September 11, 2017 – The Quebec government has unveiled its version of the federal Global Talent Stream (GTS) providing two-week processing of a Canada work permit for top foreign talent seeking jobs in Quebec.  The GTS is part of the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and is designed to help expanding companies access foreign workers that are not available in Canada.

Qualified companies must ensure the Canadian economy will benefit through a variety of measures, including knowledge transfer and investment in skills and training that will help improve Canada’s labour market in designated, high-skilled industries.

The federal GTS was launched in Canada on June 12, 2017, and helps Canadian business attract the best and brightest foreign workers. The previous standard for work permit processing was six months. Under the GTS, the standard is 10 working days for approved companies.

“Thanks to the Quebec government’s collaboration in implementing these new measures, Quebec companies can take full advantage of the Global Skills Strategy, just like Canadian companies outside Quebec,” said Quebec Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil. “They will benefit from easier and faster access to highly specialized talent from around the world,” she said

How Will the Global Talent Stream Work in Quebec?

GTS in Quebec will operate in tandem with the federal program.  The major difference is that employers must also submit their GTS application simultaneously to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and to Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion (MIDI).

GTS Category A

There are two categories under GTS. Category A features a list of ESDC designated partners who can refer employers for access to the stream. In Quebec, the three designated partners for GTS Category A are:

• Investissement Quebec
• Montréal International
• Quebec International

Employers can turn to any one of the above organizations to be referred to the federal government for access to the GTS.

Under Category A, foreign workers must possess a unique and specialized talent to qualify for a Canada work permit, defined as:

• Advanced knowledge of the industry.
• Highly paid position with a salary of usually $80,000 or more.

EITHER

• Advanced degree in an area of specialization of interest to the employer

OR

• Minimum of five years of experience in the field of specialized experience.

GTS Category B

Under GTS Category B, any employer can access the stream if they are hiring from a list of in-demand occupations, called the Global Talent Occupations List. This list was developed with the input of the Quebec provincial government. A key different in Quebec is that it will set its own minimum wage for NOC codes 2241, 2283, 5131 and 5241. These will be published on the Quebec immigration website.

Global Talent Occupations List

For Category B of the Global Talent Stream, employers must hire highly-skilled foreign workers to fill positions in occupations found on the following list:

* Quebec sets its own minimum wage floors for applications from within Quebec. Consult the Quebec immigration website for more information

Processing Fee

Non-refundable $1,000 to be paid by the employer.

Labour Market Benefits Plan

A key requirement for GTS is the Labour Market Benefits Plan (LMBP).

Developed with ESDC, it must show how hiring a foreign worker will help a company either create jobs for or transfer skills to Canadians. It also allows the ESDC to track a company’s progress.

The LMBP features mandatory and complementary benefits.

Under Category A, the mandatory benefit is creating jobs, whether directly or indirectly, for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Under Category B, the mandatory benefit is to increasing skills and training investments for Canadians and permanent residents.

The LMBP must also provide two complementary benefits, which cannot be the same as the mandatory benefit. These include, but are not limited to:

• Job creation,
• Investment in skills and training,
• Transferring knowledge,
• Enhanced company performance and
• Implementing best practices or policies as an employer for your workforce.

Global Talent Stream: General Requirements

Business Legitimacy

Employers must provide evidence they are actively engaged in the business needing the temporary worker. The business must provide a good or service related to the job offer.

Employers new to TFWP must submit one document as proof. Returning employers are not required to re-submit documents, but may be asked for additional proof.

Allowable documents include a Canadian business licence, legal incorporation forms, tax documents and attested documents. For a full list, click here.

Recruitment

Employers are encouraged to actively seek to hire Canadians and permanent residents before looking abroad for workers. A description of how this has been done will be requested.

Wages

Wages must match the prevailing amount paid to Canadians and permanent residents for the same position.

Job Duties and Working Conditions

Workers hired under TFWP must only do the job they were hired for. Foreign workers are covered by the same laws that protect Canadians and permanent residents. Exploitation of a foreign worker violates Canadian law.

Provincial and territorial laws cover standards such as:

• Hours of work (including overtime)
• Compensation
• Working conditions
• Termination of employment

Workplace Safety

Foreign workers must be covered by provincial or territorial workplace safety insurance where required by law. Any private plan must match or better the terms of the provincial or territorial plan.

Language Restriction

A job can only require English or French when advertised. If other languages are essential, justification is required at the application stage.

Unionized Positions

For positions covered by a union, the foreign worker must be treated the same as Canadians and permanent residents also covered by that union, in terms of wages and terms and conditions.

Employer Compliance

Employers must comply with all general requirements of the TFWP.