Québec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation et Intégration (MIFI) has prolonged its moratorium on processing Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for low-wage jobs in Montréal and Laval through 31 December 2026. The freeze, first imposed in 2024, blocks employers from hiring or renewing foreign workers earning below CAD 34.62 per hour under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Critical exemptions remain for agriculture, construction, food processing, healthcare and certain high-wage positions, but hospitality and retail employers say labour shortages will intensify, especially ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches scheduled for Montréal.
![Quebec Extends Freeze on Low-Wage LMIA Work Permits in Montréal and Laval Until 2026]()
The provincial government argues the measure protects local workers and gives time to recalibrate training programs, yet chambers of commerce warn that companies may shift investment to Ontario or pursue automation rather than navigate restrictive hiring rules.
From a compliance standpoint, mobility managers must flag any renewal dates for low-wage staff in affected postal codes and consider transitioning workers to high-wage streams or Quebec Experience Program pathways where available. Note that facilitated LMIA applications—normally a fast-track for in-demand occupations—are also paused if the offered wage falls below the threshold, catching some employers off-guard.
With the freeze extended another year, global firms running shared-services centres in Montréal should revisit workforce plans, assess salary bands against the CAD 34.62 benchmark and, where feasible, explore intra-company transferee permits that bypass LMIA requirements.
Critical exemptions remain for agriculture, construction, food processing, healthcare and certain high-wage positions, but hospitality and retail employers say labour shortages will intensify, especially ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches scheduled for Montréal.
The provincial government argues the measure protects local workers and gives time to recalibrate training programs, yet chambers of commerce warn that companies may shift investment to Ontario or pursue automation rather than navigate restrictive hiring rules.
From a compliance standpoint, mobility managers must flag any renewal dates for low-wage staff in affected postal codes and consider transitioning workers to high-wage streams or Quebec Experience Program pathways where available. Note that facilitated LMIA applications—normally a fast-track for in-demand occupations—are also paused if the offered wage falls below the threshold, catching some employers off-guard.
With the freeze extended another year, global firms running shared-services centres in Montréal should revisit workforce plans, assess salary bands against the CAD 34.62 benchmark and, where feasible, explore intra-company transferee permits that bypass LMIA requirements.
