Microsoft is coming to town

Jul 9, 2007 in citations

Caught the announcement on CBC last week regarding Microsoft’s intention to start a development centre in nearby Vancouver, BC.

www.cbc.ca/cp/technology/070705/z070502A.html

It’s funny that they mention troubles with US immigration as being a motivating factor for opening shop this side of the border. I don’t doubt it, but when I was dealing with Amazon.com last year, they seemed to indicate that it wouldn’t have been a problem to get me a TN (and later a H-1B) visa should I want to work south of the border.

If MS wanted to extend their reach a little further, they’d consider situating the centre downtown with easy access to float planes. I’m sure there are more than a few talented individuals on the island who wouldn’t mind a slight commute.

I’m curious as to what technologies and product’s they plan on shifting resources up here for, or if the focus will be more R&D.

What’s the likelihood of this being just the start of a trend for larger software shops to setup more substantial operations north of the border?

One Reply

  1. Glenn

    Jul 13th, 2007 at 1:01 pm

    Dude would you really move over to the dark side? I think it’s good for vancouver and I’m sure it will have a positive impact on Victoria but at the end of the day would you really be willing to join the evil empire? I guess if they paid enough you would cross over, heck I think I would.

    later,
    g

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