Canada Updates Low-Wage LMIA Processing Restrictions by City on October 9, 2026

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) updated its census metropolitan area (CMA) unemployment-rate table on October 9, 2026. Certain low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications for positions in CMAs with unemployment of 6% or higher are refused processing, subject to specified exceptions. The new rates apply to applications submitted from October 9, 2026 through January 7, 2027.

Six metropolitan areas newly reach the restriction threshold

Six CMAs that were below 6% in the previous quarter now meet or exceed the threshold: Halifax, Nova Scotia (5.9% to 6.1%); Fredericton, New Brunswick (5.3% to 6.2%); Kingston, Ontario (5.3% to 6.3%); St. Catharines–Niagara, Ontario (5.8% to 6.5%); Regina, Saskatchewan (5.9% to 6.7%); and Lethbridge, Alberta (5.4% to 6.0%). These figures come from ESDC's official quarterly table.

Where the restriction has been lifted

Kamloops, British Columbia, fell from 7.0% to 3.6%, and Chilliwack, British Columbia, fell from 7.9% to 5.6%. Because their rates are now below 6%, the CMA unemployment-rate refusal rule no longer applies to otherwise eligible low-wage LMIA applications submitted during this period. Other LMIA requirements and refusal rules still apply.

Which applications are affected?

The measure concerns certain low-wage LMIA applications where the job pays below the applicable provincial or territorial wage threshold and the work location is in a CMA at or above 6% unemployment at the time of submission. ESDC lists exceptions, including specified primary agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, hospital, and nursing or residential care positions. This is not a blanket ban on all foreign workers or all work permits in the affected cities.

What employers and applicants should check

Employers should verify the worksite's census geography using its full postal code, review the official CMA table for the filing date, check whether an exemption applies, and assess other Temporary Foreign Worker Program requirements before submitting. Applicants should not assume an existing valid work permit is cancelled by this update. The next scheduled table update is January 8, 2027.

Official government source

Employment and Social Development Canada — Refusal to process a Labour Market Impact Assessment application