Episode 98 - How Canada Can Win the Global Talent War: Immigration, H-1BB Visas & the Future of Staffing

What happens when the U.S. slaps a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas? Canadian staffing companies might just find themselves holding a golden opportunity. In this episode, Suky welcomes Michael Dha, founder of Strive Recruitment, to have a conversation about the real impact of immigration shifts, global talent mobility, and how Canada can turn geopolitical uncertainty into economic advantage.

With sweeping immigration changes, rising protectionism in the U.S., and housing and talent shortages mounting across Canada, staffing leaders are facing a new frontier. From immigration strategy and regional job placement challenges to shifting employer mindsets and the battle for diversity of thought, this very real conversation digs into the future of Canadian staffing, and why agencies must step up as true consultants, not just suppliers.

If you're in recruitment, HR, or workforce planning, especially in tech or healthcare, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Moments:

• 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message

• 00:40 Welcoming the Guest: Michael Dha

• 02:05 Discussion on Immigration and Staffing

• 07:45 Challenges and Opportunities in Canadian Tech Sector

• 12:28 Impact of H-1B Visa Changes on Canada

• 22:34 Mindset Shift Needed Among Employers

• 28:43 Navigating Discrimination Laws

• 29:19 Challenges for Recruitment Agencies

• 30:25 Building Trust with Clients

• 31:50 Educating Clients on Talent Market

• 37:37 Supporting New Immigrants

• 41:46 Advocating for Recruitment Agencies

• 44:29 Balancing Client and Candidate Needs

• 48:37 Diversity and Inclusion in Hiring

• 51:20 Final Thoughts on Canadian Economy

Favorite Quote:

"Imagine if Canada could attract the top 1% of global talent - tech, healthcare, engineering. What would that mean for our economy and for the next generation?"

• Michael

Connect with Michael:

Michael Dha is the Founder and Managing Director of STRIVE Recruitment and has over 20 years of experience in the recruitment industry. He founded STRIVE in 2008, during the global recession, and built it into a trusted partner for top Canadian Organizations through two offices in BC and Ontario.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldha/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Suky:

I'm Suky an adrenaline junkie who celebrates every single win. I believe we must celebrate and collect all our wins along the way as it fuels forward momentum to ensure we exceed our goals. When we fuel forward momentum, complacency simply can not settle in.

With over 25 years of experience working in the staffing industry, 16 of those working with global recruitment companies, I bring the knowledge and experience of working in 18 countries and successfully navigating through numerous "recession" cycles.

Companies often get so focused on the bottom line that they forget that we are in the "people business". For me, the magic happens when my clients recognize the best way to create a truly sustainable high-performance sales culture is to align both.

LinkedIn

Canadian Staffing Industry Summit

www.eliteglobalrecruiters.com

Talent Titans is sponsored by Ascen. Ascen is an employer of record that helps staffing and recruitment agencies hire employees compliantly throughout the US and Canada. Ascen's all-in-one, white-label platform handles onboarding, timesheets, payroll, benefits, insurance, invoicing, and funding so you can grow quickly in the US and Canada without worrying about back office and paperwork. Visit ascen.com to learn more.