During a visit to Vancouver this past Wednesday, Federal Employment Minister Jason Kenney highlighted Canada’s opportunity to take advantage of the current state of the United States’ immigration system by attracting young foreign nationals from the tech sector.

Minister Kenney endorsed efforts by the Government of Canada to attract educated immigrants with degrees earned in the United States to settle in Canada in the wake of American policy obstacles that have made it difficult for them to earn green cards.

“We’re seeking very deliberately to benefit from the dysfunctional American immigration system,” said Minister Kenney. “If the United States doesn’t want to open the door to permanent residency for them, that door will be opened in principle for them to come to Canada.”

Minister Kenney made the announcement at a library in West Vancouver, where he was visiting to reveal a $3.3 million funding package for the British Columbia government. The package aims to match more skilled immigrants with work in the province.