Canada extends low-wage temporary foreign worker permit durations

The Canadian federal government has announced changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), specifically extending the maximum duration for low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) from one year to two years. This change, effective as of November 6, 2026, allows businesses more flexibility in employing low-wage foreign workers.

Under the new rules, early childhood educators have been added to the list of professions exempt from hiring restrictions in Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) with unemployment rates of 6% or higher. This list already includes certain roles in health care, construction, and food processing.

Immigration Minister Lena Diab stated that the government intends to work more closely with provinces and territories to tailor the program to regional needs. Proposed reforms for March 2027 include allowing provinces to manage their own lists of exempt occupations and potentially increasing the allowable share of low-wage foreign workers in a company's workforce from 10% to 15%.