IRCC, Deputy Minister, Transition Binder, 2024 - Immigration and Housing Pressures

Issue

Canada is experiencing unprecedented housing pressures, which requires collaboration between all levels of government, including provinces, territories and municipalities and the private sector to address the underlying issues and ensure that Canadians and newcomers have access to housing.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has an important supporting role to play in the creation of new housing supply by facilitating entry of newcomers with critical skills, such as construction, that will help Canada to build the infrastructure needed for today and for the future.

It is important to not over-inflate the role of immigrants in the causes or solutions to Canada’s housing and homelessness challenges. Infrastructure demand has outpaced investments for several decades, though it must be acknowledged that the rapid population growth of the last few years is a contributor to the demand for housing.

State of Play

• To accommodate Canada's growing population and demand for housing across the continuum, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation estimates that an additional 5M housing units would be needed by 2030 to restore affordability, 3.5M beyond what would be built based on historical patterns.
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• Changes to Express Entry were introduced in June 2023 to allow for selection of potential newcomers based on their work experience in in-demand occupations. As of December 19, 2023, 2,500 workers with experience in in-demand trades have been invited to apply for permanent residence through trades category rounds of invitations. Express Entry targets and categories for 2024 are with the Minister for decision. We anticipate that an announcement will be made in early 2024.
• To bring further predictability to the community needs planning process, the Government is also committed to better managing the volume of temporary residents. This includes making changes to the International Student Program to address growth, while incentivizing educational institutions to provide better supports to international students, including access to safe and affordable housing.

Key Messages

• IRCC is working with federal partners, like Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to develop a whole-of-government approach to immigration levels planning, with a particular focus on Canada’s infrastructure and housing capacity.
• Temporary and permanent economic immigration programs play complementary roles in helping to address Canada’s labour market needs in trades and construction.
• IRCC is aware of the acute challenges related to housing supply and is pursuing strategies that support Canada’s continued need for immigration while also addressing our current housing situation.

Next Steps

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• A Deputy Ministers Committee on Housing and Homelessness, co-chaired by INFC and CMHC, meets monthly to discuss the development of comprehensive policy responses to housing and homelessness. The Deputy Minister of IRCC is an active member and part of the discussions on strategies for addressing the housing crisis, both more broadly as well as through immigration policies and programs. This committee is supported by an Assistant Deputy Minister-level committee and ad hoc working groups.

Background

Launched in 2017, the National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10-year, $82+ billion plan to give more people living in Canada a place to call home. Despite the NHS being Canada’s largest and most ambitious federal housing program in history, more action is needed to address Canada’s housing crisis.

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Housing and Immigration Planning (permanent and temporary):

• The Strategic Immigration Review report announced a commitment to a broader approach to immigration levels planning to better align with investment in housing, among other areas. The annual Immigration Levels Plan is tabled in Parliament by November 1.
• In fall 2023, IRCC Minister announced measures to strengthen the International Student Program, including the expectation that learning institutions only accept the number of students for whom they can provide adequate housing options. In January, Minister Miller announced that a cap on the international student program was under consideration.

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• Express Entry: Category based selection was launched in June 2023; as of December 19, 2023, two trades rounds have invited 2,500 candidates with work experience in in-demand trade occupations to apply for permanent residence. Next steps: Express Entry categories and targets for 2024 are pending ministerial decision, with an announcement anticipated early 2024.
• Supporting Provinces and territories (PTs) in developing targeted initiatives to fill critical labour market needs in the construction sector as part of Provincial Nominee Programs to support housing development. Next steps: Nova Scotia Critical Construction Worker Pilot has launched. PTs can launch similar pilots or make amendments to existing pathways
• Chief International Talent Officer: IRCC will create the new role of a Chief International Talent Officer to align Canada’s immigration policies with a long-term skills and labour strategy, including with respect to the construction sector. They will be responsible for, amongst other things, organizing global skills missions in collaboration with government representatives, employers and stakeholders, to recruit the talent Canada needs.

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