Global Talent Stream

In June 2017, the Global Talent Stream was introduced in order to provide client-focused, accelerated processing for Canadian employers seeking to bring in foreign nationals for key, in-demand, and high skilled positions, mainly in the technology sector. The Global Talent Stream is a two year pilot project. No evidence of recruitment is required for applications submitted under the Global Talent Stream.

Since September 2017, the Global Talent Stream is open to those employers seeking to bring in foreign talent to the province of Quebec. However, there are slight variations to the federal program that applies to the rest of Canada.  

As the Global Talent Stream is a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application, foreign nationals who will be coming to work in the province of Quebec, will still be required to obtain a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’immigration, de la diversité, et de l’inclusion (Immigration Quebec). Like other LMIA applications filed in Quebec, the issuance of a positive confirmation is a joint decision between Employment and Social Development Canada (Service Canada) and Immigration Quebec.

The Global Talent Stream is an LMIA application, whereby the Canadian employer will receive two week processing, in exchange for providing the Canadian and Quebec Governments with an undertaking that the hiring of foreign nationals under this stream will provide positive benefits to the Quebec economy and labour market, such as the transfer of knowledge and skills and the hiring or retaining of Canadians or permanent residents. As part of the Global Talent Stream application, the employer will need to submit a Labour Markets Benefits Plan, which will detail the efforts and plan that will be put into place to meet the commitments of the undertaking regarding job creation and retention, training and transfer of knowledge.

The Global Talent Stream has two categories:

  1. Category A – Designated Partners
  2. Category B – Global Talent Occupations List 

Designated Partners

To qualify under Category A, a Canadian employer must be referred by one of the Global Talent Stream’s designated referral partners. Generally to be referred, a Canadian employer must already have an existing relationship with one of the designated referral partners, and they must be seeking to bring in a foreign national that has unique and specialized talent. Canadian employers must also demonstrate that they are focused on innovation and are looking to expand their business in Canada and/or internationally.  

Unique and specialized talent is generally shown by:

  • The foreign national’s advanced industry knowledge;
  • The foreign national’s advanced education in a area of specialization that is relevant to the Canadian employer;
  • The foreign national has at least five years of experience in a specialized area of training; and
  • A salary of at least $80,000 or more for the position.

Unlike Category B of the Global Talent Stream, there is no set list of occupations. However, the Government of Canada anticipates that employers who utilize Category A – Designated Partners, will only hire one or two foreign nationals under this program. 

Global Talent Occupations List

Under Category B, applications will only be accepted by Service Canada/ESDC whereby the position requested to be filled by a foreign worker is listed under the Global Talent Occupations List, and whereby the minimum wage requirement is met.

The positions listed on the Global Talent Occupations List have been deemed to be highly in-demand and therefore there is a known labour shortage in Canada. 

The Global Talent Occupations List includes the following:

  • NOC 0213 – Computer and information systems managers
  • NOC 2147 – Computer engineers
  • NOC 2171 – Information systems analysts and consultants
  • NOC 2172 – Database analysts and data administrators
  • NOC 2173 – Software engineers and designers
  • NOC 2174 – Computer programmers and interactive media developers
  • NOC 2175 – Web designers and developers
  • NOC 2241 – Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
  • NOC 2283 – Information systems testing technicians
  • NOC 5131 – Producer, technical creative and artistic director and project manager – visual effects and video game
  • NOC 5241 – Digital media designers

Labour Market Benefits Plan

As part of the Global Talent Stream, an employer is required to submit a Labour Market Benefits Plan. 

The Labour Market Benefits Plan details the commitments that an employer will make to activities that will help boost the Canadian economy and labour market. The Canadian employer will be required to provide one mandatory benefit, as well as at minimum two additional complementary benefits. 

For the mandatory benefits:

  • Under Category A – Designated Partners, a Canadian employer must commit to creating jobs for Canadians and permanent residents
  • Under Category B – Global Talent Occupations List, a Canadian employer must commit to increasing skills and training investments for Canadians and permanent residents

Examples of complementary benefits include, but are not limited to: 

  • Job creation and retention for Canadians and permanent residents
  • Investing in skills and training for Canadians and permanent residents
  • Transfer of knowledge and skills to Canadians and permanent residents
  • Increasing company performance

The employer who has received an approval under the Global Talent Stream will need to provide updates to the Governments of Canada and Quebec regarding its commitments under the Labour Market Benefits Plan.  

Work Permit Application 

Once the positive LMIA confirmation and CAQ have been issued, the foreign national may apply for their work permit. As the LMIA was issued under the Global Talent Stream, the foreign national will also benefit from two-week processing for the work permit application under the Global Skills Strategy.