Future of work
A curated resource of recent research on trends shaping Canada's labour market.
Key Takeaway: Canada must ensure that immigrants access supports and resources to help their inclusion, integration and retention in the labour market.
Immigration has been identified as a key mechanism to address labour market challenges and support post-pandemic economic recovery in Canada.
This report identifies six key trends impacting the labour market integration of Canadian immigrants. The top trends identified are automation, flexible work environments, gig work (including freelancers), prioritizing transferrable skills over credentials, delayed retirement and the importance of diversity, inclusion and equity in the workforce.
The workplace is changing, with a new era of agile workers in a digital economy. Alternative work arrangements now include hybrid and remote work, and re-skilling approaches include a new trend towards micro-credentials.
For immigrants to succeed, employers must consider investing in learning opportunities (like work-integrated learning programs) and clearer frameworks to reduce hiring biases that favour “Canadian experience.” These steps will allow employers to hire the best talent and support immigrant integration into the Canadian labour market.