New Policy Facilitates Hiring of Foreign Workers in Rural Areas

British Columbia and New Brunswick have recently adopted a temporary federal policy aimed at simplifying the process for rural employers to recruit low-wage temporary foreign workers.

The policy is set to remain in effect until March 31, 2027, and specifically targets regions outside major urban centers.

Both provinces have opted for distinct approaches under this policy:

• British Columbia will permit employers to retain their existing number of foreign workers, even if it exceeds the standard limit.
• New Brunswick, on the other hand, will enable employers to engage up to 15% of foreign workers in low-wage positions, an increase from the typical 10% allowance.

It is important to note that employers are still required to prioritize hiring Canadian citizens first and adhere to all regular regulations.

These modifications are applicable solely to new LMIA applications that are submitted subsequent to the commencement of the policy in each respective province. Certain sectors such as construction and healthcare, which already have elevated thresholds, remain unaffected by these changes.