Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations

Employment and Social Development Canada announces further changes to the LMO process

August 14, 2013 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, HR Policies and Procedures, HRMS, Human Resources, Recruiting and Hiring

On April 29, 2013, the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development (“HRSDC”) and the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism announced that they would be introducing numerous changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Employment and Social Development Canada, formerly known as HRSDC, has now announced changes to the Labour Market Opinion application process, which are effective as of July 31, 2013.

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Citizenship and Immigration Canada proposes regulatory changes to the temporary foreign worker program

June 19, 2013 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Employment/Labour Standards, Human Resources, Recruiting and Hiring

In early April 2013, it was reported that 45 Royal Bank of Canada employees would be losing their jobs because the company had outsourced several technology services to a California-based firm that specializes in sending jobs offshore. RBC faced a severe public backlash over the incident and Citizenship and Immigration Canada subsequently published proposed regulatory amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations…

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CIC announces proposed changes to the definition of ‘dependent children’

May 15, 2013 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Human Resources, Recruiting and Hiring

On May 10, 2013, Citizenship and Immigration Canada announced proposed regulatory amendments that will narrow the definition of “dependent child” by reducing the age limit to children under the age of 19 and removing the exception for full-time students. Once implemented, this proposed change will adversely affect the dependent children of all prospective immigrants to Canada.

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CIC publishes ministerial instructions establishing the start-up business class

April 17, 2013 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Human Resources, Recruiting and Hiring

On March 30, 2013, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) published Ministerial Instructions in the Canada Gazette, which formally establish the new Start-Up Business Class. CIC also published Chapter 27 of the Overseas Processing Manual, which provides further details regarding the processing of such applications.

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Citizenship and Immigration Canada proposes significant amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations

September 13, 2012 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Human Resources

On August 18, 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada published proposed regulatory amendments in the Canada Gazette, which will significantly alter the Federal Skilled Worker Class, create a new Federal Skilled Trades Class, and liberalize the Canadian Experience Class.

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CIC announces consultations for a Canadian start-up visa program

May 17, 2012 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Human Resources

On April 18, 2012, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney launched consultations on the possible creation of a new program to attract immigrant entrepreneurs. Citizenship and Immigration Canada will consult with industry associations in the development of a “start-up” visa program for innovative entrepreneurs in the coming months. A start-up visa program differs from existing investor and entrepreneur options in that…

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CIC announces language testing requirements for certain PNP applicants

April 19, 2012 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Human Resources

On April 11, 2012, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced changes to Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). As of July 1, 2012, most PNP applicants for semi-skilled and low-skilled professions will have to undergo mandatory language testing of their listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities and meet a minimum standard across all four of these categories before they can qualify for a nomination certificate.

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Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement comes into force as of August 15, 2011

August 18, 2011 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Human Resources

The Free Trade Agreement (“FTA”) between Canada and Colombia was originally signed on November 21, 2008. However, it did not come into force until August 15, 2011. As in the case of other FTAs, the Canada-Colombia FTA contains provisions for the temporary entry of treaty nationals pursuant to Section 204 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. These provisions appear in “Chapter 12 – Temporary Entry for Business Persons.”

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A stunning example of mistreatment of migrant workers

June 3, 2011 Christina Catenacci Corporate Immigration, Employment/Labour Standards, Human Resources

This case is a stunning example of mistreatment of migrant workers: a live-in nanny recently launched a wrongful dismissal claim against her employer in the Ontario Superior Court seeking damages in the amount of $195,000 for breach of contract, unpaid wages, statutory holiday pay and vacation pay.

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CIC issues operational bulletin on temporary foreign worker program amendments

April 21, 2011 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Human Resources

On August 4, 2010, the governor-general-in-council published amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, which were expected to adversely affect many temporary foreign workers; these regulatory amendments became effective on April 1, 2011. On April 1, 2011, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) issued Operational Bulletin 275-C, which provides operational instructions to both CIC and the Canada Border Services Agency in relation to these recent regulatory amendments.

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HRSDC announces changes to LMO application procedures effective April 1, 2011

April 21, 2011 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Human Resources

Last year, the governor-general-in-council published amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, which would affect the Temporary Foreign Worker Program; these amendments became effective on April 1, 2011. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada has now announced new procedures that implement these amendments.

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Slaw: New Canadian regulator for immigration consultants

March 21, 2011 Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor Corporate Immigration, Human Resources

On March 18, 2011, the Governor in Council announced that the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) has been proposed as the new regulator for immigration consultants in Canada.

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Entering Canada as a business visitor

October 27, 2010 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Human Resources

HR professionals are frequently asked whether a foreign national, who seeks to enter Canada in order to perform a specific task on behalf of their company, will require a work permit. If the proposed activity falls within the parameters of the business visitor category, no work permit will be necessary.

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CIC revises list of designated countries/territories requiring medical examinations

September 29, 2010 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Human Resources

On September 1, 2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada announced revisions to its list of designated countries/territories for the purposes of Section 30 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

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HRSDC/CIC establishes new LMO exemption for foreign medical residents/fellows

September 29, 2010 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Human Resources

On September 1, 2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada issued Operational Bulletin 230, which announces a new exemption from the Labour Market Opinion requirement for foreign medical residents and medical research fellowship holders. This new exemption falls under Paragraph 205(c)(ii) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

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