Immigration is essential to improving the Canadian labor market. Immigrants contribute talent, innovation, and financial investments to Canada. Moreover, immigrants tend to fill skill gaps, which could not be filled by native-born women. Their ability to integrate into the Canadian society and gain experience will help define their overall success. However, some issues should be considered before accepting immigrants into the workforce. For example, immigrants are less likely to work in low-skilled jobs.
Immigrants bring talent, innovation, family members, and financial investments to Canada
Immigration has long played an important role in the Canadian economy. Newcomers contribute to the labor force by filling in skills gaps, starting businesses, and investing in the Canadian economy. Economic immigrants include employees and employers, and they largely become permanent residents. However, temporary foreign workers may also contribute to the economy. These newcomers add diversity and culture to Canada’s workforce and have little to no impact on wages for native-born workers.
While immigration brings benefits to the Canadian economy, some people are wary of the negative aspects. The country has an uneven system of immigration, and immigrants are more likely to struggle to find employment than Canadians with a degree. Additionally, many immigrants face a language barrier and have to work in other jobs or return to school in order to get their skills recognized. These immigrants often take jobs simply to survive and don’t achieve personal fulfillment in Canada.
They fill gaps in the workforce
Canada faces significant labor shortages due to its declining birthrate and aging population. Many Canadians also face barriers to employment and are underemployed compared to their education and experience. This report analyzes recent data on employment outcomes and the literature on labor force gaps, as well as study results of programs and policies designed to close those gaps. There is widespread knowledge of the labor shortages, but few solutions have been developed.
In response to the recession, immigration policy has been revised to allow more foreign students to pursue their studies and obtain permanent residence. While fewer occupations are now considered to qualify under the skilled worker category, ten healthcare occupations remain eligible. Furthermore, in-country international students are targeted for permanent residence status and the Open Ontario Plan aims to add 20,000 extra spaces in colleges to create a more skilled workforce.
They are less likely to work in low-skill jobs than native-born women
The effects of migration on employment are mixed, with little or no difference between native and immigrant male and female employment rates. While male immigrants are not affected by migration, female migrants are. One reason is that migrants can fill jobs that are traditionally reserved for women. For example, domestic and personal care workers are often underpaid, but this alleviates the pressure on women.
In Sweden, immigrants are less likely to work in low-salaried low-skill jobs than native-born females. According to a recent study, Polish immigrant women earn less than native-born Swedish women and men. While these immigrants earn lower incomes, they do earn higher wages than the native-born population in Canada.
