5 Things About Immigration That Are Likely to Change Your Benefits Program

Almost entirely due to immigration, Canada’s population grew by more than 1 million people in 2022.¹  Hundreds of thousands more are expected to come in 2023 as the country topped 40 million residents for the first time. The numbers represent enormous opportunities as well as challenges for employers.

Here are five key considerations for HR teams involving immigrant potential employees:

1. Immigrants will be essential to staffing. Canada’s labour shortage is going to get worse before it gets better, as many Baby Boomers have retired and the average family size has shrunk.² Immigrants will help alleviate the labour shortage, and not just for blue-collar positions: A high percentage of Canadian immigrants have advanced degrees, often in STEM-related fields.³ These new Canadian residents will be the key to sustaining organizations’ long-term stability and growth.

2. Immigrants will create a more diverse workforce. Organizations that adapt to an increasingly diverse talent pipeline will have an advantage in recruiting and retaining talent. Forward-thinking organizations will recognize the value of international credentials, rather than only considering Canadian experience.⁴ Overall, a flexible, open-minded approach will help to remove other barriers to entry. Organizations that recognize immigrants’ cultural differences and how those differences affect the workplace will thrive.

3. Immigrants want to succeed. Set expectations accordingly. New Canadians are prepared to work hard and usually come with a strong work ethic. Managers can make the most of their willingness to work hard but should also clarify workplace and productivity expectations. Simple, clear communication is essential to explaining guidelines, from formal workplace policies and procedures to informal rules regarding working hours and personal time.

4. Mentorship will help immigrates acclimate. All workers can benefit from mentoring, but for new Canadians, finding mentors is especially important. Employers can develop mentorship programs and offer company-wide activities for participants. This speeds up integration into the workplace and gives workers the tools to succeed.

5. In a diverse workforce, personalized benefits can foster success. As immigrants make the workforce more diverse, one-size-fits-all benefits programs will fail their mission of improving recruiting and retention. Even with a seemingly homogeneous workforce, not every employee will have the same expectations and needs — and new Canadians are likely to have different expectations and needs further still. Employers that can offer personalized benefits options will not only help attract the best and the brightest immigrants to their doors, but improve productivity, retention and employee satisfaction for the organization overall.

QEX is a modern approach to personalized benefits that elevates the quality of your employee experience. QEX helps you create an easy to manage, highly personalized, and affordable benefits program. Learn how a QEX approach can help your organization.

¹ CBC, “Canada's population grew by record 1 million in 2022, spurred by international migration,” March 22,2023.
² Statistics Canada, “A portrait of Canada’s families in 2021,” July 13, 2022.
³ RBC, “Proof Point: Canada is failing to put immigrant skills to work,” February 22, 2023.
⁴ Ontario Human Rights Commission, “Policy on Removing the ‘Canadian experience’ Barrier,” February 1, 2013.