Question Period Note: Temporary Foreign Worker Program - Processing Delays

How has the 23% increase in Labour Market Impact Assessment volume experienced in 2018-2019 affected processing?

• We recognize that employers require certainty regarding access to temporary foreign workers.

• The Government of Canada is investing $8.1M to reduce the inventory of applications and processing times. As a result, inventory of files waiting for processing was reduced by over 1,400 applications in 2019-20.

• Processing times for Labour Market Impact Assessments have also decreased.

• We will continue to make efforts necessary to ensure a timely and efficient service for employers, as resources allow.

• The TFW Program provides employers with access to foreign workers on a temporary basis when Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents are not available, and ensures foreign workers are protected.
• The TFW Program is co-delivered by ESDC and IRCC, and co-administered with the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) in the province of Quebec. ESDC processes LMIA applications, which support work permit applications to IRCC and CBSA.
• The TFW Program is comprised of five application streams: Primary Agriculture; Low Wage; High Wage; Express Entry (Permanent Resident); and the Global Talent Stream (GTS) pilot.
• The TFW program currently offers a 10-day service standard for certain high wage, skilled trade or short duration applications, in addition to GTS pilot.

• In April 2018, the Department began to observe a consistent volume increase in LMIA applications received nationally, and which continues in 2019-2020. A total of 47,991 LMIA applications were received in 2018-2019, of which 92% received a positive decision.
• This increased volume has resulted in the creation of a significant backlog of applications and longer than usual processing times.
• The overall 2019-2020 departmental investment to handle the increased number of applications and reduce the processing times is $8.1M. Of this:
o Investments were made across all regions to manage the increase in LMIA volumes, including 109 additional staff across the national network.
• As of November 1, 2019, these investments have enabled the Department to reduce the inventory of over 9,000 files down to approximately 7,600 and improve processing timelines.
• Starting in August 2019, the Program began piloting an online platform to submit LMIA applications electronically, which will streamline submission of applications and processing.
• Service processing timelines are now posted on the departmental website to better manage employers’ expectations.
• The Department undertook several outreach activities and roundtables with key stakeholders such as employers, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Canadian Bar Association and other inter-governmental working groups.

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