On March 7, 2025, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, the Honorable Marc Miller, announced new measures to support Canada’s construction industry under the Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027. These measures include:

1. Establishing a tripartite advisory council (comprising the government, labor unions, and industry representatives) to assess labor demands and propose pathways to attract construction workers.
2. Creating a legal pathway for undocumented construction workers, allowing them to continue contributing to the industry while ensuring their protection and ability to remain in Canada.
3. Implementing a temporary measure for international students in construction programs, enabling them to complete their studies without requiring a study permit, thereby accelerating the availability of skilled labor.

These initiatives aim to address the housing shortage, meet labor demands in the construction sector, and maintain sustainable immigration levels for Canada.

According to Statistics Canada, immigrants play a crucial role in the economy, particularly in healthcare, construction, and transportation. Within the housing construction sector, immigrants make up 23% of total contractors. As of November 2024, approximately 1,365 permanent residents have been accepted through the undocumented construction worker pathway.

The Canadian government introduced the Canada Housing Plan in 2024 to tackle the housing crisis by building more homes and making homeownership and rental housing more accessible. This plan includes the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy and the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, which aim to develop a skilled workforce and recognize international credentials to enhance home construction capacity.

Link: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2025/03/canada-takes-action-to-support-housing-with-new-immigration-measures.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawI7ZOlleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHfAWPdpmocT007psBU3CBejICDbmPCbYNRRU7S_X8qG5zeOsSRwxSsJC0Q_aem_Cf4M7FdwlwaUqh4nc8Q3EA