CIMM – Trusted Employer System with ESDC - “Recognized Employer Model”^{Footnote 1} – December 05, 2023

Key Facts And Figures

Announced earlier this year, the Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) is a three-year pilot that will help address acute labour shortages and reduce the administrative burden for repeat employers participating in Employment and Social Development Canada’s (ESDC) Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) who demonstrate a history of complying with program requirements.

With growing labour and skills shortages across the country, many Canadian employers are struggling to fill their workforce needs and the demand for temporary foreign workers is increasing. The Government of Canada recognizes these challenges and is modernizing the TFWP through the implementation of this Pilot.

Designed for administrative efficiency, REP will maintain existing worker protections while providing simpler and more predictable access to labour for employers, and more flexibility for the Canadian labour market.
REP implementation is taking a phased approach: Employers under the Primary Agriculture stream were eligible to apply starting in September 2023, while all other employers will be eligible to apply on January 1, 2024. Employer applications for REP will close in September 2024.
This initiative will be solely implemented by ESDC and will not feature any changes to current work permit processing.