International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Improving Access to Labour market Information for migrants and employers
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and employment councils in other provinces and cities, who can tailor their
programmes for the local population.
4. Conclusions and recommendations
Based on the Canadian experience with immigration, we identify four best practices
for other nations and interested parties to draw on. These practices are drawn from
the extensive review in this report of the labour market integration of immigrants
in Canada as it relates to labour market information. We have examined labour
market information available to employers, immigrants already in Canada, potential
immigrants, and potential temporary workers, and identified specific shortcomings in
the system of labour market information that inhibit matching between immigrants
and employers. We have also identified several successful programmes at assisting
immigrants in settling, and bridging their prior experience to the Canadian labour
market.
Before doing so, we would offer a word of caution about the portability of Canadian
experience in implementing the policies described so far. As a federal state in
which various levels of government routinely participate in policy development,
Canada has significant experience in incorporating sub-national governments
into the policy formation process. Additionally, provincial governments are
constitutionally empowered in Canada to serve some of the most important
functions of government today, including health care, education, and, uniquely,
joint constitutional jurisdiction over immigration, perhaps making them more
significant actors than sub-national governments are in other states. Finally,
Canada has two official languages, significant experience and infrastructure in
language assessment, instruction, and accommodation prior to implementing such
services for immigrants. All of these factors combine to produce a natural fit for
the best practices identified in this section, and certainly will contain lessons for
any nations similarly situated.
4.1. Establish a national office for the recognition of foreign
credentials
The FCRO is among the most important immigration policy innovations in Canada.
Its function is essential in ensuring that professional and occupational licensing
is not an impediment to the labour market integration of newcomers to Canada.
Because occupations are typically regulated by professional associations that operate
at the provincial level, the quantity and variety of information understandably makes
it difficult for a newcomer to quickly understand whether or not they are legally
qualified to work in Canada. Establishing a national framework for the assessment
and recognition will not only improve access to this information for immigrants,
but provide users of Canada’s immigration system with reliable expectations of how
long this process will take. This is an important lesson for any federal state in which
occupational licensing is the responsibility of sub-national bodies.