Halifax Unemployment Rate Falls to 5.9% – Good News for Low-Wage LMIA Employers
Halifax Unemployment Rate Falls to 5.9% – Good News for Low-Wage LMIA Employers
The latest labour market data brings positive news for employers in the Halifax Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). With Halifax’s unemployment rate now at 5.9%, the region is once again below the federal government’s 6.0% threshold used to determine whether certain low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications can be processed.
Why This Matters
Since September 26, 2024, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has refused to process certain Low-Wage LMIA applications if:
- The position is paid below the provincial wage threshold (Low-Wage Stream); and
- The job is located in a Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) with an unemployment rate of 6.0% or higher at the time the LMIA application is submitted.
Because Halifax’s unemployment rate is now 5.9%, employers may once again be eligible to submit Low-Wage LMIA applications, provided they meet all other Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) requirements.
What This Means for Employers
If your business has been delaying recruitment because Halifax previously exceeded the 6% unemployment threshold, now may be an excellent opportunity to revisit your hiring plans.
Eligible employers may be able to recruit foreign workers for positions where local recruitment efforts have not been successful. However, all standard LMIA requirements still apply, including:
- Demonstrating genuine labour shortages;
- Advertising and recruitment requirements;
- Offering wages and working conditions that meet federal and provincial standards; and
- Meeting all Temporary Foreign Worker Program compliance obligations.
Being below the 6% threshold does not guarantee LMIA approval. It simply means that eligible Low-Wage LMIA applications are no longer automatically refused for processing based solely on Halifax’s unemployment rate.
A Reminder for Employers
The unemployment rate used by ESDC is reviewed and updated regularly. An application that is eligible today could be affected if unemployment rises above the threshold before submission. Employers planning to hire foreign workers should begin preparing their applications as early as possible.
Need Assistance with an LMIA?
Preparing a successful LMIA requires careful planning, proper recruitment documentation, and full compliance with ESDC requirements.
At Atlantic Summit Immigration Consulting Inc., we assist employers across Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada with:
- High-Wage and Low-Wage LMIA applications
- Recruitment strategy and advertising compliance
- Employer eligibility assessments
- Work permit applications following LMIA approval
- Ongoing immigration support for employers and foreign workers
If your business is considering hiring through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, our team can help you determine whether your position qualifies and guide you through every step of the LMIA process.
Contact Atlantic Summit Immigration Consulting Inc. Today to discuss your hiring needs and determine whether now is the right time to submit your LMIA application.
