National News

Federal stats counter myth of a southbound “brain drain”

BY ALEX BUSTOS

OTTAWA (CUP) -— There is little evidence Canada is suf- fering a mass exodus of tal- ented workers to the United States, federal government figures show.

In fact, a large number of educated workers are com- ing into the country from around the world, contribut- ing to a “brain gain” rather than a “brain drain,” the study suggests.

According to the un- published Statistics Canada report completed last Octo- ber, approximately 32,800 university-educated people immigrated to Canada annu- ally between 1990 and 1996.

In contrast, only 8,500 Canadians with post-second- ary education left each year to the United States.

In other words, every year Canada gained almost four times the number of edu- cated workers than it lost.

“And those numbers are very conservative,” said Scott Murray, a Statistics Canada researcher and author of the report. “The U.S. out- put numbers are overesti- mated, while the immigration figures are underestimated.”

More specifically, the study also showed that more people with master’s and Ph.D. degrees immigrated to Canada than left here for the US.

The only sector where international immigration did not outstrip emigration to the United States was health.

In a brief paper released last Wednesday, the left- wing Canadian Centre for

Policy Alternatives argued doctors and nurses are mov- ing south of the border be- cause health cuts and salary caps are making it difficult to practice in Canada.

The short paper also stated that fiscal conserva- tives who demand tax cuts to combat the so-called brain drain are fighting a fictitious battle.

“This [government] study was an effort to inject

working on the Island. And it's free!

Island

Please visit our website to enter your yur database.

name and résumé into www. :BOv. be.cal Kenia

Eu

eeiland

CANADA

=. 4%

PElo or r considering ating relocating OF expi Island is the place to be! _

Q se-secondary graduates can hi to the database, which is then available to PEI employers searching for

employees. Employers using this service will be able to access a list of e with the specific skills, experience and education required. e3

reality into the debate on the brain drain,” said Seth Klein, director of the group’s B.C. office.

But according to a right-wing think-tank, the Statistics Canada study is flawed.

“Tt is very flimsy math- ematics they are employing,” said Walter Robinson, execu- tive director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

“The brain drain is real.

seeking en

_ The PEI Copemimnent has established the Human Resource Regi dential online registry for pete and skilled Islanders interested ine 4

service be adding their al

The Cadre

Yes, there is a small number of professionals leaving to the United States, but they’re impact on our tax base is huge.”

Citing a study by the C.D. Howe _ institute, Robinson pointed out that in 1996, 8, 600 highly skilled managers and professionals moved permanently to the United States.

In the same year, roughly 44,000 high-skilled

¢ 9 February 1999

workers went to work down south on temporary visas.

A high-skilled worker was defined as someone making $70,000 or more per year.

If you look at the $70,000 plus tax bracket, ar- gued Robinson, you realize that even though this group makes up only 6 per cent of all taxpayers, they contribute 31 per cent of all tax revenue.

all affected.

w.cdnaids.ca

National AIDS Awareness Campaign 1998-1999