Hiring a Temporary Foreign Worker: The Labor Market Impact Assessment Procedure in Canada

The Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a process used in Canada to determine if hiring a temporary foreign worker will have a negative effect on the Canadian job market.
The government requires employers to obtain a positive LMIA before they can recruit foreign workers for positions requiring a temporary work permit. The LMIA is conducted by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

The objective is to ensure that employers make sufficient efforts to hire Canadians or permanent residents before turning to foreign workers. ESDC also verifies that the conditions of employment offered (salary, benefits, etc.) correspond to the standards in effect locally for this type of position.

The jobs most often subject to the LMIA process are low-skilled and are found in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, hospitality or tourism. These may include positions such as farm laborer, hotel attendant, kitchen clerk, etc.

The LMIA helps protect the Canadian labor market by ensuring that positions can be filled by local workers before recruiting from abroad. It is a way of controlling the hiring of temporary foreign labour.

 

In numbers

đźšš Commercial truck driver: Average salary of $45,825 to $77,903. Truck drivers are in high demand in vital Canadian industries such as agriculture, oil and gas, minerals and metals, forestry and petrochemicals.

🌾 Farm Manager: Average salary from $35,939 to $49,286. The Canadian agricultural sector offers many opportunities for skilled agricultural workers.

đź‘©‍⚕️ Care staff: Average salary of $31,955 to $58,000. Jobs for care workers are on the rise due to Canada's aging population.

đź‘©‍đź’» Software Developers and Engineers: Average salary from $75,596 to $102,000. The Canadian technology sector is in high demand for IT professionals, particularly in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and software development.

đź‘· Project managers in the construction industry: Average salary from $92,240 to $142,000. Canada offers many employment opportunities in the construction sector.

🔧 Drillers in the oil and gas industry: Average salary from $67,394 to $103,594. The Canadian oil and gas sector is in demand for drillers, particularly in Ontario and British Columbia.

đź‘©‍⚕️ Licensed practical nurses: Average salary of $80,126 to $94,322. Licensed Practical Nurses are in high demand in Canada due to pressure on the healthcare sector.

🖥️ Web developers and designers: Average salary of $80,126 to $94,322. The need for web designers is increasing with the emergence of new online platforms.

⚡ Electricians: Average salary of $66,300 to $84,088. There is a shortage of qualified electricians in six Canadian provinces.

🏗️ Civil engineers: Average salary from $66,843 to $102,000. Canada also has a shortage of qualified civil engineers.

 

Other information

Jobs covered by the LMIA include the self-employed, intra-company transfers with specialized expertise, and workers whose skills and experience will help Canada.

The cost of the LMIA application is $1,000 per worker.

To become a permanent resident in Canada after an LMIA-approved job offer, foreign workers must complete all Express Entry program requirements.

Source: canadajobbank.org




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