N環球 
Canada updates low-wage LMIA unemployment rates: 30 metro areas now blocked through January
ESDC's quarterly update adds six metro areas to the restricted list and reopens two; Toronto at 7.5%, Ottawa–Gatineau at 7.9%, Vancouver at 7.0%.
Why it matters
Starting October 9, low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications will be refused processing in 30 of Canada's 41 census metropolitan areas (CMAs). That makes it harder for employers in most major cities to hire temporary foreign workers for low-wage jobs in restaurants, retail and other service sectors. Although this is a routine quarterly update, six areas were newly added — a net gain of four — reflecting a weakening job market.
Details
Under the official table updated by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) on October 9, the new rates apply to applications submitted from October 9, 2026 through January 7, 2027. The six newly restricted CMAs all crossed the 6% unemployment threshold: Halifax (6.1%), Fredericton (6.2%), Kingston (6.3%), St. Catharines–Niagara (6.5%), Regina (6.7%) and Lethbridge (6.0%).
Two CMAs reopened after dropping below 6%: Kamloops, B.C. (3.6%, down 3.4 percentage points) and Chilliwack, B.C. (5.6%).
New rates for major cities: Oshawa at 9.8% is the highest in the country; Toronto 7.5%, Ottawa–Gatineau 7.9%, Montréal 7.2%, Vancouver 7.0%.
Since September 2024, ESDC has refused to process low-wage LMIAs (positions paying below 20% above the provincial median hourly wage) in CMAs with unemployment at or above 6%. High-wage positions and exempt sectors such as agriculture, construction and hospitals are unaffected, and existing work permits are not retroactively cancelled. The next update comes in January 2027.
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