Canada unveils $1.2B research talent program
Canada announced a $1.2 billion, 12-year initiative to recruit over 1,000 leading researchers in critical fields, alongside an expedited permanent residency pathway for doctors with at least one year of Canadian experience. The move comes as the U.S. now charges a $100,000 fee for new H-1B applicants abroad, a policy critics say could worsen staffing gaps in sectors like health care and academia.
đ Key Facts
- Investment: $1.2 billion over 12 years to attract 1,000+ researchers
- U.S. policy: $100,000 H-1B fee applies to new applicants abroad for filings on/after Sept. 21, 2025
- Canada PR: New Express Entry category expedites permanent residency for overseas doctors with âĨ1 year Canadian work experience
đ Relevant Data
In fiscal year 2023, 73% of approved H-1B visa applications were for workers born in India.
US H-1B visa program data and key facts â Pew Research Center
In 2022, 24.7% of active physicians in the U.S. were international medical graduates.
In 2023, the proportion of Canadians age 18 and older with access to a primary care provider was 86%, meaning 14% did not have access.
International survey shows Canada lags behind peer countries in access to primary health care â Canadian Institute for Health Information
In 2021, Black workers represented 9% of the U.S. STEM workforce, while comprising about 13% of the overall U.S. workforce; Hispanic workers represented 15% of the STEM workforce compared to 18% of the overall workforce; Asian workers were 10% of STEM versus 6% overall; White workers were disproportionately represented in STEM.
Representation of Demographic Groups in STEM â National Science Board