Emerging Tech Cities in Canada

July 26, 2023

Shireen Fisher

The era of tech domination in one region is long gone, which means that tech professionals no longer have to flock to Silicon Valley to chase their dreams. That's right! When it comes to major tech centers, Canada is right up there with the best. While Canadian cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal are highly favored as tech powerhouses, there are several Emerging Tech Cities in Canada.

Emerging Tech Cities in Canada for 2023

In CBRE's 2023 Scoring Tech Talent Report, Halifax ranked fourth, London in Ontario ranked eighth, and Winnipeg ranked nineteenth. These cities are seen to have made recurring appearances on the list. Take a closer look at these and other emerging tech cities in Canada.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is known for more traditional resource industries. But there's been a shift due to a significant shakeup due to a substantial retiring population and Canada's immigration policies. The province is now home to many tech startups and firms, with its capital city, Halifax, fast rising as a hot tech hub.

Halifax employed 16,100 tech workers in 2022 and experienced a tech employee growth rate of 58% over five years. The city ranks high for wage growth and tech diversity.

London, Ontario

Yes, there's a London in Ontario, and Ryan Gosling was born there. But if Hollywood heartthrobs do not phase you, the major news is that this city has a booming tech sector. With over 300 tech companies employing about 3% of the labor force in the town, most London tech businesses specialize in digital media.

London employed 16,100 in 2022, with a total growth of 79% over the last five years. Consider the BC Tech Stream if you want to work in this region. Consider the OINP Tech Draw if you would like to work in this region.

Winnipeg, Manitoba

With tax credits for investing in tech and money available for research and development, tech startups in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and government departments in the region have a great relationship. The result?

It is now one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the Great White North. The city employed 19,900 tech workers in 2022, with a total tech sector growth of 26% over the past five years. The city is considered a top tech hub to be based in, with a low cost of living and decent rent range. If you don't mind bad winters, this city is for you.

Additional Emerging Tech Cities in Canada

Cambridge, Ontario

Gen Z techies, Cambridge, Ontario, is known for offering excellent salaries to your generation. It's a great city for newbies and is popular with startups. And if you're looking to further your tech education, the city is home to the Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning's School of Engineering and Information Technology. Consider the OINP Tech Draw if you would like to work in this region.

Calgary, Alberta

Famous for its gas and oil companies, Calgary, Alberta, is now transforming into quite the tech player, according to word on the streets. The city reportedly has the most impressive offering in terms of remuneration and is highly regarded when it comes to tech diversity. Consider the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway if you would like to work in this region.

New Brunswick

The Canadian province of New Brunswick has become popular with some of the world's top Information and Communications Technology (ICT) corporations. Set in an idyllic spot between Europe and the Americas, this province has become a central hub for big tech guns like Xerox, IBM, Tech Mahindra, HCL Technologies, and many more. Around 2,300 people work in this occupation.

Edmonton, Alberta

Edmonton, Alberta, is another city that has become a tech leader specializing in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and innovation. It is now recognized as one of the best Canadian tech cities to settle in, with an excellent average wage and tech diversity. Check out the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway if you would like to work in this region.

Victoria, British Columbia

Vancouver may be British Columbia's top tech hub, but the city of Victoria has a thriving tech industry. The tech sector is one of the city's largest employers, with over 880 tech companies employing over 15,000 people. With this strong talent pool and lower costs, Victoria is a tech city to watch. Consider the BC Tech Stream if you would like to work in this region.

With so many technology hubs, Canada is a haven for tech professionals. If you want to live and work in the Great White North, research which region would be best for your particular skills. Also, consider things like the weather and location before you apply.

Canadian Work Permit Options For Tech Workers

Tech employers who hire foreign talent have several temporary work permit options. These programs allow them to hire the professionals needed for their businesses to function quickly.

Global Talent Stream

The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is popular with the technology sector and aims for a speedy processing time of two weeks as soon as a candidate submits a final application. The pathway serves as a temporary work permit and could be a bridge to those hoping to obtain permanent residency. GTS is part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Before appointing a skilled foreign worker in a tech job in Canada, an employer must get a neutral or positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to qualify.

CUSMA

An employer hiring tech talent from North America could qualify for the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), a temporary work permit. This agreement is divided into two categories relevant to tech workers:

Professionals: 63 occupations are eligible for CUSMA via the professional category. Prominent tech occupations such as systems analysts and software developers may qualify.
Intra-Company transfers (ICTs): ICTs come into play when employees of multinational companies are transferred to a department in Canada.

Pathways to Canada For Tech Workers

Instead of going the temporary permit route, you may want to become a permanent resident of Canada. The most common option for skilled tech workers who want to move to Canada to do this is via the Express Entry system or a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). You could qualify for one of Canada's provincial streams below as a tech worker.

BC Tech Stream

If you are a skilled worker with an in-demand tech occupation, you will qualify to apply for the British Columbia Tech Pilot (BC PNP Tech Pilot). According to the province's official website, the BC PNP Tech has helped over n 6,000 tech workers gain Canadian permanent residency since it launched in 2017. So, if you plan to apply for the pilot with a valid job offer in an eligible occupation, the job offer should be valid for a minimum of one year. Below are the tech occupations that are eligible.

Job title	NOC Code
Telecommunication carriers managers	10030
Computer and information systems managers	20012
Physicists and astronomers	21100
Mathematicians, statisticians, and actuaries	21210
Data scientists	21211
Cybersecurity specialists	21220
Business systems specialists	21221
Information systems specialists	21222
Database analysts and data administrators	21223
Computer systems developers and programmers	21230
Software engineers and designers	21231
Software developers and programmers	21232
Web designers	21233
Web developers and programmers	21234
Civil engineers	21300
Mechanical engineers	21301
Electrical and electronics engineers	21310
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)	21311
Chemical engineers	21320
Other professional engineers	21399
Biological technologists and technicians	22110
Computer network and web technicians	22220
User support technicians	22221
Information systems testing technicians	22222
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians	22310
Managers - publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts	50011
Authors and writers (except technical)	51111
Technical writers	51112
Producers, directors, choreographers, and related occupations	51120
Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, and the performing arts	52119
Broadcast technicians	52112
Audio and video recording technicians	52113
Graphic designers and illustrators	52120
Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography, and performing arts assistants and operators	53111

OINP Tech Draw

Tech draws are part of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program's (OINP) Human Capital Priorities Stream. It helps the province attract tech talent within the Express Entry pool. The latest update on the province's official website notes that applicants only received a notification of interest if they managed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 458-462 and had proof of work experience falling under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes. Below are the tech occupations that are eligible.

Job Title	NOC Code
Computer and information systems managers	20012
Data Scientists	21211
Database analysts and data administrators	21223
Computer systems developers and programmers	21230
Software engineers and designers	21231
Software developers and programmers	21232
Web designers	21233
Web developers and programmers	21234
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)	21311

Saskatchewan Tech Talent Pathway

The Saskatchewan Tech Talent Pathway sub-category is for high-skilled technology and innovation sector workers who want to move to Canada and have an offer of employment for a skilled tech job in Saskatchewan. You must:

Meet all requirements of this sub-category
Plan to settle in the province

Below are the tech occupations that are eligible.

Job title	NOC Code
Computer and information systems managers	20012
Electrical and Electronics engineers	21310
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)	21311
Data Scientist	21211
Cybersecurity specialists	21220
Business system specialist	21221
Information System specialist	21222
Web designer	21233
Database analysts and data administrator	21223
Software engineers and designers	21231
Computer systems developers and programmers	21230
Software developers and programmers	21232
Web developers and programmers	21234
Computer network and web technicians	22220
User support technicians	22221
Information systems testing technicians	22222

Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program's (AAIP) Accelerated Tech Pathway helps foreign workers currently working for or have an offer of employment from an Alberta tech employer. Your occupation must be eligible to apply. You must also make sure you meet all the requirements before you apply.