Starting October 10, 2025, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) will expand its Low-Wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing freeze. This measure is designed to safeguard job opportunities for Canadians and permanent residents in regions with unemployment rates of 6% or higher.
This update adds six new Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) to the list where low-wage LMIA applications will not be processed, while one CMA has been removed due to improved labour market conditions.
Regional Updates Effective October 10, 2025
| Category | Region (CMA) | Province | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Added | Halifax | Nova Scotia | Added to freeze list |
| Added | Barrie | Ontario | Added to freeze list |
| Added | Kingston | Ontario | Added to freeze list |
| Added | Peterborough | Ontario | Added to freeze list |
| Added | Windsor | Ontario | Added to freeze list |
| Added | Kelowna | British Columbia | Added to freeze list |
| Removed | Moncton | New Brunswick | Removed due to lower unemployment |
Purpose of the Freeze
The Low-Wage LMIA Processing Freeze prevents employers in high-unemployment regions from submitting LMIA applications for low-wage positions. This is part of the federal government’s labour market stabilization strategy, which prioritizes the hiring of Canadian citizens and permanent residents before turning to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The freeze list is reviewed quarterly based on regional unemployment data.
Impact on Employers and Foreign Workers
- Employers in the frozen regions cannot submit new low-wage LMIA applications.
- Applications for high-wage, agriculture, or Global Talent Stream positions are still allowed.
- Foreign workers with pending offers in affected areas may experience delays or cancellations.
- Employers are encouraged to consider alternative pathways, such as:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Express Entry
- In-Canada recruitment and training incentives
Next Review
The freeze will remain in effect until the next quarterly review in January 2026, when ESDC will reassess unemployment trends and update the eligible CMAs accordingly.
Conclusion
This expansion highlights the government’s data-driven approach to labour policy. Employers in the newly frozen CMAs should review staffing strategies and seek guidance from authorized immigration experts to explore alternative work permit or visa options.
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