Rule change gives construction employers more flexibility to hire temporary foreign workers

By CaDCR Staff Writer

August 25, 2026

Construction employers operating multiple small work locations can now hire more temporary foreign workers in positions classified under the federal government’s low-wage stream following a change to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Employment and Social Development Canada updated its program requirements on Aug. 18, allowing employers with work locations employing fewer than 10 people to use an alternative calculation when determining how many workers they can hire through the low-wage stream.

The change is particularly significant for construction, one of three sectors eligible for a higher workforce cap under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Construction employers can generally hire workers through the low-wage stream equal to up to 20 per cent of their workforce. Under the revised rules, an employer with fewer than 10 employees at an individual work location can hire up to two temporary foreign workers at that location.

Read more from Canadian Design and Construction Report