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GLOBAL TALENT

STREAM

The Global Talent Stream allows certain skilled workers to obtain a work permit within two weeks of applying. It is one of the pillars of Canada's Global Skills Strategy, which aims to help innovative companies grow by ensuring they can access the highly skilled talent they need quickly.

There are two categories under the Global Talent Stream.

CATEGORY A

Organization Name
WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation
Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation
Venn Innovation
Vancouver Economic Commission
Toronto Global
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
Regional Municipality of York
Regional Municipality of Niagara
Privy Council Office
National Research Council - Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)
MaRS Discovery District
London Economic Development Corporation
Launch Academy
Kingston Economic Development Corporation
Invest in Canada
Invest Ottawa
Innovation
ICT Association of Manitoba (ICTAM)
Halifax Partnership
Government of Saskatchewan
Government of Prince Edward Island
Government of Ontario
Government of Ontario
Government of Nova Scotia
Government of Manitoba
Government of British Columbia
Government of Alberta
Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service
Genesis (Newfoundland)
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Edmonton Economic Development
Economic Development Winnipeg
Council of Canadian Innovators
Communitech Corporation
City of Hamilton's Economic Development Office
Cape Breton Partnership
Canadian Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Business Development Bank of Canada
Burlington Economic Development Corporation
BC Tech Association
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

CATEGORY B

Category B is for employers looking to hire certain highly skilled foreign workers for occupations found on the Global Talent Occupations List, which have been determined to be in-demand and for which there is insufficient domestic labour supply. This list can be updated periodically to respond to labour market needs.

NOC code
Occupation
Minimum hourly rate
Minimum annual salary
213
Computer and information systems managers
Prevailing wage
Prevailing wage
2147
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
Prevailing wage
Prevailing wage
Sub-set of 2161*
Mathematicians and statisticians
Prevailing wage
Prevailing wage
* Positions for actuaries or related occupations are excluded from this subset.
2171
Information systems analysts and consultants
Prevailing wage
Prevailing wage
2172
Database analysts and data administrators
Prevailing wage
Prevailing wage
2173
Software engineers and designers
Prevailing wage
Prevailing wage
2174
Computer programmers and interactive media developers
Prevailing wage
Prevailing wage
2175
Web designers and developers
Prevailing wage
Prevailing wage
2281
Computer Network technicians
$39.42 or higher prevailing wage
$82,000 or higher prevailing wage
2283
Information systems testing technicians
$38.46 or higher prevailing wage
$80,000 or higher prevailing wage
Sub-set of 5131**
Producer, technical, creative and artistic director and project manager – Visual effects and video game
$37.50 or higher prevailing wage
$78,000 or higher prevailing wage
** The position requires a minimum of three years' industry 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, senior coordinator, department manager, with three years of job 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; managing budgets or teams; or technical pipeline development and application for visual effects, video games, or animation production.
Sub-set of 5241***
Digital Media and Design
$38.46 or higher prevailing wage
$80,000 or higher prevailing wage
***The position requires a minimum of three years' industry experience in at least one of the following digital media design skills: 3D modeling, compositing, paint and roto, layout and match move, digital environment and Matte painting, texture, lighting shading, character effects, effects and simulations, design and scenario, rigging, user interface or user experience, responsive design (for gaming), 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

Employers in both categories are required to meet conditions relating to the payment of skilled workers. Foreign workers that are hired through the Global Talent Steam must be paid at prevailing wage or higher. The prevailing wage is defined as the highest figure of either:

  • occupation's median wage posted on the Government of Canada's Job Bank;

  • wage within the range an employer pays existing employees in the same position at the same location, with the same/comparable skills and experience;

  • the minimum wage floor as defined in the Global Talent occupations list (if applicable).

WAGES FOR GLOBAL TALENT STREAM

Employers must commit to pay the highest of either:

  • an annual salary of at least $80,000, or an annual salary equivalent to the prevailing wage for that occupation if it is higher than $80,000 for the first two unique and specialized positions requested under Category A. For two or more unique and specialized positions requested under Category A, or an annual salary equivalent to the prevailing wage for that occupation if it is higher than $150,000. ESDC says there is no flexibility in the application of the wage requirement for additional positions being requested under Category A;

  • the applicable minimum wage for the occupation for a highly-skilled position requested under Category B as identified in the Global Talent Occupations List;

  • the wage that is within the wage range that the employer is paying current employees hired for the same job and work location, and with the same skills and years of experience; or

  • the median wage on the Government of Canada's Job Bank. The median wage is listed by job title or National Occupational Classification (NOC) code in the middle column, by community or area in Canada's job bank.

LABOUR MARKET BENEFIT PLAN 

Employers looking to hire skilled workers through the Global Talent Stream are required to work with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to develop a Labour Market Benefits Plan. This plan outlines the positive benefits that foreign talent will bring to the Canadian labour market, and activities that the employer will undertake to encourage job creation, skills and training investments.

Category A employers are required to commit to creating jobs for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. This job creation may be direct or indirect.

Category B employers are required to commit to increasing investments in skills and training for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

In addition to the above mandatory benefits, employers in both categories are required to commit to two further complementary benefits, supported by defined activities. These benefits may include, but are not limited to, job creation, investment in skills and training, transferring knowledge to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and/or improving company performance. Activities to support these benefits may include, but are not limited to, hiring more Canadian citizens or permanent residents, training current employees in new techniques, creating paid co-op or internship programs for local students, and/or increasing revenue and investments.

If employers are applying for positions in both Category A and Category B, they must commit to one activity as part of the job creation benefit and one activity as part of the investments in skills and training benefit, as well as at least two complementary benefits. For the latest list of accepted activities to support mandatory and complementary benefits outlined in an employer’s Labour Market Benefits Plan, visit this government page. Employers may be monitored to ensure compliance with the Labour Market Business Plan, and to evaluate the successes of the GTS.

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