Canada Restricts Low Wage LMIA Applications in 15 High Employment Regions
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The Canadian government has announced new restrictions on Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA), under the low wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Starting from August 26, 2024 LMIA’s will no longer be processed in Census Metropolitan Areas (CMA) with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher.
This means employees in these regions cannot hire foreign workers under the TFWP, nor can the existing TFWP workers renew their work permits. On January 10, 2025 the Canadian government released a list of 15 CMAs where LMIA applications will not be processed.
Also Explore: Changes to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program in 2024
Key Highlights
- Affected CMA’s: 15 regions with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher were listed
- How to Check Eligibility: Employer or employee can enter the job location's postal code on the Census of Population website to verify if it falls within an affected CMA.
- Low Wage Stream Criteria: Positions paying below the provincial median wage must apply under the low weight stream of the TFWP
- High Wage Stream Update: As of November 8 2024 the wage requirement for high weight stream workers increased to 20% above the median wage in the province or territory
List of CMAs Ineligible as of January 2025
As of January 10, 2025, a total of 15 CMAs are identified with unemployment rate 6% or higher and considered ineligible for TFWP. These include:
| Census Metropolitan Areas (CMA) | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| St.John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador | 6% |
| Saint John, New Brunswick | 6.10% |
| Montreal, Quebec | 6.20% |
| Oshawa, Ontario | 7.50% |
| Toronto, Ontario | 7.90% |
| Hamilton, Ontario | 6.30% |
| St.Catharines - Niagara, Ontario | 6.20% |
| Kitchener - Cambridge - Waterloo, Ontario | 7.30% |
| Guelph, Ontario | 6.20% |
| London, Ontario | 6.40% |
| Windsor, Ontario | 8.80% |
| Barrie, Ontario | 6% |
| Regina, Saskatchewan | 6.10% |
| Calgary, Alberta | 7.50% |
| Edmonton, Alberta | 6.80% |
This list will be updated quarterly with the next update scheduled for April 4, 2025
Also Explore: Canada’s New Open Work Permit Eligibility Changes
What is a CMA?
A CMA is defined as a metropolitan region with a core population of at least 50,000 and a total population exceeding 100,000 based on census data These areas maintain CMA status, even if their population falls below the threshold.
The government quarterly updates will determine which CMAs remain ineligible for LMIA processing, which would influence employers and foreign workers hiring in these regions
Also Read: What’s New in Canada Express Entry System in 2025?
Work in Canada? Get Your PR with GetGIS Assistance
Canada's LMIA restrictions influence employers and foreign workers’ opportunities in high unemployment CMAs. For individuals looking for alternative pathways to work and settle in Canada, permanent residency (PR) options can provide more stability and long term benefits.
If you are considering Canada PR or need expert guidance on immigration requirements, GetGIS can help you navigate the process smoothly. Our experienced immigration assistance team provides tailored solutions to help you achieve your Canada immigration goals with ease.
Also Explore: Government of Canada Hiring: Job Openings Nationwide
