The federal government of Canada has recently announced three new initiatives aimed at attracting talent from abroad. These initiatives were unveiled at a technology conference and are seen as a breakthrough in addressing the country’s skills shortage.
One of the initiatives called the “digital nomad strategy,” will enable workers with a foreign employer to stay and work in Canada for up to six months. If they receive a job offer while in the country, they will have the opportunity to remain in Canada even longer. This move is expected to boost local economies as these workers will spend money within Canadian communities.
Another initiative focuses specifically on attracting qualified workers to Canada’s technology sector. By the end of this year, the government plans to develop an immigration stream for some of the world’s most talented individuals who wish to work for tech companies in Canada, regardless of whether they have a job offer or not.
The exact criteria for eligibility and the number of people who will be admitted to this stream have yet to be announced.
Furthermore, in an effort to tap into talent from the United States, the government intends to create an open work-permit stream for 10,000 American H-1B visa holders by July 16. This program will also provide study or work permits for their family members. The H-1B visa allows foreign nationals to temporarily work in specialized occupations, including those in the technology sector.
With many tech companies laying off employees during the pandemic, there is an opportunity for these skilled workers to find employment in Canada instead.
The Council of Canadian Innovators, chaired by former Research in Motion CEO Jim Balsillie, has praised these new programs as significant steps toward addressing the serious skills shortage faced by Canadian companies. Nick Schiavo, Director of Federal Affairs at the council, emphasizes that talent scarcity is a pressing issue and that these initiatives are game-changers that can help fill this gap.
He particularly highlights the pathway for H-1B holders, as it focuses on individuals who have already undergone a vetting process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these three new initiatives announced by the Canadian government aim to attract talent from abroad and address the skills shortage in various sectors. By implementing measures such as the digital nomad strategy and creating immigration streams for tech workers, Canada is positioning itself as an attractive destination for skilled individuals seeking employment opportunities.
This proactive approach has been welcomed by industry groups and is seen as a breakthrough in addressing the country’s talent needs.