New Policy Allows Rural Employers to Retain Low-Wage Foreign Workers

Nova Scotia and Quebec are the first provinces to participate in the new temporary public policy granting rural employers the ability to retain or increase their proportion of low-wage temporary foreign workers.

“Rural” in this context is defined as those areas that are outside census metropolitan areas, as determined by Statistics Canada.

Key Points to Note

Starting April 1, a temporary policy allows eligible employers in rural areas to:

  • Keep their current ratio of low-wage positions filled by temporary foreign workers, even if it exceeds the 10% limit; and/or
  • Benefit from a 15% cap on the proportion of temporary foreign workers in low-wage positions, instead of the usual 10%.

These measures will only apply to rural employers in provinces and territories that opt-in. Nova Scotia and Quebec are the first to do so:

Nova Scotia

Starting April 14, 2026, Nova Scotia will implement both measures across all sectors.

Eligible rural employers in the province can:

  • Retain their current ratio of low-wage positions filled by temporary foreign workers, even if it exceeds the cap; and
  • Utilize the 15% cap instead of the usual 10%.

Quebec

As of April 1, 2026, Quebec has implemented one of the measures across all sectors.

Eligible rural employers in Quebec can:

  • Keep their current ratio of low-wage positions filled by temporary foreign workers at a specific worksite, even if it exceeds the cap.

Quebec has not yet adopted the increased 15% cap.

Eligibility Criteria

In addition to being in a rural area, employers must meet all regular TFWP requirements to access the new flexibility.

This includes demonstrating efforts to recruit Canadian citizens and permanent residents first.

The measures only apply to LMIAs submitted during the policy period in a participating province or territory, lasting until March 31, 2027.

Low-wage positions under the permanent resident dual-intent stream are not covered by these measures.

A dual intent LMIA application typically supports both a foreign worker’s permanent residence application and a temporary work permit.