Ottawa unveils bold strategy to lure skilled workers and boost competitiveness amid shifting US policies
A dramatic shift in US immigration policy is opening the door for Canada to attract top global talent—and the federal government is poised to seize the opportunity.
According to government officials cited by Bloomberg, Prime Minister Mark Carney will soon unveil a budget that introduces a talent attraction strategy aimed at skilled workers, particularly those in the technology sector who may be deterred by US President Donald Trump’s new $100,000 H-1B visa fee.
As reported by the BBC, this sudden increase has stunned tech companies and is expected to limit opportunities for highly educated foreigners, including recent international graduates of US universities, pushing many to consider Canada as an alternative destination.
Canadian immigration lawyers and business leaders are urging swift action.
Evan Green, a Canada-based immigration lawyer, called it "a wonderful opportunity for the Canadian government to take advantage of," while a memo from Build Canada, a productivity-focused non-profit, argued that Canada is the "natural destination" for highly skilled professionals now seeking new opportunities.
The memo highlighted Canada’s world-class research institutions, proximity to the US, and high quality of life as key draws.
Evidence supports this potential.
A 2020 study for the National Bureau of Economic Research found that when US-based multinationals faced skilled immigration restrictions, they often shifted hiring to Canada, where more open policies enabled firms to retain the talent they needed.
In 2023, the Canadian government’s three-year work permit programme for US-based H-1B holders filled 10,000 applications within 24 hours, according to the BBC.
However, experts caution that Canada’s immigration system is not without its own challenges.
Economist Mikal Skuterud of the University of Waterloo told the BBC that while there is clear potential, Canada’s system needs reform to truly capitalize on the moment.
He noted that recent reductions in immigration levels and political debates over temporary foreign worker programmes could undermine efforts to attract and retain top talent.
Furthermore, wage structures in Canada tend to be lower than in the US, which may influence decisions for highly skilled workers.
Prime Minister Carney’s budget will also include a new “climate competitiveness strategy,” prioritizing “results over objectives,” as reported by Bloomberg.
The strategy involves scrapping several environmental policies from the previous administration, expediting approvals for energy projects, and signalling a shift toward diversifying Canada’s export markets beyond the US.
Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne is set to release the federal budget on 4 November, which will detail these initiatives and outline the government’s approach to balancing operating budgets while investing in capital projects, according to Bloomberg.
