Quebec Pauses LMIA Processing for Some Low-Wage Temporary Foreign Workers

Starting September 3rd, Quebec will temporarily stop processing Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for certain low-wage jobs in Montréal. Specifically, this suspension applies to job offers with hourly wages below $27.47 CAD, which is the median hourly wage in Quebec. The pause is expected to last for six months and has been approved by the Canadian federal government.

The announcement was made by Quebec Premier François Legault and Immigration Minister Christine Fréchette. The goal is to manage the number of temporary residents in the province and ensure the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) remains effective and fair.

Exceptions to the Suspension

Not all LMIA applications will be affected. The suspension does not apply to:

• Jobs located outside the Montréal economic region.
• Jobs with wages at or above the median wage of $27.47 CAD.
• LMIA applications submitted before September 3rd, 2024.
• Employers in specific industries, such as Agriculture, Construction, Food Processing, Education, and Health and Social Services.
  
  

What Areas Are Included in the Montréal Region?

The suspension applies to LMIA applications within the administrative region of Montréal, which includes 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 will closely monitor this policy and its impact on the TFWP.

Background on the TFWP

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers to fill jobs that cannot be filled by the local workforce. Employers must obtain an LMIA to prove that hiring a foreign worker is necessary.

Recently, the TFWP has faced scrutiny. On August 6th, Randy Boissonnault, Canada’s Minister of Employment, announced new measures to protect the integrity of the program, particularly focusing on the low-wage stream. He raised concerns about the potential for employers to rely too heavily on low-wage foreign workers, which could lower wages in Canada and reduce job opportunities for Canadian workers.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller has echoed these concerns, highlighting the need for stricter controls on the program.

A Broader Trend in Immigration Policy

These changes are part of a broader shift in Canada’s approach to temporary immigration. Earlier this year, Minister Miller introduced limits on temporary residents as part of Canada’s annual immigration plan. This includes a temporary two-year cap on some international students, along with the introduction of a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) system.

Minister Miller also mentioned plans to introduce new regulations for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) and to increase the number of "domestic draws" to help temporary residents in Canada transition to permanent residence.

This pause in LMIA processing for low-wage jobs in Montréal is a significant step in Quebec’s efforts to balance economic needs with fair and sustainable immigration policies.