Thank you for the question.
On the subject of how to improve processing of LMIA applications throughout Canada, we are in the process of making a number of changes to our own ways of doing things and our processes for accelerating decision-making and providing recommendations to employers.
We have made a few internal changes to simplify how we process applications. First, we are putting a process in place that will be standardized across the country so that cases are processed the same way and at the same pace from coast to coast. We are also recruiting more staff to expand our capacity to process cases speedily.
We know there has been a sharp increase in the number of applications in Quebec in particular, as compared to other provinces and territories. As the Minister has already announced, there is an agreement between Canada and Quebec to simplify processing of LMIA applications from Quebec in order to meet employers' needs and combat the labour shortage in a number of sectors.