Maple News reports that, beginning September 3, 2024, the Quebec government will suspend the processing of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for certain low-wage positions in the Montreal region. The decision affects job offers with hourly wages below Quebec’s current median wage of $27.47 CAD, and is expected to remain in place for six months. This policy has been approved by the federal government and is part of a broader effort to regulate temporary immigration levels in the province.
Premier François Legault and Quebec Immigration Minister Christine Fréchette announced the measure, stating that it aims to maintain the integrity of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and help manage population growth via temporary residents. Temporary residents include individuals in Canada on work or study permits, visitor visas, or electronic travel authorizations (eTAs).
The suspension exclusively targets jobs located within the economic region of Montreal and paying below the median wage. Exemptions apply to LMIA applications received before September 3, as well as job sectors such as agriculture, construction, food processing, education, and healthcare. Positions outside Montreal’s defined administrative boundaries — including cities like Westmount, Pointe-Claire, and Dorval — will not be affected.
This move follows growing scrutiny of the TFWP at the federal level. Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault has warned that employers’ overreliance on low-wage temporary foreign labour could displace Canadian workers and suppress wages. Both Boissonnault and Immigration Minister Marc Miller have indicated that reforms to the TFWP are being considered to balance the short-term needs of Canadian employers with the long-term health of the national labour market.
The action in Quebec aligns with a broader shift in Canada’s immigration strategy, aimed at recalibrating temporary resident numbers. Earlier this year, IRCC introduced annual targets for temporary residents, implemented a two-year cap on certain international student permits, and proposed new regulations for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs). Minister Miller has also promoted the idea of prioritizing permanent residency for individuals already residing in Canada on temporary visas.
While the suspension is temporary, it represents a significant step toward recalibrating Canada’s use of temporary foreign labour and ensuring that immigration pathways align with current economic and demographic realities. The federal government has stated that it will monitor the impact of Quebec’s LMIA policy closely as further adjustments to the TFWP are considered.