The study looked at employment rate, that is instances of employment, as well as weekly wages of men and women ages 25 to 54.
Improved immigrant outcomes in the labour market can generally be attributed to policy changes, and economic conditions.
The wage gap for immigrant men and women who had been in Canada for 10 years or more saw little improvement during the study period.
Other studies have shown new permanent residents who have Canadian work experience tend to do better in the job market compared to immigrants who were selected from abroad.
As a result of these changes, the study suggests entry earnings of new immigrants increased.
Canada also changed settlement policies to address employment barriers such as foreign credential recognition.
Then in 2013, Canada created the Federal Skilled Trades Program to focus more on candidates who had more practical experience than formal education.
Furthermore, travel restrictions and other public health measures have been barriers for new immigrant arrivals.
These gains were likely short-lived, however, as the third wave of the coronavirus forced tighter restrictions across Canada in April.
The federal government’s 2021 Budget lays out Canada’s spending priorities for immigrants.
As such, policymakers will need to keep a close eye on the post-pandemic labour market outcomes of immigrants to ensure they are not left behind.