Quebec Suspends LMIA Processing for Low-Wage Temporary Foreign Workers | Canada Immigration News

Starting September 3rd, Quebec will temporarily suspend the processing of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for job offers with hourly wages below $27.47 CAD in Montreal. This move, which will be in effect for six months, is part of the province's effort to manage temporary resident levels and uphold the integrity of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The federal government of Canada has approved this measure.

Premier François Legault and Immigration Minister Christine Fréchette announced the suspension, emphasizing the need to control the influx of temporary foreign workers in Montreal. This decision specifically targets low-wage jobs, aiming to reduce dependency on foreign labor in certain industries.

Key Exemptions and Criteria

The suspension does not apply to:

• Jobs located outside the economic region of Montreal.
• Jobs with an hourly wage equal to or above the Quebec median wage ($27.47 CAD).
• LMIA applications submitted before September 3, 2024.
• Employers in the following sectors, as defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS):
  • Agriculture
  • Construction
  • Food processing
  • Education
  • Health and social services

Municipalities Included in the Montreal Administrative Region

The administrative region of Montreal includes the following municipalities:

• Baie-d'Urfé
• Beaconsfield
• Côte-Saint-Luc
• Dollard-des-Ormeaux
• Dorval
• Hampstead
• Kirkland
• L’Île-Dorval
• Montreal
• Montreal East
• Montreal West
• Mount Royal
• Pointe-Claire
• Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
• Senneville
• Westmount

Federal Government's Monitoring and Recent Scrutiny of TFWP

The federal government will closely monitor this policy as it continues to review the future of the TFWP. Recently, the TFWP has faced increased scrutiny from Canada's Employment and Immigration Ministers.

On August 6th, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages Randy Boissonnault introduced new measures to protect the integrity of the TFWP. He expressed concerns that some employers may be overly reliant on cheap foreign labor, particularly through the low-wage stream of the program. Boissonnault emphasized that the TFWP should not be used to replace Canadian workers, especially in industries where domestic labor is available. He also suggested that the low-wage stream might artificially depress wages in Canada, leading to potential refusals of LMIA applications under this stream.

These views were echoed by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, who also highlighted the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to temporary and permanent immigration.

Broader Context: Temporary Immigration and Policy Changes

Quebec's suspension of LMIA processing for low-wage jobs is part of a broader effort to reassess temporary immigration levels across Canada. In March, Minister Miller announced that temporary resident levels would be factored into Canada’s annual immigration levels plan.

As part of this approach, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a temporary two-year cap on certain international student admissions, requiring a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for study permits. Additionally, Minister Miller signaled plans to implement new regulations around Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) and to increase the number of “domestic draws” for permanent residence, targeting temporary residents already in Canada.