Madam Chair and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today on behalf of U15 Canada.
U15 is the association of Canada's leading research universities. Together, our institutions conduct more than 75% of all university research in Canada, enrol 70% of the country's full-time doctoral students and generate much of the country's innovation. Our universities are national assets: anchors of talent, research and innovation.
We appreciate the committee undertaking this important study into strategies to attract top global talent. After all, talent is the foundation of a successful, prosperous and resilient economy. At this uncertain moment, Canada's ability to attract, develop and retain highly qualified people who drive innovation, create new opportunities and provide the expertise Canadian businesses and communities need will be vital to our future success.
At present, however, Canada is facing a talent gap. We rank 25th in the OECD for the share of the working-age population with a graduate degree, and last in the G7. This leaves Canada at a disadvantage in the innovative, knowledge-driven sectors that will define the future economy. Anchoring world-class research talent here in Canada will be crucial if we are to continue to lead in future technologies.
Canada's leading research universities play a fundamental role in developing this talent. There are 700,000 students enrolled annually at U15 universities. They are attracted by the opportunity to work with renowned experts, access world-class facilities and graduate from internationally recognized programs. This matters, because we know that, at the advanced level, talent is highly mobile. The race to attract talented researchers is global and deeply competitive.
That is why any reforms to the international student program should be pursued with the goal of attracting the best and brightest students to Canada. A high-quality, managed system that recognizes excellence and rewards responsible institutions can help achieve the shared goal of a well-functioning study permit program that attracts the talent Canada needs.
Therefore, we welcomed the government's move to exempt graduate students from study permit caps and to commit to a two-week processing time for doctoral students. Continuing to focus on the high-quality education and research experience at U15 universities while reducing processing delays for study permits will help Canada to rebuild its reputation as a top destination for global talent.
It is also important to emphasize that attracting global talent and developing Canadian talent here at home are not competing objectives. They are mutually reinforcing. International graduate students, post-doctoral researchers and world-class faculty help extend Canada's research capacity, support Canadian students and strengthen innovation ecosystems across the country. The government's new Impact+ talent attraction initiative is a particularly important part of this strategy.
Launched in budget 2025 with the clear goal of attracting world-class researchers, this initiative is helping Canada to cultivate exceptional talent, support bold ideas and position itself for long-term success. Over recent months, leading research universities have moved quickly and diligently to recruit outstanding researchers because of this program. While we await the results of the first round, this timely initiative demonstrates what can be achieved when government and universities work together with the shared goal of securing global talent for the benefit of all Canadians.
In a similar spirit, we welcome the government's indication that it is exploring reforms to the express entry program to better align selection criteria with economic outcomes. We know that earning a degree from a leading research university in Canada remains one of the strongest predictors of future success. On average, Canadians with doctoral degrees earn double the average salary.
U15 Canada encourages the government to preserve recognition of Canadian education within express entry, particularly for undergraduate and graduate students, who form an important part of the country's highly qualified talent pipeline. U15 is ready to continue working closely with government and all partners to ensure that Canada has the people it needs to succeed in an increasingly competitive global economy.
Thank you.