On the labour market opinion side there is nothing specific that's targeted at start-up businesses. I'm always disappointed to hear that companies feel they've had problems navigating the process. There are a lot of steps in the conversation between Service Canada in our regional offices and a decision on a labour market opinion. There are certainly lots of opportunities for an individual to bring information that can help the program officer in the regional office make an informed decision on whether or not the entrance of a foreign worker for that particular occupation is essentially a net benefit for Canada. There are always various variables that are taken into account, including verifying whether or not the employer actually has the financial means to pay the foreign worker for the entire time they're in the country.
There is no formal appeal process in the labour market opinion, but I will say that every single time someone goes through the process, an application goes in and sometimes, on some applications, almost innumerable conversations happen between the program officer and the regional office and the employer. There is ample opportunity within the process for the employer to make their case before the decision is rendered.