- Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller plans to take new measures to promote the construction industry.
- The statement, originally scheduled to be Ottawa, could address difficulties in the industry, including labor shortages and housing affordability.
Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller plans to take new measures to promote the construction industry.
The statement, originally scheduled to be Ottawa, could address difficulties in the industry, including labor shortages and housing affordability.
According to Immigration News Canada (INC), the decision was conducted at a time when Canadian housing demand is growing, with the Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation (CMHC) estimates that 3.5 million homes will be needed to restore affordability by 2030.
The restrictions could be designed to address the construction industry’s long-term lack of competent workforce, sources said.
Details of the announcement are pending
While the precise details of the new measures are unclear, the press release means Secretary Miller will prioritize action to help individuals and businesses in the construction industry.
- Possible updates include help for on-site construction workers and follow-up to the latest modifications to the Canadian Express Entrance System.
- Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship (IRCC) has just added 19 new skilled crafts to a list of occupations that are eligible for draws based on the Express Goter category.
- With this upgrade, there are now 25 transactions eligible, most of which are related to construction. Roofers, electricians, plumbers and carpenters are handicrafts needed to meet the needs of the country’s construction labor force.
According to statistics, the construction industry is also huge, with 1.2 million workers expected by 2023, a number that has doubled since 1997.
As mentioned earlier, this labor force is crucial to meet the increased demand for residential and non-residential buildings. However, difficulties such as labor shortages and economic instability continue to affect business.
Labor shortage and the need for skilled trading
Labour shortages in the construction industry remain a key issue, with Canadian construction plants expected to need to hire more than 309,000 workers by 2029.
Sources said this was due to the estimated retirement of about 257,000 workers and the creation of 50,200 new jobs.
- Skilled businessmen such as electricians, carpenters and plumbers are crucial to overcoming these shortages. These professions require professional training and abilities, which makes recruitment even more critical.
- The construction industry also faces demographic problems, including aging workforce and low participation rates among young workers.
The vacancy rate in the construction industry is reportedly higher than the national average at 5.1%. This demonstrates the urgent need to address labor shortages and attract talented professionals into the field.
Immigration’s contribution to the construction workforce
Immigration plays a major role in Canada’s construction industry, accounting for about 22% of employees, according to Inc.
- According to Statistics Canada’s census, immigration accounts for a different percentage of the workforce in a specific construction role. For example, 20% of roofers and shaky people are immigrants, 16% of electricians and 15% of carpenters.
- Other roles with a well-known immigration presence include general contractors (23%), architects (41%) and civil engineers (40%).
- These statistics underscore the importance of immigration in meeting the labor needs of the Canadian construction sector, especially in light of the ongoing shortages.
The Canadian government’s efforts to support the construction industry are at a critical moment. As the country responds to housing shortages and the growing demand for skilled labor, these measures aim to provide relief to construction companies and workers.
Secretary Miller’s next announcement is expected to provide more information on the government’s efforts to ensure that the department is able to meet future needs.
At present, industry stakeholders will have to wait for more information about the government’s plans to help the industry and solve the ongoing labor problems in the construction industry in Canada.
