Foreign workers form essential part of Canada’s labour force, panel says

Temporary foreign workers may only account for five percent of Canada’s construction workforce but their importance cannot be ignored, a Construction Sector Council (CSC) panel recently emphasized. “Temporary foreign workers are essential to us getting our projects being built,” said Terry Burton, corporate manager of labour resources for Shell Canada.

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Jobs that require work permit but not LMO (Labour Market Opinion)

Some people are qualified to work in Canada even without an LMO. In these cases, the valid work permit already suffice.

• People covered under international agreements
• Entrepreneurs and intra-company transferees
• Exchange programs participants
• Co-op students
  Spouses
  Spouses and common-law partners of certain foreign workers and of certain foreign students who are currently studying or working under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
• Academics and students
  
• Religious workers
• Others
  Certain people who need to support themselves while they are in Canada for other reasons such as the refugee determination process

Who can apply as a worker in Canada?

To apply for a work permit you must submit the following documents:
- a job offer from a Canadian employer
- a completed application, showing that you meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
- written confirmation from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) that the employer can hire a foreign worker to fill the job. This confirmation is called a positive labour market opinion (LMO)
Note: In some cases, you do not need a labour market opinion.

You must also do the following:

• Satisfy a visa officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your work permit.
• Show that you have enough money to support yourself while you are in Canada.
• Respect the law and have no criminal record.
• A medical examination