Optimizing Tech Talent Pipeline with Immigration Strategies

Canada is experiencing a labour and skills shortage, resulting from a perfect Storm: an aging population; an immigration halt during COVID + huge processing backlogs; and skills gaps resulting from increased automation. We will discuss considerations for employers when evaluating whether hiring a foreign worker might be a possible solution for you. We will focus on the WHY’s of hiring a foreign worker versus HOW to hire a foreign worker. We will discuss the Global Skills Strategy, which is specifically designed to help Canadian employers bring foreign workers with technology skills to Canada in a timely manner. We will answer common questions about the Global Skills Strategy, including the options and benefits that the Global Skills Strategy offers, who qualifies for it, and whether it really works. Finally, we will discuss retention strategies for your foreign workers (whether you have hired foreign workers on open work permits that you hired from within Canada, or whether you supported their work permit application from outside Canada), such as supporting your foreign workers for permanent residence.

Key Takeaways

• To consider the important questions that will help you decide whether hiring a foreign worker is an appropriate strategy for your business
• To learn about specific strategies to expedite immigration applications for in-demand technology positions
• To learn how to support and retain foreign workers hired within Canada

Sarah is a Partner in our Halifax office with a practice specializing in immigration and employment law. Sarah provides strategic and practical advice to a wide range of clientele with Canadian immigration issues, from individuals seeking temporary resident visas, study permits, work permits and permanent residency, to corporations that require labour market impact assessments to

hire temporary foreign workers. With extensive experience obtaining work permits under international agreements, such as CETA, CUSMA and GATS, Sarah supports employers seeking to recruit and retain international talent.

Hanaa is a partner in our Halifax office with a practice focused on Canadian immigration, and estates and trusts. She is bilingual in Arabic and English with expertise in cross-cultural communications. Hanaa delivers cost-effective and strategic advice to clients in all areas of Canadian business and personal immigration law. She helps corporate clients with the transfer and recruitment of foreign workers to Canada under federal and provincial immigration

programs, and with compliance reviews and inspection audits. Hanaa also helps individuals, and their families, develop immigration strategies to obtain temporary and permanent residence status in Canada. She regularly supports clients with the preparation and submission of applications for temporary resident visas, study permits, work permits, permanent residence through express entry or provincial nominee programs, and citizenship.