British Columbia and New Brunswick Open More Work Permit Opportunities Under TFWP
Rural employers in British Columbia and New Brunswick are receiving greater flexibility to hire low-wage temporary foreign workers under new temporary measures introduced through Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
As part of a federal policy running from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, eligible employers located outside Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) may benefit from expanded access to low-wage work permits. These measures are designed to help rural businesses facing ongoing labour shortages while still requiring employers to prioritize hiring Canadians and permanent residents first.
What Are the New Temporary Measures?
The Canadian government introduced two key flexibilities for rural employers:
- Retained Proportion of Low-Wage Positions
Employers can keep their current proportion of low-wage temporary foreign workers, even if it exceeds the standard 10% cap. - Increased 15% Cap
Employers may increase the proportion of low-wage temporary foreign workers from the usual 10% to 15%.
These temporary measures only apply to employers in participating provinces and only for new LMIA applications submitted after the implementation date in each province. Existing applications submitted before the effective date are not eligible.
British Columbia’s Approach
Starting May 4, 2026, British Columbia will implement only one of the two available measures.
Eligible rural employers in the province will be allowed to retain their current proportion of low-wage positions filled by temporary foreign workers, even if it exceeds the normal cap.
However, British Columbia has not adopted the 15% cap increase at this time.
This decision helps employers maintain workforce stability without immediately expanding the number of low-wage foreign workers beyond current staffing levels.
New Brunswick’s Strategy
Effective April 23, 2026, New Brunswick has chosen a different route.
Eligible rural employers in the province can now use the 15% cap instead of the usual 10% cap for low-wage temporary foreign workers.
However, New Brunswick has not adopted the retained proportion measure.
This provides employers with more room to recruit additional workers where labour shortages are more severe, especially across rural industries such as food processing, agriculture, hospitality, and manufacturing.
Who Qualifies?
Employers must meet several conditions to benefit from these changes:
- Be located in a rural area (outside a CMA)
- Meet all regular TFWP requirements
- Show proof of efforts to recruit Canadian citizens and permanent residents first
- Submit a new LMIA application during the active policy period
It is important to note that some sectors already operating under a separate 20% cap will remain unchanged.
Why This Matters
British Columbia and New Brunswick now join Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and Quebec in participating in these rural workforce support measures.
The goal is clear: strengthen rural economies, reduce labour shortages, and help employers continue operations while maintaining compliance with federal labour standards.
For employers and foreign workers alike, this creates stronger pathways to legal employment and more opportunities across Canada’s rural regions.
Conclusion
These updates represent another major shift in Canada’s immigration and labour market strategy for 2026. Rural employers in British Columbia and New Brunswick now have better access to temporary foreign workers, but compliance remains critical.
Businesses should carefully assess eligibility before submitting LMIA applications, while workers should stay informed about which provinces are participating and what opportunities may be available.
As Canada continues adjusting its immigration pathways, rural employers may find these temporary measures to be a valuable solution for long-term workforce planning.