British Columbia and New Brunswick have joined a temporary federal policy that makes it easier for rural employers to hire low-wage temporary foreign workers.
The policy runs until March 31, 2027 and applies to areas outside major cities.
Each province chose a different option:
- British Columbia will let employers keep their current number of foreign workers, even if it’s above the usual limit
- New Brunswick will allow employers to hire up to 15% foreign workers in low-wage roles instead of the usual 10%
Employers still need to try hiring Canadians first and follow all normal rules.
The changes only apply to new LMIA applications submitted after the policy starts in each province. Some industries like construction and healthcare already have higher limits and are not affected.
