Industry Immigration Update 2026

The impacts to labour within the food & beverage industry have been significant following the changes made to immigration policies by the Federal Government over the past couple of years. The reality is that provinces are operating with fewer allotments under Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and focusing on sectors such as health care and construction.

For businesses that have used immigration pathways to support their recruitment efforts, access to foreign labour has been limited. In Nova Scotia, both foodservice and accommodations have not been able to utilize the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) since the Spring of 2024 and changes to the Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) program have been impactful. Furthermore, with the province moving to an Expression of Interest (EOI), many permit renewals under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) are not being processed/pulled from the pool for our industry. Sadly, operators are losing valuable and critical staff. This is no longer just posing challenges with recruitment; it is negatively impacting retention! On the other side, individuals who have made Nova Scotia their home, contributed to the economy, and have valuable employment are faced with no other choice than to leave Nova Scotia.

What can you do?

We urge those being impacted to notify MPs and MLAs in your area. It is crucial that, in addition to the work RANS is doing to inform government and advocate for change, our businesses also do the same.

The Legislative Assembly for Nova Scotia

Current Members of Parliament

Recent Changes to Temporary Foreign Workers program

Low-wage LMIA processing restrictions have been lifted for eight regions, including Halifax, Winnipeg, and Regina.

An employer must obtain a positive or neutral LMIA before a foreign worker can be issued a work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

Every quarter, the federal government releases a list of CMAs in Canada where low-wage LMIAs will not be processed. The next update is scheduled to take place on October 10.

For more details on how this may apply to your business and what constitutes “low-wage” in Nova Scotia, click here.

According to the current official Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) table for applications submitted from July 10, 2026 to October 8, 2026, Halifax, Nova Scotia has an unemployment rate of 5.9%, which is below the 6% threshold. As a result, low-wage LMIA applications in Halifax are eligible to be processed during this period.

 

You can find the official Government of Canada page here: Refusal to process a Labour Market Impact Assessment application – Canada.ca

On the official table, Halifax appears as:

CMA: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jan. 9 – Apr. 9, 2026: 5.2%

Apr. 10 – Jul. 9, 2026: 6.1%

Jul. 10 – Oct. 8, 2026: 5.9%

Because Halifax’s unemployment rate is now 5.9%, employers in Halifax may once again submit low-wage LMIA applications, provided all other Temporary Foreign Worker Program requirements are met.

The lifting of these restrictions is not a solution, however; it may be a temporary 1 -year solution for those in need.

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) vs Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

As the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is not a viable option for retaining your current employees under the present circumstances, you may wish to consider the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) as an alternative. Subject to meeting all applicable legislative and program requirements, obtaining a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under the TFWP may provide a temporary solution by enabling the employees to obtain employer-specific work permits and continue working for your business for approximately one year.

This interim period may provide your organization with additional time to address its workforce needs while evaluating longer-term immigration or workforce planning strategies. Please note that approval under the TFWP is discretionary and remains subject to Service Canada’s assessment and all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Another option may be The Francophone Mobility work permit which allows Canadian employers to hire French-speaking foreign workers outside Quebec without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Key requirements include intermediate French skills (NCLC level 5 or higher) and a valid job offer.

What RANS will continue to do

• Partake in the Reimaging Immigration Coalition lead by the Commissioners for Employers
• Engage with various departments of government in the province to share critical insights and economic impacts
• Connect operators to resources and supports for industry
• Media relations on the topic of labour shortages and the impact (RANS in the News)
• RANS is delivering a program in 2026-2027 to support Enhanced Direct Entry to Apprenticeship with a goal to introduce 40 Red Seal Chefs into the industry once they complete their training requirements