How AI Is Changing the LMIA Process, And What It Means for You

Now, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), the department responsible for processing Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications, has introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation, to help review and verify information more efficiently. 

Let’s look at what’s changing, and why this matters for you as someone planning to work in Canada. 

How the New Technology Works 

The government uses a combination of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and AI to help review LMIA files. These tools work behind the scenes to collect and compare data from three main systems: 

• The LMIA System – stores information about the application 

• Integrity and Compliance Management System (ICMS) – tracks whether employers follow program rules 

• Tips and Allegations Management System (TAMS) – keeps reports or complaints about possible misuse 

RPA pulls together the information from all three systems, and then ESDC’s virtual assistant, EVA, analyzes it and generates a report for the processing officer to review.  

What Information Does the AI Review? 

According to the Algorithmic Impact Assessment Results Report from ESDC (read the full report here), the AI system doesn’t make any decisions on its own. Instead, it reviews specific pieces of information that help program officers identify potential issues. 

Here’s what it looks at: 

• Employer details: The company’s business number, name, and address, to confirm they match official records. 

• Job and wage information: The wage offered compared with standard wages for similar roles in the same area, to identify anything unusual. 

• Past compliance issues: Whether the employer has previous complaints, allegations, or compliance flags in government systems. 

• Application consistency: Making sure information across systems, like the LMIA database, ICMS, and TAMS, lines up properly. 

After reviewing this data, EVA creates a report that highlights any red flags or discrepancies for a human program officer to investigate. It’s designed to support human decision-making, not replace it. 

What AI Doesn’t Do 

Even though AI is part of the process, EVA doesn’t make final decisions. There are no risk scores or recommendations being made by the solution. 

All final decisions are made by real program officers, who use their experience and judgment to review the information and decide if an employer meets the rules of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). 

However, as with any system that uses AI and automation, there are always risks of misuse or overreliance. For example, if officers depend too heavily on the AI’s findings, or if the data feeding into the system is inaccurate, it could lead to unfair assumptions about employers. ESDC emphasizes that EVA is only a support tool; it helps identify possible issues but can’t replace the human judgment, context, and fairness that come from an experienced officer’s review. 

Why Was AI Introduced into the LMIA Process? 

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) added Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation to make LMIA reviews faster, more consistent, and accurate. 

With thousands of applications each year, AI automation helps pull information from different systems, spot errors, and flag possible issues for officers to review. The goal is to save time, reduce mistakes, and strengthen worker protection by making sure employers follow the rules. 

Should Newcomers Be Concerned?  

If you’re a newcomer to Canada, you might wonder whether this new use of AI could affect your chances of getting a job or work permit. The short answer is no, this technology isn’t used to evaluate workers at all. 

The system is designed to review employers, not employees. Its main purpose is to make sure that companies offering jobs through the LMIA process meet the basic program eligibility requirements. 

A potential downside for newcomers is that the LMIA process may become stricter, since the system could flag more employers for review. This might mean that some LMIAs take longer to process or are less likely to be approved if an employer’s information isn’t completely clear or consistent. 

Overall, this added level of scrutiny is meant to protect workers and build trust in the system by ensuring that employers hiring through the program are meeting established program standards.