According to the HRSDC, all the skilled migrants belonging to the profession of IT (Information Technology Specialists) have to apply and obtain a Labor Market Opinion (LMO) if they intend to apply for a work permit to Canada. This would be implemented from 30th September 2010.

Previously, the employers and the applicants under the IT segment were not under any obligation to get a certification from the LMO. There were a total of seven job segments under the IT sector for immigrants to apply. With the changes in place, this could be considered as a complete reversal of the process that was being followed.

As per the new system, all the employers in Canada would have to demonstrate their efforts in seeking local people for the same job that they intend to offer an immigrant. All forms of evidence have to be provided by the employer which proves their efforts in recruitment. This includes advertising and so on. With the process for the LMO in place, the timelines for the visa procedure would increase by another two months.

This amendment has been brought about to keep the integrity constant when it came to the Foreign Worker Program.

This change however should not be confused with Immigration procedures and rules applicable to IT and computing professionals wishing to migrate to Canada. This is only an additional step that employers, wishing to hire international IT professionals, must undertake as part of the overall work permit process.

This is in fact good news for permanent residents and Canadian citizens as it protects Canadian jobs for them. This change also means that qualified IT professionals should apply for permanent resident visa to Canada and make Canada their home for good rather than wait for a work permit offer from a Canadian employer.

According to a recent report brought out by the Auditor General – Sheila Fraser in Canada, there are major issues with reference to the Canadian Immigration system. To overcome these faults, amendments have been proposed by Ottawa. However, if speculations are to be believed, little has been done to foresee the relative after effects.

The report states that the immigration policies are catering more to the individual provinces and the employers hiring immigrants. But nothing is being done to dig out the illegal and fraudulent cases being attempted. This mainly refers to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program which permits many low skilled migrants for jobs including construction workers or nannies and so on.

With such immigrants, some of whom can’t even talk in English, the employers tend to abuse these workers which include paying low wages and so on. The Canadian government hold these immigrants in high regard and thus feels that nothing specific is being done to stop the abuse that the program has catered to.

With the help of this program, some employers also tend to bring in their relatives on these visas which probably could have been availed by a more deserving candidate. Also, these employers are then overseeing the family – reunification rules.

Looking into the above aspects, the Foreign Worker program is set to undergo changes since it plays a major role in the building the Canadian economy.

The report also states that the Provincial Nominee program is expected to become a major source for immigration where as the Federal Skilled Migrant program is going to fall down comparatively. Also, no minimum set criteria has been identified by Ottawa for the workers selected by the provinces. Thus, a review has also been called for all these programs.

Since Canada considers all its immigrant population an asset, it is important that as a prospective immigrant, you don’t fall prey to the above nuisances. Thus, it is best that you contact an Immigration and Visa Specialist who deals with Canadian immigration. He would be able to guide you with all the aspects and provide you with the relevant information regarding the incomes, salaries and wages and so on. So, Contact one today!

If you are planning to migrate to Canada under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, this blog is surely meant for you. Read further.

Jason Kenney, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Canada recently announced the proposed changes to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program. It has been hoped that these changes would further empower the protection of Temporary Foreign Workers in the country.

Kenney further said that Temporary Foreign Workers plan a critical role in enhancing the economy of the Canadian government. Here are some of the proposed changes:

• Assessment of the genuineness of the job which would be offered by Canadian authorities would be made stricter. In addition, the strict regulations would be arrayed with facets like verification of the employer’s compliance with labour law, including others.
• The time period where a worker can stay in Canada before returning to his home country should have limits
• A two-year prohibition from hiring a temporary foreign worker for employers who are found to provide working circumstances that hold some difference as compared to ones that were offered initially. These working circumstances include wages, occupations, to name a few.

Kenney said that the changes are a result of some of the extensive consultations on various issues identified through a series of processes.

Applicants can consult an experienced Immigration and Visa consultant in order to know more about the proposed changes. He would further help them during their application procedure and provide tips on the Interview process.