The federal Liberals began work on a new immigration program to attract highly skilled labor before U.S. President Donald Trump took office.
But what they’ll be watching for now is whether the planned June launch of their Global Talent Stream program could be a way to benefit from what Trump has done in his tenure so far.
The US president added more uncertainty to the future of U.S. immigration policy this week, ordering a review of the American H-1B visa program, which he argues allows tech companies to avoid hiring American workers in favor of cheaper international ones.
American technology firms argue the H-1B program is needed because it encourages students to stay in the U.S. after getting degrees in high-tech specialties — and because companies can’t always find enough American workers with the skills they need.
The fact the H-1B visa has an annual cap on applications and the winners are chosen by lottery has always made it a problematic program. US based tech companies have realized that an alternative is required because of prevailing uncertainty because of executive order.
Canada has endeavored to place itself very well in the labor market from time to time.
That position could get a boost from the planned June rollout of the new Global Talent Stream program. Canadian firms have long complained they can’t find the talent and get them here fast enough to help develop the tech sector.
The introduction of Express Entry program by conservative government was supposed to help make it easier. But that program had a six-month lag time and tech firms don’t want to wait that long.
The Global Talent Stream system aims to process work permits for “highly skilled talent” in two weeks.
For Canadian tech firms, it is a welcome development, but in the current context of Trump it could have broader benefits.
If the government can make the system more transparent and more efficient, then the new program would have an edge over the other economic immigration programs.
Full details around how the program will work have yet to be released.
Original Source: The Canadian Press