LMIAQuebectemporary foreign worker program

Quebec Extends Pause on Low-Wage TFW LMIA Applications

Published on: March 5th, 2025

As of March 3, 2025, Quebec has announced that it will extend the temporary suspension of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing for low-wage positions under the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program.

 

Background

The suspension was implemented last August for a six-month period and was supposed to end on March 3rd, 2025, but will now remain in effect until November 30, 2025. The goal was to address concerns about the growing number of low-wage foreign workers coming into the region under the TFW Program. The TFW program is intended to fill gaps in the labour market when Canadian workers cannot be found to fill certain job positions. However, Quebec made the decision to suspend LMIA applications to the program to ensure that Canadian employers prioritize local workers for available jobs, while still allowing the program to serve its intended purpose of employing low-wage workers.

 

Impacted Regions

The LMIA application processing suspension will continue to affect applicants in specific municipalities within the Montréal economic region. Initially this suspension was limited to certain areas, however, the pause will now also include the administrative region of Laval, Quebec. Employers in these areas should be aware that the extension of the suspension will have an impact on their ability to apply for low-wage foreign workers.

The updated list of all affected municipalities include:

  • Baie-d’Urfé
  • Beaconsfield
  • Côte-Saint-Luc
  • Dollard-des-Ormeaux
  • Dorval
  • Hampstead
  • Kirkland
  • L’Île-Dorval
  • Laval
  • Montréal
  • Montréal East
  • Montréal West
  • Mount Royal
  • Pointe-Claire
  • Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
  • Senneville
  • Westmount

Impact

The suspension applies specifically to LMIA applications for low-wage positions where the wage rate is below Quebec’s set threshold of $27.47 CAD per hour. This means that employers seeking to hire temporary foreign workers for positions in this wage range will not be able to submit LMIA applications in the affected regions during the pause.

Businesses in sectors that rely on low-wage workers may face challenges during this time, however, it is important to note that certain sectors are exempt from this suspension.

 

Exemptions

Since some industries are essential and cannot be easily filled by local workers, certain sectors are exempt from this suspension. Employers in industries such as agriculture, education, social services, construction, food processing, and healthcare will still be able to submit LMIA applications under the low-wage stream, and these will continue to be processed. Additionally, any LMIA applications submitted before September 3, 2024, and those that have already been approved, will not be affected by the suspension extension.

 

We will continue to closely monitor this suspension as it is likely to evolve based on Quebec’s economic conditions over the next few months. It is important for both employers and potential workers in the affected regions to stay informed and updated on any changes to the situation. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter located on the bottom of this page to receive timely updates and news right to your inbox.

 

Contact us for further information regarding this matter

Contact Us

Recent articles

Express Entry Draw

Express Entry Draw #353 | 3,000 CEC Candidates Invited Again

Express Entry draw #353 marks the second time in a row where a total of 3,000 candidates were invited under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) […]

Canada Work Permit | Family Sponsorship

PGWP Changes for International Students

As of June 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the current list of eligible fields of study for students applying for a […]

Express Entry Draw | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Express Entry Draw #352 | 503 Invitations Issued in PNP Draw

In Express Entry Draw #352, 503 candidates were invited under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of […]

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

New OINP Employer Online Portal

Starting July 2, 2025, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is launching a new online Employer Portal, replacing the old paper-based system. This change affects […]

Express Entry Draw

Express Entry Draw #351 | 3,000 CEC Candidates Invited

Express Entry draw #351 marks the fifth Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw of 2025 where a total of 3,000 candidates were invited with a comprehensive […]

Express Entry Draw | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Express Entry Draw #350 | 125 Invitations Issued in PNP Draw

In Express Entry Draw #350, 125 candidates were invited under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of […]

Free assessment

Discover your Canadian immigration options. Get your free assessment now!