Canada continues to strengthen its immigration system by focusing on inclusion, workforce participation, and equal opportunity. One important area receiving growing attention is how immigrants with disabilities experience education and employment after settling in Canada.

Recent findings from the 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability offer valuable insight. The data highlights how education levels influence employment outcomes for immigrants with disabilities in Canada, and how these outcomes compare with immigrants without disabilities and Canadian-born individuals.

This discussion matters. Not only for policy direction, but for immigrants planning long-term settlement and career growth in Canada.

Education Levels Tell an Important Story

Educational attainment among immigrants with disabilities in Canada shows encouraging signs, particularly among men. Immigrant men with disabilities had education levels similar to those without disabilities. Around 37 percent held a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 44 percent among immigrant men without disabilities. This rate was notably higher than Canadian born men with disabilities, where only 16 percent held a bachelor’s degree or higher. These figures highlight the strong educational background many immigrants bring with them when arriving in Canada.

For immigrant women, the picture is slightly different. About 35 percent of immigrant women with disabilities held a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 46 percent of immigrant women without disabilities. Despite this gap, immigrant women with disabilities still had higher education levels than Canadian-born women with disabilities. Education remains a key strength among immigrants with disabilities in Canada, especially at postsecondary levels.

Employment Gaps Remain a Challenge

While education levels are encouraging, employment outcomes tell a more complex story. In 2021, about 62 percent of immigrant men with disabilities were employed, compared to 79 percent of immigrant men without disabilities. This represents a gap of 17 percentage points. Canadian born men showed a similar pattern, indicating that disability related employment barriers exist regardless of immigration status.

Among immigrant women, 55 percent with disabilities were employed, compared to 67 percent without disabilities. The employment gap here stood at 12 percentage points, again closely mirroring trends among Canadian-born women.

These patterns show that immigrants with disabilities in Canada face barriers that extend beyond education alone.

Higher Education Narrows Employment Gaps

Education plays a critical role in reducing employment differences. For immigrants with disabilities who held a bachelor’s degree or higher, employment outcomes improved significantly. About 73 percent of immigrant men with disabilities at this education level were employed, compared to 85 percent of those without disabilities. The gap narrowed considerably compared to lower education levels. Among immigrant women with a bachelor’s degree or higher, there was no measurable employment gap between those with disabilities and those without. This is a powerful finding. It confirms that advanced education helps level the employment field for women in particular.

Lower education levels told a different story. Immigrants with disabilities who had a high school diploma or less experienced the largest employment gaps, highlighting the importance of postsecondary education for long-term success.

What This Means for Canada and Newcomers

Canada benefits when immigrants with disabilities are fully supported in education and employment. These individuals bring skills, resilience, and global experience that strengthen the workforce and local communities. The data show that when educational barriers are reduced and access to higher education improves, employment outcomes improve as well. This reinforces the importance of inclusive policies, workplace accommodation, and accessible training opportunities.

For newcomers planning their future, investing in education and skills development remains one of the strongest pathways to employment stability in Canada.

Immigrants with disabilities in Canada continue to demonstrate strong educational achievement, especially at postsecondary levels. While employment gaps remain, higher education significantly reduces these differences and, in some cases, eliminates them entirely. As Canada moves forward with inclusive immigration and labour strategies, education will remain a powerful equalizer. For immigrants, preparation and long term planning make a meaningful difference. To stay informed on Canada immigration research, employment trends, and policy updates, follow ImmigCanada!