Maple News reports that Quebec has officially published its updated list of occupations eligible for the Simplified Processing Stream under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This annual update, released by Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI), determines which roles can bypass certain recruitment requirements, making it easier for employers to hire foreign talent.
The 2024 list, which came into effect on February 24, includes 181 in-demand occupations across the province. While many familiar roles remain on the list, several new job titles have been added to better match Quebec’s evolving labor market needs. These include telecommunication business managers, IT system administrators, residential construction managers, geoscientists, and oceanographers.
The streamlined process—referred to as “simplified Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)”—allows employers to hire foreign nationals without advertising the position for a mandatory 28-day period, which is typically required under federal LMIA rules. This significantly reduces paperwork and waiting times.
Developed in partnership by Emploi-Québec and MIFI, and based on Canada’s 2016 National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes, the list aims to fast-track hiring for sectors experiencing acute labor shortages.
Employers still need to submit their LMIA application to both federal (Employment and Social Development Canada) and provincial (MIFI) authorities. However, under this simplified route, they are not required to show detailed proof of recruitment efforts within Canada.
To ease the transition, Quebec’s immigration department has granted a 30-day grace period during which employers can still submit files based on the 2023 list. This buffer allows companies already in the recruitment pipeline to proceed without disruption.
Maple News notes that this policy move reflects Quebec’s ongoing strategy to address workforce gaps while promoting timely and efficient hiring of skilled foreign workers. The streamlined LMIA pathway is seen as particularly beneficial for employers in industries where qualified local candidates are scarce.
For foreign workers, this could represent a faster path to obtain a work permit and enter Quebec’s job market in sought-after professions.
Maple News will continue to monitor updates related to Quebec’s immigration policies and their impact on international talent acquisition.