by beffalaw_a0hv81

Canadian Work Permit for EU Citizens

 

Under the provisions of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) (effective as of September 2017), it is easier for citizens of EU member states to obtain work permits in Canada.

Before CETA, a Canadian employer could obtain a work permit for foreign workers coming from EU only by completing a  Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which essential had to prove that the skill-set needed by the employer could not be found in Canada. According to CETA, certain contractual service suppliers and independent professionals can work in Canada without the need to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Under the accord, applicants in either category may stay in Canada for a cumulative period of no more than 12 months in any 24-month period or for the duration of the contract, whichever is less.

Two general criteria must be met to qualify for a CETA work permit, and are related to applicant status and applicant qualifications:

1. Applicant status criteria: applicants in either professional category must be:

• citizens of a European Union member state;
• engaged in the temporary supply of a service for a period not exceeding 12 months; and
• contracted to provide a service in accordance with the regulations set out in CETA.

Examples of the permitted professions are: Engineers, Computer Systems Analysts, Accountants, and Management Consultants, Financial and Insurance Managers (advisory and consulting only), Advertising Managers, and Market Research Managers.

2. Applicant qualifications criteria: applicants in either professional category must possess:

• a university degree or a qualification demonstrating knowledge of an equivalent level; and
• professional qualifications if required to practice an activity pursuant to the laws or requirements in the province or territory where the service is supplied.

Some categories of engineering and scientific technologists are eligible to enter Canada as professionals without a university degree.

Criteria for contractual service suppliers

Contractual service supplier means an employee of an enterprise in the European Union (EU) who has a contract to supply a service to a Canadian consumer. The EU enterprise cannot have an establishment in Canada.

In addition to the general criteria listed above, as a contractual service supplier, the applicant must also:

• be engaged in the supply of a service on a temporary basis as an employee of an enterprise which has obtained a service contract;
• have been an employee of the EU-headquartered enterprise for at least one year prior to application;
• possess three years of professional experience in the sector of activity that is the subject of the contract at the date of submission; and
• not receive remuneration for the provision of services other than the remuneration paid by the enterprise employing the contractual service suppliers during their stay in Canada

Criteria for Independent Professionals

Independent professional means a self-employed professional who has a contract to supply a service to a Canadian consumer.

In addition to the general criteria listed above, as an Independent Professional, the applicant must also:

• be engaged in the supply of a service on a temporary basis as a self-employed person; and
• possess at least six years of professional experience in the sector of activity which is the subject of the contract as of the date of submission of an application for entry into Canada.

Business Visitors:

Under CETA, there are two categories of business visitors: short-term business visitors and business visitors for investment purposes.

All CETA business visitors may seek entry to Canada for a number of regular visits related to a specific project. These visits may take place over a period of weeks or months.

The activities listed below apply to short-term business visitors from an EU member state entering Canada.

• Meetings and consultations
• Research and design
• Marketing research
• Training and seminars
• Trade fairs and exhibitions
• Sales
• Purchasing
• After-sales or after-lease service
• Commercial transactions
• Tourism personnel
• Translation and interpretation

Restrictions on Business Visitor Eligibility under CETA

Short-term business visitors cannot:

• Engage in selling a good or a service to the general public
• Receive remuneration directly or indirectly from a source in Canada
• Be engaged in the supply of a service, except as provided in Annex 10-D

 

Intra-Company Transfer

CETA sets conditions whereby people may be transferred to work in Canada within the same affiliated Canada company.

Under CETA, all intra-company transferees must:

• Have been employed by an enterprise of, or have been partners in an enterprise of, an EU member state for at least one year; and
• Be temporarily transferred to an enterprise (that may be a subsidiary, branch or head company of the enterprise) in Canada.

The applicant must belong to one of the following categories:

• Senior personnel and specialists
• Graduate trainees

In addition to the criteria outlined above, graduate trainee applicants must:

• Possess a university degree; and
• Be temporarily transferred to an enterprise in Canada for career development purposes or to obtain training in business techniques or methods

Investors:

CETA provides provisions that allow eligible investors to stay in Canada for up to one year, with the possibility of extending their stay at the discretion of an officer.

The investor provisions of CETA apply to applicants who:

• Will establish, develop or administer the operation of an investment in a capacity that is supervisory or executive;
• Are the investor; and
• Are employed by an enterprise that has committed or in the process of committing a substantial amount of capital.

At BEFFA LAW, we had successfully prepared application for CETA work permits, and carefully crafted the supporting documentation for the corresponding applicant category.  If you are interested in obtaining a CETA work permit, please reach out to us!

by beffalaw_a0hv81

WHY DO I NEED A WILL?

If making a will has been always on your to-do list, but you keep postpone it because it is unpleasant, you’re not alone. Studies show that 74% of Canadians don’t have an up-to-date Will, and about 50% of Canadians don’t have a Will at all.

I understand that. Making a will require you to imagine your death which it’s a taboo subject that most people try to avoid.

Dying without a will (intestate) can be more problematic than you realize for the family you leave behind.

1. Without a will, you cannot exclude or include the beneficiaries.

Your property will be divided according to the law among your spouse, parents, children and siblings, which may be different from how you would have divided it.

• If you don’t have children, your spouse inherits the entire estate.
• If you have children, your spouse may inherit everything or the first $200,000 and the rest of your assets may be split equally among the family members.
• If you don’t have a spouse, your estate is distributed to other relatives.

2. You are unable to take advantage of tax savings after your death.

If you plan your estate, you can reduce the tax paid by your estate to increase the assets available to your family. You would be amazed how little a Will costs comparing with the costs associated with the estate matters.

3. There is no opportunity to choose guardians of your minor children. The Public Guardian (government) may take decision about your children’s personal lives.
4. Your children may not receive the assets you wanted them to receive and you lose the opportunity to provide a trust for them. When your children reach the age of majority, they will receive all the funds whether or not you have chosen that option.
5. The Public Trustee is involved in the administration of your children’s share of estate. The government will decide the financial future of your children and will take a portion of your estate, as their fee.
6. Without the will, you don’t have an executor. The closest relative will be appointed by the court to act as the administrator of your estate. Is if your closest relative the best person to manage and distribute your estate? This involves delays, expenses, frustration and potential loss.
7. If you have no living relative (next of kin), your entire estate goes to the Ontario government.
8. Common law partners or same sex spouses may not inherit anything from your estate upon your death.
9. You lose the opportunity to provide your funeral and burial preferences. If you do not have a Will, your appointed personal representative will make funeral and burial arrangements based on their preferences, not yours. Studies show that 60% of Canadians do not have funeral arrangements.
10. Your preferred charities won’t receive anything.
11. Certain assets that you may have wanted to be kept for your family’s security or investment purposes may have to be sold.
12. In the event of common disaster, your estate may go to a relative that you don’t like or you’ve never spoken to.
13. A family business may not be able to stay in your family and may be necessary to liquidate the business’ assets.

WHY USE A LAWYER?

The question is, in this age of technology and information, should you hire a lawyer to help you draft your Will, or should you find some forms online and DIY?

There are situations where a DIY Will might be the right choice for you. However, you must understand the implications when you decide to draft your own Will. You must understand that you are drafting an important legal document without any legal advice or guidance.

When should I hire a lawyer?

You may need a lawyer if:

• You are married
• You have children
• You owe a home
• You have more than $25,000 investable assets, including retirement funds
• You have assets overseas like a holiday home
• You run a business and you expect it to form a part of your estate
• Your family position is complicated – perhaps you have children with a previous partner, or you want to make special arrangements for children or a family member with a disability

Benefits of using a lawyer

A lawyer can:

• help you make sure your will is valid
• make sure your Will conforms to legal requirements
• help ensure your Wills is complete
• give you advice to reduce the risk of challenges to your will
• help you accurately list down properties you can dispose of in your will
• deal with the complicated legal issues and help you make the most effective choices.
• safely store the original Will for you in a fireproof safe free of charge

What to expect from your lawyer

Your lawyer will:

• explain your options to help you make decisions about your will
• give advice that’s confidential and puts your best interests first
• write and check your will according to your instructions.