Recognizing that finding workers for certain sectors is a challenge, PSAC is working with its members to explore all potential sources.

PSAC member companies working globally have established a Subcommittee on International and Cross-Border Employment issues to identify the roadblocks in moving workers across borders and come up with a framework and action plan of how PSAC can help. It is also a forum for members to exchange best practices. The Subcommittee meets five times per year. If you are interested in joining the Subcommittee, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

PSAC has established a relationship with Sherritt Greene, an immigration law firm in Calgary, to help members with the process of bringing in foreign workers and overcome many of the challenges faced by both applicants and sponsoring companies. Find more details here.

Please Note: The regulations governing Temporary Foreign Workers are changing effective April 1, 2011 and they may affect your company. You can find out more here.

Below you will find links to government and other programs providing more information about hiring foreign workers.

Government Programs and Initiatives

Federal Foreign Worker Program
Details on the federal foreign worker program can be found at this link:
www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/index.shtml 

 Much of the work PSAC has been doing with Human Resources & Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) to bring in foreign workers when required is currently on hold. As of January 1, 2009, the Regional Occupations Under Pressure lists initiative has been cancelled and Service Canada has replaced it with new national minimum recruiting requirements for all Labour Market Opinions (LMOs). The efforts already expended on this project will be kept on file and serve as a starting point for future discussions with Service Canada once activity levels rebound.

International Student and Young Worker Employment Program
Countries such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the US and India have signed agreements with Canada under this program, which allows mobility and exchange of young professionals and university graduates to gain Canadian work experience. The program does not require Alberta employers to apply for a Labour Market Opinion, and young workers or students from abroad are not required to secure employment in Canada in advance.

More details can be found at the following links:

• Foreign Affairs, International Youth Programs (Europe):
  www.international.gc.ca/123go/descriptions-en.asp
• Work & Travel Programs for German Citizens:
  www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canada-europa/germany/visa-internD-en.asp 

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) (Formerly the Provincial Nominee Program - PNP)
The provincial and federal governments have joined forces on the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) which helps expedite the processing of an application for permanent residence for valued foreign workers sponsored by their employers.

For more information on this program, visit http://www.albertacanada.com/immigration/immigrate/ainp.html.

Job Opportunity Website for Foreign Workers
The Jobs in Alberta website is a free service intending to link Alberta employers with foreign skilled workers. Employers must understand the process for hiring foreign workers or they must have a Labour Market Opinion in place to hire foreign workers.  The website address is: http://www.albertacanada.com/immigration/working/index.html

Foreign Worker Hotline
For questions about hiring foreign workers, call the Temporary Foreign Worker Hotline at 1-877-944-9955 (toll free in Alberta).

Workers' Compensation Board
The WCB has published a fact sheet about temporary foreign workers and their coverage. You can download a copy here.

Other Programs

Mentoring
The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) has established a Mentorship for Integration program that matches internationally trained professionals with Canadians to help them transition to the Canadian job market. Mentors are volunteers and are not expected to find the mentee a job. Find out more here.
 
Currently, they are looking for engineers to mentor in the following disciplines: Process Engineering, Civil, Electrical, Petroleum, Chemical, Mechanical & Seismic.

Contact the program coordinator at (403) 290-5116 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   for details.