BBOT Applauds Federal Government Move to Save International Worker Program; Calls on Province to Follow Suit with BC PNP Tech Pilot

The Burnaby Board of Trade (BBOT) has applauded the federal government’s commitment, included in Budget 2019, to make the Global Talent Stream pilot program a permanent feature of the temporary foreign worker program. The BBOT is now reiterating its call for the provincial government of BC to similarly save the BC PNP Tech Pilot from its pending expiration in June.

The Global Talent Stream program allows companies to bring highly-skilled, specialized talent to Canada that will support their growth, and which is not always available locally. This program is a critical policy in support of Burnaby’s technology, digital media, and film/tv industries, as well as other businesses in the innovation economy. The Global Talent Stream program was slated for expiration in June 2019, and the BBOT’s Pacific Gateway Committee had been advocating for its extension with the federal Minister and in meetings with local MP Terry Beech.  Read the BBOT’s policy position on the Global Talent Stream here.  

In light of this positive development, the BBOT is reiterating its call for the provincial government to save its own BC PNP Tech Pilot program from expiring this June as well.  Similarly to the Global Talent Stream program, the BC PNP Tech Pilot provides dedicated and expedited service for the technology and creative sectors to fill their labour needs with skilled immigration in 29 specific occupations.

Burnaby Board of Trade members who utilize the BC PNP Tech Pilot report timely and efficient processing of applications which allows them to quickly fill positions that may otherwise have remained vacant. To the Burnaby business community, the BC PNP Tech Pilot has been a tremendous success and is a valuable tool to support the tech sector and its continued growth, and that is why the Burnaby Board of Trade urges the provincial government to save it.  Read the BBOT’s policy position on the BC PNP Tech Pilot here.

“The BC PNP Tech Pilot fits the unique needs of our industry and has made such a positive difference to
both our company, and to a large group of our artists who are now able to apply to come and live in BC.”
– BRON Animation Inc.
Burnaby Film/TV Animation Studio