Effective June 10, temporary work permit applications in certain in demand occupations in Quebec during Covid-19 are being processing on a priority basis. The minimum requirement for these occupations is also being waived. In normal circumstances employers must prove that they have make attempts to fill the vacation positions with Canadian or permanent residents as a component of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

The program is prioritizing and waiving minimum recruitment requirements for the following occupations:

3012 - Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

3111 - Specialist physicians

3112 - General practitioners and family physicians

3124 - Allied primary health practitioners

3131 - Pharmacists

3211 - Medical laboratory technologists 9463- Fish and seafood plant workers

3212 - Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants

3214 - Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists

3219 - Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)

3233 - Licensed practical nurses

3237 - Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment

3413 - Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates

3414 - Other assisting occupations in support of health services

6731 - Light duty cleaners

6331- Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers-retail and wholesale

8252- Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers

8431- General Farm Workers

8432- Nursery and Greenhouse Workers

8611- Harvesting labourers

9462- Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers

9463- Fish and seafood plant workers

9617- Labourers in food, beverage and associated products processing

9618- Labourers in fish and seafood processing

The program is prioritizing the following occupation and not waiving the minimum recruitment requirements:

7511 - Transport truck drivers

All LMIA applications must be submitted to Service Canada and to MIFI simultaneously.

In Quebec, the ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) requires that all Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications be submitted in French, except for LMIA applications for in-home caregiver positions.

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) will assist employers with the requirement.

Exemption from LMIA

Employers do not need to apply for a LMIA if they are hiring a TFW who:

• has a valid work permit

• holds a skilled worker Certificate of Selection in Quebec (CSQ)

• resides in the province of Quebec

• has applied for permanent residency under the Quebec Skilled Worker class

The TFW must also fall under one of the following categories:

• is seeking to extend the work permit for their current employer

• is seeking to renew the work authorization with a new employer in Quebec

• is a foreign student who has obtained a post-graduation work permit and has a job offer in the province of Quebec

• is a work permit holder through participation in a program under the initiative International Experience Canada (IEC) and:

• is seeking to extend the work authorization for the current employer

• renew it for a new employer in Quebec

There may be other instances where employers do not need to have a LMIA, and the TFW is not required to apply for a work permit from IRCC.

Employers wishing to hire TFWs that do not meet these criteria, must apply for a LMIA and follow the regular LMIA process for hiring TFWs in Quebec.