Effective January 9, 2026 the federal government has resumed the processing of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in the Low-Wage stream in eight census metropolitan areas (CMAs) where it was previously suspended.
Since September 26, 2024, low-wage LMIA applications have not been processed in CMAs with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher at the time of LMIA submission.
Now the unemployment rate has dropped below 6% in and low-wage LMIA processing has resumed in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Moncton, New Brunswick: Saint John, New Brunswick; Fredericton, New Brunswick; Montréal, Quebec; Kingston, Ontario; Winnipeg, Manitoba; and Vancouver, British Colombia.
The wage being offered for the position will determine if the employer needs to apply for a LMIA under the stream for high-wage positions or the stream for low-wage positions.
If the offered wage is:
- If the offered wage is at or above the provincial or territorial wage threshold, the employer must apply under the stream for high-wage positions;
- If the offered wage is below the provincial or territorial wage threshold, the employer must apply under the stream for low-wage positions, and meet the program requirements of this stream
Applications submitted to fill certain occupations, including some in primary agriculture, construction, food processing and healthcare, are exempt from this refusal to process measure, regardless of the unemployment rate.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.