LMIA Wage Thresholds Updated: What Changes for Employers on July 17, 2026
If you’re an employer planning to hire a temporary foreign worker through a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), a new wage threshold update takes effect soon, and it could change which stream your application falls under.
According to Canada.ca, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) updated the hourly wage threshold table on July 10, 2026, with new thresholds applying to LMIAs received as of July 17, 2026. Here is what employers need to know before submitting their next application.
High-Wage vs Low-Wage: Why the Threshold Matters?
Every LMIA application for a temporary foreign worker falls into one of two streams:
- High-wage stream – if the wage you’re offering is at or above the provincial or territorial hourly wage threshold
- Low-wage stream – if the wage you’re offering is below that threshold
Each stream comes with its own program requirements, so knowing which one applies to your job offer before you apply matters. Comparing your offered wage against the correct, current threshold is the first step in that process.
How Is the Threshold Calculated?
As per Canada.ca, the hourly wage threshold is the applicable provincial or territorial median hourly wage plus 20%, based on the Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey. This means the number is not fixed. It moves as median wages across the country shift, which is exactly why ESDC updates it periodically.
Updated Hourly Wage Thresholds by Province and Territory
Here is the full comparison between the current thresholds and the ones taking effect July 17, 2026:
| Province/Territory | LMIAs received June 27, 2025 – July 16, 2026 | LMIAs received as of July 17, 2026 |
| Alberta | $36.00 | $37.50 |
| British Columbia | $36.60 | $38.40 |
| Manitoba | $30.16 | $31.33 |
| New Brunswick | $30.00 | $31.73 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $32.40 | $33.60 |
| Northwest Territories | $48.00 | $48.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $30.00 | $31.96 |
| Nunavut | $42.00 | $45.00 |
| Ontario | $36.00 | $36.92 |
| Prince Edward Island | $30.00 | $31.20 |
| Quebec | $34.62 | $36.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $33.60 | $34.62 |
| Yukon | $44.40 | $45.60 |
Every province and territory except the Northwest Territories sees an increase this round, with British Columbia and Nunavut showing some of the largest jumps.
A Word of Caution for Employers
According to Canada.ca, simply offering a higher wage isn’t enough to qualify a position under the high-wage stream on its own. Wages offered to temporary foreign workers need to be in line with what Canadians and permanent residents would be paid for the same job, location, skill level, and years of experience. ESDC is explicit that adjusting an offered wage just to land in a particular stream, or to sidestep a program requirement, can lead to a negative LMIA decision.
In other words, the threshold tells you which stream you fall under, but your offered wage still has to reflect the genuine prevailing wage rate for that occupation. If you’re unsure how your position benchmarks, it’s worth reviewing the program requirements for the high-wage stream or the low-wage stream before you submit.
What This Means If You’re Applying Soon
- LMIA applications received before July 17, 2026 are assessed against the older threshold
- Applications received on or after July 17, 2026 are assessed against the new, higher threshold
- If your offered wage sits close to the current threshold, it’s worth double-checking whether the update pushes your position into a different stream
This distinction matters most for employers whose offered wage is close to the line between high-wage and low-wage. A job that qualified for the high-wage stream under the old threshold could fall into the low-wage stream under the new one, which comes with a different set of program requirements.
Book Your Consultation with Flowertown Immigration!
LMIA streams, wage thresholds, and program requirements can shift with each update, and figuring out exactly where your job offer stands isn’t always straightforward. If you’re an employer preparing an LMIA application, or a worker trying to understand how a wage threshold affects your job offer, book a consultation with our licensed RCIC consultant to discuss your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When do the new LMIA wage thresholds take effect?
The updated thresholds apply to LMIA applications received on or after July 17, 2026. Applications received between June 27, 2025, and July 16, 2026, are assessed under the previous threshold.
2. How is the hourly wage threshold calculated?
Per Canada.ca, it’s the provincial or territorial median hourly wage, based on the Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey, plus 20%.
3. Can I offer a higher wage just to qualify for the high-wage stream?
No. According to Canada.ca, wages must reflect the genuine prevailing rate for the occupation. Adjusting a wage solely to fit a stream or avoid a requirement can result in a negative LMIA decision.
4. What happens if my offered wage is close to the threshold?
It’s worth reassessing your offer against the July 17, 2026 threshold, since a wage that qualified for one stream previously could now fall under the other, each with different program requirements.