Immigrant labour market outcomes during recessions: Comparing the early 1990s, late 2000s and COVID-19 recessions

The labour market outcomes of recently arrived immigrants are often more negatively affected during recessions than those of the Canadian-born. Entering the labour market during a recession may also result in “scarring” effects for both immigrants and Canadian-born workers—the notion that the effects of entering a labour market during a period of high unemployment persists years into the future. However, the severity and characteristics of recessions vary significantly and may affect immigrants’ outcomes differently. This paper compares immigrants’ outcomes during the past three recessions.