November 14
On November 2nd, Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google Parent company Alphabet Inc., praised Canada’s cultivation of tech friendly immigration policies saying he was “enormously thankful to Canadians” for the country’s artificial intelligence innovations.
Schmidt has confessed that he is uneasy about the state of immigration and identity politics in the United States under the current administration. The result is that Google and Canada have begun making billion-dollar bedfellows. Google and its sister firms, including DeepMind and SidewalkLabs, are all seeking to hire Canadian talent and develop deep ties with universities and research centers in Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton.
Google is among the backers of the Vector Institute, a Toronto-based artificial intelligence research lab which is part of Ottawa’s strategy to drive innovation in Canada. Ottawa is putting up to $50 million into the institute, Ontario is investing $50 million and more than 30 private-sector companies are set to invest $80 million.
According to the Google Economic Impact Report, last year, Google’s search and advertising tools helped provide $222 billion of economic activity for 1.5 million businesses, website publishers and non-profits. An estimated 10.4 million U.S. jobs were created across all 50 states by the Internet in 2016 – 86% of them are outside major tech hubs. In sum, earnings from the Internet make up a whopping 6% of the gross domestic product – 1.12 trillion dollars and Google is a huge part of that number.
Google is just one example of corporations having huge impacts on our economy. Previously, we wrote about Amazon who is considering putting their second headquarters in Canada. The new venture will bring 50,000 high paying jobs to the fortunate city that Amazon selects.
If our nation is not congenial to innovation and the hiring of foreign talent to provide that employees companies like Google need, these companies will begin to look elsewhere. It’s important the law makers not only develop immigration policies that are favorable to the recruitment of foreign talent, but that they build relationships with corporations in a joint effort to grow the economy.
Recent Immigration Articles
Check out these articles below
Attorney Sidebar Immigrant Voices in Action Pros More job opportunities Drives U.S. innovation Economic growth booster Cons Policy uncertainty Political resistance Increased employment competition Quick Fact:The H-1B visa program is capped annually, with only 85,000 visas issued. Amid debates on its future, industry leaders argue for expansion to address workforce needs while balancing domestic job
Read MoreHome for the Holidays: A Comprehensive Guide to Visitor Visas for Immigrant Families The holiday season is a cherished time for families to come together, share traditions, and create lasting memories. For immigrants in the United States wishing to reunite with their loved ones during this festive period, understanding the process of obtaining a B-2
Read MoreAttorney Sidebar Immigrant Voices in Action Pros Faster application process Fewer processing delays Reduced RFEs overall Streamlined submission workflow Cons More upfront planning Higher initial costs Risk of rejectionIncreased applicant confusion Quick Fact:In fiscal year 2023, USCIS announced the mandatory inclusion of Form I-693 with all green card applications to reduce delays and RFEs. This
Read MoreThe history of Native Americans and immigration in the United States is one of cooperation, conflict, and transformation. From early interactions during European colonization to modern collaborations for justice, the dynamics between Native tribes and immigrant groups have shaped the nation’s identity. Case Studies of InteractionThe Fur Trade: Cooperation and ExchangeOne of the earliest examples of
Read More