Recent election of Donald Trump, tariffs could mean reversal of brain drain 'to Canada's gain'
More talent may be within reach for Canadian employers, as a significant number of Canadians who had considered relocating to the United States are now re-evaluating their plans, according to a recent report.
Among Canadians who have contemplated a move south of the border in the past five years, just over half (52 per cent) say that the election of Donald Trump as president has decreased their likelihood of considering relocation to the U.S. over the next four years, according to a survey.
Over half (51 per cent) say the imposition of new U.S. tariffs has similarly reduced their interest in moving.
"Talent is a company’s greatest asset, and with Canadians re-considering moving their careers to the U.S., businesses have an exciting opportunity to attract local talent over the next four years," says Kevin Kliman, co-founder of Humi, which did the survey.
"However, to make the most of this moment long term, employers need to focus on retaining the talent they win over, elevating their employment experience and investing in their people."
Previously, Jasmine Mooney, a businesswoman and former actress, attempted to enter the U.S. at a border crossing near San Diego earlier this month but was detained for about 12 days before being sent back to Canada.
Ottawa has urged Canadians travelling to the U.S. to ensure they meet all travel requirements and to adhere to protocols while cooperating fully with border officials.
Why do people want to move to the US?
Overall, 21 per cent of Canadians with a university education or higher have considered relocating to the U.S. for career reasons in the past five years, according to Humi’s survey of 1,515 respondents, conducted April 7–9, 2025.
Nearly three in 10 (29 per cent) Gen Z and 23 per cent of Millennial respondents have considered the relocation. Meanwhile, the numbers are lower for Gen X (17 per cent) and Boomers (five per cent).
Among Canadians who have considered moving to the U.S., the top two motivators are higher compensation (31 per cent) and lower taxes (29 per cent).
“Unfortunately, these findings don’t come as a surprise as the Canadian government and companies have long struggled to reverse the trend of brain drain,” says Kliman. ”However, the recent election of Donald Trump and the tariff war present a unique opportunity to reverse the brain drain to Canada’s gain.”
Canadian healthcare recruitment agencies have reported a notable rise in interest from U.S. physicians, particularly women, to consider practising in Canada. And many provinces have moved to attract American scientists and healthcare professionals recently laid off amid sweeping cuts at major U.S. health agencies.
How can Canadian employers attract Canadians?
To attract Canadians who have considered moving to the US, employers must “create an environment where their teams know they will thrive with clear career opportunities and competitive compensation packages,” says Humi.
To achieve that, the company suggests that employers do the following:
- Offer competitive benefits packages
- Dedicate check-in time to connect individual career goals with business needs
- Invest in modern, intuitive technology with user-friendly interfaces to boost job satisfaction and productivity.
Attracting local talent is critical, as Canada faces a massive labour shortage.
By 2034, the Canadian construction industry will face a total hiring requirement of 380,500 workers, forecasts BuildForce Canada. Also, by 2035, the tourism sector would need 2.3 million just to meet the demand. For this year, Ontario alone would have 723,000 job openings in the tourism sector, said Mike Jacobs, CEO of The New Business.
By 2030, nearly a quarter of Canadians will be over 65, further intensifying the need for experienced workers, Zabeen Hirji, former chief human resources officer RBC, previously said. And population projections indicate that by 2035, the number of Canadians aged 55 to 64 will be about 4.5 million.
Job seekers from outside Canada have previously shown far greater interest in coming to work in the country, according to a previous Indeed report.
