The longer the duration of work permits, the more ensured we are of operational stability. After the pilot program ends, we would like work permits to remain of a duration of 24 months, and not 12 months as the case has been over the past few years. That would give us some flexibility for renewals. Red tape should also be discussed. Currently, we must renew work permits every six months before they expire, so we are always buried in paperwork.
In addition to long-term permits, we would like to see permits that, after 18 months, for example, would give us an opportunity to offer our temporary foreign workers permanent jobs, with a closed work permit. That would enable them to take steps with the provinces and not have to double up on those steps. That way, they could apply for permanent selection and renewal under the temporary foreign worker program.
So 24-month work permits would be good, but they should be coordinated even better with permanent selection programs.