All employers can apply until September
More employers will now be able to apply for the Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) under the federal government’s Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program.
Having accepted applications from agriculture employers since September 2023, Ottawa is now taking applications from all other employers.
These include companies looking to hire for the following occupations, among others:
- engineering managers
- architecture and science managers
- physiotherapists
- medical laboratory technologists
- retail salespersons and visual merchandisers
- carpenters
- motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
- labourers in fish and seafood processing
The full Phase 2 REP occupations list is available on the federal government’s website.
Ottawa first announced the REP in Budget 2022 as the “trusted employer model”. Under the program, Ottawa is investing $29.3 million over three years to address labour shortages and reduce the administrative burden for repeat employers participating in the program that have a history of complying with program requirements.
Under the REP, eligible employers will gain access to Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) that are valid for up to 36 months. They will also benefit from a simplified LMIA application, should they need to hire additional workers from the same occupation during the pilot.
Who is eligible for REP under the TFWP in Canada?
To participate, employers must have at least three positive LMIAs over the past five years for the same occupation from a list of occupations that have been designated as in-shortage based on Canadian Occupational Projection System data.
These employers will be subject to a more rigorous upfront assessment process based on their history and track record with the program, to ensure that REP targets employers with the best recruitment practices, according to the government.
Ottawa announced Phase 1 of the REP in August 2023.
“The Recognized Employer Pilot will cut red tape for eligible employers – those who demonstrate the highest level of protection for workers – and make it easier for them to access the labour they need to fill jobs that are essential to Canada’s economy and food security,” said Randy Boissonnault, minister of employment, workforce development and official languages, back then.
Employer applications for the REP will close in September this year.
In October 2023, the federal government also extended until Aug. 30, 2024 measures it put in place under TFW Program Workforce Solutions Road Map.
