June 12, 2017: Canada has launched its new Global Talent Stream (GTS), offering fast-track, two-week Canada visa and Canada work permit processing for employers seeking to hire specialized high-skilled foreign workers.
GTS requirements, published on Monday, June 12 2017 by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), reveal the Temporary Foreign Worker Program stream will feature two categories:
- Category A: For employers who have been referred by a designated organization (listed below).
- Category B: For employers seeking to hire skilled workers from a new Global Talent Occupations List (also below).
Central to both categories is the need for a Labour Market Benefits Plan, developed in partnership with ESDC to show how an employer will create jobs and transfer skills to Canadians.
An ESDC statement reads: “As an employer seeking to hire highly-skilled global talent under GTS, you will be making lasting, positive benefits to the Canadian labour market and the economy by creating jobs and investing in training and skills development for Canadians and permanent residents.”
Global Talent Stream: Requirements
Category A: List of ESDC Designated Partners as of June 12, 2017
Under Global Talent Category A, employers must be referred by one of the following (subject to change)
- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
- BC Tech Association
- Business Development Bank of Canada
- Communitech Corporation
- Council of Canadian Innovators
- Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
- Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service
- ICT Manitoba (ICTAM)
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada – Accelerated Growth Service
- MaRS Discovery District
- National Research Council – Industrial Research Assistance Program
- Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
- Ontario Ministry of Economic Growth and Development
- VENN Innovation
Under Category A, foreign workers must possess a unique and specialized talent to qualify for a Canada work permit, defined as:
- Advanced knowledge of the industry.
- Highly paid position with a salary of usually $80,000 or more.
EITHER
- Advanced degree in an area of specialization of interest to the employer
OR
- Minimum of five years of experience in the field of specialized experience.
Category B: GTS Global Talent Occupations List
For Category B of the Global Talent Stream, employers must hire highly-skilled foreign workers to fill positions in occupations found on the following list:
| National Occupations Classification (NOC) code | Occupation | Minimum wage requirement (annual salary) | Minimum wage requirement (hourly rate) |
| 213 | Computer and information systems managers | not applicable | not applicable |
| 2147 | Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) | not applicable | not applicable |
| 2171 | Information systems analysts and consultants | not applicable | not applicable |
| 2172 | Database analysts and data administrators | not applicable | not applicable |
| 2173 | Software engineers and designers | not applicable | not applicable |
| 2174 | Computer programmers and interactive media developers | not applicable | not applicable |
| 2175 | Web designers and developers | not applicable | not applicable |
| 2241 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians | $81,000 | $38.94 |
| 2283 | Information systems testing technicians | $78,000 | $37.50 |
| 5241* | Digital Media and Design | $80,000 | $38.46 |
*position requires a minimum of five years of industry experience, and skills requirements including: 3D modeling, virtual and augmented reality; animation, level editing, editor and pipeline software and tools in applicable industry; other specialized knowledge of software framework in applicable industry (for example, Unreal 3.0); and/or, Experience in planning and managing a project.
Processing Fee
Non-refundable $1,000 to be paid by the employer.
Labour Market Benefits Plan
A key requirement for GTS is the Labour Market Benefits Plan (LMBP).
Developed with ESDC, it must show how hiring a foreign worker will help a company either create jobs for or transfer skills to Canadians. It also allows the ESDC to track a company’s progress.
The LMBP features mandatory and complementary benefits.
Under Category A, the mandatory benefit is creating jobs, whether directly or indirectly, for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Under Category B, the mandatory benefit is to increasing skills and training investments for Canadians and permanent residents.
The LMBP must also provide two complementary benefits, which cannot be the same as the mandatory benefit. These include, but are not limited to:
- Job creation,
- Investment in skills and training,
- Transferring knowledge,
- Enhanced company performance and
- Implementing best practices or policies as an employer for your workforce.
Global Talent Stream: General Requirements
Business Legitimacy
Employers must provide evidence they are actively engaged in the business needing the temporary worker. The business must provide a good or service related to the job offer.
Employers new to TFWP must submit one document as proof. Returning employers are not required to re-submit documents, but may be asked for additional proof.
Recruitment
Employers are encouraged to actively seek to hire Canadians and permanent residents before looking abroad for workers. A description of how this has been done will be requested.
Wages
Wages must match the prevailing amount paid to Canadians and permanent residents for the same position.
Job Duties and Working Conditions
Workers hired under TFWP must only do the job they were hired for. Foreign workers are covered by the same laws that protect Canadians and permanent residents. Exploitation of a foreign worker violates Canadian law.
Provincial and territorial laws cover standards such as:
- Hours of work (including overtime)
- Compensation
- Working conditions
- Termination of employment
Workplace Safety
Foreign workers must be covered by provincial or territorial workplace safety insurance where required by law. Any private plan must match or better the terms of the provincial or territorial plan.
Language Restriction
A job can only require English or French when advertised. If other languages are essential, justification is required at the application stage.
Unionized Positions
For positions covered by a union, the foreign worker must be treated the same as Canadians and permanent residents also covered by that union, in terms of wages and terms and conditions.
Employer Compliance
Employers must comply with all general requirements of the TFWP.
Employers in Quebec
Quebec employers will be able to take full advantage of the Global Talent Stream. The process will be announced via the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion website.
Watch the full livestream video here:
Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.
Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.
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