Immigration matters in residential construction

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Canada’s residential construction sector employs more than 600,000Footnote 1 workers, and more will be needed as Canada continues to address housing challenges. Importantly, this sector employs a wide range of skilled tradespeople, including electricians, carpenters and plumbers. Of all workers in these skilled trades, 18% are over 55 years old, and many are expected to retire within the next 10 years. To meet the growing demand for housing, Canada needs a strong and growing construction and skilled trades workforce, and immigrants can play a vital role in fulfilling these needs.

Impact of immigration

  • Immigrants account for 23% of all general contractors and builders of residential buildings,Footnote 2 with 27% of these immigrants having arrived in Canada between 2011 and 2021.
  • Immigrants account for nearly 41% of all architects, 40% of all civil engineers, 23% of all urban and land use planners, and 24% of all construction managers.
  • Immigrants could support a growing need for skilled workers in the construction sector.

    Currently, immigrants account for

    • 20% of roofers and shinglers
    • 16% of all electricians
    • 15% of all carpenters
    • 14% of all plumbers
    • 12% of steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers

Unless otherwise noted, all statistics are from the Statistics Canada 2021 Census.

Percentage of workers in the residential construction sector who are immigrants

Text version: Percentage of workers in the residential construction sector who are immigrants
  • 20% of roofers and shinglers
  • 16% of all electricians
  • 15% of all carpenters
  • 14% of all plumbers
  • 12% of steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers

Some notable Canadian immigrants

Gina Cody

Gina Cody, a pioneering engineer and business leader, has made remarkable contributions to the construction industry in Canada. As the first woman in Concordia University’s history to earn a PhD in building engineering, she went on to lead an award-winning engineering firm, shaping the future of residential and commercial construction. Her leadership and expertise have not only improved infrastructure projects, but have also inspired a new generation of women to pursue careers in engineering and construction.

Leslie Woo

Leslie Woo, originally from St. Augustine, Trinidad, immigrated to Canada as a university student and is now an experienced architect, urban planner and community builder. Currently the CEO of CivicAction in Toronto, she was recognized as a 2023 Top 25 Canadian Immigrant and one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2017. Other accolades include being named a 2019 Toronto Power Woman by Bisnow, Spacing Toronto’s Transit Changemaker in 2016, and the inaugural Outstanding Leader by Canada’s Women’s Infrastructure Network in 2015. Through her organization She Builds Cities, Leslie amplifies the voices of women city builders. Her work focuses on creating inclusive, beautiful cities.

More immigrant stories in residential construction

Engineering cleaner water in remote communities

RES’EAU-WaterNET, a program started by Dr. Madjid Mohseni, originally from Iran, has helped 4 First Nations communities lift drinking water advisories and 8 small communities improve the quality of their drinking water.

Empowering communities to save money and energy

Areef Abraham is working with Indigenous communities to be more energy efficient, one home at a time.

Doing well by doing good

Wayne and Eleanor Chiu, originally from Hong Kong, are driven by their passion for using business to further the good of their community.

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