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Update on LMIA Processing: Impact of New Unemployment Rates in Canada (April 2025)

Trabajadores temporales canada LMIA
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Published by: DileoneGroup – Canadian Immigration Consultants
Date: April 28, 2025

The Government of Canada has announced a significant update regarding unemployment rates that directly impacts employers and workers relying on Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications for low-wage positions.

What has changed?

From April 4 to July 10, 2025, in any Census Metropolitan Areas (CMA) where the unemployment rate is 6% or higher, LMIA applications for low-wage positions will not be processed.

This measure aims to prioritize the hiring of Canadian citizens and permanent residents in regions where unemployment remains high, thereby strengthening the local labor market.

Cities where low-wage LMIA applications will NOT be processed:

Currently, 24 metropolitan regions are affected by this policy:

Newfoundland and Labrador:

  • St. John’s (7.6%)

New Brunswick:

  • Saint John (7.7%)

  • Fredericton (6.9%)

Quebec:

  • Drummondville (8.0%)

  • Montréal (6.7%)

Ontario:

  • Kingston (7.2%)

  • Peterborough (9.9%)

  • Oshawa (8.0%)

  • Toronto (8.6%)

  • Hamilton (7.3%)

  • St. Catharines–Niagara (7.7%)

  • Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo (8.5%)

  • Brantford (7.2%)

  • Guelph (6.2%)

  • Windsor (9.3%)

  • Barrie (7.5%)

Alberta:

  • Calgary (7.8%)

  • Red Deer (8.4%)

  • Edmonton (7.3%)

British Columbia:

  • Kelowna (6.7%)

  • Kamloops (7.1%)

  • Abbotsford–Mission (6.2%)

  • Vancouver (6.6%)

  • Nanaimo (6.0%)

How does this affect you?

Employers:
You will not be able to submit new LMIA applications for low-wage positions in the affected regions during the specified period.

Foreign Workers:
You may need to seek opportunities in provinces or cities not affected by the restriction or consider roles classified outside of the low-wage category.

The next update regarding unemployment rates and LMIA eligibility will be released on July 11, 2025. Although these changes are temporary, they are crucial for both immigration and labor market planning.

Need assistance with your LMIA or immigration project?

At Di Leone Group, we can help you assess your options and create a strategy tailored to your profile and the evolving Canadian labor market.

Our team is ready to support you every step of the way towards Canada!

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