LMIA Processing Returns to 7 Canadian Regions in Early 2026

Seven More Regions to Resume Low-Wage LMIA Processing

Starting January 9, the federal government will begin processing low-wage labour market impact assessments in seven more regions across Canada.

Vancouver, Winnipeg and Kingston are some of the regions where low-wage LMIA processing will begin once more. These regions have seen their unemployment rate drop below 6 percent.

The government only processes low-wage LMIAs in regions where the unemployment rate is 6 percent or lower. Foreign nationals cannot apply for or renew a work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program without their employer having a positive or neutral LMIA.

A job falls under the low-wage stream if the pay does not equal or exceed 120 percent of the median wage for that region. The wage must also fall within the range of what the employer pays current employees in that location with the same role and experience, whichever is higher.

Certain occupations are exempt from the freeze, such as those in primary agriculture, construction, and select front-line healthcare occupations.

The next update to this list is expected on April 10, 2026.

Which Regions Have Been Added to the List?

No new region has been added to the list of census metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate over 6 percent. Many on the previous quarter’s list have seen their unemployment rate increase compared to last quarter though.

Which Regions Will Begin Processing Low-Wage LMIAs?

These regions dropped below the 6 percent threshold and will resume processing applications starting January 8, 2026.

Halifax dropped from 6.1 percent to 5.2 percent. Moncton fell from 7.3 percent to 5.5 percent. Saint John went from 7.3 percent to 5.8 percent.

Fredericton decreased from 6.7 percent to 5.2 percent. Kingston dropped from 6.6 percent to 5.6 percent. Winnipeg fell from 7.3 percent to 5.7 percent.

Vancouver decreased from 6.8 percent to 5.9 percent.

Although the unemployment rate of Montreal dropped from 6.7 percent to 5.5 percent, the suspension of low-wage LMIA applications in Montreal continues to apply. Quebec froze low-wage LMIA processing in the administrative regions of Montreal and Laval until December 31, 2026.

Job offers from these regions were previously not eligible for low-wage LMIA processing in the last quarter of 2025. However, they will now be eligible for low-wage LMIA processing in the first quarter of 2026.

The Full List of Ineligible CMAs as of January 8

Twenty-four census metropolitan areas remain ineligible for low-wage LMIA processing. St. John’s in Newfoundland and Labrador has an unemployment rate of 7.1 percent.

Ottawa-Gatineau sits at 6.8 percent. Belleville-Quinte West in Ontario has the highest rate at 10.6 percent. Oshawa is at 8.0 percent.

Toronto has an unemployment rate of 7.5 percent. Hamilton sits at 6.4 percent. St. Catharines-Niagara is at 6.5 percent.

Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo has an unemployment rate of 8.1 percent. Brantford is at 8.5 percent. Guelph sits at 7.4 percent. London is at 7.3 percent.

Windsor has an unemployment rate of 7.1 percent. Barrie is at 8.7 percent. Greater Sudbury sits at 6.0 percent. Regina is at 6.3 percent.

In Alberta, Lethbridge has an unemployment rate of 7.2 percent. Calgary sits at 6.3 percent. Red Deer has the highest provincial rate at 8.9 percent.

Edmonton is at 6.9 percent. Kelowna in British Columbia sits at 8.5 percent. Kamloops is at 6.6 percent. Chilliwack has an unemployment rate of 7.3 percent.

Abbotsford-Mission is at 6.4 percent. Nanaimo sits at 6.3 percent.

Background on the Policy Change

In August 2024, the government announced it would stop processing LMIA applications under the low-wage stream of the TFWP for CMAs with an unemployment rate of 6 percent or higher. The goal is to encourage businesses to hire eligible workers already in the area looking for work.

Since then, the federal government has been releasing a quarterly list of CMAs with their unemployment rates. Foreign workers can use this information to know which regions will not process low-wage LMIAs required for work permits.

What Are My Options If My Job Offer Is in One of the Impacted Regions?

Both employers and employees should check the unemployment rate of the CMA where the role is located before submitting an application. This applies to applications for an LMIA under the low-wage stream of the TFWP.

For Employers

If an employer wishes to hire a foreign worker under the low-wage stream of the TFWP, they have options. If they reside in a CMA with an unemployment rate 6 percent or higher, they can increase the wage. This would make the position fall under the high wage stream of the TFWP.

The wage thresholds vary by province and territory. Alberta and Ontario require 36.00 dollars per hour. British Columbia requires 36.60 dollars per hour.

Manitoba requires 30.16 dollars per hour. New Brunswick requires 30.00 dollars per hour. Newfoundland and Labrador requires 32.40 dollars per hour.

Northwest Territories has the highest threshold at 48.00 dollars per hour. Nova Scotia requires 30.00 dollars per hour. Nunavut requires 42.00 dollars per hour.

Prince Edward Island requires 30.00 dollars per hour. Quebec requires 34.62 dollars per hour. Saskatchewan requires 33.60 dollars per hour. Yukon requires 44.40 dollars per hour.

If a foreign national’s wage is at or above the wage threshold listed above, their employer must apply under the high-wage stream. The wage threshold applies in the province where their employment is based.

Another option is to wait three months in case there is a change to the unemployment rates. The CMA in which the role is located might see its unemployment rate drop below the threshold.

For Foreign Nationals

Foreign nationals can focus their job hunt on occupations that are exempt from this refusal to process measure.

This includes occupations under primary agriculture. Positions in construction are also exempt. Positions in food manufacturing remain eligible too.

Positions in hospitals are exempt. Positions in nursing and residential care facilities continue to be processed. Specific in-home caregiver positions remain eligible as well.

Positions in support of permanent residency only are exempt, with no application for work permit. Short duration positions of 120 calendar days or less that also meet specific criteria remain eligible.

Foreign nationals can also focus their job hunt on CMAs where low-wage LMIAs are still being processed.

Foreign workers on low-wage TFWP work permits who lose status because their work permits cannot be extended must stop working. They may apply for a visitor record to remain in Canada as a visitor, if they wish.

Foreign nationals who get a job from another employer may be able to begin working at the new job. They can start while their application is being processed if they meet certain criteria.

How Can I Tell If My Job Offer Is in One of the Impacted Regions?

Visit the Census of Population website. Enter the full postal code of the work location in the search bar there.

Under the Geography search results page, check the Census metropolitan area or Census agglomeration result.

If it shows Census metropolitan area, you can check if the CMA is listed in the above table. If it is, your application will not be processed for the next three months.

If this level isn’t listed, your application is still eligible.

If it shows Census agglomeration, your application is still eligible.