The federal government will allow rural employers to have up to 15 per cent of their workforce to be temporary foreign workers.
The new higher rate applies only in eligible rural regions. That's up from a current cap of 10 per cent, the government said in a news release.
Such employers will also be able to retain any temporary foreign workers currently on staff.
The government said provinces and territories will need to opt in, in order for the measures to take effect in their jurisdictions. For those that do, these changes could be "implemented within two weeks of a positive request," according to the news release.
The measures will stay in effect through the end of March next year.
The government says the measures are necessary in parts of the country where businesses are struggling to find the people they need.
"Canadians must always be first in line for available jobs, but in some rural regions employers are facing persistent labour shortages," said Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu.
