Maple News reports that a recent survey highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted economic outcomes for immigrants in Canada, amplifying longstanding vulnerabilities in the immigration system.
According to research conducted by World Education Services (WES), which analyzed responses from 7,496 recent immigrants across three surveys between April and August 2020, a sizable portion of newcomers experienced job loss, income reduction, and difficulty accessing critical social supports.
The data reveals that 14% of respondents lost their jobs due to the pandemic, while 13% reported working fewer hours or earning reduced pay. Seventeen percent temporarily lost their primary source of income, while 6% lost it permanently. Housing insecurity was another pressing concern—1 in 5 immigrants struggled to afford housing, increasing to 1 in 3 among international students. Additionally, 10% reported difficulty affording essentials like food and medications.
Although the Canadian government introduced the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to help those with pandemic-related income loss, over half of the immigrants impacted did not receive the benefit. While almost half did access either CERB or Employment Insurance, the survey found that temporary residents and international students were the least likely to benefit.
The study also uncovered a gap in awareness and access to settlement and employment services. Many newcomers, particularly temporary workers and international students, were either unaware of the services available to them or mistakenly believed they were ineligible. Only 19% of permanent residents reported reaching out to a settlement agency, and a further 12% said they would, but did not know how.
WES’s findings point to three key areas for policy focus. First, offering more accessible pathways to permanent residency for temporary workers, who often lack full legal protections and are ineligible for many benefits. Second, expanding targeted support services—such as job placement and housing aid—for temporary residents and international students. Third, increasing awareness and accessibility of social supports across all migrant categories.
The report emphasizes that systemic factors, such as racialization, gender inequality, and the devaluation of foreign credentials, place immigrants in precarious, low-wage, often ‘essential’ jobs. These challenges were exacerbated during the pandemic. Addressing these structural issues is critical not just for post-pandemic recovery, but for building a more inclusive and resilient labor market for all immigrants in Canada.
Maple News will continue to monitor developments in immigration policy and how newcomers are supported through recovery efforts.