Montreal: The Tech Giant Playground
Let’s start with Montreal, a city that’s teeming with tech-savvy folks and innovation. This is where the big kids play, folks. Think Google, Microsoft, Meta, Samsung, and Intel. They’re all here, setting up operations and enjoying the city’s vibrant tech scene. But it’s not just these international heavyweights making Montreal their home.
Montreal also prides itself on being the Canadian hub for over 200 game development studios. Yes, you heard that right. Studios like Ubisoft, Electronic Arts and WB Games have chosen this city as their base. But wait, there’s more! It’s not just about already established companies. Montreal is a hotbed for emerging tech firms like CGI, Hopper, Element AI, Imagia and Nuvei. The city also hosts start-up-focused events like Startupfest and MTL Connect: Montreal Digital Week and boasts nearly 18,000 tech students, providing strong academic support for the industry.
Waterloo: The Burgeoning Tech Beacon
Moving on to Waterloo, a city that’s a buzzing hive of tech activity. This dynamic tech hub houses over 1,570 tech-related businesses. And we’re not just talking about any businesses. Think industry titans like BlackBerry and D2L. Waterloo has been recognized as one of the top 20 start-up ecosystems in the world, and for good reason.
In Waterloo, the future looks bright, partly due to its academic backbone. Universities like the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Conestoga College are churning out talented tech workforce right in the city. Plus, Waterloo’s quality of life helps attract and keep the best and brightest, which may explain why it has almost double the global industry average survival rate for ICT start-ups. To top it all off, Waterloo is a magnet for venture capital investment, further solidifying its position as a rising star in the Canadian tech scene.
Rolling Out the Welcome Mat: Canada’s Efforts to Rope in Global Tech Talent
We all know Canada is a beauty, but it’s not just the breathtaking landscapes that are catching everyone’s attention these days. The Great White North is making serious strides in becoming a hotspot for the tech industry, and it’s not just all talk.
In a nutshell, Canada is upping its game to become the go-to destination for tech wizards worldwide. And how are they doing this? Through the government’s fresh-off-the-oven ‘Tech Talent Strategy’ and the savvy ‘category-based Express Entry draws.’ These initiatives are set to rev up the tech sector all over the nation by drawing in top-notch skilled workers from across the globe.
Let’s break it down a little. The ‘Tech Talent Strategy’ is Canada’s shining new scheme that’s all about making the country an attractive hub for global tech talent. Some of the awesome stuff on the agenda includes:
- Launching a new ‘Innovation Stream’ under the International Mobility Program (IMP).
- Shaping Canada into a dream destination for digital nomads.
- Creating a smooth-sailing work permit for those in the US with an H-1B specialty occupation visa, making it easier for them to make the move to Canada.
- Fine-tuning existing programs that are designed for high-skill tech occupations.
So, there you have it, folks! If you’re in tech and fancy a change of scenery, Canada is ready and waiting with open arms.
A New Dawn: Category-Based Express Entry Draws for Tech Whizzes
On June 28, 2023, the folks at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) started conducting category-based Express Entry draws. This means they’re hand-picking federal immigration candidates who are a perfect fit for Canada’s economic and demographic needs. And guess what? For 2023, they’ve got their eyes set on you STEM professionals out there! This fits right in with their mission to import more global tech talent.
As of now, the IRCC has held one category-based draw for this group on July 5th, 2023. In this draw, they invited 500 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 486 to apply for permanent residence. So, who’s ready for the Canadian adventure?
