Canada remains one of the world’s most attractive destinations for skilled foreign workers. With labour shortages across healthcare, transportation, construction, agriculture, hospitality, manufacturing, and technology, thousands of employers continue to recruit international talent through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
One of the most common pathways is through a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which allows eligible employers to hire foreign workers when qualified Canadians or permanent residents are unavailable. The Government of Canada publishes a quarterly dataset of employers that have received positive LMIAs, although there is no official government ranking of the “top 100” employers.
This guide highlights employers that have consistently hired foreign workers or regularly appear in LMIA-related recruitment across major industries.
What is an LMIA-approved employer?
An LMIA-approved employer is a Canadian employer that has received a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), confirming that hiring a foreign worker is expected to have a positive or neutral effect on Canada’s labour market. A positive LMIA is generally required before many employers can hire a temporary foreign worker.
Insurance & Worker Protection Requirements
Before visa approval, many employer-sponsored programs require proof of valid health insurance coverage and worker protection compliance. Immigration authorities verify medical coverage eligibility before granting work authorization.
Depending on the destination country, foreign employees may also need workplace injury protection, employer liability coverage, and travel medical insurance during relocation.
- Mandatory health insurance for visa holders
- Workplace accident and employer liability protection
- Travel and relocation medical coverage
- Insurance verification during immigration processing
Confirm insurance compliance requirements before submitting a work permit application.
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What Is an LMIA?
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is an official document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). In many cases, employers must obtain a positive LMIA before hiring a foreign worker.
A positive LMIA indicates that:
- No qualified Canadian citizen or permanent resident was available for the position.
- Hiring a foreign worker will not negatively affect the Canadian labour market.
- The employer has met the applicable program requirements.
Top 100 Employers Hiring Foreign Workers
Agriculture & Food Processing
- Maple Leaf Foods
- Cargill Canada
- Olymel
- Sofina Foods
- Sunterra Farms
- Highline Mushrooms
- Nature Fresh Farms
- Mucci Farms
- Sunrise Farms
- Jealous Fruits
Trucking & Logistics
- Bison Transport
- Challenger Motor Freight
- Manitoulin Transport
- Kriska Transportation
- Canada Cartage
- TransX
- Rosenau Transport
- Trimac Transportation
- Day & Ross
- Gordon Food Service Canada
Construction
- PCL Construction
- EllisDon
- Graham Construction
- Bird Construction
- Aecon Group
- Ledcor
- Kiewit Canada
- Chandos Construction
- Maple Reinders
- Bantrel
Hospitality & Hotels
- Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
- Marriott Canada
- Hilton Canada
- Hyatt Canada
- Sandman Hotel Group
- Coast Hotels
- Best Western Canada
- Four Seasons Hotels
- Holiday Inn Canada
- Delta Hotels
Restaurants
- McDonald’s Canada
- Tim Hortons
- A&W Canada
- Wendy’s Canada
- Subway Canada
- Boston Pizza
- Pizza Hut Canada
- Domino’s Canada
- KFC Canada
- Popeyes Canada
Healthcare
- Sienna Senior Living
- Extendicare
- Chartwell Retirement Residences
- Revera
- Bayshore HealthCare
- CarePartners
- SE Health
- ParaMed
- VON Canada
- Saint Elizabeth Foundation
Manufacturing
- Magna International
- Linamar
- Honda Canada Manufacturing
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada
- General Motors Canada
- Irving Shipbuilding
- West Fraser
- Canfor
- Cascades
- Kruger Products
Retail
- Walmart Canada
- Costco Wholesale Canada
- Loblaw Companies
- Sobeys
- Metro
- Canadian Tire
- Home Depot Canada
- RONA
- IKEA Canada
- Giant Tiger
Energy & Engineering
- Suncor Energy
- Cenovus Energy
- Canadian Natural Resources
- Imperial Oil
- Nutrien
- Teck Resources
- Agnico Eagle Mines
- Hatch
- WSP Canada
- Stantec
Technology & Professional Services
- IBM Canada
- CGI
- Accenture Canada
- Deloitte Canada
- PwC Canada
- KPMG Canada
- EY Canada
- Bell Canada
- Rogers Communications
- TELUS
Industries with the Highest LMIA Demand
According to recent labour market data, employers continue recruiting foreign workers in:
- Healthcare
- Truck driving
- Construction
- Skilled trades
- Manufacturing
- Agriculture
- Hospitality
- Information Technology
- Engineering
- Accounting and Finance
Average Salaries
| Occupation | Annual Salary (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $75,000–$120,000 |
| Truck Driver | $60,000–$110,000 |
| Electrician | $70,000–$120,000 |
| Software Developer | $85,000–$150,000 |
| Welder | $60,000–$100,000 |
| Accountant | $70,000–$120,000 |
| Caregiver | $40,000–$70,000 |
| Construction Labourer | $45,000–$80,000 |
| Food Processing Worker | $38,000–$65,000 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $65,000–$110,000 |
Who Can Apply?
Most LMIA-supported jobs are open to candidates who:
- Meet the education or trade requirements for the role.
- Have relevant work experience.
- Can satisfy language requirements where applicable.
- Meet Canadian work permit eligibility requirements.
- Pass medical and security checks if required.
How to Find Genuine LMIA Jobs
To improve your chances:
- Search the official Government of Canada LMIA employer dataset.
- Apply through employers’ official careers pages.
- Tailor your résumé to Canadian standards.
- Be cautious of anyone selling or guaranteeing an LMIA, as this is illegal and a common scam.
Important Note About This List
Being listed here does not mean every employer currently has an active LMIA position. LMIA approvals are issued for specific jobs and time periods, and employers may or may not be recruiting internationally at any given time. Always verify current openings through official job postings and the Government of Canada’s resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an LMIA a guarantee of a Canadian work permit?
No. A positive LMIA supports an employer’s hiring process, but Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes the final decision on work permit applications.
Which industries offer the most visa sponsorship opportunities?
Healthcare, transportation, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, hospitality, and selected technology occupations continue to offer many opportunities for qualified foreign workers.
Where can I verify LMIA employers?
The Government of Canada publishes a quarterly dataset of employers issued positive LMIAs, making it the most reliable source for verification.
Final Thoughts
Canada continues to rely on international talent to address labour shortages across key industries. While there is no official “Top 100 LMIA-approved employers” ranking, the companies listed above are among those that have frequently hired foreign workers or operate in sectors with sustained LMIA activity.
For the best chance of success, focus on employers with current vacancies, prepare a Canadian-style résumé, and verify opportunities through official government data and employer career portals. Avoid any offer that promises or sells an LMIA, as legitimate employers follow the regulated Temporary Foreign Worker Program process.
