Hiring a foreign worker typically entails going through the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) procedure, which requires Canadian firms and families to demonstrate that no Canadian worker is available for the position. Employers can onboard foreign talent without the expense, delays, and paperwork associated with an LMIA, as more than half of temporary work permits issued in Canada in 2025 are LMIA-exempt. Book Your Consultation for Canadian Immigration The purpose of LMIA-exempt programs, how Canadians can hire workers through them, and what employers need to know are all covered in this article. Why Canadians Care About LMIA-Exempt Hiring This indicates that Canadian companies are already depending significantly on these initiatives to swiftly address labor shortages.  What Does “LMIA-Exempt” Mean for Employers? Employers who use LMIA-exempt hiring are exempt from applying for approval from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) prior to hiring a foreign worker. Rather, you: The Main LMIA-Exempt Pathways Available to Canadians 1. International Mobility Program (IMP) The majority of LMIA-exempt categories are covered under the IMP. Employers in Canada use it to hire under: Exemptions for significant benefits—for employees who contribute to society, culture, or the economy (artists, academics, entrepreneurs). 2. Open Work Permit Holders With open work permits, many foreign workers already in Canada are able to work for any business. Among the examples are:  This is the easiest path for Canadians: employing someone with an open permit eliminates the need for an LMIA and an employer compliance filing.  3. International Experience Canada (IEC) Young workers from nations with youth mobility agreements can work in Canada without an LMIA if they have IEC permits. This route is vital to many Canadians who work in hospitality, tourism, and seasonal jobs. 4. Trade Agreement Professionals & Business Visitors The LMIA phase is not required for Canadians to bring in experts, technicians, and business visits under trade agreements such as CUSMA and others.  Step-by-Step for Canadians Hiring Without LMIA Because the IRCC can audit employers, keep compliance records, including employment descriptions, salaries, and duties. Example from a Canadian Business A senior developer from a U.S. partner firm was required by a tech startup based in Toronto. The business utilized the Intra-Company Transfer stream rather than waiting months for an LMIA. The project was able to continue when they paid the compliance charge, made the offer online, and their candidate obtained a work permit in a matter of weeks.  Common Mistakes Canadian Employers Make Final Word for Canadian Employers One of the quickest and most economical ways for Canadians to add foreign workers to the workforce is through LMIA-exempt hiring. Businesses can avoid thousands of dollars and months of delay by using trade agreements, intra-company transfers, or hiring someone who is currently in Canada with an open permit. Knowing which exemptions apply and making sure your documentation is accurate are crucial. When implemented properly, LMIA-exempt pathways benefit both Canadian employers and workers by providing them with the expertise they require without adding red tape.  Sources

On Labour Day, the Ontario government announced new measures to streamline the licensing process for out-of-province workers in regulated professions. This initiative, called the “As of Right” framework, will allow certified professionals from other provinces and territories to begin working in Ontario within just 10 business days—a significant reduction from the current timeline, which can take up to six months. Book Your Consultation for Canadian Immigration What Is the “As of Right” Framework? Starting January 1, 2026, the new labour mobility rules will enable workers in regulated occupations to: These changes apply to over 50 regulatory bodies and more than 300 certifications, covering professionals such as: This is a major shift in supporting labour mobility, especially given that 20% of Canadian occupations are regulated. “With these historic measures, we’re tearing down barriers to create more opportunities for workers and businesses, building a stronger province and country,” said David Piccini, Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. Who Is Eligible? Eligible Professions: Not Eligible: New Rules for Healthcare Professionals Only specific health professionals are included in the “As of Right” changes. These include: From other Canadian provinces/territories: From the United States: These professionals may start working immediately in Ontario without registering with a health regulatory college, provided they meet 10 eligibility conditions. Steps to Work in Ontario Under the New Rules If you’re certified in another province or territory, here’s how to take advantage of the new process for non-health regulated professions: Reciprocal Mobility for Ontario-Certified Workers The Ontario government has signed 10 interprovincial agreements allowing Ontario-certified professionals to work in other provinces or territories. These agreements aim to foster cross-country mobility by recognizing similar standards in regulated professions across jurisdictions. Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and Labour Mobility For foreign nationals, Ontario also offers permanent residence pathways through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Many of the OINP streams align well with the new “As of Right” rules. Employer Job Offer Streams (job offer required): Most occupations under these streams are regulated and could qualify under the new mobility framework. Express Entry-Aligned Streams (no job offer required): As of 2025, Ontario has issued 8,799 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through its various immigration streams. More Information and Resources

In a bold move to address Canada’s worsening economic challenges, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called for the complete elimination of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). He accused Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government of putting corporate interests ahead of Canadian workers. Book Your Consultation for Canadian Immigration Speaking at a press conference in Mississauga, Ontario, Poilievre introduced his “Canada First” plan, which aims to restore economic opportunity, particularly for younger Canadians who are struggling in the current job market. Poilievre highlighted a series of troubling statistics. He noted that youth unemployment among Canadians aged 15 to 24 reached 14.6 percent in July 2025, the highest rate since 2010 outside of the COVID-19 period. He also pointed out that 1.6 million Canadians are unemployed, including nearly 400,000 who have been without work for over two years, marking the highest level of long-term unemployment since 1998. “Young people today are a generation screwed,” Poilievre said, blaming a decade of Liberal economic policies for rising housing costs, increased crime, and declining investment in Canada. He cited massive job losses in Ontario as further proof of poor economic leadership, noting that these losses exceed those experienced during the Great Recession. Criticism of the TFW Program A central focus of Poilievre’s critique is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. He claims the program has saturated the labor market with low-wage workers, making it harder for Canadians, especially youth and working-class individuals, to find decent jobs. In the first half of 2025, the Liberal government issued 105,000 TFW permits, exceeding its own cap of 82,000. According to Poilievre, nearly 75 percent of these permits were for low-wage positions, putting downward pressure on wages and displacing Canadian workers. He pointed to companies like Tim Hortons, which he said increased its use of TFWs by over 1,100 percent in just four years. He also shared examples of firms offering jobs at $36 per hour, such as Booster Juice, exclusively to foreign workers. “The Liberals are shutting our own youth out of jobs and replacing them with low-wage temporary foreign workers,” he said. “These workers are not at fault. They are being used by Liberal-aligned corporate elites.” A Plan to Prioritize Canadian Workers Poilievre outlined a plan to end the TFW program entirely, allowing existing permits to expire without renewal. He proposed a separate, streamlined program to address genuine labor shortages in agriculture but stressed that Canadian jobs must go to Canadian workers first. His broader economic plan includes: Poilievre also criticized Mark Carney for failing to deliver on major promises. He highlighted a projected 13 percent decline in housing starts, no visible progress on critical infrastructure like pipelines and mines, and what he described as a lack of leadership on national projects. Trade, Investment, and Carbon Tax Criticism Poilievre said Carney has mismanaged key trade relationships, especially with the United States and China. He pointed to missed deadlines for securing a U.S. trade agreement and rising tariffs that he believes are damaging Canadian farmers and manufacturers. He also noted that $62 billion in net investment has left Canada since Carney became Prime Minister, blaming policies such as the industrial carbon tax for making Canadian exports uncompetitive. “Mark Carney is failing abroad, and Canadians are paying the price at home,” Poilievre said. Mixed Reactions and Political Response The proposal to scrap the TFW program has sparked intense debate. Critics argue the program is vital for sectors like agriculture and food service, where labor shortages remain a serious challenge. Immigration Minister Lena Diab defended the program, stating that TFW arrivals actually declined to 119,000 in 2025, down from 245,000 in 2024. She added that of the 105,000 permits issued this year, only 33,722 were for new arrivals, with many being renewals or extensions. The government insists it is reforming the program to prevent abuse while supporting essential industries. Supporters of Poilievre’s plan argue that decisive action is necessary to prioritize Canadian workers, especially during a time of high unemployment and a housing crisis that is making homeownership out of reach for many. Clarifying Immigration Stance Poilievre addressed broader concerns about immigration, making it clear that his criticism is directed solely at the TFW program. He praised immigrants who come to Canada to work, contribute, and build their lives. “The Canadian promise is about opportunity for everyone who contributes,” he said. “But right now, that promise is being broken by a system that favors corporate elites at the expense of ordinary Canadians.” With growing economic uncertainty, rising joblessness, and declining investment, Poilievre’s “Canada First” message appears to be gaining traction among frustrated voters. As the federal election approaches, he called on the Liberals to adopt his proposals, offering them as “open source” solutions for the good of all Canadians. “We want every Canadian to have a chance at a great job, a beautiful life, and a home on a safe street,” Poilievre said in closing. “That is the Canadian dream, and we are fighting to bring it back.”