Now, in the upcoming federal election, all political parties must prioritize enhancing skills training for foreign workers. This is crucial to tackle talent shortages across various sectors of the Canadian economy.

The Need for Effective Immigration Policies

To address challenges like Canada’s aging workforce, stagnant wage growth, and widening skills gaps, proactive immigration policies are essential. This involves streamlining the immigration process to align with labor market needs.

Recommendations for Action

According to the Canadian Global Cities Council, specific actions are necessary. These include developing comprehensive talent development plans for both domestic and foreign workers.

In line with these recommendations, focus on initiatives like expediting application processing times and granting work permit exemptions. Additionally, sector-specific open work permits for Temporary Foreign Workers can address immediate labor shortages.

Transitioning to a holistic approach, attention should also be on retaining international students, improving recognition of foreign qualifications, and establishing a Trusted Employer Program. These measures streamline the immigration process for businesses, fostering talent attraction and retention.

Engagement Across Cities

Cities like Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Brampton, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax are actively involved. Their engagement highlights the importance of implementing robust immigration and talent development strategies at federal and municipal levels.

This collaborative effort is crucial for ensuring a skilled workforce that meets the evolving needs of Canada’s economy. It’s imperative for policymakers to heed these recommendations and take decisive action to address talent shortages and strengthen the country’s workforce now.