Low-wage LMIA processing restrictions lifted for eight regions, including Halifax, Winnipeg, and Regina
Starting July 10, 2026, eight Canadian regions including Halifax, Winnipeg, and Regina can now process low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications after their unemployment rates dropped below 6%.
Key points
✓Eight regions were removed from the low-wage LMIA processing freeze as of July 10, 2026: Halifax, Saint John, Fredericton, Drummondville, Kingston, St. Catharines-Niagara, Winnipeg, and Regina
✓Four new regions were added to the freeze starting July 10: Saskatoon, Red Deer, Kamloops, and Chilliwack
✓The federal government only processes low-wage LMIAs in census metropolitan areas (CMAs) with unemployment rates below 6%
✓Certain occupations are exempt from the processing restrictions, including primary agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, and healthcare positions
✓The next quarterly update to the list of eligible regions is scheduled for October 10
What this means for you
If you have a job offer in one of the eight newly eligible regions, your employer can now apply for a low-wage LMIA to support your work permit. However, if your job is in one of the four regions newly added to the freeze, your employer may need to either wait until October or increase your wage to qualify for the high-wage stream instead. Always check the current unemployment rate for your specific region before proceeding.
Full detail
The federal government has resumed processing low-wage LMIA applications in eight Canadian regions as of July 10, 2026. These regions—Halifax, Saint John, Fredericton, Drummondville, Kingston, St. Catharines-Niagara, Winnipeg, and Regina—had their unemployment rates fall below the 6% threshold. Conversely, four regions (Saskatoon, Red Deer, Kamloops, and Chilliwack) were newly added to the processing freeze after their unemployment rates climbed above 6%.
The federal government implemented this quarterly system in August 2024 to better align the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) with regional labour market conditions and prioritize Canadian citizens and permanent residents for available jobs. Employers must obtain a positive or neutral LMIA before hiring a foreign worker under the TFWP, whether for an initial work permit or an extension.
A total of 26 CMAs remain ineligible for low-wage LMIA processing until at least October 9, including major centres such as Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, and Calgary. However, certain occupations are exempt from these restrictions, including roles in primary agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, and nursing care facilities.
If your job offer is in a region where low-wage LMIAs cannot be processed, one option is to discuss a wage increase with your employer to move the position into the high-wage stream, which is not subject to the processing freeze. The high-wage threshold varies by province and territory and is updated periodically.
An LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is a document that an employer must obtain before hiring a foreign worker under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. It confirms that the employer has made genuine efforts to recruit Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact the Canadian labour market.
What is the difference between low-wage and high-wage LMIA streams?
Low-wage positions are those below the provincial/territorial hourly wage threshold set by the government. The federal government restricts processing of low-wage LMIAs in regions with unemployment rates of 6% or higher to prioritize Canadian workers. High-wage positions (at or above the threshold) are not subject to these regional restrictions.
When will the next update to eligible regions occur?
The federal government updates the list of eligible CMAs every quarter. The next update is scheduled for October 10, 2026, and will determine which regions can process low-wage LMIAs from October 10 onwards.
Are there occupations that can still get low-wage LMIAs processed in restricted regions?
Yes. Certain occupations are exempt from the processing restrictions, including primary agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, hospital positions, nursing and residential care facilities, specific in-home caregiver positions, and short-duration positions of 120 calendar days or less that meet specific criteria.
General information, not legal or immigration advice. Immigration rules change often — confirm details on the official source above and, for your situation, consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer.