Which areas in Canada might experience a decrease in the num

On August 26th, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) announced a temporary suspension of processing Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) under the Low-Wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This applies to employers located in Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) with unemployment rates of 6% or higher.

To be considered a CMA, a region must have a population of at least 100,000, with at least 50,000 residing in the central area.

While ESDC’s announcement outlined steps to prevent program misuse, it did not specify which CMAs would be affected. However, CIC News obtained data from Statistics Canada on unemployment rates across various CMAs to identify which areas could be impacted by the new policy.

While Statistics Canada is widely used by government agencies, this data cannot definitively determine which areas will be affected by ESDC’s recent announcement.

As of September 6th, the following table provides an updated list of CMAs with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher:

CMA | Unemployment Rate (%)

Abbotsford-Mission, British Columbia: 6.7
Barrie, Ontario: 6.2
Brantford, Ontario: 6.3
Calgary, Alberta: 7.6
Edmonton, Alberta: 8.5
Greater Sudbury, Ontario: 6.2
Halifax, Nova Scotia: 6.1
Hamilton, Ontario: 7.4
Kingston, Ontario: 6.6
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Ontario: 7.6
London, Ontario: 7.5
Montréal, Quebec: 7.3
Oshawa, Ontario: 8.5
Ottawa-Gatineau, Ontario: 7.1
Ottawa-Gatineau, Quebec: 6.9
Regina, Saskatchewan: 6.8
Saint John, New Brunswick: 6.8
St. Catharines-Niagara, Ontario: 7.5
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador: 7.2
Toronto, Ontario: 8.6
Trois-Rivières, Quebec: 6.5
Vancouver, British Columbia: 6.2
Windsor, Ontario: 9.8
Winnipeg, Manitoba: 6.3

What are CMAs?

A Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) is a region made up of one or more neighboring municipalities centered around a core population hub.

This classification is determined by data from the latest Census of Population Program. To qualify, municipalities must show strong economic and social ties with the core, primarily based on commuting patterns. Unlike Census Agglomerations (CAs), once an area is designated as a CMA, it maintains that status even if its population falls below the required threshold.

It’s important to note that CMAs differ from cities. For instance, although Toronto and Mississauga rank as Canada’s first and seventh largest cities by population, both are part of the Toronto CMA.

Why is Canada reducing the number of temporary foreign workers in certain regions?

The recent policy shift by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) regarding temporary foreign workers follows increased scrutiny of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and temporary resident levels (those on work or study permits) overall.

In March, Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault and Immigration Minister Marc Miller held a joint press conference, where they announced the inclusion of temporary resident levels in Canada’s annual Immigration Levels Plan for the first time. This move aims to address domestic concerns around housing affordability and availability.

Minister Boissonnault also unveiled additional measures to decrease Canadian employers’ reliance on temporary foreign workers, citing issues with employer compliance to TFWP standards and concerns about the program contributing to wage suppression.

Additionally, throughout the year, ESDC has been rolling back COVID-era TFWP policies, reflecting the significant changes in Canada’s labor market since the pandemic.

Conclusion: The Importance of CMAs for Future Planning

In conclusion, a Census Metropolitan Area serves as a vital tool for understanding urban dynamics in Canada. By analyzing the demographic and socio-economic factors within CMAs, stakeholders can make informed decisions for future development and public policy. As urban areas continue to evolve, the relevance of CMAs will only grow, reflecting the continuous changes in population distribution and urbanization trends.

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