Service Canada (previously Human Resources and Skills Development Canada) is a government organization which, among other tasks, works in conjunction with Citizenship and Immigration Canada to evaluate the applications of foreign workers. Evaluations of foreign worker applications are based on a process of rendering an opinion about the potential impact of the employment of a non-Canadian on the local labor market. In cases in which a negative labour market impact is expected, HRSDC would typically render a negative opinion. If a potentially neutral or positive labour market impact can be demonstrated, then HRSDC may issue a favourable opinion, or confirmation, which would typically allow for the issuance of a Canadian work permit as long as the application was otherwise considered eligible to enter Canada as a visitor.

The confirmation application process is generally conducted between the prospective employer and a local Service Canada office responsible for the jurisdiction of that company. Local labour market conditions are considered, such that an application which may be evaluated favourably in one location in Canada may be considered ineligible in another location.

As a general rule, employers are required to demonstrate that a significant effort had been made to hire a Canadian for the position being applied for. Evidence of such an effort would constitute an important part of the application process. Depending on the nature of the position, other support for the case may include evidence of local labour union support for the hiring of a foreign worker, local shortages of available Canadian personnel, potential benefit to the local labour market as a result of issuance of a work permit, as well as the consistency of the conditions of the proposed position and comparable positions in the Canadian labour market.

Exemptions exist by which confirmation may not be required for applicants in certain conditions. This may include exemptions due to international treaties such as GATS, NAFTA or the CCFTA; business visitors to Canada; exemptions based on significant benefit to Canada; or blanket confirmations such as Facilitated Processing of Information Technology Workers or programs for live-in-caregivers in Canada.