Canada Invests in Services to Aid Economic Integration, Labour Shortages 2025

Written by

Mynaz Altaf

Fact check by

Shreya Pandey

Updated on

Jul 26,2025

Canada Invests in Services to Aid Economic Integration, Labour Shortages - TerraTern

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The key keyword Canada commits to in services to help the economy integrate and fill in the labour gap is not just a national program of the government but also a national strategy of stability and growth. In response to short-term and long-term labour demands, integration of the newcomers is considered the solution to problems as demand for skilled workers increases and the country tries to maintain the position of the strongest economy within the G7. The program offers a local, tailor-made approach, leaving behind the generic solutions and going to regional and industry-based assistance.

Also Read: Immigration To Canada From India: All Different Pathways

The Scope of Federal Investment and Its Impact

The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that it budgeted $3.2 billion over three years, July 23, 2025. Funding will flow to more than 520 organisations nationwide (excluding Quebec) and is designed to help new arrivals enter the job market with the proper support, addressing acute shortages in essential sectors like healthcare and skilled trades.

Category

Details

Organizations Funded

520+ organisations across Canada (excluding Quebec)

Funding Amount

$3.2 billion over three years

Program Start Date

April 1, 2025

The investment under the IELP is flexible enough to fit particular local labour needs. This program is flexible, instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, driven by programs and funding according to the local labour markets.

How Settlement Organisations Build Pathways for Newcomers?

New arrivals need to be helped in creating stable and prosperous lives through settlement and resettlement services. These organisations:

  • Help in obtaining a license and credential recognition in controlled professions

  • Provide both on-the-job training in language and general language teaching with English and French

  • Offer specific assistance to the French-speaking newcomers settling elsewhere in Canada

  • Establish local industry and network partnerships

The multilateral selection of organisations based on a competitive national process is necessary to have, among other things, eligibility, fit, affordability, and documented ability to answer the needs of newcomers.

Tackling Labour Market Shortages: Sectoral Overview

The shortages in the labour market are particularly acute in areas such as health, education, technology, and construction and skilled trades. The need to have responsive and evidence-based programs has become even more exacerbated by the growing population of Canada and the ageing workforce.:

  • The unemployment rate slightly recovered in June 2025 to 6,9%. Thus, this indicates an improvement but also indicates industry imbalances.

  • The number of people who found employment also increased in significant areas like the wholesale, retail trade and healthcare.

  • The government also lists persistent skills shortages as a crucial problem, so it invests in credential recognition, training, and occupation-specific settlement support.

Metric

Value

Employment Rate (June 2025)

60.9%

Unemployment Rate (June 2025)

6.9%

Average Hourly Wage Growth YoY

+3.2%

Provinces with Employment Increase

Alberta (+30,000), Quebec (+23,000), Ontario (+21,000), Manitoba (+8,500)

Provinces with Employment Decrease

Newfoundland and Labrador (-3,500), Nova Scotia (-3,400)

Also Read: Navigating Canada's Strategic Overhaul of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Job-Specific Services: From Credential Recognition to Language Training

The settlement organisations provide:

  • Licensing and professional accreditation endorsement

  • Larger-scale language training according to the workplace aesthetic

  • The possibility of matching international qualifications with the Canadian standard.Opportunities to bridge international qualifications with Canadian standards

  • Appointment to positions of high demand through local alliances

  • Healthcare, trade, and technology sector and public services-specific curriculum

Recent news features indicate that recognition of credentials and language training are key to the fast induction of skilled immigrants who will fill the labour shortage in the area and enable new migrants to pursue careers in their trained profession.

New Focus: French-Speaking Newcomers and Francophone Communities

The support the French-speaking immigrants receive in Canada has been enlarged:

  • The project Welcoming Francophone Communities will run to 24 communities in 20 25 2026

  • In 2025, a new Community Immigration Class is created to increase the number of French-speaking immigrants who do not settle in Quebec

  • Dedicated Express Entry pools that target French-speaking applicants all have lower minimum scores and more direct pathways to permanent residence, and CRS cut-offs have plummeted in targeted draws

  • In March 2025, the government declared $9.3 million in support projects for Francophone. In March 2025, the government declared an amount of $9.3 million in Francophone support projects

Criteria

Description

Certificate of Recommendation

Valid certificate from an economic development organisation

Genuine Job Offer

Genuine offer from designated employer

Work Experience

Meets specific work experience conditions or a waiver for some graduates

Language Proficiency

French language ability at NCLC level 5 in all abilities

Education

At least a secondary school level credential

Intent to Reside

Must intend to live in the designated community

Necessary Funds

Funds equivalent to half of the most recent Low-Income Cut-off for one year

Temporary Status (for in-Canada applicants)

Valid temporary status maintained until permanent residence is granted

Also Read: Provincial Nomination in Canada: Your Immigration Path

Supporting Regional Settlement: A Closer Look

The scenes have experienced significant improvements in employment, mainly in provinces such as Alberta, Quebec and Ontario through concerted settlement efforts.

  • In June 2025, Alberta gained 30,000 positions, partially thanks to the involvement of local newcomer integration.

  • Quebec increased its attempts to retain skilled immigrants, especially in the province's health care and professional services.

  • Ontario is the biggest province, and it is intensifying its relations with the industry, enhancing settlement results, and enabling economic stability.

Document services assist newcomers to the country economically, socially, and culturally, which benefits the economy and the individual.

Expanding Immigration Pathways in 2025

The 2025 government of Canada immigration strategy is tailored towards an economic-based entry.

  • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Atlantic Immigration Program, and new EMPP streams are growing to target local skill gaps.

  • It is estimated that by 2027, 62 per cent of admissions as permanent residents will be based on economic categories.

  • Express Entry emphasises candidates with Canadian work experience, French language skills, and in-demand sector backgrounds (especially healthcare, skilled trades, and teaching)

  • Categories A, B and C selection of permanent residency is now available to in-demand occupations.

There will be four additional new permanent residency pathways in 2025, namely those targeting home care workers, rural communities, and those who are French-speaking and not living in Quebec.

Settlement Services: What’s Included?

Lots of specific supports are provided by local agencies, such as:

  • On-the-job and general language education (English/French)

  • Licensing, credential and professional accreditation support

  • Sociocultural orientation

  • Shelter and family service

  • Special initiatives for underrepresented groups (seniors, racialised newcomers, youth)

By April 1, 2025, 47 per cent of all non-Quebec permanent residents and 93 per cent of resettled refugees had availed themselves of at least one settlement service.

Also Read: Canada Deportation: 12 Scenarios That Can Cause Deportation From Canada

Tracking Labour Market Trends: Statistics, Wages, and Employment Gains

The labour market trends are:

Labour Market Health in Canada:

  • In June 2025, the labour force increased by 25.0 per cent to 60.9 per cent

  • The average per-hour wages among employees grew at 3.2 per cent to reach $36.01

  • Earning groups in Alberta, Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba increased, whereas Newfoundland, Labrador, and Nova Scotia also decreased slightly.

Settlement programs are revised annually to meet the changing labour demands in the labour market, which can be observed in the latest adjustments demonstrated by national and provincial data.

Meeting the Challenge: Stakeholder Feedback & Future Steps

The challenges are highlighted below:

Organisations Chosen:

  • Demonstrate adherence to government programs' priorities

  • Demonstrate capability to customise services to fit special community needs

  • Create cost-efficiency and promising results for newbies

The recent transition to outcome-oriented support signifies a new age in handling labour shortages and incorporating immigrants into the country. One key to success continues to be sector-specific programs, employer partnership, and language training on the job.

Reference Data From 2025

Here is the table for reference:

Category

Details

Organizations Funded

520+ organisations across Canada (excluding Quebec)

Funding Amount

$3.2 billion over three years

Program Start Date

April 1, 2025

 

Labour Market 2025: Key Indicators

Metric

Value

Employment Rate (June 2025)

60.9%

Unemployment Rate (June 2025)

6.9%

Average Hourly Wage Growth YoY

+3.2%

Provinces with Employment Increase

Alberta (+30,000), Quebec (+23,000), Ontario (+21,000), Manitoba (+8,500)

Provinces with Employment Decrease

Newfoundland and Labrador (-3,500), Nova Scotia (-3,400)

 

Francophone Community Immigration Class (FCIC) Eligibility

Criteria

Description

Certificate of Recommendation

Valid certificate from an economic development organisation

Genuine Job Offer

Genuine offer from designated employer

Work Experience

Meets specific work experience conditions or a waiver for some graduates

Language Proficiency

French language ability at NCLC level 5 in all abilities

Education

At least a secondary school level credential

Intent to Reside

Must intend to live in the designated community

Necessary Funds

Funds equivalent to half of the most recent Low-Income Cut-off for one year

Temporary Status (for in-Canada applicants)

Valid temporary status maintained until permanent residence is granted

Also Read: A Comprehensive Guide to Express Entry Canada

Conclusion

The preparation of a strong and dynamic national economy aims to attract economic integration and a labour market to fill any unfulfilled gaps through investments in services in Canada. Addressing both gaps in local areas with targeted assistance, streamlining the credential recognition process, and providing regional programs to French-speaking and highly skilled immigrants, Canada is not only filling today's shortages but is already securing long-term sustainability.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who has access to newcomer federally funded settlement services in Canada?

Permanent residents, refugees, and temporary residents, particularly those with work permits, may be offered settlement services. The services are language training programs, assistance recognizing credentials, and job placement programs.

What are the prominent areas where there will be a lack of labor in Canada by 2025?

There are high demands in healthcare, skilled crafts, engineering, education, and technology. The needs are particularly prominent in healthcare and social assistance.

What is available to French-speaking immigrants after leaving Quebec?

The federal government has increased its programs with the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative and a new Francophone Immigration Class, by special Express Entry draws targeting French-speaking persons.

Which organisations are chosen to be funded to provide settlement services?

A national call is made through proposals that organisations make. The criteria used in the selection are its compatibility with the government goals, demonstrated ability, affordability and capability of satisfying newcomers' needs in their region.

What are the eligibility criteria for the new Francophone Community Immigration Class?

Key requirements include a certificate of recommendation, job offer, work experience (with exceptions for some graduates), NCLC level 5 French ability, at least secondary education, intent to live in the designated community, necessary funds, and, for in-Canada applicants, maintaining valid temporary status.