It is important to keep in mind that the freeze on low-wage LMIA will be applicable to the entire province of Quebec effective September 3, as the province demanded it and was the one to trigger the change for the rest of Canada.

One or more nearby municipalities centred on a population centre (referred to as the core) with a total population of at least 100,000 make up a census metropolitan area (CMA). So there can be multiple cities that fall under a given CMA. For example, Windsor CMA includes Windsor, Lakeshore, LaSalle, Tecumseh, and Amherstburg.

In order to better understand, we have put together a full list of CMAs and their unemployment rates from Statistics Canada as of July 2024.

Latest Unemployment Rates for Canadian Census Metropolitan Areas 

Below is the full list of CMAs with the latest unemployment rates as of July 2024. 

You can click on any of the CMAs listed to see the map showing the areas included in that particular CMA.

What are the Census Metropolitan Areas in Ontario?

• Toronto
• Ottawa – Gatineau
• Hamilton
• Kitchener – Cambridge – Waterloo
• London
• St. Catharines – Niagara
• Windsor
• Barrie
• Kingston
• Greater Sudbury
• Guelph
• Brantford
• Peterborough
• Thunder Bay
• Belleville – Quinte West

What are the areas included in Toronto Census Metropolitan Area?

City of Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Vaughan, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Milton, Ajax, Pickering, Newmarket, Caledon, Halton Hills, Aurora, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Georgina, New Tecumseth, Bradford West Gwillimbury, East Gwillimbury, Orangeville, King, Uxbridge, and Mono are the part of Toronto CMA.

What are the Census Metropolitan Areas in British Columbia?

• Vancouver
• Victoria
• Kelowna
• Abbotsford – Mission
• Nanaimo
• Kamloops
• Chilliwack

What are the CMAs in Alberta?

• Calgary
• Edmonton
• Lethbridge
• Red Deer

What are the sectors not affected by the freeze on low-wage LMIA processing?

Jobs in sectors critical to food security, including primary agriculture, food processing, and fish processing, as well as in construction and healthcare.

English version: https://ttnimmigration.ca/vi/en/ty-le-that-nghiep-moi-nhat-tai-cac-khu-vuc-dieu-tra-dan-so-do-thi-canada/

Key Changes Effective September 26, 2024

1. Refusal to Process LMIA

In regions with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher, the government will refuse to process Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for low-wage positions, except in essential sectors such as food security (primary agriculture, food processing, and fish processing), healthcare, caregiving, and construction. This policy will force employers to prioritize hiring Canadians in these areas, particularly where local unemployment is high.

2. Cap on TFWs

Employers will now be restricted to hiring no more than 10% of their total workforce through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)down from the previous cap of 20%. This is a further reduction from the 30% cap in place during the height of the pandemic. The reduction specifically targets the Low-Wage Stream, and is designed to encourage employers to seek out and invest in Canadian workers, including those from traditionally underrepresented groups such as young people, newcomers, and individuals with disabilities.

3. Reduction in Employment Duration

The maximum employment duration for low-wage TFWs will be shortened from two years to one year. This measure aims to limit the long-term dependency on foreign labor and create more opportunities for Canadian workers to fill these roles.

4. Regional and Sectoral Adjustments:

Specific measures are being introduced in regions with unique labor market conditions. For instance, in Montreal, there is a temporary freeze on approving new temporary foreign workers (TFWs) for low-wage jobs. This six-month freeze reflects the government's strategy to carefully manage the influx of temporary workers and ensure that local labor markets are not adversely impacted.

5. Focus on Domestic Workforce

The reforms are part of a larger governmental effort to reduce reliance on temporary foreign workers (TFWs) and encourage employers to focus on developing a more robust domestic workforce. This includes greater emphasis on retraining and upskilling existing employees to meet future labor market demands. By doing so, the government aims to create a more sustainable labor market that is less dependent on temporary foreign labor and more supportive of Canadian workers.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Supports The Reforms

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has strongly supported these changes, underscoring the importance of prioritizing Canadian workers and ensuring that the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is not misused. He has highlighted the need for continued vigilance in monitoring labor market conditions and making further adjustments to the program as necessary. This includes potential future changes to the High-Wage Stream and other sectors of the TFW Program, as the government seeks to align the program more closely with Canada's evolving economic needs.

These measures also reflect a broader shift in the government's approach to labor market management. As the Canadian economy emerges from the pandemic, there is a renewed focus on reducing unemployment and creating more opportunities for Canadian workers. By tightening regulations on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and encouraging greater investment in domestic talent, the government is taking decisive steps to ensure that the benefits of economic recovery are widely shared among Canadians.

In conclusion, the Canadian government’s new policies on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program represent a significant shift towards prioritizing domestic labor. These changes are designed to reduce dependence on foreign workers, encourage the hiring and training of Canadian workers, and ensure that the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is used as a tool to address genuine labor shortages, rather than as a permanent solution for filling low-wage jobs. As the government continues to monitor labor market conditions, further adjustments may be made to ensure that the program remains responsive to Canada’s economic needs while protecting the interests of Canadian workers.

English version: https://ttnimmigration.ca/vi/en/canada-that-chat-viec-tuyen-lao-dong-nuoc-ngoai-tu-choi-xu-ly-lmia-tu-thang-9-2024/

Canada’s Latest Efforts to Tackle Fraud in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Here are the new measures announced today:

1. 20% Cap Enforcement: Strict adherence to the existing policy that limits the number of low-wage temporary foreign workers to 20% of an employer's total workforce.
2. Enhanced Oversight: Increased monitoring and inspections will be implemented in regions and industries deemed high-risk for misuse of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
3. Fee Increase: The government is considering raising the fees for LMIA to better align with the costs of processing applications and to discourage frivolous or fraudulent submissions.
4. Regulatory Changes: New regulatory changes will impose stricter scrutiny on employer eligibility and ensure that misuse of the program results in substantial penalties.

Upcoming Plan

• Refusal to Process: The government is considering a policy to halt the processing of applications under the low-wage stream to prevent misuse.
• New Labour Stream: Plans are underway to modernize the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) Program by introducing a specialized labour stream for the agriculture and fish & seafood processing sectors. This new stream aims to address the specific needs and challenges of these industries.
• Ongoing Monitoring: Although most firms use the program as intended, additional measures are necessary to protect the Canadian labour market and hold unscrupulous employers accountable. The Minister will continuously monitor employer demand for the TFW Program and employment rates, with a readiness to implement further tightening measures if needed.
• Minister’s Statement: Minister Randy Boissonnault emphasized the government’s firm commitment to combating fraud and abuse within the TFW Program. He underscored the importance of these measures for maintaining the program’s integrity and safeguarding workers.
• Implications: These changes represent a strong stance by the Canadian government to protect the labour market and ensure that the TFW Program functions fairly and effectively. Legitimate businesses will benefit from a more regulated environment, while those involved in fraudulent activities will face severe consequences. However, today’s announcements appear politically motivated and may not be fully effective, given the existing loopholes and workarounds in the current TFW Program.

What is the temporary foreign worker program?

Temporary Foreign Worker Program enables employers to hire workers from other countries for a limited duration to address specific labor shortages.

How does the program work?

Temporary Foreign Worker Program permits employers to hire foreign workers temporarily to fill specific job vacancies when qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents are not available. Employers must first obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to show that hiring a foreign worker will not adversely affect the Canadian labor market. Once the LMIA is approved, the employer can extend a job offer to the foreign worker, who can then apply for a work permit.

English version: https://ttnimmigration.ca/vi/chinh-sach-moi-cua-canada-de-doi-pho-voi-gian-lan-giay-phep-lao-dong-lmia/

This was only applicable to applicants who already have previously given their biometrics while making any other immigration/visa application in last 10 years.

PR applications submitted prior to June 14, 2023 and meeting the above requirement will continue to be processed with biometrics exemption. So all the foreign nationals applying for permanent residency (PR) will now have to submit their biometrics.

What are biometrics?

Biometrics are a person’s distinctive physical characteristics that can be used to identify them.

In the context of Canadian immigration, biometrics refers to fingerprints and a photograph, which are required for Canadian immigration.

Why does Canadian immigration take biometrics?

Biometrics are essential for establishing an individual’s identity. Despite the fact that this may not seem like an essential measure at the moment, the Canadian government advises that biometrics contribute to the safety of Canadian immigrants in multiple ways.

Having biometrics on file, for instance, makes it more difficult for someone to commit identity theft by fabricating, swiping, or using your identity.

In addition, biometrics facilitate the resolution of issues or mistakes that may arise when a person’s name, birthdate, and/or place of birth are similar to those of another individual.

I am on work permit in Canada. Do I need to give biometrics if I am applying for PR after June 14; although, I gave my biometrics 4 years ago?

If you are applying for permanent residency under family class or economic class or refugee cases after June 14, 2023 and you’re between 14 and 79 years old, then you need to give your fingerprints, even if you already gave the biometrics and they’re still valid.

Stage 1 will enable family members of workers coming to Canada through the high-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program to apply for an open work permit .

Stage 2 aims to expand the measure to the family members of workers from the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, following consultations.

Phase 3 will include consultation with agricultural partners and stakeholders to assess operational feasibility for expanding the measure to family members of agricultural workers.

Immigration will continue to play a vital role in addressing Canada’s labour shortages, and the Government of Canada will continue to implement policies aimed at helping employers with their staffing needs across all skill levels.

Read the full announcement here

Consult with a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC.) by clicking here

Reported by David Le | MBA., Member in good standing of CICC, CAPIC

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant | Commissioner for Taking Affidavits (Province of Ontario)