Canada Targets 230,000 Temporary Foreign Workers in 2026

According to the Federal Government’s annual immigration levels plan, 60,000 workers are expected to enter Canada through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, while another 170,000 will be admitted through the International Mobility Program.

The figures come as Canada introduces new rules that could allow some employers operating multiple small work locations to hire more low-wage temporary foreign workers.

Under the previous arrangement, employers were generally limited to having low-wage temporary foreign workers account for no more than 10 per cent of their workforce through the TFWP.

The limit is 20 per cent for certain in-demand sectors, including healthcare, construction and food production.

Employment and Social Development Canada updated its programme requirements on August 18, allowing eligible employers to calculate their low-wage foreign worker limits based on the number of employees at individual work locations.

The change could benefit businesses operating several small locations, including restaurants, care facilities and construction sites.

Under the revised calculation, an employer can hire one low-wage temporary foreign worker at a location with fewer than 10 employees, while employers in specified in-demand sectors can hire up to two workers per qualifying small location.

However, employers must still obtain a positive or neutral Labour Market Impact Assessment before hiring or retaining workers through the TFWP.

The LMIA process is designed to establish that no qualified Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to fill the position.

Canada also maintains restrictions on low-wage TFWP recruitment, including limits on processing applications for certain positions in urban areas with unemployment rates above six per cent.

Employers hiring workers through the low-wage stream must also meet requirements covering transportation costs, suitable accommodation and private health insurance where provincial or territorial coverage does not apply.

The International Mobility Program, which accounts for the majority of temporary work permits issued in Canada, is generally exempt from the LMIA requirement.