Government of Canada’s Plan to Address Housing and Skills Shortages

The Government of Canada is taking proactive steps to address the housing crisis and workforce shortages through new immigration measures. Announced by Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, these initiatives aim to balance responsible population growth, meet labor demands in the construction industry, and protect workers’ rights.

Tripartite Advisory Council to Support the Construction Sector

To ensure a skilled workforce that can contribute to housing development, the government is establishing a tripartite Advisory Council. This council will include representatives from:

- - Federal government
  - Unions
  - Industry and employers

This Advisory Council will assess real-time labor market needs and propose potential pathways for skilled construction workers to enter and remain in Canada. The council will also ensure strong wage thresholds and protections against labor exploitation.

Removing Barriers for Temporary Workers in Apprenticeship Programs

Foreign workers in Canada who wish to gain skills through apprenticeship programs currently require a study permit for programs longer than six months. To facilitate their integration into the workforce, Canada is now exempting temporary workers from this requirement. This change will allow them to:

- Gain hands-on experience while working in Canada.
- Contribute to the housing sector faster.
- Advance their careers in skilled trades without bureaucratic delays.

Temporary workers can now apply for a study permit exemption to enroll in trades, training, and apprenticeship programs.

New Construction Pathway for Undocumented Workers

Canada is taking steps to help out-of-status construction workers transition into the legal workforce. A recent pilot program in the Greater Toronto Area, run in partnership with the Canadian Labour Congress, allowed undocumented workers in construction to apply for permanent residency.

Building on this success, the government is now reserving up to 6,000 spots nationwide for undocumented construction workers. This initiative will:

- Bring undocumented workers into the formal economy.
- Ensure they work with proper labor protections.
- Help address critical labor shortages in the construction industry.

However, the Minister emphasized that workers must have legal status to remain in Canada and warned against overstaying visas.

Aligning Immigration with Housing and Workforce Needs

These immigration measures are designed to:

✅ Address labor shortages in construction.

✅ Speed up housing development by increasing the workforce.

✅ Support businesses and unions by ensuring a skilled talent pool.

✅ Improve pathways to permanent residency for foreign workers already contributing to Canada.

By prioritizing permanent residency for temporary workers and limiting temporary newcomer intake, the government aims to build a sustainable immigration system that adapts to evolving economic and housing priorities.

Final Thoughts

With Canada facing an affordable housing crisis and growing labor demands, these targeted immigration reforms ensure that the country continues to attract and retain the skilled workers it needs. By removing barriers, protecting workers, and promoting long-term workforce stability, the Government of Canada is taking meaningful steps to support economic growth and expedite housing development.