Western Canadian employers seeking overseas skilled workers have seen a significant rise this year, with a 39% increase in LMIA applications nationwide and 83% in Western Canada.

Yukon is the sole exception, with a slight decrease. Nunavut had the highest growth in applications, followed by Northwest Territories, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.

LMIA processing times are slow, with Alberta having the longest. This is because fewer applications are in priority processing streams.

Efforts have been made to modernize the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, including distributing files across the national network, moving away from paper applications, and simplifying applications for compliant employers through the Recognized Employer Pilot.

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