Photo: The Canadian Press

A Trudeau cabinet minister entrusted with bringing high-level talent to Canada hopes new budgetary measures will help his determined efforts to recruit brains from abroad.

Following last week's federal budget, Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains feels he has even more to offer top-notch workers, scientists and scholars who might consider a move from the United States across the northern frontier.

Bains, who says attracting talent is always part of his mission whenever he travels abroad, will visit Michigan this week to meet state representatives.

"We want to focus on Europe, we want to focus on the U.S., we want to focus on Asia — we want to make sure that we take nothing for granted and really go to all parts of the globe to attract the best and brightest to come to Canada," Bains said in an interview.

Last week's budget contained new policies and spending designed to make Canada a more attractive place for researchers, scholars and businesses.

It announced the creation of around 25 university research chairs. Ottawa will dedicate $117.6 million over eight years towards these new positions, using money from the existing federal research-chair program.

The government also committed $125 million to launch a new artificial intelligence strategy with a goal of recruiting and retaining top academic talent. It aims to leverage Canada's already-significant expertise in AI to make it a world leader in a field dripping with economic potential.

The program, set for launch in June, will accelerate the entry of skilled workers into Canada and give high-growth firms faster access to in-demand talent. Its goal is to reduce wait times for visas and work-permit applications from months to just two weeks.