By Karim Mouldi
An article published in La Presse on August 3 brought renewed attention to a reality many collision repair shop owners already know: renewing work permits for temporary foreign workers has become a race against the clock.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) now refuses work permit applications if they are not accompanied by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)—and, in Quebec, a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)—within 60 days of submission. Employers must therefore begin the process six to seven months before the current permit expires.
Overlapping Processing Delays
A work permit issued by IRCC may depend on an LMIA issued by Service Canada and, in Quebec, a CAQ issued by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI).
However, tighter processing requirements for LMIA applications have significantly increased delays. Meanwhile, IRCC’s 60-day clock continues to run. As a result, some workers may be unable to renew their permits on time, even when their employers have taken the necessary steps.
Shops Risk Losing Trained Workers
The case of Maxime Castellon, co-owner of five Fix Auto and ProColor locations, illustrates the problem. He risks losing workers who are already trained and fully integrated into his teams, even though he has the necessary authorizations to recruit new workers.
In an industry already facing a shortage of skilled labour, the situation highlights the disconnect between administrative processing times and the realities facing businesses.
In Quebec, the requirement related to a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) to qualify for simplified processing may also force some employers to use the regular process and complete the required recruitment efforts, further extending timelines.
What Shop Managers Should Do
Do not wait until the permit is about to expire. Take inventory of your employees’ work permits and enter their expiry dates in your calendar, with an alert at least six months in advance. At that point, determine whether a new LMIA and CAQ are required and begin the process immediately.
For shops that rely on temporary foreign workers, work permit monitoring must now be part of workforce planning. Six months before expiry should become your new deadline.
If you need assistance or would like more information on this topic, you can contact Karim Mouldi at [email protected].
Photo by Metin Ozer
