Quebec Government Extends LMIA Suspension in Montreal and Laval

Quebec has announced an extension of its suspension on Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for low-wage positions under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program by nine months. The policy is now set to expand beyond Montreal and will now include Laval.

It will mark a significant development in Quebec PNP by managing temporary foreign workers. Previously, the Quebec government had announced the suspension of LMIAs until March 3, 2025, for low-wage temporary foreign workers.

On 27 February 2025, Jean-François Roberge, the immigration minister announced that the measure will now remain in place until November 30, 2025. The province is reinforcing its commitment to managing Quebec immigration, and labor market dynamics.

Who will be Affected?

It will be started on March 3, 2025, and this suspension will impact employers looking to hire temporary foreign workers in low-wage positions under the following conditions:

• Jobs offering a wage below the established Quebec threshold of CAD 27.47 per hour.
• Jobs located in the administrative regions of Montreal and Laval.

Any LMIA applications that fall under these criteria should not be submitted, as they will not be processed while the suspension remains in place.

Exceptions to the Suspension

Despite the extended suspension, certain industries remain exempt. Employers in the following sectors, as classified by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), can still apply for LMIAs:

• Agriculture
• Construction
• Food processing
• Education
• Health and social services

Furthermore, LMIA applications that were submitted before September 3, 2024, or have already been approved, will not be impacted by the new extension.

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Recent Immigration Policy Changes in Quebec

Quebec has been actively working on strategies to regulate the number of temporary residents in the province. Alongside the LMIA suspension, a cap on international student applications aligns with its broader efforts to manage temporary resident admissions.

For the first time, the province is incorporating temporary resident targets into its upcoming Immigration Levels Plan. This follows a series of immigration policy adjustments in 2024, which have significantly influenced prospective immigrants, and temporary foreign workers.

Federal Measures on LMIA Processing

Quebec’s decision to restrict low-wage LMIA processing aligns with federal policies introduced last year. On September 26, 2024, the Canadian federal government implemented a pause on processing low-wage LMIA applications in census metropolitan areas (CMAs).

The federal government updates its list of affected CMAs quarterly, with the next revision scheduled for Quebec Occupation In Demand List on April 4, 2025. Notably, exceptions apply to specific sectors, including agriculture, food processing, construction, and healthcare.

Conclusion

Quebec's decision to extend and expand the LMIA suspension underscores its commitment to balancing the needs of the labor market with its broader immigration policies. Employers and foreign workers alike must stay informed about these evolving regulations to know the changing landscape effectively.

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Source: quebec.ca

Tags: Quebec immigration program Quebec immigration Quebec Occupation In Demand List Immigrate to Quebec Quebec Skilled Worker Program Quebec immigration news Temporary Foreign Worker Program