Electricians, Carpenters and Plumbers in Demand in canada 2026

Canada has reduced the number of temporary and permanent residents (PR) it plans to admit, but its need for skilled trades workers has not gone away.

In Budget 2025, the federal government committed billions of dollars to new infrastructure projects, including housing, roads, ports, pipelines and energy-related construction. These investments are meant to address Canada’s housing shortage and support long-term economic growth.

At the same time, Canada’s population growth has slowed, largely because fewer temporary residents are arriving. According to Statistics Canada, population growth declined in late 2024 and early 2025 after several years of rapid increases, driven mainly by changes to international student and temporary worker programs. The combination of fewer newcomers and major building plans has raised concerns about where Canada will find enough workers to carry out these projects.

Canada’s construction sector has been dealing with labour shortages for years. An aging workforce and high retirement rates mean many experienced tradespeople are leaving the industry faster than new workers are entering. Domestic training programs alone have not been able to keep pace with demand.

Industry data shows the scale of the challenge. BuildForce Canada estimates that Canada’s construction industry will need more than 85,000 additional workers by 2032 to meet demand and replace retiring workers. The shortages are most pronounced in key trades such as electricians, carpenters, plumbers and heavy equipment operators.

Statistics Canada data also shows that job vacancies in construction and skilled trades remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, even as other parts of the labour market cool. This suggests that demand for trades workers is structural, not temporary. Because of these pressures, skilled trades workers from outside Canada continue to be a strong match for labour market needs, despite tighter immigration targets overall.

One pathway remains temporary work permits. Canadian employers can hire foreign workers when they are unable to find qualified Canadians or permanent residents. To do so, employers must usually obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment, which confirms the hiring need.

Trades jobs are often eligible under this system because they are tied to essential infrastructure and housing projects, particularly in regions with low unemployment or where wages exceed regional averages. Temporary work permits allow workers to enter Canada legally and gain Canadian work experience, which can be valuable for future immigration applications.

Permanent residence options also continue to favour skilled trades experience. Canada’s Express Entry system includes category-based selection, which allows immigration authorities to issue invitations based on labour market needs rather than overall rankings alone.

Trades occupations are included in these targeted categories, increasing the chances for qualified workers with recent, relevant experience. Eligible candidates may qualify through federal programs such as the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class, depending on their background. Provincial nominee programs provide additional opportunities.

Provinces and territories use these programs to address local labour shortages, and many have streams focused specifically on construction and skilled trades. Some target workers already employed in the province, while others recruit internationally to meet regional demand.

Although immigration levels have been reduced in the short term, Canada’s infrastructure and housing goals suggest that demand for skilled trades workers will remain strong for years to come. Large-scale construction projects require a stable workforce, and the current labour supply is insufficient to meet this need without immigration.

For foreign trades workers, Canada continues to offer legal and demand-driven pathways to both temporary employment and permanent settlement — even as overall immigration numbers are adjusted.

In-demand trades by province and wages

Electricians

• Ontario: $20.00–$34.00–$50.50/hr (low–median–high)
• B.C.: $20.00–$34.00–$47.49/hr
• Alberta: $21.50–$38.00–$46.00/hr

PR note: Strong fit for PR because electricians fall under IRCC’s trade occupations category-based selection and can also qualify via the Federal Skilled Trades Program (if they meet program requirements)

Carpenters

• Ontario: $22.00–$32.00–$48.00/hr
• B.C.: $23.00–$32.00–$43.71/hr
• Alberta: $22.22–$34.00–$42.00/hr

PR note: Often a solid PR pathway for the same reason — carpenters are part of IRCC’s trade occupations focus and may qualify through skilled-trades PR routes depending on experience and eligibility

Plumbers

• Ontario: $20.00–$32.50–$50.38/hr
• B.C.: $23.00–$32.00–$48.00/hr
• Alberta: $20.00–$30.00–$43.00/hr

PR note: Plumbers are also within IRCC’s trade occupations selection focus and can be a strong fit for skilled-trades PR pathways.

(Wage data above is from Job Bank/Statistics Canada, updated Nov. 19, 2025.)