Operational Bulletin 225-F – February 23, 2012
End of Simplified Entry Process for Information Technology Specialists for Quebec
Issue
This Operational Bulletin (OB) replaces OB 225-E, published on January 06, 2012. OB 225-E dealt with the “Modified Processing Instructions for Information Technology (IT) Work Permit Applications (Software Pilot) for British Columbia and Quebec”.
Officers might still process work permit applications under the facilitated process if:
- They receive the work permit applications by March 24, 2012
- The work permit applications are for the seven specific Information Technology (IT) occupations
- The work permit applications include a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) that lists a “date of issue” of February 23, 2012 or earlier
The authorities ended the facilitated process for Quebec on February 23, 2012. In OB 225-E, the authorities had mentioned that the facilitated process for British Columbia concluded on December 31, 2011.
Background
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) [Service Canada] issued a notice to employers on May 20, 2010. It notified the employers that the simplified process for certain Information Technology (IT) occupations was going to end on September 30, 2010.
It also informed the employers that employers wishing to hire a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW), who was previously ineligible for Information Technology (IT) facilitated processing, would need to apply for a Labour Market Opinion (LMO). This update applied everywhere except in:
- British Columbia, where the authorities extended the simplified process for certain Information Technology (IT) applications till December 31, 2011 and,
- Quebec, where the authorities extended the simplified process for certain Information Technology (IT) applications until further notice
Thus, employers would need to apply for a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) for the specified workers with effect from October 01, 2010.
Recently, the following parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU):
- Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
- Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) [Service Canada] and,
- Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion du Québec (MIDI)
In accordance with the terms specified under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the authorities have specified a facilitated Labour Market Opinion (LMO) process for selected occupations. Quebec has identified these selected occupations as being in-demand. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) comes into effect from February 24, 2012.
The Guidelines
These are applicable for work permit applications received prior to February 24, 2012.
Officers will apply the terms of the simplified entry process for Information Technology (IT) specialists for Quebec. They will do so for work permit applications they receive up to and including February 23, 2012 for:
- Initial applications and,
- Renewals
On approving these applications, the officers would need to ensure that they have a maximum duration of one year from the date of work permit issuance.
The Transitional Provisions
The authorities have mandated that certain work permit applications would require a Labour Market Opinion (LMO). This is especially applicable in cases where the work permit applications are for the seven specific Information Technology (IT) occupations, which came under the facilitated process. However, applicants would not need to meet the Labour Market Opinion (LMO) requirements if any transitional provisions apply.
Officers would still be able to process work permit applications under the facilitated process if:
- They receive the work permit applications by March 24, 2012
- The work permit applications are for the seven specific Information Technology (IT) occupations
- The work permit applications include a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) that lists a “date of issue” of February 23, 2012 or earlier
On approving these applications, the officers would need to ensure that they have a maximum duration of one year from the date of work permit issuance.
The authorities have put in place these transitional measures for a period of 30 days. This is to minimise operational impacts on partners and clients.
Readers might require more information about the information given in this OB. They could refer to the websites of the following organisations for obtaining greater clarity on the subject:
- Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) [Service Canada] and,
- Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion du Québec (MIDI)
Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)