Despite recent tech layoffs in the US and some in Canada, tech skills are still in incredibly high demand and will continue to be for years to come. Because of this, tech workers often have a choice of where to live in the world, so how do you choose?
Canada’s overall booming tech sector and quality of life is a major draw for skilled workers worldwide. The robust Canadian economy offers increasing opportunities for tech professionals. Additionally, immigration has played a significant role in shaping Canadian society and culture, making it a welcoming environment for newcomers. With a high demand for tech workers, increasing opportunities, and some unique benefits, here’s why Canada should be at the top of your list when considering where to take your talents!
Tech workers should consider Canada for these 7 reasons
Canada is an attractive option if you are a tech professional looking for new opportunities and an exciting place to live and work. With diverse career paths, low unemployment rates, and global companies with top-notch benefits, here are seven reasons Canada could be the perfect fit for you. Additionally, the Canadian government has implemented proactive immigration policies to create pathways for newcomers, making it easier for tech professionals to immigrate and thrive in Canada.
1. Tech Job Opportunities
Immigration is a vital cog in Canada’s labor market due to its long-term history of labor shortages and the current record-low unemployment rate. Immigrants have seen significant improvements in terms of job opportunities as well as earnings growth over the last decade.
Toronto is now the third-largest technology hub in North America, and it is estimated that Canadian employers will need to fill an additional 250,000 technology jobs by 2025. Temporary foreign workers play a crucial role in filling these technology jobs and meeting economic needs.
Immigration continues to be valued by the government, and tech workers are in as high demand as ever in Canada, making it an ideal choice.
2. Friendly Immigration System
Canada is actively encouraging immigration making it easy for tech workers to immigrate via the Global Talent Stream (GTS), which is designed to expedite and ease the processing time for visa and work permit applications for foreign nationals. The Express Entry program is a key component of Canada’s economic immigration process, which assesses candidates through a point-management system. This system prioritizes individuals based on criteria such as age, job offers, education, experience, and language proficiency, allowing the government to invite top-ranked applicants for permanent residency approximately every two weeks.
Skilled workers can obtain a Canadian work permit and rapidly pursue Canadian residence and citizenship. It’s a much smoother system compared with other programs — such as the US H-1B system — as it’s a much shorter processing time and doesn’t involve lotteries or annual caps.
Canada aims to welcome over 300,000 new immigrants each year, so participating in GTS is a smart way to set yourself up for a future in tech work in Canada.
3. Canada’s Economy
Canada’s economy, known for its stability and resilience, has maintained its economic stability through the COVID-19 pandemic, making it an appealing destination for those looking for financial security.
By 2021, Canada’s economy had bounced back stronger than ever and was growing at a rate of 6.7%. This exceptional recovery and subsequent growth — the OECD has forecasted that, in 2022, Canada’s economy will expand by 3.8% — has made overseas workers, particularly tech workers, increasingly sought after by employers across provinces to fill labor market gaps.
4. Diverse Population
Feeling safe and welcome is important for anyone planning to take root in a new country.
For more than three decades, Canada has been a leader in embracing diversity. During the 1960s and 1970s, there was a significant increase in immigration from Latin America and the Caribbean as Canada embraced multiculturalism and implemented a points-based immigration system. Immigrants already make up one-fifth of Canada’s population.
If current trends persist, half of the country’s population will be foreign-born or have at least one immigrant parent in 2036. Canada has a global reputation for being the most welcoming country to migrants – there’s even data to back that claim up.
5. World-Class Education
Canada’s tech industry is booming partly because education forms the foundation for the quality of tech labor in Canada. Canada’s education system is globally recognized, requiring students to learn both English and French, and offering over 100 colleges and universities, which benefits immigrants by improving their chances of permanent residency through various immigration programs. Canada has been ranked as one of the most educated countries globally.
An impressive 56% of Canadians have at least some college or university education — those who don’t are still afforded quality schooling due to universal free public schools and mandatory laws. The top-notch education system is a key factor in attracting families to settle in Canada, as it enhances language training and educational opportunities.
The cost of attending top-rated colleges and universities is typically much lower than comparable institutions in the United States. Several of Canada’s post-secondary schools have been rated among the world’s best universities, and the best computer science programs in Canada can be found at the University of Toronto.
6. High Safety Ratings
Canada is incredibly safe, with a significantly lower crime rate than most other countries. As recently as 2022, it was found that gun-related crimes in the US were three times higher than in Canada.
Not only that, but global surveys consistently rank Canada among the top five safest nations globally as well as a particularly safe destination for women and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
7. Canada’s Healthcare System
Canadians are privileged to have access to medical services protected by a national health insurance system, regarded as one of the best globally. Canada’s healthcare system provides free basic healthcare services to all permanent residents and citizens, ensuring peace of mind for families settling in Canada. Every province and territory has a local healthcare plan with varying levels of coverage.
Immigrants can sign up for their provincial or territorial plans at no cost, after which they will receive a valid health card. Some of the perks include free health care without deductibles and up to eighteen months of partially paid parental leave if they have children.
Canadians enjoy the same benefits that many Americans only obtain if they work for the most generous, prestigious businesses.
If Canada sounds like an ideal destination and you are wondering what your next steps should be, then we can help.
8. High quality of life
Canada is renowned for its exceptional quality of life, making it an attractive destination for immigrants seeking a better life. The country consistently ranks high in the Human Development Index (HDI), which measures factors such as life expectancy, education, and income. Canada’s high standard of living is reflected in its modern infrastructure, clean environment, and access to quality healthcare and education.
Canada’s high quality of life is also attributed to its strong economy, which provides a wide range of job opportunities and a high standard of living. The country’s diverse economy, which includes industries such as technology, finance, and healthcare, offers a high level of job security and stability. Additionally, Canada’s social safety net, which includes programs such as universal healthcare and old-age pensions, provides a sense of security and stability for its citizens.
Canada’s high quality of life is also reflected in its vibrant cultural scene, which includes a wide range of festivals, events, and cultural institutions. The country’s diverse cultural landscape, which includes a mix of indigenous, European, and Asian influences, provides a unique and enriching cultural experience for its citizens.
9. Social benefits
Canada offers a wide range of social benefits to its citizens and permanent residents, making it an attractive destination for immigrants seeking a better life. The country’s social safety net, which includes programs such as universal healthcare, old-age pensions, and unemployment insurance, provides a sense of security and stability for its citizens.
Canada’s social benefits also include access to quality education, which is free for children up to grade 12 and subsidized for post-secondary education. The country’s education system, which is considered one of the best in the world, provides a wide range of academic and vocational programs, as well as opportunities for research and development.
Canada’s social benefits also include access to affordable housing, which is a major concern for many immigrants. The country’s housing market, which includes a mix of rental and ownership options, provides a wide range of affordable housing options for its citizens.
In addition to these benefits, Canada also offers a wide range of social programs and services, including childcare, disability support, and language training. These programs and services, which are designed to support the social and economic integration of immigrants, provide a sense of security and stability for its citizens.
Overall, Canada’s high quality of life and social benefits make it an attractive destination for immigrants seeking a better life. The country’s strong economy, diverse culture, and wide range of social programs and services provide a unique and enriching experience for its citizens.
If you’re a tech worker and want to move to Canada, Path to Canada can help!
Whether you want to take your American job to Canada or start fresh with a new tech role, Path to Canada has a service for you. Canada’s structured immigration process, including programs like Express Entry, makes it easier for skilled workers to relocate.
If you’re currently employed in a tech role and your employer is open to — or even encouraging — relocation to Canada, they can hire you remotely through our PEO and EOR services. A Canada-based EOR, such as Syndesus, enables a U.S.-based company to hire remote workers in Canada without needing a Canadian office.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to work for a Canadian employer directly, Path to Canada can connect you with Canadian tech companies willing to sponsor a work visa through our tech recruiting marketplace.
Our team of experts is here to help you open a bank account, rent an apartment, and find the right school for your child — and we can also help you get to Canada in the first place.
Contact Path to Canada to take the next step
Reach out to learn how we can help you work remotely for a U.S. tech company from Canada or join our Path to Canada database to connect with Canadian tech employers. We’ll guide you through available pathways for tech workers to achieve permanent residency.