Foreign Worker Programs: Construction MOU, Introduction

Foreign Worker Home > Sectoral Agreements > Construction MOU

This page contains information on the following topics relating to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Construction:

• Introduction to the Construction MOU
• Employers and Occupations Included in the MOU
• CREWS
• Steps the Employer Must Take
• Steps the Foreign Worker Must Take

Introduction to the Construction MOU

An MOU that formalizes a process to facilitate the issuance of labour market opinions and temporary work permits to foreign construction workers in Ontario was signed on Sept. 24, 2004 by the following parties:

• Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
• Greater Toronto Home Builders' Association (GTHBA)

The MOU is in effect until Sept. 24, 2007 and is available for download in its entirety.

HRSDC will confirm offers of employment over this 3 year period. Additional background information is available for download.

Employers and Occupations Included in the MOU

The MOU applies only to employers operating businesses in the province of Ontario which employ workers in the following occupations and at the following minimum wage rates:

Appendix B of the MOU contains:

• Complete job descriptions
• Wage and pre-requisite requirements for each occupation.
  

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CREWS

The industry has formed an association called the Construction Recruitment External Workers Services (CREWS) to manage, control, and facilitate the industry's role in the foreign worker process.

An employer in Ontario who wants to bring a foreign worker to Canada under the terms of the MOU must first obtain a written opinion from the following CREWS representative on the appropriateness of the request before applying for a confirmed offer of employment from HRSDC:

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Steps the Employer Must Take

An employer in Ontario who wants steps to bring a foreign construction worker to Canada must take the following steps:

Each application to HRSDC must be accompanied by the following supporting documentation:

1. A written opinion from CREWS on the appropriateness of the request.
2. Information required by HRSDC outlined in Appendix C of the MOU, namely:
   • Employer Profile
   • Job Description
   • Training Initiatives
   • Employer Stated Need
   • Recruitment Efforts
   • Union Input
3. An employment contract signed by the employer and the prospective foreign worker. A draft is provided in Appendix A of the MOU.
4. A letter from the labour union where a union has a collective bargaining right with the employer stating the position of the union with respect to the recruitment of foreign workers.
5. The following additional information:
   • Proof of return airfare for the foreign worker or a stated willingness to purchase return airfare
   • Commitment to recruit 2 Canadians for every (one) foreign worker who is approved
   • Arranged accommodation for the foreign worker should it be required
   • Commitment to provide basic health and safety training to each foreign worker

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Steps the Foreign Worker Must Take

The foreign worker must apply to CIC for a work permit, and a visitor's visa if necessary, at a Canadian visa post using an Application for work permit before traveling to Canada.

CIC maintains the following information on their website:

• Countries Whose Citizens Require Visas
• Immigration Processing Posts Abroad

The foreign worker should apply for the work permit only after having being notified by the employer that HRSDC has confirmd the employer's offer of employment.

A worker will be allowed entry to Canada only after a work permit is approved.

There is a fee of $150 to process an Application for a work permit.