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Immigration

Signal49 Research is Canada’s immigration research hub, delivering non-partisan research for leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The strength of our research is based on independence, engaging diverse stakeholders, and leveraging demographic, fiscal, and economic models. Our work focuses on strengthening the Canadian immigration system and accelerating the benefits of a growing global talent pool for both newcomers and Canadians.

90+

Outputs under the Immigration team

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Featured Research

Immigrants in Canada’s Skilled Trades—July 2026

Immigrants in Canada’s Skilled Trades: Untapped Talent Amid Growing Demand We conducted a literature review to understand the current representation of immigrants in the skilled trades and the challenges Canada…
Topics: Canadian Economic Analysis, Immigration Research and Policy
Subject Matter: DEI in the Workplace, Economy Analysis
Education in Canada, Immigrant Labour Integration, Immigrants Coming to Canada, Immigrants in the Workplace, Immigration Policies in Canada, Industry Analysis, Labour Market, Migrant Workers in Canada, Workplace Barriers
Primer
July 16, 2026 21 min read

Absorptive Capacity and Sustainable Immigration Policy—July 2026

How Canada Can Chart a Sustainable Path: Absorptive Capacity and the Future of Canadian Immigration Policy In this primer, we analyze the results of a review of relevant Canadian literature…
Topics: Canadian Economic Analysis, Immigration Research and Policy
Subject Matter: Canada Budget, COVID 19 Impact
GDP Canada, Immigrant Labour Integration, Immigrants Coming to Canada, Immigration Policies in Canada, Migrant Workers in Canada, Population Research, World Economy
Primer
July 9, 2026 19 min read

Immigrant Skill Utilization in the Healthcare Sector—April 2026

From Newcomers to Game Changers: Immigrant Skill Utilization in the Healthcare Sector Canada has acute labour shortages in healthcare, yet immigrant healthcare professionals are working in jobs where their skills…
Topics: Canadian Economic Analysis, Health and Healthcare
Immigration Research and Policy
Subject Matter: Canadian Territories, Economy Analysis
Employment Rate in Canada, Health Education, Health Policy, Health Services Research, Healthcare in Canada, Immigrant Labour Integration, Immigrants Coming to Canada, Immigrants in the Workplace, Industry Analysis, Labour Market, Population Research, Provincial Research, Upskilling the Workforce, Workforce of the Future, Workplace Barriers
Issue briefing​
April 29, 2026 20 min read

Immigrant Skill Utilization in the Construction Sector—April 2026

From Newcomers to Game Changers: Immigrant Skill Utilization in the Construction Sector  Canada’s construction sector is facing acute labour shortages, yet immigrant talent remains underutilized. Involuntary part-time work and overeducation…
Topics: Immigration Research and Policy, Industry Economic Analysis
Subject Matter: Business Research, Economy Analysis
Employment Rate in Canada, GDP Canada, Immigrant Labour Integration, Immigrants Coming to Canada, Immigrants in the Workplace, Immigration Policies in Canada, Industry Analysis, Labour Market, Organizational Culture, Population Research, Upskilling the Workforce, Workforce of the Future, Workplace Barriers
Issue briefing​
April 29, 2026 13 min read

A Scorecard for Immigrant Skill Utilization—April 2026

From Newcomers to Game-Changers: A Scorecard for Immigrant Skill Utilization Canada selects highly skilled and educated immigrants for permanent residency, yet many find themselves either unemployed or working below their…
Topics: Canadian Economic Analysis, Immigration Research and Policy
Subject Matter: Canadian Cities, Economic Forecast
Economy Analysis, Immigrant Labour Integration, Immigrants Coming to Canada, Immigrants in the Workplace, Immigration Policies in Canada, Industry Analysis, Labour Market, Migrant Workers in Canada
Online Experience
April 16, 2026 15 min read

Connecting Small Businesses to Newcomer Talent—April 2025

Employer Engagement through Innovation: Connecting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises to Newcomer Immigrant Talent In this research, we examine how Canada’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can diversify their workforce by…
Topics: DEI Research, Immigration Research and Policy
People and Culture
Subject Matter: Business Research, DEI in the Workplace
Economy Analysis, Equity in the Workplace, Human Resources Management, Immigrant Labour Integration, Immigrants Coming to Canada, Immigrants in the Workplace, Inclusive Growth, Inclusive Practices in the Workplace, Organizational Culture, Workplace Barriers
Impact paper
April 28, 2025 18 min read
Builder laying stonework at new residential home

Work in Progress: How Immigration Can Address Labour Shortages in Residential Construction

In this research, we look at how Canada could help meet the goal to build 3.5 million new homes by 2031 by increasing the supply of immigrants with skills needed…
Topics: Canadian Economic Analysis, Immigration Research and Policy
Subject Matter: Canada Budget, COVID 19 Impact
Economic Forecast, Emerging Technologies, Employment Plan, Employment Rate in Canada, Fiscal Updates, Future of Work, Housing Market Forecast, Immigrant Labour Integration, Immigrants Coming to Canada, Immigrants in the Workplace, Immigration Policies in Canada, Inclusive Growth, Industry Analysis, Innovation and Growth, Job Transitions, Labour Market, Labour Relations, Metro Housing, Post Pandemic, Provincial Research, Recovery Economy, Upskilling the Workforce, Workplace Barriers
Impact paper
October 16, 2023 45 min read

Insights From the 2024 Canadian Immigration Summit—June 2025

Building Inclusive Communities Amid Immigration Shifts: Insights From the 2024 Canadian Immigration Summit In this research, we summarize the insights gathered from 230 immigration experts and 61 esteemed speakers at…
Topics: DEI Research, Immigration Research and Policy
People and Culture
Subject Matter: Challenges Faced by International Students, Employment Rate in Canada
Immigrant Labour Integration, Immigrants Coming to Canada, Immigrants in the Workplace, Immigration Policies in Canada, Inclusive Growth, Inclusive Practices in the Workplace, Innovation and Growth, Labour Market, Population Research, Post Secondary Education in Canada
Issue briefing​
June 11, 2025 15 min read

Trends in Retaining Skilled Immigrants—November 2025

The Leaky Bucket 2025: Retention Trends in Highly Skilled Immigrants and In-Demand Occupations This latest research builds on the 2024 Leaky Bucket report and confirms that one in five immigrants…
Topics: DEI Research, Immigration Research and Policy
Subject Matter: Business Research, Challenges Faced by International Students
Employment Rate in Canada, Immigrant Labour Integration, Immigrants Coming to Canada, Immigrants in the Workplace, Immigration Policies in Canada, Industry Analysis, Labour Market, Organizational Culture, Salary Research
Impact paper, Summary for executives​
November 18, 2025 19 min read

Latest Research

Les immigrants dans les métiers spécialisés au Canada – Juillet 2026

Les immigrants dans les métiers spécialisés au Canada : un potentiel inexploité face à une demande croissante Nous avons mené une revue de la littérature afin de comprendre la représentation…
Topics: Canadian Economic Analysis, Immigration Research and Policy
Subject Matter: DEI in the Workplace, Economy Analysis
Education in Canada, Immigrant Labour Integration, Immigrants Coming to Canada, Immigrants in the Workplace, Immigration Policies in Canada, Industry Analysis, Labour Market, Migrant Workers in Canada, Workplace Barriers
Primer
July 16, 2026 21 min read

Immigrants in Canada’s Skilled Trades—July 2026

Immigrants in Canada’s Skilled Trades: Untapped Talent Amid Growing Demand We conducted a literature review to understand the current representation of immigrants in the skilled trades and the challenges Canada…
Topics: Canadian Economic Analysis, Immigration Research and Policy
Subject Matter: DEI in the Workplace, Economy Analysis
Education in Canada, Immigrant Labour Integration, Immigrants Coming to Canada, Immigrants in the Workplace, Immigration Policies in Canada, Industry Analysis, Labour Market, Migrant Workers in Canada, Workplace Barriers
Primer
July 16, 2026 21 min read

Absorptive Capacity and Sustainable Immigration Policy—July 2026

How Canada Can Chart a Sustainable Path: Absorptive Capacity and the Future of Canadian Immigration Policy In this primer, we analyze the results of a review of relevant Canadian literature…
Topics: Canadian Economic Analysis, Immigration Research and Policy
Subject Matter: Canada Budget, COVID 19 Impact
GDP Canada, Immigrant Labour Integration, Immigrants Coming to Canada, Immigration Policies in Canada, Migrant Workers in Canada, Population Research, World Economy
Primer
July 9, 2026 19 min read
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An exploration of how to make Canada’s immigration system more innovative, resilient, and responsive to complex challenges and unique opportunities.

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Research Centres

Funded by stakeholders, research centres investigate and discuss Canada’s challenges and opportunities.

Canada’s immigration system underperforms at quickly connecting immigrants with opportunities that match their skills, education, and experience. This leads to inadequate economic outcomes for immigrants and fails to meet employers’ skilled labour needs.

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Canada’s future prosperity depends on immigration. Optimizing the systems that help to attract, select, and settle immigrants will maximize the benefits of immigration for both newcomers and Canadians. The National Immigration Centre was established to enhance Canada’s immigration system through independent, impartial, evidence-based research.

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