Canada Expands Work Permit Freeze to Six More Cities

Canada has expanded restrictions on hiring temporary foreign workers in six additional metropolitan areas, bringing the total number of affected regions to 30.

The updated restrictions took effect on October 9, 2026, and will remain in place until January 7, 2027. The changes affect employers seeking to hire foreign workers for certain low-wage positions through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

According to the federal government's latest update, Halifax, Fredericton, Kingston, St. Catharines-Niagara, Regina and Lethbridge have joined the restricted list. Meanwhile, Kamloops and Chilliwack in British Columbia are no longer subject to the regional freeze.

Why Are More Canadian Cities Facing Restrictions?

The federal government refuses to process certain Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications in metropolitan areas where unemployment reaches 6% or higher.

An LMIA helps determine whether hiring a foreign worker could affect employment opportunities for Canadians and permanent residents.

The newly affected cities recorded the following unemployment rates:

• Halifax: 6.1%
• Fredericton: 6.2%
• Kingston: 6.3%
• St. Catharines-Niagara: 6.5%
• Regina: 6.7%
• Lethbridge: 6.0%

Other major centres, including Toronto, Montréal, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Ottawa-Gatineau, remain under the restrictions. The government will review the affected regions again on January 8, 2027.

Which Jobs and Wage Levels Are Affected?

The restrictions apply to positions offering less than 120% of the applicable provincial or territorial median hourly wage.

For Ontario employers, the threshold is $36.92 per hour. Alberta's threshold stands at $37.50, while British Columbia's is $38.40.

Nova Scotia has a threshold of $31.96, Saskatchewan's is $34.62, and New Brunswick's is $31.73.

These wage thresholds apply to LMIA applications received on or after July 17, 2026. Jobs meeting or exceeding the applicable threshold fall under the high-wage stream, which has separate requirements.

Some Essential Industries Remain Exempt

Despite the expanded restrictions, certain industries can continue applying for LMIAs.

Exemptions cover primary agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities.

Eligible private households hiring nurses, childcare providers or personal support workers may also qualify.

Employers seeking temporary workers for travelling events, including concerts, fairs and carnivals, can request exemptions based on their circumstances.

What Happens to Existing Work Permit Holders?

The restrictions primarily affect employers requiring new low-wage LMIAs, including those supporting work permit renewals.

Foreign workers who apply to extend their permits before expiry may qualify for maintained status. This allows them to continue working under their existing permit conditions while awaiting a decision, provided they remain in Canada.

On August 21, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada extended the period for submitting certain work permit applications while an LMIA is pending from 30 to 60 days.

The regional restrictions began on September 26, 2024, as part of federal efforts to manage temporary foreign worker hiring.

Employers and workers should check their location, wage category and eligibility before submitting new applications.