Recognized Employer Pilot for Labour Market Impact Assessment Applications – Phase 2

Phase 2 of the Recognized Employer Pilot (“REP”) is now in effect for qualified employers who require Labour Market Impact Assessments (“LMIA”) to fill their labour shortages.

In September 2023, Phase 1 of this 3-year pilot project began which allowed qualified employers hiring livestock labourers, harvesting labourers, specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators, and nursery and green house labourers to participate. The REP is designed to provide a simplified LMIA application process, more flexibility for the Canadian labour market, and can result in LMIAs being granted with a validity of up to 36 months (up from 18).

Employers with a demonstrated Temporary Foreign Worker (“TFW”) Program track record, may qualify for enrollment if they have previously received positive LMIAs for positions listed on the REP occupations list and:

• have received at least 3 positive LMIA decisions in the last 5 years to hire TFWs for that position, or
• did not submit an LMIA application in 2020 or 2021 because of COVID-19 restrictions, but:
  • received at least one positive LMIA decision in 2022 or 2023 for the position, and
  • received 2 other positive LMIA decisions as far back as 2016 for the position.

For more information about the REP or the TFW Program, please contact a member of our Immigration Practice Group.