Edmonton Economic Development Corporation

"Report examines Alberta labour market, impact of labour shortages Study reveals cost of labour shortages, offers recommendations for tackling one of the province's most pressing policy challenges. By Jamie Hanlon on July 18, 2013 (Edmonton) The scope of Alberta's labour shortage and the need for recommendations on how to address it were the catalyst for a year-and-a-half-long study of one of the province's most pressing policy challenges. The University of Alberta's Institute for Public Economics commissioned the study to foster informed debate on the highly relevant policy issue. An Examination of Alberta Labour Markets explains that the opportunity cost of not filling jobs under an economic scenario similar to that outlined in Alberta's 2013 budget is $33 billion in current dollars over four years. Lost personal tax revenue to the provincial and federal governments is estimated to be nearly $6.8 billion over four years. The report emphasizes that several industries risk significant shortages-including retail, hotel and food services, and health care. Edmonton and the Banff-Jasper region are two areas at the greatest risk for labour shortages. To counteract these trends, the report's authors developed a number of recommendations to provide access to otherwise untapped labour groups including mature workers, disabled people and First Nations people. "This comprehensive analysis leads to a number of concrete policy actions that can be taken by both the federal and Alberta governments," said Robert Ascah, director of the institute. "The report's recommendations are aimed at developing a highly skilled workforce, which will benefit all Albertans. "This means attracting the most skilled workers possible and ensuring we are doing everything we can to have apprentices complete their training." The study was funded by the Government of Alberta and 12 associations and unions with an interest in addressing periodic labour shortages in A

"A pre-approved LMO or 'pre-approval to hire temporary foreign workers' is a process introduced by Service Canada for employers hiring foreign workers in occupations where the recruitment activities are 'prolonged and/or extensive'. Given the current pressure for workers, most of the occupations in the construction industry fall under this category. Pre-approved LMOs are used when the employer wishes to have an 'approval in principle' prior to starting the recruitment phase. It is important to note that pre-approved LMOs do not guarantee a positive Labour Market Opinion from Service Canada. LMOs are specific to a particular worker and the labour market situation at any given time. The actual determination of a positive LMO can only be made after the employee has been selected. If you have already applied for a pre-approval, you will only provide the worker-specific information once you have selected your worker. For employers who have not applied for a pre-approval to hire a worker, "

 following academic institutions offer the ICCRC accredited immigration practitioner program labour immigration training.

"Eligible occupations will include electricians, welders, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, and pipefitters, among others"

"to clarify for employers that they may use the Labour Market Opinion (LMO) or Accelerated Labour Market Opinion (A‑LMO) process rather than the Alberta Occupation-Specific Pilot. If an employer uses the LMO or A‑LMO process, the foreign national(s) should be issued an employer-specific Work Permit (WP)."

"means that anyone who provides paid immigration advice at the pre-application stage will need to be an authorized representative"

prevailing wage

5.30. Canadian interests: Significant benefit-Entrepreneurs/self-employed candidates seeking  to operate a business R205(a), C11 Applicants who have, or may have, a dual intent (see OP11, section 5.4) to seek status as a  worker and then eventually as a permanent resident, must satisfy the officer that they have the  ability and willingness to leave Canada at the end of the temporary period authorized under R183. Permanent resident applicants If a permanent resident applicant has met the definition of ―entrepreneur‖ or ―self-employed‖ (R97 to R101) and has been selected, they may be issued a work permit if there are compelling and  urgent reasons to authorize the entry of the person before processing is complete. They must  demonstrate that their admission to Canada to begin establishing or operating their business  would generate significant economic, social or cultural benefits or opportunities for Canadian  citizens or permanent residents pursuant to R205(a). It is expected that it would be a rare  applicant who could satisfy an officer that their entry into Canada would provide a significant  benefit before their eligibility for permanent residence has been assessed. It should be noted that  any ‗early admission' entrepreneurs must also satisfy the officer that they meet the requirements  of A22(2), that they ‗will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay', if their  permanent residence application is ultimately refused. A work permit should not be granted to  remedy concerns relating to processing times, particularly if serious questions such as source of  funds remain outstanding. Note: Special considerations apply when the application for a work permit comes from a foreign  national who is being considered by a provincial or territorial government for nomination as a  permanent resident. Provinces and territories sometimes identify foreign nationals as  potential nominees, based on their intention to u

s new Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education, Stephen Khan, will announce a partnership with SAIT Polytechnic on Monday to help address the looming worker shortage. By 2014, the Alberta government estimates that approximately 16 per cent of its construction workforce will need to be replaced.