From October 9, 2026, low-wage LMIAs are not processed in six more cities, including Halifax and Regina. Kamloops and Chilliwack come off. Full details and thresholds.
The quarterly map that decides where low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) can be processed changed again on October 9, 2026. Six cities were added, two were removed, and the freeze now covers 30 census metropolitan areas (CMAs) until January 7, 2027.
Employers cannot start hiring, or renew work permits, for non-exempt jobs paying less than 120% of the provincial or territorial median wage in any CMA with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. The list is refreshed every three months from Statistics Canada data. The next update is scheduled for January 8, 2027. For the previous quarter's changes, see our July 2026 update.
| Census metropolitan area | New unemployment rate |
|---|
| Halifax, Nova Scotia | 6.1% |
| Fredericton, New Brunswick | 6.2% |
| Kingston, Ontario | 6.3% |
| St. Catharines-Niagara, Ontario | 6.5% |
| Regina, Saskatchewan | 6.7% |
| Lethbridge, Alberta | 6.0% |
In July we flagged Halifax and Regina as close to the line at 5.9%, and both crossed it. Fredericton, Kingston and St. Catharines-Niagara moved more sharply: they were between 5.3% and 5.8% in July.
Kamloops and Chilliwack, both in British Columbia, are no longer frozen. The other 24 previously affected regions stay on the list, for a total of 30.
These apply to LMIAs received on or after July 17, 2026, and are based on Job Bank data.
| Province | Hourly threshold |
|---|
| Nova Scotia | $31.96 |
| New Brunswick | $31.73 |
| Ontario | $36.92 |
| Saskatchewan | $34.62 |
| Alberta | $37.50 |
A job paying at or above your province's threshold is treated as high-wage and is not caught by the freeze. Compare your offer's hourly wage against the table before your employer files.
The freeze does not apply to primary agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities. Private households hiring nurses, childcare providers or personal support workers as in-home caregivers are also exempt. Employers can request case-specific exemptions for temporary, highly mobile jobs such as concert, carnival or fair workers.
If your job offer is in one of the six new cities and pays below the threshold: your employer cannot get a low-wage LMIA processed until at least January 8, 2027, when the list is next reviewed. Ask whether the role can be offered at or above the threshold, or whether it falls under an exemption.
If you are already working there on an LMIA-based permit: if you apply for an extension before your permit expires, you can keep working under your current conditions while the application is decided, as long as you stay in Canada. Confirm the details with your employer and file early.
If you are looking at Kamloops or Chilliwack: low-wage LMIAs can be processed again, but these regions moved fast in both directions this year. File soon after accepting an offer.
If you are weighing LMIA-exempt routes: our LMIA-exempt work permits guide lists the options, and the LMIA work permit guide covers how the process works.
Tip
Check the unemployment rate for your CMA before you accept a low-wage offer, and ask your employer to confirm the LMIA can be filed under the current list. The January 8 refresh could move your city again.
The low-wage LMIA moratorium began on September 26, 2024. On November 8, 2024, the cutoff moved from the median wage to 120% of the provincial or territorial median.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice. Always verify information with official IRCC sources and consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or licensed immigration lawyer for advice specific to your situation.