Construction Trades

Construction Trades

According to the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (2010), racialized individuals represent between 5-7% of building trade apprentices, despite being 22% of the Canadian population. There is limited data on more recent estimates, but anecdotal evidence suggests that BIPOC Canadians, particularly Blacks continue to be significantly underrepresented and discriminated against in the sector. GreenSquareMeter will similarly work with partners and key industry stakeholders in co-creating initiatives designed to ensure increased representation and safer spaces for BIPOC individuals in the construction trades.

The construction sector in Canada is facing significant labour shortages which is feeding into the housing affordability crisis. According to an August 2023 StatsCan report, roughly 118,900 construction positions will be left vacant by 2033. CIBC Chief Economist Benjamin Tal estimates 300,000 workers will be retiring in Canada over that time with insufficient inflow to make up the shortfall. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation declared in June 2023 that the country needs 5.8 million new homes to restore housing affordability. The looming mass retirement and its resultant labour shortage are certain to complicate any efforts to restore housing affordability.

It almost seems paradoxical that government/employers are harping about a shortage of labour and skills when there are thousands of BIPOC individuals including refugees who are ready, willing, and able to take up paid employment in the sector, but are not getting the opportunities and support they need to get in.