{"id":1577,"date":"2024-09-05T02:50:37","date_gmt":"2024-09-05T02:50:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/immigration-services.org\/?p=1577"},"modified":"2024-09-05T02:50:37","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T02:50:37","slug":"new-immigration-program-for-out-of-status-construction-workers-in-the-greater-toronto-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/immigration-services.org\/?p=1577","title":{"rendered":"New immigration program for out-of-status construction workers in the Greater Toronto Area"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\" \"Toronto \"Toronto<\/p>\n

Canada is providing a new pathway to permanent residence for 500 out-of-status immigrants working in construction in the Greater Toronto Area.<\/p>\n

The construction industry in the Greater Toronto Area is facing significant labour shortages and relies in part on an underground labour market comprised of out-of-status workers.<\/p>\n

Out-of-status workers are those who came to Canada with a valid immigration status that has since lapsed, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.<\/p>\n

To address this issue, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will issue permanent resident status to 500 out-of-status construction workers and their families via a new temporary program managed in conjunction with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout status, these workers have continued to fill labour shortages, while contributing greatly to our society and economy,\u201d the CLC said in a news release. \u201cHowever, fear of detection, detainment, and deportation drives these workers and their families \u2018underground,\u2019 often limiting their access to social programs, and making them vulnerable to employer exploitation and abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n

ELIGIBILITY<\/h3>\n

Foreign nationals must have met the following criteria in order to be eligible for the program:<\/p>\n