If you’re looking to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), you need to know which regions in Canada are ineligible for processing.
As of January 2025, applications for low-wage LMIAs will not be accepted in certain census metropolitan areas (CMAs) with unemployment rates of 6% or higher. Employers and foreign workers should stay updated on these changes to ensure their applications meet federal guidelines.
Regions in Canada Ineligible for Low-Wage LMIAs (January 2025)
The Canadian government recently released a list of ineligible CMAs where unemployment rates exceed 6%. Without an LMIA, employers cannot hire workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, nor can existing workers extend their permits under this program.
Here are the 15 CMAs currently ineligible as of January 2025:
| Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador | 6% |
| Saint John, New Brunswick | 6.1% |
| Montréal, Quebec | 6.2% |
| Oshawa, Ontario | 7.5% |
| Toronto, Ontario | 7.9% |
| Hamilton, Ontario | 6.3% |
| St. Catharines-Niagara, Ontario | 6.2% |
| Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Ontario | 7.3% |
| Guelph, Ontario | 6.2% |
| London, Ontario | 6.4% |
| Windsor, Ontario | 8.8% |
| Barrie, Ontario | 6% |
| Regina, Saskatchewan | 6.1% |
| Calgary, Alberta | 7.5% |
| Edmonton, Alberta | 6.8% |
This list will be updated quarterly, with the next update due on April 4, 2025.
How to Check if Your Job Location Falls in an Ineligible CMA
To determine if your job is located in an ineligible CMA:
- Visit the Census of Population website.
- Enter the full postal code of your work location.
- Look for the “Census Metropolitan Area” field in the search results.
This tool will help you confirm whether your job falls within an ineligible region.
What Is the Low-Wage Stream of the TFWP?
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers to fill labour shortages. The program is divided into two categories based on the wage offered:
- High-Wage Stream: For jobs that pay wages at or above the provincial median.
- Low-Wage Stream: For jobs that pay wages below the provincial median.
As of November 2024, the high-wage stream requires employers to offer wages at least 20% above the provincial median or equal to what other employees in the same role earn—whichever is higher.
What If a Job Is in an Ineligible CMA?
For jobs located in regions where low-wage LMIAs are not processed:
- Increase the Wage: Employers can raise wages to qualify under the high-wage stream.
- Wait for the Next Update: If feasible, employers can delay their LMIA application until the next update in unemployment rates (April 4, 2025).
- Seek Opportunities Elsewhere: Employees can focus on finding positions in eligible CMAs with lower unemployment rates.
Workers Losing TFWP Permit Status: What to Do
If your low-wage work permit expires and cannot be renewed:
- You must stop working immediately.
- You may apply for a visitor record to remain in Canada legally.
Past CMAs No Longer on the Ineligible List
Between October 2024 and January 2025, some CMAs were previously ineligible but are now excluded due to improved unemployment rates:
- Trois-Rivières, Quebec (5.2%)
- Ottawa-Gatineau, Ontario/Quebec (5.4%)
- Kingston, Ontario (5.7%)
- Brantford, Ontario (4.2%)
- Winnipeg, Manitoba (5.6%)
- Abbotsford-Mission, British Columbia (5.4%)
- Vancouver, British Columbia (5.9%)
What Is a Census Metropolitan Area (CMA)?
A Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) is a region centered around a core population of at least 50,000, with a total population exceeding 100,000. These areas include municipalities that show strong economic and social integration with the core city, measured by commuting patterns.
