Voulez-Vous Travailler au Canada? A Return to the LMIA-Exempt Francophone Stream

On June 1, 2016, the Mobilité Francophone stream under the International Mobility Program began accepting applications. Employers looking to hire French-speaking skilled temporary foreign workers in francophone communities outside of Quebec are exempt from having to obtain Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) under this stream. The purpose of the program is to encourage the hiring of francophone foreign workers in francophone communities outside Quebec, strengthening and supporting the social and cultural fabric of Canadian society while respecting the federal, bilingual and multicultural character of Canada.

A Welcome Return

Mobilité Francophone is a return to the Significant Benefit – French stream that the previous government had cancelled in 2014. The key reason why this return benefits both employers and employees is that it eliminates the requirement for an LMIA, making it easier and quicker for employers to hire French-speaking skilled temporary foreign