Amendments to Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations

April 2014POEA MARKET UPDATE NO. 09-14AMENDMENTS TO CANADA'S IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE PROTECTION REGULATIONSThe Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations of Canada (IRPR) was amended effective 31 December 2013 to strengthen the integrity of Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Following the changes, employers intending to apply for a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) need to be aware of the new powers and duties conferred on the Minister of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) under the amendments.The following are the conditions/restrictions on the application and approval of LMO:1. The ESDC will not have the authority to provide an LMO to an employer or a group of employers who, on a regular basis, offer striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages:• The purpose of this decision is to protect foreign workers from the risk of abuse and exploitation.• No LMO fee will be charged for applications not processed.2. The amendments to the IRPR will create new conditions that employers will be required to comply with, particularly:• Retain any document that relates to compliance with the conditions set...