This communiqué provides an update regarding the measures announced in March 2026 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.
As part of the implementation of these measures, provinces and territories were invited to opt-in. We are writing to inform you that the Government of Northwest Territories has confirmed it will participate in the rural measures, described below:
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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;
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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): For Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications for low-wage positions, in all sectors, where the work location is in a rural area that qualifies for the measure.
- Effective date: For LMIA applications submitted on or after June 16, 2026, until March 31, 2027.
To confirm if your location is in a rural area that qualifies for the measure, please enter the full postal code for the work location at the following website: Census of Population. If no Census Metropolitan Area appears, then your work location is considered eligible for the rural measure.
Additional information will be sent as provinces and territories decide to opt-in to these measures. Please find information on previously announced provinces and territories here.
For more information on how the measures apply, please consult the Temporary measures to support rural employers webpage.
To learn more about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, visit Canada.ca or reach out to the Employer Contact Centre.
We encourage you to share this communication throughout your respective networks, and with any colleagues or partners who may need to be aware of this information.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Employment and Social Development Canada
