On April 2nd, 2026, the federal government announced changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, impacting employers hiring for low-wage positions.
Effective April 1, 2026, employers submitting a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application must meet enhanced recruitment requirements, including:
- Advertising the job opportunity for a minimum of eight consecutive weeks within the three months prior to submitting the LMIA application; and
- Demonstrating that youth were specifically targeted as part of their recruitment efforts.
These changes are intended to strengthen efforts to prioritize domestic labour market participation, particularly among younger workers, before employers seek to hire temporary foreign workers.
Employers should:
- Review their recruitment practices
- Ensure compliance with the updated requirements before submitting an LMIA application.