Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Canada has officially resumed Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing under the Low-Wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) in eight regions, creating new opportunities for foreign workers and employers, according to Chanda Immigration. The move follows updated labour market data showing unemployment rates have fallen below the federal six per cent threshold, allowing low-wage hiring to resume in previously restricted areas.
Eligible regions include Vancouver, Winnipeg, Halifax, Kingston, Montréal, Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton.
Employers in these regions can now submit LMIA applications to hire foreign workers across sectors such as hospitality, retail, caregiving, manufacturing, and logistics, while continuing to meet program requirements like advertising obligations, wage standards, and housing provisions.
For foreign nationals, this development provides a pathway to secure LMIA-supported work permits, maintain legal employment in Canada, and access opportunities in regions that were previously unavailable under the low-wage stream. Chanda Immigration noted that LMIA eligibility is region-specific and subject to quarterly review, with the next update expected in April 2026, and that certain sectors including primary agriculture, healthcare, and construction remain exempt from low-wage restrictions.
This resumption reflects improving labour market conditions and addresses ongoing workforce shortages, giving both employers and foreign workers a regulated and monitored pathway to participate in Canada’s labour market.
