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Quebec released a new list of in-demand occupations that benefit from facilitated processing under the (LMIA) process.

The new list has been significantly expanded from last year's list of 181 occupations. There are now 222 on the list which covers all of Quebec and takes into account the labour needs of all regions.

The new list that was released yesterday is effective immediately. There is a 30-day transition period to allow the employer, or their representative, to have applications submitted under last year's list reviewed.

Once a year, on February 24, the Quebec Ministry of Immigration publishes a list of occupations for which employers wishing to benefit from a facilitated (LMIA) process. The purpose of the list is to accelerate the arrival of temporary foreign workers in the province to work in sectors where there is an acute labour shortage. It is intended to help employers who are unable to find Canadian or permanent resident workers to fill their job vacancies.

Quebec is facing a declining birth rate and an aging population and currently has the second-highest job vacancy rate in Canada. According to a December report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), 64% of small businesses in Quebec report experiencing labour shortages.

The Quebec government estimates that newcomers, particularly temporary foreign workers, will fill 22% of job vacancies by 2026.

With the need for new labour increasing, the Quebec government has actively adjusted its immigration policies to allow more immigrants to come to the province.

A number of programs have been recently implemented or existing ones expanded in Quebec to make it easier to hire foreign workers in the province. These include an agreement signed between Quebec and Ottawa last year to increase the maximum number of temporary foreign workers per workplace from 10% to 20% and to exempt occupations with on-the-job training (NOC Skill Level D) from posting and demonstration of recruitment efforts.

Facilitated LMIA process in Quebec

Before they can apply for an LMIA, Canadian employers who hire must demonstrate that they have advertised an open position through a variety of methods and provide proof of their recruitment efforts.

These efforts may consist of advertising the position for at least 28 days, interviewing eligible candidates to demonstrate to the Government of Canada that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is ready, willing, and able to be hired for the position, which would require the hiring of a foreign worker.

Quebec employers who for certain must also apply for an LMIA, but have access to a much simpler and faster hiring application process.

Quebec’s List of Occupations for is established by Emploi-Québec in collaboration with Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), and is based on Canada’s 2016 (NOC) system.

Quebec employers offering jobs that correspond to one of the occupations or job titles on this list must follow the facilitated procedure.

Facilitated LMIA process applications must be approved by both federal and provincial authorities. For this reason, employers who wish to hire foreign workers must submit application forms and supporting documents to both the (ESDC), and the MIFI.

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