Quebec has announced an extension of its suspension on Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for certain low-wage jobs under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The suspension, initially set to end in March 2025, will now be extended until November 30, 2025, as confirmed by Jean-François Roberge, Minister of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration, on February 27, 2025.
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Key Points of the Extension
The extension will have significant impacts on low-wage job sectors across the province. The suspension, which originally applied only to the administrative region of Montreal, will now also affect the region of Laval starting on March 3, 2025.
Who is Affected?
The suspension applies to LMIA applications for low-wage jobs (defined as positions paying below $27.47 CAD per hour) located within the administrative regions of Montreal and Laval. Employers intending to hire temporary foreign workers for these positions during the suspension period should not submit LMIA applications, as they will not be processed.
Exceptions to the Suspension:
This temporary suspension does not apply to all industries. The following sectors are exempt from the LMIA suspension:
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Food Processing
- Education
- Health and Social Services
Additionally, LMIA applications submitted before September 3, 2024, or those already approved, are not affected by the extension.
Background on the Suspension
The initial suspension of LMIA processing for certain low-wage jobs in Montreal was announced in August 2024, with the measure set to last until March 2025. However, with ongoing pressures on Quebec’s labour market and immigration policies, the province has opted to extend this pause and widen the regions affected.
Broader Context of Quebec’s Immigration Policies:
Quebec has been taking significant steps to curb the influx of temporary foreign workers, which has extended to various immigration policies. On the same day as the LMIA extension, Quebec also revealed plans to implement a cap on international student applications. Moreover, this is the first year that temporary resident admission targets will be factored into the province’s upcoming Immigration Levels Plan.
These developments align with the province’s ongoing efforts to adjust immigration levels and the flow of temporary residents.
Federal Government’s Role in Similar LMIA Suspensions:
Quebec’s measures come shortly after the federal government of Canada also introduced restrictions on low-wage LMIA processing. On September 26, 2024, Ottawa paused LMIA processing for low-wage jobs in census metropolitan areas (CMAs) where the unemployment rate exceeds 6%. This measure, similar to Quebec’s, includes exceptions for sectors like agriculture, food processing, healthcare, and construction. The federal government updates the list of affected CMAs quarterly, with the next update scheduled for April 4, 2025.
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Conclusion:
The extension of the LMIA suspension in Quebec is an important policy shift for employers in the Montreal and Laval regions looking to hire temporary foreign workers for low-wage positions. While the suspension remains in place, employers in certain industries will be able to continue applying for LMIAs. These changes reflect Quebec’s broader immigration strategy to manage its labour market and immigration pathways more carefully.
Employers or individuals concerned about these changes and how they might impact their hiring plans can schedule a free consultation with immigration professionals, such as the Cohen Immigration Law Firm, to get personalized advice and support during this transition period.