New Canada CMAs Unemployment Rates For LMIA Effective Jan 2025

This update is crucial for employers and foreign workers as it directly impacts the processing of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications under the low-wage stream.

Since September 26, 2024, and until further notice, LMIA applications are not processed if the following conditions are met:

  1. The unemployment rate of the CMA where the work is located is 6% or higher at the time the LMIA application is submitted.
  2. The wage offered for the position(s) requested is below the provincial or territorial wage threshold.

In this recent update, seven CMAs have become eligible as their unemployment rates have dropped below the 6% threshold compared to the previous list.

This change provides new opportunities for employers in these regions to access foreign workers under the TFWP.

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Table of Contents

What Is a Census Metropolitan Area (CMA)?

New Unemployment Rates For Canada CMAs Effective January 10, 2025

Key Changes Introduced in 2024

What Is a Census Metropolitan Area (CMA)?

A Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) consists of one or more municipalities centred on a population core with a total population of at least 100,000.

CMAs often include multiple cities and towns within their boundaries. For example, Windsor CMA encompasses Windsor, Lakeshore, LaSalle, Tecumseh, and Amherstburg.

Below, we provide the latest unemployment rates for all CMAs as of January 10, 2025, along with comparisons to previous periods.

New Unemployment Rates For Canada CMAs Effective January 10, 2025

Vancouver, Abbotsford, Winnipeg, Brantford, Kingston, Ottawa-Gatineau, and Trois-Rivières now have unemployment rates less than 6% as per the new list.

Whereas Saint John, Guelph, and Barrie are now ineligible until April 3, 2025.

Census Metropolitan AreaUnemployment Rate (%) for Applications Submitted from Jan 10 to Apr 3, 2025Unemployment Rate (%) for Applications Submitted from Oct 11, 2024, to Jan 9, 2025Unemployment Rate (%) for Applications Submitted from Sep 26 to Oct 10, 2024
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador6.06.67.2
Halifax, Nova Scotia4.65.76.1
Moncton, New Brunswick5.45.25.8
Saint John, New Brunswick6.15.76.8
Saguenay, Quebec3.23.43.6
Québec, Quebec4.14.23.9
Sherbrooke, Quebec4.15.65.3
Trois-Rivières, Quebec5.26.76.5
Montréal, Quebec6.26.87.3
Ottawa-Gatineau, Ontario/Quebec5.46.97.1
Kingston, Ontario5.76.96.6
Belleville, Ontario3.65.9N/A
Peterborough, Ontario4.55.25.6
Oshawa, Ontario7.58.58.5
Toronto, Ontario7.98.68.6
Hamilton, Ontario6.36.77.4
St. Catharines-Niagara, Ontario6.26.97.5
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Ontario7.38.07.6
Brantford, Ontario4.26.46.3
Guelph, Ontario6.25.95.3
London, Ontario6.47.47.5
Windsor, Ontario8.89.79.8
Barrie, Ontario6.05.76.2
Greater Sudbury, Ontario4.75.66.2
Thunder Bay, Ontario4.94.43.8
Winnipeg, Manitoba5.66.66.3
Regina, Saskatchewan6.16.76.8
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan4.35.65.5
Lethbridge, Alberta4.95.25.1
Calgary, Alberta7.57.57.6
Edmonton, Alberta6.88.78.5
Kelowna, British Columbia5.34.95.2
Abbotsford-Mission, British Columbia5.46.56.7
Vancouver, British Columbia5.96.56.2
Victoria, British Columbia3.13.93.5

Key Changes Introduced in 2024

The Canadian government introduced several changes to the TFWP effective September 26, 2024, aimed at addressing high unemployment in certain regions. Key updates include:

1. LMIA Refusals in High-Unemployment Areas

LMIAs in the low-wage stream are now refused for CMAs with unemployment of 6% or higher.

Exceptions apply to positions in critical sectors such as:

  • Primary agriculture
  • Food processing
  • Fish processing
  • Construction
  • Healthcare

2. 10% Cap on Foreign Workers

Employers are now limited to hiring no more than 10% of their workforce through the TFWP, down from the previous 20% cap.

Critical sectors mentioned above have a 20% cap.

Canada Metropolitan Areas Unemployment Rates

3. Reduced Employment Duration

The maximum employment duration for low-wage positions has been reduced to one year, compared to the previous two-year limit.

Employers in CMAs with unemployment below 6% now have increased opportunities to recruit talent through the TFWP.

Similarly, foreign workers seeking employment can target these regions to improve their chances of obtaining a work permit.

The updated unemployment rates for Canadian CMAs, effective January 10, 2025, play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape under the TFWP.

Employers and foreign workers must stay informed about these changes to navigate the program effectively.

With continuous monitoring of regional economic trends, the government aims to balance labour market needs while protecting job opportunities for Canadians.

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