b'IMMIGRATIONWELCOMING BORDERSCanadas ability to welcome foreign talent through its borders will be important to itsHAVE YOUR SAYsuccess. And while pandemic restrictions are still in place, actions are being taken to makeDo you feel Canada is gaining in popularity as a resulta move to Canada easier and more enticing. of the pandemic?This spring, the federal governmentCERC would love to hear your views on this important and evolving topic.announced a new pathway to the perma-nent residency policy that will enable overLet us know at perspectives@cerc.ca. Please include90,000 foreign nationals in Canada holdingSweetheart Destination in the subject line.temporary resident status to become permanent residents. Since COVID-19 first arrived on our shores, we have charted By Matthew Bradford a course guided by one north starthat immigration is key to Canadas short-term economic recovery and long-term pros-perity, said Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino during the April 14 announce-ment. Fundamentally, we know that by attracting and retaining the best and the brightest. we will add more jobs, growth, and diversity to our economy.The move is being lauded by many in the business community. That includes Hyder, who says the initiative is a smart measure. A number of these workers have already been on the frontlines of the pandemic in hospitals or long-term care homes and facilitating the delivery of essential supplies. The initiative can only serve to enhance Canadas reputa-tion as an open and welcoming destination for immigrants, he says.Hyder believes the policy will address the fact that pandemic restrictions have signifi-cantly reduced mobility between countries and impacted the number of immigrants entering the country, noting, As the country continues to age, immigration will help ensure that the Canadian economy can continue to grow by attracting more top talent and investment capital, which in turn enables public investments in the social programs that make Canada the envy of the world.While Canadas ranking among foreign workers is good news for the country, it cannot be taken for granted. Much still needs to be done to manage the countrys COVID-19 crisis and open the borders to international talent in the post-pandemic world. Moreover, says Hyder, Both public and private leaders can do more to help shed common misconceptions about immi-gration, addressing systemic barriers that prevent underrepresented groups from fully participating in our economy, and helping immigrants better integrate into the labour market.Canada may have some work ahead. Still, it looks poised to exit the pandemic on solid footing when it comes to attracting the worlds talent to its shores.Summer 2021PERSPECTIVES15'