Newfoundland and Labrador has joined the federal government’s temporary public policy to provide rural employers with more flexibility in hiring low-wage temporary foreign workers. Employers outside census metropolitan areas in the province are eligible under this policy.

About the Policy

The temporary policy, aimed at assisting employers utilizing the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to meet labor market needs in rural areas, was put into effect on April 1, 2026. Eligible rural employers can retain their current level of temporary foreign workers in low-wage positions exceeding the 10% cap or benefit from a 15% cap on such positions. Provinces have the option to opt into this policy and choose the measures to adopt. Newfoundland and Labrador have decided to implement both measures across all sectors starting June 11, 2026, until March 31, 2027.

Eligibility Criteria

Employers failing to meet regular TFWP requirements, including efforts to recruit Canadian citizens and permanent residents, are not eligible for these measures. Employers outside rural areas in Newfoundland and Labrador cannot benefit from these measures. The policy excludes rural NL employers who have submitted a Labour Market Impact Assessment before June 11, 2026, and will only apply to new LMIA submissions during the effective period.