Last Updated On 11 October 2025, 9:54 AM EDT (Toronto Time)
Canada has officially released the latest unemployment rates by Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs), and these figures are now in effect under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) until January 9, 2026.
The updated unemployment rates for all CMAs across Canada determine whether employers can apply for low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs).
This data reflects local job market conditions and influences the availability of temporary foreign workers in specific sectors.
These rates will be reviewed by the ESDC in 3 months to release the next update.
Table of Contents
What Is a Census Metropolitan Area (CMA)?
A Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) represents one or more municipalities centered around a core urban area with at least 100,000 residents.
Each CMA often includes several towns and suburbs that form part of a single economic region.
For instance, the Windsor CMA encompasses Windsor, Lakeshore, LaSalle, Tecumseh, and Amherstburg—all part of the same labour market.
This classification helps the federal government accurately monitor regional labour shortages and employment trends when processing LMIA requests.
The unemployment rate directly influences whether an employer can hire foreign workers under the low-wage stream.
Since September 2024, the Government of Canada has implemented a policy restricting LMIA processing when:
- The CMA unemployment rate is 6% or higher at the time the LMIA is submitted, and
- The offered wage is below the province’s or territory’s median hourly wage threshold.
In simpler terms, employers located in regions where unemployment remains high cannot access low-wage temporary foreign workers.
This rule is meant to ensure that Canadian citizens and permanent residents are given first access to local job opportunities.
Full List: Canada’s New CMA Unemployment Rates (Effective October 10, 2025)
The October 2025 update brought good news for one region.
One Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) that previously had unemployment rates above 6% is now eligible for low-wage LMIA applications because their job markets have improved.
In contrast, some CMAs have become temporarily ineligible due to a rise in unemployment.
Below is the full list of new unemployment rates in all the CMAs and you can click on any of the CMAs to see their map and jurisdiction:
Now Eligible (Below 6%)
- Peterborough is now under 6%, opening new hiring opportunities.
Now Ineligible (Above 6%)
- Greater Sudbury
- Guelph
- Winnipeg
- Regina
- Lethbridge
- Red Deer
- Kelowna
Employers in these regions will have to wait until the next revision on January 9, 2026, for any potential change in LMIA eligibility.
6 Major Temporary Foreign Worker Program Reforms Coming In 2026
Leaked internal documents from ESDC—shared through the Migrant Rights Network’s consultation submissions—reveal six key reform proposals to modernize the TFWP.
These reforms, expected to roll out in 2026, are based on consultations with employer associations, labour organizations, and advocacy groups.
1. Sector-Specific Work Permits
A new sector-specific permit is being proposed for agriculture and fish processing workers.
Unlike today’s closed permits tied to one employer, these two-year permits would let workers move between employers within the same sector if they secure a new job offer.
This reform is designed to reduce worker exploitation and increase job mobility.
2. Wage Deductions
Employers—particularly in agriculture and food processing—may be permitted to deduct costs for housing, utilities, and transportation directly from worker wages.
Although this could reduce administrative burdens for employers, critics warn it might lower net earnings for foreign workers.
3. Housing Standards
The proposal includes removing indoor temperature protection regulations, which were originally created to protect workers from extreme heat in facilities like greenhouses and processing plants.
Advocates have raised serious safety concerns about this rollback.
4. Transportation Requirements
The reforms would grant employers more flexibility in arranging transportation for workers.
However, labour groups fear this could lead to unsafe or inconsistent commuting options, especially in remote areas.
5. Health-Care Responsibilities
Proposed language in the reforms introduces ambiguity regarding employers’ obligations to provide or facilitate health care.
This raises concerns that workers—especially those in rural areas—could struggle to access medical services.
6. Streamlined Administrative Processes
To reduce red tape, the government plans to simplify LMIA procedures and automate parts of the review process.
Officials claim this will make the program more responsive to real-time labour shortages while maintaining compliance oversight.
Overall, these reforms represent the government’s effort to modernize the TFWP, balancing employer demands with worker protection and program accountability.
Suspension of Advertising Requirements for Primary Agriculture LMIAs Ending In December 2025
Until December 31, 2025, the government has temporarily suspended the minimum advertising requirement for employers applying for an LMIA to hire temporary foreign workers in primary agriculture.
This means employers don’t need to submit proof of job advertisements with their LMIA application.
However, employers are still required to demonstrate recruitment efforts for Canadians and permanent residents—especially among underrepresented groups, including:
- Vulnerable youth
- Indigenous peoples
- Newcomers to Canada
- Persons with disabilities
- Asylum seekers with valid work permits
For inspection purposes, employers must keep detailed recruitment records to prove their outreach efforts if audited.
What This Means for Employers and Workers
With the new unemployment rates in effect until early 2026, employers in newly eligible regions can resume hiring foreign workers through the low-wage LMIA stream, addressing critical labour shortages.
Conversely, employers in areas where rates remain above 6% must focus on hiring domestic workers until conditions improve.
For foreign workers, this update may create fresh job openings in select Canadian cities that were previously restricted—especially in hospitality, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors.
As the TFWP reforms move forward into 2026, both employers and workers should stay updated on ESDC’s regulatory announcements, as these changes could reshape how Canada’s foreign labour system operates.
The new LMIA unemployment rates for Canadian CMAs, effective October 10, 2025, will remain active until January 9, 2026.
This update determines where employers can hire low-wage temporary foreign workers and marks the start of a crucial policy phase ahead of the expected TFWP reforms in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do unemployment rates affect LMIA applications?
If a CMA’s unemployment rate is 6% or higher and the job offer pays below the provincial median wage, LMIA applications under the low-wage stream will not be processed. This ensures Canadians and permanent residents are prioritized for local job opportunities.
Which Canadian cities are now eligible for low-wage LMIA applications?
As of October 10, 2025, Peterborough has become eligible with a rate below 6%.
However, Greater Sudbury, Guelph, Winnipeg, Regina, Lethbridge, Red Deer, and Kelowna are now ineligible until January 9, 2026, due to increased unemployment.
What is a Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) in Canada?
A Census Metropolitan Area is a region that includes one or more municipalities centered around an urban core with at least 100,000 residents. Examples include Windsor CMA, which covers Windsor, LaSalle, Lakeshore, Tecumseh, and Amherstburg.
What major changes are coming to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in 2026?
The government plans six major reforms to modernize the TFWP. Key changes include introducing sector-specific work permits, simplifying LMIA processes, and modifying rules around housing, transportation, and healthcare standards for temporary foreign workers.
When will the next LMIA unemployment rate update be released?
The next unemployment rate update for LMIA eligibility will be released on January 9, 2026, when the current rates expire.
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