Canadian Federation of Musicians supports changes to Citizenship and Immigration Canada's temporary foreign workers program

TORONTO, Sept. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM), Canada's leading professional organization representing Canadian musicians, assures that the recently announced changes to the processing fee implemented by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for Labour Market Opinion (LMO) in no way affect AFM members. AFM members will continue to only require a work permit when performing for a venue that is not exempt and will not require an LMO approval prior to entry in Canada.  Venues that are not recognized as work permit exempt will incur the fees directly, as well as those which engage musicians who are not members of the AFM.

"If Canadian bar and restaurant owners wish to avoid these fees when importing musicians from the United States, they need simply hire AFM musicians and sign a union contract for their services.  This is a procedure they should consider regardless to ensure professional quality, and the contract is their guarantee the band will appear and perform as agreed upon," suggested Alan Willaert, AFM Vice-President from Canada.

CFM issued a notice to its membership this week intended to dispel unfounded fears that have surfaced within the member community.  To set the record straight on the details of the changes:

• Labour Market Opinion (LMO) fee of $275Cdn per foreign entertainer will be required from all venues that are not exempt. This processing fee must be paid by the purchaser/venue engaging the Foreign Worker/performer; the cost cannot be passed forward to the Foreign Worker.
  
  
• Recognized entertainment venues, festivals, music conferences/award shows, as well as travelling entourages of 15+ [musicians, crew, tour manager and all supplemental positions] are work-permit exempt and LMO exempt.
  
  
• The minimum cost for single musician who is not an AFM member is now $425.  That is $275 LMO processing fee paid by the venue (at the time of application) plus the existing $150 work permit fee paid by the musician (s) upon entry to Canada.
  
  
• The fees are applicable on any tour that has a least one performance venue that is not work permit exempt.  There are many venues across the country that remain work permit exempt.

Building on AFM Canada's long and successful legacy, CFM will continue furthering the particular interests and needs of professional musicians who earn their living in this country. Everyday CFM helps thousands of musicians with any number of issues related to the recording and performing of their craft.  The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada draws on the experience and strength of more than 90,000 musicians, with over 17,000 active members in Canada alone. Proudly celebrating 32 remarkable years of service, CFM is uniquely positioned to address Canadian issues, and provides vital resources for Canadian musicians, at any stage in their careers.   For more information please visit us at www.cfmusicians.org׀ CFM on twitter׀ CFM on Facebook.

SOURCE: American Federation of Musicians

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