CANCELLED: Marc Miller Set to Announce New Initiatives to Boost Canada’s Construction Sector
Immigration Minister Marc Miller was scheduled to unveil new initiatives aimed at bolstering Canada’s construction industry. The announcement was scheduled to take place today at a press conference in Ottawa, which is set for 1:00 PM ET (Toronto time) but due to certain reasons its cancelled now.
This announcement comes at a crucial time when Canada is facing a growing housing shortage. According to the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation (CMHC), the country needs an additional 3.5 million homes by 2030 to restore housing affordability and meet the growing demand.
What Can We Expect from the Announcement?
While the official press release only hints at “new measures to support Canada’s construction industry,” the specifics of what Minister Miller will announce remain unclear. However, it is widely anticipated that the government will introduce programs that could benefit both individual workers and construction companies across the country.
One possible development could be an update to the out-of-status construction workers program, which may provide more pathways for undocumented workers to regularize their status in the industry. Alternatively, the announcement might focus on a follow-up to recent updates to the Express Entry system. Just a day earlier, the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) announced that 19 new skilled trades had been added to the list of occupations eligible for category-based Express Entry draws. This brings the total number of trades eligible for the Express Entry draws to 25, most of which are related to construction—apart from cooks, which is also included.
This list of occupations, now expanded to include more essential skilled trades, reflects the growing demand for qualified workers in the construction sector. Here is a snapshot of some of the trades now eligible for Express Entry:
| Occupation | NOC Code (2021) |
|---|---|
| Contractors and Supervisors (oil & gas) | 82021 |
| Floor Covering Installers | 73113 |
| Painters and Decorators (except interior decorators) | 73112 |
| Roofers and Shinglers | 73110 |
| Concrete Finishers | 73100 |
| Welders and Related Machine Operators | 72106 |
| Electricians (except industrial and power system) | 72200 |
| Plumbers | 72300 |
| Construction Managers | 70010 |
| Home Building and Renovation Managers | 70011 |
| Cooks | 63200 |
With a greater variety of skilled trades now eligible for immigration through Express Entry, the government is likely looking to address ongoing labor shortages and encourage more workers to fill crucial roles within the sector.
Canada’s Construction Industry: A Vital Sector
The Canadian construction industry represents a significant portion of the country’s economy. In 2023, there were approximately 396,139 construction-related businesses across Canada, as reported by Canadian Industry Statistics. Of these businesses, an overwhelming 98.9% had fewer than 100 employees, showing that the sector is largely composed of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Employment in construction also plays a major role in the Canadian economy, with the Statista report for 2023 estimating that nearly 1.2 million individuals are employed in the sector. This is a significant increase from 1997, reflecting the industry’s growing need for workers to meet rising demand for residential and commercial projects. However, despite this growth, the sector faces challenges like labor shortages and economic fluctuations.
The Growing Labor Shortages in Construction
Labor shortages in the construction industry are becoming increasingly severe, making it more difficult to meet the demands for new housing and infrastructure projects. A recent report by BuildForce Canada estimates that over 309,000 new workers will be required by 2029 to keep up with demand. This includes replacements for more than 257,000 workers who are expected to retire, in addition to an anticipated growth of 50,200 new jobs.
Skilled trades like electricians, plumbers, and carpenters are at the heart of this issue, as they are essential for executing many construction projects. However, the sector is facing a demographic challenge, with an aging workforce and low participation from younger workers. In fact, the construction industry’s vacancy rate of 5.1% is higher than the national average, signaling the urgent need to recruit and train new workers to fill these critical positions.
Immigrants: A Key Contributor to Canada’s Construction Workforce
Immigrants have become an essential part of Canada’s construction workforce. Studies show that around 22% of the workers in the industry are immigrants, reflecting their significant role in filling labor gaps. According to the Canadian government’s Immigration Matters in Residential Construction report, based on data from the 2021 Census by Statistics Canada, immigrant workers are particularly prevalent in certain construction roles, with the following breakdown:
| Role | Percentage of Immigrants |
|---|---|
| Roofers and Shinglers | 20% |
| Electricians | 16% |
| Carpenters | 15% |
| Plumbers | 14% |
| Steamfitters and Pipefitters | 12% |
| General Contractors and Builders (residential) | 23% |
| Architects | 41% |
| Civil Engineers | 40% |
| Construction Managers | 24% |
These figures illustrate that immigrants are playing a crucial role across a range of construction-related professions. Their presence is essential for the sector’s growth, especially at a time when the industry is grappling with labor shortages.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Construction Sector?
Today’s announcement by Minister Marc Miller is expected to provide a clearer picture of how the Canadian government plans to address these ongoing challenges. With a combination of immigration reforms and new support measures, the government is working to ensure that Canada’s construction industry has the workforce it needs to meet demand and ensure affordable housing for Canadians.
As the press conference unfolds, more details will emerge about the specifics of the new measures, which could include enhanced pathways for immigrants to join the construction sector and support for small businesses. Stay tuned for updates as this important story develops.
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