MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Canada's Visa program opens doors for North and Latin American economic growth

The visa program shows a shift. It's leaning towards a more team-based economic approach in North and Latin America

Canada recently increased temporary work visas for Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean.

This opportunity is promising. It can strengthen ties across the region because the economies of North and Latin America are linked. This program isn't about filling labor shortages in Canada. It's a key step toward growing Canada's economy. Many Latin American countries are taking part.

Skilled workers from these countries can work in Canada and help in sectors with labor shortages. This keeps Canada's businesses productive and competitive. This benefits the Canadian economy and creates valuable employment opportunities. These workers gain experience and higher wages compared to their home countries. Remittances sent back home can then play a significant role in boosting activity and development.

Canada's Evolving Industries

Canada's economic landscape is transforming, with certain industries experiencing rapid growth. IT, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing are seeing a surge in demand for skilled labor. This is a unique opportunity for the visa program.

Tech is booming as well. It demands pros in areas like AI and cybersecurity. E-commerce is rapidly growing, creating opportunities in logistics and digital marketing. Traditional sectors like resources are crucial. But, they're evolving too. They focus on sustainability and innovation to stay competitive in a low-carbon future. Even travel and leisure are rebounding as pandemic rules ease.

Canada's iGaming industry is another sector experiencing significant growth. The live-dealer casino Canada offers various games. In these games, players interact with real dealers via a video stream. This is a growing segment. The visa program could help this industry. Skilled workers from Latin America have experience in making games. They also have experience in supporting customers and engineering software. They could find opportunities in the iGaming sector.
 

Photo: Attribution (CC BY 2.0)

A Win-Win for North and Latin America

The visa program shows a shift. It's leaning towards a more team-based economic approach in North and Latin America. In 2022, Canada welcomed over 50,000 workers from this region in the agricultural sector alone. However, this represents just a portion of the story. Labor shortages are being felt across various sectors, and private-sector employers are showing a growing interest in recruiting from Latin America.

Canada's temporary work visa programs are designed to be responsive to these labor market needs. Employers can directly connect with regional stakeholders to identify qualified workers and address specific skill gaps. This targeted approach ensures that the visa program fills real needs within the Canadian economy.

Furthermore, Canada is committed to offering safe and regular pathways, as an alternative to irregular migration. As part of its joint commitment with Latin American countries, Canada will leverage existing programs like the Agricultural Food Pilot. This program offers opportunities for temporary foreign workers to gain valuable experience in Canada's agricultural sector, potentially leading to permanent residency.

Canada's visa program is a welcome development. It creates the possibility to contribute across borders and has the potential to strengthen economic ties with North and Latin America and bring prosperity to all parties.