Ottawa is maintaining tight controls over the number of immigrants it lets into the country after a dramatic surge in population growth in recent years. Photo by Manjurul/Getty Images/Postmedia files

The Canadian government is set to launch special initiatives to attract top international researchers and H-1B visa holders, while slashing the number of foreign students it plans to bring into the country each year.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first budget unveiled a plan to attract international talent , earmarking $1.7 billion to recruit more than 1,000 highly skilled researchers.

“The expertise of these researchers will help advance our global competitiveness and contribute to the economy of the future,” the budget document said.

The government also said it would launch an

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