Six new regions join the low-wage LMIA processing freeze, i.e., the federal government has announced the latest quarterly update to the list of census metropolitan areas (CMAs) across Canada where low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) will not be processed.
This list, effective October 10, includes a total of 32 CMAs, up from 26 regions in the previous quarter (July 11 to October 9).
With this update, some regions like Peterborough, Ontario, will resume LMIA processing, while others including Guelph, Ontario, and Winnipeg, Manitoba will temporarily stop processing low-wage LMIA applications.
Why This Change Matters For Low-Wage LMIA Applications?
LMIAs are required for employers hiring temporary foreign workers through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
In August 2024, the federal government announced a policy that it would pause processing LMIA applications under the low-wage stream in any CMA with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher.
Since then, the government has been issuing quarterly lists indicating which CMAs meet that threshold. This helps both foreign workers and employers understand where low-wage LMIA applications can and cannot be processed.
CMAs Added To The Freeze Starting October 10
The following regions are now ineligible for low-wage LMIA processing until at least the next update:
- Guelph, Ontario
- Greater Sudbury, Ontario
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Regina, Saskatchewan
- Lethbridge, Alberta
- Red Deer, Alberta
- Kelowna, British Columbia
From October 10, 2025, to January 8, 2026, LMIA applications under the low-wage stream of the TFWP from these regions will not be processed.
CMAs Removed From The Freeze Starting October 10
- Peterborough, Ontario
Employers in Peterborough will now be able to submit LMIA applications for low-wage positions between October 10, 2025, and January 8, 2026.
Full List Of CMAs Ineligible As Of October 10
As six new regions join the low-wage LMIA processing freeze, let us look at the list of CMAs ineligible as of October 10.
| Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) | Unemployment Rate |
| St. John’s, NL | 6.8 |
| Halifax, NS | 6.1 |
| Moncton, NB | 7.3 |
| Saint John, NB | 7.3 |
| Fredericton, NB | 6.7 |
| Montréal, QC | 6.7 |
| Ottawa-Gatineau, ON/QC | 7.7 |
| Kingston, ON | 6.6 |
| Belleville – Quinte West, ON | 6.6 |
| Oshawa, ON | 9.5 |
| Toronto, ON | 9.5 |
| Hamilton, ON | 7.6 |
| St. Catharines-Niagara, ON | 7.0 |
| Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, ON | 7.4 |
| Brantford, ON | 9.4 |
| Guelph, ON | 9.2 |
| London, ON | 7.0 |
| Windsor, ON | 11.3 |
| Barrie, ON | 7.5 |
| Greater Sudbury, ON | 7.0 |
| Winnipeg, MB | 7.3 |
| Regina, SK | 6.8 |
| Lethbridge, AB | 8.5 |
| Calgary, AB | 8.0 |
| Red Deer, AB | 8.7 |
| Edmonton, AB | 9.0 |
| Kelowna, BC | 6.0 |
| Kamloops, BC | 8.6 |
| Chilliwack, BC | 7.8 |
| Abbotsford-Mission, BC | 8.1 |
| Vancouver, BC | 6.8 |
| Nanaimo, BC | 9.7 |
The next list update is scheduled for January 8, 2026.
What To Do If A Position Is In A CMA With Unemployment Above 6%?
Before applying, both employers and workers should confirm whether the CMA where the job is located has an unemployment rate higher than 6%.
For Employers
If an employer wants to hire through the TFWP in a CMA where low-wage LMIAs are not being processed, they have two options:
- Increase the offered wage so the position qualifies as a high-wage role. This requires offering a wage equal to or higher than the provincial or territorial median wage for the job and location.
- Wait until the next quarterly update in case the unemployment rate drops below 6% and the region is removed from the freeze list.
For Foreign Nationals
Foreign workers can target job opportunities in sectors exempt from this refusal-to-process measure. Exemptions include:
- Primary agriculture
- Construction
- Food manufacturing
- Hospitals
- Nursing and residential care facilities
- Specific in-home caregiver roles
- Positions supporting permanent residency only (no work permit application)
- Short-term jobs (120 days or less) meeting specific criteria
Another option is to apply in CMAs where low-wage LMIAs are still being processed.
Foreign nationals already in Canada on low-wage TFWP work permits who lose their status due to this freeze must stop working immediately. However, they may apply for a visitor record if they want to remain in Canada temporarily.
How To Check The CMA For A Job Location?
To verify whether a position is in a CMA affected by the freeze:
- Enter the full postal code of the work location in the Census of Population search.
- Check the “Census metropolitan area / Census agglomeration” result.
- If no CMA is listed, the application remains eligible.
- If it shows Census agglomeration, the application is still eligible.
- If it shows Census metropolitan area (CMA), cross-check with the above table. If listed, low-wage LMIA applications from that location will not be processed for the next three months.
This LMIA freeze aims to balance Canada’s labour market needs with local employment opportunities in regions facing higher unemployment rates. While it may limit some foreign hiring temporarily, it also encourages employers to focus on high-demand sectors and adapt their recruitment strategies accordingly.
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