Question: I operate a small restaurant (10-15 employees) in the Sea to Sky corridor and am finding it almost impossible to find qualified Cooks. I would like to hire a temporary foreign worker to start in April or May of next year and would like to know the best time to start the process. I’ve been told that if I advertise too soon (i.e. now), Service Canada may not approve the LMO. I’ve been told that they prefer to have the recruitment process occur closer to the time the LMO is submitted as the employment situation may be different at that time. However, if I leave it too late, I’m afraid I may not find someone in time to start when I need them. Any suggestions?
Answer: I would suggest that you start the recruitment process as soon as possible and apply for an LMO ‘in principle’ (i.e. before you have found the candidate to fill the position). Although Service Canada has been able to substantially reduce the processing time for reviewing and deciding on LMO applications since the summer (it’s gone from approximately six months to around three weeks), it can still take time to find a qualified candidate and get him/her through the whole process (receiving an LMO is just one step in the process). If Service Canada issues a positive LMO it is valid for up to a year before you need to find a candidate and fill the position. The TFW can then work in the position for up to two years before they have to return home. Not only will this help insure you have enough time to find the person you need for next summer, but you will then be well positioned to ensure you have the staff you need well into 2010 and beyond.
You can email your foreign worker program questions to plarose@go2hr.ca.
