Median Hourly Wage Update for TFW Programs

The provincial/ territorial median wage data is updated annually and used to determine whether a position falls into the Low-Wage or High-Wage Streams. This means, employers are eligible for the Low-wage Stream of the Program if they offer a wage that is below the median hourly wage for the position requested on the LMIA and, are eligible for the High-wage Stream if they offer a wage that is at or above the median hourly wage. Each stream has specific requirements designed to recognize the labour market impacts of hiring TFWs in certain occupations and industries. The requirements include recruitment efforts, working conditions, and employment duration.

The updated median wages for 2023 are now in effect as of May 31, 2023. For Nova Scotia, the updated median wage is $22.97 LMIAs received on or after this date will be required to meet the program requirements of the new stream, using the updated median wages.

A transition period has been put into place until August 29, 2023, on an exceptional basis, to account for unforeseen delays in the publishing of the wage data this year. During this transition period, Service Canada will work with employers whose application will have changed streams because of the new wages (from Low Wage Stream to High Wage or vice versa) to complete the appropriate application form. Recruitment efforts that meet the Program requirements of the original application package will be accepted as meeting the requirements of the new program stream during this time. More information about the application process is available on the Employment and Social Development Canada website.