Canada’s tech scene is booming and how! The period from April 2022 to March 2023 saw an impressive influx of over 32,000 tech workers from around the globe, according to some insider info from TECNA (The Technology Councils of North America) and Canada’s own Tech Network (CTN). And hold onto your hats, because we’re about to dive deeper into this report. We’re talking top hotspots for techies in Canada and a whole lot more about the dynamic tech landscape. Keep reading and find out why Canada has become the new dream destination for the global tech industry workforce!
Canada’s Tech Scene is Booming: A Closer Look
According to a recent study, Canada is becoming a hotspot for tech professionals. Many are being drawn by its welcoming immigration policies and competitive salaries. The report suggests that the shift towards remote working is changing the game, with tech professionals now opting to live in less traditional tech hubs.
The global pandemic has played a part in this shift, encouraging remote work and allowing professionals to choose their location more freely. Canada’s booming tech industry isn’t just due to an influx of professionals from countries like India, Nigeria, and Brazil. It’s also thanks to significant investments from American tech companies. Being next door to the US and offering attractive pay scales has created a win-win situation for Canada and the tech companies.
In 2022, the number of software developers in Canada exceeded 400,000, and it’s not just the big cities that are seeing this growth. Surprisingly, smaller provinces like Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador have seen their tech workforces’ explode, growing by 16.3% in just a year.
Even rural cities, including Windsor, Ontario, are getting in on the action, experiencing significant growth in their tech workforce. It seems the rise of remote work is encouraging a move to more rural locations across North America.
Canadian Tech Powerhouses
So, which are the coolest places in Canada if you’re into tech? Well, the TECNA/CTN report has got you covered. It spotlights the go-to cities for tech wizards and Mississauga in Ontario bags the first prize. Montreal in Quebec and Waterloo, also in Ontario, follow closely behind. Let’s take a closer look at what’s popping in these digital hotspots.
Mississauga: The place to be!
It’s got close to a whopping 1,000 IT companies. Yes, you read that right! It’s part of North America’s second-biggest ICT hub, boasting over 300,000 tech whizzes. Big names like Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, HP, and Cognizant have set up camp here. And guess what? The local government is making sure innovation keeps coming with initiatives like the Mississauga Innovation and Technology Acceleration Program (MITAP). This program is all about helping local startups with funding, mentorship, and resources.
Plus, this city is on the rise with tech firms like SOTI, Guidewire Software, HCL Technologies, and Infosys growing by the day. And the people? The population is set to hit a staggering 995,000 by 2051. Yes, that’s a 33% growth from 2016! So, it’s safe to say that a steady stream of tech talent will keep flowing from here, now and in the years to come.
