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The Global Skills Strategy will:
- Establish an ambitious two-week standard for processing visas and work permits for low-risk, high-skill talent for companies in Canada;
- Create a dedicated service channel for companies looking to make large, job-creating investments in Canada; and
- Drop the work permit requirement for very short-term work (for instance, 30 days or less) in low-risk fields. Brief academic stays would also be eligible.
At the beginning of November, 2016, the government released its Fall Economic Statement. The statement argued that 鈥淚n too many cases, long processing times for work permits make it difficult for Canadian businesses to attract the talent they need to succeed.鈥� The Global Skills Strategy is a direct response to this need for Canada to attract global talent.
Establishing Canada as a global player
Speaking at the announcement event on November 28, Canada鈥檚 Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Navdeep Bains, said, 鈥淥ur government鈥檚 Global Skills Strategy will make it easier for Canadian companies to recruit highly trained people with in-demand skills.鈥�
He voiced his strong support of the Global Skills Strategy, explaining that 鈥渢apping into a large pool of highly trained people 鈥� both in Canada, and abroad 鈥� will set this country up for success as a global innovation leader.鈥�
Canada鈥檚 Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, John McCallum, echoed these sentiments. 鈥淲e have great talent in this country, but we need that global talent that is critical to our growth,鈥� he said, adding that 鈥渉igh talent acquisition accelerates growth.鈥�
Key industries in focus
The government states that after the Global Skills Strategy is fully implemented, 鈥渃ompanies will soon be able to bring in the highly skilled experts they need to grow, flourish and provide good jobs for Canadians faster than ever before.鈥� Consequently, Canada鈥檚 economy is expected to grow, resulting in further job creation and attracting further investment.
At this time, no specific sectors have been identified as potential in-demand occupations that would be eligible for priority visa and work permit processing. However, many stakeholders note that the technology sector in Canada would immediately benefit from such an initiative. Known for its fast pace and rapid change, a responsive and efficient work permit process is required in order for Canadian companies to attract top talent and remain responsive to global trends.
The technology sector is experiencing rapid growth across Canada. Worldwide, the Toronto-Waterloo corridor in Ontario is second only to Silicon Valley in California for number of start-up companies. As of November 2016, the professional, scientific, and technical services sector is the fifth-largest employer in Canada, employing more than 1.3 million people across the country.
The news of the Global Skills Strategy was greeted with enthusiasm by stakeholders in the technology sector. Stephen Lake, Co-founder and CEO of Thalmic Labs, a wearable technology聽developer in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, stated, 鈥淥ur largest challenge has been the very slow lead times to process [work permits]聽鈥� sometimes taking us nine months or longer to bring a candidate in. We need a streamlined way to bring in high-skill candidates in the tech sector within weeks. We were thrilled to hear about the Canadian government鈥檚 plans, which will allow tech companies to hire highly skilled immigrants for key roles through a very fast (two-week) immigration process.鈥�
Permit-exempt short-term work
The plan also aims to abolish the work permit requirement for short-term work in low-risk fields. In the Fall Economic Statement, it was announced that 鈥渋n addition to the Global Skills Strategy, the government will introduce a new work permit exemption for short-duration work terms.鈥�
The proposed definition of 鈥榮hort-term鈥� is stays of 30 days or less, or brief academic stays. The goal is to 鈥渇acilitate short-term, inter-company work exchanges, study exchanges, or the entrance of temporary expertise.鈥�
A third aim of the Global Skills Strategy is to 鈥淐reate a dedicated service channel for companies looking to make large, job-creating investments in Canada.鈥� While this aim has not been elaborated at this time, it is a sign that the government is following through on its previously-stated intentions to encourage the employment of highly-skilled workers from around the world.
The transition to permanent residence
Many individuals who come to Canada on work permits establish themselves and take steps towards Canadian permanent residence. Several permanent immigration programs, including as well as the , provide pathways for foreign workers to transition to permanent resident status. Canadian work experience is typically a highly valued factor in these programs.
In the Immigration Levels Plan for 2017, the government announced its intention to increase the number of economic immigrants coming to Canada through the ,听 , and by 23 percent. In addition, the government aims for 51,000 new immigrants to come through the Provincial Nominee Programs. Individuals who come to Canada on a temporary work permit may find themselves in a position to apply for one of these programs.
Government continues to act on its promises
鈥淭he announcement of the Global Skills Strategy shows once again that the government is serious about its promises with regard to temporary residents and newcomers,鈥� says Attorney David Cohen. 鈥淪takeholders have been crying out for a more nimble system, and this strategy looks set to provide that.
鈥淚t simply makes sense that a growing economy like Canada鈥檚 needs to continue to attract the best talent from around the world. Not only will the economy benefit from new, young workers and families, but the ensuing growth will result in job creation for Canadians. This strategy is a clear example of how an open, progressive immigration policy leads to the benefit of all Canadians.鈥�
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