The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process in the province of Quebec provides certain elements that are unique to the francophone province.
One of the most important distinctions is the requirement to submit a separate application to the Quebec Immigration authority at the same time as the one submitted to Service Canada.
Other differences include:
1. Foreign workers must apply for a Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec before they can apply for a work permit. Certain exceptions may apply.
2. Quebec employers must determine the minimum wage required by following certain steps specific to the province of Quebec.
3. Certain professions benefit from an exemption to conduct recruitment efforts, such as the following:
The Quebec immigration authority (MIFI) has identified certain high-skilled occupations that are in high demand and in areas with labor shortages. The MIFI and the Government of Canada signed an agreement enabling Quebec employers to access a facilitated Labour Market Impact Assessment process for these target occupations.
The LMIA applications for these occupations are exempted from including proof of recruitment efforts and transition plans (only for the first LMIA application for an occupation in a specific location).
The Quebec Pilot Project operates under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and offers flexibilities for Quebec employers. As such, starting December 6, 2021, and until December 31, 2024, these National Occupational Classification (NOC) D occupations are exempt from advertising and recruitment requirements:
6611 – Cashiers
6622 – Store shelf stockers, clerks and order fillers
6711 – Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations
6731 – Light duty cleaners
6732 – Specialized cleaners
6733 – Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents
8612 – Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers
8616 – Logging and forestry labourers
9612 – Labourers in metal fabrication
9614 – Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing
9615 – Labourers in rubber and plastic products manufacturing
9617 – Labourers in food, beverage and associated products processing
9618 – Labourers in fish and seafood processing
