If you are on the verge to seek knowledge on how Québec gives priority to temporary work permit applications in certain occupations, this post contains the most appropriate information on them.
Québec is the largest of the thirteen (13) provinces and territories in Canada. Moreover, the province of Québec is the only Canadian province that makes use of French as its official language.
As reported by Statista in 2020, the total population of Québec’s residents was estimated at 8,574,571.
Besides, Québec is a very lively city to work and live in. If you intend to work in Canada via a temporary work permit, you have a vast range of benefits to enjoy in the province of Québec.
Furthermore, the Canadian province of Québec possesses diverse cultures, religions, government programs to facilitate business growth, and other impressive qualities.
Québec gives priority to temporary work permit applications in certain occupations
Canada’s province of Québec has made provisions for a prioritized processing to foreign nationals who are applying for a Canadian temporary work permit.
More so, the priority is applicable to just 24 jobs that were highly sought-after by Québec employers during the vast outbreak of COVID-19 in several regions of the world.
As Québec gave priority to temporary work permit applications, they also limited the minimum requirements of 23 occupations out of the 24 prioritized occupations in order to attract foreign nationals for such jobs in the province of Québec.
Additionally, applications for temporary work permits in any of these occupations will be first considered amongst other kinds of work permit applications in Québec.
In similarity with one of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements for Canadian employers, Québec employers are mandated to tender a proof that they’ve searched within Canada for qualified Canadian citizens and permanent residents for the job without yielding any positive result.
Hence, a proof of advertisement suits this purpose. It is expected to show where, when, and the duration of the job advertisement.
The following are the prioritized occupations initiated by Québec for temporary work permit applications
| National Occupational Classification
(NOC) Codes |
Occupation Lists |
| 3012 | Registered Nurses & Registered Psychiatric Nurse |
| 3111 | Specialist Physician |
| 3112 | General Practitioner and Family Physicians |
| 3124 | Allied Primary Health Practitioners |
| 3131 | Pharmacist |
| 3211 | Medical Laboratory Technologist |
| 3212 | Medical Laboratory Technician and Pathologists’ Assistants |
| 3214 | Respiratory Therapist, Clinical Perfusionist & Cardiopulmonary Technologists |
| 3219 | Other Medical Technologist & Technician (with exemption of Dental Health) |
| 3233 | Licensed Practical Nurse |
| 3237 | Other Technical Occupation in Therapy and Assessment |
| 3413 | Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associate |
| 3414 | Other Assisting Occupations in support of Health Service |
| 6731 | Light Duty Cleaners |
| 6331 | Butchers, Meat Cutter and Fishmongers (Retail and Wholesales) |
| 8252 | Agricultural Service Contractor, Farm Supervisors and Specialized Livestock Worker |
| 8431 | General Farm Workers |
| 8432 | Nursery and Greenhouse Worker |
| 8611 | Harvesting Labourer |
| 9462 | Industrial Butchers and Meat Cutters, Poultry Preparer and Related Workers |
| 9463 | Fish and Seafood Plant Worker |
| 9617 | Labourer in Food, Beverage and Associated Products Processing |
| 9618 | Labourer in Fish and Seafood Processing |
| 7511 | Transport Truck Driver
*(Has been prioritized but wasn’t waived of its minimum requirement to foreign nationals) |
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption for Québec employers
Just like other Canadian provinces, LMIA is not required by all Québec employers.
However, if you are an employer that needs to hire a temporary foreign worker in your business or establishment, you are not required to apply for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under some circumstances, which includes;
- LMIA application is not required if the foreign national lives in Québec
- LMIA is not needed if the foreign worker has a valid Canadian work permit
- It is not required if he/she possesses a skilled worker Certificate of Selection in Québec (CSQ)
- Moreover, you don’t need to apply for LMIA if the foreign worker has applied for a Canadian permanent residency via Québec Skilled Worker (QSW) class
Additionally, it is mandatory for the foreign national to be categorized under any of the following.
- Firstly, you must be ready to renew your Canadian work permit for the employer that you are presently working for
- In lieu, you should be willing to extend your work permit with a new employer in the province of Québec
- Alternatively, you are required to be an international student with a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Also, you are expected to have a job offer from an employer in Québec
- As an option, you need to have a valid Canadian work permit by partaking in a program in any of International Experience Canada (IEC) categories, which includes working holiday, young professionals or international co-op (internship).
Moreover, you should be willing to renew your work permit for the present employer, as well as for the new employer in the province of Québec.
NOTE: Canadian employers and foreign workers who are unable to satisfy the above requirements are mandated to comply with Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application process.
FAQs
Q. How can I apply for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?
Ans – Applications for Labour Market Impact Assessment must be made in Service Canada, and also in Ministére de l’Immigration, et de Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) at the same time.
Thus, your applications should be made in French with exemption to in-home caregiver occupations.
Q. How do I become eligible to work in Quebec as a temporary skilled worker?
Ans – If you want to become eligible to work in Quebec as a temporary skilled worker, you need to satisfy each of the federal requirements.
More so, you are required to obtain a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec, also known as the “Acceptance Certificate” from the province of Quebec.
Additionally, if the job you are applying for requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application from ESDC, you should expect to receive a copy of the LMIA from your employer to further your application for a Canadian work permit.
