Kitchener-Waterloo is a top Canadian destination for international tech talent: Report
Of the 32,115 tech workers who moved to Canada in the last year, a significant number ended up in Kitchener-Waterloo, according to a new report.
Waterloo was the third largest beneficiary of the influx of tech workers moving to the country, with a net migration of 633 people. That number takes into account workers who moved to -- and away -- from the city during the same time period.
The report by the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) and Canada’s Tech Network (CTN) tracked tech migration to Canada between April 2022 and March 2023.
Mississauga topped the list as the most attractive destination with a net migration of 1,900 international tech workers. Montreal came in second at 959.
Kitchener placed seventh with a net migration of 437 workers.
The report’s authors praised Canada’s immigration policy, saying in a media release that the large migration of tech workers “points to a hopeful and prosperous future for Canada’s tech occupation workforce.”
Communitech president and CEO Chris Albinson said a new work permit stream for H-1B visa holders in the U.S. to come work in Canada will be particularly beneficial.
“This groundbreaking program is set to bring 10,000 highly skilled professionals to our country, fortifying our position as a leading destination for tech talent,” Albinson said in the release.
Nearly half of the tech workers who moved to Canada between April 2022 and March 2023, came from India. The next most popular countries were Nigeria, Brazil, Ukraine and the Philippines.
Here’s full list of the Canadian cities that saw the largest net migration of tech workers:
- Mississauga, Ontario (1,900 tech workers)
- Montreal, Quebec (959 tech workers)
- Waterloo, Ontario, Canada (633 tech workers)
- Windsor, Ontario, Canada (557 tech workers)
- Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (525 tech workers)
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (456 tech workers)
- Kitchener, Ontario, Canada (437 tech workers)
- London, Ontario, Canada (418 tech workers)
- Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (363 tech workers)
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada (331 tech workers)
Correction
A previous version of this story incorrectly reported net migration as total migration. It has been updated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
DEVELOPING Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar
Hamas said it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar, which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza, prompting Israel to say it would send a delegation to negotiate – though it warned the proposal remained far from the 'necessary requirements.'
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
2024 Met Gala: Everything to know about fashion's annual soiree
Fashion's biggest night out — hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York each year on the first Monday of May — is both a forever-evolving spectacle and a carefully crafted event.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Concern over speeding in Fredericton neighbourhood grows after 2 teens, young adult killed in crash
Three people – including two teens – are dead, and two others are injured after a crash that has left a greater Fredericton community shaken.