Ottawa, 26 January, 2023 - Canada is facing a talent crisis, exacerbated by a lack of supports for student researchers, long waits for international students visas, and uncertainty as students enter the workforce. Today, the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) has joined Universities Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to call on the Federal Government to address these barriers that have led to Canada’s talent crisis.
With these stakeholders, CASA urges the Government of Canada for increased scholarship funding for graduate researchers, removing hurdles for international students to join the Canadian workforce, and creating more working opportunities for students throughout their studies.
“As a university student, soon facing the prospect of entering the workforce, I am anxious, frustrated, and nervous,” noted Christian Fotang, Chair of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations. “I am anxious because it feels as if I am entering into a workforce that will be limited in opportunities. I am frustrated because like many of my peers, it feels like we have done everything right, but the doors that were said to open once we get an education don’t seem to be opening. And I am nervous, because as the cost of living continues to rise, I fear that I may be priced out of an education.”
International competition in the job marketplace is increasing. Canada is at risk of losing much needed and valuable talent to other countries, like the United States and the United Kingdom, because of the lack of supports provided for students as they do crucial research and help push Canadian innovation forward. Similarly, with visa backlogs and barriers to enter the workforce, international students might look elsewhere for schooling.
In a joint statement CASA, Universities Canada, and the Chamber of Commerce calls on the government to make these changes that are needed to retain and develop talent in Canada. View the whole press conference here.
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About CASA:
Established in 1995, the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit, national student organization composed of 24 student associations. With its partnership with the Quebec Student Union (QSU), CASA represents a total of 365,000 students across Canada and presents a national student voice to the federal government. CASA advocates for a Canadian post-secondary education system that is accessible, affordable, innovative, and of the highest quality.
