Apparently, the term LMO (Labour Market Opinion) is now LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment). Canada Immigration has changed their Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) that was announced this June 2014, highlighting strict priorities to Canadian citizens for available jobs and some important reforms listed below.
LMIA will be the screening mechanism for employers wanting to hire temporary foreign workers. Hence, employers are required to provide information about the job application and data required on the LMIA. Employers with 10 or more employees applying for a new LMIA are subject to a cap of 10% on the proportion of their workforce that can consist of low-wage temporary foreign workers.
Wage levels will replace NOC as wages are more accurate reflection of occupational skill level and labor market conditions. Jobs with wages below the provincial and territorial median wage (see table below) will be considered “low-wage” while those above the median will be considered “high-wage.” The TFWP is refusing to process any pending applications for low-wage positions as of June 20, 2014.

LMIA fee has increased from $275 to $1000 per application or per job position being applied. See the complete reforms mentioned in the new Temporary Foreign Worker Program in this article.
What is LMIA?
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada,
“LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is a document that an employer in Canada must usually get before hiring a foreign worker. A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no Canadian worker can do the job. A positive LMIA is sometimes called a Confirmation letter.”
Your employer in Canada will be the one who will process the LMIA for you and your work permit. They will also be the one who will pay for the LMIA fees. So if your employer is asking you fees for LMIA, that job offer could not be legit. Always be cautious.
Note that not all foreign workers require LMIA, there are also some that are LMIA-exempt such as youth exchange programs, free trade agreements and those under the International Mobility Program.
We know as employees, we’re also interested on the process of getting LMIA in Canada so we are sharing here the guide and procedure.
LMIA Requirements by Canada Immigration
Your employer in Canada will be the one who will process and apply LMIA for your job application. Your employer must contact ESDC (Employment and Social Development Canada) and ESDC will provide the details of processing and requirements. Since this new rule was just announced recently, apparently the process is related in getting LMO in Canada, only stricter. LMIA fee is $1000 per job position application.
The employer is required to prove this foreign employment will not have a negative impact on Canada labor market and that not enough Canadians can fill up the job position of this job offering.
What to Do Once You Have Positive LMIA?
The foreign worker can proceed in applying for a working visa usually in the country he resides, outside Canada. The foreign worker needs work permit, LMIA and some documents required by the Canadian embassy.
Medical exams are also included and some overseas and immigration permits upon leaving the country. Check your specific country immigration requirements before flying to Canada.
In the Philippines, the OFW will process OFW permits in the POEA before leaving the country.