Canada has emerged as a global magnet for tech industry talent, with an astonishing 15,000 Indian tech workers making their way to the country in the span of just 12 months, from April 2022 to March 2023. This surge in migration positions India as the largest contributor to Canada’s expanding tech workforce, as highlighted by a recent joint report from The Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) and Canada’s Tech Network (CTN).
In a remarkable trend, out of a total of more than 32,000 tech professionals who sought greener pastures, a whopping 15,097 chose Canada as their new home, underscoring the nation’s allure in the tech industry. Following India on the list of contributors was Nigeria, with 1,808 tech workers making their journey to Canada. Experts attribute this phenomenon to Canada’s immigration-friendly policies and its competitive edge in terms of labor costs.
Two Canadian cities stand out as prime beneficiaries of this influx of global tech talent: Mississauga and Montreal. Mississauga, boasting a robust community of nearly 1,000 IT firms and an impressive workforce of over 300,000 tech experts, has become a hub for tech innovation. Meanwhile, Montreal has witnessed a remarkable 31 percent growth in its tech ecosystem between 2015 and 2020.
The report, titled ‘Tech Workforce Trends: The Migration of Tech Workers and Tech Jobs Since the Pandemic’, sheds light on the significance of this surge in tech migration. It posits that the substantial migration of tech workers fulfills the critical demand for skilled professionals, a need that has become even more pronounced amid the ongoing global talent scarcity. This influx of tech talent is seen as a promising indicator of a prosperous future for Canada’s tech industry.
The migration data further reveals intriguing details about the tech worker flow. Mississauga welcomed 1,900 tech professionals from across the world, while Montreal witnessed the arrival of 959 tech experts during the specified period from April 2022 to March 2023.
Although the majority of the influx is attributed to India, Nigeria, and Brazil, the report also highlights the growing attraction of Canadian tech opportunities for American talent. Notably, Canada is drawing tech professionals from major US cities such as Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
As part of its strategy to lure top-tier tech talent, Canada has introduced an initiative offering open work permits for H1-B visa holders from the US. This move is expected to greatly benefit Indian professionals, who comprise nearly 75 percent of H1-B visa holders in the United States.
The surge of Indian tech workers to Canada not only underscores the country’s appeal in the global tech industry but also signifies the potential for Canada’s tech workforce to thrive in the years ahead. With its inclusive policies and burgeoning tech ecosystems, Canada is poised to become an even greater force on the international tech stage.
