New Canada LMIA Guidelines: Which Regions Are Affected in 2025?

Overview of New Rules for Low-Wage LMIA Applications

As of January 2025, the Canadian federal government will not process Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) under the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) for certain regions. These regions, known as Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs), have an unemployment rate of 6% or higher, meaning employers in these areas will face limitations on hiring foreign workers under this stream.

Key Changes and Impact

• No LMIA Processing: Employers cannot apply for an LMIA under the low-wage stream for positions located in CMAs with an unemployment rate above 6%.
• Work Permit Restrictions: Foreign workers cannot renew their work permits if their job falls within these regions, unless they meet high-wage stream criteria.

Regions Affected by New Rules

As of January 10, 2025, the following 15 CMAs have an unemployment rate of 6% or higher, and as such, LMIAs under the low-wage stream will not be processed:

This list will be updated every three months, with the next update scheduled for April 4, 2025.

How to Determine If Your Job Is Affected

To find out if a job location falls within one of the affected CMAs:

1. Enter the complete postal code of the work location on the Census of Population website.
2. In the Geography search results, look for “Census metropolitan area/Census agglomeration.”

This will show the specific CMA and whether it’s subject to the new LMIA processing rules.

What Is the Low-Wage Stream of the TFWP?

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) enables employers in Canada to hire foreign workers to address labor shortages.

• If the wage offered is at or above the provincial wage threshold, the employer can apply under the high-wage stream.
• If the wage falls below the provincial wage threshold, the employer must apply under the low-wage stream.

In November 2024, the government increased the wage requirement for the high-wage stream to 20% higher than the median wage in the province or territory.

What to Do if Your Job Is in an Affected CMA

If your job is in a CMA with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher, consider the following options:

1. Increase the Wage: Employers may adjust the wage to qualify under the high-wage stream.
2. Wait for Updates: Employees can ask their employers to wait three months to check for changes in the unemployment rate.
3. Explore Other Locations: Job seekers can focus on finding employment in CMAs where LMIAs are still being processed.
4. Permit Expiry: If you're on a low-wage TFWP permit that can't be extended, you must stop working and apply for a visitor record to remain in Canada.

Previous CMAs on the List

Some CMAs that had an unemployment rate above 6% between October 11 and January 9, but are no longer on the list as of January 10, 2025, include:

• Trois-Rivières, Quebec (5.2%)
• Ottawa-Gatineau, Ontario/Quebec (5.4%)
• Kingston, Ontario (5.7%)
• Brantford, Ontario (4.2%)
• Winnipeg, Manitoba (5.6%)
• Abbotsford-Mission, British Columbia (5.4%)
• Vancouver, British Columbia (5.9%)

Understanding Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs)

A Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) is a region defined by Statistics Canada based on a core population center and surrounding municipalities with strong economic and social ties. A CMA must have a population of at least 100,000, with at least 50,000 residing in the core area. These areas retain CMA status even if their population falls below the threshold.