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Susan Gong, CPA, CA, RCIC \u2014 Founder & CEO, Altec Global Inc.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Canada is preparing for meaningful changes to its Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)<\/strong>. On September 10, 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the Liberal caucus and revealed that the federal government is moving toward a more precise, needs-based approach in how temporary foreign workers are admitted\u2014focusing on particular industries and specific regions rather than a broad-brush system. <\/span><\/p>\n Drawing from my experience working with hundreds of clients through TFWP and LMIA, here are the most important updates, what they mean, and what you\u2014and your employer\u2014should be doing now to adapt.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n Strategic Focus on Industry & Region<\/strong><\/span> Net New Admission Target<\/strong><\/span> Limiting Low\u2011Wage LMIA in High\u2011Unemployment Areas<\/strong><\/span> Higher Salary Thresholds for High\u2011Wage Stream<\/strong><\/span> Employer Caps on Foreign Workers<\/strong><\/span> Tighter Rules for Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n The principal TFWP applicant must hold a job in TEER 0 or 1 occupations, or certain in\u2011demand TEER 2\/3 roles.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n \t The work permit of the main applicant must have at least 16 months remaining<\/strong> to qualify.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n \t Substantial Drop in Permit Issuance<\/strong><\/span> These reforms represent a shift in Canada\u2019s strategy on immigration and foreign labour:<\/span><\/p>\n\n Protecting Local Labour Markets<\/strong><\/span> Efficiency & Alignment with Economic Needs<\/strong><\/span> Improved Standards & Fairness<\/strong><\/span> If you are planning to apply under TFWP (or are an employer using it), these steps can help you stay ahead and adapt:<\/span><\/p>\n\n For Applicants (Workers):<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n Confirm whether your occupation falls under a priority or in\u2011demand sector<\/strong> or region. If so, prepare your documentation in advance.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n \t Check whether your spouse will be eligible for an open work permit (does your occupation qualify, do you have enough time left on your work permit, etc.).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n \t If not, consider alternative routes (e.g., Provincial Nominee Programs or other paths) while ensuring your credentials, earnings, and job offer align with what the government is increasingly demanding.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n \t For Employers:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n Review whether your job offers meet the new or proposed wage thresholds. Be prepared to adjust compensation if needed.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n \t Make sure recruitment practices\u2014including job postings, LMIA applications, and documentation\u2014comply with new caps, and that you are aware of regional unemployment rates and their impact.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n \t Monitor policy announcements closely. Because not all reform details are public yet, there may be changes that affect eligibility, program fees, or processing rules.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n \t For Both Parties:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n Keep an eye on official announcements from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), ESDC, and provincial governments.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n \t Consider using Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)<\/strong> as backup or complementary pathways\u2014they are often more flexible and better tuned to local needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n Canada\u2019s Temporary Foreign Worker Program is clearly entering a new phase: from broad access toward more targeted allocation. For applicants and employers alike, these reforms bring both challenges and opportunity. Those who understand the direction, prepare accordingly, and stay agile will be best positioned to benefit.<\/span><\/p>\n At \u6b61\u8fce\u4f86\u5230\u9806\u9054\u96c6\u5718<\/strong>, we are committed to helping you navigate these changes\u2014making sure you understand your options, prepare the right documents, and choose paths that align with both your goals and the evolving Canadian immigration landscape.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\nWhat\u2019s Changing<\/span><\/h3>\n
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The government wants the TFWP to better align with labour market needs in specific sectors and regions. This means that rather than opening broadly, approvals will prioritize areas that truly need foreign labour.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n \t
For 2025, Canada has set a net new admissions target of 82,000<\/strong> temporary foreign workers.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n \t
Regions in Canada with higher unemployment rates (6% or more) may see a moratorium<\/strong> on processing low\u2011wage LMIA applications. The aim is to protect local job seekers and lessen pressure on local labour markets. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n \t
\u201cHigh\u2011wage\u201d temporary work permit categories will face stricter wage requirements\u2014wages will need to be set significantly above local medians to truly qualify.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n \t
Employers may be limited in the proportion of their workforce that can be filled via TFWP. This cap varies by region and sector. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n \t\n \t
Between January and June 2025, new work permits under TFWP dropped by about 50%<\/strong> compared to the same period in 2024. Only ~33,722 net new TFWP permits were issued in that half\u2011year.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
\n\nWhy These Changes Matter<\/span><\/h3>\n
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By raising wage thresholds, pausing low\u2011wage permits in high\u2011unemployment regions, and capping foreign worker proportions in companies, the government aims to ensure Canadians and permanent residents have fair access to job opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n \t
Prioritizing key industries (e.g., healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing) and geographic regions ensures foreign labour is used where it is most needed\u2014not uniformly or almost by default. This helps avoid both labor shortages in critical sectors and misallocation elsewhere. Staffing Industry Analysts<\/span>+2<\/span><\/span>UNA<\/span>+2<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n \t
Increasing the wage thresholds and tightening eligibility for spousal work permits help ensure that temporary foreign workers are treated fairly, wage competition is reasonable, and program abuse is reduced.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\n\nWhat You Should Do<\/span><\/h3>\n
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\n\nConclusion<\/span><\/h3>\n