{"id":3630,"date":"2025-10-10T16:15:32","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T20:15:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cadimmigration.com\/?p=3630"},"modified":"2025-10-10T16:15:34","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T20:15:34","slug":"six-more-regions-face-lmia-processing-freeze-for-low-wage-jobs-starting-october-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cadimmigration.com\/?p=3630","title":{"rendered":"Six More Regions Face LMIA Processing Freeze for Low-Wage Jobs Starting October 10"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Federal Government Expands LMIA Suspension Zones Across Canada<\/mark><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Government of Canada has expanded its list of regions where <strong>low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs)<\/strong> will not be processed, starting <strong>October 10, 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This marks the <strong>third quarterly update<\/strong> since the measure was introduced in 2024, reflecting the government\u2019s continued focus on balancing <strong>local employment opportunities<\/strong> with <strong>temporary foreign worker demand<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The number of affected <strong>Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs)<\/strong> has now climbed from <strong>26 to 32<\/strong>, signaling a tightening of access for employers hiring under the <strong>low-wage stream<\/strong> of the <strong>Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">New Regions Added to the LMIA Processing Freeze<\/mark><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginning <strong>October 10, 2025<\/strong>, six additional regions will be <strong>suspended<\/strong> from low-wage LMIA processing due to <strong>unemployment rates above 6%<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Newly added CMAs include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Guelph, Ontario<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Greater Sudbury, Ontario<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Winnipeg, Manitoba<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regina, Saskatchewan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lethbridge, Alberta<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Red Deer, Alberta<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kelowna, British Columbia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These regions will remain <strong>ineligible for low-wage LMIA processing until January 8, 2026<\/strong>, when the list is scheduled for its next review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Regions Removed from the Freeze<\/mark><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One region \u2014 <strong>Peterborough, Ontario<\/strong> \u2014 has been <strong>removed from the ineligible list<\/strong>, meaning employers there can <strong>resume submitting low-wage LMIA applications<\/strong> from October 10 onward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Background: Why the Policy Was Introduced<\/mark><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In <strong>August 2024<\/strong>, Ottawa announced it would <strong>suspend processing of low-wage LMIAs<\/strong> in any CMA with a <strong>local unemployment rate of 6% or higher<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This move aimed to ensure that <strong>Canadian citizens and permanent residents<\/strong> are given <strong>priority access to available jobs<\/strong> in regions with weaker labour markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since then, <strong>Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)<\/strong> has published a quarterly list of CMAs based on the latest <strong>Statistics Canada unemployment data<\/strong> to help employers and foreign workers understand where LMIA restrictions apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Full List of CMAs Currently Ineligible (as of October 10, 2025)<\/mark><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As of this update, <strong>32 CMAs<\/strong> are not processing low-wage LMIA applications. Among them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Toronto, ON<\/strong> \u2013 9.5% unemployment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vancouver, BC<\/strong> \u2013 6.8%<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Calgary, AB<\/strong> \u2013 8.0%<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ottawa-Gatineau, ON\/QC<\/strong> \u2013 7.7%<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Windsor, ON<\/strong> \u2013 11.3% (highest in the country)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nanaimo, BC<\/strong> \u2013 9.7%<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kelowna, BC<\/strong> \u2013 6.0%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The full list reflects a wide geographical impact \u2014 from <strong>Atlantic Canada<\/strong> to <strong>British Columbia<\/strong> \u2014 underscoring the economic challenges in multiple regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">What Employers Can Do<\/mark><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Employers in affected regions have several options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Switch to the High-Wage Stream<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increase the offered wage to meet or exceed the <strong>provincial or territorial median wage<\/strong>, allowing the job to qualify under the <strong>high-wage stream<\/strong> of the TFWP.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wait for the Next Quarterly Update<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Unemployment rates are reassessed every three months. Employers may wait to see if their CMA becomes eligible again in the <strong>January 2026 update<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hire in Exempted Occupations<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Some jobs are exempt from the low-wage LMIA freeze, including roles in:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Agriculture<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Construction<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Food manufacturing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hospitals and nursing care facilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Certain in-home caregiver positions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Guidance for Foreign Workers<\/mark><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Foreign nationals seeking work under the <strong>low-wage stream<\/strong> should verify whether the <strong>job location falls within a restricted CMA<\/strong> before applying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a worker\u2019s permit cannot be renewed due to a regional LMIA freeze, they must <strong>stop working immediately<\/strong> upon expiry. However, they may apply for a <strong>visitor record<\/strong> to legally remain in Canada while exploring other options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Job seekers can also target <strong>eligible CMAs<\/strong> where low-wage LMIAs continue to be processed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Next Update Scheduled for January 8, 2026<\/mark><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The federal government will issue its next LMIA eligibility update on <strong>January 8, 2026<\/strong>, based on the most recent national unemployment data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Until then, the current freeze remains in effect, shaping the hiring landscape for <strong>low-wage positions across Canada<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Summary<\/mark><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>LMIA freeze expanded to <strong>32 CMAs<\/strong>, up from 26.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>6 new regions added<\/strong>: Guelph, Greater Sudbury, Winnipeg, Regina, Lethbridge, Red Deer, and Kelowna.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Peterborough<\/strong> removed from the restricted list.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Freeze applies <strong>October 10, 2025 \u2013 January 8, 2026<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Policy affects <strong>low-wage LMIA stream only<\/strong> under the <strong>TFWP<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Employers may switch to <strong>high-wage stream<\/strong> or <strong>wait for next review<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-vivid-red-background-color has-text-color has-background has-medium-font-size\">For a <strong> consultation<\/strong> about Immigration options, reach out to the <strong>CAD IMMIGRATION <\/strong>today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/cadimmigration\/profilecard\/?igsh=aWYzamtvMzlvZHUy\" style=\"border-radius:50px;color:#fffffa;background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(135,9,53) 0%,rgb(179,22,22) 100%)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">INSTAGRAM<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@cad_immigration?_t=8rYlOtSiktj&amp;_r=1\" style=\"border-radius:50px;color:#fffffa;background:linear-gradient(317deg,rgb(135,9,53) 0%,rgb(179,22,22) 100%)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TIKTOK<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/cad-immigration\/\" style=\"border-radius:50px;color:#fffffa;background:linear-gradient(42deg,rgb(135,9,53) 0%,rgb(179,22,22) 100%)\">LINKEDIN<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Federal Government Expands LMIA Suspension Zones Across Canada The Government of Canada has expanded its list of regions where low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) will not be processed, starting October 10, 2025. This marks the third quarterly update since the measure was introduced in 2024, reflecting the government\u2019s continued focus on balancing local employment [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":3632,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[79,83,49,3,78,76,77,57,70],"class_list":["post-3630","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cicnews","tag-cad-immigration","tag-cad-immigration-news","tag-cadimmigration","tag-canadaimmigration","tag-immigration-canada","tag-immigration-new-rules","tag-immigration-new-updates","tag-immigration-trend","tag-immigration-updates-canada"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cadimmigration.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3630","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cadimmigration.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cadimmigration.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cadimmigration.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cadimmigration.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3630"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cadimmigration.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3630\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3633,"href":"https:\/\/cadimmigration.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3630\/revisions\/3633"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cadimmigration.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3632"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cadimmigration.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cadimmigration.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3630"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cadimmigration.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}