Quebec’s Update on Low-Wage LMIAs: What You Need to Know

Quebec has announced an extension to its suspension of low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This suspension, originally introduced in Montreal, is now set to continue until November 30, 2025, and has been expanded to include the Laval region.

Key Details of the LMIA Suspension:

• Extension and Expansion:
  On February 27, 2025, Minister Jean-François Roberge confirmed the nine-month extension of the LMIA suspension in Montreal. Starting March 3, the administrative region of Laval will also be included.
• Eligibility:
  This measure applies to jobs offering wages below the Quebec wage threshold ($27.47 CAD) within Montreal and Laval. Employers hiring for these low-wage positions in these areas should not submit LMIA applications, as they will not be processed.

Exceptions to the Suspension:

The following categories are exempt:

• Employers in the following industry groups:
• Agriculture
• Construction
• Food Processing
• Education
• Health and Social Services
• LMIA applications submitted before September 3, 2024, or those already approved.

Context: Why Is Quebec Taking This Step?

This extension and expansion are part of Quebec’s broader strategy to reduce the number of temporary residents. Over the past year, the province has implemented multiple measures, including caps on international student applications and a new temporary resident admissions target within its Immigration Levels Plan.

Federal Government Actions:

Quebec’s decision follows similar steps by the Canadian federal government, which paused low-wage LMIA processing in areas with unemployment rates above 6%. These measures, updated quarterly, include exceptions for food security sectors, construction, and healthcare.

What’s Next?

Quebec continues to adapt its immigration and temporary foreign worker policies. With the suspension now including Laval, employers and workers in these regions must carefully review their options and stay informed of ongoing changes.