Maple News reports that starting December 1, 2020, Quebec employers hiring temporary foreign workers must comply with updated salary guidelines published by the province’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration (MIFI). Employers will now reference the 2020 edition of the provincial salary guide, replacing the previously used 2018 version.
The salary guide, officially titled ‘Guide des salaires par professions présentés par intervalle, selon les quartiles au Québec,’ provides wage benchmarks categorized by occupation and level of experience. This guide is crucial to ensure that foreign workers are compensated equitably, in line with wages paid to Quebec-based employees in similar roles.
According to MIFI, any employment offers submitted on or after December 1 that are based on the outdated 2018 wage guide may be rejected. This policy could impact pending applications submitted before the effective date, as they may still face scrutiny under the new salary standards.
When assessing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)—a key step for hiring foreign workers—Quebec’s immigration authorities will verify that the wages meet or exceed those of local employees in comparable positions. If the position is governed by a collective agreement or decree, the wage must align with its provisions.
For roles not covered under such agreements, MIFI uses the Emploi-Québec wage guide to determine appropriate compensation. Salaries are assessed using intervals based on the number of years of experience required for the role. If wage data is unavailable for a specific occupation in the provincial guide, authorities will refer to federal wage statistics published on Canada’s Job Bank.
It’s important to note that only guaranteed wages are considered in these evaluations—bonuses, commissions, overtime, and similar variable compensations are excluded. Employers must also ensure the role falls under the correct National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 code, which standardizes job titles and skill levels across Canada.
The update comes as many businesses in Quebec continue to rely on international workers to help fill labor shortages, particularly in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. This move reinforces Quebec’s commitment to fair labor practices while helping maintain a balanced workforce amid ongoing economic demands.
Maple News will continue to monitor and report on immigration policy changes affecting Canada’s business and labor landscape.