Quebec adopts priority processing of work permits for occupations in-demand

To help local employers during the Coronavirus pandemic, the Canadian province of Quebec is doing away with the minimum requirement for Quebec employers who must first convince the authorities that they have attempted to fill open positions with local talent to obtain the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) if they want to hire foreign workers.

Due to the labor demands brought on by the pandemic, this LMIA requirement has been removed for the following 23 out of the 24 priority occupations:

1. Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 3012)
2. Specialist physicians (NOC 3111)
3. General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 3112)
4. Allied primary health practitioners (NOC 3124)
5. Pharmacists (NOC 3131)
6. Medical laboratory technologists (NOC 3211)
7. Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists’ assistants (NOC 3212)
8. Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (NOC 3214)
9. Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health) (NOC 3219)
10. Licensed practical nurses (NOC 3233)
11. Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment (NOC 3237)
12. Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 3413)
13. Other assisting occupations in support of health services (NOC 3414)
14. Light duty cleaners (NOC 6731)
15. Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers-retail and wholesale (NOC 6331)
16. Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers (NOC 8252)
17. General Farm Workers (NOC 8431)
18. Nursery and Greenhouse Workers (NOC 8432)
19. Harvesting labourers (NOC 8611)
20. Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers (NOC 9462)
21. Fish and seafood plant workers (NOC 9463)
22. Labourers in food, beverage and associated products processing (NOC 9617)
23. Labourers in fish and seafood processing (NOC 9618)

The above occupations have been given priority because they are in demand during the pandemic.

Exemption from LMIA

Quebec employers need not apply for an LMIA, provided the temporary foreign worker they wish to hire meets the following eligibility requirements:

• Candidate has a valid work permit
• Candidate has a skilled worker Certificate of Selection in Quebec (CSQ)
• A candidate is living in Quebec
• Candidate has applied have applied for permanent residence under the Quebec Skilled Worker

The temporary foreign worker must belong to any one of the following categories:

• Has applied for an extension of work permit
• Has applied for renewal of the work authorization with a new employer in Quebec
• Is a foreign student with a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and a job offer in the province
• Has a work permit under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program and:
• Has applied for an extension of the work authorization for the current employer

Quebec has decided to prioritize the processing of the work applications of these foreign workers to meet the demands caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.