Canada and U.S. benefit from highly skilled workforces that can compete globally
News Release
Innovation Minister celebrates free flow of knowledge and skills on both sides of the border
May 12, 2017 – Denver, Colorado – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Canada and the United States have built one of the most enduring, integrated and mutually beneficial economic relationships in the world—one that leads to shared prosperity and better living standards for the middle class in both countries.
Behind every North American innovation are the skills and creativity of people from both sides of the border. That includes the highly skilled Americans and Canadians who grow our food, build our cars, and turn new technologies into products and services that are sold around the world. Both countries benefit from having a highly skilled workforce that can compete globally based on advanced and specialized skills.
That was the message delivered by the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, at the Western Pathways Conference, a gathering of U.S. business, government and education leaders. The conference focused on ways to prepare young adults for the jobs of the future.
As part of the Innovation and Skills Plan set out in Budget 2017, the Government of Canada is making targeted investments to ensure that skills training starts early and continues throughout the careers of Canadians. These investments include:
- $50 million over two years to support learning opportunities in computer coding and digital skills for school-aged children;
- $221 million over five years to create 10,000 work-integrated learning placements that help university and college students enter the workforce; and
- support enabling mid-career workers who want to pursue post-secondary education to more easily qualify for student loans and grants.
Quotes
“Canada is making targeted investments to prepare our people for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Our country benefits from having a highly skilled workforce that can compete based on advanced and specialized skills. But the United States benefits from these investments as well. The free flow of knowledge and skills between our two countries makes our workforce globally competitive. It allows us to develop high-value products and services that are exported to the rest of the world.”
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Quick Facts
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Trade between the U.S. and Canada reached nearly $700 billion in 2015. That represents $2 billion of goods and services crossing the border daily.
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Nearly 9 million American jobs depend on trade and investment with Canada.
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Many U.S. states count Canada as their top trading partner.
Contacts
Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @MinisterISED
Karl W. Sasseville
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
343-291-2500
Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca
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