The Canadian government has reduced the number of designated referral partners for its Global Talent Stream (GTS) by 29%, from 58 to 41 organisations. This change affects employers seeking to hire highly specialised foreign workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The updated list of authorised organisations was published recently as part of changes to the programme requirements. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is responsible for the changes.
The reduction in referral partners means employers in certain regions will have to seek referrals from other designated organisations, including those operating at the national level. Ontario recorded the largest number of removals, with eight organisations dropped from the list. Other affected organisations were located in British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, as well as at the pan-Canadian level. Despite the cuts, employers still have access to 41 designated referral partners across Canada.
The GTS provides an expedited route for innovative companies seeking to recruit highly skilled foreign workers. It was designed to help Canadian businesses fill specialised positions where they are unable to readily find the required talent locally. For employers applying under Category A, the process begins with a referral from a designated partner, typically an economic development, industry or regional organisation authorised to assess whether the employer and its proposed hire meet the programme’s requirements.
Category A is designed for Canadian employers seeking foreign workers for unique and specialised positions. Unlike Category B, which covers occupations on the Global Talent Occupations List, Category A requires an employer to obtain a referral from a designated partner before submitting a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The employer must demonstrate that it is seeking a unique and specialised worker, generally for a position paying at least C$80,000 a year or the prevailing wage for the occupation, whichever is higher.
Once a designated partner refers the employer, the company can submit its LMIA application to ESDC. The GTS provides expedited processing, with ESDC aiming to process eligible applications within 10 business days in 80 percent of cases. Employers must also submit a Labour Market Benefits Plan outlining how hiring the foreign worker will generate longer-term benefits for Canada’s labour market, including through skills development, knowledge transfer or job creation.
The current network of referral partners includes national bodies such as the Business Development Bank of Canada, Council of Canadian Innovators, Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service, Invest in Canada, the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program and the Privy Council Office’s Special Projects Team. Regional partners also remain across several provinces, including the BC Tech Association, Invest Vancouver and Economic Development Winnipeg, alongside provincial governments, economic development agencies and regional innovation organisations.
The reduction in referral partners does not remove the Category A pathway but changes how employers can access it. Companies affected by the removal of a local referral partner will need to approach another designated organisation, including one of the remaining pan-Canadian partners. For employers able to meet the requirements, the GTS continues to offer a faster route to recruiting specialised international talent, although the 29 percent reduction in referral partners means there are now fewer entry points into Category A.
Key points
- Canada reduced the number of designated referral partners for its Global Talent Stream by 29%, from 58 to 41 organisations.
- The reduction affects employers seeking to hire highly specialised foreign workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
- Despite the cuts, employers still have access to 41 designated referral partners across Canada.
