Ottawa’s fall economic statement promises to help businesses attract global talent

On Tuesday, Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau delivered the fall economic statement in the House of Commons. The

The government says the adoption of a Global Skills Strategy will make it easier for Canadian businesses to attract qualified employees from other countries. The Strategy aims to set a two-week standard for processing visas and work permits for low-risk, high-skill talent for companies doing business in Canada.

This initiative will target specifically high-growth Canadian companies that need to access global talent in order to facilitate and accelerate investments that create jobs and growth. This will include companies that can demonstrate labour market benefits, such as increasing investments, knowledge transfer and Canadian job creation, as well as global companies that are making large investments, relocating to Canada, establishing new production or expanding production, and creating new Canadian jobs.

For companies looking to hire short-term employees, the government is introducing a permit exemption for work terms of fewer than 30 days in a year, or brief academic stays. These are likely to be used for short-term, inter-company work exchanges, study exchanges or the entrance of temporary expertise, says the federal government.

The full fall economic statement can be read online. (PDF)