Human Resources Skills Development Canada (“HRSDC”) has announced that on September 30, 2010, the IT Worker Program will come to an end, except for employers wanting to hire foreign workers for positions in Quebec, where the program will remain in place for a limited time after September 30, 2010.

Effective October 1, 2010, employers who wish to hire temporary foreign workers previously eligible under the IT Work Program will be required to apply for a labour market opinion. As of this date, work permit applications received by Citizenship and Immigration Canada or by the Canada Border Services Agency at a port of entry will require a copy of the labour market opinion for the seven specific IT occupations that were previously under the program.

My article on the IT Worker Program has been revised to reflect this change.

In May 2010, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (“HRSDC”) revised its minimum advertising requirements applicable to labour market opinion applications. These revisions include the following changes (among others):

1. Reference to Newfoundland and Labrador’s job bank;
2. For Skill Level B occupations, a requirement that recruitment activities performed in addition to the job bank posting be for a minimum of 14 days;
3. A more detailed list of what information must be included in the job bank advertisement;
4. The addition of 3 new variations to minimum advertising requirements; and
5. More detailed information regarding advertisement criteria specific to Quebec.

My article on Labour Market Opinions has been updated to reflect these revisions.