As previously discussed on the blog, in July 2013 major changes were announced and subsequently implemented with respect to the issuance of Labour Market Opinions (LMOs) for foreign workers on behalf of employers by Service Canada. Subsequent statements by our old friend and the new Minister responsible, Minister Kenney, strongly indicate that the more permissive atmosphere for the issuance of LMOs is now over. This came on the heels of several "scandals" involving issuance of LMOs for companies that were outsourcing skilled work and bulk LMOs being issued even where there was no demonstrable need.
The current regime, at least in Alberta, is being administered in a haphazard and nonsensical manner. Service Canada is calling employers and demanding that they advertise in three sources for four weeks and then afterwards until the LMO is ready to be determined. As processing times are now 4-8 weeks in Alberta, this has resulted in Service Canada forcing employers to have advertised in three sources for 7 to 11 weeks when all published timeframes indicate 4 weeks of advertising prior to the filing of the LMO in three sources suffices. Needless to say this has left employers perplexed and infuriated as Service Canada is irregularly and inconsistently applying unknown and unpublished standards in assessing recruitment efforts. Similarly Service Canada is also demanding that all low skilled positions be listed as requiring no work experience even where employers can easily demonstrate that some work experience would be required to adequately work in the position.
The inconsistent and changing standards and creeping refusal culture indicate that individuals at the highest level have been advised to cut back on the issuance of LMOs regardless of need from employers. Aside from the inconvenient fact that the current government was in power during the period when LMOs were being issued almost automatically (at least in Alberta), the current regime and culture are in place to score cheap popularity points at a time when employers in Alberta are still suffering labour shortages. Industry in Alberta needs to leverage its influence to alter the situation as soon as possible. Industry, employers and consumers will all suffer needlessly and pointlessly otherwise.
The current regime, at least in Alberta, is being administered in a haphazard and nonsensical manner. Service Canada is calling employers and demanding that they advertise in three sources for four weeks and then afterwards until the LMO is ready to be determined. As processing times are now 4-8 weeks in Alberta, this has resulted in Service Canada forcing employers to have advertised in three sources for 7 to 11 weeks when all published timeframes indicate 4 weeks of advertising prior to the filing of the LMO in three sources suffices. Needless to say this has left employers perplexed and infuriated as Service Canada is irregularly and inconsistently applying unknown and unpublished standards in assessing recruitment efforts. Similarly Service Canada is also demanding that all low skilled positions be listed as requiring no work experience even where employers can easily demonstrate that some work experience would be required to adequately work in the position.
The inconsistent and changing standards and creeping refusal culture indicate that individuals at the highest level have been advised to cut back on the issuance of LMOs regardless of need from employers. Aside from the inconvenient fact that the current government was in power during the period when LMOs were being issued almost automatically (at least in Alberta), the current regime and culture are in place to score cheap popularity points at a time when employers in Alberta are still suffering labour shortages. Industry in Alberta needs to leverage its influence to alter the situation as soon as possible. Industry, employers and consumers will all suffer needlessly and pointlessly otherwise.
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