Canada Reduces Global Talent Stream Referrals by 29%

Canadian companies seeking to hire highly specialized foreign workers through a fast-track federal program have fewer organizations to approach for a required referral.

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) updated its designated referral partner list for Category A of the Global Talent Stream on September 15, 2026. Seventeen organizations were removed, bringing the number of partners down from 58 to 41—a reduction of about 29%.

The Global Talent Stream operates under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. It provides an expedited hiring process for eligible employers recruiting skilled workers from abroad.

Ontario Accounts for Nearly Half the Removals

Eight of the 17 organizations removed were based in Ontario: Burlington Economic Development Corporation, Communitech Corporation, the Ontario Investment Office, Invest Brampton, the Regional Municipality of Niagara, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, Toronto Business Development Centre and the Town of Oakville.

British Columbia lost the Kootenay Association for Science & Technology and Launch Academy. Manitoba lost Tech Manitoba, while New Brunswick lost Ignite Fredericton and Venn Innovation. Genesis was removed in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Cape Breton Partnership in Nova Scotia.

Two organizations serving employers nationally were also removed: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Industry Skills Directorate and TECHNATION.

Affected employers must now seek referrals from another authorized regional organization or one of the remaining partners that serve businesses across Canada.

Where Employers Can Turn

Ontario’s remaining partners include the City of Mississauga, Invest Ottawa, Toronto Global, MaRS Discovery District and Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation.

National options include the Business Development Bank of Canada, the Council of Canadian Innovators and the Trade Commissioner Service.

The revised federal list names no province- or territory-specific partner for Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut or Yukon.

Employers in those locations can approach a national partner. Those in Newfoundland and Labrador can also contact the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

Who Qualifies for Category A?

Category A serves innovative Canadian businesses planning to grow by hiring someone for a unique and specialized role.

Employers must operate in Canada, demonstrate their ability and willingness to expand, and identify a qualified foreign worker.

The position must offer a base salary of at least $80,000 annually or the occupation’s prevailing wage, whichever is higher.

The worker must have advanced industry knowledge, plus a specialized advanced degree and/or at least five years of relevant specialized experience.

A designated partner must first refer to the employer, confirming its eligibility and that it has identified a suitable worker.

The employer then submits a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application to ESDC, including a separate referral form for each foreign worker.

After receiving a positive LMIA, the employer provides the decision letter to the worker for their work permit application.

Fast-Track Processing Remains Available

The government aims to process 80% of Global Talent Stream LMIA applications within 10 business days.

Eligible work permit applications have the same processing target, not a guaranteed deadline.

Category B, which covers hiring for occupations on the Global Talent Occupations List, does not require a referral partner.