OBA Citizenship and Immigration LAW PROGRAM | Original Program Date: September 27, 2017

On June 12, 2017, the Canadian government introduced the Global Skills Strategy, a pilot project designed to assist Canadian employers in attracting the global talent they need to compete in the global marketplace. The strategy is comprised of a number of initiatives, including a work permit exemption for foreign nationals seeking to enter Canada to work for short periods of time, expedited processing of work permits for high-skilled occupations, and the Global Talent Stream to facilitate the LMIA process for certain employers and certain occupations.

The promise of the strategy was that it would facilitate the admission of highly-skilled and sought-after talent quickly and efficiently. But has the reality of the last three months of operation lived up to that promise? Hear insights from the experts on what is working well and what areas still have room for improvement, including:

• Approval times: What are the criteria for expedited processing?
• How is the short-term work permit exemption being adjudicated?
• Is there consistency of adjudication between different ports of entry and between processing centres?
• How are Service Canada officers adjudicating applications under the Global Talent Stream?
• Are there varying interpretations of the changes that are causing confusion?
• How has the strategy affected smaller employers?
• What logistical issues do you need to be aware of?

If you are currently using the Global Skills Strategy for your clients, or are planning to in the future, this is a program that you should not miss. Register now!

PROGRAM CHAIRS

Sarah Fagan, Rekai LLP
Gabriela Ramo, KPMG Law LLP

PROGRAM SPEAKERS

Melissa Babel, Fragomen (Canada) Co.
Donna Habsha, PwC, Canadian Immigration
Immi Sikand, Sikand Immigration Law Professional Corporation

Samir Mourani, Senior Program Development Officer, Temporary Foreign Worker Program, Government of Canada
Lindsey Raymond, Senior Policy Analyst, Temporary Foreign Worker Program / Employment and Social Development Canada / Government of Canada