This week's federal budget provided more details on the government's Global Skills Strategy, designed to attract top global talent to Canada. But as the rules around temporary foreign workers evolve, Canada risks leaving behind some potential citizens.

The U.S. is mired in confusing messages regarding the direction of its immigration policy, and Canada should look at this as an opportunity to attract the best and the brightest to this country, says immigration lawyer Reis Pagtakhan.

In December, the federal government announced a number of "improvements" to the immigration system to strengthen family reunification. While these announcements are generally positive, two basic questions remain unanswered. First, are these improvements real or cosmetic? Second, and more importantly, should family reunification be a priority of our immigration system?