Carney plots 'talent attraction' plan as US upends H-1B

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government's upcoming budget will introduce an immigration plan that includes a talent attraction strategy. Carney made the announcement in a speech Wednesday night, confirming an earlier report by Bloomberg News.

- Erik Hertzberg, Tribune News Service

The live prime-time address was unusual for a Canadian prime minister and aimed to lay out his economic vision for the country.

“To match immigration levels with our needs and our capacity, the budget will include Canada’s new immigration plan to do better - for newcomers, for everyone,” he said, adding it will also have a “talent strategy,” skills training and apprenticeships for scientists and innovators.

The prime minister has previously said he wants to attract employees from the technology sector who might have otherwise gone to the US if not for President Donald Trump's new visa charges.

Trump signed an executive order in September imposing $100,000 fees on new H-1B visas. The US recently exempted some workers from paying the fee, but the move has still caused confusion and frustration for companies that rely on the program to bring in global talent in computer programming, engineering and other roles.