Canada doubles immigration program for out-of-status construction workers in the Greater Toronto Area
- In 2019, IRCC in collaboration with Canadian Labour Congress launched a Permanent Residence Pilot Program for 500 out of status workers in construction industry.
- Due to the huge success of this initiative IRCC is extending and expanding the pilot program, doubling its scope to 1,000 out-of-status construction workers in the GTA.
- This program acknowledges the critical role that construction workers play in building and growing our cities, and offers them and their families a path to permanent residency so that they can stay long-term.
Eligible individuals have until January 2, 2024, to apply for permanent residence and can include their spouses, partners and dependent children in their application. Potential applicants will continue to submit their names to the CLC, who will determine their eligibility before referring them to IRCC.
This program can be an example of how IRCC is working to meet the labor demand with shortage of labor. The Government of Canada will take into account the advice from consultations with academics, non-governmental organizations, provinces and territories as we explore new and innovative ways to regularize the status of undocumented workers in Canada.