Canada extended the deadline for out-of-status construction workers in the Greater Toronto Area to apply for permanent residence. This policy, effective from July 3, 2024, to December 31, 2024, allows 1,000 principal applicants and their families to settle in Canada. It recognizes the economic contribution and vulnerability of these workers, who have been filling labor shortages in the construction industry.
The policy includes various construction trades under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, covering a wide range of trades like electricians, plumbers, and heavy equipment operators. Initially launched in 2020 and extended multiple times, this program aims to regularize undocumented workers who have long contributed to the Canadian economy.
This initiative is part of Canada's effort to address critical labor shortages and support housing and infrastructure projects by providing a pathway to legal status for out-of-status workers in the construction sector.
