New Brunswick is giving rural employers more flexibility to hire temporary foreign workers. The province recently opted into a federal policy that increases the cap on low wage temporary foreign workers for eligible businesses.

If you operate a business outside a major city center, this change directly impacts your hiring options. According to CIC News, New Brunswick joins British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and Quebec in participating in this temporary federal program.

What the New Rules Mean for New Brunswick

The federal government introduced temporary measures running from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. Provinces choose which measures to adopt. New Brunswick officially implemented its chosen measure on April 23, 2026.

Eligible rural employers in New Brunswick can now fill up to 15 percent of their low wage positions with temporary foreign workers. This is a notable increase from the standard 10 percent limit. The government defines rural areas as regions located outside census metropolitan areas. If your business operates outside the immediate Saint John or Moncton urban centers, you likely qualify as rural.

British Columbia took a different approach. That province allows rural employers to keep their current proportion of low wage temporary foreign workers even if it exceeds the standard cap. New Brunswick did not adopt this specific retention measure.

How Employers Qualify

You do not get automatic access to this increased cap just by being in a rural area. Your business must still meet all regular Temporary Foreign Worker Program requirements.

You must prove you made genuine efforts to recruit Canadian citizens and permanent residents for your available jobs first. The new 15 percent cap only applies to Labour Market Impact Assessments submitted after April 23, 2026. The government will not apply these rules to applications submitted before that date.

Sectors Keeping the Higher Cap

Some industries already operate under a 20 percent cap for low wage temporary foreign workers. These sectors keep their 20 percent limit regardless of the new rural measures. The exempt sectors include:

• Construction
• Food manufacturing
• Hospitals
• Nursing and residential care facilities
• Specific in home caregiver positions like registered nurses and home childcare providers

Frequently Asked Questions

When do these temporary measures expire?

The federal policy remains in effect until March 31, 2027.

Does this apply to businesses in Saint John?

No. The policy specifically targets rural employers located outside census metropolitan areas like Saint John.

Can New Brunswick employers use the retention measure adopted by British Columbia?

No. New Brunswick only adopted the 15 percent cap increase and did not adopt the retention measure.

Are any provinces refusing to participate?

Yes. Alberta and Nunavut declined to participate in these temporary measures.