Western Canadian employers have observed a considerable increase in their recruitment efforts for overseas skilled workers this year, with a 39% rise in Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications nationwide, and an 83% increase in the western region. With the exception of Yukon, which experienced a minor decrease, Nunavut experienced the highest surge in applications, followed by Northwest Territories, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. It is noteworthy that lower numbers of applications for priority processing streams in Alberta lead to extended LMIA processing times. Efforts have been made to modernize the Temporary Foreign Worker Program by distributing files across the national network, eliminating paper applications, and simplifying application procedures for compliant employers through the Recognized Employer Pilot. These changes aim to enhance the program’s efficiency and provide more opportunities for foreign workers to contribute to the US labor force. #LMIA, #TFWP, #foreign_workers, #statistics