The Canadian federal government has recently announced an increase in the hourly wage thresholds for the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Effective July 17, 2026, employers in high-unemployment regions are required to adhere to new wage thresholds for TFWP work permits. The updated wage thresholds for various provinces and territories are as follows:
- Alberta: $37.50 (previously $36.00)
- British Columbia: $38.40 (previously $36.60)
- Manitoba: $31.33 (previously $30.16)
- New Brunswick: $31.73 (previously $30.00)
- Newfoundland and Labrador: $33.60 (previously $32.40)
- Northwest Territories: $48.00
- Nova Scotia: $31.96 (previously $30.00)
- Nunavut: $45.00 (previously $42.00)
- Ontario: $36.92 (previously $36.00)
- Prince Edward Island: $31.20 (previously $30.00)
- Quebec: $36.00 (previously $34.62)
- Saskatchewan: $34.62 (previously $33.60)
- Yukon: $45.60 (previously $44.40)
The wage thresholds for the low-wage stream of the TFWP are now set at 120% of the median wage for each province or territory.
Furthermore, a work permit freeze is in effect for roles paying beneath the threshold in specific regions.