Global Talent Stream

What is the Global Talent Stream ("GTS")?

On June 12, 2017, IRCC and ESDC launched the Global Skills Strategy in hopes of making it easier for Canadian businesses to attract the talent they need to succeed in a global marketplace. By providing Canadian businesses with a faster way to bring in global talent so they can grow and, in turn, create better jobs for Canadians. The Global Talent Stream is the most significant part of the Global Skills Strategy. 

Canadian employers are eligible to apply through the GTS if they have been referred to the GTS by one of ESDC's designated partner (category A) or seeking to hire foreign workers in highly skilled occupations within technology, such as engineers, information systems analyst and software programmers (category B). 

This stream provides eligible employers with priority processing (10 business days), flexible recruitment requirements and work permit processing of 10 business days by IRCC.

Labour Market Benefits Plan 

Employers must develop a Labour Market Benefits Plan, where they will commit to undertaking activities to create jobs or increase skills and training investments for Canadians and permanent residents. ESDC will work with employers during the application process to complete the Labour Market Benefits Plan. The commitments will be divided into mandatory and complimentary benefits. 

If you are applying based on Category A: 

• You must commit to creating jobs for Canadian and permanent residents as your mandatory benefit; and 

• You must also commit to achieving a minimum of two complementary benefits with at least one activity for each benefit 

If you are applying based on Category B: 

• You must commit to increasing skills and training investment for Canadians and permanent residents as your mandatory benefit; and 

• You must also commit to achieving a minimum of two complementary benefits with at least one activity for each benefit 

If you are applying for positions in both Category A and Category B, you must commit to one activity as part of the job creation benefit and one activity as part of the investments skills and training benefit, as well as at least two complementary benefits. 

Complementary benefits can include job creation, investment in skills and training, transferring knowledge to Canadians and permanent residents, increasing workplace diversity, enhanced company performance and implementing best practices or policies as an employer for your workforce. 

Progress Reviews 

Progress reviews are a fundamental measure to ensure compliance as an employer with the conditions of hiring a temporary foreign worker. These reviews will be conducted by ESDC on an annual basis to assess if an employer is meeting the commitments detailed in the Labour Market Benefits Plan. The first review is generally scheduled one year after you sign your plan. 

If reasonable efforts are not made to meet the commitments established in your Labour Market Benefits Plan or a review is not completing within the requested timeframe, you will likely receive a negative decision on future GTS applications. 

For GTS inquiries, contact info@ngilaw.com.