Bill MacGregor
Canada
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Articles by Bill MacGregor
Addition Of UK To CPTPP Expands Canadian Work Permit Options For UK Professionals
GW Gowling WLG More Gowling WLG is an international law firm built on the belief that the best way to serve clients is to be in tune with their world, aligned with their opportunity and ambitious for their success. Our 1,400+ legal professionals and support teams apply in-depth sector expertise to understand and support our clients’ businesses.
Increasing LMIA Processing Times Are Undermining Work Permit Extensions
Bill MacGregor’s articles from Gowling WLG are most popular: within Immigration topic(s) in Canada with readers working within the Retail & Leisure industries Gowling WLG are most popular: within Law Practice Management and Insurance topic(s) with Senior Company Executives, HR and Inhouse Counsel Employers that rely on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) to retain skilled temporary foreign workers (TFWs) via high-wage or low-wage stream Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) are...
OINP Opens Intake For Ontario Workforce Priority Stream
Bill MacGregor’s articles from Gowling WLG are most popular: in Canada with readers working within the Media & Information industries Gowling WLG are most popular: within Insurance, Wealth Management and Compliance topic(s) with Inhouse Counsel Further to our previous article about the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is now accepting job offer submissions from employers and Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from workers.
Employer Alert: High-wage v. Low-wage LMIA Stream Provincial Wage Thresholds Increased
GW Gowling WLG More Gowling WLG is an international law firm built on the belief that the best way to serve clients is to be in tune with their world, aligned with their opportunity and ambitious for their success. Our 1,400+ legal professionals and support teams apply in-depth sector expertise to understand and support our clients’ businesses.
Ontario Releases Further Details On The New Ontario Workforce Priority Stream
Krista Schofer’s articles from Gowling WLG are most popular: with Senior Company Executives, HR and Finance and Tax Executives with readers working within the Banking & Credit, Insurance and Healthcare industries Since our previous immigration update on Ontario’s significant redesign of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), the Ontario government has released additional details on the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, including the eligibility requirements, program pathways, and...
The Francization Of Enterprises In Quebec: New Requirements For Hiring Temporary Foreign Workers And For LMIA Applications
Gowling WLG are most popular: within Compliance and Tax topic(s) with Senior Company Executives, HR and Inhouse Counsel in Canada with readers working within the Healthcare industries Since December 17, 2025, Quebec enterprises employing 25 or more employees in the province must now provide proof of compliance with the francization process under the Charter of the French Language (the "Charter") when submitting a Labour Market Impact Assessment ("LMIA") for a position in Quebec.
The francization of enterprises in Quebec: New requirements for hiring temporary foreign workers and for LMIA applications
Since December 17, 2025, Quebec enterprises employing 25 or more employees in the province must now provide proof of compliance with the francization process under the Charter of the French Language (the “Charter”) when submitting a Labour Market Impact Assessment (“LMIA”) for a position in Quebec. Enterprises must also commit to informing temporary foreign workers of available francization services to support their learning of the French language.
Employer Alert: Canada Issues Updated Prevailing Wage Data
Bill MacGregor’s articles from Gowling WLG are most popular: in Canada with readers working within the Aerospace & Defence industries Gowling WLG are most popular: within Compliance topic(s) with Senior Company Executives, HR and Finance and Tax Executives On November 19, 2025, Canada updated its prevailing wage/median wage data.
The Legal 500 Canada 2026: Gowling WLG earns 29 practice area rankings and Tier 1 achievements in IP and IP Litigation
Awards and recognition Published01 December 2025 Gowling WLG has been recognized once again as one of Canada's leading law firms by Legal 500. In the 2026 edition, the firm is ranked in 29 practice areas, highlighted by a Tier 1 ranking in Intellectual Property for the ninth consecutive year. The firm also received a Tier 1 ranking in IP Litigation, a category making its debut in the guide, and is ranked in the inaugural categories for Life Sciences and Sports Law.
Employer alert: Canada issues updated prevailing wage data
On November 19, 2025, Canada updated its prevailing wage/median wage data. Employers seeking Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) and certain types of employer-specific work permits need to take the new prevailing wage data into consideration or risk refusals on applications. Prevailing wage data update Canada updates its national wage data annually. The data can be searched by occupation or location. The median wage column is the prevailing wage for LMIA or work permit purposes.
Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan From Budget 2025 - A Focus On Sustainable Growth And Skilled Talent
GW Gowling WLG More Gowling WLG is an international law firm built on the belief that the best way to serve clients is to be in tune with their world, aligned with their opportunity and ambitious for their success. Our 1,400+ legal professionals and support teams apply in-depth sector expertise to understand and support our clients’ businesses. Canada has released its Immigration Levels Plan for 2026 - 2028 (the "Immigration Plan") in accordance with Budget 2025. Canada Immigration
Canada can gain from U.S. visa changes, says Bill MacGregor on BNN Bloomberg
As the United States considers implementing a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas, Canada may be poised to benefit from a shifting global talent landscape. Speaking recently on BNN Bloomberg, Bill MacGregor, a leader in Citizenship & Immigration Law and partner at Gowling WLG, shared insights into how these changes could steer high-skilled tech workers toward Canada.
Update For Employers On Canada's Immigration And Temporary Foreign Worker Programs (Video)
In 2024, Canada introduced very significant changes to immigration and work permit programs and guidelines affecting all employers engaging foreign workers. This on-demand webinar, led by Gowling WLG immigration and employment lawyers, provides practical advice and insights on how to deal with the challenges created by these changes, along with tips to ensure you meet compliance requirements and human resource needs.
Update for employers on Canada's immigration and temporary foreign worker programs
On-demand webinar In 2024, Canada introduced very significant changes to immigration and work permit programs and guidelines affecting all employers engaging foreign workers. This on-demand webinar, led by Gowling WLG immigration and employment lawyers, provides practical advice and insights on how to deal with the challenges created by these changes, along with tips to ensure you meet compliance requirements and human resource needs.
OINP Launches New Employer Portal: What Employers Need To Know
Ontario has introduced several important changes to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), effective July 2, 2025. These updates were implemented for the stated purpose of better alignment with Ontario's labour market needs and to streamline the way employers support skilled immigration. Further to our recent article regarding the Employer Portal, the OINP officially launched its new portal on July 2, 2025, shifting to an employer-led application process for the Employer Job Offer streams.
Big Tech is exploiting teens with addictive social media feeds. We can stop it.
PARENTS AND TEACHERS have always had to fight to hold and direct teenagers’ attention—to get them to engage in conversation at family dinner, to encourage them to put down the video game controller and pick up a book, to make sure they do their homework instead of gossiping all night with friends. Teenagers themselves have long fought to avoid distractions and focus their attention where they needed or wanted it to be. But something has changed in the last decade or so. It’s no longer a fair fight.
IRCC Update: TEER 2 And 3 Occupations Now Eligible For Spousal Open Work Permits
GW Gowling WLG More Gowling WLG is an international law firm built on the belief that the best way to serve clients is to be in tune with their world, aligned with their opportunity and ambitious for their success. Our 1,400+ legal professionals and support teams apply in-depth sector expertise to understand and support our clients’ businesses.
From Dual Income To Single
Spouses of lower-skilled temporary foreign workers (TEER 4 or 5) and dependent children are no longer eligible for Open Work Permits. Spouses of higher-skilled temporary foreign workers (TEER 2 or 3) may qualify for Open Work Permits only if the principal worker holds a valid work permit for 16 months. Employers may face challenges as some workers' spouses lose eligibility for work permits.
Changes Restricting Open Work Permits For Family Members Of Temporary Foreign Workers And International Students
GW Gowling WLG More Gowling WLG is an international law firm built on the belief that the best way to serve clients is to be in tune with their world, aligned with their opportunity and ambitious for their success. Our 1,400+ legal professionals and support teams apply in-depth sector expertise to understand and support our clients’ businesses.
International Students Allowed To Work Off Campus Up To 24 Hours Per Week
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed that, as of Nov. 8, 2024, eligible international students in Canada may work off campus for up to 24 hours per week during regular school terms or academic semesters. The previous time cap was 20 hours per week. The announcement and the general eligibility requirements of the off-campus work regime are set out here. Eligible international students may work full-time hours during regularly scheduled breaks.
Employers Face Increasing Pressure From TFWs To Support PR Processes And LMIAs
Permanent Resident (PR) status has become increasingly difficult to obtain. Many temporary foreign workers (TFWs) in Canada are no longer able to easily transition to PR status via Express Entry, as the points required are quite high. Canada's recent announcement reducing PR intake will exacerbate the difficulty. This is especially true of TFWs holding open work permits, such as Post-Grad Work Permits (PGWPs) or International Experience Canada (IEC) working holiday work permits. The result?
Employer Alert: Changes To The High-Wage LMIA Stream Designed To Reduce Employer Usage
GW Gowling WLG More Gowling WLG is an international law firm built on the belief that the best way to serve clients is to be in tune with their world, aligned with their opportunity and ambitious for their success. Our 1,400+ legal professionals and support teams apply in-depth sector expertise to understand and support our clients’ businesses. On Oct.
Employer alert: Changes to the high-wage LMIA stream designed to reduce employer usage
On Oct. 21, 2024 the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault announced major changes to the high-wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) stream. The main change is intended to lower the use of the LMIA regime, by increasing the wage threshold required to apply for a high-wage LMIA. It is part of a series of recent changes intended to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada. What’s changed Effective Nov.
Major Changes To Canada's Intra-Company Transferee Work Permit Guidelines
On Oct. 3, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated and clarified its guidelines for intra-company transferee (ICT) work permits. The changes are significant and represent stricter requirements for ICT work permits, most significantly for specialized knowledge worker transferees. The changes affect employers seeking to transfer personnel to Canada from related companies. The changes also affect foreign companies seeking to establish new operations in Canada.
Guide To Doing Business In Canada: Immigration & Work Permit Considerations
Immigration issues should be considered well in advance whenever a foreign entity or worker wishes to enter Canada to do business. The most appropriate immigration strategy and entry option will need to be identified. It must also be determined whether the foreign national requires a work permit or if they may enter Canada as a business visitor. Canada's immigration legislation and programs are designed to assist business people and foreign skilled workers with their entry into Canada.
Canada continues to tighten the immigration reins: Bill MacGregor discusses intra-company transfer program changes with Toronto Star
Media coverage Canada’s Immigration Department has updated its policy on intra-company transfer (ICT) work permits, which is expected to make it more difficult for multinational companies to bring overseas employees to Canada. The ICT program, which allows companies to temporarily transfer executives, managers, and specialized knowledge employees, has been a key contributor to Canada’s economy by facilitating the entry of skilled professionals.
Canada Overhauls And Tightens The Low-wage LMIA Stream
On Sept. 26, 2024, Canada implemented major changes to the low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) stream, aiming to tighten the program by reducing employer use and decreasing the number of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) in Canada. The changes are not retroactive; therefore, low-wage LMIA applications filed before Sept. 26 will be assessed under the prior rules. Employers will need to understand the new rules.
IRCC Introduces Key Changes To Temporary Residence Programs For Sustainable Immigration
Canada is reducing its intake of international students by an additional 10% for 2025 and 2026. Spousal work permit eligibility for Master’s students will now require a program length of at least 16 months. Post-graduation work permits will soon require minimum language proficiency in English or French.
Canada Takes Further Measures That Will Restrict International Students And Work Permit Options
Co-authored by Ross Baumann. Following similar announcements earlier this year focusing on reducing the influx of temporary residents, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently announced further changes to a number of temporary residence categories: IRCC News Release: Strengthening temporary residence programs for sustainable volumes.
Canadian immigration update: New provisions for temporary entry of business persons entering Canada under Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA)
Effective July 1, 2024, the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA) now includes provisions for the temporary entry of business persons. Chapter 21: Temporary Entry for Business Persons of the CUFTA facilitates temporary entry to Canada for certain categories of business persons who hold citizenship in, or are permanent residents of, Ukraine. The four categories of business persons under this treaty are business visitors, professionals, intra-corporate transferees and investors.
Immigration Update: Canada Increases Limitations On Flagpoling
Canada has placed limitations on the ability of some foreign nationals to seek work permits at ports of entry ("POEs"). This will limit processing options for some foreign nationals. Flagpoling occurs when foreign nationals who are in Canada as temporary residents exit Canada and then re-enter within 24 hours to seek immigration services from CBSA at a POE.
Immigration update: Canada increases limitations on flagpoling
Canada has placed limitations on the ability of some foreign nationals to seek work permits at ports of entry ("POEs"). This will limit processing options for some foreign nationals. Flagpoling occurs when foreign nationals who are in Canada as temporary residents exit Canada and then re-enter within 24 hours to seek immigration services from CBSA at a POE.
Canada's Self-Employed Persons Permanent Resident Program Paused Until January 2027
IRCC has announced that it will be pausing intake for the Self-Employed Persons PR Program until January 2027, to reduce backlogs. The Self-Employed Persons Program provides a potential pathway to permanent residence for people with experience in art, culture, or athletics and who will make significant contributions to the cultural or athletic life of Canada. Processing times had increased to over four years due to an increase in applications.
Canada To Increase Off-Campus Work Hours For International Students This Fall
As of May 1, 2024, Canada ended its temporary waiver of the 20-hour-per-week limit on the number of hours that international students are allowed to work during academic sessions. However, the Minister of Immigration recently announced that in the fall of 2024, the number of hours international students may work off-campus during academic sessions will be increased from 20 to 24 hours per week. Further details will be provided in due course.
Start-Up Visa Program Changes Aimed At Addressing Lengthy Processing Times
IRCC recently announced changes to its Start-up Visa (SUV) Program, aimed at reducing processing times and application backlog. As of April 30, 2024, IRCC will limit the number of SUV applications that will be accepted for processing each year to no more than 10 start-ups per designated organization. A "designated organization" is a recommended member of the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association or National Angel Capital Organization.
Employer alert: Start-up Visa Program changes aimed at addressing lengthy processing times
IRCC recently announced changes to its Start-up Visa (SUV) Program, aimed at reducing processing times and application backlog. As of April 30, 2024, IRCC will limit the number of SUV applications that will be accepted for processing each year to no more than 10 start-ups per designated organization. A "designated organization" is a recommended member of the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association or National Angel Capital Organization.
Employer alert: Canada to increase off-campus work hours for international students this fall
As of May 1, 2024, Canada ended its temporary waiver of the 20-hour-per-week limit on the number of hours that international students are allowed to work during academic sessions. However, the Minister of Immigration recently announced that in the fall of 2024, the number of hours international students may work off-campus during academic sessions will be increased from 20 to 24 hours per week. Further details will be provided in due course.
Canada's Self-Employed Persons Permanent Resident Program paused until January 2027
IRCC has announced that it will be pausing intake for the Self-Employed Persons PR Program until January 2027, to reduce backlogs. The Self-Employed Persons Program provides a potential pathway to permanent residence for people with experience in art, culture, or athletics and who will make significant contributions to the cultural or athletic life of Canada. Processing times had increased to over four years due to an increase in applications.
Employer Alert: Canada Reducing Off-campus Hours Of Work For International Students - Employee Rights/ Labour Relations - Canada
Canada's temporary waiver of the 20-hour-per-week limit on the number of hours that international students are allowed to work during academic sessions is scheduled to end on April 30, 2024. As of the date of this bulletin, there have been no announcements on whether the special policy may be extended or modified.
Canadian immigration update: Reducing Canadian temporary residents intake by 2027
On March 21, 2024, Marc Miller, serving as the Minister overseeing Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), unveiled the government's strategy to curtail the influx of temporary residents within the next three years. The category of "temporary residents" in Canada includes international students, temporary foreign workers and asylum seekers.
Canadian Immigration Update - New Visa Requirements For Mexican Citizens - Work Visas - Worldwide
Effective 11:30 p.m. EST on Feb. 29, 2024 (the "Effective Date"), the entry requirements for Mexican citizens travelling on a Mexican passport to Canada have changed and are more restrictive. The following is a summary of the changes that now affect Mexican citizens: Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTAs) issued to Mexicans before the Effective Date will be automatically cancelled as of the Effective Date, unless the Mexican citizen already holds a valid Canadian work permit or study permit.
IRCC's Latest Changes To Canada's International Student Program: What Employers Need To Know
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada ("IRCC") recently made two announcements relating to the International Student Program. The changes in both announcements are aimed at better protecting and supporting international students. The cost of living requirement, which has not changed since 2000, will increase to better prepare students and align more realistically with expenditures associated with living in Canada. This change will help prevent student vulnerability and exploitation.
Canada Announces Limited PR Program For Ukrainians In Canada
Canada has announced a pathway to permanent resident status for eligible Ukrainians who are in Canada. The special program will launch on Oct. 23, 2023, and remain open until Oct. 23, 2024. Details will not be provided until closer to the launch date. The IRCC news release on July 15 provided basic eligibility information: The Ukrainian national must be in Canada with temporary resident status. They must have a family member in Canada who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Canada announces limited PR program for Ukrainians in Canada
Canada has announced a pathway to permanent resident status for eligible Ukrainians who are in Canada. The special program will launch on Oct. 23, 2023, and remain open until Oct. 23, 2024. Details will not be provided until closer to the launch date. The IRCC news release on July 15 provided basic eligibility information: The Ukrainian national must be in Canada with temporary resident status. They must have a family member in Canada who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Canada Updates Prevailing Wage Data And Adopts New Noc System
Employers in Canada that utilize the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to obtain Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) or GTS LMIAs, or who use the International Mobility Program to obtain LMIA-exempt employer-specific work permits, need to be aware that in November 2022 the Canadian government updated wage data and adopted a new National Occupational Classification (NOC) job classification system. These changes will affect all such applications going forward.
Changes To Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Regime May Help Employers Address Labour Shortages
Canada has made a number of changes to its work permit rules that are designed to address labour shortages. The changes will help Canadian employers meet human resources needs and will provide more flexibility to employers in accessing the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Canada Eases Quarantine Requirement For Eligible Fully Vaccinated Travellers
Canada: Canada Eases Quarantine Requirement For Eligible Fully Vaccinated Travellers 07 July 2021 by Bill MacGregor (Toronto) Gowling WLG Your LinkedIn Connections with the authors To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com. On July 5, Canada introduced new rules that provide a quarantine exemption to "fully vaccinated persons" entering Canada.
New Pathway To Permanent Residency For 90,000 Essential Temporary Workers And International Graduates - Immigration - Canada
Canada: New Pathway To Permanent Residency For 90,000 Essential Temporary Workers And International Graduates 21 April 2021 by Krista Schofer , Bill MacGregor and Jessie Zheng Gowling WLG Your LinkedIn Connections with the authors To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com.
Traveling To Canada Gets Trickier
To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com. Canada has introduced a number of new travel, testing and quarantine requirements and restrictions effective February 15, 2021 and February 22, 2021. These measures will continue to evolve, as will details relating to their implementation.
Canada Introduces Pre-departure COVID Testing Requirement For Air Travellers
Canada: Canada Introduces Pre-departure COVID Testing Requirement For Air Travellers 06 January 2021 Gowling WLG Your LinkedIn Connections with the authors To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com. Effective January 7, 2021, all passengers five years of age or older will be required to provide a negative COVID test prior to being able to travel by air to Canada. This applies to Canadians, permanent residents and foreign nationals.
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