Future of work
A curated resource of recent research on trends shaping Canada's labour market.
Based on a survey of 80 member companies of the Business Council of Canada, this report highlights the experiences and challenges that companies face in hiring skilled immigrants from outside Canada. More than half of respondents said they actively recruit workers through the immigration system, and many expect to increase their use of this pathway over the next three years.
Skills shortages are widespread across the country, and employers are struggling to fill positions, especially for technical roles in computer science, engineering and information technology. Many survey respondents reported having to cancel or delay projects as a result of the tight labour market, resulting in foregone revenue, loss of market share and the relocation of work outside of Canada.
In addition, processing delays in the applications of prospective immigrants have been a significant hindrance to recruitment efforts. Moreover, employers who need and want to hire international students express discouragement with the onerous application process and the challenges that candidates face in obtaining permanent residency. Finally, while a large share of employers surveyed support higher immigration targets, they emphasize that immigration should focus on economic-class admissions.