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What are the Top Calgary Industries Leading the City’s 2023 Economic Development?

Updated for 2023

What are the top Calgary industries leading the city’s 2023 economic development? For the last few years, much of the local economic news has been filled with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Conference Board of Canada reported that the province of Alberta took a massive hit during the pandemic, with the most damaging effects due to the pandemic and declining global oil prices. Calgary is the largest city in Alberta, the city and the surrounding region will experience these adverse effects.

However, the population of the Calgary Metropolitan Region exceeds 1.2 million residents. As a result, both the city and the region are positioned well for significant future growth. Before the pandemic, this year was projected to be Alberta’s first year of full economic recovery.

Top Calgary Industries

According to Calgary Economic Development, 8 Key Sectors drive Calgary and Alberta’s economy. Each sector, in turn, helps Calgary industries to grow with investments and jobs.

1. Aerospace & Logistics

Calgary is home to one of Canada’s busiest airports. Also, one of the nation’s major airlines is in the city. Several Calgary companies are focused on commercializing aerospace technologies such as drones. Aerium Analytics provides Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flight and analytics to address issues such as airport wildlife management, building inspections, and forestry management.

2. Agribusiness

Agribusiness is one of the top Calgary industries. This sector is poised to be the fastest-growing adopter of several transformative digital technologies. Spending on these technologies is expected to increase by 23% from 2019-2022. Decisive Farming focuses on precision agronomy, farm management, and crop marketing with services and technologies.

3. Creative Top Calgary Industries

The Calgary Film Centre is located just 25 minutes from the city’s airport. The Centre includes:

4. Energy

The energy sector represents a significant portion of the top Calgary industries. Clean technologies include those that derive from solar, wind, bioenergy, and geothermal sources. Calgary industries focusing on energy are the most well-known in the city. Alberta is Canada’s largest producer of natural gas and oil. Over 70% of the province’s CleanTech company headquarters are in Calgary.

5. Financial Services

What is FinTech? This term describes the use of new technology to improve and further automate both the delivery and use of financial services. It may also include concepts such as cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. Companies like Bitfury are leading the effort in implementing blockchain technology and artificial intelligence solutions.

6. Interactive Digital Media

Over 60 companies in Calgary produce video games and/or immersive media products. The Calgary Game Developers Association has over 800 members and represents a strong talent pool.

7. Life Sciences Top Calgary Industries

There are over 110 life science companies in Calgary, making for a sizable segment of the top Calgary industries. Oncolytics Biotech Inc. is developing an immuno-oncolytic virus to kill cancer. The Calgary Cancer Centre is scheduled to open in 2023. The centre will increase capacity and add to Calgary’s leading role in cancer services.

8. Technology

Calgary businesses are projected to spend $7.5B on digital transformation (DX) from 2019-2023, representing a 20% compound annual growth rate. What is DX? DX refers to applying new technologies to change work processes and customer experiences and enhance value. It’s not just making current technologies work better in a defined process. It uses new technologies to change the function and gain advantages through innovation and disruption.

What Should Employers in the Top Calgary Industries Do?

Employers in the top Calgary industries should examine their employment needs as economic growth fosters competition for job seekers with requisite skills and training. They should review their relocation program to determine if it benefits their talent acquisition goals and corporate objectives. Employers should work with a Relocation Management Company with the knowledge and expertise to help them design a relocation program promoting talent acquisition.

GMS has recently published several Industry Benchmarking Studies to help employers in the top Calgary industries learn whether their company’s relocation program is designed following industry-specific best practices. There are many benefits to a corporate relocation policy benchmarking. For example, employers can learn how they can ensure their competitiveness in their industry to attract and retain talent with the highest level of skills and experience.

Industry best practice is to schedule a relocation program and policy review every 12 to 18 months to ensure your company maintains its competitive position. This review will also help your company learn how the relocation industry is evolving to meet increased employee demands.

Stay up-to-date with GMs

GMS’ team of global relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients develop hiring and recruiting programs to attract highly skilled job seekers. Our team can help your company determine how to attract job seekers looking for employment opportunities in any of the top Calgary industries.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a .com. The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators and revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.

Contact our experts online to discuss your company’s recruiting, hiring, and relocation program needs as they relate to the top Calgary industries, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

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Canada Citizenship Path to Expand for Foreign Residents

In an effort to encourage foreign temporary residents to stay, the Canada citizenship path will expand to make it easier for them to become a permanent resident. Currently there are over one million temporary residents in Canada. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the number of immigrants entering the country.

Canada migration consists of both permanent and temporary residents. Net immigration statistics show the impact of the pandemic:

 2019 (annual)2020 (1st 6 months)
Temporary Residents+190,952-18,221
Permanent Residents+252,000 est.+128,430

Canada is seeking to add immigrants at an aggressive rate, with a goal of adding over 1 million immigrants by the end of 2021. The country’s plan for immigration includes the following:

2019350,000
2020360,000
2021370,000

Canada’s plan includes immigration relating to several factors:

  • Federal economic and provincial/territorial nominees
  • Those eligible for family reunification programs
  • Refugees

Why is Expanding the Canada Citizenship Path Important?

Canada is relying on immigrants to power its economy and counteract the long-term demographic impact of an aging population. Currently, Canada’s population is less than 37 million residents. Of these residents, nearly 20 percent are immigrants. The country is exceptionally welcoming to immigrants, with Prime Minister Trudeau publicly noting “Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada.”

Canada is considered underpopulated, and as a result often has more jobs than workers. Immigration is key to helping the Canadian economy grow. The country’s population rate of growth for 2020 is only 0.89%, the lowest rate for the past several years. Expanding the Canada citizenship path will hopefully increase the population growth rate.

Programs to Draw Immigrants to Canada

The country has instituted many unique programs to draw immigrants. One immigration pilot initiative seeks to attract highly skilled immigrations to smaller cities and towns in the province of Ontario. Another initiative focuses on attracting students and youth of Hong Kong with a new open work permit and a broader Canada citizenship path. Criteria will include one year of work experience in Canada, and a minimum level of language proficiency and education. The new open work permit allows young people in Hong Kong to come to and hopefully stay in Canada while they gain work experience.

Among large industrialized countries, Canada has one of the lowest populations, ranking at #39. By comparison, countries including the US, UK, China, India, Germany, Mexico, France, Italy, and Spain all have much higher populations than Canada. The country’s best hope to keep residents in the face of the continuing pandemic is to expand the Canada citizenship path for its temporary residents.

What Does This Mean?

Canada’s immigration ministry is working to identify a new Canada citizenship path for the country’s temporary workers. It is also looking to expand opportunities to draw immigrants to Canada. The country’s economic growth depends on a steady supply of highly skilled workers. Also, increasing immigration will lessen the impact of an aging population on the country’s social services budgets.

What Should Employers Expect with an Expanding Canada Citizenship Path?

Employers in Canada should expect to see an increase in the number of immigrants seeking to leverage the expanding Canada citizenship path. With nearly twenty percent of the country comprised of immigrants, the atmosphere is welcoming and supportive. Employers should also expect to see a rise in job seekers utilizing the open work permit program.

Employers not currently in Canada should look into the country as a strategic location for future corporate expansion. The services of an International Professional Employer Organization (PEO) may be useful in this respect. International PEOs can help employers enter new markets quickly and determine the prospect for their future success.

What should Employers do as the Canada Citizenship Path Expands?

Work with a Qualified Relocation Management Company

Employers in Canada should review their talent acquisition program to ensure it aligns with a growing number of immigrants in their workforce. They should also work with a qualified Relocation Management Company (RMC). RMCs can help employers review their relocation and visa programs with a goal of encouraging highly skilled immigrants to choose their job opportunities.

Investigate the Services of an International Professional Employer Organization

Employers outside of Canada should consider utilizing the services of an International PEO. By working with an International PEO, companies can increase their international employment in Canada quickly and easily. RMCs can provide expert assistance to employers looking to expand their corporate presence through the services of an International PEO.

Conclusion

GMS’ team of global relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients develop relocation programs that attract and retain qualified employees. Our team can help your company determine how to benefit from an expanding Canada citizenship path.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a “.com.” The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators, and revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.

Contact our experts online to learn how your company can benefit from an expanding Canada citizenship path, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Visa Program Consultation

Properly managing a visa and immigration program involves meticulous coordination, precise communication, and worldwide interaction with government agencies, corporate personnel, and relocating employees.

At GMS, we provide you with peace of mind in knowing your mobility program is fully compliant and being managed by the best in the industry.

Request a no-pressure, courtesy consultation from a GMS Mobility Pro. We’ll be in touch within 1 business day.

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Canada Immigration Alternatives in Response to Proclamation 10014

US employers looking to hire foreign nationals but limited by Proclamation 10014 might consider Canada immigration alternatives. By leveraging “nearshoring,” employers can use a unique and creative temporary solution. Countries near the US often have immigration policies that are less restrictive than those of Proclamation 10014.

What are Canada Immigration Alternatives?

GMS spoke with Michelle LePage, Founder/Managing Partner and Senior Global Administration Advisor at Global Mobility Partners, LLC. Michelle agreed to share her industry knowledge and immigration expertise on Canada immigration alternatives.

What is Proclamation 10014?

On April 22, 2020, the Trump Administration unveiled Proclamation 10014. The proclamation is sometimes referred to as “Suspension of Entry of Immigrants Who Present a Risk to the United States Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak.” Additionally, as of June 22 this proclamation is subject to continuance through December 31, 2020. These proclamations serve to limit entry of foreign nationals under several classes of immigration visas, including:

  • H-1B Specialty Occupations
  • H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers
  • H-4 Dependent Spouses and Unmarried Children Under 21
  • J-1 Exchange Visitors
  • L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager
  • L-1B Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge

These classes of immigration visas include several that are in wide use among technology industry companies such as Google, Apple, Facebook, Salesforce, and Twitter. Google alone is responsible for over 6,500 applications for H-1B visas in 2019. In theory, Proclamation 10014 should drive these companies to hire workers that are already in the US. However, Canada immigration alternatives might provide another avenue for highly skilled foreign nationals.

What are Canada Immigration Alternatives?

US employers with foreign national employees may be able to use Canada immigration alternatives that will bring/keep the employee close to the US. For employers that can meet the requisite criteria, a number of benefits may accrue, including:

The ease of immigration into Canada versus the US makes Canada immigration alternatives a particularly viable option for US employers.

What are the Key Criteria?

At Global Mobility Partners, LLC, we have created a number of helpful documents that describe the requirements for various countries. For Canada, the primary immigration category for temporary expatriates is covered by an Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Permit. ICTs are designed specifically for foreign nationals who are temporarily transferred by their employer to an affiliate office in Canada for a temporary work assignment. A major benefit of the ICT is that it does not require a Labor Market Impact Assessment.

Our Canada Work Authorization Summary Sheet notes three key criteria:

  • Employee must meet minimum education and/or experience requirements in order to qualify as either a Specialized Knowledge Worker or a Manager
  • Must be transferred to a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of the current employer
  • Employee must have worked continuously for the current employer at least one year in the preceding 3 years in a position similar to the Canadian position

Canada immigration alternatives such as the ICT are initially valid for 1-2 years, but may be extended:

  • Up to 5 years for a Specialized Knowledge Worker
  • Up to 7 years for a Manager

What Should US Employers do About Canada Immigration Alternatives?

Because of the specific requirements in the immigration process, we recommend US employers contact us before taking action. There are several important points for employers to note. For example, Canada has strict limits on allowable activities for business visitors. Also, any criminal history may render a foreigner as inadmissible to Canada depending on the nature of the infraction and length of time passed. A thorough legal analysis will determine if this is applicable. Consultation with an expert from Global Mobility Partners, LLC, will help US employers to develop effective plans and solutions for Canada immigration alternatives.

Conclusion

GMS’ team of global relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients learn about important issues such as visa and immigration options for their organization. Our mobility consulting team can help your company understand if it can leverage Canada immigration alternatives with the assistance of the experts at Global Mobility Partners, LLC.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a “.com.” The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators, and revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.

Contact our experts online to learn more about Canada immigration alternatives, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Visa Program Consultation

Properly managing a visa and immigration program involves meticulous coordination, precise communication, and worldwide interaction with government agencies, corporate personnel, and relocating employees.

At GMS, we provide you with peace of mind in knowing your mobility program is fully compliant and being managed by the best in the industry.

Request a no-pressure, courtesy consultation from a GMS Mobility Pro. We’ll be in touch within 1 business day.

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