Temporary Foreign Worker Program - Policy update as of January 2025
Since September 26, 2024, and until further notice, LMIA applications are not processed if all the conditions below are met:
- The wage offered for the position(s) requested is below the provincial or territorial wage threshold; and
- The work location is in a census metropolitan area (CMA); and
- The unemployment rate of the CMA where the work is located is 6% or higher, at the time the LMIA application is submitted.
Please note that on January 10, 2025, the unemployment rates by CMA were updated on the TFW Program website.
Data on the unemployment rate by CMA used in this measure will be updated on a quarterly basis and in accordance with Statistics Canada's publication dates. Upcoming updates will take place in April, July, and October.
As a reminder, certain low-wage positions are exempt from this refusal to process measure. More information can be found on the TFW Program website under Refusal to process a Labour Market Impact Assessment application.
Annual Wage Update
Each year, the Job Bank website publishes an update of median wages by occupation and by economic region for all of Canada under the Labour Market Information tab.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW Program) relies on these wages to ensure that employers applying for temporary foreign workers through the Program are offering wages representative of current labour market conditions.
The next annual wage update is expected to be published on Job Bank on December 3, 2024. The new wage rates will take effect on the day of publication. Prior to submitting a new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to the TFW Program, employers should consult Job Bank for the updated median wages.
Employer Responsibilities Regarding Worker Wages
The TFW Program requires employers to pay the prevailing wage that is defined as the highest of:
- the median wage for the occupation and economic region as posted on Job Bank*, or
- the wage that is within the wage range that an employer is paying their current employees hired for the same job and work location, and with the same skills and years of experience.
* For positions in Québec, the instructions of the ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) for establishing wages continue to apply.
Employers are required to review and update the wages of temporary foreign workers at the beginning of the worker’s period of employment, as well as annually, no later than January 1st, to ensure that the wage is not lower than the prevailing wage for the occupation and region where they are employed. This update must be carried out throughout the work period. Employers who have temporary foreign workers currently employed are invited to make the necessary checks and adjustments to the wage offered.
You are encouraged to share this communication throughout your respective networks, and with any colleagues or partners who may need to be aware of this information.
If you have any questions about the TFW Program, please visit Canada.ca or reach out to the Employer Contact Centre.
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