CANADIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Improvements to Temporary Worker Program in BC and Alberta

Tuesday, 25 September 2007

The Federal government and the governments of British Columbia and Alberta have announced improvements to the Temporary Work Visa program to make it faster for employers in Alberta and British Columbia to hire workers from abroad.

The economies in Canada’s western provinces are so strong that one of the few limiting factors is the availability of workers - from skilled engineers to agricultural and construction workers.

The improvements are part of a pilot project that will allow employers who need workers in 12 specific occupations to obtain permission to hire a foreign worker much faster than before. Importantly, the 12 occupations include industries with severe worker shortages such as construction, tourism and hospitality.

The pilot project is a shift towards greater coordination between the Federal and Provincial governments to react faster to local labour market conditions. The move is a welcome one to employers in western Canada who need workers, and to workers who see Canada as the destination of choice thanks to it’s strong economy and high wages.