The metropolis of Montreal: A welcoming land for international talents

Quebec has always been a preferred destination in North America for foreign workers. As the largest province in Canada and the second most populous, it is home to the city of Montreal, filled with opportunities for all individuals who are eager to establish themselves there.

Quebec’s Unique Streamlined Process for Hiring Temporary Foreign Workers

When Canadian employers wish to hire foreign workers, they are generally required to submit a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This process involves demonstrating to the federal government that efforts have been made to recruit Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

This step, which is closely regulated by the authorities and can take several weeks, may act as a barrier to hiring foreign workers. However, it is not always mandatory when hiring a worker in Montreal.

Indeed, thanks to programs implemented at the provincial level, Montreal benefits from a unique agreement in Canada that covers more than 300 different occupations. This list is updated annually. For these occupations, the authorities recognize a labor shortage, thereby exempting employers from the requirement to conduct recruitment efforts.

This means that for these occupations, from accountants to teachers, including engineers, many IT-related roles, and jobs in the hospitality and restaurant sectors, hiring is made easier. Montreal thus benefits from Quebec’s talent attraction policy, setting it apart from other Canadian provinces.

Additionally, Canada and Quebec have implemented a pilot project targeting occupations not included in this agreement. This initiative further exempts employers from the requirement to conduct recruitment efforts. Cashiers, maintenance workers, and general laborer positions are among those covered by this pilot.

This ongoing collaboration between the two levels of government helps accelerate the arrival of foreign workers in the francophone metropolis. These workers are essential to meeting the growing labor needs in the Canadian province with the lowest unemployment rate.

Montreal, a city oriented toward the international stage

With the ongoing goal of facilitating the arrival and integration of foreign workers into Quebec’s labor market, the province has signed several agreements with countries around the world to encourage the arrival of talent.

For the past 15 years, the province has had a mutual recognition agreement with France covering more than 80 professions. These include occupations ranging from healthcare to mechanics, as well as urban planners and bakers. This agreement facilitates the arrival of skilled workers in Montreal, as their qualifications are already recognized. A similar agreement also exists with Switzerland.

In the same spirit, Montreal benefits from Quebec’s numerous agreements with foreign countries in the areas of social services and education, which help ease the integration of foreign nationals upon their arrival. This support allows newcomers to quickly develop a sense of belonging to their new city.

Federal international agreements: An advantage for workers in Quebec as well

Canada, like Quebec, is committed to facilitating the global mobility of foreign talent. Through bilateral agreements with more than 35 countries around the world, Canada offers young people the opportunity to work or intern in the country without requiring employers to submit a LMIA in advance.

From Australia to France, including Chile and South Korea, the International Experience Canada program allows young people to enhance their professional journey while significantly simplifying the process for employers.

In the same spirit, Canada is a member of numerous free trade agreements, such as CUSMA in North America, CETA with the European Union, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)nwhich serve as strong examples.

These agreements generally include provisions that facilitate the mobility of foreign professionals, allowing many employers to speed up their recruitment processes by once again avoiding the need to go through the LMIA process.

These numerous agreements represent an exceptional opportunity for Montreal employers to recruit international talent easily and quickly, while minimizing the administrative procedures involved.

What about permanent residency ?

As the province with the greatest autonomy over immigration in Canada, Quebec also has specific programs for accessing permanent residency.

Indeed, outside of Quebec, it can be extremely long and difficult, if not impossible to obtain permanent residency without holding at least a semi-skilled job. La Belle Province, however, recognizes that all talents have a place in the province and has therefore established programs that allow lower-skilled workers to qualify for permanent status.

Additionally, as the province prepares to submit its new multi-annual immigration plan, it is important to note the prospect of increasing the annual permanent immigration thresholds. It is also worth highlighting the opportunity for francophone graduates in Quebec to obtain permanent residency without having to demonstrate work experience, something that remains impossible in other Canadian provinces.

The federal government has also implemented various streamlined work permit programs for permanent residency applicants in Quebec. These programs make it easier for them to remain in the province while supporting their retention by Quebec employers until a final decision is made.

Compared to other canadian metropolises, Montreal stands out in attracting foreign workers. Whether through nationwide programs or specific agreements not available in other provinces, the hiring and retention of foreign talent is made easier in many ways.

Backed by strong provincial programs, Montreal is full of opportunities for global talent and actively implements measures to welcome those who wish to settle there.

This article was written by Dylan Alary, immigration lawyer. It was last updated on June 15, 2023.

Picture by Nathalia Segato from Unsplash