Canada announces new supports for undocumented construction workers
The measures include a legal pathway for undocumented workers to stay legally.
Key Takeaways:
- The federal government, industry leaders, and unions will collaborate to assess construction labour needs and develop pathways to attract and retain skilled workers.
- A new pathway will allow undocumented construction workers already in Canada to gain legal status.
- A temporary measure removes the need for a study permit for foreign apprentices, allowing them to complete their training faster and join the workforce more quickly.
The Whole Story:
Ottawa has announced new measures to address construction labour shortages.
They include the convening of a tripartite advisory council to assess needs in the industry and advise on new pathways to bring in skilled workers, a regularization pathway for out-of-status construction workers, and support for foreign apprentices.
“Canada’s construction industry is vital to support and sustain our country’s growth, and we need to bring in workers to meet the urgent need for skilled labour,” said Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. “The measures announced today will ensure critical infrastructure projects are completed on time, support economic development and tackle labour shortages.”
Canada will immediately convene a tripartite advisory council comprised of federal government and union representatives, and industry leaders. This advisory council will work to identify on‑the‑ground labour needs and advise on the parameters for potential pathways that would bring in and retain the construction workers we need for the long term, with robust protections against abuse and a strong wage threshold.
In an effort to build on the success of initiatives such as the out-of-status construction workers in the Greater Toronto Area pilot, IRCC intends to create a pathway that would offer opportunities for undocumented migrants in the construction sector. These undocumented migrants are already living and working in Canada, and are contributing to the sector, and this pathway will keep them here legally so that they can continue to build the homes our economy and communities need with the proper protections.
More information about these pathways will be shared in the near future as the new advisory council meets to develop policies.
Finally, to support foreign apprentices in construction programs and to address the current labour market needs in the construction sector, Canada is also introducing a temporary measure to allow foreign apprentices to complete their studies without a study permit, effective now. Officials stated that by removing this administrative barrier, apprentices will be able to gain the valuable skills they need to contribute to infrastructure projects more quickly.
When it comes to Canada’s residential construction sector, immigrants play a key role, accounting for 23% of all general contractors and residential builders. As of November 2024, approximately 1,365 permanent residents (including principal applicants and their dependants) have been admitted through the out-of-status construction workers pathway.
