Canada Unveils “Global Skills Strategy” to Draw Top Talent
This week, Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s fall economic update was announced during a speech to the House of Commons. His keynote included the proposal of an immigration plan to help Canadian businesses attract international talent.
Dubbed the “Global Skills Strategy,” Morneau’s proposal “will further support Canadian companies by making sure they can attract top talent and can have timely access to the specific skills and international expertise that will allow them to scale up, create good Canadian jobs and thrive right here at home.”
Canadian workers are among the most highly educated and highly skilled workers in the world. That said, Canada needs to be able to access the skills and expertise of talented workers from around the world to enable Canadian firms to succeed in the global marketplace. To grow Canadian businesses, create more Canadian jobs and compete among the best in the world, we must also attract the best minds in the world.
The proposed new Global Skills Strategy will set an ambitious two-week standard for processing visas and work permits for low-risk, high-skill talent for companies doing business in Canada, says the government.
“Recruiting and retaining top talent is a difficult task and one that we can’t remedy fast enough,” commented J. Paul Haynes, CEO of Cambridge-based cyber security company eSentire, on the news. “The Government of Canada’s Global Skills Strategy demonstrates a commitment to the Canadian economy and its citizens. We believe that the introduction of the Global Skills Strategy, in tandem with homegrown training initiatives already underway, will cement Canada’s position as a leading innovator on the world stage.”
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