• 17 May 2025

Canada Introduces New Immigration Measures to Boost Housing and Construction Sectors

In response to the growing demand for housing and the need for a robust construction workforce, the Government of Canada has announced a series of immigration measures under the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan. These initiatives aim to attract skilled workers, support foreign apprentices, and regularize out-of-status construction workers, thereby strengthening the construction industry and addressing housing shortages.

Key Initiatives Announced

1. Formation of a Tripartite Advisory Council

A new advisory council comprising federal government officials, union representatives, and industry leaders will be established to:

Assess labor needs in the construction sector.

Advise on new immigration pathways for skilled workers.

Ensure robust protections against abuse and establish strong wage thresholds

2. Regularization Pathway for Out-of-Status Construction Workers

Building on the success of the pilot program in the Greater Toronto Area, the government plans to:

Create a pathway for undocumented migrants working in construction to gain legal status.

Allow these workers to continue contributing to the housing sector with proper protections.

3. Support for Foreign Apprentices

To address labor shortages and expedite skill acquisition:

Foreign apprentices in construction programs will be allowed to complete their studies without a study permit, effective immediately.

This measure removes administrative barriers, enabling apprentices to gain valuable skills more quickly.

 Impact and Significance

Immigrants constitute 23% of all general contractors and residential builders in Canada.

As of November 2024, approximately 1,365 permanent residents have been admitted through the out-of-status construction workers pathway.

These measures align with Canada's broader housing plan, which includes the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy and the Foreign Credential Recognition Program.

Official Statements

“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. The measures announced today will ensure critical infrastructure projects are completed on time, support economic development and tackle labour shortages.”

– The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

“Building the homes Canadians need and developing the resilient economy the times demand takes a strong construction workforce. Today’s changes will bring more skilled trades workers to work sites across Canada, fast-track building starts, and grow our economy.”

– The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

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