Government Updates Low-Wage LMIA Processing List, Adding 7 CMAs
The federal government has updated its list of census metropolitan areas (CMAs) where low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) will not be processed this quarter. Effective October 10, some regions have been added or removed from the list, impacting the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Peterborough, Ontario, previously on the list, has been removed. It will now process low-wage LMIAs until January 8, 2026. Conversely, Guelph, Ontario, Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Regina, Saskatchewan, Lethbridge, Alberta, Red Deer, Alberta, and Kelowna, British Columbia have been added to the list, halting low-wage LMIA processing until the same date.
Employers can circumvent this by offering higher wages to fall under the high-wage stream or waiting for unemployment rates to change. Foreign nationals can focus on occupations exempt from this measure or CMAs still processing low-wage LMIAs. This quarter sees an increase from the previous one, with 32 CMAs on the list, up from 26. The government's August 2024 announcement to halt low-wage LMIAs in CMAs with high unemployment rates continues to shape these changes.
Starting October 10, some CMAs will resume low-wage LMIA processing, while others will pause until the next list update. Employers and foreign workers should stay informed about these quarterly changes to plan accordingly.
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