The Government of Canada is extending the program to provide permanent residence to undocumented construction workers.

To ease labour shortages and retain skilled workers, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is doubling the pilot program for undocumented construction workers.

In 2019, IRCC in partnership with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) launched a temporary initiative of creating a pathway to permanent residency for 500 out-of-status workers in the construction industry in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). These construction workers were those who came to Canada and made contribution to the economy but could not legalise their status in the country.

Based on the success of the initiative and the demand of skilled labour, IRCC is now is extending and expanding the pilot program by doubling the annual number of permanent residence spots in the program from 500 workers to 1,000.

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says, “This pilot program is a significant step forward in addressing critical labour shortages for the Greater Toronto Area by supporting stability in the construction industry and bringing workers out of the underground economy.”

Eligible candidates have until January 2, 2024, to apply for permanent residence and can include their spouses, partners and dependent children in their application.    

Source: Canada.ca