The IRCC has rolled out a new work permit under the Innovation Stream of the International Mobility Program (IMP). This Innovation Stream is one of the four key components of Canada’s Tech Talent Strategy, which was kicked off in 2023 to draw in skilled professionals, aiding the nation in its quest to become a frontrunner in the global tech arena.
Under this new initiative, certain skilled foreign workers can now apply for an employer-specific work permit if they receive a job offer from one of the employers involved in the Global Hypergrowth Project. This project features eight carefully selected companies recognized by the government as leaders and innovators in their fields, with significant growth potential. Workers who qualify will have the opportunity to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)* exempt work permit.
An LMIA is a necessary document issued by the Canadian government to facilitate the process for certain employer-specific work permits. It is provided by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and evaluates how hiring a foreign worker will impact the Canadian labor market. For an LMIA to be valid in supporting an employer-specific work permit, it must yield a “positive” or “neutral” outcome.
Who Qualifies for This New Work Permit?
To be eligible for a work permit under the Innovation Stream, applicants need to meet a few criteria:
- Have a job offer from an employer enrolled in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP);
- Secure a job offer that falls into a high-skilled occupation, which includes roles classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2, or 3; and
- Hold the necessary education and experience as outlined in the employment requirements section of the NOC for the job they plan to take on.
This stream is available to eligible candidates both within Canada and abroad.
Moreover, applicants may experience expedited processing times for their work permits if they are hired for positions categorized under TEER categories 0 or 1 of the NOC.
It’s worth noting that the NOC system helps in describing and categorizing occupations in Canada, with the TEER rankings further grouping jobs based on the required Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities.
Before submitting their applications for the Innovation Stream, employers must:
- Provide an offer of employment.
- Pay an employer compliance fee of $230 CAD; and
- Supply the employee (or potential employee) with an offer of employment number.
The Selected Employers for This Stream
The Canadian government has pinpointed the following employers as aligning with its industrial innovation objectives:
| Company | Company Summary |
|---|---|
| Ada Support Inc. | Ada Support Inc., located in Toronto, specializes in transforming customer service by utilizing AI to shift from agent-first to AI-first approaches. Their platform automates customer support interactions across various languages and channels, improving wait times and personalization. |
| AlayaCare | AlayaCare offers an AI-driven platform for home care agencies, enhancing planning and management. It improves scheduling, time reporting, clinical documentation, and patient monitoring to deliver better care and outcomes while reducing operational costs. |
| CellCarta | Based in Montreal, Quebec, CellCarta focuses on precision medicine, offering tailored testing solutions and comprehensive sample measurement services in areas such as immune monitoring and genomics. Their work identifies factors influencing patient treatment responses. |
| Clarius Mobile Health | Clarius Mobile Health, situated in British Columbia, aims to democratize medical imaging with affordable, high-performance AI solutions. The company is known for its wireless systems designed for various medical specialties, enhancing patient care and clinical services. |
| Clio | Clio, a legal technology venture based in Burnaby, British Columbia, is transforming the legal sector with its cloud-based software platform. They assist law firms in managing tasks like client intake, document management, billing, and timekeeping. |
| Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group (DPG) | DPG develops innovative medicines to enhance patient health, exporting treatments to over 50 countries. This unique business model is based in Blainville, Quebec. |
| Lightspeed Commerce | Founded in Montreal in 2005, Lightspeed Commerce provides technology solutions that help retailers and restaurateurs optimize operations. Their platform allows businesses to manage transactions, inventory, and payments from a single system, primarily targeting small and medium-sized enterprises. |
| Vive Crop Protection | Located in Mississauga, Ontario, Vive Crop Protection creates crop protection products aimed at improving agricultural yield while reducing environmental impact. Their patented technology ensures effective, safe application of treatments, saving time and resources. |
Candidates interested in learning more about this new initiative can check out the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) webpage here.
Recent Developments in Work Permits or LMIAs
This new work permit initiative arrives amidst growing restrictions on work permits and LMIAs.
On August 26, the Canadian government announced it will stop processing low-wage LMIAs in specific Canadian cities. This policy change affects census metropolitan areas (CMAs) with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. However, exceptions are available for jobs in food security sectors such as primary agriculture, food processing, fish processing, as well as construction and healthcare.
Additionally, visitors in Canada are no longer able to apply for job-supported work permits. While they can still pursue other types of work permits from within the country, the option for job-supported work permits—whether or not they require an LMIA—is no longer available.
These recent changes surrounding Canada’s work permits stand in contrast to the latest announcement regarding the Innovation Stream, showcasing the country’s commitment to investing in and hiring foreign talent to bolster these companies and the tech sector as a whole.
