{"id":1314,"date":"2026-07-13T22:32:39","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T22:32:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sehliglobal.ca\/news\/?p=1314"},"modified":"2026-07-13T22:42:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T22:42:38","slug":"ircc-and-esdc-update-unemployment-rates-for-low-wage-lmia-applications-what-employers-need-to-know-july-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sehliglobal.ca\/news\/2026\/07\/13\/ircc-and-esdc-update-unemployment-rates-for-low-wage-lmia-applications-what-employers-need-to-know-july-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"IRCC and ESDC Update Unemployment Rates for Low-Wage LMIA Applications: What Employers Need to Know (July 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Government of Canada has updated the unemployment rates used to determine whether certain <\/span>Low-Wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)<\/b> applications will be processed under the <\/span>Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The updated rates became effective on <\/span>July 10, 2026<\/b>, and will remain in force until <\/span>October 8, 2026<\/b>. The next quarterly update is scheduled for <\/span>October 9, 2026<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

For Canadian employers relying on temporary foreign workers, these quarterly updates are an important consideration when planning recruitment and submitting LMIA applications.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is the Refusal-to-Process Measure?<\/b><\/h1>\n

Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) may <\/span>refuse to process Low-Wage LMIA applications<\/b> for positions located in a <\/span>Census Metropolitan Area (CMA)<\/b> where the unemployment rate is <\/span>6.0% or higher<\/b>, unless the position qualifies under one of the program’s exemptions.<\/span><\/p>\n

This policy is intended to encourage employers to recruit available Canadian citizens and permanent residents before hiring temporary foreign workers in regions experiencing relatively high unemployment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Employers should verify the applicable unemployment rate before submitting a Low-Wage LMIA application, as eligibility is based on the unemployment rate in effect on the date ESDC receives the application.<\/span><\/p>\n

July 10, 2026 Unemployment Rate Update<\/b><\/h1>\n

The latest Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey indicates that many of Canada’s largest metropolitan areas continue to have unemployment rates above the 6% threshold.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ontario<\/b><\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Census Metropolitan Area<\/b><\/td>\nUnemployment Rate<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Toronto<\/span><\/td>\n7.3%<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oshawa<\/span><\/td>\n8.5%<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hamilton<\/span><\/td>\n6.9%<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo<\/span><\/td>\n8.1%<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
London<\/span><\/td>\n7.8%<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Windsor<\/span><\/td>\n7.9%<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Barrie<\/span><\/td>\n7.9%<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Peterborough<\/span><\/td>\n7.0%<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Greater Sudbury<\/span><\/td>\n6.2%<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Below the 6% threshold:<\/b><\/p>\n