This communiqué provides an update regarding the recently announced measures to help rural employers address workforce challenges while maintaining strong safeguards to ensure Canadians and permanent residents continue to be prioritized to fill available jobs.
Additional information will be sent as provinces and territories decide to opt-in to these measures.
Summary of Measures to Support Rural Employers
In participating provinces and territories, the Government of Canada will allow eligible rural employers to:
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Retain their current proportion of low-wage positions filled by temporary foreign workers if above the 10% cap; or,
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Benefit from a 15% cap—instead of the current 10% cap—on the proportion of temporary foreign workers in low-wage positions.
To confirm if your location is in a rural area that qualifies for the measure, please enter your full postal code at the following website: Census of Population. If no Census Metropolitan Area appears, then your work location is considered eligible for the rural measure.
For more information on how the measures apply, please consult the Temporary measures to support rural employers webpage.
Measures that apply by province and territory
These measures will apply to the provinces and territories as described below. They will be available for Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) submitted up until March 31, 2027.
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Manitoba
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Measure(s):
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Retain their current proportion of low-wage positions filled by temporary foreign workers, if above the 10% cap; and
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Benefit from a 15% cap—instead of the current 10% cap—on the proportion of temporary foreign workers in low-wage positions.
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Sector(s): All sectors.
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Effective date: For LMIA applications submitted on or after April 14, 2026.
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Nunavut
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The Government of Nunavut will not participate in these measures.
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Please find information on previously announced provinces and territories here.
If you have any questions about the TFW Program, please visit Canada.ca or reach out to the Employer Contact Centre.
You are encouraged to share this communication throughout your respective networks, and with any colleagues or peers who may need to be aware of this information. If you have questions on the TFW Program, please visit Canada.ca or reach out to the Employer Contact Centre.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Employment and Social Development Canada (EDSC)
Thank you for raising awareness among your field agents, as well as the TFWs and their employers, about the measures, rights, and responsibilities of all parties involved.
