Opportunity knocks for prospective immigrants in Canada’s construction sector

By Catherine Sas, K.C.
Special to The Post

This past Friday, March 7, 2025, brought some welcome news for prospective immigrants in Canada’s construction sector. Recognizing the need for a stronger construction worker labour force, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada ( IRCC), Marc Miller, announced steps to strengthen the opportunities for foreign construction workers in Canada including the creation of an industry advisory council, expansion of a pilot project to enable out-of-status workers to be legally employed and for apprentices in the trades to study without authorization enabling them to obtain their official trade certification in Canada. These steps have been introduced to both increase the pool of construction workers in Canada and to boost housing construction for the benefit of Canadians and the Canadian economy.

The Minister announced the immediate establishment of a tripartite advisory council comprised of federal government and union representatives and industry leaders tasked to identify construction industry demands for labour as well as determine ways of attracting and retaining construction workers in Canada. The Council’s mandate will be to recognize and recommend steps necessary to build the long-term human capital to maintain and strengthen our construction sector, including a potential path to permanent residence to ensure a permanent labour force.

The Minister also announced a means of regularizing the status of undocumented workers in the construction sector. Capitalizing on such initiatives as the “out-of-status construction workers in the Greater Toronto area pilot”, IRCC intends to create a pathway for undocumented construction workers to legitimize their status such that they can lawfully work in Canada. Noting that “these undocumented migrants are already living and working in Canada and are contributing to the sector,” IRCC plans to develop a pathway to allow such workers to remain in Canada and continue to contribute to building homes for all Canadians.

With a view to further addressing current labour market needs, this initiative also plans to support foreign apprentices in construction programs to complete their studies without requiring a study permit. This temporary measure came into effect immediately on the date of the announcement this past Friday, March 7, 2025.

Tradespeople in the construction industry often struggle in Canada’s immigration system, particularly when striving for permanent residency. Such key requirements to qualify for permanent residence as higher education and language proficiency are often a challenge for tradespeople. Yet Canada needs construction workers. This announcement is a positive development for those in the industry that are already here, whether as workers, students or apprentices. If you are an “undocumented” or “out-of-status” worker, you are well advised to seek legal advice as to the best approach to be able to “fix” your immigration status in Canada.

The words of our Immigration Minister, Mark Miller, are clear:

“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.”

This is a “golden” opportunity for the construction sector in general and for out-of-status workers and apprentices in particular. You are well advised to take advantage of this opportunity soon!

Catherine Sas, K.C. has over 30 years of legal experience. She provides a full range of immigration services and is a leading immigration practitioner (Lexpert, Who’s Who Legal, Best Lawyers in Canada). Go to canadian-visa-lawyer.com or email [email protected].