What is Global Talent Stream?

What is Global Talent Stream?

The Global Talent Stream (GST) is a program that aims to help employers bring highly skilled workers to Canada.

The stream is available for two types of companies:

a) Canadian companies that need to fill positions which require unique and specialized talent in order to help them scale and grow;

b) Canadian companies seeking highly skilled foreign workers when there is insufficient supply in the Canadian workforce.

The whole idea is to make it easier for employers to bring qualified workers to Canada and create lasting, positive benefits for the Canadian labour market.

Even though the Global Talent Stream is under the umbrella of the Temporary Foreign Worker program, these are the main distinctive aspects of the GTS:

  • Two week standard for processing work permit applications;
  • Companies applying for workers under the GTS will have access to a dedicated platform for Canadian companies who are creating jobs in Canada, AND a standard for processing in 10 business days;

Employers under category A can only apply if they have been referred to the GTS by an ESDC designated referral partner, which as of October 5th, 2017 includes the following organizations:
- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
- BC Tech Association
- Business Development Bank of Canada
- Canadian Economic Development for Quebec Regions
- Communitech Corporation
- Council of Canadian Innovators
- Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
- Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service
- Government of Alberta, Alberta Labour
- Government of Manitoba, Manitoba Education and Training
- Government of Prince Edward Island, Island Investment Development Inc.
- ICT Association of Manitoba (ICTAM)
- Government of Saskatchewan, Ministry of the Economy
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada - Accelerated Growth Service
- Invest Ottawa
- MaRS Discovery District
- National Research Council - Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)
- Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
- Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Growth
- Privy Council Office, Special Projects Team
- Vancouver Economic Commission
- Venn Innovation

Quebec Designated Partners
- Investissement Quebec
- Montréal International
- Quebec International

On the other hand, the GTS will only accept applications for category B when the company needs to hire skilled foreign workers in a previously determined list of occupations determined to be in short supply in the Canadian workforce.

National Occupations Classification (NOC) code

Occupation

Minimum wage requirement (annual salary)

0213

Computer and information systems managers

Prevailing wage

2147

Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)

Prevailing wage

2171

Information systems analysts and consultants

Prevailing wage

2172

Database analysts and data administrators

Prevailing wage

2173

Software engineers and designers

Prevailing wage

2174

Computer programmers and interactive media developers

Prevailing wage

2175

Web designers and developers

Prevailing wage

2241

Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians

$81,000 or higher prevailing wage

2283

Information systems testing technicians

$78,000 or higher prevailing wage

Sub-set of 5131*

Producer, technical, creative and artistic director and project manager – Visual effects and video games

*in addition to the position having an annual salary of at least $75,000 ($36.06 per hour) or the prevailing wage (if the prevailing wage is higher), the position must require a minimum of five years of experience in the visual effects, video game or animation industries in one or a combination of the following roles: producer, technical director, creative director, artistic director or project manager, with experience in at least one or more of the following skills relevant to the visual effects, video game or animation industries: surfacing and look development; character or simulation rigging; matte painting; or technical pipeline development and application for visual effects, video games, or animation production.

$75,000 or higher prevailing wage

Sub-set of 5241**

Digital media designers

**in addition to the position having an annual salary of at least $80,000 ($38.46 per hour) or the prevailing wage (if the prevailing wage is higher), the position must require a minimum of five years of experience in at least one of the following digital media design skills: 3D modeling, virtual reality, augmented reality, digital media animation, levels editing for digital media design, software editing for digital media design, pipeline software development or applications relevant for digital media design

$80,000 or higher prevailing wage

*If you are submitting an application from the province of Quebec, consult Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion website (French only) for wage floors.

Qualified companies and suitable workers will have a much easier time getting work permits and getting to work in Canada.

Contact us to know how you can benefit from the Global Talent Stream!

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