A series of groundbreaking immigration measures have been announced by the Honourable Marc Miller, Canada’s Minster of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan to address immediate workforce needs in the construction industry that will support the sector’s long-term growth.
The move comes at a time when the demand for housing is at an all-time high, with a housing crisis that is being heightened by labor shortages, slowing critical infrastructure projects, and a trade war with the U.S. and other trade partners. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Canada needs to build 3.5 million additional homes by 2030 to address affordability and supply issues.
The measures have three pillars and include the launch of a tripartite advisory council, a new regularization pathway for out-of-status workers, and eased study permit rules for foreign apprentices.
The tripartite advisory council, comprising federal government officials, union representatives, and industry leaders will assess labor needs and advise on new immigration pathways to attract and retain skilled workers in construction.
The study permit exemption for foreign apprentices is effective as of the end of February and will enable foreign apprentices in eligible construction trades to study without a study permit under a temporary public policy that will last for two years.
The regularization pathway for out-of-status workers will give undocumented construction workers who are already living and working in Canada the opportunity to gain permanent residency. This could include out-of-status migrants, those who have overstayed their visas or permits, those who are employed without formal authorization, or those who have been filling critical roles despite their precarious status.
The program builds on the success of a pilot program in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) that was launched in 2019 and allowed undocumented construction workers to apply for permanent residency. The program saw over 500 workers gain status.
