Temporary Foreign Worker Program

How it works

Fast Track LMO Process

With a pressing need for skilled workers, Canada's Western provinces continue to implement new initiatives to help foreign workers get to Canada and start contributing to the labour force quickly. Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) is rolling out the welcome mat to temporary foreign workers, making the transition into the workforce easier, faster and with more protection.

HRSDC's Expedited Labour Market Opinion (E-LMO) pilot project has been expanded to cover nearly three times the number of qualifying occupations. It will now be much faster for Alberta and British Columbia (BC) employers to hire temporary foreign workers for 33 select occupations in the health care, hospitality, construction, manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, and sales and services sectors. Whereas the current processing time for LMO applications is five months, for occupations that fall under the E-LMO, applications will be processed within five days.

In order to hire a temporary foreign worker, Canadian employers must first apply to HRSDC for a Labour Market Opinion (LMO). The LMO is an assessment of the current Canadian labour market, which ensures that there are no Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents available to fill the positions, before employers are granted permission hire foreign workers. For the 33 occupations now covered by the expanded pilot project, it has already been established that employers have been struggling to find new employees for open positions. With the need for temporary foreign workers in these occupations already predetermined, extensive LMO assessments are no longer necessary.

The Alberta government has also stepped up its efforts to protect foreign workers by establishing special advisory offices in Edmonton and Calgary. Foreign workers can obtain help from inspectors and employment standards officers in resolving employment standards and occupational health and safety issues. The inspectors and officers will also carry out inspections of companies to ensure that temporary foreign workers receive the wages, overtime, general holiday, and vacation pay to which they are entitled.

List of Occupations Included in the Fast Track LMO Process

 Carpenters

 Crane Operators

 Construction Labourers

 Steamfitters and Pipefitters

 Ironworkers

 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics

 Machinists

 Roofers

 Industrial Electricians

 Welders

 Surveyor Helpers

 Commercial Janitors and Caretakers

 Specialized Cleaners

 Mechanical Engineers

 Civil Engineers

 Electrical and Electronics Engineers

 Petroleum Engineers

 Mechanical Engineering Technologists

 Hotel and Hospitality Room Attendants

 Hotel Front Desk Clerks

 Food and Beverage Servers

 Food Counter Attendants

 Food Service Supervisors

 Industrial Meat Cutters

 Courier Drivers

 Residential Cleaning and Support Workers

 Manufacturing and Processing Labourers

 Tour and Travel Guides

 Registered Nurses

 Dental Technicians

 Pharmacists

 Snowboard and Ski Instructors

 Retail Sales Persons and Sales Clerks