Areas in Canada that will not process LMIA by 2025

The Canadian government has updated the list of Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) that between April 4 and July 10, 2025 will no longer process Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in the low-wage stream with an unemployment rate of 6% or more. This means that employers in such CMAs can no longer hire foreign workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or renew their work permits. 

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If you are a temporary foreign worker in Canada and are concerned about your employment situation, read this blog with me to the end to identify if your region is on the updated list and what strategies might improve your employment status. Let's get started!

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List of CMAs that will not process LMIAs between April 4 and July 10, 2025

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As of the publication of this article, the list includes 24 CMAs with an unemployment rate of 6% or more.

From April 4 to July 10, these regions will stop processing LMIA:

1. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador: 7.6%.
2. St. John's, New Brunswick: 7.7%.
3. Montreal, Quebec: 6.7%.
4. Oshawa, Ontario: 8.0%.
5. Toronto, Ontario: 8.6%.
6. Hamilton, Ontario: 7.3%.
7. St. Catherine-Niagara, Ontario: 7.7%.
8. Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Ontario: 8.5%.
9. Guelph, Ontario: 6.2%.
10. Windsor, Ontario: 9.3%.
11. Barrie, Ontario: 7.5%.
12. Calgary, Alberta: 7.8%.
13. Edmonton, Alberta: 7.3%.
14. Fredericton, New Brunswick: 6.9%.
15. Drummondville, Québec: 8.0%.
16. Kingston, Ontario: 7.2%.
17. Peterborough, Ontario: 9.9%.
18. Brantford, Ontario: 7.2%.
19. Red Deer, Alberta: 8.4%.
20. Kelowna, British Columbia: 6.7%.
21. Kamloops, British Columbia: 7.1%.
22. Abbotsford-Mission, British Columbia: 6.2%.
23. Vancouver, British Columbia: 6.6%.
24. Nanaimo, British Columbia: 6.0% Nanaimo, British Columbia: 6.0% Nanaimo, British Columbia: 6.0%

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According to information provided by the Canadian government, this list will be updated every three months. The next schedule is scheduled for July 11, 2025.

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What does it depend on whether an area is considered a CMA?

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Classification depends on the census tract having a total population of at least 100,000, of which at least 50,000 must reside in the center or core. Learn more about metropolitan census tracts (CMAs).

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What is the Labor Market Impact Assessment?

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The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document requested by the employer or company to the Canadian government to demonstrate that it needs to hire a foreign worker who can fill a particular job position because there is no Canadian worker or permanent resident available to do it. This document is sometimes called a Letter of Confirmation and once obtained, the foreign worker can apply for a work permit. See restrictions and requirements for an LMIA here.

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Naturally, this announcement has generated concern among temporary workers whose jobs are in the CMAs on this list or the next ones to be published, but in the face of this uncertainty it is necessary to implement solution measures. So I want to share some tips that can help you find an alternative in the short, medium and long term.

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Tips for CMA workers with an unemployment rate of 6% or more

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If you are concerned that your job may be left without the possibility of an LMIA, here are some steps you can take:

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1. Check the unemployment rate in your area of work. 

2. Before submitting an LMIA application, check to see if the CMA is on the current list. 

3. Consider negotiating with your employer in case your job is in a CMA with a high unemployment rate. A valid and effective strategy is to transparently talk to your employer about the possibility of having your salary increased, although it may seem unfeasible, negotiation is always a timely recourse in conflict situations, besides, the reality is that companies benefit greatly from foreign labor, so you have to try and keep the focus on the outcome being useful and necessary for both parties. The request to be made by a foreign worker affected by this change is that the new wage be under the high wage stream of the TFWP.

4. Explore other regions and consider looking for work in CMAs where LMIAs are still being processed. This may increase your chances of obtaining a work permit.

5. Seek specialized help in immigrant support. Avoid using unreliable and inexperienced resources in the Canadian labor field. 

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Facing difficulties as a foreign worker in Canada? At Immiland, we can assist you with regulated consultants and Canadian lawyers. Meet our team here.

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In this link, you can request a free evaluation to know your immigration profile or schedule a consultation with the consultant of your choice.

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In light of the Canadian government's immigration news on work permit and LMIA applications, we invite you to stay well informed with us so that we can help you understand the new regulations, explore options and negotiate new employment terms with your employer. 

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I hope you find this topic useful and share it with other workers who may need it. Thanks for reading, see you in the next blog!

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With love,

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Immiland Canada