Alberta can draw best and brightest
Re: “Obama, Trump hold ‘awkward’ meeting,” Nov. 11. A victory for Donald Trump could be a victory for Alberta and Canada if we move quickly and strategically. While we have no certainty what Trump will do as president, if we take him at his word, there are opportunities for our province and country.
The key take away for Alberta, and indeed Canada, is America’s borders will thicken. It will become much harder for talented people to work in the U.S., and even more challenging for talented non-Americans living in the U.S. to stay. Coupled with the fact the highest growth businesses in the U.S. are in a constant and competitive search for global talent.
Therefore, the ability of these firms to grow will be adversely affected.
Canada, on the other hand, is enhancing and encouraging immigration of the very tal- ent the U.S. will be excluding. So, the initiative of attracting business to Alberta should be accelerated.
We need to target businesses, such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, Uber and dozens of other high-growth firms who rely on a flow of global talent. We must put out Canada’s welcome mat.
Interestingly, just last week, I was talking about this “war for talent” with a senior executive of one of America’s largest companies. He said it was becoming increasingly difficult for them to recruit the top talent they needed, and he asked, “how could Canada help?”
Canada and Alberta can help this senior executive, and more importantly, ourselves, by urging businesses to locate in whole, or in part, here. We have the talent required and the environment for people and businesses to thrive. Senator Doug Black, Ottawa