Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge public policy

Background

This public policy supports Manitoba in addressing its critical workforce needs and enables the province to maximize the implementation of the previous Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective Provincial Nominee Program Candidates by retaining candidates previously identified under that measure who are actively working in the province. By working together to ensure all eligible and admissible candidates transition to permanent residency, this measure aligns with the Government of Canada’s broader efforts to reduce the non-permanent residency population and return to sustainable immigration levels.

To facilitate these objectives, the Department proposes to provide access to open work permits to a defined population of existing skilled workers via a time-limited public policy. This population have been assessed by the province as strong candidates for permanent residency under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. The cohort of up to 2,700 temporary workers will be supported by the Government of Manitoba which will issue letters to this effect. The measure responsibly extends work permits to those already contributing to their community and local economy while they are being assessed for permanent residence.

Public Policy Considerations

This public policy, pursuant to section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act), will provide eligible foreign nationals who have a support letter from the Government of Manitoba issued on or before December 31, 2025, outlining their placement in the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program’s Expression of Interest pool also by December 31, 2025 following an initial assessment of the candidate by the Government of Manitoba, and have a letter of employment from their current employer, to be issued an open work permit.

I hereby establish that there are sufficient public policy considerations that justify the granting, in accordance with section 25.2 of the Act, exemptions from the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (the Regulations) listed below to foreign nationals who meet the conditions set out below.

Conditions (eligibility requirements):

Based on public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant to a foreign national an exemption from the requirements of the Regulations identified below if the foreign national meets the following conditions:

1. The foreign national:
   1. Holds a valid work permit;
   2. Has submitted an application for
      1. a work permit under section 200 or 201 of the Regulations; and
      2. an extension of their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident under section 181 of the Regulations; and
   3. Has provided, with the application referred to in (b),
      1. A support letter that
         1. Was issued by the Government of Manitoba who has signed a letter of intent with IRCC setting out its role in supporting facilitation under this public policy;
         2. Outlines that the foreign national has been screened by the Government of Manitoba and was placed in the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program’s Expression of Interest pool on or before December 31, 2025; and
         3. Was issued on or before December 31, 2025; and
      2. A letter of employment from the foreign national’s current employer;

   or

2. The foreign national:
   1. Held a valid work permit on May 7, 2024 but that permit has since expired;
   2. Has submitted an application for
      1. a work permit under section 200 of the Regulations; and
      2. an extension of their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident under section 181 of the Regulations, or restoration of their temporary resident status under section 182 of the Regulations; and
   3. Has provided, with the application referred to in (b),
      1. A support letter that
         1. Was issued by the Government of Manitoba , who has signed a letter of intent with IRCC setting out its role in supporting facilitation under this public policy; and
         2. Outlines that the foreign national has been screened by the Government of Manitoba and was placed in the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program’s Expression of Interest pool on or before December 31, 2025; and
         3. Was issued on or before December 31, 2025; and
      2. A letter of employment from the foreign national’s current employer;

   or

3. The foreign national:
   1. Is authorized to work pursuant to paragraph 186(u) of the Regulations on May 7, 2024, after having submitted a work permit renewal application under section 201 of the Regulations on or before May 7, 2024;
   2. Has submitted an application for
      1. a new work permit under section 200 of the Regulations; and
      2. an extension of their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident under section 181 of the Regulations; and
   3. Has provided, with the application referred to in (b),
      1. A support letter that
         1. Was issued by the Government of Manitoba, who has signed a letter of intent with IRCC setting out its role in supporting facilitation under this public policy; and;
         2. Outlines that the foreign national has been screened by the Government of Manitoba and was placed in the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program’s Expression of Interest pool on or before December 31, 2025; and
         3. Was issued on or before December 31, 2025; and
      2. A letter of employment from the foreign national’s current employer.

Provisions of the Regulations for which an exemption may be granted

For foreign nationals who meet the conditions listed in 1 and 3:

• Paragraph 200(1)(c) - the requirement to be described under this paragraph of the Regulations;

For foreign nationals who meet the conditions listed in 2:

• The requirement in section 182 - for a visitor, worker or student to apply for restoration within 90 days after losing temporary resident status;
• The requirement in section 182 - for a visitor, worker or student to have complied with any other conditions imposed;
• Paragraphs 199(a) to (i) – the requirements that a foreign national must meet in order to apply for a work permit after entering Canada;
• Paragraph 200(1)(c) - the requirement to be described under this paragraph of the Regulations;
• Paragraph 200(3)(e) - the requirement that a work permit not be issued to a foreign national who has engaged in unauthorized work or study in Canada or has failed to comply with the conditions of a previous permit or authorization;

Other Admissibility and Selection Criteria:

Foreign nationals eligible under this public policy are subject to all applicable eligibility and admissibility requirements not otherwise exempted.

Effective Date and Expiration:

This public policy comes into effect on the date it is signed.

This public policy will expire on December 31, 2027 and may be revoked at any time, without prior notice.