Last Updated On 17 March 2025, 10:06 AM EDT (Toronto Time)

Woodbridge, March 7, 2025 – Today, the Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, will be announced new measures to support Canada’s construction industry.

At 10:30 AM ET in Woodbridge, Minister announced measures to address pressing challenges like labor shortages and the nation’s housing crisis.

Originally planned for February 28 in Ottawa but mysteriously postponed, the announcement has sparked widespread curiosity.

Below is the official announcement as stated by the IRCC:

March 7, 2025—Toronto—Immigration is essential to our country’s economic success and growth. To meet the growing demand for housing, Canada needs a strong construction and skilled trades workforce, and immigrants play a vital role in fulfilling these needs.

Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the government’s intent to introduce a number of new measures to support Canada’s construction industry.

These measures are within the scope of the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan.

They include the convening of a tripartite advisory council to assess needs in the industry and advise on new pathways to bring in the skilled workers we need, a regularization pathway for out-of-status construction workers, and support for foreign apprentices.

As our country faces a housing shortage and uncertainty in the face of tariff threats, Canada will immediately convene a tripartite advisory council comprised of federal government and union representatives, and industry leaders.

This advisory council will work to identify on‑the‑ground labour needs and advise on the parameters for potential pathways that would bring in and retain the construction workers we need for the long term, with robust protections against abuse and a strong wage threshold.

In an effort to build on the success of initiatives such as the out-of-status construction workers in the Greater Toronto Area pilot, IRCC intends to create a pathway that would offer opportunities for undocumented migrants in the construction sector.

These undocumented migrants are already living and working in Canada, and are contributing to the sector, and this pathway will keep them here legally so that they can continue to build the homes our economy and communities need with the proper protections.

More information about these pathways will be shared in the near future as the new advisory council meets to develop these important policies.

Finally, to support foreign apprentices in construction programs and to address the current labour market needs in the construction sector, we are also introducing a temporary measure to allow foreign apprentices to complete their studies without a study permit, effective today.

By removing this administrative barrier, apprentices will be able to gain the valuable skills they need to contribute to infrastructure projects more quickly.

With these new measures, we are making immigration work for our country by bringing in the skilled workers we need to help meet Canada’s housing needs while maintaining sustainable immigration volumes.

Canada faces a daunting housing shortage, with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) projecting a need for 3.5 million new homes by 2030 to restore affordability.

With construction demand soaring, today’s reveal could be a turning point. Bookmark this page—we’ll update it as the event unfolds with the latest insights.

Official IRCC Media Advisory

Expectations From This Announcement By Marc Miller

While the official press release teases only “new measures to support Canada’s construction industry,” speculation is rife.

Here’s what we expect Minister Miller might announce:

Support for Out-of-Status Workers: A revamped program for undocumented construction workers could bring thousands into the legal workforces.
Expansion of Skilled Trades in Express Entry: Following the February 27 update by IRCC, which added 19 trades to the Express Entry category (bringing the total to 25 construction-related occupations), this could just be outlining these new occupations.
Immigration Boost for Construction: With immigrants making up 22% of the workforce, there are also chances that new pathways could fast-track skilled workers like carpenters, electricians, and plumbers into Canada.

The announcement’s timing is critical. With 396,139 construction businesses (98.9% small to medium-sized, per Canadian Industry Statistics 2023) and 1.2 million workers (Statista 2023), the industry is a cornerstone of Canadian economy—yet it’s buckling under labor shortages and an aging workforce.

Immigrants: The Unsung Heroes of Construction

Immigrants are stepping up where Canada needs them most. Data from the 2021 StatCan Census reveals their outsized role:

Roofers and Shinglers: 20% immigrants
Electricians: 16%
Carpenters: 15%
Plumbers: 14%
Construction Managers: 24%
Architects: 41%

With 22% of the workforce hailing from abroad, immigrants are a lifeline for an industry stretched thin.

Today’s announcement could amplify their impact, potentially unlocking new immigration streams to fill the gap.

What’s at Stake?

The Canadian construction sector isn’t just about buildings—it’s about affordability, economic stability, and meeting the needs of a growing population.

Labor shortages have slowed projects, driving up costs and delaying homes.

Minister Miller’s measures could tackle these pain points head-on, offering relief to businesses and workers alike.

Will it be a game-changer for out-of-status workers? A turbocharge for skilled trades immigration?

Or a broader strategy to future-proof the industry? We’ll know soon. Check back for real-time updates as the story breaks.

Satinder Bains

Satinder brings expertise, knowledge, and experience related to internal work flows at IRCC. She worked at Canadian Consulate in Chandigarh before moving to Canada. Her articles on “Chinook – An internal IRCC tool used to bulk process temporary applications” was one of the notable work on our news website