CANADA ROLLS OUT 'RECOGNIZED EMPLOYER PILOT'

Submitted by Jaya Kiran on Sat, 10/25/2025 - 16:34

On August 8, 2023, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages announced the implementation of the Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) as part of the labour market impact assessment (LMIA) process. The REP was rolled out on September 12, 2023, and is scheduled to conclude in December 2026.

The REP offers a streamlined application process for employers who frequently use the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to fill positions identified on the REP occupations list. This list of occupations designated for the REP is based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes deemed to be in shortage.

Recognized employers enrolled in the REP can receive an LMIA that is valid for up to 36 months, thereby giving employers more time to use their LMIAs to fill their labour needs. Not all REP LMIAs are valid for 36 months as most expire at the end of the pilot program, December 31, 2026. The only REP LMIAs that may remain valid beyond December 31, 2026, are those received during the final 6 months of the pilot, that is, starting July 1, 2026. These applications will automatically obtain a 6-month validity LMIA.

LMIAs enable foreign nationals to apply for work permits until the LMIA is no longer valid or all the spaces have been used. In other words, an LMIA may be reused by an applicant for a subsequent application, as long as it remains valid and there are still REP spaces remaining for the employer. 

The total number of positions approved can be broken down by year for a total period of 3 years, and this breakdown is recorded and shared in the ESDC comments in GCMS. Employers have the option to adjust their yearly allocation based on their labour needs, as long as they do not exceed the total number of positions approved.

REP LMIAs may be issued under any of the following streams:

  • permanent resident
  • low-wage
  • high-wage
  • primary agriculture (agricultural stream and the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program)
  • caregiver

Source: IRCC_ Temp.Workers publications and manuals