Quebec Premier François Legault reveals updates to the province's immigration policies at a press conference in Montreal. The Canadian Press
Starting September 3rd, the Quebec government will pause processing Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for job offers in Montreal that pay less than $27.47 per hour. This suspension, which will last for six months, aims to manage the number of temporary foreign workers in the province and ensure the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is used properly.
Quebec Premier François Legault and Immigration Minister Christine Fréchette announced the change, which has received approval from the federal government. The decision affects job offers in Montreal where wages fall below the median hourly wage for Quebec. However, there are exceptions to this rule.
Jobs outside the Montreal economic region are not affected. Likewise, LMIAs for positions that offer at least the median wage or those submitted before September 3rd will continue as usual. Certain sectors, including agriculture, construction, food processing, education, and health and social services, will also be exempt from the suspension.
The Montreal region includes various municipalities such as Baie-d'Urfé, Beaconsfield, Côte-Saint-Luc, and others. This policy aims to curb the reliance on low-wage foreign workers and maintain the balance of the TFWP.
The federal government will monitor the policy closely and make future decisions about the TFWP based on its impact. Recent scrutiny of the TFWP has focused on concerns that it might be used to keep wages low and bypass hiring Canadian workers. Canada’s Employment and Immigration Ministers have highlighted these issues, with Minister Randy Boissonnault advocating for reforms to prevent employers from depending on cheap foreign labour.
In addition, the Canadian government is reassessing its approach to temporary immigration. For example, a recent change limits international students' stay and introduces a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) system. Minister Marc Miller is also considering new rules for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) and aims to increase the number of domestic draws for permanent residency.
This approach reflects a broader effort to ensure that temporary immigration programs address labour shortages without undermining wage standards or job opportunities for Canadian workers.
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