Ottawa extends employment periods for temporary foreign workers, changes other rules

Posted November 9, 2026 10:11 am.

Last Updated November 9, 2026 11:07 am.

OTTAWA — The federal government is extending the period of time a business can employ a low-wage temporary foreign worker.

The change will mean a low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessment, the document an employer needs to hire a temporary foreign worker, will have a maximum duration of two years instead of one.

The government says restrictions on applications to hire temporary foreign workers in cities with more than six per cent unemployment will remain in place.

It is also adding early childhood educators to the list of professions exempted from those restrictions, a list which also includes health care, construction and food processing.

Ottawa is also proposing other changes that would exempt other professions from the six per cent rule and allow employers to hire more temporary foreign workers.

Those additional reforms are expected to take effect on March 1, 2027 if the provinces and territories endorse them.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 9, 2026.

David Baxter, The Canadian Press

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