Canada Announces New PR Pathway for Construction Workers

The Canadian government has announced major changes to address the labour shortages in the construction sector. The new measures were announced by Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), on March 7, 2025 that includes:

• Keeping immigration spaces for up to 6,000 undocumented construction workers living in Canada
• Allowing qualified temporary foreign workers to enroll in apprenticeship programs without requiring a study permit

Impact of this Announcement

Previously, foreign workers needed a study permit to enroll in apprenticeships, and most were not eligible to apply for study permits while in Canada. The new policy removes this restriction, making it easier for tradespeople to gain the necessary qualifications.

However, details regarding the timeline and eligibility criteria for the Canada Permanent Residence pathway for construction workers remain unclear. The federal government has yet to confirm when the new program for undocumented workers will be implemented.

Problems Faced by Canada’s Construction Industry

The construction industry in Canada has been facing severe labor shortages, which have contributed to delays in housing development. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) estimates that an additional six million homes need to be built by 2030 to restore affordability.

Statistics Canada reports that immigrants make up 23% of general contractors and residential builders in Canada’s construction sector. Miller acknowledged the country’s struggle to train enough workers, stating, “As hard as we try, we cannot train them [skilled trades and construction workers] in Canada.”

Changes Made in Trades Category

On February 27, 2025, IRCC introduced changes to its Express Entry system, prioritizing skilled trades under a new category. This update added 19 occupations to the program, including:

• Construction managers
• Construction estimators
• Bricklayers
• Roofers and shinglers
• Floor covering installers
• Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)

This expansion aims to attract more skilled workers to help address labor shortages.

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New Advisory Council on Construction

To further address industry challenges, Minister Miller announced the formation of an advisory council composed of representatives from the government, unions, and industry employers. This council will provide recommendations on key issues, including:

• Prevailing wages in the construction sector
• Number of foreign construction workers Canada should admit

Miller also revealed that Canada may admit up to 14,000 foreign construction workers. However, it remains unclear whether they will be granted entry through permanent or temporary immigration pathways.

Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027

The Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027 reflects the housing crisis, with a focus on balancing immigration with housing availability. To ease housing pressures, the government has introduced the “In-Canada Focus” category, which prioritizes applicants already in Canada.

Under this category, IRCC aims to grant permanent residency to 82,890 immigrants in 2025. While Canada is reducing overall immigration levels, these new measures for construction workers highlight the government’s commitment to solving labor shortages and supporting the housing sector.

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Source: canada.ca

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