The need for ‘Canadian experience’ has long been a stumbling block for Canada’s workforce and greater economic prosperity. Now, as we bring in a record number of immigrants into the country, we are seeing the toll and impact our need for ‘Canadian experience’ is having on the country. We continue to have labour shortages in critical sectors of our economy, unemployment rates are rising, and our productivity level continues to decline. As a result, Canada is beginning to experience economic decline. However, by rethinking this requirement and embracing global experience, we have the potential to unlock a new era of economic growth, prosperity, and innovation.
My good friend, Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), published an insightful article in 3 magazine, “Immigrants Don’t Need ‘Canadian Experience,’ Actually.” This article highlights original research conducted by ICC in partnership with Deloitte, which was recently published in the report Talent to Win. The study found that many highly skilled immigrants are overlooked because their foreign qualifications and experience are undervalued in Canada, leading to untapped economic potential. Immigrants are more likely to hold advanced degrees and bring diverse, global perspectives to industries—yet Canada’s reliance on outdated hiring practices stifles their ability to contribute adequately.
Canadian companies must abandon the entrenched and outdated requirement for “Canadian experience” and embrace global expertise as a driver of innovation and economic growth. International experience shouldn’t be considered a drawback but a valuable asset. By recognizing the wealth of diverse backgrounds and skills that immigrants bring, Canadian businesses can tap into a vast reserve of knowledge that fosters innovation, creativity and competitiveness, helping to enhance productivity and stimulate economic progress.
Canadian companies must adopt a broader, international perspective to succeed in an increasingly globalized world. Research shows that immigrants often bring unique insights and networks that can help businesses expand into new markets, giving them a competitive and innovative edge in the global economy. Having worked abroad and in Canada, I’ve observed that Canadian companies tend to be more conservative, slower to adopt innovation, and often burdened by bureaucracy—hindering their ability to capitalize on new ideas and technologies.
This is unfortunate, given that Canada has one of the world’s most educated populations, supported by top-tier educational and research institutions. While Canada has produced impactful companies and vital technologies and products that the world relies on, many businesses fail to fully harness immigrant talent and innovation. Poor Canadian policies and insufficient support from institutions and corporations often prevent innovations and technologies developed in Canada from being fully leveraged and capitalized by Canadian companies. This limits Canada’s ability to grow and benefit from the talent and innovations that could otherwise contribute to stimulating its economy at home on a larger scale.
According to the Talent to Win report, labour shortages cost the Canadian economy $54 billion in 2022. The Canadian government is bringing in 1.5 million immigrants over the next three years to address this. However, if employers continue to overlook immigrants already living in Canada, these shortages will persist, exacerbating current societal challenges such as housing shortages, an overburdened healthcare system, and productivity concerns. The goal of high immigration levels is to alleviate these issues, but until companies fully tap into the talent we already have, Canada’s prosperity will remain at risk.
Although Canada is revered for its multiculturalism and diversity and attracts highly skilled immigrants through our rigorous immigration system, our corporate cultures fail to reflect these values. Canadian companies continue to overlook the skills and experience of immigrants due to their lack of “Canadian experience,” leading to underemployment and frustration. According to a survey cited in the report, 30 percent of immigrants under 35 are likely to leave Canada within two years, listing job dissatisfaction as the main reason. If Canadian companies continue to overlook immigrant talent, we risk losing skilled workers to countries that better value their abilities and offer more significant opportunities for success.
Once-emerging economies like India and China are now hubs for innovation and growth, offering abundant opportunities. Despite nearly a decade of strong anti-immigration rhetoric in the United States, the businesses and corporations there have continued to excel at attracting and leveraging highly educated immigrants and their expertise. Many skilled individuals initially come through Canada but find greater opportunities to maximize their potential, especially in the U.S., where their talents are more readily embraced and valued.
The Talent to Win report underscores that immigrant underemployment is not just a loss for the individual but for the entire Canadian economy. It advocates for a fundamental shift in mindset, urging companies to view immigrants as ‘global navigators’ who can bring competitive advantages through their international knowledge and networks. Companies already adopting this perspective have witnessed improved team performance and innovation, demonstrating that diverse perspectives lead to better business outcomes.
As more countries emerge economically and global competition for talent intensifies, Canadian companies must modernize their recruitment and hiring processes to stay competitive. This includes better onboarding, mentoring, and training practices that help immigrants transition into Canadian work culture and adopting data-driven strategies to measure the benefits of immigrant hires. The report emphasizes that we must treat immigrant hiring as a strategic opportunity, not just a box to check for diversity quotas.
If Canada can embrace immigrants and their diverse experiences, it can inspire a new wave of innovation that will position Canadian companies for success in the global economy. Canada’s economic prosperity depends on how well we integrate and leverage the talent of immigrants. By moving past the outdated “Canadian experience” requirement, embracing global perspectives and experiences, and creating workplaces that welcome and support diverse talents, we can unlock the full potential of our workforce, repair many of our current societal grievances within the country and ensure that Canada remains competitive on the global stage.
