Getting highly skilled foreign workers into Canada quickly when they are needed by technology companies is high on the list of priorities for the Liberal government.
The message they are receiving loud and clear from new and growing firms is that the process is too long for bringing in the sought-after talent they need.
The result is that talent is going elsewhere, while Canadian companies wait for the government to assess their applications.
Now ministers from within government are signalling changes will be made to bring the skilled workers needed.
Liberal ministers on bringing in tech talent
“We have all heard too many horror stories of agile companies facing challenges when trying to bring in bright new employees to support business growth and opportunities. Highly skilled workers, researchers and entrepreneurs should be welcomed in Canada in higher volumes and at a faster rate than other OECD countries.”
Bardish Chagger, Small Business Minister
“Their idea of a quick processing time is more like six days rather than six months (current target). Six days would be a stretch. But at the same time … we want to open our doors to the best and the brightest … so, obviously, I will be working very hard to try to accommodate their needs as best I can.”
John McCallum, Immigration Minister
(When asked about fast hiring of skilled tech workers) “That will be a key component … We want to make innovation a national priority.”
Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
“We have all heard too many horror stories of agile companies facing challenges when trying to bring in bright new employees to support business growth and opportunities,” said Bardish Chagger, Small Business Minister.
“Highly skilled workers, researchers and entrepreneurs should be welcomed in Canada in higher volumes and at a faster rate than other OECD countries.”
Carl Rodrigues, CEO of Mississauga software company SOTI, is only too aware of difficulties in bringing in talent. Speaking in May, he said he was fed up of seeing Canada lose out to America on the entrepreneurial scene.
The issue is with the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), a measure introduced to assess whether a suitable Canadian is available for the position being advertised.
The LMIA works well when it comes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and also in certain areas of the Express Entry system, but not for technology firms who with acknowledged shortages need people from outside Canada who have relevant yet advanced skill sets.
Immigration Minister John McCallum said: “Their idea of a quick processing time is more like six days rather than six months (current target).
“Six days would be a stretch. But at the same time … we want to open our doors to (and attract) the best and the brightest … so, obviously, I will be working very hard to try to accommodate their needs as best I can.”
Waiting six months can be the difference between success and failure for a technology start-up, often competing against rivals in the field to capitalise on new, cutting-edge techniques.
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) predicts that by 2019 there will be as many as 182,000 high-paying technology jobs up for grabs in Canada.
The challenge now is for the government to back up their words with some serious policy changes that allow Canadian companies to compete in a highly-competitive market for technology experts.
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