Canada has reduced its list of designated referral partners for Category A of the Global Talent Stream by 29 percent. This change means fewer options for employers seeking mandatory referrals to expedite the hiring of specialized foreign workers. Employers intending to submit a Labour Market Impact Assessment for a specialized worker under Category A now have fewer avenues to secure a mandatory referral.

The federal government trimmed its list of designated referral partners, removing 17 organizations and reducing the total number of partners from 58 to 41. Employment and Social Development Canada published the updated list on its program requirements web page on September 15, 2026.

Ontario absorbed the bulk of these cuts, accounting for eight of the 17 removals. Removed organizations include Kootenay Association for Science and Technology, Launch Academy Tech Manitoba, Ignite Fredericton, Venn Innovation, Genesis, Cape Breton Partnership, Burlington Economic Development Corporation, Communitech Corporation, Government of Ontario, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade to Ontario Investment Office, Invest Brampton, Regional Municipality of Niagara, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, Toronto Business Development Centre, Town of Oakville, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to Industry Skills Directorate, and TECHNATION.

Currently, no specific designated referral partners are listed for Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut, or the Yukon.

Category A of the Global Talent Stream, part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, requires both the employer and foreign worker to meet eligibility requirements. This is necessary before an employer can obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment to support a worker’s permit application. The Global Talent Stream aims for expedited processing, with the federal government targeting to process both Labour Market Impact Assessments and work permits within 10 business days in 80 percent of cases.

Category A is designed for Canadian employers hiring a foreign national for a unique and specialized position. This role requires an annual base salary of at least $80,000 or the prevailing wage, advanced industry knowledge, and an advanced degree or at least five years of specialized experience. Employers must also operate in Canada, focus on innovation, demonstrate willingness and capacity to grow, and seek to fill a unique and specialized position.

To access Category A, an employer must obtain a referral from a designated partner. This referral validates the company’s eligibility and confirms it has identified a qualified foreign worker. Category B of the Global Talent Stream does not require a designated referral partner.

Employers in affected regions will now need to obtain a referral from another designated partner. This could be a regional organization or one of the remaining Pan-Canadian partners available nationwide. Employers in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut, or the Yukon can contact a Pan-Canadian partner for a referral. Those in Newfoundland and Labrador may also reach out to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

The reduction in designated referral partners for Category A of the Global Talent Stream means fewer options for Canadian employers seeking to utilize the fast track hiring process for specialized foreign workers.