Quebec Announces List of Occupations Eligible for Simplified LMIA Processing in 2023
Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration released the list of eligible occupations for simplified Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing for this year on February 24, 2023. LMIA is a process used to ensure that the hiring of a temporary foreign worker will not hurt Canada’s labour market.
Employers are sometimes eligible for simplified LMIA processing for certain roles in Quebec, but the eligible occupations change every year. This year, more than 300 jobs are on the province’s list, up from 181 two years ago. The list of occupations “applies to all of Quebec and takes into account the labour needs of all regions.”
Quebec employers and their representatives are given a one-month grace period after the new occupations list comes into effect every year. During this time, submitted LMIA applications “may be examined [based on] last year’s … list” [of eligible occupations]. The 2023 grace period ends on March 24 this year.
Quebec will be processing LMIA applications in line with a new National Occupation Classification (NOC) system for the first time. Since the last occupations list update on February 24, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has transitioned to an updated NOC 2021 system. This NOC system will be used to assess all LMIA applications going forward.
To qualify for simplified LMIA processing, employers must meet three conditions:
- Offer competitive working conditions equal to what would be offered to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in the same role in the same sector.
- Prove compliance with provincial laws and regulations.
- Provide temporary foreign workers with free medical coverage for as long as they are ineligible for Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) coverage.
Employers offering low-wage positions to temporary foreign workers in Quebec must also meet additional eligibility criteria. Quebec-based employers must have their LMIA applications approved simultaneously by both the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec, in a two-step approval process. Any applications not submitted to both government bodies will be rejected.
