Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Province of BC have developed an expedited open work permit application process to protect vulnerable foreign workers and to regularize their status in Canada if they are at risk of abuse by an employer. Settlement agencies are authorized to assist clients through the process and to provide a written statement of support.

On February 16, 2017, the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training held a 2-hour training webinar covering the following topics:

• An overview of the expedited work permit process and what a settlement agency should pay attention to when assisting a client through this process.
• An overview of employment standards and situations when a complaint can be made.
• The employment standards complaint process and what a settlement agency should be aware of when assisting a client making a complaint.
• An overview of human trafficking and the mandate of the Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons (OCTIP) and how settlement organizations can support affected clients.