October 9 Update: Low-Wage LMIA Refusals Apply in These CMAs Until January 7, 2027

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) refreshed the unemployment rates that decide whether a low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) will even be processed. On its refusal to process an LMIA application page, last updated October 9, 2026, the department states that the new rates apply to applications submitted from October 9, 2026 to January 7, 2027.

If the job is low-wage (below the provincial or territorial wage threshold) and the work location is in a census metropolitan area (CMA) whose rate is 6% or higher under the current table, Service Canada will not process the LMIA. This rule has been in place since September 26, 2024. The October 9 update simply refreshes which cities cross the line for the next three months.

The filing date of the LMIA application, not the intended start date of the job, selects the rate table.

Which major CMAs are blocked until January 7

Under the October 9–January 7 column, the following large centres sit at or above 6%:

Full table is on the ESDC page. Rates are bolded when they trigger the refusal. Some cities moved up (Toronto from 7.3% to 7.5%), others down (Calgary from 7.0% to 6.4%). The next scheduled update is January 8, 2027.

What this means if you are an employer or a worker

Employers in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montréal and the other listed CMAs cannot count on a low-wage LMIA being processed for submissions in this window. The 10% cap on low-wage positions at a work location still applies on top of this geographic refusal. High-wage LMIAs are not subject to this particular refusal rule.

Workers who need a Temporary Foreign Worker Program work permit for a low-wage job in one of these cities will not receive the required positive LMIA if the employer files during the blocked period. Alternatives may include higher-wage offers (if the role and pay support it), International Mobility Program exemptions where available, or waiting for the next rate table.

This is not a ban on all foreign workers. It is a processing refusal limited to low-wage LMIAs in high-unemployment CMAs. Officers still assess genuine job offers and other program rules for applications that clear the refusal threshold.

Practical steps

Check the exact CMA of the work location against the live table on Canada.ca the day you file. Confirm the position is below the provincial/territorial wage threshold. If it is blocked, do not file and expect processing. Document why the role cannot be filled by a Canadian or permanent resident if you later move to a high-wage stream or another pathway.

We covered broader Temporary Foreign Worker Program rules in earlier posts. Use this one for the October 9 rate window and the cities currently affected.

If you are an employer preparing an LMIA or a worker whose job offer sits in one of these CMAs, contact JSR Immigration & Legals through our consultation page or the work permit service page.

This article is general information current to October 22, 2026, and is not legal or immigration advice. Confirm the live unemployment table and wage thresholds on Canada.ca before you file.