Three years of changes, pulling in two directions at once.
June 2023 — Francophone Mobility expanded
The C16 exemption broadened from higher-skilled occupations to all NOC TEER categories, 0 through 5. Primary agriculture in TEER 4 and 5 became the only exclusion.
This made cooks, kitchen staff, drivers and warehouse workers eligible for LMIA-exempt hiring for the first time. It received very little attention.
September 2024 — low-wage stream tightened
Three changes at once.
Low-wage LMIA applications stopped being processed where the work location is in a CMA with unemployment at 6% or higher.
The low-wage workforce cap fell from 20% to 10%.
Low-wage work permits were shortened from two years to one.
The carve-outs
Primary agriculture, food processing, construction and healthcare received relief. Food service did not.
What the net effect looks like
For an employer in a city above the unemployment threshold hiring for a low-wage role in food service, the LMIA route effectively closed.
For the same employer, Francophone Mobility opened wider in 2023 and was untouched by the 2024 restrictions.
The direction of travel
Restrictions have targeted the labour market test route. Exemptions justified on other policy grounds — francophone immigration among them — have not been restricted the same way.
What has changed in practice
Refusals under C16 have risen on the French-language element. Officers ask for stronger evidence of genuine French use. The program is open; the requirement is being enforced.
FrancoBridge publishes to French-speaking candidate markets across six countries.
Rules change frequently. Verify current requirements on canada.ca. This is not immigration advice.