According to the report, Canada has attracted a substantial number of technology professionals primarily due to its immigration-friendly national policies and the cost advantages associated with its labor market.
The transformation of work into a global phenomenon driven by technological advancements has led to a shift in the residential choices of tech experts. A study conducted by TECNA and CTN highlights that the ability to work remotely, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has prompted tech workers to move away from traditional tech hubs.
In the case of Canada, the report notes that it has become a destination of choice for numerous tech talents originating from countries such as India, Nigeria, and Brazil. This migration trend has been a positive development for Canada’s technology sector. Additionally, American tech companies are increasingly investing in Canada due to its proximity and cost advantages. In the year 2022, Canada boasted a workforce of more than 400,000 software developers.
In 2022, Canada’s software developer count exceeded 400,000, and the growth of the tech workforce extended well beyond major urban centers. Interestingly, smaller provinces such as Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, and Labrador experienced a rapid expansion of their tech workforce, marking a remarkable year-on-year increase of 16.3%.
Even rural areas like Windsor, Ontario, have witnessed significant growth in their tech workforce, reflecting the emerging trend of tech professionals favoring remote-friendly rural locations across North America. Windsor, for instance, recorded a notable 28% increase in its tech workforce over the past year.
According to report, the collaborative report from TECNA and CTN highlights the highly sought-after tech skills in Canada, including Customer Experience, Microsoft Azure, Analytical Skills, Amazon Web Services, React.js, Jira, Data Science, GitHub, Customer Satisfaction, and Customer Relationship Management. This valuable information is beneficial for prospective global tech talent contemplating a future in Canada.
Canada’s Most Appealing Tech Centers
The TECNA/CTN report also brought attention to some of the most alluring cities in Canada for top-notch tech professionals, with the top three spots including two cities in Ontario (ON) and one in Quebec (QUE). In sequence, the report ranked Mississauga (ON) as the top choice, followed by Montreal (QUE) and Waterloo (ON).
The report clearly underscores Canada’s significant commitment to drawing in tech talent from around the world.
This commitment is being realized through the government’s innovative Tech Talent Strategy and category-specific Express Entry draws. Both initiatives are poised to contribute to the growth of the tech sector across Canada by attracting a larger pool of highly skilled tech workers from various regions.
Canada’s Tech Talent Strategy aspires to further advance Canada’s progress towards becoming a leading global hub for tech talent recruitment by:
Establishing a new Innovation Stream within the International Mobility Program (IMP).
Promoting Canada as a preferred destination for digital nomads.
Enhancing labor mobility within North America by simplifying work permit processes for H1-B specialty occupation visa holders from the United States.
Enhancing existing programs catering to high-skilled tech occupation workers.
Targeted Express Entry Draws Tailored for Tech Fields
Commencing on June 28, 2023, the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) introduced Express Entry draws that specifically focus on particular categories of federal immigration candidates, aligning with Canada’s top economic priorities. Among the six chosen categories for 2023, one is dedicated to individuals with work experience in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) domains. This aligns seamlessly with Canada’s clear goal of attracting more global tech expertise to the country.
Furthermore, as of the current date, the IRCC has conducted a single draw dedicated to this category on July 5, 2023. During this event, 500 candidates who had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 486 were extended invitations to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
