Canada work‑permit freeze: what the Oct. 9, 2026 update means for employers and temporary workers
The federal government’s Oct. 9, 2026 update expands the list of regions where low‑wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) will be refused. From Oct. 9, 2026 to Jan. 7, 2027, employers cannot start hiring or renew LMIAs for non‑exempt jobs that pay less than 120% of the provincial or territorial median wage in the affected census metropolitan areas (CMAs). A positive or neutral LMIA is usually required for a foreign national to apply for or renew a TFWP work permit, so this change alters hiring and permit prospects in the listed regions for the coming quarter.
How we got here
The moratorium began on Sept. 26, 2024 when the government stopped processing low‑wage LMIAs in specified areas. On Nov. 8, 2024 the low‑wage cutoff was raised from the median to 120% of the provincial/territorial median. The hourly thresholds that correspond to that 120% figure were applied to LMIAs received on or after July 17, 2026. The CMA list is updated on a scheduled basis; the next update is set for Jan. 8, 2027.
Operational details to know
– Scope: The freeze covers the low‑wage stream in CMAs with unemployment at 6% or higher. ESDC will deny LMIAs for non‑exempt positions paying below 120% of the provincial/territorial median hourly wage.
– Timeframe: Current roster runs Oct. 9, 2026 to Jan. 7, 2027; next review on Jan. 8, 2027.
– Wage thresholds: Province/territory hourly thresholds apply to LMIAs received on or after July 17, 2026 (examples: B.C. $38.40/hr; Ontario $36.92/hr; Alberta $37.50/hr; Quebec $36.00/hr; Yukon $45.60/hr; Nunavut $45.00/hr).
– LMIA and work permits: Employers need a positive or neutral LMIA from ESDC to support most TFWP work permit applications to IRCC.
– Concurrent processing and maintained status: IRCC extended concurrent processing from 30 to 60 days on Aug. 21, 2026. Workers who apply for an extension before their permit expires retain maintained status and may continue working under their existing permit conditions while a decision is pending, provided they remain in Canada.
Which regions are now affected
The Oct. 9 update added Halifax, Fredericton, Kingston, St. Catharines–Niagara, Regina, and Lethbridge; Kamloops and Chilliwack were removed. The full CMA list with unemployment rates:
– St. John’s — 6.4%
– Halifax — 6.1%
– Moncton — 8.1%
– Fredericton — 6.2%
– Montréal — 7.2%
– Ottawa‑Gatineau — 7.9%
– Kingston — 6.3%
– Belleville–Quinte West — 6.4%
– Peterborough — 6.3%
– Oshawa — 9.8%
– Toronto — 7.5%
– Hamilton — 7.4%
– St. Catharines–Niagara — 6.5%
– Kitchener‑Cambridge‑Waterloo — 7.6%
– Brantford — 6.3%
– Guelph — 7.5%
– London — 9.1%
– Windsor — 7.9%
– Barrie — 6.2%
– Greater Sudbury — 6.2%
– Regina — 6.7%
– Saskatoon — 6.5%
– Lethbridge — 6.0%
– Calgary — 6.4%
– Red Deer — 6.9%
– Edmonton — 7.6%
– Kelowna — 8.6%
– Abbotsford‑Mission — 7.6%
– Vancouver — 7.0%
– Nanaimo — 6.6%
Which jobs remain exempt
LMIAs can still be processed in covered CMAs for: primary agriculture; construction; food manufacturing; hospitals; nursing and residential care facilities; and private households hiring nurses, childcare providers, or personal support workers as in‑home caregivers. Employers can also request case‑specific exemptions for temporary, highly mobile work (for example, workers for concerts, carnivals, or fairs).
Who is affected and how
– Employers in affected CMAs: Cannot apply for or renew low‑wage LMIAs for non‑exempt roles paying below the 120% threshold during the moratorium. Employers may need to raise wages to the threshold, use exempt streams, seek case‑specific exemptions, or delay hiring.
– New foreign workers: Job offers for low‑wage roles in affected CMAs will not result in LMIA‑backed TFWP permits if the wage is below the cutoff.
– In‑Canada workers seeking renewals: File extensions before permit expiry to maintain status. But if a renewal relies on a new LMIA that would be refused due to the moratorium, maintained status alone will not secure a successful renewal.
Practical effects on hiring, renewals and wages
– Hiring freeze: The direct LMIA route for low‑wage roles is closed in affected CMAs until the moratorium is lifted for a region or the CMA list changes.
– Wage pressure: Employers who wish to use the LMIA route must meet the 120% provincial/territorial median wage for their province.
– Timing: Use the extended 60‑day concurrent processing window where appropriate, but remember LMIA policy remains the deciding factor.
Key dates and thresholds
– Current CMA roster effective: Oct. 9, 2026 to Jan. 7, 2027.
– Next CMA update: Jan. 8, 2027.
– Low‑wage cutoff: 120% of the provincial/territorial median (announced Nov. 8, 2024).
– Hourly thresholds applied to LMIAs received on/after July 17, 2026 (examples listed above).
– Moratorium trigger: CMAs with unemployment of 6% or higher.
– Concurrent processing extension: Aug. 21, 2026 (30 → 60 days).
What to watch and next steps
– Check your CMA status before submitting LMIA or work permit applications.
– Verify wage offers against the provincial threshold if you plan to use the low‑wage LMIA route.
– Explore exemptions or alternative immigration programs if the moratorium affects your role.
– File permit extensions before expiry to preserve maintained status and use the longer concurrent processing window where eligible.
Why this matters beyond the quarter
The moratorium and the 120% threshold tie access to the low‑wage TFWP stream to regional labour‑market conditions. Employers may need to adjust compensation or recruitment plans, and temporary foreign workers may see reduced options for coming to or staying in Canada in affected regions. Quarterly updates mean regions can move on or off the list as unemployment data change.
For personalized support with your Canadian immigration pathway, contact GTR Immigration. Call us: +91-8810-686-447
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