Strategies to alleviate Canada’s impending construction labour shortage: a critical review

Abstract

Canada’s construction industry is on the brink of a significant labour shortage crisis. This paper critically reviews this impending challenge by analyzing various literature and statistical reports. It identifies the provinces most at risk for labour shortages. Furthermore, the study highlights the construction trades with the highest risk of labour shortages. Notably, this paper underscores the underrepresentation of certain groups within the construction industry, particularly women and indigenous youth. Building upon these findings, the paper proposes a comprehensive labour shortage mitigation strategy at three levels: labour and managerial, organizational, and provincial and state levels. This strategy offers a roadmap for implementing initiatives addressing the impending labour shortage. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and government entities seeking to tackle the impending labour shortage in Canada’s construction sector. The proposed strategy can also serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges on construction labour shortage.