Labour market benefits plan

A buyer meets the term when the business, or the buyer’s plan for it, relies on highly skilled foreign workers hired through the Global Talent Stream. ESDC says that an employer hiring through the stream must develop a plan demonstrating its employer-specific commitment to activities with lasting, positive impacts on the Canadian labour market. See the LMIA and work permit guide.

What the plan contains

ESDC says the commitments are divided into mandatory and complementary benefits, and that complementary benefits could include, but are not limited to, job creation, investment in skills and training, transferring knowledge to Canadians and permanent residents, enhanced company performance and implementing best practices or policies for the workforce. An employer with an approved plan that applies for more positions does not have to submit a new one, but ESDC says updates may be required and that refusing a requested amendment could lead to a negative assessment of the additional positions. ESDC may also ask for an update on commitments to date.

What to ask

• Whether the seller has an approved plan, and a copy of its commitments
• What has been delivered against each commitment so far
• Whether the plan is tied to the seller’s employer identity, and what that means for the buyer’s own application