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Improving the Economic Integration of Canadian Immigrants

Author

Listed:
  • Luke Rawling

    (Queen's University)

Abstract

Immigrants tend to have substantially worse labour market outcomes than Canadian-born workers. This paper provides an overview of immigrants in the Canadian labour market, describing the key barriers that can arise when changing cultures and labour markets and that can hinder immigrants from realizing their economic potential. It then summarizes the efforts Canada has made to alleviate these barriers and highlights some persistent challenges going forward, such as the current state of foreign credential recognition (FCR) and cautioning against the rise of the two-step immigration scheme. Finally, it offers some insights for future policy, such as a more rigorous evaluation of Canada’s Settlement Program, decreasing the disconnect between federal admission decisions and the perceptions of new immigrants by firms and regulatory bodies, and optimizing the points system.

Suggested Citation

  • Luke Rawling, 2026. "Improving the Economic Integration of Canadian Immigrants," Working Paper 1537, Economics Department, Queen's University.
    • Handle: RePEc:qed:wpaper:1537
    as

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    File URL: https://www.econ.queensu.ca/sites/econ.queensu.ca/files/wpaper/qed_wp_1537.pdf
    File Function: First version 2026
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Susumu Imai & Derek Stacey & Casey Warman, 2019. "From engineer to taxi driver? Language proficiency and the occupational skills of immigrants," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 52(3), pages 914-953, August.
    2. Dostie, Benoit & Li, Jiang & Card, David & Parent, Daniel, 2023. "Employer policies and the immigrant–native earnings gap," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 233(2), pages 544-567.
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    10. repec:stc:stcp8e:2023001e is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Abdurrahman Aydemir & Mikal Skuterud, 2005. "Explaining the deteriorating entry earnings of Canada's immigrant cohorts, 1966 - 2000," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 38(2), pages 641-672, May.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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