Canadian firms can recruit foreign employees under the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program when they are unable to find competent workers within Canada. Through its Service Canada processing centres, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) evaluates employer requests to hire temporary foreign workers and conducts Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) to determine the likely impact on the Canadian labour market. The Program examines regional and occupation-specific labour market data, employers' recruiting and advertising activities, pay and working conditions, labour shortages, and the transfer of skills and knowledge to Canadians. After evaluation, ESDC issues LMIA to the employer and allow them to hire a foreign worker.