Canada has raised provincial and territorial wage thresholds under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, changing how employers classify and apply for low-wage and high-wage positions.
The new rates took effect July 17, 2026. Jobs paying below the applicable threshold fall under the low-wage stream and face stricter Labour Market Impact Assessment requirements. The threshold equals 120 per cent of the median hourly wage in each province or territory.
The updated hourly thresholds are Alberta, $37.50; British Columbia, $38.40; Manitoba, $31.33; New Brunswick, $31.73; Newfoundland and Labrador, $33.60; Northwest Territories, $48; Nova Scotia, $31.96; Nunavut, $45; Ontario, $36.92; Prince Edward Island, $31.20; Quebec, $36; Saskatchewan, $34.62; and Yukon, $45.60.
Every jurisdiction recorded an increase except the Northwest Territories, where the threshold stayed at $48. Ontario’s rate rose from $36 to $36.92, while British Columbia’s increased from $36.60 to $38.40.
Ottawa will refuse to process certain low-wage LMIA applications in census metropolitan areas with unemployment rates of six per cent or higher. The restriction applies to St. John’s, Moncton, Montréal, Ottawa-Gatineau, Belleville–Quinte West, Peterborough, Oshawa, Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Brantford, Guelph, London, Windsor, Barrie, Greater Sudbury, Saskatoon, Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, Kelowna, Kamloops, Chilliwack, Abbotsford-Mission, Vancouver and Nanaimo.
Employers outside affected regions remain eligible to apply under the low-wage stream. A 10 per cent workplace cap generally applies, while construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, nursing facilities and certain caregiving positions receive a 20 per cent cap.
Employers must advertise positions for eight consecutive weeks within the three months before applying, target youth and underrepresented groups, and meet Job Bank recruitment requirements. They must also cover round-trip transportation and ensure workers have access to “suitable and affordable” housing.
Participating provinces also offer temporary rural measures until March 31, 2027, including a possible 15 per cent low-wage cap. Employers must still prove they first tried to recruit Canadians and permanent residents.
