HRSDC-IC-SSHRC Skills Research Initiative

Working Paper Series

How is Canada Faring in the Competition for Internationally Mobile High-Skilled Workers?

by Surendra Gera and Thitima Songsakul.

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Abstract

The international market for some segments of the high skilled population is becoming more competitive as industrialized countries compete strategically for these talents. In Canada, given a high demand for skilled workers and the unfavourable demographic change with aging population, competing in the international arena for skilled workers is becoming crucial to maintain its success in innovation, economic growth and prosperity. Attracting and retaining skilled workers is now one of the most important challenges facing Canadian policymakers. The key objective of the paper is to assess how Canada is holding up in attracting high-skilled workers in comparison to our key OECD competitor countries. The paper addresses three issues: First, it examines international mobility in terms of stock and flows of high-skilled workers in selected OECD countries and assesses whether Canada attracts "Fair Share" of internationally mobile skilled workers; Second, it explores the importance of key economic factors, in particular the knowledge-intensive factors that may contribute to a country's success in attracting foreign high-skilled workers; and Third, it discusses recent policy measures in selected OECDD countries that influence a country's ability to attract these workers from abroad.