Canada has reduced the number of designated referral partners
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) updated the list of designated referral partners on September 15, 2026. The number of designated organizations has fallen from 58 to 41, representing a reduction of approximately 29%.
The change primarily affects Canadian employers seeking to hire specialized foreign workers through Category A of the Global Talent Stream under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Canada Cuts Global Talent Stream Referral Partners
Following the latest update, 17 organizations have been removed from Canada’s designated referral partner list. Employers affected by the changes will need to obtain their referral from another organization that remains designated under the program. The reduction does not eliminate the Global Talent Stream or Category A. Instead, it changes the organizations available to provide the required referral.
Key Details of the Global Talent Stream Update
Details | Information |
Program | Global Talent Stream (GTS) |
Program Category Affected | Category A |
Federal Program | Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) |
Updated By | Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) |
Updated Date | September 15, 2026 |
Previous Referral Partners | 58 |
Current Referral Partners | 41 |
Organizations Removed | 17 |
Reduction | Approximately 29% |
LMIA Processing Target | 10 business days in 80% of cases |
Work Permit Processing Target | 10 business days under the applicable service standard |
Which Organizations Were Removed?
ESDC removed 17 organizations from the designated referral partner list. Ontario accounted for the largest number of removals, with eight organizations affected.
The organizations removed include:
British Columbia
• Kootenay Association for Science & Technology
Manitoba
• Launch Academy
• Tech Manitoba
New Brunswick
• Ignite Fredericton
Newfoundland and Labrador
• Venn Innovation
• Genesis
Nova Scotia
• Cape Breton Partnership
Ontario
• Burlington Economic Development Corporation
• Communitech Corporation
• Government of Ontario – Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Ontario Investment Office
• Invest Brampton
• Regional Municipality of Niagara
• Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
• Toronto Business Development Centre
• Town of Oakville
Pan-Canadian
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada – Industry Skills Directorate
• TECHNATION
Employers located in affected regions will need to work with another designated referral partner that remains on the current list.
What This Means for Potential Applicants
The September draw highlights the importance of PEI employment and the province’s priority-sector needs in its selection process.
Candidates interested in PEI should understand that submitting an Expression of Interest does not guarantee an invitation. Selection depends on the province’s criteria and priorities, and applicants should ensure that their profile and supporting information are accurate and up to date.
How Many Global Talent Stream Referral Partners Remain?
There are now 41 designated organizations authorized to provide Category A referrals.
The remaining organizations include regional economic development organizations, provincial government bodies, federal organizations, and other designated partners.
Examples include:
• Calgary Economic Development
• Edmonton Global
• Government of Alberta
• Accelerate Okanagan
• BC Tech Association
• Invest Vancouver
• Economic Development Winnipeg
• Government of Manitoba – Labour and Immigration, Employer Services
• Invest Nova Scotia
• Halifax Partnership
• Invest Ottawa
• MaRS Discovery District
• Toronto Global
• Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation
• Business Development Bank of Canada
• Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service
• Invest in Canada
• National Research Council – Industrial Research Assistance Program
• Government of Saskatchewan – Ministry of Immigration and Career Training
Quebec’s designated organizations are consolidated into one entry on the federal list, while the individual Quebec organizations remain identified separately in the program information.
What Happens in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut and Yukon?
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Nunavut
• Yukon
Employers in these regions can instead seek a referral through a Pan-Canadian designated partner. Employers in Newfoundland and Labrador may also contact the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) for a referral.
What Is Category A of the Global Talent Stream?
Category A of the Global Talent Stream is designed for Canadian employers seeking to hire foreign workers for unique and specialized positions. The program is part of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program. A qualifying foreign worker under Category A generally needs to demonstrate specialized expertise. Reported requirements include an annual base salary of at least $80,000 CAD, or the prevailing wage for the occupation where that wage is higher. The worker must also generally demonstrate advanced industry knowledge and either:
- An advanced degree in a specialized area relevant to the employer;
- At least five years of specialized experience in the field.
Employers must also meet separate requirements, including operating in Canada, demonstrating a focus on innovation, showing the capacity and willingness to grow, and seeking to fill a unique and specialized position.
How Does the Global Talent Stream Referral Process Work?
For Category A, the employer must first obtain a referral from a designated referral partner. The referral helps establish that the employer meets the applicable program requirements and has identified a qualified foreign worker for the position.
After obtaining the referral, the employer can submit the required Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application to ESDC. A separate referral form is required for each temporary foreign worker included in the application. If ESDC issues a positive LMIA, the employer provides the foreign worker with the LMIA decision letter, which can then be used to support the worker’s Canadian work permit application.
How Fast Is the Global Talent Stream?
The Global Talent Stream is designed to provide expedited processing for eligible employers and foreign workers. ESDC aims to process GTS-aligned LMIA applications within 10 business days in 80% of cases.
After a positive LMIA is issued, the foreign worker can apply for a work permit through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which has a corresponding 10-business-day service standard for eligible applications. These are service standards rather than guarantees that every application will be finalized within exactly 10 business days.
What About Category B of the Global Talent Stream?
The latest referral-partner changes specifically affect Category A. Category B operates differently.
Employers using Category B can hire highly skilled foreign workers for occupations included on the Global Talent Occupations List and do not require a referral from a designated partner. Therefore, the reduction in designated referral partners does not mean that every Global Talent Stream application is affected.
What Does This Change Mean for Canadian Employers?
Employers whose previous referral partner has been removed will need to identify another eligible partner. The change also highlights the importance of confirming the current program requirements before submitting an LMIA application, as designated organizations and program procedures can change.
What Does This Mean for Foreign Workers?
For foreign workers, the change primarily affects the employer-side process. A foreign worker does not independently obtain a Global Talent Stream referral. The Canadian employer is responsible for meeting the relevant requirements and completing the LMIA process.
Foreign workers considering this route should understand that:
• A job offer does not automatically qualify for the Global Talent Stream.
• The Canadian employer must satisfy the applicable requirements.
• Category A generally requires a designated partner referral.
• Category B does not require a designated partner referral.
• A positive LMIA is required for the relevant TFWP work permit process.
• A work permit application remains subject to IRCC requirements and admissibility rules.
Key Takeaways
- Canada has reduced the number of designated Global Talent Stream referral partners.
- The list decreased from 58 to 41 organizations.
- 17 organizations were removed.
- The change represents a reduction of approximately 29%.
- The update was published by ESDC on September 15, 2026.
- The change primarily affects Category A of the Global Talent Stream.
- Employers whose previous referral partner was removed will need to use another designated organization.
- Category B does not require a designated referral partner.
- The Global Talent Stream continues to provide expedited processing for eligible applications.
- ESDC aims to process GTS LMIA applications within 10 business days in 80% of cases.
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