Immigration
Chronology of Key Activities on Immigration
DECEMBER 2022
Employers and temporary workers to benefit from family work permits
On Dec 2nd the Canadian Government announced that starting in January 2023, through a temporary 2-year measure, Canada will expand eligibility to work in Canada to spouses and working-age children through a phased approach for workers at all skill levels.
More international youth to work and travel in Canada
On Dec 1st the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, launched the 2023 International Experience Canada (IEC) Program with a 20% increase in the number of applicants who can apply. Applicants will be able to apply as of January 9, 2023.
AUGUST 2022
Industry meeting with Hon. Monte McNaughton Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development on positive hospitality changes.
JUNE 2022
Invitation to Speak on Federal Tourism Strategy
ORHMA called for critical workforce changes needs in a meeting with the Federal Tourism Ministry
JUNE 2022
Canadian Immigration Consultations
ORHMA once again calling for higher immigrant and higher non skilled positions to fill hospitality jobs.
APRIL 2022
Further Temporary Foreign Worker reforms – Big Win
Federal Budget announcement naming accommodations and restaurants a priority sector for favourable changes to include lifting of the unemployment rate qualification and increasing the amount of TFW’s in a workplace from 10 to 35%.
MARCH 2022
ORHMA as member of the national Hardest Hit Coalition led by HAC ad TIAC joined a call to action and directly participated in meetings with MP’s on immigration reforms.
JANUARY 2022
Positive Changes Announced to LMIA Regarding Temporary Foreign Workers- Big Win
Opening the application window for Temporary Foreign Workers- There are positive changes initiated benefiting resort and hospitality operators in many economic regions. The Canadian Government has rescinded the Refusal to Process (RTP) Ministerial Directive. This means that the Government will now consider TFW/LMIA applications without relying on unemployment restrictions at 6%.
Changing the methodology for considering LMIA applications
The Government will now update the three-month unemployment rate applicable to LMIA reviews quarterly rather than annually which was the case in the former methodology. The change to the four reviews per year rather than once as formerly done has beneficial consequences for hospitality.
NOVEMBER 2021
LMA Immigration Director Meeting
Along with the Living Waters team advocated for Temporary Foreign Worker changes.
SEPTEMBER 2021
Ontario Support Meeting
Meeting with Hon. Monte McNaughton Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development calling for critical workforce support.
JUNE 2021
Standing Committee on Citizenship & Immigration Report Released – Big Win
Excerpt from the report. “The Committee makes recommendations to Employment and Social DevelopmentCanada (ESDC) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The Committee urges ESDC to increase the maximum percentage of temporary foreign workers and create a “trusted employer” designation under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. It recommends exempting selected tourist regions from the 6% unemployment limit”
JUNE 2021
Position of Cook Under the Ontario Immigrant Provincial Nominee Program (OINP)
ORHMA advocating for inclusion of Cook under the OINP to keep international students in Ontario hospitality businesses with Hon. Monte McNaughton Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development See attached
MAY 2021
Amendment Recommendation to the Labour Market Impact Assessment under the Temporary Foreign Workers Program
ORHMA driving Temporary Foreign Worker program changes through Honourable Minister Carla Qualtrough Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability
MAY 2021
House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship & Immigration
The Living Waters team endorsed by ORHMA presented to the committee calling for favourable changes to the LMIA process to ease the restrictions for bringing Temporary Foreign Workers to hospitality operations.
APRIL 2021
Hospitality NOC Codes
ORHMA advocating for changes to the NOC Codes to include hospitality occupations with Minister Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
MARCH 2021
Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TPFWP)
ORHMA advocating for favourable amendments to the TFW program Honourable Minister Carla Qualtrough Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
OCTOBER / DECEMBER 2020
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Consultations
ORHMA and industry collaboration driving and achieving favourable amendments.
SEPTEMBER 2020
Canadian Immigration Consultations
ORHMA meeting with Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship driving the message friendlier immigration policies needed to suit hospitality.