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Quebec Suspends LMIA Processing for Certain Low-Wage Temporary Foreign Workers

Writer's picture: Parisa ErfaniParisa Erfani


Starting September 3rd, Quebec will suspend the processing of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for job offers with hourly wages below $27.47 CAD (the median wage in Quebec) for applicants in Montréal. This measure, approved by the federal government, is expected to last for six months.


Quebec Premier François Legault and Immigration Minister Christine Fréchette announced the suspension this morning. The goal is to manage temporary resident levels in the province and uphold the integrity of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).


(Note: "Temporary residents" refers to individuals in Canada on work or study permits, visitor visas, or electronic travel authorizations (eTAs).)


These changes do not apply to:


- Jobs located outside the economic region of Montréal*.

- Jobs offering wages equal to or above the current Quebec median wage ($27.47 CAD).

- LMIA applications submitted before September 3, 2024.

- Employers applying for LMIAs in specific industry sectors, as outlined by the North


American Industry Classification System (NAICS), including:


- Agriculture

- Construction

- Food processing

- Education

- Health and social services


The administrative region of Montréal encompasses the following municipalities:

- Baie-d'Urfé

- Beaconsfield

- Côte-Saint-Luc

- Dollard-des-Ormeaux

- Dorval

- Hampstead

- Kirkland

- L’Île-Dorval

- Montréal

- Montréal East

- Montréal West

- Mount Royal

- Pointe-Claire

- Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue

- Senneville

- Westmount


The federal government plans to closely monitor this policy as it makes future decisions regarding the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).


Recent Scrutiny of the TFWP


The TFWP, Canada's federal program for hiring foreign workers to address critical labor shortages, requires an LMIA to support the hiring of foreign staff. Recent scrutiny has intensified following comments from Canada’s Employment and Immigration Ministers.


On August 6, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages Randy Boissonnault introduced new measures aimed at preserving the integrity of the TFWP, particularly targeting its low-wage stream. Boissonnault highlighted concerns about employers relying on inexpensive foreign labor and stressed that the program should not be used to bypass hiring Canadian workers where available. He also noted that the low-wage stream could potentially depress wages in Canada and hinted at the possibility of halting LMIA applications under this stream altogether.


Immigration Minister Marc Miller echoed these concerns in recent comments to Reuters.


Part of a Broader Policy Shift


These TFWP changes align with Canada’s broader review of temporary immigration levels. In March, Minister Miller announced the inclusion of temporary resident levels in the annual immigration levels plan. Additionally, IRCC has introduced a temporary two-year cap on some international students by implementing a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) system for study permits.


Miller has also indicated plans to revise regulations for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) and to focus on domestic draws to target temporary residents in Canada for permanent residence (PR).


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