·Canada·Material change·In force
Canada raises LMIA high-wage stream hourly wage thresholds (17 July 2026)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
ESDC raised the hourly wage thresholds that determine whether an employer's LMIA application falls under the high-wage or the low-wage stream. For LMIAs received as of 17 July 2026 the threshold rises in every province and territory except the Northwest Territories — for example Ontario from CA$36.00 to CA$36.92 per hour and British Columbia from CA$36.60 to CA$38.40 per hour. Employers hiring temporary foreign workers, and workers whose permits rely on an LMIA, are affected.
Effective from .
What changed
Policy claim 1
For LMIAs received as of 17 July 2026, the hourly wage threshold rises in 12 of 13 provinces and territories — e.g. Ontario CA$36.92 (from CA$36.00), British Columbia CA$38.40 (from CA$36.60), Alberta CA$37.50 (from CA$36.00); the Northwest Territories stays at CA$48.00.
Claim ID: ca-2026-07-lmia-wage-thresholds#claim-1·Cite this claim
Source: ESDC — Hourly wage threshold by province or territory (Employment and Social Development Canada)·source verified ·page reviewed
Policy claim 2
The threshold is the provincial or territorial median hourly wage plus 20%, based on the Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey; an offered wage at or above it puts the LMIA application in the high-wage stream, and below it in the low-wage stream.
Claim ID: ca-2026-07-lmia-wage-thresholds#claim-2·Cite this claim
Source: ESDC — Hourly wage threshold by province or territory (Employment and Social Development Canada)·source verified ·page reviewed
Policy claim 3
ESDC cautions that adjusting the offered wage to fit a specific stream or to avoid a program requirement could lead to a negative LMIA decision; offered wages should be similar to those paid to Canadians and permanent residents in the same job and location.
Claim ID: ca-2026-07-lmia-wage-thresholds#claim-3·Cite this claim
Source: ESDC — Hourly wage threshold by province or territory (Employment and Social Development Canada)·source verified ·page reviewed
Primary source
Primary source
ESDC — Hourly wage threshold by province or territory ↗ · Employment and Social Development Canada
Link last verified: