Maple News reports that a new policy brief published by the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Migration and Integration at Ryerson University is calling on Canada to expand permanent residency opportunities for low-skilled temporary workers. The brief argues that these workers are essential to Canada’s economy and should have greater access to permanent status in the country.
Although over 350,000 new permanent residents were welcomed to Canada annually in recent years, about two-thirds of them had already been living in the country on a temporary basis. The majority of those who transition from temporary to permanent residency tend to be employed in high-skilled professions. In contrast, low-skilled workers—despite filling essential roles—are often excluded from pathways to stay in Canada permanently.
The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the vital role of low-skilled workers, many of whom worked under difficult conditions to keep essential services running. Positions such as grocery clerks, hospital cleaners, and agricultural workers proved indispensable to public well-being and economic continuity. Yet, these same workers face limited options to secure long-term legal residence.
With the Canadian population aging and a looming labor shortage across multiple industries, the demand for workers in sectors like childcare, elder care, food and hospitality services, and construction is expected to grow notably over the next decade. There’s already evidence that many Canadian-born citizens are reluctant to take on low-skilled but crucial roles.
Interestingly, the country has seen many high-skilled immigrants underemployed in these sectors due to limited alternatives, signifying a mismatch in how permanent residency is granted versus where real labor market needs exist.
Currently, only a few provincial programs provide pathways to permanent status for low-skilled workers. British Columbia’s Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) offers such an opportunity under its Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker category. Similarly, Ontario’s In-Demand Skills Stream targets occupations that are vital but often overlooked in updated immigration strategies.
Experts at CERC recommend that Canada adapt its immigration policies to reflect the full scope of labor needs, not just those at the high-skill end of the spectrum. Doing so would not only fill critical labor shortages but also enhance social integration and long-term economic sustainability.
Maple News continues to monitor Canada’s evolving immigration landscape and the role of emerging policy research in influencing national decision-making.