Growth of good jobs for Canadians the goal of the Global Skills Strategy

Putting highly-skilled workers on the fast track will support innovation, investment

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 30, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Minister John McCallum and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains announced that companies 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. 

Minister McCallum and Minister Bains spoke about the Global Skills Strategy and the Innovation Agenda with stakeholders, including the Council of Canadian Innovators, at Therapure Biopharma, a fast-growing biopharmaceutical company founded in 2008.

The Global Skills Strategy will help attract highly qualified talent from around the world to support the growth of companies in Canada, spurring innovation and driving our economy, ultimately creating more jobs for Canadians.

To be implemented later in 2017, 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.

The global demand for highly skilled talent in the knowledge economy is outpacing the supply, leaving companies in Canada without the talent needed to fill vacancies and grow their businesses.

In the coming months the Government will seek feedback from stakeholders on the design of the Global Skills Strategy, making sure companies in Canada will benefit from day one.

Quotes

"We know that when talented researchers, innovators and leaders are able to provide their expertise, even temporarily, their work can have a multiplier effect on job creation. In the global competition for highly-skilled people, it is crucial that these types of workers can get here quickly." 
– The Honourable John McCallum, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

"Business leaders have told me that attracting top global talent actually increases economic activity. One key hire can attract many others. This critical mass of talent enables the start-up of new companies. I'm proud that the Government has listened to the concerns of business leaders. Tapping into a large pool of highly trained people – both in Canada, and abroad – will set this country up for success as a global innovation leader. And it will enable high-growth Canadian companies to develop more quickly into globally competitive successes. That's how we will create well-paying jobs for all Canadians."
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development 

"We've been growing and creating a variety of great jobs here in Mississauga, but it isn't always easy to find experienced individuals for the manufacturing of biologic drugs with expertise in drug and process development and commercial manufacturing. These positions require experience, as well as very specific advanced degrees in biochemistry, biologic drug development and chemistry, to really drive our business forward.  We see the Global Skills Strategy's fast work permit processing as being a benefit when those highly-skilled people aren't available in Canada and we need to look abroad."
– Nick Green, President and CEO of Therapure Biopharma Inc.

"The Council of Canadian Innovators fully supports the fast-tracking of highly-skilled global talent. Our immigration system is now moving closer to the speed of the innovation economy and better allowing scale-ups to grow their companies within Canada. This type of collaboration between industry and government is exactly what is needed to ensure the success of the Innovation Agenda and to grow Canada's economy."
– Benjamin Bergen, Executive Director, Council of Canadian Innovators 

Associated links

• Fall Economic Statement 2016
• Canada's Innovation Agenda

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SOURCE Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

For further information: Camielle Edwards, Minister's Office, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 613-954-1064; Philippe Proulx, Minister's Office, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-2500; Media Relations, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 613-952-1650, [e-mail]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [e-mail]