Canada can win the global talent race

Announcing a ground-breaking program yesterday at Collision, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship launched Canada’s first-ever Tech Talent Strategy, advancing Canada’s competitive talent advantage. Starting next month, an open work permit stream for H-1B specialty occupation visa holders and their families in the United States will be eligible to apply for a Canadian work permit, with the government planning to accept up to 10,000 applications within a one-year window, creating a high potential tech talent stream for in-demand innovation professionals.

As additional ambitious measures, the federal government will develop a Digital Nomad Strategy to promote Canada as a destination for the growing ranks of remote workers; and will make improvements to the Start-Pp Visa Program prioritizing applications that are supported by venture capital firms, angel investor groups, or business incubators who are members of Canada’s Tech Network, including TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario.

“As a result of our advocacy efforts with all levels of government, promising startups and fast growing ventures in the Southwestern Ontario region and those currently connected to TechAlliance will benefit in the talent race. This is a win for all of us.”

Christina Fox, Chief Executive Officer at TechAlliance

TechAlliance is reporting this announcement to the innovation ecosystem because the outcomes in the announcement are a direct response to TechAlliance’s advocacy, alongside other Canadian incubators and accelerators, to Minister Fraser on behalf of Southwestern Ontario’s most promising startups and highest potential technology companies. We know that innovative ventures of all sizes need access to customers, access to capital, and access to talent, and we applaud the Government of Canada for embracing Canada’s emerging role as a leader in global tech talent recruitment and attraction.

You can read additional coverage of this announcement in BetaKit, CBC, The Logic and Global News.