Enhancements to Government Immigration Programs to Help with Labour Shortages

Yesterday, the Government of Canada made two significant announcements on enhancements to immigration programs.
 
New Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)
The federal government is expanding the Economic Mobility Pathways Program pilot with a new pathway for tourism and hospitality workers. Starting this summer, refugees and other displaced people can use the EMPP to connect with in-demand job openings. Read the release here. 
 
Extensions to Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP)
The government has extended temporary measures introduced during the pandemic for hardest-hit sectors to October 30, 2023. Including:

• permitting employers in with demonstrated labour shortages (including accommodation and food services) to hire up to 30 per cent of their workforce through the TFWP for low-wage positions;
• keeping the Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) validity period at up to 18 months; and,
• maintaining the maximum duration of employment for low-wage positions at up to two years.

 Read the release here.