3 ms·

I don't know if the critical mass of tech companies is here yet. The real estate prices probably scare off senior staff as well. Obviously Amazon and Microsoft

I don't know if the critical mass of tech companies is here yet. The real estate prices probably scare off senior staff as well. Obviously Amazon and Microsoft have expanded here, SalesForce.com is also expanding but they're more of a darkhorse company that doesn't get a lot of media attention. I've taken notice of Slack and Joyent coming up here. They were followed by Zenefits (assuming they're hiring locals), and Tableau. I read this morning that the secure chat app developers OxCEPT (out of Oxford University, got lots of funding from the UK government) are opening an office here by the end of the year. So Slack, Joyent, Zenefits, Tableau and OxCEPT are the five non-local companies that have legitimately gotten my attention. Plus Hired.com is coming to Vancouver soon. But I come back to the critical mass of tech companies. I'm not sure Vancouver's there yet. Still no Facebook, no Google, no Pinterest, no Yelp, no Palantir, no Quora, no Dropbox, no Square. These are all companies with offices in Seattle, Toronto, K-W, Ottawa or Montreal, if I'm not mistaken. Vancouver is close to SF and Seattle, and APEGBC doesn't regulate the title "software engineer" (PEO regulates it, so Google's K-W office hires "software developers"). Yet big companies are looking at Ontario or Quebec, not BC. This needs to change. Our average salaries are lower than even Cleveland or Pittsburgh. Do you know any specifics about the difference between Canadian and US immigration laws?

tixocloud 11y ago
You're right. It might not be there yet but I think it may eventually get there. The talent is there but I think because the majority of current economic activity is mostly on the East coast (apart from oil and gas in Alberta), that's probably the draw right now. But I would look to see Vancouver (and B.C.) slowly prop up once the ecosystem starts to build and there's less reliance on the East coast. As more talented engineers start setting up their homes in Vancouver, I'm expecting to see more startups propping up which means more opportunities and thus, the West coast can stand up against its own. It's something that's puzzled me quite abit. Vancouver and B.C. is in a great position to be an economic powerhouse with a close proximity to China, India and Japan. You guys are practically our gateway! Unfortunately, I'm not too sure about the specifics between the Canadian and US immigration laws. I do know that my relative had a really tough time being recognized as a PR and citizen in the US as she had to prove a number of things. Another relative came to study in Canada and you're allowed to stay as a permanent resident if you can find a job within certain period of time after you graduate. Canada is also part of the Commonwealth so member countries also have privileges to work here and then convert. The TN visas that Canadians can receive may also be another factor.

tixocloud 11y ago

You're right. It might not be there yet but I think it may eventually get there. The talent is there but I think because the majority of current economic activity is mostly on the East coast (apart from oil and gas in Alberta), that's probably the draw right now. But I would look to see Vancouver (and B.C.) slowly prop up once the ecosystem starts to build and there's less reliance on the East coast. As more talented engineers start setting up their homes in Vancouver, I'm expecting to see more startups propping up which means more opportunities and thus, the West coast can stand up against its own. It's something that's puzzled me quite abit. Vancouver and B.C. is in a great position to be an economic powerhouse with a close proximity to China, India and Japan. You guys are practically our gateway! Unfortunately, I'm not too sure about the specifics between the Canadian and US immigration laws. I do know that my relative had a really tough time being recognized as a PR and citizen in the US as she had to prove a number of things. Another relative came to study in Canada and you're allowed to stay as a permanent resident if you can find a job within certain period of time after you graduate. Canada is also part of the Commonwealth so member countries also have privileges to work here and then convert. The TN visas that Canadians can receive may also be another factor.