Recent developments in canadian immigration: temporary and permanent measures

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Temporary immigration – LMIA application processing : criteria update

In recent weeks, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has updated two assessment criteria for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications. Specifically, the reference median wage has been increased, and the unemployment rates by Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) have been updated.

In other words, employers will need to increase the wages of certain workers in order to continue obtaining LMIA-based work permits. As a reminder, an LMIA is generally required to hire a foreign worker, although exceptions do exist.

Immetis explains the key changes affecting LMIA applications.

Median wage : a threshold revised upward

The wage thresholds used to determine whether a position is considered high–wage or low–wage were updated on June 27, 2025, across all provinces and territories:

• High-wage positions offer compensation that is equal to or greater than the province’s median wage;
• Positions offering wages below the median are considered low-wage.

Here are the new reference median wages by province:

• Alberta: $35.40 to $36.00 (+$0.60)
• British Columbia: $34.62 to $36.60 (+$1.98)
• Manitoba: $30.00 to $30.16 (+$0.16)
• New Brunswick: $28.85 to $30.00 (+$1.15)
• Newfoundland and Labrador: $31.20 to $32.40 (+$1.20)
• Northwest Territories: $47.09 to $48.00 (+$0.91)
• Nova Scotia: $28.80 to $30.00 (+$1.20)
• Nunavut: $42.00
• Ontario: $34.07 to $36.00 (+$1.93)
• Prince Edward Island: $28.80 to $30.00 (+$1.20)
• Quebec: $32.96 to $34.62 (+$1.66)
• Saskatchewan: $32.40 to $33.60 (+$1.20)
• Yukon: $43.20 to $44.40 (+$1.20)

As an employer, this update affects the classification of a position as low or high wage, depending on the wage and location indicated in the LMIA application for hiring or renewing a temporary foreign worker.

In Quebec, the threshold has increased from $32.96 to $34.62/hour. Any position below this rate is now considered low wage.

Moratorium still in effect: Montreal and Laval administrative regions

The moratorium on processing low-wage LMIA applications remains in place until November 30, 2025 for the Montreal and Laval regions.

This means that foreign workers already employed in these areas cannot renew their work permits if their wage is below the new median wage of $34.62/hour.

Update to the unemployment rate list for CMAs (Census Metropolitan Areas) for LMIA applications

As of July 11, 2025, the unemployment rates for CMAs have been updated. Low-wage LMIA applications will not be processed if the CMA’s unemployment rate is 6.0% or higher. The next update is scheduled for October 10, 2025.

If the job location is not within a CMA, the LMIA application remains eligible for processing.

St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador	7.2
Halifax, Nova Scotia	6.2
Moncton, New Brunswick	6.4
Saint John, New Brunswick	7.4
Fredericton, New Brunswick	6.2
Saguenay, Quebec	4.3
Québec, Quebec	4.1
Sherbrooke, Quebec	4.8
Trois-Rivières, Quebec	5.2
Drummondville, Quebec	5.6
Montréal, Quebec	6.9
Ottawa-Gatineau, Ontario/Quebec	6.4
Kingston, Ontario	7.2
Belleville, Ontario	7.1
Peterborough, Ontario	9.9
Oshawa, Ontario	9.2
Toronto, Ontario	8.9
Hamilton, Ontario	6.6
St. Catharines-Niagara, Ontario	6.4
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Ontario	6.9
Brantford, Ontario	6.8
Guelph, Ontario	5.9
London, Ontario	6.9
Windsor, Ontario	11
Barrie, Ontario	7.3
Greater Sudbury, Ontario	5.4
Thunder Bay, Ontario	5.1
Winnipeg, Manitoba	5.6
Regina, Saskatchewan	5.3
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan	4.6
Lethbridge, Alberta	5.2
Calgary, Alberta	7.3
Red Deer, Alberta	5.6
Edmonton, Alberta	7.6
Kelowna, British Columbia	5
Kamloops, British Columbia	8.7
Chilliwack, British Columbia	6.3
Abbotsford-Mission, British Columbia	6.1
Vancouver, British Columbia	6.3
Victoria, British Columbia	4.1
Nanaimo, British Columbia	7.3

Two concrete examples:

1. A position located in Quebec City with a wage above $34.62/hour: the wage offered is above the median, so the position is considered high wage and can be submitted for an LMIA application.
2. The same position, but with a wage below $34.62/hour: the unemployment rate in the Quebec CMA is 4.1%. The low-wage LMIA application is possible, but the work permit will be limited to a maximum duration of 12 months.

These updates affect both the hiring of new workers and the renewal of work permits requiring a new LMIA. For some workers whose permits need to be renewed, wage increases may need to be considered.

If such an increase is not possible, it is recommended to consider relocating the position to another eligible location or adjusting the working conditions, such as the number of hours worked per week.

Permanent immigration to Quebec: official launch of the PSTQ

As of July 1, 2025, the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) has officially become the sole pathway to permanent residence in Quebec, replacing the Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ). Here’s our analysis following the publication of the first rounds of invitations.

The PSTQ operates on a points-based system based on a candidate profile, with invitation rounds similar to the federal Express Entry system.

Scoring grid

The PSTQ evaluates candidates based on three main categories:

Human capital (max. 520 points)

• Knowledge of French
• Spouse’s age
• Amount of work experience
• Education level

Quebec’s labour market needs and government priorities (max. 700 points)

• In-demand occupation (based on their diagnostic) among 516 professions (in French only)
• Québec diploma
• Amount of work experience in Québec
• Length of stay outside the territory of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM)
• Validated job offer
• Authorization to practise a regulated profession (Stream 3 only).

Criteria related to adaptation factors: (max. 180 points)

For the main applicant:

• Length of stay for studies in Québec
• Presence of a family member aged 18+ outside the CMM who will settle with the applicant

For the spouse or common-law spouse, of applicable:

• Knowledge of French
• Spouse’s age
• Amount of work experience in Québec
• Education level
• Québec diploma

Invitation criteria used in the rounds

Invitations are based on criteria such as:

• Stay in Québec according to if it is within or outside the territory of the CMM
• Main occupation and its TEER category
• Intention to practice a regulated profession (102 targeted professions)
• Amount of work experience (general, in Québec or in an INGO)
• Possession of a positive opinion under stream 4 or a recognized achievement

PSTQ vs PRTQ: what has changed

Here are the major differences identified by our professionals:

Element	PRTQ	PSTQ
Weight of validated job offer	~30 %	~4 %
Importance of past experience in Quebec (outside Montreal)	Low	High (~32%)
Recognition of experience outside Quebec	Yes	No
Points for English	Yes	No
Regulated profession	Not required	Required (stream 3)

Past experience in Quebec, regardless of status (student, worker, or visitor), now plays a key role in the PSTQ points system. This factor accounts for over 32% of the total score, especially for stays outside the Montreal region, clearly reflecting the government’s goal of promoting regionalization.

Unlike the PRTQ, work experience in another Canadian province is not considered under the PSTQ, emphasizing the importance of a local path in Quebec.

Another major change: the validated job offer (VJO), which accounted for nearly 30% of the points in the PRTQ, now represents only about 4% in the PSTQ. This marks a shift toward selection based more on the overall candidate profile than on a job offer.

Finally, regarding language, English proficiency no longer earns points in the PSTQ. This strategic choice highlights the priority placed on French language integration in Quebec society.

The ideal PSTQ candidate profile

A highly competitive profile:

• Francophone, aged 20–30
• Holds a PhD obtained in Quebec
• Has 48 months of work experience in Quebec, outside the CMM (e.g., Saint-Jérôme)
• Authorized to practice a regulated profession in shortage, such as medical laboratory technologist

The PSTQ reflects the Quebec government’s priorities: regionalization, French language integration, and alignment with labour market needs.
Candidates must now focus on concrete experience in Quebec, especially outside Montreal, to maximize their chances of receiving an invitation.

First Invitations – Update as of August 1, 2025

Announced on July 22, 2025, 248 individuals were invited to apply for permanent selection (CSQ) under streams 1 and 4. A second wave followed on August 1, 2025, with 274 additional invitations under stream 2. A third wave followed on August 18, 2025, with 277 individuals invited under stream 3.

Invitations were issued under the following streams:

Stream 1 – Highly qualified and specialized skills

Invited individuals met the selection criteria, were residing in Quebec, and held a Quebec diploma at the university, college, or vocational secondary level (minimum 900 hours or 30 credits).
Minimum score required: 768 points

Stream 2: Intermediate and manual skills

Invited individuals met the selection criteria, were residing in Quebec outside the CMM, and had at least 24 months of work experience in the last 5 years, including at least 12 months in Quebec.
Minimum score required: 661 points

Stream 3 – Regulated professions

Invited individuals met the selection criteria and were residing in Quebec.
Minimum score required: 766 points

Stream 4: Exceptional talent

Selected candidates met the criteria, held a PhD (third-cycle university degree), and had at least 36 months of work experience in the last 5 years.

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Questions about these changes or the steps to take? You believe you may be affected, our professionals are available to assist you.

This article covers a recent immigration update. Last updated: August 18, 2025.