Maple News reports that eight Canadian firms participating in the Global Hypergrowth Project can offer LMIA-exempt, employer-specific work permits to high-skilled foreign nationals who have a job offer, giving these employers a faster path to bring in talent.
These eight companies are eligible for a five-year employer-specific permit under the Innovation Stream, a pathway designed to help innovative firms scale by granting easier access to foreign workers.
Canada recently extended the Innovation Stream pilot for two more years and it is now set to run through March 22, 2028.
LMIA-exempt permits bypass most Labour Market Impact Assessment requirements; however, employers still must meet program criteria under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Participating firms include:
– Ada Support Inc. — headquartered in Toronto, Ontario; Hiring in Canada: Yes; Hiring locations: Remote, across Canada.
– AlayaCare — headquartered in Montreal, Quebec; Hiring in Canada: Yes; Locations: In Toronto and Montreal.
– Clarius Mobile Health — headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia; Hiring in Canada: Yes; Location: Mostly in Vancouver.
– Clio — headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia; Hiring in Canada: Yes; Locations: Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary.
– Lightspeed Commerce — headquartered in Montreal, Quebec; Hiring in Canada: Yes; Locations: Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa.
– CellCarta — headquartered in Montreal, Quebec; Hiring in Canada: Not currently; Location: International positions and internships in Montreal.
– Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group — headquartered in Montreal, Quebec; Hiring in Canada: Not currently; Location: Not hiring.
– Vive Crop Protection — headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario; Hiring in Canada: Not currently; Location: U.S. locations only.
Note: Hiring status can change; this reflects current information and may evolve.
Maple News will continue to monitor updates on LMIA-exempt pathways for talent in Canada’s startup and tech sectors.