Effective April 30^th, 2015, certain elements from the general Canadian LMIA application process have been incorporated into the unique Quebec LMIA application process. These elements include:

• LMIAs for high-wage positions in Quebec must now provide a transition plan. This rule will be relaxed, however, where an employer is looking to hire a worker in one the approved occupations listed under Quebec’s LMIA program.
• The introduction of a cap on the number of low-wage workers that a Quebec employer may hire. By July 1^st, 2016, Quebec employers may only have 10% of their work force made up of foreign, low-wage workers.
• The implementation of new wage streams for assessing LMIAs.
• Updates to the provincial/territorial median hourly wages.
• Modifications to worker protections.
• A ban on processing applications for specific low-wage/lower-skilled occupations in the Accommodation and Food Services sector and the Retail Trade sector. This ban only applies in economic regions that have an unemployment rate of 6% or higher.
• Updates to unemployment rates by economic region.
• The duration of employment of temporary foreign workers in low-wage positions to is now limited to a period of 1 year.
• Ban on processing applications from employers whose LMIA has been revoked in the past 2 years.

For more information on the Quebec LMIA application process, click here. (The Quebec LMIA Application Process and Extensions to Quebec Work Permits.).

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.