Maple News reports that Quebec has extended the suspension of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for low-wage positions under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) in certain regions of the province. The move reflects Quebec’s ongoing efforts to manage the number of temporary foreign workers amid broader immigration adjustments.
Jean-François Roberge, Quebec’s Minister of Immigration, Francisation and Integration, announced that the suspension—which originally applied to the Montreal region—will now remain in force until November 30, 2025, an extension of nine months. Importantly, the suspension has also been expanded to include the neighboring region of Laval, effective March 3, 2025.
The restriction targets LMIA applications associated with jobs offering hourly wages below the Quebec low-wage threshold of $27.47 CAD. With this update, employers in both Montreal and Laval attempting to hire foreign workers for lower-wage roles under the TFWP will be unable to submit or process such applications while the suspension is in effect.
The policy originally came into play in September 2024, when Quebec actioned a six-month freeze on certain low-wage TFWP LMIA submissions in the Montreal area. Initially set to expire in March 2025, the measure has now been both extended and expanded geographically.
There are notable exceptions to this policy. LMIA applications will continue to be accepted and processed for industries deemed essential or high-priority. These include agriculture, construction, food processing, education, and health and social services sectors, as defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
LMIA applications that were submitted before September 3, 2024, or that have already been approved, are not impacted by the ongoing suspension.
This decision is part of a broader provincial strategy to reduce reliance on temporary foreign workers and revamp Quebec’s labour and immigration landscape. Over recent months, Quebec has introduced several reforms aimed at managing temporary immigration levels, prioritizing the integration of permanent residents and attracting skilled talent aligned with the province’s long-term economic goals.
Maple News will continue to monitor this developing story for further updates and insights on Quebec’s evolving immigration policies.