Podcasts about temporary foreign worker program

Send us a textChristopher Balkaran dives into Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program with Professor Jason Foster from Athabasca University. We explore the realities of migrant labor, the economic dependency on foreign workers, and the impact on Canadian workers. Is the program a necessary economic tool, or has it become a permanent fixture in our labor market? Join us for a deep dive into the policies, challenges, and future of Canada's labor force.

GUEST: Owen Coomer, Chief Operating Officer at Taphouse Taverns Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hub Headlines features audio versions of the best commentaries and analysis published daily in The Hub. Enjoy listening to original and provocative takes on the issues that matter while you are on the go. 0:55 - Bigger numbers, fewer safeguards, and no accountability—How to fix Canada's foreign worker program woes, by Peter Csillag 9:56 - When antisemitism no longer shocks, by Michael Geist This program is narrated by automated voices. If you enjoy The Hub's podcasts consider subscribing to our weekly email newsletter featuring our best insights and analysis. Free. Cancel anytime. Sign up now at https://thehub.ca/join/. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harbinger Showcase is a weekly podcast featuring highlights from Canada's #1 coast-to-coast community of politically and socially progressive podcasts.On this week's episode we unpack the implications of the Canada Revenue Agency's decision to revoke the Jewish National Fund of Canada's charitable status on PALESTINE DEBRIEF, argue for the end of exploitation in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program on PULLBACK, look back at how charismatic free market politician Brad Wall dramatically changed a province's political culture forever on UNMAKING SASKATCHEWAN and ask what we can learn about the ongoing pandemic and how it's being handled and what that means for future global health crises on ALBERTA ADVANTAGE.The Harbinger Media Network includes 74 podcasts focusing on social, economic and environmental justice and featuring journalists, academics and activists on shows like The Breach Show, Tech Won't Save Us, Press Progress Sources & more.Harbinger Showcase is syndicated for community and campus radio and heard every week on CKUT 90.3FM in Montreal, at CFUV 101.9FM in Victoria, on CJUM 101.5FM and CKUW 95.9FM in Winnipeg, and at CiTR 101.9FM and CFRO 100.5FM in Vancouver and at CJBU 107.3FM in Sydney, Cape Breton.Financial support on this episode is courtesy of THE ALBERTA ADVANTAGE. Find out more about Calgary's #1 podcast albertaadvantagepod.com.Find out more about the network, subscribe to the weekly newsletter and support our work at harbingermedianetwork.com

Harbinger Showcase is a weekly podcast featuring highlights from Canada's #1 coast-to-coast community of politically and socially progressive podcasts.On this week's episode we unpack the implications of the Canada Revenue Agency's decision to revoke the Jewish National Fund of Canada's charitable status on PALESTINE DEBRIEF, argue for the end of exploitation in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program on PULLBACK, look back at how charismatic free market politician Brad Wall dramatically changed a province's political culture forever on UNMAKING SASKATCHEWAN and ask what we can learn about the ongoing pandemic and how it's being handled and what that means for future global health crises on ALBERTA ADVANTAGE.The Harbinger Media Network includes 74 podcasts focusing on social, economic and environmental justice and featuring journalists, academics and activists on shows like The Breach Show, Tech Won't Save Us, Press Progress Sources & more.Harbinger Showcase is syndicated for community and campus radio and heard every week on CKUT 90.3FM in Montreal, at CFUV 101.9FM in Victoria, on CJUM 101.5FM and CKUW 95.9FM in Winnipeg, and at CiTR 101.9FM and CFRO 100.5FM in Vancouver and at CJBU 107.3FM in Sydney, Cape Breton.Financial support on this episode is courtesy of THE ALBERTA ADVANTAGE. Find out more about Calgary's #1 podcast albertaadvantagepod.com.Find out more about the network, subscribe to the weekly newsletter and support our work at harbingermedianetwork.com

Canada relies on migrant workers to fill labour gaps, but the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is rife with problems, with a recent United Nations report calling the program a “breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery”. Can this controversial program be fixed, or should it be scrapped altogether? Should all migrant workers be granted permanent residency status when they arrive here?  Kyla spoke with the Cooper Institute's Eliza MacLauchlan and Ryan MacRae. Eliza and Ryan are the lead authors of Permanent Jobs, Temporary People, a report that examines how the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is operating on Prince Edward Island.  Eliza and Ryan explain how the Temporary Foreign Worker Program has evolved, including its growing role in Atlantic Canada's seafood industry and the forms of exploitation that migrant workers face. They also discuss how to fix the most problematic elements of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and whether recent measures go far enough. Pullback is a proud member of the Harbinger Media Network Enjoy our work? Support us on Patreon!

He was the immigration minister when we rehauled the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. He's now the housing minister, tackling Canada's massive housing crisis. He's got a huge job.This week, host Mattea Roach asks the hard-hitting questions about mistakes the Liberals have made, and how they plan to fix it.Host: Mattea RoachCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Production Manager), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Guests: Minister Sean FraserBackground reading:Liberal Housing PlanUN report on Canada's temporary foreign workers details the many ways they've been abused - CBC NewsHousing minister denies he ignored warning about immigration levels and housing supply - National PostFeds identify 56 government properties for conversion to affordable housing - CP24Sponsors: Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today at douglas.ca/canadalandIf you value this podcast, Support us! You'll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You'll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you'll be a part of the solution to Canada's journalism crisis, you'll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recently, the federal government announced changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program by reducing the number of workers employers can hire in an effort to weed out what it considers misuse and fraud in the system. To discuss the implications of these changes on businesses, workers, and the economy, we are joined by Mike Moffat, Director of the Smart Prosperity Institute; Dan Kelly, CEO and President of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business; Elizabeth Long, immigration lawyer for Long Mangalji LLP; and Jim Stanford, economist and Director of the Centre for Future Work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's podcast: Canada's courts fail to apply proper sentencing to drunk drivers who kill. Criminal code permits life in prison, but most sentences in the 3-4 year range. Guest: Ari Goldkind. Criminal lawyer. Media commentator Sheri Arsenault's son Bradley and two of his friends were killed in 2012 when a drunk driver's truck smashed into the car they were driving. Sheri Arsenault has been challenging successive federal governments to change criminal legislation to hold drunk drivers who kill to a higher level of personal responsibility and with more severe consequences than delivered by Canadian courts. Her work was set to bear fruit until the 2015 federal election shelved legislation which had been approved by then Canadian justice minister and attorney general Peter MacKay. Guests: Sheri Arsenault, lost her son in 2012 to a drunk driver The Temporary Foreign Workers Program, introduced by Pierre Trudeau in 1972 is chaotic and a failure under the Justin Trudeau government. - Also, private lawyers in Canada have put in place a website where an individual's support of pro-terrorist organizations (such as publicly supporting Hamas) can be reported to CBSA as a likely immigration violation. Guest: Richard Kurland. Vancouver immigration lawyer who has advised the federal and Quebec governments on immigration --------------------------------------------- Host/Content Producer – Roy Green Technical Producer - Phil Figuerido  Podcast Producer - Jonathan Chung If you enjoyed the podcast, tell a friend! For more of the Roy Green Show, subscribe to the podcast! https://globalnews.ca/roygreen/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Trudeau government scrambles to right the Temporary Foreign Workers Program chaos, with federal finance minister Chrystia Freeland challenging both post-secondary colleges and universities, as well as employers, Professor Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Dalhousie University AgriFood lab expresses concerns that the TFWP will, or already has reached into the food chain. Guest: Professor Sylvain Charlebois. Director: Agrifood laboratory, Dalhousie University.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Increasing danger concerning possible terror/ISIS supporter-like attacks in Western nations including Canada. In Austria, where the CIA informed Austrian intelligence agencies of an ISIS-like plot with the intent to kill "tens of thousands" of Taylor Swift fans attending her concerts in Vienna, was the cause for the concerts this month to be canceled. In Canada, a parliamentary committee hearing is underway following the arrests and charges against 62 year old Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi and his 26 year old son Mostafa alleged to have been within hours of launching a terror murder attack in Toronto when they were arrested.  Will there be action or just poli-talk? Guest: Phil Gurski. President/CEO Borealis Risk Consulting. Former strategic analyist at CSIS specializing in violent Islamist-inspired homegrown terrorism and radicalization.  B.C. Provincial politics and British Columbians voting habits during federal elections are often a bit of a mystery to other Canadians. This week the sudden collapse of the BC United Party with leader Kevin Falcon standing beside BC Conservatives leader John Rustad and announcing BCU was suspending its provincial campaign just two months prior to the vote and throwing his support to the Conservatives in order to not split the right-of-centre vote. Why? Leaves MLA's for the official opposition BCU in limbo. So, what now on Canada's Pacific Coast?  Should we expect a merger of the federal Liberal and New Democrat parties before the upcoming national election? We ask a former B.C. NDP premier who became federal Minister of Health in the Paul Martin Liberal government for his view of British Columbia unexpected development, as well as for his thoughts on an announcement of a federal left-wing party comprised of what are now the LPC and NDP.  Guest: Ujjal Dosanh. Former British Columbia NDP premier and federal Liberal Minister of Health. Are Canada's teachers unions almost invariably opposed to decisions taken by provincial governments on the right side of the political spectrum? Do conservative provincial governments engage in battles with teachers unions in an attempt to satisfy their base?   Today and following a UNESCO advisory to end the use of mobile phones in classrooms worldwide, Ontario is the canary in the classroom for our discussion.   As students return to school in Ontario (and elsewhere in Canada) controversy over the ban/partial ban of classroom mobile phone use continues.  Guest: Karen LIttlewood. President. Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation As the Trudeau government scrambles to right the Temporary Foreign Workers Program chaos, with federal finance minister Chrystia Freeland challenging both post-secondary colleges and universities, as well as employers, Professor Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Dalhousie University AgriFood lab expresses concerns that the TFWP will, or already has reached into the food chain. Guest: Professor Sylvain Charlebois. Director: Agrifood laboratory, Dalhousie University.  Old enmities between brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher have been overcome and OASIS, the British Super Band is returning to touring in Ireland, Wales and England, with tours outside Europe being discussed.  Other bands/rock acts to likely follow? And which have successfully already done this, or failed in the attempt? Also, what makes certain rock acts impervious to time? Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Burton Cummings come to mind. Guest: Eric Alper, multi-JUNO Award-winning music publicist.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textI sit down with Ethan, founder of Take Back Canada, to delve into the motivations behind the movement, the complexities of Canada's immigration policies, and the influence of corporate interests on government decisions. Ethan shares his views on the need to reassess the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and reflects on the broader implications for Canada's future.1.Introduction and Ethan's Background (00:00 - 05:00)2.The Origins of Take Back Canada (05:01 - 10:00)3.Concerns Over Mass Immigration (10:01 - 20:00)4.Corporate Interests and Government Policies (20:01 - 30:00)5.The Impact on Canadian Society (30:01 - 40:00)6.Solutions and Policy Proposals (40:01 - 50:00)7.The Role of Nationalism in Modern Canada (50:01 - 01:00:00)8.Conclusion: A Call to Action (01:00:01 - 01:04:53)Support the Show.Visit my NEW Website! https://www.christopherbalkaran.comCheck out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily posts: Instagram @openmindspodTiktok @openmindspodcast

There will be fewer temporary foreign workers in Canada's workforce this year, but the impact this will have on the economy is unclear. Professor and economist Ather Akbari weighs in.

Podcast Show Notes: Uncovering TFWP Abuse: What Every Employer and Worker Needs to Know In this episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry discuss the growing issue of abuse within Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). They explore the legal obligations of employers, the rights of foreign workers, and the severe consequences of non-compliance with immigration and employment laws. Mark and Alicia provide an in-depth analysis of: Understanding the LMIA Process: An overview of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process and the employer's responsibilities in hiring foreign workers, emphasizing the illegality of charging workers fees for LMIAs. Recent Cases of Employer Abuse: Discussion on a recent case from Calgary where an employer was penalized for charging illegal fees and not paying overtime, highlighting the judicial consequences and restitution ordered by the court. Options for Abused Workers: A breakdown of the rights and options available to foreign workers who experience abuse, including applying for a Vulnerable Worker Open Work Permit and reporting abuse through government channels. Penalties for Employers and Misrepresentation: An explanation of the fines, penalties, and potential criminal charges employers can face for violating the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), including counselling misrepresentation and the importance of employers understanding their obligations under the law. Preventing Abuse and Ensuring Compliance: Practical advice for employers on maintaining compliance with Canadian immigration laws, and guidance for workers on how to protect themselves and report abuse if they are victims of exploitation. Tune in to this episode to learn more about the rights of foreign workers, the responsibilities of employers, and how to navigate the complexities of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Whether you're an immigration lawyer, consultant, employer, or prospective immigrant, this episode provides essential information to help you understand and comply with Canada's immigration laws. Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the move to restrict the number of low wage foreign workers in Canada. So, what needs to be done to make our country's ‘Temporary Foreign Worker' program function correctly? We tackle the topic with Mike Moffat, Senior Director of Policy and Innovation at the Smart Prosperity Institute. Next. Demand on Food Banks in Canada continues to rise, and here in Calgary our Food Bank is serving up to 750 families every single day. We look at the growing need for the Food Bank in our city and the latest data on ‘food insecurity' facing Calgarians, with Dr. Lucy Harry, Head of Research at the Calgary Food Bank. It'll be an early wake-up call for kids this week as they get back into the school routine. For some kids the new school year can be exciting, but it can also be a time of high stress and anxiety. We get some tips on how parents can help their kids get back into routine and navigate the challenges of the new year with Sarah Rosenfeld, Associate Director of Counselling Initiatives at the Calgary Counselling Centre.

The federal government announced several changes to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program on Monday, including a rollback of allowable positions to “weed out TFW Program misuse and fraud.” The changes were announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, heading into the federal cabinet meeting... Read More

Greg Brady (@GregBradyTO) focuses in on the reunion of the Gallagher brothers from the 1990s band Oasis… no better person to talk about this reunion than Alan Cross (@alancross), the host of the Ongoing History of New Music. Next, Dr. Christopher Worswick, Chair of the Department of Economics at Carleton University, and we were talking about Canada's temporary foreign worker program – and why it needs to be scraped – not scaled back – but abolished. Lastly, Joanna Kyriazis, Director of Public Affairs for Clean Energy Canada.. talking about Canada slapping 100% tariffs on Chinese made electric vehicles.. Was this the right approach?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the phone-in: Guests Peter Smith and David Hoffman discuss the Alt-right movement in Canada. We ask our listeners if they've seen an increase in hate and intolerance in their community. And off the top: Natasha Chestnut with the Restaurant Association of NS discusses how the industry will be affected by changes to the temporary foreign worker program.

Greg (@GregBradyTO) speaks with Dr. Christopher Worswick, Chair of the Department of Economics at Carleton University, about the negative impact of Canada's temporary foreign worker program and why we need to rethink our international migration policies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We dig into new changes to Canada's temporary foreign worker program, announced by the federal government this past weekend. First we get details from a professor of Economics at Carleton University, and then speak with the vice-president of Work Global Canada, a firm that helps bring foreign workers into this province. (Krissy Holmes with Chris Worswick; Krissy Holmes with Wanda Cuff-Young)

Greg (@GregBradyTO) speaks with Dr. Christopher Worswick, Chair of the Department of Economics at Carleton University, about the negative impact of Canada's temporary foreign worker program and why we need to rethink our international migration policies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Brady (@GregBradyTO) focuses in on the reunion of the Gallagher brothers from the 1990s band Oasis… no better person to talk about this reunion than Alan Cross (@alancross), the host of the Ongoing History of New Music. Next, Dr. Christopher Worswick, Chair of the Department of Economics at Carleton University, and we were talking about Canada's temporary foreign worker program – and why it needs to be scraped – not scaled back – but abolished. Lastly, Joanna Kyriazis, Director of Public Affairs for Clean Energy Canada.. talking about Canada slapping 100% tariffs on Chinese made electric vehicles.. Was this the right approach?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hub Headlines features audio versions of the best commentaries and analysis published daily in The Hub. Enjoy listening to original and provocative takes on the issues that matter while you are on the go. 0:19 - The time has come to upend Canada's temporary foreign worker program, by Mike Moffatt 11:46 - Can Canada's rail lockout spur much-needed transportation reform?, by Carlo Dade and Tyler McCann This program is narrated by automated voices. If you enjoy The Hub's podcasts consider subscribing to our weekly email newsletter featuring our best insights and analysis. Free. Cancel anytime. Sign up now at https://thehub.ca/join/. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senator Ratna Omidvar speaks with Peter Mazereeuw about the problems with Canada's temporary foreign worker program, and how the federal government could make it better for migrant workers and businesses that rely on them.

Over the last two weeks, Liberal Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault has said he's considering tightening Canada's temporary foreign worker program.This is amid criticism of its growing use and the conditions facing those who are in it.Since the Liberals first loosened the rules in response to the pandemic in 2021, the program has played a bigger part in our labour market, including with staff at large food and retail chains.Some Canadians believe that that's suppressing wages and taking away jobs from young people. So how valid are those fears? And is the program also exploiting the migrant workers themselves, who so often see their rights violated or ignored? Armine Yalnizyan is an economist, a columnist for the Toronto Star, and the Atkinson Fellow on the Future of Workers.For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit:  https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts

PLUS: Commanders of an Israeli military unit with a record of abuse are playing key roles in Gaza; how comedian Allison Reese perfected her Kamala Harris impression at just the right time; a retired Canadian wrestler's plans to bring back the glory days of Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling; The Umbrella Academy's oddly great dance sequences; writer Maia Kobabe on eir graphic novel Gender Queer and having the most challenged book in the U.S. for three years running; and Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.

Today's guests:  Ken Hodges – Former Professional Forester Anthony Housefather – Liberal MP for the Riding of Mount Royal, Quebec – Special Advisor to the PM on Jewish Community Issues and Anti-Semitism Dr. Mike Moffatt – Economist / Founding Director for the PLACE Centre at the Smart Prosperity Institute Dr. Jason Kindrachuk – Associate Professor & Canada Research Chair at the University of Manitoba Christine Van Geyn – Litigation Director for the Canadian Constitution Foundation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill Curry, Deputy Bureau Chief with Globe and Mail joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss Canada's temporary foreign worker program. On todays show:  Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests for British Columbia joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss how the U.S has nearly doubled the duty on Canadian softwood lumber. Dr. Isaac Bogoch, infectious diseases physician at the Toronto General Hospital joins Vassy Kapelos to discuss how the World Health Organization has declared the mpox outbreaks in Congo and elsewhere in Africa a global emergency. The Daily Debrief Panel with Robert Benzie, Laura Stone, and Paul Wells. Keir Giles, Russia expert at the Chatham House think tank and author of the forthcoming book ‘Who Will Defend Europe' joins Vassy Kapelos to discuss how Ukrainian forces have attacked a second border region in western Russia.  

Canada has seen a significant increase in the number of low-wage temporary foreign workers, raising concerns about the impact on the job market. The low-wage stream of temporary foreign workers is tied to specific employers and is measured relative to the provincial median wage. The government made changes to the program in 2022, allowing more temporary foreign workers and weakening the rules around their hiring. This has led to questions about whether the government is intentionally suppressing wages and making it easier for corporations to function with low wages. Mike and Cara discuss the effects of this program on Canadian residents, and what reforms are needed to make it fairer to workers.Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

MPs to look into how a father and son linked to Toronto terror plot came to Canada (1:27) Guest: Mercedes Stephenson, Ottawa Bureau Chief, Global News and host of The West Block Why the Canadian dream is on life support (14:59) Guest: Omer Aziz, author of Brown Boy: A Memoir and a Radcliffe Fellow at Harvard University True Crime: A decade later, the murder of 15-year-old Tina Fontaine (31:59)  Guest: Joanna Jolly, author, Red River Girl: The Life and Death of Tina Fontaine How Ottawa lost control of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (1:06:44) Guest: Christopher Worswick, professor, department of economics, Carleton University Why the Reliable Office Workhorse Rarely Gets Ahead (1:24:27) Guest: Alison Fragale, Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior and Mary Farley Ames Lee Distinguished Scholar, author of Likeable Badass

Seg 1: How ‘mother' became a cultural phenomenon The term “mother” is remarkably consistent across many languages worldwide. In addition to its literal meaning, “mother” has taken on symbolic significance in various cultures and historical contexts. For example, in recent pop culture, the term “mother” has been used as a form of reverence, particularly for powerful female celebrities. Guest: Caleb Madison, Crossword-Puzzles Editor and Author of “The Good Word” column at the Atlantic  Seg 2: Scott's Thoughts: Is cash going to become extinct? GUEST: Scott Shantz, Contributor for Mornings with Simi Seg 3: View From Victoria: Is the government's $2 billion affordability initiative enough? The Vancouver Sun's Vaughn Palmer is here with his take on the day's headlines. Seg 4: What's causing the violent riots in the UK? The current violence on the streets of Britain is a clear example of Islamophobia, stemming from misinformation and far-right ideologies.  The violence began after a peaceful vigil for three young girls fatally stabbed in Southport, leading to attacks on the local mosque and those inside.  Despite the refutation of false claims that the perpetrator was a Muslim immigrant, Muslims and mosques continue to be targeted, along with migrant housing. Guest: Dr. Chris Allen, Associate Professor in the School of Criminology at the University of Leicester Seg 5: Just how bad are the abuses to Canada's foreign worker program? Guest: Catherine Connelly, Professor of Human Resources and Management at McMaster University and Author of “Enduring Work: Experiences with Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program.” Seg 6: Why was someone allegedly tied to ISIS allowed to immigrate to Canada? The federal government of Canada is reviewing its security screening process following the arrest of Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi and his son Mostafa Eldidi, who are accused of planning an attack in Toronto. Ahmed, a Canadian citizen, and his son, who does not have citizenship, face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit murder for the benefit of ISIS. Guest: Mackenzie Gray, Senior Correspondent for Global News National Seg 7: Should the province appoint an Integrity Commissioner to oversee local governments? Guest: Nadine Nakagawa, New Westminster City Councillor Seg 8: Why are rates of HIV/AIDS rising in Canada? Dr. Julio Montaner is urging governments worldwide to adopt a comprehensive strategy to reduce HIV-related deaths and infections. His call follows new research published in the Lancet HIV journal, demonstrating that antiretroviral treatment (ART) for all HIV-positive individuals and preventive treatment (PrEP) for high-risk individuals can reduce deaths and new infections by over 90%. Guest: Dr. Julio Montaner, Executive Director of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GUEST: Catherine Connelly, professor of human resources and management at McMaster University and Author of 'Enduring work: Experiences with Canada's Temporary foreign worker program'. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seg 1: We finally know why orcas are sinking ships In 2020, sailors near the Iberian peninsula reported orcas engaging with boats in alarming ways, such as ramming and disabling vessels. Over 670 interactions were documented, involving about 15 orcas, leading to severe damage in about a fifth of the cases and the sinking of six boats. Experts concluded these were not attacks but possibly playful behaviours or a cultural fad among the orcas. These findings highlight the complexities of studying orca behaviour, as their large, highly developed brains and social structures make them capable of such activities. Guest: Dr. Luke Rendell, Reader in Biology at the University of St. Andrews Seg 2: Scott's Thoughts: CARJITSU! Guest: Scott Shantz, Contributor for Mornings with Simi Seg 3: View From Victoria:  NDP's much touted Housing Hub The Vancouver Sun's Vaughn Palmer is here with his take on the day's headlines. Seg 4: How Google is running an illegal monopoly A federal judge ruled that Google acted illegally to maintain a monopoly in online search, a landmark decision that could reshape the business practices of major tech companies Guest: Rebecca Haw Allensworth, Associate Dean for Research and Distinguished Chair of Law at Vanderbilt Law School Seg 5: What's wrong with Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program? Guest: Scott Shantz, Contributor for Mornings with Simi Seg 6: Was the Jasper wildfire fuelled by a storm it created? In response to the wildfire that devastated one-third of Jasper, Alberta, Parks Canada is collaborating with wildfire researchers to understand the disaster and its implications for future fires. The wildfire, which started from lightning strikes and was accelerated by strong winds, engulfed the town in less than three days. Guest: Richard Carr, Fire Research Analyst with the Canadian Forest Service Seg 7: Why was the Integrity Commissioner's review vote deferred? Vancouver's mayor, Ken Sim, deferred a vote on a motion to review the work of the city's integrity commissioner, which would have temporarily suspended the watchdog's ongoing work. Guest: Adriane Carr, Vancouver City Councillor for the Green Party of Vancouver Seg 8: Making Cent$ of the Market with Lori Pinkowski We're making cents of the Markets with Lori Pinkowski, A Senior Portfolio Manager at Canaccord Genuity. -you can contact her team at 604-695-LORI or visit their website at PINKOWSKI.CA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this video interview, Juliette Nicolaÿ, Policy Analyst with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, discusses the importance of the Temporary Foreign Worker program to the national economy. Juliette Nicolaÿ PRESS RELEASE TORONTO, June 12, 2024 /CNW/ – As Ottawa is looking to overhaul its Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program, most agri-businesses (59%) say they would be in favour of a multi-employer work permit as an option, to enable employers to share a foreign worker, finds new research by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). However, the majority of agribusiness owners don't support sectoral and/or regional work permits whether it's under the current (59%) or a new program structure where a third party would recruit and dispatch a pool of foreign workers (50%), as they fear such permits could facilitate employee poaching and hinder retention. “While government is reviewing its TFW program, it needs to consider the practical needs of agri-businesses and the future of Canada's food security,” said Juliette Nicolaÿ, CFIB's policy analyst. “Farmers are already struggling with chronic staffing shortages and when they turn to foreign labour, it's only as a last resort because they can't find anyone locally. That's concerning given Canada's ageing population and a perceived lack of interest among Canadian workers in a career in agriculture.” CFIB data found that three in 10 agri-businesses hired foreign workers in 2023. The reliance on foreign workers is even more pronounced in certain regions, such as Quebec (51%), and sub-sectors characterized by labor intensive tasks, such as the fruits, vegetable and horticultural specialties (64%). According to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), among employers who hired TFWs, 92% said foreign workers helped them meet demand for their products or services, while 89% said that TFWs helped them stay in business. Myths surrounding TFWs There are many misconceptions around the program such as that TFWs aren't paid sufficient wages or they're mistreated by their employers. In fact, most (85%) TFWs are paid the same wage as Canadians, and only 3.5% are paid less. The federal government also conducts regular inspections to ensure health and safety of foreign workers, with 94% of employers inspected found to be compliant on 26 different criteria, according to ESDC. “While there may be isolated bad actors that should not be tolerated, agri-businesses highly value foreign workers, and they take time and effort to bring TFWs to Canada. They cover costs that go beyond wages like housing, transport, and health care. It is also common for farmers to have the same TFWs come back year after year. Some also sponsor foreign workers to become permanent residents,” said Francesca Basta, CFIB's research analyst. To improve the TFW program's efficiency, the federal government should consider: Reducing red tape associated with hiring TFWs, notably streamlining the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process Allowing for the sharing or transferring foreign workers as an option (e.g., multi-employer work permit) Indexing the housing deduction to inflation – it is currently $30, which does not reflect real housing prices Allowing employers to match the wages offered by another employer with an LMIA in the same area to strengthen retention and curtail poaching. Provisions under the Employer Compliance Regime currently limit this. Reimbursing the employer for the costs associated with the administration and enforcement of the compliance inspection, should the LMIA not be issued Introducing a mechanism to compensate initial costs covered by the employer whose employee has been poached and streamlining access to new TFWs. Read the full Harvesting a solution: Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) key to mitigating agricultural labour shortages report here. About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca. Mario Toneguzzi Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada's Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list. He was also named by RETHINK to its global list of Top Retail Experts 2024. About Us Canada's Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast. With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders. The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada's Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story AgriculturebusinessCanada's Number One Podcast for EntrepreneursEmploymententrepreneursentrepreneurshipJobsLaboursmall business

Show Notes for Canadian Immigration Podcast Episode 136: The Future of Immigration in Canada 2024 Welcome to Episode 136 of the Canadian Immigration Podcast. In this episode, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry discuss the future of immigration in Canada as we continue into 2024, focusing on recent announcements by Immigration Minister Sean Fraser and the potential impact on temporary and permanent residency pathways. Key Highlights: Minister's Speech on Immigration Intentions: Immigration Minister Sean Fraser delivered a speech outlining the government's intentions for immigration, emphasizing the need to balance economic needs with humanitarian commitments. Breakdown of Temporary Resident Numbers: Analysis of temporary resident numbers reveals that 42% are international students, 9% are under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, 44% are under the International Mobility Program, and 5% are Asylum seekers. The government aims to align temporary residence with economic goals. International Student Restrictions: The government has implemented restrictions on international students, including caps on study permits, increased minimum funds requirements, and limitations on spousal work permits. These measures aim to reduce the number of international students and ensure that schools focus on programs contributing to the workforce. LMIA Restrictions: The government has reduced the LMIA validity period from 18 months to 6 months, forcing employers to be more efficient in their recruitment and limiting the number of temporary foreign workers. Asylum and Humanitarian Restrictions: The government is considering restrictions on asylum seekers and humanitarian pathways, focusing on linking internationally recognized refugees with Canadian employers through the Economic Mobility Pathway for Refugees (EMPP). Future Plans for Temporary and Permanent Residency: Minister Fraser announced plans to expand the immigration levels plan to include both temporary resident arrivals and permanent resident arrivals. The government aims to ensure a robust pathway to permanent residency for those wishing to make Canada their long-term home. Practical Advice for Temporary Residents: Temporary residents in Canada should focus on improving their language skills, especially French language, securing employer support for LMIAs, and applying for work permits and post-graduation work permits promptly to maximize their chances of transitioning to permanent residency. Conclusion: The future of immigration in Canada is undergoing significant changes, with the government aiming to align temporary and permanent residency pathways with economic needs while maintaining humanitarian commitments. International students, temporary foreign workers, and asylum seekers should stay informed about policy changes and seek legal advice to navigate the evolving immigration landscape. For more information and assistance with Canadian immigration matters, you can book a consultation with Mark Holthe or Alicia Backman-Beharry through the following link: https://www.holthelaw.com/consultation

Good day ladies and gentlemen, this is IRC news, I am Joy Stephen, a certified Canadian Immigration practitioner, and I bring to you this Federal News Bulletin from CIC news release. This recording originates from the Polinsys studios in Cambridge, Ontario.Canada and Mexico have maintained a deep, positive and constructive diplomatic partnership over the past 80 years. We have worked to ensure North America is the world's most competitive economic region and maintain strong bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation. To support travel and people-to-people connections between Canada and Mexico, while also preserving the integrity of our immigration system, the Government of Canada is adjusting its travel requirements for Mexican citizens.As of February 29, 2024, at 11:30 p.m. Eastern time, Mexican citizens who hold a valid US non-immigrant visa or have held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years and are travelling by air on a Mexican passport will be able to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA). With the high number of Mexican citizens currently holding US visas, the majority will continue to enjoy visa-free travel to Canada. Those who do not meet these conditions will need to apply for a Canadian visitor visa. This responds to an increase in asylum claims made by Mexican citizens that are refused, withdrawn or abandoned. It is an important step to preserve mobility for hundreds of thousands of Mexican citizens, while also ensuring the sound management of our immigration and asylum systems.The application process for Mexican citizens seeking a work or study permit will not change. Mexican citizens who want to work in Canada will continue to have access to a wide number of existing labour pathways, including the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Mobility Program.Canada supports ongoing travel, tourism and business with Mexico. We will continue to work with the Government of Mexico to strengthen our regular pathways to immigration, and with our provincial and territorial counterparts to support a system of managed migration as well as to support those in need of protection. Canada is expanding its network of visa application centres in Mexico to better serve these clients. Today's action will relieve pressure on Canada's borders, immigration system, housing and social services, while preserving mobility for Mexican citizens who want to come to Canada.The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) is a vital example of the mutually beneficial migration that we seek to promote regionally and globally. Canada is ready to work with Mexico to build on this program, through the modernization of a new SAWP bilateral agreement, to offer Mexican workers new opportunities, through the incorporation of year-round primary agriculture and seasonal fish, seafood and primary food processing into the program. This will benefit workers and businesses on both sides of the Canada–Mexico relationship.Canada is continuously monitoring the impacts of its visa policies for both visa-exempt and visa-required countries, as well as asylum claim trends. These challenges are not limited to one country. Any adjustment to Canada's travel requirements are made to preserve the integrity and sustainability of our asylum and immigration systems.More information about these changes, including for people in transit or with upcoming flights, is available on IRCC's website.You can always access past news from the Canadian Federal Government by visiting this link: https://myar.me/tag/fed/.Furthermore, if yo

“A breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery.” That's how a statement from a UN special rapporteur described Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program last week, focusing particularly on low-wage and agricultural workers. The TFWP allows Canadian employers to bring in workers from abroad if they couldn't fill a position domestically, and Canada has recently expanded the program to allow more workers to stay longer. But migrant workers have complained about abuse and exploitation, as well as a reliance on employers that can leave them powerless. Today, UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery Tomoyo Obokata explains his findings from two weeks on a fact-finding mission in Canada, and why some migrant workers' situations amount to debt bondage and slavery. Transcripts of this series are available here

Topic 1: Temporary Foreign Worker ExploitationJamaican Migrant Farm Workers in Ontario have long been decrying the poor working and living conditions they face as part of the longstanding Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SWAP). A recent one day protest by workers on a farm in Norfolk County resulted in 6 being sent home to Jamaica early. We look at the whole Temporary Foreign Worker Program, its impact on workers and the movement fighting to secure the rights of migrant workers in Canada. Topic 2: Billions for Billionaires and BattleshipsThe Irvings, already the second richest family in Canada secured the largest single purchase in the Canadian governments history, the CSC Project. If that wasn't enough, the Liberals just handed them an additional $463 million to 'modernize' the facility tasked with building the warships Canadians will pay almost $400 billion for in the end. The money for war is always there, rarely questioned. What is the political reasoning behind this? And what is at the root of these bailouts for billionaires?Topic 3: Our Leaders are All LandlordsWith the recent disclosure that the wife of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh purchased an investment property and became a landlord during a housing crisis, 4 of the 5 federal Party leaders are now landlords. Why do we keep electing wealthy people to lead the working class? Is this what Representative Democracy looks like?All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: PatreonFollow us on InstagramResources: The Maple: Find Out If Your MP Is A Landlord Or Invested In Real EstateMSN: Irving Gets 463 Million MoreHarvesting Freedom | Justicia for Migrant WorkersMigrant Rights Network: Full Immigration Status for AllCBC: Open Letter Penned by Jamaican Migrant Workers (2022)CTV: Jamaican Migrant Workers Sent Back

Calgary immigration lawyer Evelyn Ackah discusses Canada's newly announced family work permits to address the ongoing labour shortages, and how employers and temporary workers will benefit. Canadians are not returning to the labour market as quickly as employers would've liked post-Covid.Starting January 2023, for a 2-year period Canada will extend work permit eligibility to spouses, common-law partners and working-age dependents of temporary workers of all skill levels.Phase I of the new family work permit pilot program will enable family members of workers coming to Canada through the high-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program to apply for an open work permit.Phase II will expand the measure to family members of workers from the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.Phase III of this program will include consultation with agricultural partners and stakeholders to assess the feasibility for expanding the measure to family members of those in the Agricultural Worker stream.Currently, only spouses are eligible for a work permit if the temporary worker is in an occupation the government considers high-skilled.Canada hopes over 200,000 family members of foreign workers will be able to work in Canada and help end the labour shortages.About Evelyn AckahEvelyn Ackah is the Founder and Managing Lawyer at Ackah Business Immigration Law. We work with individuals and business owners from all over the world who want to cross borders seamlessly. For more information on immigration to Canada or the United States, Ask Evelyn Ackah at Ackah Business Immigration Law today at (403) 452‑9515 or email Evelyn directly at contact@ackahlaw.com.The Ask Canada Immigration Lawyer Evelyn Ackah podcast by Calgary Immigration Lawyer Evelyn Ackah was named #1 Best Canada Immigration Podcast in 2022 by Feedspot.

In this episode: provincial employment updates, the report from the Auditor General stating that many employers that received the COVID-19 aid were ineligible for the government benefit, Canadian employees' ‘HR wish list' for 2023, protection for journalists working in dangerous zones, and other topics. Stay with us to get the latest HR updates. Follow us on twitter at Canada Human Resources News (@cadHRnews) and LinkedIn at Canada HR News Podcast for more updates.CUPE reports that Ontario's education workers have voted to ratify their next collective agreement | Ontario education workers vote to ratify first freely-negotiated collective agreement in a decade | Canadian Union of Public Employees (cupe.ca) Ontario is providing over $4.7 million to Contact North, giving learners in underserved communities access to innovative virtual learning and training opportunities | Ontario Supporting Learners and Jobseekers Wherever They Are | Ontario Newsroom Saskatchewan's delegation to Manila made conditional employment offers to 128 registered nurses | Healthcare Recruitment Mission to the Philippines a Success | News and Media | Government of Saskatchewan Alberta is considering the Police Amendment Act to establish an independent agency  to handle complaints against the police | Policing reforms for a modern and diverse Alberta | Réformes des services de police pour une Alberta moderne et diversifiée | alberta.ca Tens of thousands of Canadian employers that received the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy were ineligible for the government benefit | Report 10—Specific COVID-19 Benefits (oag-bvg.gc.ca) Sunwing pilots are celebrating news the company has decided to abandon its intention to use the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to boost staffing levels | Sunwing backs away from intention to hire temporary foreign pilots | Unifor National Robert Half reports on employees holiday wish list | Canadian employees reveal ‘HR wish list' for 2023 | HRD Canada (hcamag.com) Canada ranks No. 39 out of 43 countries for vacation day offering | The Best Countries for Work-Life Balance 2022 | Compare the Market A spike is reported in the numbers of journalists killed or imprisoned during 2022 | 67 journalists killed so far in 2022: IFJ demands immediate action - IFJ 

Immigration lawyer, Elizabeth Wozniak in Halifax, NS, expresses her concerns about medical services to temporary foreign workers. Wozniak says it would be "unconscionable" not to provide temporary foreign workers with health services. We hear your feedback on telecom companies. And on the phone-in: CBU's Tom Urbaniak discusses municipal amalgamation

Guest: Syed Hussan, the executive director of Migrant Workers Alliance for Change Crowded bunkhouses. Rat-infested food. Verbal abuse and threats of termination. These are among the allegations made by Jamaican migrant workers on two farms hours from Canada's biggest city. The allegations were made earlier this month in an open letter to Jamaica's Ministry of Labour. They are unproven, but critics say they are not surprising. The Star reached out to the two farms named in the letter, who both dispute the allegations. Our guest, Syed Hussan, Executive Director of Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, says the problem is larger than a few employers. He joins “This Matters” to discuss the allegations and the changes he says should be made to Canada's seasonal agricultural worker program. This episode was produced by Alexis Green, Saba Eitizaz and Sean Pattendon Audio Sources: CBC and Global News

In April, the federal government announced that it would expand Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program to allow employers to hire even more low-wage workers from abroad. The move is designed to help ease some of the labour shortages in a number of sectors.Advocates for migrant workers argue that the TFW program allows employers to exploit migrant workers because the person's employment is tied to a work permit. There have been complaints about low wages, bad living conditions and dangerous work.The Globe's future of work reporter Vanmala Subramaniam tells us about what the program is and why it's expanding. Plus, we'll hear from former migrant worker-turned-advocate Gabriel Allahdua about what it was like to work this type of job and why he's advocating for migrant workers to have a pathway toward permanent residency.

As Canadian employers face the lowest unemployment rate in decades, they're moving to fill roles with temporary foreign workers (or TFW, for short) As the post-pandemic wedding boom picks up in Canada, so are bachelor and bachelorette festivities. The only problem? They've become more expensive than ever (thanks, inflation). The global food crisis wreaking havoc on the world's poorest nations is also taking its toll on Canada's most remote northern communities. The Peak Daily is produced by 306 Media Productions. Hosted by Brett Chang and Jay Rosenthal.

Violence, insecurity, and economic pressures compel tens of thousands of migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras every year to seek better livelihoods and opportunities outside their countries of origin. Some may be eligible for humanitarian protection under the limited asylum systems in the region, but most cannot access existing legal migration pathways. Expanding temporary worker programs therefore can offer an important means to convert some irregular flows into legal ones. While expanding U.S. temporary employment programs, such as H-2 seasonal visas, is central to establishing regional alternatives to irregular migration and filling domestic labor shortages, it is insufficient without the simultaneous expansion of similar programs in Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica. As part of a Migration Policy Institute project, Building a Regional Migration System, this webcast presents research findings from a report on temporary employment pathways for Central American migrants in Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Speakers offer an analysis of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in Canada, the Border Worker Visa in Mexico, and Costa Rica's Binational Agreement with Nicaragua, providing recommendations to improve these pathways and promote safe, orderly, and regular migration.

Canada's federal employment ministry has annouced changes to a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program that will increase the number of TFWs allowed into Canada. Amazon is going to head-to-head with SpaceX in the satellite-internet service arena, by securing 83 planned rocket launches that would bring satellites into low-Earth orbit and establish a new satellite-internet service called Kuiper. The Canadian government has spent over $650 million over the past 11 years on an IBM payroll system for federal employees that, much like a kid who's been given too much money, hates working but loves acting up Celebrating something? Let us know for a shoutout here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/GuHjLDoa The Peak Daily is produced by 306 Media Productions. Hosted by Brett Chang and Jay Rosenthal.

GUEST HOST Arlene Bynon talks with Corinne Pohlmann, Senior VP of National Affairs and Partnerships, The Canadian Federation of Independent Business ABOUT CFIB statement on the changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker program

Documentary filmmaker and OCAD University associate professor Min Sook Lee has been documenting the voices of migrant farm workers in Canada for two decades. What she has to say about how these workers have been treated during COVID-19 shatters any remaining myths about “Canada the Good.” How do we treat the workers that put food on our tables?Show notes: https://theconversation.com/how-we-treat-migrant-workers-who-put-food-on-our-tables-dont-call-me-resilient-ep-4-153275Related articles: COVID-19's impact on migrant workers adds urgency to calls for permanent statushttps://theconversation.com/covid-19s-impact-on-migrant-workers-adds-urgency-to-calls-for-permanent-status-148237Migrant worker segregation doesn't work: COVID-19 lessons from Southeast Asiahttps://theconversation.com/migrant-worker-segregation-doesnt-work-covid-19-lessons-from-southeast-asia-155260Profits trump COVID-19 protections for migrant seafood workers in Atlantic Canadahttps://theconversation.com/profits-trump-covid-19-protections-for-migrant-seafood-workers-in-atlantic-canada-154920Status for all: Pathways to permanent residency in Canada need to include every migranthttps://theconversation.com/status-for-all-pathways-to-permanent-residency-in-canada-need-to-include-every-migrant-157855ICYMI: Migrant workers face further social isolation and mental health challenges during coronavirus pandemichttps://theconversation.com/migrant-workers-face-further-social-isolation-and-mental-health-challenges-during-coronavirus-pandemic-134324 (April 2020)Coronavirus: Canada stigmatizes, jeopardizes essential migrant workershttps://theconversation.com/coronavirus-canada-stigmatizes-jeopardizes-essential-migrant-workers-138879 (June 2020)Canada's Emergency Response Benefit does nothing for migrant workershttps://theconversation.com/canadas-emergency-response-benefit-does-nothing-for-migrant-workers-136358 (May 2020)Full transcript: https://theconversation.com/how-we-treat-migrant-workers-who-put-food-on-our-tables-dont-call-me-resilient-ep-4-transcript-154630Join The Conversation about this podcast:Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConversationCA  #DontCallMeResilientInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversationdotcomFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheConversationCanadaNewsletter: https://theconversation.com/ca/newsletters/Contact us: theculturedesk@theconversation.com

On today's show, we get an update on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

This crime robs its victims of their most basic human rights and is occurring in Canada and worldwide. The victims are deprived of their normal lives and compelled to provide their labour or sexual services through a variety of coercive practices, all for the direct profit of their perpetrators.Globally, it is estimated that human trafficking is amongst the most lucrative of criminal activities, rivaled only by drug and firearms trafficking. At any given time, it is believed that worldwide at least 2.45 million people are forced to perform degrading, dehumanizing and dangerous work. In Canada, while women and girls are vastly overrepresented amongst those being trafficked for sexual exploitation, men and women migrant workers have been identified as a vulnerable group for forced labour. Investigations into claims of labour exploitation have centred on the treatment of migrant workers, and in some cases, the fraudulent use of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program by third parties.Traffickers control their victims in various ways such as taking away their identity documents and passports, sexual abuse, threats, intimidation, force, physical violence, and isolation.Victims suffer physical or emotional abuse and often live and work in horrific conditions. They may also face fatal consequences if they attempt to escape.The extent of human trafficking, either in Canada or internationally, is difficult to assess due to the hidden nature of these offences, the reluctance of victims and witnesses to come forward to law enforcement and the difficulty of identifying victims in practice. Moreover, these cases often go unnoticed and unreported due to manipulation, fear, threats from traffickers, shame, language barriers or mistrust of authorities.AnnaLise Trudell, Project Coordinator & Co-Chair for the Coalition Assisting Trafficked Individuals (CATI) in London Ontario, presents a comprehensive picture of the nature of human trafficking in Canada today. Through her video presentation, AnnaLise describes the vulnerabilities that traffickers prey on and the difficulties experienced by victims of human trafficking. Distress centre call responders are asked to examine the signs that may be projected by a caller that could be an indication of human trafficking, and Ms. Trudell outlines strategies for supporting callers in this area of concern. Questions for Further Consideration: 1. What is the difference between human smuggling and human trafficking?Human smuggling always involves a person illegally crossing over an international border.It is voluntary-the person involved chooses to be smuggled and has made an agreement to pay another person or group of people to commit a crime. Smuggling ends when the smuggler gets the smuggled person over the border.Human trafficking is often discussed as being either international or domestic in nature. This means that trafficking may involve the movement of a person or people across an international border, from one country to another, or movement inside the person's own country, which is considered domestic trafficking. In either case, the person has not chosen to be exploited.In addition, the situation does not end when the person experiencing trafficking arrives at a destination, but rather continues while the person is exploited for labour or services. What might be the signs of someone who is being trafficked? What messages from a caller might a distress centre call responder connect to a possible situation of human trafficking? These red flags are indicators that can alert a person to what a human trafficking situation might look like; they are not a checklist for determining a human trafficking case. The presence of one or more of these indicators suggests it is worth looking further into the situation.Must work against his/her will Cannot leave his/her current situation Has been threatened with Violence, against her/him or his/her loved ones Arrest or deportation Even worse working conditions No pay Is punished when he/she does something wrong Can only leave home to go to work or that his/her activities outside of work are highly controlled Sleeps where he/she works, or has no private space Has moved from place to place often Has limited or no control over his/her working conditions (Reference: Additional Resources- National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking) How do people become victims of domestic human trafficking? And why do they not come forward once they realize they are in trouble? Individuals are often lured into trafficking by people known to them. They can be peers of the youth or family members who want to exploit them for monetary gain. They are often members of well-established criminal networks who have a system for luring, often vulnerable, unsuspecting people, male and female.Why do victims not come forward?Victims may:Fear for their own lives; Not understand that they are victims of human trafficking; Be taught to distrust outsiders, especially law enforcement and other government authorities; Foreign victims may be afraid they will be detained and deported, or they may have limited language skills; Be completely unaware of their rights or may have been intentionally misinformed about their rights in Canada; Fear for their families and/or loved ones; Feel threatened that traffickers will harm their families if they report their situation to, or cooperate with, law enforcement. 4. What do I need to know about human trafficking as a call responder working on a distress centre helpline?Your role is NOT to identify—without a doubt—whether a person has been trafficked. Instead, determine that a person may have been trafficked so that you can provide the most effective support and most appropriate referrals.Try to determine the need for safety Some prompting questions to identify indicators of Human Trafficking (HT): ‘What happens if you refuse to work or do some part of the work?’‘Are you scared your boss will tell your family/friends about what you’re doing?’‘Where have you been staying?’‘If you want to buy a cup of coffee, do you have the money or does someone else hold your money?’‘Do you have to have a fix just to do your job? Is the person you are working for willing to give you alcohol and drugs?’When making referrals---- Be aware of YOUR LOCAL HT COALITION OR SUPPORT NETWORK.Glossary: Human Trafficking: is defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs. (reference: United NationsArticle 3, paragraph (a) of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons)Support Distress and Crisis Ontario by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/distress-and-crisis-ontarioCheck out our podcasting host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free, no credit card required, forever. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-6994fb for 40% off for 4 months, and support Distress and Crisis Ontario.

In addition to the permanent residents, Canada’s immigration program provides for the temporary entry of foreign nationals. These temporary residents contribute to Canada’s economic, social and cultural development and are most commonly in Canada through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. In 2013, over 100,000 individuals were working in Canada as temporary residents through this program. The occupations they held ranged from live-in caregivers, agricultural workers to other lower and higher skilled work levels. People come to Canada for a variety of reasons but the common denominator is that they hope for a better life for themselves and their children. New immigrants, temporary workers and refugees to Canada can face many more issues as newcomers who come from another culture, who may have fled war or persecution, and who may not speak English or French. In Canada, there is a well-established link between low income and ethno-racial status. In addition, the emotional upheaval of relocation is also well documented. It is common to feel a variety of emotions when newcomers first arrive in Canada including: discomfort, helplessness, frustration, fear, insecurity, uncertainty about how to behave, a sense that your cultural beliefs and values are being challenged and a sense that things are not predictable. Feelings of stress are common, especially in the first several months. Immigrants will face many challenges, especially if they have to learn English or French, or improve their language skills. They may have to take a first job or live in a home that is different from what they expected. They may need to get more education or training to get a job and build their new life. Emily Low and Joseph Jilitovich work with newcomers in the London area, working with Collège Boréal and the Cross Cultural Learner Centre, respectively. Through this video presentation, Emily and Joseph explain the difficulties faced by new immigrants and the supports and services that are available for them when they arrive. Emotional support is important and distress centres can provide a service in helping support newcomers as they adjust to their new environment. Questions for Further Consideration: 1. Moving from one’s home country to another can be a traumatic experience. There are many things to let go of and changes to make in the process. What do individuals and families need to deal with, as part of this move? Families leave behind all that is familiar and they may also have difficulty anticipating what lies ahead for them. Consider some of the emotions they may experience and the impact associated with moving: the pulling up of centuries old family roots the breaking of deep, meaningful ties the leaving of the familiar and comfortable for the unknown the disorientation that follows the strangeness of the new environment, and the lack of familiarity with the local resources. Apart from meeting the day-to-day physical needs of new immigrants, the emotional strain of relocation can be a very real and challenging one to deal with. What type of help is available for new immigrants coming into Canada? As a newcomer to Canada, immigrants may be eligible for assistance under the Resettlement Assistance Program. Various programs and services are available to help them become a participating member of Canadian society as quickly as possible. These may include: loans to help them travel to Canada assistance upon entering Canada, counselling and cultural orientation, information and orientation, referral to community resources, translation and interpretation, language training, and job-related services. Each program and service has its own eligibility requirements. If a person was sponsored as a refugee, they should contact their sponsoring organization to find out about settlement assistance. They can also get information on settlement assistance by contacting a service organization directly. In Ontario, a list of the organizations can be found at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/outside/resettle-providers.asp#on (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/help-within-canada/government-assisted-refugee-program/providers.html#on) How can distress centres and other service providers offer support to newcomers to Canada? Service providers and distress centre call responders need to reflect on how different their reality might be compared to that of a newcomer, even if they are immigrants themselves. When speaking with newcomers, be aware not to stereotype. Each individual and family has a different background and different needs. There is sometimes more diversity within a culture than across cultures. Do not make assumptions about what they know or don’t know. Find out what they need in order for them to make informed decisions. Keep in mind that some of the behaviour of children and parents may be related to traumatic situations they may have faced in their country of origin or through their migratory path. Help people understand the various agencies and systems in place in Canada – settlement services, social, educational, health, legal, etc. or provide them with the resources to obtain this information. Newcomers may need assistance with issues like how to access public transportation or how to fill out a form, or they may need to connect with others who share a similar experience or culture, who can help them better understand. The specific attention needed varies with each individual. Glossary: Newcomer Immigrants : are people who migrate to Canada from another country outside North America and can enter the country as Permanent Residents, Accepted Refugees or Refugee claimants. Convention Refugee: convention refugees are people who are outside their home country or the country where they normally live, and who are unwilling to return because of a well-founded fear of persecution based on: race; religion; political opinion; nationality; or membership in a particular social group, such as women or people of a particular sexual orientation. Person in need of protection: a person in need of protection is a person in Canada whose removal to their home country or country where they normally live would subject them personally to a danger of torture; a risk to their life; or a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment. Acclimatization : a process whereimmigrants deal with their immediate, basic needs and are becoming familiar with their new environment, including customs, language, governmental and social systems, rights and responsibilities, even the weather. Adaptation : A process whereimmigrants gain more in-depth and specific knowledge about their new environment, reassess personal goals, develop social networks and become more independent. Resettlement Assistance Programs (RAP):Various programs and services offered by the Canadian government to help a newcomer become a participating member of Canadian society as quickly as possible. They help refugees and protected persons resettle in Canada by providing them with financial assistance to cover the costs of accommodations, essential clothing, household effects and other living expenses. Services are delivered by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program, also known as the Labour Market Impact Assessment, is the main program through which Canadian companies hire temporary foreign workers. Kyle Hyndman and Meera Thakrar are both Canadian immigration lawyers whose practices focus on helping companies recruit and retain foreign workers. We discuss numerous aspects of obtaining Labour Market Impact Assessments, including prevailing wage, recruitment, transition plans, processing times, job match, the Global Talent Stream and the Owner - Operator LMIA.

KAP welcomes changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program. We'll also have details from the Prairie Livestock Expo held in Winnipeg this week.

Dan Kelly, President CEO and chair of the CFIB joins Rob to chat about the federal govt's changes to the temporary foreign worker program. 

CanadianImmigrationPodcast.com Season 1 Episode 31 Have you ever experienced a refusal on your LMIA application because your advertising did not meet the rigid content requirements set out on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program website? If so, you are not going to want to miss the recent interview I did with Canadian Immigration Lawyer, Robert Leong. Robert shared some great insight on his Federal Court case challenging an officer's refusal of his client's LMIA application because the business address was missing from one of the advertisements. We definitely need more decisions like this. Many of us lawyers remember the good old days when obtaining a Labour Market Opinion (now Labour Market Impact Assessment) for a client was a relatively pleasant and straightforward exercise. After conducting recruitment efforts and not locating a qualified candidate, the LMO would be approved. In fact, Service Canada officers would actually work with employers to assist them in ensuring the forms were properly completed so the application could be approved as quickly as possible.......flash forward to today.......everything has changed! In today's LMIA world, employers are treated like the enemy by Temporary Foreign Worker Program officers who now look for any reason possible to refuse an application......including failing to include a business address in an advertisement. Despite the significant cost and time associated with challenging these ridiculous refusals, some employers have finally said: "Enough is enough!" and took the matter to Federal Court to have the officer's decision reviewed by a judge. In the vast majority of cases, when these types of Judicial Reviews are launched, things get settled pretty quickly by the government lawyers. However, in some rare occasions, employers and their legal counsel see things through to the end and we get amazing decisions that help the rest of us as we fight our own battles with ESDC and their delivery arm "Service Canada". In this Episode, Robert Leong shares his experience arguing his case: Canadian Reformed Church of Cloverdale B.C. v. The Minister of Employment and Social Development Canada (2015 FC 1075). During my interview with Robert Leong, we covered the following topics: Robert Leong's background. How he got into immigration law. Introduction into the LMIA regime. ESDC's minimum advertising requirements. Insight on the Canadian Reformed Church of Cloverdale BC decision. Tips and strategies for navigating the advertising requirements of Service Canada How people can reach Robert.

CanadianImmigrationPodcast.com Season 1 Episode 31 Have you ever experienced a refusal on your LMIA application because your advertising did not meet the rigid content requirements set out on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program website? If so, you are not going to want to miss the recent interview I did with Canadian Immigration Lawyer, Robert Leong. Robert shared some great insight on his Federal Court case challenging an officer's refusal of his client's LMIA application because the business address was missing from one of the advertisements. We definitely need more decisions like this. Many of us lawyers remember the good old days when obtaining a Labour Market Opinion (now Labour Market Impact Assessment) for a client was a relatively pleasant and straightforward exercise. After conducting recruitment efforts and not locating a qualified candidate, the LMO would be approved. In fact, Service Canada officers would actually work with employers to assist them in ensuring the forms were properly completed so the application could be approved as quickly as possible.......flash forward to today.......everything has changed! In today's LMIA world, employers are treated like the enemy by Temporary Foreign Worker Program officers who now look for any reason possible to refuse an application......including failing to include a business address in an advertisement. Despite the significant cost and time associated with challenging these ridiculous refusals, some employers have finally said: "Enough is enough!" and took the matter to Federal Court to have the officer's decision reviewed by a judge. In the vast majority of cases, when these types of Judicial Reviews are launched, things get settled pretty quickly by the government lawyers. However, in some rare occasions, employers and their legal counsel see things through to the end and we get amazing decisions that help the rest of us as we fight our own battles with ESDC and their delivery arm "Service Canada". In this Episode, Robert Leong shares his experience arguing his case: Canadian Reformed Church of Cloverdale B.C. v. The Minister of Employment and Social Development Canada (2015 FC 1075). During my interview with Robert Leong, we covered the following topics: Robert Leong's background. How he got into immigration law. Introduction into the LMIA regime. ESDC's minimum advertising requirements. Insight on the Canadian Reformed Church of Cloverdale BC decision. Tips and strategies for navigating the advertising requirements of Service Canada How people can reach Robert.

Dani Willetts joins Peter Edelmann and Steven Meurrens to discuss the decision making process at Canada's immigration department, her experience transitioning from a career working for CIC to being an immigration consultant, some recent cases impacting international graduates in particular with regards to the Post-Graduate Work Permit program, a recent Parliamentary report on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and the discovery that Canada has started negotiating an extradition treaty with China. Dani Willetts is an immigration consultant at TDWImmigration. From 1989 - 2012 she worked in numerous capacities with Canada's immigration department, including as a Supervisor in Vancouver.

CIP Season 1 Episode 24 Show Notes – Elizabeth Wozniak, Immigration Lawyer - Communicating with Canadian immigration authorities Liz Wozniak is the owner of North Star Immigration Law Inc., the largest Canadian immigration law firm in the Maritimes. Liz leads a team of four lawyers and one articled clerk in providing legal services and creative solutions in all aspects of Canadian immigration law. Liz and her team work in a collaborative environment where only lawyers work on client files and they only charge flat rates. Liz is originally from Edmonton, Alberta and lived overseas for 5 years (in China and Korea), where she taught English after getting a degree in education from the University of Alberta. She graduated from law school in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2001 where she remains as a lawyer and lives with her spouse and two children. Liz is frequently consulted by journalists, government and non-governmental organizations on matters pertaining to immigration law and policy. She regularly presents at conferences, workshops and panel discussions on immigration, legal ethics and legal innovation. Question Intro: Tell me a little more about your experience teaching English in China and Korea. I don't suppose that had anything to do with you getting into immigration period? Well… over the past few years it has become increasingly difficult for us as immigration lawyers to be able to speak with anyone within Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) - or other immigration related government departments when we have run into processing delays or other issues with the files we have submitted. Contacting the government to inquire on an immigration matter has become a real issue. I've brought Liz on to share some insight on this process including some potential tips and strategies in attempting to navigate the painful experience of trying to communicate with all of these lovely government departments. Question #1: so if we are an individual who has submitted an application to IRCC and wants to obtain an update on the status of that application, how does one go about doing this? And is there a difference between inquiring on a permanent resident application, versus a temporary resident application? Inside versus Outside Canada? Question #2: So let's say that we have an urgent issue that requires us to reach out to an immigration officer on a file that is in process. Are there other options available to try to deal with the issue as quickly as possible? Question #3: Bogus IRCC mechanisms for reporting abuse and conditional PR violations. Question #4: let's talk about the CBSA. Sometimes we have clients that are adjudicating their applications directly at a port of entry. Is there any way to reach out to these officers at the POEs in advance of someone's arrival to discuss issues related to an application? Or to speak with an officer who has recently been refused admission to a client? Question #5: Okay, let's now talk about the wonderful world of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and communicating with Service Canada when filing LMIA applications. Do you have any suggestions for navigating this ruthless world? Are there pitfalls people must be aware of when filing applications? Question #6: let's say you run into issues when the application is being processed. Is there a way to speak to an officer prior to a refusal? What options are available to speak with an officer after a refusal has been rendered?

CIP Season 1 Episode 24 Show Notes – Elizabeth Wozniak, Immigration Lawyer - Communicating with Canadian immigration authorities Liz Wozniak is the owner of North Star Immigration Law Inc., the largest Canadian immigration law firm in the Maritimes. Liz leads a team of four lawyers and one articled clerk in providing legal services and creative solutions in all aspects of Canadian immigration law.  Liz and her team work in a collaborative environment where only lawyers work on client files and they only charge flat rates. Liz is originally from Edmonton, Alberta and lived overseas for 5 years (in China and Korea), where she taught English after getting a degree in education from the University of Alberta. She graduated from law school in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2001 where she remains as a lawyer and lives with her spouse and two children.   Liz is frequently consulted by journalists, government and non-governmental organizations on matters pertaining to immigration law and policy. She regularly presents at conferences, workshops and panel discussions on immigration, legal ethics and legal innovation.  Question Intro: Tell me a little more about your experience teaching English in China and Korea.  I don’t suppose that had anything to do with you getting into immigration period? Well… over the past few years it has become increasingly difficult for us as immigration lawyers to be able to speak with anyone within Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) - or other immigration related government departments when we have run into processing delays or other issues with the files we have submitted. Contacting the government to inquire on an immigration matter has become a real issue. I’ve brought Liz on to share some insight on this process including some potential tips and strategies in attempting to navigate the painful experience of trying to communicate with all of these lovely government departments. Question #1:  so if we are an individual who has submitted an application to IRCC and wants to obtain an update on the status of that application, how does one go about doing this? And is there a difference between inquiring on a permanent resident application, versus a temporary resident application? Inside versus Outside Canada? Question #2: So let’s say that we have an urgent issue that requires us to reach out to an immigration officer on a file that is in process.  Are there other options available to try to deal with the issue as quickly as possible? Question #3: Bogus IRCC mechanisms for reporting abuse and conditional PR violations. Question #4:  let’s talk about the CBSA.  Sometimes we have clients that are adjudicating their applications directly at a port of entry.  Is there any way to reach out to these officers at the POEs in advance of someone’s arrival to discuss issues related to an application? Or to speak with an officer who has recently been refused admission to a client? Question #5:  Okay, let’s now talk about the wonderful world of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and communicating with Service Canada when filing LMIA applications. Do you have any suggestions for navigating this ruthless world?  Are there pitfalls people must be aware of when filing applications? Question #6:  let’s say you run into issues when the application is being processed.  Is there a way to speak to an officer prior to a refusal?  What options are available to speak with an officer after a refusal has been rendered? 

CanadianImmigrationPodcast.com CIP S1 E23: Podcast Show Notes – Russ Weninger- Temporary Foreign Worker Program Review – What does the future hold? Russ Weninger is a Canadian Immigration Lawyer with an extensive knowledge for the low skill, low-wage TFWs and how to navigate the Immigration System. Russ' enjoys volunteering for several organizations such as, The Calgary Legal Guidance, The Center for New Commerce, The Genesis Center, Law Day and the Kirby Center. In this episode of the Canadian immigration podcast we discussed the changes and issues within the low skill, low-wage workers and the temporary foreign worker program. Some of the specific areas covered include: LMIA seems to be an impossible quest. Cap on percentage of low-wage workers Challenges and abuse incidences of those in the TFWP Pathways to permanent residence The purpose of Immigration In order to help you jump to the areas of most interest to you, I have included below some time stamps for some of the significant topics covered in this episode. 7:47 - Who is Russ Weninger 10:00 - Life in Waterton 19:49 - How he got into immigration 21:15 - Overview of TFWP for low wage/skill workers 26:20 - Caps on low wage/skill workers 34:03 - Regardless of unemployment, some jobs stay open 38:09 - Path ways to permanent residence 31:00- Why you need to maintain proper records 41:30 - The practical side of immigration? 47:10 - Greatest influence on Canadian Immigration Policy 50:41 - How to locate Russ Weninger - http://www.calgaryimmigrationlawyer.com/

CanadianImmigrationPodcast.com CIP S1 E23: Podcast Show Notes – Russ Weninger- Temporary Foreign Worker Program Review – What does the future hold? Russ Weninger is a Canadian Immigration Lawyer with an extensive knowledge for the low skill, low-wage TFWs and how to navigate the Immigration System. Russ' enjoys volunteering for several organizations such as, The Calgary Legal Guidance, The Center for New Commerce, The Genesis Center, Law Day and the Kirby Center.   In this episode of the Canadian immigration podcast we discussed the changes and issues within the low skill, low-wage workers and the temporary foreign worker program. Some of the specific areas covered include: LMIA seems to be an impossible quest. Cap on percentage of low-wage workers Challenges and abuse incidences of those in the TFWP Pathways to permanent residence The purpose of Immigration In order to help you jump to the areas of most interest to you, I have included below some time stamps for some of the significant topics covered in this episode. 7:47 - Who is Russ Weninger 10:00 - Life in Waterton 19:49 - How he got into immigration 21:15 - Overview of TFWP for low wage/skill workers 26:20 - Caps on low wage/skill workers 34:03 - Regardless of unemployment, some jobs stay open 38:09 - Path ways to permanent residence 31:00- Why you need to maintain proper records 41:30 - The practical side of immigration?  47:10 - Greatest influence on Canadian Immigration Policy 50:41 - How to locate Russ Weninger - http://www.calgaryimmigrationlawyer.com/

CIC'sExpressEntry ProgramcomingJanuary 1, 2015 CrucialFactsfor CanadianEmployers and Prospective Immigrants Fact Sheet: Produced by the CBA's National Immigration Section 1. The Express Entry program is not simply a case management system. It imposes a new layer of requirements before prospective applicants are “invited” to make an economic class application for Permanent Resident (PR) status. These requirements apply to all applicants in the Federal Skill Worker (FSW), Canada Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Trade (FST) Worker classes. 2. CIC language leads one to believe that prospective immigrants simply need a job offer to rank highly under the Express Entry program. This means not just any job offer. To rank highest in the pool of potential immigrants and compete for an Invitation to Apply (ITA), an applicant will need a job offer that has been approved by a federal Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or supported by provincial government nomination. 3. LMIA applications require employers to undertake extensive recruitment campaigns and prove that no Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available for the position. The exacting compliance regime applicable to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program will therefore also apply to employers seeking to recruit permanently under Express Entry. 4. If there is no LMIA or the employer does not qualify to participate in their provincial nominee program, the employer must advertise on Canada's national job bank and pursue recruitment activities designed to attract Canadian citizens or permanent residents to replace the existing employee in order to qualify for an LMIA. Employers will be required to justify why they have not hired Canadians to replace the incumbent. This applies to any foreign worker who wants to apply for permanent residence with the support of a federally approved offer of employment, including senior managers, executives and specialized knowledge workers now employed in Canada through LMIA-exempt programs. 5. For professionals and intra-company transferees who qualify to work in Canada without a LMIA under international trade agreements (i.e. NAFTA, Canada-Chile FTA), employers will now need to obtain an LMIA or a provincial nomination to attain some measure of certainty about eligibility for permanent residence status. 6. International students who have come to Canada for international study and offered assurances of an easy pathway to permanent residence will now have to obtain LMIAs or provincial nomination to compete for an ITA. This means that international graduates who are not provincially nominated will need to have their entry-level job offers vetted by ESDC to assess whether they are displacing Canadians. Employers of new graduates will have to demonstrate that they are prepared to pay international graduates above entry-level wages for the occupation and that their newly acquired skills are in demand in the Canadian labour market. 7. Canadian employers in key tourist destinations like Whistler and Banff will have to seek LMIAs to retain employees who entered Canada under long-standing bilateral youth exchange programs, such as the International Experience Class and Working Holiday Programs. Employers will have the costly administrative burden of seeking LMIAs for employees who have proven themselves integral to the operations of Canada's thriving tourist and hospitality sectors. 8. Genuine and well-intentioned employers will be forced to falsely advertise vacancies and clog Canada's newly improved national job bank with positions that are already filled by highly qualified skilled personnel (such as Canada Research Chairs and CEOs of major Canadian companies) that employers want to retain permanently. By requiring employers to advertise for permanent LMIAs to better position their employees' chances of success under Express Entry, the government will skew Canadian labour market data and compromise the effectiveness of its employer-employee matching program. 9. When creating a personal profile in the pre-application phase of Express Entry, applicants must ensure that all information entered into their electronic profile is 100% accurate and reflective of their points or human capital factors. Any data entry error or misunderstanding of the requirements in the pre-application phaseof the process could be construed by CIC as a misrepresentation, which is an immigration offence carrying a five year ban on entry to Canada. 10. On receipt of an ITA, applicants could have their selection or invitation to apply revoked if they fail to perfectly complete their application through the new online portal being developed by CIC. If the application is deemed incomplete for any reason, applicants must return to the pool and hope they receive a second invitation to apply. 11. Provincial nominees who would otherwise not have to take a language test or have their foreign education credentials assessed will have to take these steps to qualify for entry into the provincial nomination pool in the Express Entry stream. Similarly, CEC applicants with foreign education, who do not usually need an educational assessment, will need one to rank higher under the Comprehensive Ranking System. Foreign secondary and postsecondary educational credentials each require an Education Credential Assessment for CRS points. Obtaining an Education Credential Assessment from a CIC accredited third party education assessor can be very time consuming, especially for those whose education was completed before digitization of records. 12. The government's electronic system for selecting immigrants for Express Entry and matching employers with suitable applicants lacks transparency and certainty. Uncertainty will lead to the perception that Canada is not open for business, as companies cannot ascertain in advance whether they can retain key personnel in Canada. Similarly, the world's best and the brightest candidates will seek out immigration programs that offer concrete criteria for selection. 13. Under Express Entry, the government has promised to process applications in six months or less. Timely processing of immigration applications is key to Canada's ability to compete for global talent. CIC needs an ascertainable bridging mechanism in place to allow those working in Canada to continue to do so until their permanent status is granted. CIC has stated that bridge work permits under Express Entry will be available only after approval in principle of an application. This requires an assessment of the application on its merits. By delaying eligibility for a bridge work permit, applicants and Canadian employers cannot rely on a seamless transition from temporary to permanent residence. CIC is taking away the existing benefit of allowing a bridge work permit once an acknowledgment of receipt of the PR application has been issued.

                               CIC’sExpressEntry ProgramcomingJanuary 1, 2015 CrucialFactsfor CanadianEmployers and Prospective Immigrants        Fact Sheet:  Produced by the CBA's National Immigration Section   1. The Express Entry program is not simply a case management system. It imposes a new layer of requirements before prospective applicants are “invited” to make an economic class application for Permanent Resident (PR) status. These requirements apply to all applicants in the Federal Skill Worker (FSW), Canada Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Trade (FST) Worker classes. 2.  CIC language leads one to believe that prospective immigrants simply need a job offer to rank highly under the Express Entry program. This means not just any job offer. To rank highest in the pool of potential immigrants and compete for an Invitation to Apply (ITA), an applicant will need a job offer that has been approved by a federal Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or supported by provincial government nomination. 3.  LMIA applications require employers to undertake extensive recruitment campaigns and prove that no Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available for the position. The exacting compliance regime applicable to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program will therefore also apply to employers seeking to recruit permanently under Express Entry.   4.  If there is no LMIA or the employer does not qualify to participate in their provincial nominee program, the employer must advertise on Canada’s national job bank and pursue recruitment activities designed to attract Canadian citizens or permanent residents to replace the existing employee in order to qualify for an LMIA. Employers will be required to justify why they have not hired Canadians to replace the incumbent. This applies to any foreign worker who wants to apply for permanent residence with the support of a federally approved offer of employment, including senior managers, executives and specialized knowledge workers now employed in Canada through LMIA-exempt programs.   5.  For professionals and intra-company transferees who qualify to work in Canada without a LMIA under international trade agreements (i.e. NAFTA, Canada-Chile FTA), employers will now need to obtain an LMIA or a provincial nomination to attain some measure of certainty about eligibility for permanent residence status.   6.  International students who have come to Canada for international study and offered assurances of an easy pathway to permanent residence will now have to obtain LMIAs or provincial nomination to compete for an ITA. This means that international graduates who are not provincially nominated will need to have their entry-level job offers vetted by ESDC to assess whether they are displacing Canadians. Employers of new graduates will have to demonstrate that they are prepared to pay international graduates above entry-level wages for the occupation and that their newly acquired skills are in demand in the Canadian labour market.   7.  Canadian employers in key tourist destinations like Whistler and Banff will have to seek LMIAs to retain employees who entered Canada under long-standing bilateral youth exchange programs, such as the International Experience Class and Working Holiday Programs. Employers will have the costly administrative burden of seeking LMIAs for employees who have proven themselves integral to the operations of Canada’s thriving tourist and hospitality sectors.   8.  Genuine and well-intentioned employers will be forced to falsely advertise vacancies and clog Canada’s newly improved national job bank with positions that are already filled by highly qualified skilled personnel (such as Canada Research Chairs and CEOs of major Canadian companies) that employers want to retain permanently. By requiring employers to advertise for permanent LMIAs to better position their employees’ chances of success under Express Entry, the government will skew Canadian labour market data and compromise the effectiveness of its employer-employee matching program.   9.  When creating a personal profile in the pre-application phase of Express Entry, applicants must ensure that all information entered into their electronic profile is 100% accurate and reflective of their points or human capital factors. Any data entry error or misunderstanding of the requirements in the pre-application phaseof the process could be construed by CIC as a misrepresentation, which is an immigration offence carrying a five year ban on entry to Canada.   10.  On receipt of an ITA, applicants could have their selection or invitation to apply revoked if they fail to perfectly complete their application through the new online portal being developed by CIC. If the application is deemed incomplete for any reason, applicants must return to the pool and hope they receive a second invitation to apply.   11.  Provincial nominees who would otherwise not have to take a language test or have their foreign education credentials assessed will have to take these steps to qualify for entry into the provincial nomination pool in the Express Entry stream. Similarly, CEC applicants with foreign education, who do not usually need an educational assessment, will need one to rank higher under the Comprehensive Ranking System. Foreign secondary and postsecondary educational credentials each require an Education Credential Assessment for CRS points. Obtaining an Education Credential Assessment from a CIC accredited third party education assessor can be very time consuming, especially for those whose education was completed before digitization of records.   12.  The government’s electronic system for selecting immigrants for Express Entry and matching employers with suitable applicants lacks transparency and certainty. Uncertainty will lead to the perception that Canada is not open for business, as companies cannot ascertain in advance whether they can retain key personnel in Canada. Similarly, the world’s best and the brightest candidates will seek out immigration programs that offer concrete criteria for selection.   13.  Under Express Entry, the government has promised to process applications in six months or less. Timely processing of immigration applications is key to Canada’s ability to compete for global talent. CIC needs an ascertainable bridging mechanism in place to allow those working in Canada to continue to do so until their permanent status is granted. CIC has stated that bridge work permits under Express Entry will be available only after approval in principle of an application. This requires an assessment of the application on its merits. By delaying eligibility for a bridge work permit, applicants and Canadian employers cannot rely on a seamless transition from temporary to permanent residence. CIC is taking away the existing benefit of allowing a bridge work permit once an acknowledgment of receipt of the PR application has been issued.  

As many are now aware, Citizenship and Immigration Canada has finally released the criteria upon which candidates will be assessed when applying under the Canadian Express Entry process. For the most part we are now in a very good position to understand what it takes for a foreign national to be drawn from the Express Entry pool and given the magical Invitation To Apply (ITA). Where to find the best Express Entry information and resources If you want to read the proposed legal provisions (if you are interested in that kind of thing) they are found here. Although I am a lawyer, don't get the idea that I enjoy reading them. I do it because my clients expect it and to practice immigration law with any degree of competence, you need to understand the actual regulations and law governing the immigration process and not just accept, at face value, an officers interpretation of what they think it is – especially when you are faced with a refusal of your application. With this being said, not everyone can make sense of statutory language, so the best source of information is the official Express Entry Website that provides excellent information in a way that most of us can understand. You will want to examine carefully the section describing how the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) works. This will give you a very good idea as to the factors CIC considers most important for foreign nationals desiring to immigration to Canada under one of our Economic Class programs. In future blogs I will spend more time breaking down the CRS formula including how to increase your score through improving your core “Human Capital” and “Skill Transferability” factors. However, with the high number of Temporary Foreign Workers running out of time due to the April 1, 2015 cap, the only thing that really matters is how to ensure your application is complete and ready to submit on January 1, 2015 (or the earliest possible time after EE is launched) so that there is a chance of getting drawn as soon as possible. Let's face it, for many TFWs, time is just about up and this may be your last chance at remaining in Canada permanently (See my Blog entitled “Temporary Foreign Worker Program – 4 Year Cap is Looming: Top 5 Ways to Stay” if you would like other ideas on how you might be able to stay legally). Authorized representatives and slick Express Entry marketing plans With the impending launch of Express Entry, it is not surprising that all sorts of amazing marketing strategies are popping up all over the Internet. Immigration lawyers and consultants are clambering to attract the attention of foreign nationals looking to engage a reputable representative to guide them through the Express Entry process. Although the decision to hire an authorized representative depends on a number of important factors, I would strongly encourage you to be very cautious engaging any firm or other immigration group that does not have their actual immigration professionals listed clearly on their website. I believe foreign nationals are taking a great risk when engaging a faceless entity to assist them with some of the most important decisions of their lives. Make sure you know exactly who is representing you and who will be working on your file. It doesn't matter if the lawyer or consultant managing the firm has 5000 years of experience in immigration. If their paralegal or other support staff are the ones completing the application, without direct oversight and ongoing training from that lawyer or consultant, the vast experience of that principal is ultimately meaningless. So choose wisely, not cheaply. I must admit that I have been quite surprised at how quickly these new Express Entry marketing websites, entertaining videos and wide assortment of infographics have surfaced. In the vast majority of cases, the information is just a summary of the information contained within the CIC Express Entrywebsite. However, some of the professional videos that have been produced by my colleagues within the immigration bar are quite impressive. In fact, after watching these informational videos on Express Entry, I think CIC should adopt them and put them on the official Express Entry website. They are really well done. So how can my little firm compete? So as I sit here late at night feeling considerable “website/video envy”, wondering how my awesome little firm (with our simple little website) is going to compete with the slick marketing campaigns of my much large and sophisticated competitors, I realize that maybe I really don't have to compete at all. Maybe all I need to do is focus on what I do best! I just need to keep writing informative blogs and releasing useful podcasts (you can subscribe to my “Canadian Immigration Podcast” and my “Canadian Immigration Answers” podcast on iTunes) that actually give people useful tips and strategies for navigating the soon-to-be troubled waters of Express Entry. Express Entry minefields examined in future blogs. However, notwithstanding the information and strategies I explain in this blog, candidates need to understand that although the government goes to great lengths to make the Express Entry process appear simple with no need to hire a representative to assist them, in fact, there are a number of potential minefields that can trip up an unsuspecting candidate and cause them to be, at best, bounced from the candidate pool and, at worst, barred from applying under the program for a minimum period of 5 years. However, I will also reserve the identification of these dangers for another blog. This blog is all about knowing what you need to do now to give yourself the best chance of being selected early come January 1, 2015 when Express Entry is launched. Top 5 things you must do now to increase your chance of getting drawn quickly for Express Entry With the 4 year cap looming on April 1, 2015 and the corresponding desire of many TFWs to obtain PR status as quickly as possible in order to remain in Canada, I have provided below the top 5 things you need to do now in order to put yourself in the best position possible to file your application as soon as Express Entry opens on January 1, 2015. 1. Apply immediately for any critical third-party supporting documentation. In other words, if you have to request documentation from any outside agency, you are completely at the mercy of their processing times. As such, you must apply immediately because as more people start doing what you are doing, processing times will skyrocket. In order to submit your application you will need to have your supporting documentation ready. Although CIC may allow candidates to submit profiles without some original supporting documents, they will most definitely require proof that they had been applied for. The most critical of the “third-party” documents (things you need to apply for or book an appointment to get) include: Language Testing Results (LTR). This is probably the most important “third-party” document you will need to obtain. You have the option of taking the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). You need only take the “General Test” for either option. Information regarding these tests can be found here. We have found that clients who learned English in the Americas generally do better with the CELPIP test as the accent is “Canadian” and often times easier to understand. The IELTS may be a little tougher because the accent tends to be more closely associated with continental English with its accompanying variations in terminology. Obviously if you learned continental English, the IELTS may suite you just fine. [HINT: Sample CELPIP tests can be accessed here.] [HINT: Sample IELTS test samples can be accessed here.] Educational Credential Assessments (ECA). Although ECAs are only mandatory for FSW applicants, a favourable ECA report will earn you more points for education on the CRS and improve your chances of being drawn. Once again, processing times are the real issue. With all of the credential assessment locations being inundated with requests, processing times are climbing all over the place. In some cases, there are delays of up to 3 or 4 months to obtain an ECA. Make sure to call around and specifically ask for processing times. CIC has provided a list of the designated organizations for ECAs here. Our latest experience suggests that the World Education Services may be one of the quicker options. However, you need to shop around. If you are desperate and running out of time and money is not an option, you may even consider submitting your credentials for assessment at multiple locations and take the results that come back the quickest. Obviously, one would expect that the assessments should be comparable. However, if they are not, then presumably you would use the one that provides the most favourable assessment. Police Clearances (PC). Depending upon the countries from which you need clearances, you must at the very least start the process and document all of your efforts. If you are applying through a jurisdiction where the process can take up to 3 months or longer, you will be able to submit evidence to support the fact you have applied for the clearances. However, if you do not keep copies of the efforts you are making to secure your police clearance, CIC will bounce your application if you have submitted nothing and are at the police clearance stage. [HINT: Police Clearance information can be found here. Immigration Medicals (IM). Remember that immigration medical examinations must be obtained from a CIC designated Panel Physician. As is the case with ECAs and PCs, as candidates are rushing to complete IMs to finalize their PR applications, it will become increasingly difficult to book appointments with Panel Physicians. Book now so that you are able to get your IM right away. Immigration medicals are valid for a period of one year. [HINT: The global list of CIC Panel Physicians can be found here. 2. Start collecting your civil status documents. Make sure that you have your birth certificates, marriage certificates (if applicable) and valid passports ready. Birth Certificates. One of the most troublesome of the civil status documents is the birth certificate. Most TFWs in Canada came to Canada by virtue of their passport and as such, may not have their birth certificates readily available. As such, we often find our clients scrambling to locate their birth certificates back in their home countries and frequently end up having to order new ones if they are lost. This process can take time, so make sure that you have either your birth certificate in hand, can easily access it, or have ordered a new one. This advice would apply equally to marriage certificates as well. Passports. The problem with passports is that they have an expiry date. We have had a number of occasions where we were preparing to file a PR application for a client when we realized that the passport was expiring in just a few months. Make sure your passport is valid for at least one year. If it is not, we recommend that you take steps immediately to have it extended as CIC requires a passport to be valid for at least 6 months at the time of visa issuance. We know that CIC is going to be super strict when it comes to supporting documentation, so although we have been able to submit copies of expired passports in the past with an accompanying statement indicating that an application had been filed for an extension or a new one, I would strongly discourage doing this now as CIC will have no problem returning a person to the EE pool if a complete application has not been filed within the 60 day window. 3. Collect reference letters. Make sure that all reference letters meet the minimum expectations of the various PR programs. If you want to know exactly what the reference letters currently need to look like, go directly to the document checklists for each specific program – Canada Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST). CIC has confirmed that they will not be making substantive changes to the CEC, FSW, or FST categories when EE is introduced. However, it is possible the some of these requirements could change. Given the consequence of further delays, it makes sense to get the letters in accordance with the existing instructions and then make any changes later in the event the document checklists are substantially changed by CIC. However, as I indicated previously, this is unlikely. One of the areas that causes the most difficulty for foreign nationals is ensuring that they have properly matched their particular position with the correct National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. Please remember that CIC uses the 2011 NOC for the purposes of the Express Entry program, but the Temporary Foreign Worker Program uses the 2006 NOC. This distinction can be important if the duties and/or employment requirements for your position are different when comparing the 2006 NOC with the position profile for the 2011 NOC. Because of this distinction, be careful when relying blindly on the NOC code set out in your LMIA (LMO) confirmation. If you get the NOC code wrong, it could unravel your whole PR application and lead to a refusal thus placing you back into the EE pool. Finally, in order to ensure a proper identification of your position within the NOC, you must be able to demonstrate that you performed the actions set out in the “lead statement” for the occupation as well as a substantial number of the “main duties” of the occupation as set out in the occupational description of the NOC. If the duties do not match, the PR application may be refused. 4. Complete the existing PR application forms now. Identify the PR category or categories you feel you may qualify under and start completing all of the application forms as they currently exist. We know that the EE application system will be electronic; however, it is highly probable that if you have taken the time to thoroughly complete the current application forms, this information will likely be the exact information you will need to complete the electronic based application materials once they are released. By completing the existing forms as a reference point, you can save considerable time after EE is launched because all you will need to do is transcribe the information from your forms into the EE electronic filing system. There is nothing worse than having to waste valuable days attempting to recalling specific residential addresses and where you have travelled over the past 10 years. Depending upon your personal history, collecting this information can be extremely time consuming often necessitating the enlistment of family and friends living abroad to help in the search. [HINT: Links to the EE eligible permanent resident programs are set out below: Canada Experience Class Federal Skilled Worker Federal Skilled Trades 5. If you are running out of time, consider hiring an authorized representative. I recognize that this may once again be a shameless plug for hiring our law firm. However, if you are racing to beat the Temporary Foreign Worker cap on April 1, 2015, you are going to need a lot of help. Not only are you likely working full time, but this will be your first experience applying for permanent resident status in Canada. It goes without saying that you can not afford to get it wrong. In fact, even if you get it right and manage to have your EE candidate profile placed into the pool, you may be missing out on critical human capital and skill transferability points without even knowing it. These points could make the difference between being extended an ITA and languishing in the pool until its simply too late and you have to return home. Why hire Holthe Tilleman LLP? As I indicated earlier in this blog, our firm does not have the resources to produce fancy videos, or the in-house talent to create slick infographics or other enticing marketing campaigns to entertain you or wow you with our sophistication. What we have to offer is what you see above – and we offer it freely. Our desire is to provide tons of useful information and direction for those who want to “Do-it-themselves” while at the same time demonstrating to those interested in hiring an immigration representative that we know what we are doing and can actually help. If you want to learn more about the services we offer and why we feel we stand out from the crowd, click here. Ask us a question! If you have general questions regarding the Express Entry process or any Canadian immigration matter feel free to connect with us through the “Ask an Immigration Question” portal on our website (ht-llp.com). For those who would rather leave a voice message, you can also do so on our website by clicking the “Ask an Immigration Question” tab on the right side bar. I will respond to these general question via our new “Canadian Immigration Answers” podcast available for download on iTunes. If you have specific questions and immigration problems that need to be addressed immediately, please contact our office directly to book a paid consult. Stay tuned for future blogs on Express Entry and a wide variety of other Canadian immigration topics. Canadian Immigration Podcast And don't forget to sign up for our “Canadian Immigration Podcast” also available for download on iTunes. Mark Holthe Partner, Holthe Tilleman LLP Mark is an x-immigration officer with Citizenship and Immigration Canada having worked on the Canada/US border. He is currently serving as an Executive Member of the National Immigration Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association and Immediate Past-Chair of the Alberta South Immigration Section of the CBA. He is a frequent speaker and educator on Canadian Immigration Law and Policy and regularly offers seminars and workshops to lawyers, consultants, and human resource personal related to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the transitioning of foreign workers to permanent resident status in Canada.

As many are now aware, Citizenship and Immigration Canada has finally released the criteria upon which candidates will be assessed when applying under the Canadian Express Entry process. For the most part we are now in a very good position to understand what it takes for a foreign national to be drawn from the Express Entry pool and given the magical Invitation To Apply (ITA). Where to find the best  Express Entry information and resources If you want to read the proposed legal provisions (if you are interested in that kind of thing) they are found here. Although I am a lawyer, don’t get the idea that I enjoy reading them. I do it because my clients expect it and to practice immigration law with any degree of competence, you need to understand the actual regulations and law governing the immigration process and not just accept, at face value, an officers interpretation of what they think it is – especially when you are faced with a refusal of your application. With this being said, not everyone can make sense of statutory language, so the best source of information is the official Express Entry Website that provides excellent information in a way that most of us can understand. You will want to examine carefully the section describing how the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) works. This will give you a very good idea as to the factors CIC considers most important for foreign nationals desiring to immigration to Canada under one of our Economic Class programs. In future blogs I will spend more time breaking down the CRS formula including how to increase your score through improving your core “Human Capital” and “Skill Transferability” factors.  However, with the high number of Temporary Foreign Workers running out of time due to the April 1, 2015 cap, the only thing that really matters is how to ensure your application is complete and ready to submit on January 1, 2015 (or the earliest possible time after EE is launched) so that there is a chance of getting drawn as soon as possible. Let’s face it, for many TFWs, time is just about up and this may be your last chance at remaining in Canada permanently (See my Blog entitled “Temporary Foreign Worker Program – 4 Year Cap is Looming: Top 5 Ways to Stay” if you would like other ideas on how you might be able to stay legally). Authorized representatives and slick Express Entry marketing plans With the impending launch of Express Entry, it is not surprising that all sorts of amazing marketing strategies are popping up all over the Internet.  Immigration lawyers and consultants are clambering to attract the attention of foreign nationals looking to engage a reputable representative to guide them through the Express Entry process. Although the decision to hire an authorized representative depends on a number of important factors, I would strongly encourage you to be very cautious engaging any firm or other immigration group that does not have their actual immigration professionals listed clearly on their website. I believe foreign nationals are taking a great risk when engaging a faceless entity to assist them with some of the most important decisions of their lives. Make sure you know exactly who is representing you and who will be working on your file. It doesn’t matter if the lawyer or consultant managing the firm has 5000 years of experience in immigration. If their paralegal or other support staff are the ones completing the application, without direct oversight and ongoing training from that lawyer or consultant, the vast experience of that principal is ultimately meaningless. So choose wisely, not cheaply. I must admit that I have been quite surprised at how quickly these new Express Entry marketing websites, entertaining videos and wide assortment of infographics have surfaced. In the vast majority of cases, the information is just a summary of the information contained within the CIC Express Entrywebsite. However, some of the professional videos that have been produced by my colleagues within the immigration bar are quite impressive. In fact, after watching these informational videos on Express Entry,  I think CIC should adopt them and put them on the official Express Entry website. They are really well done. So how can my little firm compete? So as I sit here late at night feeling considerable “website/video envy”, wondering how my awesome little firm (with our simple little website) is going to compete with the slick marketing campaigns of my much large and sophisticated competitors, I realize that maybe I really don’t have to compete at all. Maybe all I need to do is focus on what I do best! I just need to keep writing informative blogs and releasing useful podcasts (you can subscribe to my “Canadian Immigration Podcast” and my “Canadian Immigration Answers” podcast on iTunes) that actually give people useful tips and strategies for navigating the soon-to-be troubled waters of Express Entry. Express Entry minefields examined in future blogs. However, notwithstanding the information and strategies I explain in this blog, candidates need to understand that although the government goes to great lengths to make the Express Entry process appear simple with no need to hire a representative to assist them, in fact, there are a number of potential minefields that can trip up an unsuspecting candidate and cause them to be, at best, bounced from the candidate pool and, at worst, barred from applying under the program for a minimum period of 5 years. However, I will also reserve the identification of these dangers for another blog. This blog is all about knowing what you need to do now to give yourself the best chance of being selected early come January 1, 2015 when Express Entry is launched. Top 5 things you must do now to increase your chance of getting drawn quickly for Express Entry  With the 4 year cap looming on April 1, 2015 and the corresponding desire of many TFWs to obtain PR status as quickly as possible in order to remain in Canada, I have provided below the top 5 things you need to do now in order to put yourself in the best position possible to file your application as soon as Express Entry opens on January 1, 2015. 1. Apply immediately for any critical third-party supporting documentation. In other words, if you have to request documentation from any outside agency, you are completely at the mercy of their processing times. As such, you must apply immediately because as more people start doing what you are doing, processing times will skyrocket. In order to submit your application you will need to have your supporting documentation ready. Although CIC may allow candidates to submit profiles without some original supporting documents, they will most definitely require proof that they had been applied for. The most critical of the “third-party” documents (things you need to apply for or book an appointment to get) include: Language Testing Results (LTR). This is probably the most important “third-party” document you will need to obtain. You have the option of taking the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). You need only take the “General Test” for either option. Information regarding these tests can be found here. We have found that clients who learned English in the Americas generally do better with the CELPIP test as the accent is “Canadian” and often times easier to understand. The IELTS may be a little tougher because the accent tends to be more closely associated with continental English with its accompanying variations in terminology. Obviously if you learned continental English, the IELTS may suite you just fine. [HINT: Sample CELPIP tests can be accessed here.] [HINT: Sample IELTS test samples can be accessed here.] Educational Credential Assessments (ECA). Although ECAs are only mandatory for FSW applicants, a favourable ECA report will earn you more points for education on the CRS and improve your chances of being drawn. Once again, processing times are the real issue. With all of the credential assessment locations being inundated with requests, processing times are climbing all over the place. In some cases, there are delays of up to 3 or 4 months to obtain an ECA. Make sure to call around and specifically ask for processing times. CIC has provided a list of the designated organizations for ECAs here. Our latest experience suggests that the World Education Services may be one of the quicker options. However, you need to shop around. If you are desperate and running out of time and money is not an option, you may even consider submitting your credentials for assessment at multiple locations and take the results that come back the quickest. Obviously, one would expect that the assessments should be comparable. However, if they are not, then presumably you would use the one that provides the most favourable assessment. Police Clearances (PC). Depending upon the countries from which you need clearances, you must at the very least start the process and document all of your efforts. If you are applying through a jurisdiction where the process can take up to 3 months or longer, you will be able to submit evidence to support the fact you have applied for the clearances. However, if you do not keep copies of the efforts you are making to secure your police clearance, CIC will bounce your application if you have submitted nothing and are at the police clearance stage. [HINT: Police Clearance information can be found here. Immigration Medicals (IM). Remember that immigration medical examinations must be obtained from a CIC designated Panel Physician. As is the case with ECAs and PCs, as candidates are rushing to complete IMs to finalize their PR applications, it will become increasingly difficult to book appointments with Panel Physicians. Book now so that you are able to get your IM right away. Immigration medicals are valid for a period of one year. [HINT: The global list of CIC Panel Physicians can be found here. 2. Start collecting your civil status documents. Make sure that you have your birth certificates, marriage certificates (if applicable) and valid passports ready. Birth Certificates. One of the most troublesome of the civil status documents is the birth certificate. Most TFWs in Canada came to Canada by virtue  of their passport and as such, may not have their birth certificates readily available. As such, we often find our clients scrambling to locate their birth certificates back in their home countries and frequently end up having to order new ones if they are lost. This process can take time, so make sure that you have either your birth certificate in hand, can easily access it, or have ordered a new one. This advice would apply equally to marriage certificates as well. Passports. The problem with passports is that they have an expiry date. We have had a number of occasions where we were preparing to file a PR application for a client when we realized that the passport was expiring in just a few months. Make sure your passport is valid for at least one year. If it is not, we recommend that you take steps immediately to have it extended as CIC requires a passport to be valid for at least 6 months at the time of visa issuance. We know that CIC is going to be super strict when it comes to supporting documentation, so although we have been able to submit copies of expired passports in the past with an accompanying statement indicating that an application had been filed for an extension or a new one, I would strongly discourage doing this now as CIC will have no problem returning a person to the EE pool if a complete application has not been filed within the 60 day window. 3. Collect reference letters. Make sure that all reference letters meet the minimum expectations of the various PR programs. If you want to know exactly what the reference letters currently need to look like, go directly to the document checklists for each specific program – Canada Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST). CIC has confirmed that they will not be making substantive changes to the CEC, FSW, or FST categories when EE is introduced. However, it is possible the some of these requirements could change. Given the consequence of further delays, it makes sense to get the letters in accordance with the existing instructions and then make any changes later in the event the document checklists are substantially changed by CIC. However, as I indicated previously, this is unlikely. One of the areas that causes the most difficulty for foreign nationals is ensuring that they have properly matched their particular position with the correct National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. Please remember that CIC uses the 2011 NOC for the purposes of the Express Entry program, but the Temporary Foreign Worker Program uses the 2006 NOC. This distinction can be important if the duties and/or employment requirements for your position are different when comparing the 2006 NOC with the position profile for the 2011 NOC. Because of this distinction, be careful when relying blindly on the NOC code set out in your LMIA (LMO) confirmation. If you get the NOC code wrong, it could unravel your whole PR application and lead to a refusal thus placing you back into the EE pool. Finally, in order to ensure a proper identification of your  position within the NOC, you must be able to demonstrate that you performed the actions set out in the “lead statement” for the occupation as well as a substantial number of the “main duties” of the occupation as set out in the occupational description of the NOC. If the duties do not match, the PR application may be refused. 4. Complete the existing PR application forms now. Identify the PR category or categories you feel you may qualify under and start completing all of the application forms as they currently exist. We know that the EE application system will be electronic; however, it is highly probable that if you have taken the time to thoroughly complete the current application forms, this information will likely be the exact information you will need to complete the electronic based application materials once they are released. By completing the existing forms as a reference point, you can save considerable time after EE is launched because all you will need to do is transcribe the information from your forms into the EE electronic filing system. There is nothing worse than having to waste valuable days attempting to recalling specific residential addresses and where you have travelled over the past 10 years. Depending upon your personal history, collecting this information can be extremely time consuming often necessitating the enlistment of family and friends living abroad to help in the search. [HINT: Links to the EE eligible permanent resident programs are set out below: Canada Experience Class Federal Skilled Worker  Federal Skilled Trades 5. If you are running out of time, consider hiring an authorized representative. I recognize  that this may once again be a shameless plug for hiring our law firm. However, if you are racing to beat the Temporary Foreign Worker cap on April 1, 2015, you are going to need a lot of help. Not only are you likely working full time, but this will be your first experience applying for permanent resident status in Canada. It goes without saying that you can not afford to get it wrong. In fact, even if you get it right and manage to have your EE candidate profile placed into the pool, you may be missing out on critical human capital and skill transferability points without even knowing it. These points could make the difference between being extended an ITA and languishing in the pool until its simply too late and you have to return home. Why hire Holthe Tilleman LLP? As I indicated earlier in this blog, our firm does not have the resources to produce fancy videos, or the in-house talent to create slick infographics or other enticing marketing campaigns to entertain you or wow you with our sophistication. What we have to offer is what you see above – and we offer it freely. Our desire is to provide tons of useful information and direction for those who want to “Do-it-themselves” while at the same time demonstrating to those interested in hiring an immigration representative that we know what we are doing and can actually help. If you want to learn more about the services we offer and why we feel we stand out from the crowd, click here. Ask us a question! If you have general questions regarding the Express Entry process or any Canadian immigration matter feel free to connect with us through the “Ask an Immigration Question” portal on our website (ht-llp.com). For those who would rather leave a voice message, you can also do so on our website by clicking the “Ask an Immigration Question” tab on the right side bar. I will respond to these general question via our new “Canadian Immigration Answers” podcast available for download on iTunes. If you have specific questions and immigration problems that need to be addressed immediately, please contact our office directly to book a paid consult. Stay tuned for future blogs on Express Entry and a wide variety of other Canadian immigration topics. Canadian Immigration Podcast And don’t forget to sign up for our “Canadian Immigration Podcast” also available for download on iTunes. Mark Holthe Partner, Holthe Tilleman LLP Mark is an x-immigration officer with Citizenship and Immigration Canada having worked on the Canada/US border. He is currently serving as an Executive Member of the National Immigration Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association and Immediate Past-Chair of the Alberta South Immigration Section of the CBA. He is a frequent speaker and educator on Canadian Immigration Law and Policy and regularly offers seminars and workshops to lawyers, consultants, and human resource personal related to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the transitioning of foreign workers to permanent resident status in Canada.

On April 1, 2011, the government imposed a four year cap on all Temporary Foreign Workers working in Canada on LMIA (LMO) based work permits in trade or technical level positions and lower. Four years seemed like an eternity away for employers and their newly hired TFWs. When the cap was introduced, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) was heavily supported by the Conservative government in Canada. Despite enacting added measures to catch employers abusing the program, the process for hiring and obtaining work authorization for foreign nationals was relatively straightforward. Those days are gone…..long gone! In fact, the TFWP is under full attack from this same Conservative government as they quickly take steps to distance themselves from any responsibility for the perceived abuses within the program. In June of this year, the TFWP was overhauled and significant effort is being made by the Conservatives government to reduce the total number of foreign workers in Canada in preparation for an attempt at re-election in 2015. It is now late November 2014 and many temporary foreign workers are struggling with the reality that their time in Canada is very quickly drawing to a close. Canadians should not plan on travelling outside of Canada during the month of April 2015 because the airlines will be completely full with foreign workers who have capped out and are returning home. In many cases, these foreign workers will have been in Canada with their families for much longer than 4 years. Facing the reality of having to start over again in their home countries, our law firm receives many calls from employers and individuals desperate for a solution that will allow them to remain in Canada. Despite the bleak horizon for most TFWs and the companies that employ them, some options do exist. Although the specific circumstances of each individual will often dictate the options that may be available, and corresponding chances of success, our firm has identified the top 5 strategies for helping foreign workers remain in Canada. 1. 1. Apply for PR status immediately and obtain a bridging work permit. In many cases, options may be available to apply for PR status in Canada. However, individuals must act immediately to book an english language assessment and complete the PR application process before January 1, 2015 when the new Express Entry processes goes live. If the foreign national is able to obtain a positive selection decision on the PR application from CIC they may be able to obtain na open bridging work permit to allow them to continue working in Canada until a decision has been made on the PR application. 2. 2. Employer files for a permanent LMIA to support the TFWs Express Entry selection. Under the Express Entry program, candidates with LMIA supported job offers will quickly be given Invitations to Apply (ITA) for PR status in Canada. There is no known restrictions on employers obtaining a “permanent” LMIA to support the candidacy of an existing employee who will be capping out on April 1, 2014. In fact, even if the employee ha to return home because the work permit can not be extended, the Express Entry selection process will continue forward regardless of them being in Canada. 3. 3. Transition from an LMIA based work permit to an LMIA exempt work permit. The four year cap only applies to TFWs working in Canada pursuant to an LMIA based work permit at Skill Levels B,C, or D. Although the LMIA exempt work permit options may be limited, it is critical that all available avenues be explored. After all, the consequence of doing nothing is to simply pack your bags and go home when the current work permit expires. Some possible categories include, International Experience Class (working holiday), NAFTA, GATS, Significant Benefit, and the Spousal Program). If a TFW is accompanied to Canada by a spouse, the accompanying spouse may seek to obtain a work permit. If the position is at a skilled level (Skill Level B, A, or 0), a spouse may be eligible for an open work permit. As such, the accompanying spouse becomes the principal work permit holder and the spouse capping out could switch to an open spousal work permit to continue working. 4. 4. Seek admission to a Canadian college or University and become a foreign student. Some employers may be willing to support a valued TFW in returning to school to obtain a diploma or degree. Alternatively, a TFW may choose to apply for post secondary studies independently. If enrolled in a program of studies (other than ESL), and other eligibility requirements are met, foreign students can work up to 20 hrs per week off campus during the regular school term and full time during the regular scheduled breaks without a work permit. In fact, this is an open work authorization, so there is generally few restrictions on the type of employment pursued. Companies would be free to employ a current TFW in any number of ways on a part-time basis while they are going to school. Upon completion of studies, a post graduate work permit may be available which can lead to a number of options for PR status in Canada. This scenario can also be played out if the TFW has an accompanying spouse. If the accompanying spouse becomes a foreign student in a post secondary institution (not ESL), the spouse currently working on the LMIA based work permit could apply to transition to an open work permit through the spousal employment program similar to option #3 above. This open work permit would similarly allow the TFW to work in virtually any occupation including their present position if so desired. 5. 5. Choose to file an Humanitarian and Compassionate application for PR status in Canada. When no other options appear to be available, some individuals may choose to apply for PR status under the H&C category. This application is designed to allow foreign nationals and their families to apply for PR status in Canada when they do not otherwise qualify under any other category. This option is truly an option of last resort and does not have a high rate of success. However, families who have lived in Canada for many years and have Canadian born children may have sufficiently established themselves in Canada to warrant a positive H&C decision. Establishment alone would likely be insufficient; however, it is one factor of many that could be used to support an H&C application. Because of the complexity of these strategies, we encourage you to contact our office immediately to have us assist you in determining if one of these strategies may be suitable for you. With less than 4 months remaining before many foreign workers reach the 4 year cap, the time to act is now. Call our office to set up a consult. Mark Holthe, Partner, Holthe Tilleman LLP mholthe@ht-llp.com 1-844-485-8204 Mark is an x-immigration officer with Citizenship and Immigration Canada having worked on the Canada/US border. He is currently serving as an Executive Member of the National Immigration Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association and Immediate Past-Chair of the Alberta South Immigration Section of the CBA. He is a frequent speaker and educator on Canadian Immigration Law and Policy and regularly offers seminars and workshops to lawyers, consultants, and human resource personal related to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the transitioning of foreign workers to permanent resident status in Canada.

On April 1, 2011, the government imposed a four year cap on all Temporary Foreign Workers working in Canada on LMIA (LMO) based work permits in trade or technical level positions and lower. Four years seemed like an eternity away for employers and their newly hired TFWs. When the cap was introduced, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) was heavily supported  by the Conservative government in Canada. Despite enacting added measures to catch employers abusing the program, the process for hiring and obtaining work authorization for foreign nationals was relatively straightforward. Those days are gone…..long gone! In fact, the TFWP is under full attack from this same Conservative government as they quickly take steps to distance themselves from any responsibility for the perceived abuses within the program.  In June of this year, the TFWP was overhauled and significant effort is being made by the Conservatives government to reduce the total number of foreign workers in Canada in preparation for an attempt at re-election in 2015. It is now late November 2014 and many temporary foreign workers are struggling with the reality that their time in Canada is very quickly drawing to a close. Canadians should not plan on travelling outside of Canada during the month of April 2015 because the airlines will be completely full with foreign workers who have capped out and are returning home. In many cases, these foreign workers will have been in Canada with their families for much longer than 4 years. Facing the reality of having to start over again in their home countries, our law firm receives many calls from employers and individuals desperate for a solution that will allow them to remain in Canada. Despite the bleak horizon for most TFWs and the companies that employ them, some options do exist. Although the specific circumstances of each individual will often dictate the options that may be available, and corresponding chances of success, our firm has identified the top 5 strategies for helping foreign workers remain in Canada. 1.     1. Apply for PR status immediately and obtain a bridging work permit. In many cases, options may be available to apply for PR status in Canada. However, individuals must act immediately to book an english language assessment and complete the PR application process before January 1, 2015 when the new Express Entry processes goes live. If the foreign national is able to obtain a positive selection decision on the PR application from CIC they may be able to obtain na open bridging work permit to allow them to continue working in Canada until a decision has been made on the PR application. 2.     2. Employer files for a permanent LMIA to support the TFWs Express Entry selection. Under the Express Entry program, candidates with LMIA supported job offers will quickly be given Invitations to Apply (ITA) for PR status in Canada. There is no known restrictions on employers obtaining a “permanent” LMIA to support the candidacy of an existing employee who will be capping out on April 1, 2014. In fact, even if the employee ha to return home because the work permit can not be extended, the Express Entry selection process will continue forward regardless of them being in Canada. 3.     3. Transition from an LMIA based work permit to an LMIA exempt work permit. The four year cap only applies to TFWs working in Canada pursuant to an LMIA based work permit at Skill Levels B,C, or D. Although the LMIA exempt work permit options may be limited, it is critical that all available avenues be explored. After all, the consequence of doing nothing is to simply pack your bags and go home when the current work permit expires. Some possible categories include, International Experience Class (working holiday), NAFTA, GATS, Significant Benefit, and the Spousal Program). If a TFW is accompanied to Canada by a spouse, the accompanying spouse may seek to obtain a work permit. If the position is at a skilled level (Skill Level B, A, or 0), a spouse may be eligible for an open work permit. As such, the accompanying spouse becomes the principal work permit holder and the spouse capping out could switch to an open spousal work permit to continue working. 4.     4. Seek admission to a Canadian college or University and become a foreign student. Some employers may be willing to support a valued TFW in returning to school to obtain a diploma or degree. Alternatively, a TFW may choose to apply for post secondary studies independently. If enrolled in a program of studies (other than ESL), and other eligibility requirements are met, foreign students can work up to 20 hrs per week off campus during the regular school term and full time during the regular scheduled breaks without a work permit. In fact, this is an open work authorization, so there is generally few restrictions on the type of employment pursued. Companies would be free to employ a current TFW in any number of ways on a part-time basis while they are going to school. Upon completion of studies, a post graduate work permit may be available which can lead to a number of options for PR status in Canada. This scenario can also be played out if the TFW has an accompanying spouse. If the accompanying spouse becomes a foreign student in a post secondary institution (not ESL), the spouse currently working on the LMIA based work permit could apply to transition to an open work permit through the spousal employment program similar to option #3 above. This open work permit would similarly allow the TFW to work in virtually any occupation including their present position if so desired. 5.     5. Choose to file an Humanitarian and Compassionate application for PR status in Canada. When no other options appear to be available, some individuals may choose to apply for PR status under the H&C category. This application is designed to allow foreign nationals and their families to apply for PR status in Canada when they do not otherwise qualify under any other category. This option is truly an option of last resort and does not have a high rate of success. However, families who have lived in Canada for many years and have Canadian born children may have sufficiently established themselves in Canada to warrant a positive H&C decision. Establishment alone would likely be insufficient; however, it is one factor of many that could be used to support an H&C application. Because of the complexity of these strategies, we encourage you to contact our office immediately to have us assist you in determining if one of these strategies may be suitable for you. With less than 4 months remaining before many foreign workers reach the 4 year cap, the time to act is now. Call our office to set up a consult. Mark Holthe, Partner, Holthe Tilleman LLP mholthe@ht-llp.com 1-844-485-8204 Mark is an x-immigration officer with Citizenship and Immigration Canada having worked on the Canada/US border. He is currently serving as an Executive Member of the National Immigration Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association and Immediate Past-Chair of the Alberta South Immigration Section of the CBA. He is a frequent speaker and educator on Canadian Immigration Law and Policy and regularly offers seminars and workshops to lawyers, consultants, and human resource personal related to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the transitioning of foreign workers to permanent resident status in Canada.      

Top 10 things employers should be aware of regarding the recent changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program announced on June 20, 2014. 1. Employment skill level determined by wage versus NOC classification. 2. Cap imposed limiting the proportion of low-wage TFWs at worksites. 3. Refusing applications in areas of high unemployment. 4. Reduced duration and time caps on LMIA based work permits. 5. Cancellation of Provincial LMIA exemption agreements. 6. Transition plans for high-wage positions. 7. Expedited processing of LMIAs for highest demand, highest-paid and shortest-duration occupations. 8. New job match service for employers and Canadian employees. 9. Stronger enforcement will lead to severe penalties for non-compliant employers. 10. Increased fees to support employer compliance and enforcement measures. Stop by our website: www.ht-llp.com to learn more about our Canadian legal services and unique fee structure.

Top 10 things employers should be aware of regarding the recent changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program announced on June 20, 2014.  1. Employment skill level determined by wage versus NOC classification. 2. Cap imposed limiting the proportion of low-wage TFWs at worksites. 3. Refusing applications in areas of high unemployment. 4. Reduced duration and time caps on LMIA based work permits. 5. Cancellation of Provincial LMIA exemption agreements. 6. Transition plans for high-wage positions. 7. Expedited processing of LMIAs for highest demand, highest-paid and shortest-duration occupations. 8. New job match service for employers and Canadian employees. 9. Stronger enforcement will lead to severe penalties for non-compliant employers. 10. Increased fees to support employer compliance and enforcement measures. Stop by our website: www.ht-llp.com to learn more about our Canadian legal services and unique fee structure. 

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is under the spotlight in Canada. Supporters argue that foreign workers are definitely needed in certain industries or in regions where not enough Canadians can be found to fill available jobs. Opponents of the program say it takes jobs away from Canadians and drives down wages. Not enough unemployed Canadians are willing to move to areas where the economy is strong and workers are needed. Industries like mining continue to suffer from chronic shortages of workers. If properly managed, most agree that the Temporary Foreign Worker Program can help to balance Canada's job market. Foreign workers can actually help to create job opportunities for Canadians. For example, a hotel manager won’t have a job if he can't find housekeeping staff. Recently in the U.S., Georgia lost an estimated 140 million dollars one year because they couldn't hire enough foreign workers to harvest cotton and other crops. There have been cases where it appears that foreign workers have been exploited. Making it easier for them to become Canadian citizens would help solve that problem. It would allow them greater freedom to move to from one job to another. I'm Roger Currie. Join us again next week for more thoughts on the Frontier. To find out more about our work, visit our website www.fcpp.org.