Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has restarted processing **low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications** in eight census metropolitan areas, effective July 10 but announced publicly on July 16. The green-lighted regions include Halifax, Saint John, Fredericton, Drummondville, Kingston, St. Catharines–Niagara, Winnipeg and Regina—all of which posted jobless rates under the 6 % threshold in the latest quarterly review. The decision re-opens a critical pipeline for hospitality, agri-food and retail employers that have struggled to fill front-line vacancies as pandemic-era labour shortages linger. Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, firms in eligible regions may now hire staff at or below the provincial median wage, provided they meet standard advertising and wage requirements and secure a positive LMIA. Conversely, four cities—Saskatoon, Red Deer, Kamloops and Chilliwack—were added to the **processing suspension list** after unemployment crept above 6 %. In total, 26 urban areas remain off-limits for low-wage LMIAs until at least the next review on October 9. For global-mobility teams, the resumption offers tactical relief: transfers of lower-skilled or seasonal employees can once again be channelled through these eight markets, potentially easing relocation to corporate sites in Atlantic Canada and the Prairies. Companies should, however, track regional unemployment closely; a renewed suspension could be triggered with just one quarter’s notice. ESDC is also piloting a faster online LMIA portal, with electronic signatures and upfront fee payments, slated to become mandatory in January 2027. Early adopters in the newly eligible regions will have priority access to training webinars next month—an opportunity for HR specialists to streamline future filings.
Source: ImmiLaw Immigration News
