Canada changes residency rules to tackle construction skills shortage

The construction industry has a lack of skilled workers. Photo: Adobe Stock

At a press conference, Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), reportedly said that nearly 14,000 foreign national construction workers may be admitted to Canada.

Miller said Canada will now “allow qualified foreign workers who register for apprentices to study without a permit.”

To qualify, workers must hold a valid work permit, work in an eligible construction occupation and have a registered apprenticeship agreement with a provincial or territorial authority.

Statistics Canada reports that approximately 20% of construction workers are nearing retirement age, creating a looming labour gap. The country also has a lack of housing – Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation estimates that the country needs to build 3.5 million additional homes by 2030 to address affordability and supply issues.

It was also announced that Canada will set up an advisory council to inform federal government policy on construction. The council will consist of representatives from the government, unions, and industry employers. It will provide input on prevailing wages and the number of construction workers foreign nationals Canada will have to admit.