documents submitted by foreign workers, such as academic or professional qualifications. These units will provide a valuable service by facilitating individual cases and liaising with Canadian employers.

Q. What is the confirmation-exempt category? What types of temporary foreign workers are exempted from confirmations or work permits?

A. Workers in the confirmation-exempt category are not required to obtain a labour market opinion from Service Canada. A labour market opinion ensures that temporary foreign workers have a positive impact on the Canadian labour market and that they are not competing with Canadians for the same jobs.

Foreign workers who enter Canada under international labour mobility agreements (e.g., the North American Free Trade Agreement) and provincial agreements may be confirmation exempt. This includes such professionals as accountants, engineers, architects, dentists and geologists, to name a few. In-house company transferees, specialized knowledge workers, senior managers and professors participating in academic exchanges may also be confirmation-exempt. Foreign workers who are part of reciprocal employment arrangements and those who intend to perform work that would be of significant benefit to Canada may also fall under the exempt category.

The following are examples of professionals who may be work permit-exempt : diplomats, performing artists, guest speakers and certain religious leaders.

Q. Is this a major policy change for CIC?

A. No. This pilot project involves shifting priorities and realigning resources to meet labour market needs. It is not a policy change but rather a step toward better client service. The initiative builds on the success of a similar operation that has been in place in Montreal since 2003.

Q. The TFWUs will facilitate the entry of confirmation-exempt temporary foreign workers into Canada . Does this mean the units will make the process faster and more efficient? If so, how?

A. The units will make the entry process smoother and more efficient for confirmation-exempt temporary foreign workers by providing employers with accurate and up-to-date information. They will prescreen supporting material, such as academic or professional qualifications, and ensure that workers have the necessary documents on arrival so that Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers can quickly issue work permits to qualified applicants. TFWUs will also be able to advise visa offices overseas on whether or not a labour market opinion exemption applies to certain cases. The units will focus on facilitating entry and reducing processing times when reviewing employer requests and when foreign workers arrive at the port of entry. CBSA officers will use valuable input from the units in making their final decision.

Q. Where will the new TFWUs be located and when will they be operational?

A. The new TFWUs will be located at CIC Calgary and CIC Vancouver Admissions. They will be operational on September 1, 2006.

Q. What regions will TFWUs serve?

A. The units will operate on a pilot basis and focus on confirmation-exempt occupations for Alberta and the British Columbia Lower Mainland.

Q. Will TFWUs be launched in other regions of Canada ?

A. The TFWUs in Calgary and Vancouver are being implemented on a pilot basis with a view to expansion to Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the rest of British Columbia in 2007–2008. Expansion to other regions will be considered once CIC is able to gauge the success of the pilot projects.

Quebec adopted a TFWU model in 2003 and since that time, the number of cases reviewed has more than doubled. The unit, located at CIC Montreal Admissions, serves applicants who are destined for Quebec.

Q. Will the new TFWUs be duplicating work that Service Canada is already providing?

A. No. TFWUs will only offer guidance to employers and human resources service providers seeking to employ foreign workers who are exempted from the labour market confirmation process. All other requests for temporary foreign workers will continue to be directed to Service Canada for labour market opinions. The work of the CIC TFWUs will complement the work that Service Canada does.

Q. Is there a cost for employers?

A. No. This CIC service, like Service Canada’s labour market opinions, is free of charge. Offering this free service to employers demonstrates CIC’s commitment to helping Canadian employers meet their labour market needs where the entry of confirmation-exempt temporary foreign workers is an appropriate solution.