Clark positions British Columbian tech sector as inclusive alternative to inward-looking countries
‘Around the world, we all see it every day, countries are looking inward and that is a terrible trend’
By Tyler Orton
British Columbia Premier Christy Clark used the B.C. Tech Summit on Tuesday (March 14) to tout the province as an open, inclusive alternative for high-skilled foreign workers wary of trying to land jobs in the United States.
“Around the world, we all see it every day, countries are looking inward and that is a terrible … trend. But it is also, for us as Canadians and us in British Columbia, an opportunity,” the premier said during a 20-minute keynote address to kick off the summit.
“While other countries are looking in, let’s be a country and a province that is reaching out.”
Clark told the audience that it’s “absolutely true” that Canada’s immigration system is better than the U.S. system.
“But it’s a low bar and it’s getting lower,” she said.
Many of the changes Clark said she wants to see in terms of attracting foreign talent to B.C. fall within the jurisdiction of the federal government.
