Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)

ESDC's Role in Canada's Immigration System

ESDC plays a pivotal role in improving the economy of Canada by supporting highly skilled workers in Canada and those from overseas. This department ensures that there is a balance in the labour market by ensuring that the Canadian workers are not adversely affected. The ESDC overseas the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to gauge the impact of hiring a foreign national on the Canadian labour market. If the impact is negative it will affect the the wages and employment of workers in Canada.

To overcome such situations, the Canadian government overseas the LMIA for certain skilled worker immigration and temporary foreign worker programs.

ESDC considers the following when assessing an LMIA application:

• If the salary offered to the foreign national is consistent with the prevailing wage for the occupation in the area that it is located.
• If the working conditions meet the Canadian labour laws
• If the foreign national is going to fill a labour shortage in that area
• If the hiring of the foreign national will lead to transfer of unique skills and expertise to Canadians
• If the hiring of the foreign national will lead to job creation
• If there is a labour dispute and the hiring of the foreign national is likely to improve this situation