The Haiti Special Measures (HSM) on work permits, which was set to expire, has been extended until November 30, 2014.

The decision allows Haitian nationals currently living in Canada to apply for a work permit without the requirement for their employers to apply for Labour Market Impact Assessment(LMIA). The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations usually require an LMIA to accompany a work permit application. The HSM will apply to Haitians who were issued a work permit under the previous HSM and to any Haitian nationals who were legally in Canada prior to January 13, 2011, and applicants do not have to hold a temporary status in Canada to be eligible under these special measures.

The catastrophic earthquake that occurred in Haiti in January, 2010 displaced tens of thousands of Haitian nationals, both internally on the island of Hispaniola, and abroad as migrants. The number of Haitians in Canada has increased significantly since the earthquake.

Haitian nationals who are issued a new work permit or an extension of a previous work permit under the HSM and who are not eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance will be eligible for health care coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) until November 4, 2014, in light of a Federal Court decision about the IFHP dated July 4, 2014. The IFHP coverage will be valid only until November 4, 2014, or until they no longer require coverage as they have become eligible for provincial or territorial or private health insurance or until they have departed Canada, whichever comes first.