Canada has expanded its freeze on low-wage work permit processing to six more regions. From 9 October 2026 to 7 January 2027, employers in Halifax, Fredericton, Kingston, St. Catharines–Niagara, Regina and Lethbridge cannot start or renew Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for non-exempt positions paying below 120 percent of the applicable provincial or territorial median wage. If your Canada plan depends on a low-wage employer-sponsored job in one of these regions, this freeze directly affects you — unless your occupation is exempt.
What changed
Canada has expanded its freeze on low-wage work permit processing to six additional regions: Halifax, Fredericton, Kingston, St. Catharines–Niagara, Regina and Lethbridge. The freeze remains in place across 24 previously affected regions, while Kamloops and Chilliwack have been removed from the list. The federal government says the policy continues to prioritise employment opportunities for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
How the freeze works
At the heart of the policy is the Labour Market Impact Assessment, an official document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to establish whether an employer has been unable to find a suitable Canadian citizen or permanent resident for a position. A positive or neutral LMIA is generally required before an eligible foreign national can apply for or renew a work permit through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
The policy restricts the processing of LMIAs under the low-wage stream of the TFWP in designated regions where unemployment is at least six percent. Employers in affected areas cannot initiate recruitment or renewals for non-exempt positions paying below 120 percent of the applicable provincial or territorial median wage. The wage requirement reflects the federal government’s decision of 8 November 2024 to raise the low-wage threshold to 120 percent of the provincial or territorial median, from the median itself. The broader moratorium began on 26 September 2024, when the government stopped processing low-wage LMIAs in designated high-unemployment regions.
The minimum hourly thresholds vary by province and territory. For LMIAs received from 17 July 2026, the thresholds in force at the time of the announcement included $31.20 in Prince Edward Island, $36.92 in Ontario, $37.50 in Alberta, $38.40 in British Columbia, and $48 in the Northwest Territories. These rates apply to LMIAs received from 17 July 2026 under the thresholds in force at the time of the announcement.
Who is exempt
Exemptions remain available for positions in 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 may request case-specific exemptions for temporary, highly mobile jobs, including work associated with concerts, carnivals and fairs. If your occupation falls in one of these exempt groups, the freeze does not block LMIA processing for your position.
If you are already in Canada
For foreign workers already in Canada, the rules governing expiring permits are particularly important. Under certain circumstances, eligible workers can submit their work permit applications for processing alongside an LMIA. On 21 August 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) extended the period for this concurrent processing from 30 to 60 days.
Workers who apply to extend their permits before the existing permits expire may also benefit from maintained status, allowing them to continue working under the conditions of their previous permits while their applications are being processed, provided they remain in Canada and meet the applicable requirements.
What to do next
First, check whether your job’s region is on the frozen list — Halifax, Fredericton, Kingston, St. Catharines–Niagara, Regina or Lethbridge, or one of the 24 previously affected regions. Second, check whether your occupation is exempt. Third, check the wage: if the position pays at or above 120 percent of the applicable provincial or territorial median wage, it is not a low-wage position under this policy. If your route is blocked, consider other routes — such as Express Entry or a different region — and keep your documents ready so you can move when a route opens. Programme rules change, so verify your stream’s current requirements on the official Government of Canada pages before acting.
Browse current openings on AlfaCareers: jobs in Canada and all open jobs.
Frequently asked questions
Which six regions were added to the freeze?
Halifax, Fredericton, Kingston, St. Catharines–Niagara, Regina and Lethbridge. The policy runs from 9 October 2026 to 7 January 2027.
Does the freeze block all work permits in these regions?
No. It restricts LMIA processing under the low-wage stream for non-exempt positions paying below 120 percent of the applicable provincial or territorial median wage. Exempt occupations and higher-wage positions are not blocked by this policy.
Which occupations are exempt?
Positions in primary agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities, plus in-home caregivers hired by private households (nurses, childcare providers, personal support workers). Case-specific exemptions may also be requested for temporary, highly mobile jobs.
What is the wage bar for a low-wage LMIA?
The position must pay at least 120 percent of the applicable provincial or territorial median wage to fall outside the low-wage stream. Example thresholds for LMIAs received from 17 July 2026 included $36.92 per hour in Ontario, $38.40 in British Columbia and $37.50 in Alberta.
I am already working in Canada and my permit is expiring. What helps?
Eligible workers can have their work permit applications processed alongside an LMIA, and since 21 August 2026 that concurrent processing window is 60 days, up from 30. Workers who apply to extend before expiry may also benefit from maintained status while the application is processed, provided they remain in Canada and meet the requirements.
Sources
This article reports the change as covered by BusinessDay: “Canada freezes work permit to 6 more regions, tightening access for foreign workers” (businessday.ng). For official programme rules, see the Government of Canada Temporary Foreign Worker Program pages (canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers.html). Programme rules change — verify your stream’s current requirements on the official pages before filing or acting.
