Hello, this is NohProblem Consulting, a trusted local immigration consulting company.
Today, we would like to inform you about the upcoming increase in Canada’s median wage, effective from November 8.
“Median Wage Increase”
Starting November 8, 2024, the median wage in each Canadian province will increase by 20% from the current rates.
This increase is expected to raise hourly wages by approximately $5 to $8 in each province, encouraging employers to hire more Canadian workers instead of temporary foreign workers.
You can check the current median wage for each province in the table below, along with the 20% increased figures. The exact wage increase will be confirmed on November 8.
“Why the Median Wage Increase Affects LMIA”
If you’re interested in Canadian immigration, you may have heard about the recent news regarding low-wage LMIA announced on September 26.
The LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is a document that employers must obtain from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to hire foreign workers. LMIA is generally categorized into low-wage, high-wage, and PR (Permanent Residency) LMIA streams.
For low-wage and high-wage LMIA, the median wage of each province serves as the threshold. As the median wage increases, the standard for high-wage positions will also rise, which is expected to significantly impact LMIA processing.
If you are currently proceeding with an LMIA under the high-wage stream, the 20% increase in wages will become the new standard for extension applications, meaning you may no longer qualify for the high-wage stream.
“Inability to Submit Accountant or Lawyer Certificates”
Additionally, as of October 28, 2024, employers will no longer be allowed to submit certificates from professional accountants or lawyers to prove the legitimacy of their business.
The Canadian government has stated that it will further enhance data sharing agreements with provinces and territories, as well as use existing employer registries, to improve the LMIA review process.
The government expects these measures will ensure that only genuine and legitimate job offers are approved, prevent misuse of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and strengthen worker protections.
Today, we have discussed how the LMIA will be impacted by Canada’s median wage increase, effective November 8. We encourage you to prepare for the tightening Canadian immigration policies with NohProblem Consulting, your immigration experts.
