Simplified and accelerated procedures for qualified temporary workers - Montréal International welcomes labour market opinion (LMO) exemption announced by the Ministère de l'Immigration et des Communautés Culturelles

MONTREAL, June 5, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Montréal International (MI) welcomes the Labour Market Opinion (LMO) exemption provided by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) at the request of Québec's Ministère de l'Immigration et des Communautés culturelles (MICC). This provision will facilitate the process to extend or renew work permits for qualified temporary workers residing in Québec and will simplify and accelerate procedures for Québec employers when hiring international talent.

"These improvements to the immigration process are of particular interest to us as they will help temporary workers acquire permanent resident status a lot more easily," said Jacques St-Laurent, President and CEO of Montréal International. "This is excellent news as retaining international talent is an essential response to dealing with shortages of qualified labour in Greater Montréal's high-tech sectors."

This Labour Market Opinion exemption is also in line with the recommendations MI made in fall 2011 as part of the public consultation on multi-year immigration planning for 2012-2015. Following a consultation of MI member organizations, the economic development organization suggested that MICC implement an accelerated procedure for certain professions and asked that candidates with a Québec selection certificate and authentic employment offer from a Québec employer be able to obtain a temporary work permit without having to go through the LMO process.

"At Montréal International, we are fully aware of the contribution immigration makes to the economic development of Greater Montréal and the importance of ensuring that Québec remains an attractive destination for strategic talent," explained Jacques St-Laurent. "We thank CIC and the Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities, Kathleen Weil, for making Québec a winner in the race for international talent."

In 2011, Montréal International provided information to close to 1,200 strategic foreign workers on the procedure to obtain permanent residency and helped almost 700 workers apply for temporary work permits. MI has also added talent attraction to its activities, and with the support of the Conseil emploi métropole (Metropolitan Employment Council), coordinated the participation of Greater Montréal businesses in two "Québec days" recruiting missions in France.

About Montréal International (www.montrealinternational.com)

Montréal International—a non-profit organization—was created in 1996 as a result of a private/public partnership. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of metropolitan Montréal and to enhance its international status. Its mandates include attracting foreign investment, international organizations and qualified foreign workers, as well as promoting innovation and the development of industry clusters in the metropolitan region. Montréal International is funded by the private sector, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (Montréal Metropolitan Community), the City of Montréal and the Governments of Canada and Québec.

Céline Clément
Communications Advisor
Montréal International
Tel.: [phone]
[email protected]