WATERLOO – The Canadian tech community is urging the federal government to offer temporary residency to people displaced by the U.S. Executive Order, allowing them live and work in Canada with access to benefits.
An open letter published on BetaKit said that the Canadian technology community is “directly opposed to any and all laws that undermine or attack inclusion”, and calls on Prime Minister Trudeau and Canada’s political leaders to do the same.
“Canadian tech companies understand the power of inclusion and diversity of thought, and that talent and skill know no borders”, reads the letter. “In choosing to hire, train, and mentor the best people in the world, we can build global companies that grow our economy. By embracing diversity, we can drive innovation to benefit the world.”
Noting that the Canadian tech community comprises many different nationalities, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, mental and physical abilities, and perspectives, the letter described this diversity as “a source of strength and opportunity.”
By Monday afternoon, the letter had 2262 signatures denouncing the executive order, including executives from Shopify, Twitter Canada and Communitech.
