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What employers and foreign workers need to know about Vancouver, Winnipeg, Halifax, and other regions
Canada is easing restrictions on low-wage LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) processing in several major cities starting Q1 2026, and that’s welcome news for many employers and temporary foreign workers.
Beginning January 9, 2026, the federal government will once again process low-wage LMIA applications in eight census metropolitan areas (CMAs) where unemployment levels have dropped below the government’s cutoff. Cities like Vancouver, Winnipeg, Kingston, and Halifax are officially back in play after being paused in late 2025.
Below is a clear breakdown of what’s changing, why it matters, and what your options are if you’re affected.
Why LMIA Processing Was Paused in the First Place
In August 2024, the federal government introduced a major policy shift under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The goal was simple:
To encourage employers to hire available workers already living in Canada.
Under this policy, low-wage LMIA applications are not processed in CMAs with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. To keep things transparent, the government now releases a quarterly list showing which regions are eligible and which are not.
Good News: Eight Regions Are Reopening for Low-Wage LMIAs
As of January 9, 2026, the following CMAs are once again eligible for low-wage LMIA processing, because their unemployment rates have fallen below 6%:
Regions Removed From the “Ineligible” List (Q1 2026)
Halifax, NS: 6.1% → 5.2%
Moncton, NB: 7.3% → 5.5%
Saint John, NB: 7.3% → 5.8%
Fredericton, NB: 6.7% → 5.2%
Montréal, QC: 6.7% → 5.5%
Kingston, ON: 6.6% → 5.6%
Winnipeg, MB: 7.3% → 5.7%
Vancouver, BC: 6.8% → 5.9%
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What this means:
Job offers in these cities were not eligible for low-wage LMIA processing in late 2025, but they are now eligible again for applications submitted between January 9 and April 9, 2026.
The next unemployment rate update is expected on April 10, 2026.
What Counts as a Low-Wage LMIA?
A job is considered low-wage if the offered pay is:
Below 120% of the regional median wage, or
Below what the employer already pays current employees in the same role and location (with similar experience)
Without a positive or neutral LMIA, a foreign worker cannot apply for or renew a work permit under the TFWP.
Regions Still Ineligible for Low-Wage LMIA Processing (Q1 2026)
As of January 8, 2026, no new CMAs were added to the ineligible list but many remain over the 6% unemployment threshold.
CMAs Where Low-Wage LMIAs Will Not Be Processed (January 9 – April 9, 2026)
St. John’s, NL – 7.1%
Ottawa–Gatineau, ON/QC – 6.8%
Belleville–Quinte West, ON – 10.6%
Oshawa, ON – 8.0%
Toronto, ON – 7.5%
Hamilton, ON – 6.4%
St. Catharines–Niagara, ON – 6.5%
Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo, ON – 8.1%
Brantford, ON – 8.5%
Guelph, ON – 7.4%
London, ON – 7.3%
Windsor, ON – 7.1%
Barrie, ON – 8.7%
Greater Sudbury, ON – 6.0%
Regina, SK – 6.3%
Lethbridge, AB – 7.2%
Calgary, AB – 6.3%
Red Deer, AB – 8.9%
Edmonton, AB – 6.9%
Kelowna, BC – 8.5%
Kamloops, BC – 6.6%
Chilliwack, BC – 7.3%
Abbotsford–Mission, BC – 6.4%
Nanaimo, BC – 6.3%
If your job is located in one of these areas, low-wage LMIA applications will not be processed during this quarter.
Options for Employers in High-Unemployment Regions
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If you’re an employer affected by the freeze, you still have choices.
1. Switch to the High-Wage Stream
You can increase the offered wage so the role qualifies under the high-wage TFWP stream.
High-Wage Thresholds by Province (CAD/hour)
Alberta: $36.00
British Columbia: $36.60
Manitoba: $30.16
New Brunswick: $30.00
Newfoundland & Labrador: $32.40
Nova Scotia: $30.00
Ontario: $36.00
Quebec: $34.62
Saskatchewan: $33.60
Prince Edward Island: $30.00
Northwest Territories: $48.00
Yukon: $44.40
Nunavut: $42.00
If the wage meets or exceeds the threshold, the LMIA must be submitted under the high-wage stream.
2. Wait for the Next Quarterly Update
Unemployment rates change every three months, and a region that’s ineligible now may reopen later.
Options for Foreign Workers
Foreign nationals also have several paths forward:
Focus on LMIA-Exempt or Protected Occupations
Certain roles are not affected by the low-wage LMIA pause, including:
Primary agriculture
Construction
Food manufacturing
Hospital positions
Nursing and residential care facilities
Certain in-home caregiver roles
Jobs supporting permanent residence only
Short-term jobs (120 days or less) that meet specific criteria
Look for Jobs in Eligible CMAs
Target regions where low-wage LMIAs are still being processed.
If Your Work Permit Can’t Be Extended
You must stop working
You may apply for a visitor record to stay in Canada legally
If you secure a new employer, you may be able to start working while your application is processed if eligibility requirements are met
How to Check If Your Job Location Is Affected
To confirm whether your job falls within an impacted CMA:
Visit the Census of Population website
Enter the full postal code of the work location
Check the “Census metropolitan area / Census agglomeration” result
If it shows a CMA and that CMA is on the ineligible list, your LMIA won’t be processed this quarter
If it shows Census agglomeration or no CMA, it means the application is still eligible
Final Takeaway
The resumption of low-wage LMIA processing in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Halifax, and other regions is a positive shift for early 2026 but the system remains highly regional and time-sensitive. Employers and foreign workers alike should check unemployment rates carefully, explore high-wage or exempt options, and plan around quarterly updates.
Staying informed can make the difference between a delayed application and a successful one.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration policies and LMIA rules can change without notice. Always consult official Government of Canada sources or a licensed immigration professional before making decisions related to work permits or LMIA applications.