Work Permit Freeze Expands to Six More Canadian Labour Markets
Canada work permit freeze: Oct. 9, 2026 update — what employers and foreign workers need to know
The federal government updated guidance on Oct. 9, 2026. From Oct. 9, 2026 to Jan. 7, 2027 employers cannot initiate hiring or renewals of work permits for non‑exempt, low‑paid positions in many Canadian census metropolitan areas (CMAs). The restriction applies to jobs that pay less than 120% of the provincial or territorial median wage and affects LMIAs under the low‑wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
How this policy evolved
The moratorium began Sept. 26, 2024, when Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) stopped processing low‑wage LMIAs in affected areas. On Nov. 8, 2024 the low‑wage benchmark was raised from the median to 120% of the provincial/territorial median. The Oct. 9, 2026 update applies the 120% threshold to LMIAs received on or after July 17, 2026 and ties freeze decisions to CMAs with unemployment rates of 6% or higher.
CMAs added (and removals)
The Oct. 9 update added Halifax, Fredericton, Kingston, St. Catharines‑Niagara, Regina and Lethbridge to the freeze. Kamloops and Chilliwack were removed. The next scheduled update is Jan. 8, 2027.
CMAs currently on the freeze list (unemployment rates)
– St. John’s — 6.4%
– Halifax — 6.1%
– Moncton — 8.1%
– Fredericton — 6.2%
– Montréal — 7.2%
– Ottawa‑Gatineau — 7.9%
– Kingston — 6.3%
– Belleville‑Quinte West — 6.4%
– Peterborough — 6.3%
– Oshawa — 9.8%
– Toronto — 7.5%
– Hamilton — 7.4%
– St. Catharines‑Niagara — 6.5%
– Kitchener‑Cambridge‑Waterloo — 7.6%
– Brantford — 6.3%
– Guelph — 7.5%
– London — 9.1%
– Windsor — 7.9%
– Barrie — 6.2%
– Greater Sudbury — 6.2%
– Regina — 6.7%
– Saskatoon — 6.5%
– Lethbridge — 6.0%
– Calgary — 6.4%
– Red Deer — 6.9%
– Edmonton — 7.6%
– Kelowna — 8.6%
– Abbotsford‑Mission — 7.6%
– Vancouver — 7.0%
– Nanaimo — 6.6%
Wage thresholds (hourly) used to define “low‑wage” (apply to LMIAs received on or after July 17, 2026)
– Alberta — $37.50
– British Columbia — $38.40
– Manitoba — $31.33
– New Brunswick — $31.73
– Newfoundland and Labrador — $33.60
– Northwest Territories — $48.00
– Nova Scotia — $31.96
– Nunavut — $45.00
– Ontario — $36.92
– Prince Edward Island — $31.20
– Quebec — $36.00
– Saskatchewan — $34.62
– Yukon — $45.60
Exemptions
Jobs in primary agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities are exempt. Private households hiring nurses, childcare providers, or personal support workers as in‑home caregivers are also exempt. Employers may request case‑specific exemptions for temporary, highly mobile roles (for example, workers for concerts, carnivals or fairs).
LMIA and processing notes
A positive or neutral LMIA from ESDC is required under the TFWP for a foreign national to apply for or renew a work permit. On Aug. 21, 2026 IRCC extended the concurrent processing window from 30 to 60 days in qualifying cases. Workers who file for an extension before their current permit expires retain maintained status and may continue working under the conditions of the expired permit while a decision is pending, provided they remain in Canada.
Who is affected
– Employers in affected CMAs: cannot initiate low‑wage LMIA processing for non‑exempt roles paying below the 120% threshold during the freeze.
– Foreign nationals seeking new or renewed permits tied to low‑wage LMIAs in affected CMAs: applications may be delayed or cannot be started during the freeze.
– In‑Canada workers with expiring permits: should submit extension applications before expiry to preserve maintained status and may benefit from the 60‑day concurrent processing rule if eligible.
– Employers planning seasonal, event, or mobile hiring: may request case‑by‑case exemptions but must apply and provide justification.
Practical steps
– Check whether your CMA is on the Oct. 9 list.
– Confirm the correct provincial/territorial hourly threshold for the LMIA receipt date.
– Determine if the role fits an exempt sector.
– If the role is low‑wage and the CMA is affected, consider whether the employer can raise pay to meet the threshold.
– Employers needing temporary or highly mobile workers should prepare a case‑specific exemption request.
– Workers in Canada must apply for extensions before permit expiry to keep maintained status.
– Monitor the Jan. 8, 2027 update for any changes to the freeze list.
Key dates to remember
– Moratorium start (denial of low‑wage LMIAs in affected areas): Sept. 26, 2024.
– Low‑wage benchmark increased to 120%: Nov. 8, 2024.
– Wage thresholds apply to LMIAs received on/after: July 17, 2026.
– Current freeze window (Oct. 9 update): Oct. 9, 2026 — Jan. 7, 2027.
– Next CMA list update: Jan. 8, 2027.
– Concurrent processing extension announced: Aug. 21, 2026 (30 → 60 days).
If you are an employer or a worker affected by this update, review CMA status, the applicable wage threshold, and exemption rules before submitting or relying on a low‑wage LMIA.
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