The Peak Daily Talent show 🎤- Ottawa looks to poach U.S. talent, OpenAI floats government backstop
Nov 10, 2025
Ottawa is welcoming highly-skilled U.S. workers while closing doors on others, creating a talent tug-of-war. The shift in U.S. visa fees might further fuel this migration. Meanwhile, OpenAI's executives are exploring government guarantees for AI infrastructure, raising questions about the implications of potential bailouts. The podcast also touches on legal challenges against OpenAI and controversies surrounding a Trump documentary that led to resignations at the BBC. A compelling look at the intersection of immigration, tech, and media!
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Hosts' Snowy Morning Banter
- Alex and Jay open with a personal bit about unexpected early snow in Toronto.
- They joke about landlords, outdoor gear, and snow‑tire reminders to set a casual tone.
Canada Targets H‑1B Talent
- Ottawa plans an accelerated immigration pathway to attract highly skilled H‑1B workers from the U.S.
- Past uptake was low: 10,000 applied but only 1,625 actually moved in 2023, suggesting limited conversion.
High U.S. H‑1B Fee Shifts Dynamics
- The new U.S. $100,000 H‑1B application fee may push employers to cover costs rather than workers relocate.
- Many firms already cut sponsorship and visa‑sponsoring job posts collapsed from 10.9% to 1.9% between 2023 and 2025.