August 6, 2019

Temporary Public Policy Issued to Provide Permanent Residence to 500 Out-of-status Construction Workers in the GTA

Earlier this month Canada has launched a new temporary initiative to create a pathway to permanent residency for up to 500 out-of-status workers in the construction industry in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), which includes the City of Toronto, as well as Durham, Halton, Peel and York Regions. The policy responds to the recent parliamentary report on labour shortages in the construction industry in this part of Canada and reflects observations from numerous studies about the vulnerability of out-of-status workers.

Potential applicants will have to first identify themselves to the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), a national labour organization with many construction industry affiliates in the GTA. CLC officials will determine the eligibility of potential applicants and refer them to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Spouses/partners and dependent children can be included in the application for permanent residence.

According to Canadian Labour Congress, up to 100 of the 500 spaces for this public policy will be permitted for those who entered Canada as a temporary resident, but who never had authorization to work in Canada.

Duration:

This initiative will run from January 2, 2020 to January 1, 2022; or when 500 principal applicants (plus their family members) have been granted permanent residence, whichever comes first.

Applicant Selection:

According to CLC, applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis and is open to all qualified workers, whether or not they are unionized. Applicants will undergo rigorous screening by the CLC, based on the eligibility criteria, which may include in-person and/or telephone interviews.

The CLC will only refer to IRCC applications that the CLC determines to be eligible under the public policy, having met ALL of the criteria established by IRCC.

Application Process

An application form will be posted when the application process opens on the CLC website on September 3, 2019. IRCC will only begin accepting applications referred by the CLC on January 2, 2020.

For a detailed description of this initiative and eligibility requirements click here.