BC and New Brunswick adopt TFWP rural measures
British Columbia and New Brunswick have joined a federal initiative that provides added flexibility for rural employers seeking to hire low-wage temporary foreign workers. The measures are part of a time-limited policy under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
The policy, introduced by the federal government, allows participating provinces to adjust existing limits on the proportion of low-wage temporary foreign workers in eligible workplaces. The changes are aimed at addressing labour shortages outside major urban centres.
These developments affect employers in designated rural regions, defined as areas located outside census metropolitan areas. Participation varies by province, with each jurisdiction selecting specific options under the policy.
- British Columbia and New Brunswick have opted into federal temporary TFWP measures
- The policy applies to rural employers outside major urban centres
- Two distinct flexibility options are available under the program
- Implementation dates differ between participating provinces
- Other provinces, including Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and Quebec, previously confirmed participation
Overview of the federal temporary policy
The federal government introduced the temporary measures effective April 1, 2026, with an end date of March 31, 2027. The policy is targeted at rural employers using the TFWP to fill low-wage roles.
Under standard rules, employers are typically restricted to filling no more than 10% of positions at a worksite with low-wage temporary foreign workers. The temporary policy permits provinces to adjust this threshold through two available options.
Participating provinces can allow employers to maintain their current proportion of low-wage foreign workers even if it exceeds the standard cap. Alternatively, provinces can increase the cap to 15% for eligible employers.
Provincial participation and selection of measures
Each province has discretion to participate in the federal initiative and determine which of the two options will apply within its jurisdiction. This has resulted in varying approaches across the country.
Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and Quebec had previously confirmed their participation in the program earlier in April 2026. Manitoba’s broader immigration framework continues to operate through streams such as the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, separate from the temporary federal measure.
Other provinces are expected to provide further details, while some jurisdictions, including Alberta and Nunavut, have chosen not to take part in the policy.
Implementation in British Columbia
British Columbia is applying one of the available measures across all sectors starting May 4, 2026. The province has chosen to allow eligible rural employers to retain their existing proportion of low-wage temporary foreign workers.
This means that worksites exceeding the usual 10% cap will not be required to reduce their current workforce composition, provided they meet all relevant criteria. The option to increase the cap to 15% has not been adopted in the province at this time.
The measure applies only to new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications submitted on or after the implementation date.
Implementation in New Brunswick
New Brunswick began applying its selected measure on April 23, 2026. The province has adopted the option that raises the allowable proportion of low-wage temporary foreign workers from 10% to 15%.
This adjustment applies across all sectors and is available to employers in rural areas who meet program requirements. The province has not adopted the option allowing employers to retain higher existing proportions.
Like in British Columbia, the changes apply only to LMIAs submitted after the policy comes into force in the province.
Eligibility requirements for employers
Employers seeking to use the temporary flexibilities must continue to comply with standard requirements under the TFWP. These include demonstrating efforts to recruit Canadian citizens and permanent residents before turning to foreign workers.
Only employers located in designated rural areas are eligible. The classification of rural is based on definitions used by Statistics Canada, which exclude census metropolitan areas.
The temporary measures do not apply retroactively. LMIA applications submitted before a province’s implementation date are not eligible for the adjusted caps or retained proportions.
Exclusions and sector-specific rules
The policy does not apply to certain categories, including low-wage positions under the permanent resident dual-intent stream. In addition, some sectors already operate under a separate cap structure.
Industries such as construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities continue to follow a 20% cap on low-wage temporary foreign workers. This threshold remains unchanged by the temporary policy.
Specific in-home caregiver roles, including positions classified under designated nursing and caregiving occupations, are also governed by existing rules that differ from the standard cap.
National context and policy scope
The temporary adjustments reflect ongoing labour market pressures in rural regions across Canada. The policy is structured to allow provinces to tailor participation according to local workforce conditions.
By offering two distinct options, the federal framework enables jurisdictions to either stabilize existing workforce ratios or permit modest increases in the share of low-wage temporary foreign workers.
Not all provinces have adopted the measures, resulting in a varied national landscape. This approach aligns with the broader structure of Canada’s immigration system, where provincial and federal responsibilities are shared.
Duration and future updates
The measures are set to remain in place until the end of March 2027. Any continuation or modification of the policy beyond this date would require further federal action.
Additional announcements from participating provinces are expected as details continue to be finalized. Changes in participation or implementation may be disclosed in future updates.
Further reporting on federal and provincial immigration programs is available through ongoing coverage of developments across Canada.