work permit

Can NAFTA address your company’s labour shortages

November 14, 2016 Occasional Contributors Employee Relations, Employment/Labour Standards, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Payroll, Pensions and Benefits, Recruiting and Hiring, Source Deductions and Reporting, Wages and Compensation

Many Canadian companies face ongoing labour shortages in a variety of positions. The frustration of their recruiters and HR professionals is palpable, for despite offering above average wages, group benefits and other perquisites of employment, finding quality personnel to fill vacancies is harder than ever for some professions. One possible solution is often overlooked.

Employer Compliance Fee, employment law, HR professionals, Labour Market Impact Assessment, labour shortages, NAFTA, NAFTA Professional, North American Free Trade Agreement, offer of employment, work permit

CIC establishes LMIA exemptions for television and film production workers and performing artists

April 20, 2016 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Human Resources

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) has announced two new categories of work permits exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment requirement, pursuant to Section 205 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. These work permits apply to: (1) foreign nationals whose work is essential to a television or film production and would create and maintain significant economic benefits and opportunities for Canadians and permanent residents; and (2) foreign nationals working in dance (i.e. ballet, contemporary), opera, orchestra, and live theatre, whose work contributes to competitive advantages and reciprocal benefits for all Canadians. CIC has also clarified its business visitor guidance to confirm that foreign nationals who are employed as film producers, essential personnel for commercial (i.e. advertising) shoots, and film and recording studio users may now seek admission under the business visitor category.

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Salary increases and temporary foreign workers — are you compliant?

July 9, 2015 Occasional Contributors Corporate Immigration, Employee Relations, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, Payroll, Penalties and Fines, Pensions and Benefits, Recruiting and Hiring, Source Deductions and Reporting, Wages and Compensation

There have been many changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) over the last year, with an emphasis on employer compliance, including respect of actual salaries paid.

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ESDC considers administrative monetary penalties and longer bans on employers who violate the TFWP

November 12, 2014 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Human Resources, Recruiting and Hiring

At the end of September 2014, ESDC published a discussion paper, which proposed to implement an Administrative Monetary Penalty system for violations of the TFWP; penalties of up to $100,000.00 could be imposed under this new system. It also proposed to increase the maximum ban for employers who violate the TFWP from two years to ten years (a permanent ban was also being considered).

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Canadian government announces changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

July 16, 2014 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, HR Policies and Procedures, Human Resources, International Payroll, Payroll, Recruiting and Hiring, Source Deductions and Reporting, Wages and Compensation

On June 20, 2014, the Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, and Chris Alexander, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, announced significant changes to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Under the new structure, the Labour Market Opinion will now be replaced by the Labour Market Impact Assessment (“LMIA”). LMIA-exempt foreign workers will become part of the newly-named International Mobility Program. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program will include only workers who require an LMIA.

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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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Canada to begin collecting biometric data from certain foreign nationals

December 19, 2012 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Employee Relations, Human Resources, Human Rights, Privacy and Security

On December 8, 2012, CIC published proposed regulations that will authorize the collection and use of biometric data from certain foreign nationals. Starting in 2013, temporary resident visa, study permit, and work permit applicants from certain visa-required countries and territories who seek to enter Canada will be required to have their biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) collected overseas before arriving in Canada.

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Employment termination and maintenance of lawful status in Canada

August 16, 2012 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Employee Relations, Employment/Labour Standards, Human Resources, Recruiting and Hiring

Foreign nationals who hold work permits in Canada sometimes wonder what will happen to their immigration status if they quit their jobs or are terminated by their Canadian employers. Surprisingly, the termination of a foreign national’s employment does not automatically invalidate his or her work permit or underlying temporary resident status. However, foreign nationals who travel abroad after the termination of their employment might not be able to return to Canada even if their work permits technically remain valid.

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CIC provides guidance on filing work permit extensions without an approved LMO or CAQ

February 16, 2012 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Human Resources

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has been providing guidance to foreign nationals seeking extensions of their work permits through CPC Vegreville, while waiting for an LMO or CAQ to be approved. According to CIC, if a foreign national is ready to submit a work permit application to CPC Vegreville, but is waiting for an LMO or CAQ, the application may still be submitted, but only within two weeks of the expiry date of his or her existing work permit. In addition, proof that the LMO/CAQ request was made must also be included with the application.

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CIC issues additional guidance on specialized knowledge intracompany transferees

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

On July 4, 2011, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) issued Operational Bulletin 316 (the “Bulletin”). The Bulletin contains additional instructions regarding the assessment criteria that should be considered when adjudicating specialized knowledge intracompany transferee work permit applications.

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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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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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When does your Canadian employee need a U.S. work permit?

August 31, 2010 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Human Resources, Recruiting and Hiring

On occasion, Canadian HR professionals will be asked if one of their employees requires a work permit to enter the United States. The answer to this question depends on whether the proposed activity falls within the scope of the B-1 business visitor category. The problem lies in the lack of clear guidelines for B-1 business visitors and the considerable amount of discretion given to USCBP officers, who inspect foreign travelers seeking admission to the United States.

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Acceptance of work permit extensions filed with proof of pending LMO applications will continue

August 19, 2010 Henry J. Chang, Dentons LLP Corporate Immigration, Human Resources

I previously reported that Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) had posted a notice on its website stating that it would no longer process work permit extensions filed concurrently with pending Labour Market Opinion applications. In response to concerns raised by the Canadian Bar Association National Citizenship and Immigration Section, CIC has now provided further clarification of this notice.

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