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Does my work permit allow me to work for any employer in Canada?

No. Work permits are often tied to a specific employer. They will only allow you to work for the employer on the permit. Your employer may need to get authorization from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada first before they can hire you. This is known as a positive Labour Market Opinion. In some cases, a foreign national can get an open work permit, which does not include a specific employer.

As well, a foreign worker cannot work for an ineligible employer. This means an employer who is not allowed to take part in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program for a period of two years. This can happen if they are found to have failed in the last two years to meet their commitments to workers with respect to the wages, working conditions or the occupation promised in a past job offer.

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