Rural employers in Canada will have the opportunity to hire additional temporary foreign workers following recent announcements by the federal government.
The Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has introduced temporary measures under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) to assist employers in meeting their labor needs in rural areas.
Starting from April 1, 2026, until March 31, 2027, rural employers will be able to maintain their current number of low-wage temporary foreign workers and employ such workers for up to 15% of their workforce, an increase from the previous limit of 10%.
These measures will be applicable only to rural employers in provinces and territories that opt to participate, with the specific regions yet to be disclosed.
Prior to this change, employers were restricted from hiring more than 10% of their workforce through the low-wage stream of the TFWP. This restriction was put in place by ESDC in August 2024 to prevent over-reliance on the TFWP.
The temporary adjustment aims to address labor shortages in rural communities, which can be particularly challenging in smaller or less populated regions. This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to collaborate with provinces and territories to align immigration goals with local workforce demands.
It is important to note that Canada currently has a moratorium on processing low-wage TFWP work permits in regions where the unemployment rate exceeds 6%, with the list of affected regions updated quarterly.
The TFWP serves as a valuable pathway for newcomers seeking work experience in Canada. Employers interested in the program must submit a Labor Market Impact Assessment to ESDC to evaluate the impact of hiring a foreign national on Canada’s workforce and economy.
The TFWP consists of two primary streams: high-wage and low-wage, with a position classified as low-wage if the offered hourly wage falls below the provincial or territorial threshold.
| Province/Territory | New wage threshold ($ CAD) |
| Alberta | 36.00 |
| British Columbia |