On January 9, 2026, the quarterly average unemployment rate in the Montréal census metropolitan area (CMA) fell below 6%. As a result, the Montreal CMA is no longer subject to the federal government's refusal of treatment.
This means that the refusal of treatment no longer applies in the administrative regions of Montérégie, Lanaudière and Laurentides, part of which is part of the Montreal CMA.
However, we remind you that the administrative regions of Montreal and Laval remain subject to the Quebec measure of suspending the receipt of certain LMIA applications.
Exemptions from the Government of Quebec's suspension measure now apply to these two regions and to the following sectors: primary agriculture, construction, health and social services (for the entire sector, including daycare services), education (elementary and secondary schools only), the food and beverage manufacturing sub-sector, and home care provider positions for medical needs.
We invite you to review the provisions of the Government of Quebec's suspension measure, in particular the sectors that are exempt from it, before applying for an LMIA:
https://www.quebec.ca/entreprises-et-travailleurs-autonomes/administrer-gerer/embauche-gestion-personnel/recruter/embaucher-immigrant/embaucher-travailleur-etranger-temporaire/comprendre-autorisations
Finally, we remind you that the federal government's other tightening measures for low-wage positions, namely the hiring limit to 10% and the reduction of the duration of the work permit to one year, remain in force for all of Quebec.
For any questions concerning the suspension measure of the Government of Quebec, it is possible to contact the Ministry's Customer Contact Center:
https://www.quebec.ca/gouvernement/ministeres-organismes/immigration/coordonnees-structure/generales
