FOREIGN WORKERS RECRUITMENT IN NOVA SCOTIA

Canada is a dream country to so many people.

So many migrants are looking for how to migrate to Canada and they are exploring different options.

Some people are going through the express entry pathway but got stuck in the pool.

A lot of people have also tried the Provincial nomination pathway, study route, Atlantic immigration pilot program, work pathway and some other different route still, they haven't succeeded.

From my findings, %80 of people who want to move and live in Canada, prefer to go through the work pathway like securing a job and moving with their family which doesn't have much requirement such as providing test score like ielts, or proof of funds which has frustrated a lot of people.

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The Canadian government has recognized the fact that recruiting or attracting international workers who are qualified for job vacancies in Canada will help them to eliminate the labor shortage therefore they have set up employers who are licensed to hire specifically overseas workers in different industries and they are now hiring foreign workers from different part of the world.

Foreign worker recruiters are organizations or individuals  who help qualified foreign workers in their quest  to find a job in Nova Scotia. They also help employers in Nova Scotia find qualified foreign workers to fill labor shortages in Nova Scotia. Foreign worker recruiters are unable to operate unless they have been issued a valid Foreign Worker Recruiter Licence from the Labour Standards Division unless an exemption applies in their specific situation.

Contact Labour Standards if you have any questions about individuals with a valid Foreign Worker Recruiter Licence in Nova Scotia.

There are exemptions from the foreign worker rules under the Labour Standards Code. See more information below regarding the different categories of exemptions.

There are three categories of exemptions to the definition of foreign worker under the Code.

1. International Students

International students who are permitted by the Government of Canada to:

• work in co-op placements, internships and practicums (i.e., work integrated and experiential learning programs)

• work on campus (applies to students of designated learning institutes)

• work off campus (applies to students of designated learning institutes) and

• have a valid study permit to pursue full-time post-secondary studies in Canada and have maintained good academic standing

This category is not considered as foreign workers under the Labour Standards Code because their primary purpose for being in the country is to study, not for employment.

Please note that International students who have the necessary permission to remain in Canada after they graduate to gain Canadian work experience are considered foreign workers under the Code as their primary purpose for being in Canada will no longer be to study at that point.

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2. Specialized Service Providers

Professionals employed by a foreign business organization who come to the province for short periods of time to provide a specific service to an existing Nova Scotia business are not recognized as foreign workers. Their primary purpose for being in Canada is to perform some form of work on behalf of their foreign employer; they are not recruited for employment within Nova Scotia. 

For example, employees who work in Nova Scotia once a year for a two-week period to service equipment leased by their German employer to a Nova Scotia business will not fall under this definition of foreign worker.

3. Independent Contractors

Professionals who are recruited from other countries to perform work in Nova Scotia as independent contractors are also not recognised as foreign workers because they are not recruited for employment in Nova Scotia. 

For example, an equestrian trainer in Spain who is hired to provide horse riding clinics in Nova Scotia over a two-month period would not fall under the definition of foreign worker.

 

Recruiter License Exemptions

In general, recruiters who exercise functions in the recruitment of foreign workers for the purpose of employment in Nova Scotia must be licensed with the Nova Scotia Labour Standards Division.  Some recruiters are however exempt from this requirement.  Recruiters who do not need to be licensed include:

 

• those who recruit foreign workers for jobs related with provincial government reporting entities, municipalities and universities

Examples of government reporting entities include provincial government departments, Capital District Health Authority (hospitals), Nova Scotia Community College and school boards.

 

• those who recruit foreign professionals for jobs that fall under National Occupational Classification (NOC) Codes “0” and “A”

Examples of jobs that fall under NOC Code 0 include:  senior management jobs, legislators, managers in health care, corporate sales managers and managers in financial and business services.

Examples of jobs that fall under NOC Code A include: accountants, physicians, dentists, chiropractors, pharmacists, university professors, lawyers, judges, professional occupations in art and culture, creative performing artists (e.g., actors).

It is important to note that recruiters who are recruiting foreign workers for one of the organizations or types of jobs listed above and are also recruiting foreign workers for organizations or jobs that do not fall within the exemptions, and must be duly licensed. 

Employer Registration Exemptions

Most employers who wish to recruit and hire foreign workers for employment in Nova Scotia need to obtain a Foreign Worker Employer Registration Certificate from the Nova Scotia Labour Standards Division.  There are some employers that are exempt from this requirement.  The employer categories who do not need a Foreign Worker Employer Registration Certificate include:

• provincial government reporting entities, municipalities and universities
  Examples of government reporting entities include provincial government departments, Capital District Health Authority (hospitals), Nova Scotia Community College and school boards.
   

• employers who seek foreign workers for jobs that fall under National Occupational Classification (NOC) Codes “0” and “A”

Examples of jobs that fall under NOC Code "0" include:  senior management jobs, legislators, managers in health care, corporate sales managers and managers in financial and business services.

Examples of jobs that fall under NOC Code "A" include: accountants, physicians, dentists, chiropractors, pharmacists, university professors, lawyers, judges, professional occupations in art and culture, creative performing artists (e.g., actors).

• employers who hire international students who are exempt from the definition of foreign worker (see above).

It's important to note that employers using a third party recruiter to find foreign workers and who fall under these registration exemptions are also exempt from the requirement to use a licensed recruiter.

Important to remember - Unless you are a government reporting entity, municipality or university, if you are an employer who is also seeking foreign workers for jobs that fall under National Occupational Classification (NOC) Codes other than “0” or “A”:

• you must be registered, and

• if you are using a third party recruiter to find these foreign workers, you must use a licensed recruiter.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOREIGN WORKERS IN NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA

Nova Scotia offers opportunities for foreign workers in a variety of fields. Some of the most in-demand sectors for foreign workers include healthcare, information technology, engineering, and hospitality. Nova Scotia is actively recruiting skilled and semi-skilled workers from around the world to fill labor shortages in these and other industries.

One of the primary avenues for foreign workers to come to Nova Scotia is through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which is designed to help the province meet its labor needs by selecting and nominating skilled workers who have the qualifications and experience needed to contribute to the economy. The PNP has a number of streams that target specific industries and occupations, including the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream, the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream, and the Nova Scotia Physician Stream.

Recruitment Agency In Canada

There are also opportunities for foreign workers to come to Nova Scotia through the federal government's various immigration programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. These programs are designed to attract skilled workers from around the world who have the skills and experience needed to help fill labor shortages in Canada.

In addition to these options above, the government has a robust plan to attract qualified foreign professionals and these workers can engage any of the licensed foreign worker recruiters to support them in finding a suitable job in Nova Scotia.

Overall, there are many opportunities for foreign workers in Nova Scotia, and the provincial and federal governments are actively working to attract and retain skilled workers from around the world.

LIST OF LICENSED FOREIGN WORKERS RECRUITERS IN NOVA SCOTIA

The government of Nova Scotia publishes a list of the current licensed foreign worker recruiters and  this list is usually updated periodically. For the most recent updated list of licensed recruiters, see here. The list contains the licensee name, business name, location, license expiry date and a link to view their license.

It is good to know that the government of Nova Scotia reserves the right to suspend or cancel a recruiter license at any time. It is therefore the responsibility of all foreign workers looking to use the service of a licensed recruit rto always confirm they have an active license before engaging their services.

We recommend further research using the Nova Scotia government links below:

Nova Scotia Employment Link

Nova Scotia Foreign Worker Program Exemptions

Nova Scotia Pay and Wages

Nova Scotia Foreign Worker Information

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