August 2015 - Canadian Immigrant Magazine by Canadian Immigrant

AUGUST 2015 I FREE

ARRIVE. SUCCEED. INSPIRE.

afine

journey

Publications mail agreement number 40011993

Arlene Oliveros

pairs immigration with wine as the first Filipino sommelier in Canada

LIFE AS A GAY

IMMIGRANT

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CONTENTS

SUCCESS STORY 10 | SOMMELIER SUCCESS

REGULARS

Arlene Oliveros found a passion and career in wine

4 | OUR TAKE/YOUR TAKE

TOP 25 14 | CEREMONY CELEBRATIONS

6 | FUSION

›› PROFILE: Wedding artist Masha Srivastava ›› NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS ›› CANSPEAK: English sayings explained

Photos from the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards

16 | SETTLEMENT

›› Life as gay immigrant ›› IMMIGRATION LAW: Sponsoring same-sex partners

19 | IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT GUIDE

The

Terry

Fox Run

23 | WELCOME TO CANADA

For Cancer Research

›› Financial first steps

28 | CULTURE

›› Yvonne Ng’s Dance: Made in Canada festival

30 | DRIVING

›› Road trips from Toronto

Sunday

32 | BUSINESS

›› Vancouver accountant Amy Wu

September 20, 2015

20 | ›› CAREER COACH: Top of the resumé ›› HIGHER LEARNING: Where to study ›› Three career fairs this fall

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August 2015

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our take Plural pride

VOLUME 12, ISSUE 8 AUGUST 2015 Group Publishers Gautam Datt Sharma Sanjay Agnihotri Editor Margaret Jetelina mjetelina@metroland.com Senior Editor Baisakhi Roy broy@metroland.com Creative Director & Editorial Design Safi Nomani snomani@metroland.com

The U.S. Supreme Court essentially legalized samesex marriage last month, and it was certainly about time; same-sex marriage has been legal in Canada since July 20, 2005, making this its 10-year anniversary. That doesn’t necessarily mean that being a gay immigrant in Canada is easy. In our “Settlement” feature “Out in Canada” (see page 16), we interview two prominent gay immigrants who talk about the challenges and cultural taboos about being gay among Canada’s ethnocultural communities. But it’s certainly time for all Canadians — regardless of ethnic background or country of origin— to accept

others for who they truly are. Canada is a country based on freedom, equality and diversity — we’re talking advanced citizenship here. We’ve gone well beyond a state of multiculturalism to a place of pluralism, where all Canadians — whether they were born here or chose here — should be able to live a life of peace, acceptance and opportunity, regardless of their ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. Margaret Jetelina Editor, Canadian Immigrant “LIKE” US ON

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your take experience as a paralegal in a Canadian firm. The We hear the scenario too frequently: newcomers jobs are different, but they are fulfilling. Alternative careers can allow newcomers to use want to contribute the talent and skills that they have already been trained for in the field of work their specific skills and experiences to help power the Canadian economy. that they are passionate about. Denick, for example, took a short-term program Then reality sinks in. Their international credentials aren’t recognized and they can’t get a job at a career college that gave him Canadian drafting credentials. Although he is not working as an archiin their field. It happened to Denick who was from the Philip- tect per se, he is now managing projects where he is designing specialized ceilings and walls. pines, and who had been an architect in his home We need more of these success stories in Canada country and Saudi Arabia for more than 20 years. He says no one would even contact him for an interview — and we need them now more than ever. Canada has a broad post-secondary education sysonce he immigrated to Canada. tem, with both public and private schools. Together, Foreign credential recognition remains a major we need to think about how we can better work issue in Canada and it won’t be solved overnight. We all agree that Canada must have consistent together — along with government and employers standards for skills and credentials in many profes- — to encourage the alternatives and actually address sions. But there is also a serious economic need to this national issue. Serge Buy, CEO, National Association of Career give internationally trained individuals the opportuColleges (NACC), Toronto nity to put their existing skills to work in a meaningful career. WANT TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS? In a 2011 report, the Federation of Labour Market EMAIL MJETELINA@METROLAND.COM. Ministers agreed that newcomers must be able to find gainful employment in a timely manner if we want our national economy to grow in the years to come. We know first-hand that lengthy Are you an IMMIGRANT looking for work? programs for licensure simply Our Skills Connect for Immigrants Program: aren’t an option for many new immigrants who need income to • connects your skills with B.C. support their families. That’s why Employers in all job sectors we all need a national conversa• provides mentorship opportunities tion about the alternatives that and one-on-one coaching can guide newcomers toward their • helps you plan your career,access passion for a career in Canada — job leads,upgrade your skills and and away from barriers. Training earn Canadian credentials does not need to mean years of sitting through courses that newCall Today: 604.575.3800 comers have already completed. It Toll Free: 1.877.277.4832 might mean that a foreign-trained www.skillsconnect.ca doctor opts to train and work in medical research. It might mean that a foreign-trained lawyer gains

Alternatives needed for credentials crisis

“The Skills Connect for Immigrants Program is part of the WelcomeBC umbrella of services, made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.”

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fusion news. people. events.

PROFILE

MASHA SRIVASTAVA Wedding artist By Lisa Evans

asha Srivastava loves beautiful things, and what could be more beautiful than a wedding? After coming to Canada from Russia in 2005, Srivastava discovered she could use her creativity and

flare for design and start her own business in event design. In 2008, Srivastava moved to Calgary, and decided to focus her work on another passion — weddings. Through her company Wedding Finesse, she provides event design

services, with a focus on making elegant hand-draped backdrops, each unique to the event at hand. For her artistic work, Srivastava has received the Bride’s Choice Awards five years in a row, including nods for best reception décor and best decorator in Alberta.

Tell us about your wedding design backdrops.

I come from an artistic family and design and fashion was always my passion. This is art. You paint one work and you can’t do this over again. They have a one-of-a-kind look. Even if you try to copy it, it will still be different.

How long does it take you to complete them?

One backdrop can take up to five hours to complete.

Do your designs reflect the cultural backgrounds of your clients?

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Canada is multicultural, so there are all different traditions and a lot of different styles. While in China, red and gold colours are popular, those of Indian descent like bright colours in satin materials. It’s really fun to work in different styles.

What else do you offer your bridal clients?

I wanted to expand the business, so I now offer full set-ups with table cloths, napkins, chair covers

and centrepieces — everything an event requires.

Do you only do weddings?

Although 80 per cent of my business is weddings, I also design corporate functions, birthdays and many other events. I’m now so busy, I can’t even count the number of events I do per year.

What keeps you going?

I [act as though] I’m decorating for my own wedding. To see the bride smile and see people happy at the event, that just makes my day … This is my passion, this is my life, this is my dream. I can wake up at five o’clock in the morning and be so happy to decorate an event. I really put my heart into each event.

Any new plans?

I plan to open a rental store soon to allow brides with limited budgets to rent the materials and set it up themselves without hiring an event designer.

Any advice for other newcomers looking to start a wedding business?

It’s not just about being a designer. You have to be the accountant, the marketer, the boss. But I think Canada has great opportunities. If you know what you want to do and you knock on the door, eventually the door will be open, so you just have to keep knocking.

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FUSION

CANSPEAK Canada >> Canada is the country with the best reputation in the world, according to a 2015 report by the Reputation Institute. Canada received a score of 78.1, putting it in the lead of the top five: Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Australia. The United States was ranked number 22 out of 55 developed nations. Canada ranked the best for having an appealing environment, being a beautiful country, and having friendly and welcoming people.

These words have made it into the June 2015 update of the

Oxford English Dictionary.

Ontario >> Bollywood Monster Mashup, the largest South Asian festival in Canada, is coming back bigger, better and earlier this summer at Mississauga Celebration Square on Aug. 7-8! This year includes special Pan American fusion acts, a bigger KidZone, more singers, musicians and dancers, and more interactive Bollywood dance lessons.

Inukshuk

An inukshuk is a human-made stone landmark used by the Inuit of Canada and other peoples of the Arctic region of North America. It may have been used for navigation, as a point of reference or as a marker.

Ontario >> The City of North Bay is helping skilled newcomers in the Nipissing district access loans to help them upgrade their credentials so they can get back to work in their field while living in Ontario. The Community Loan Program for Skilled Newcomers can help to alleviate some of the financial burden of upgrading skills by providing access to small loans (up to $5,000 for eligible applicants). No credit history check required. Repayment terms include a seven per cent flat-rate interest over three years, with interest-only payments in the first year.

Twerk

This dance move made famous in pop culture by singers Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke onstage actually has roots in African dance.

Double-double

Nova Scotia >> The Government of Nova Scotia has launched a new immigration stream called Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry after realizing t that well-qualified candidates, with experience working in Nova Scotia, such as recent international graduates, were not being drawn from the federal Express Entry pool. “The new immigration stream is a positive step to ensure well-qualified candidates have a viable immigration pathway,” said Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab. “It complements the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream which we launched in January.”

We Canadians know what this means … just head over to your local Tim Horton’s if you need a refresher.

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SUCCESS STORY

FOR THE

LOVE OF WINE

Arlene Oliveros paired immigration with her love of wine to become the first Filipino certified sommelier in Canada BY LISA EVANS

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PHOTOS BY ALESSANDRO SHINADO

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professional, but Oliveros soon realized this “professional” wasn’t very educated about the wine she was offering. “She couldn’t speak eloquently about the label, about where it came from,” recalls Oliveros. She was then hit with a realization that her home country really didn’t have any wine professionals who were extremely wellversed about wine. Some market research revealed her suspicions were true. There were no internationally certified wine professionals in the Philippines, except for international sommeliers

in the top-notch hotels in the capital of Manila. Oliveros had found her niche. When she returned to Canada, Oliveros enrolled in George Brown College’s sommelier program. The demanding program came at the cost of a significant reduction in income. “The program was so tough, I really had to give it my full-time hours,” says Oliveros. While a sense of smell and a delicate palate are fundamental to wine tasting, because Oliveros didn’t grow up in Canada eating black cherries, peaches and apples — flavours that are commonly found in wines — she struggled to find her sense of smell and tasting palate. “There were many moments where I thought this is just not going to work for someone like me, for someone who didn’t grow up in this part of the world; who didn’t grow up eating apples or eating cherries or smelling roses,” says Oliveros. Not willing to give up, Oliveros would head to St. Lawrence Market after class to smell all the fresh fruits and vegetables. “That became a practice that really developed my tasting skills,” she says. Filling her calendar with trade events was another way for Oliveros to develop her palate. “I spend a lot of time at wine shows, at wine trade events and travelling in wine regions. That’s a real investment of time and money,” she says. The results of her efforts reflected in her tasting notes. Becoming the first Filipino wine sommelier in Canada certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers (one of the most prestigious wine accreditation bodies) was an honour for Oliveros and a symbol that she had been accepted into this very Caucasian-dominated industry. “I knew that I had many more challenges than most wine professionals that I trained with,” she says, crediting her success with her determination. “I work harder than most people.” Although wine is not traditionally a popular beverage in the Philippines, Oliveros says more people in the Filipino community are now trying wine thanks in part to her efforts as an ambassador of wine. “People read about me, they invite me on

their social media and I think that’s because of curiosity and amusement about this person who is not like other wine professionals,” she says, whose company World of Wines (WOW) Canada enhances people’s wine experience through tastings, education, tours and events. What Oliveros enjoys most about being a sommelier is the interaction with people. “I’m really a people person,” she says. “I love telling stories. I love the interpersonal dynamics that happen

August 2015

Canadian Immigrant

Photo by Alessandro Shinado

rowing up in the Philippines, Arlene Oliveros didn’t know much about wine. In fact, there isn’t much of a wine culture in the tropical island country. So it might be surprising to learn that the Canadian immigrant became the first and only Filipino certified wine sommelier in Canada, and she is now writing the very first food and wine pairing book that caters to the Filipino cuisine. Oliveros doesn’t just love the taste of wine, she loves the history behind every bottle. “The [wine] regions are some of the most beautiful places in the world,” she says. “I believe the best way to understand wine is to get to those places,” says Oliveros, whose second passion is travel. But it was love, not travel, that brought her to Canada. Oliveros was on track to attend law school in the Philippines, but changed her plans when her then boyfriend (now husband) decided to immigrate. “We realized that this is a wonderful country especially for people who have ambitions, who are willing to work hard,” she says. At first, Oliveros worked as a live-in caregiver in Toronto. Her drive, determination and entrepreneurial spirit then led her to start her first company, Care Link Homecare, providing home-based care to elder Canadians, as well as the Serendra wellness magnetic jewellery line. It wasn’t until 2012 that she would look to wine as an additional career path. Having just completed a wine tour in Europe, she and her husband headed to the Philippines for a visit and were invited to an elite wine club, one that counted among its members politicians and celebrities. They were greeted by someone who claimed to be a wine

SUCCESS STORY

Photo by Alessandro Shinado

I love telling stories. I love the interpersonal dynamics that happen around the table.”

around the table.” Her decision to write a book — Wines for Filipino Cuisines: A Gastronomic Adventure of Sommelier Arlene Oliveros — is her way to give back to her community and introduce them to something she’s come to love. Writing the book, to be published in December 2015, is also a way for Oliveros to stay connected to her home country. “Even though I’ve been here in Canada for almost two decades now, I still have that connection to my roots,” she says. Oliveros has received a great deal of support from the Filipino community in Canada. “Filipinos are great networkers. We’re quite a close community,” she says. “The process of information dissemination happens very quickly,” says Oliveros. Changing the way the Filipino community thinks about wine will surely be a challenge, but it’s one Oliveros says she’s ready to take on. Most recently, Oliveros was named as an Ambassador of Italian Wines. “I had to attend a really serious scientific program to understand more than 2,000 grape varietals of Italy that most people, even wine connoisseurs, have not heard of,” she says. The two-week course of studying native

Arlene Oliveros found a passion and career in wine.

Italian grapes and tasting wine from the region prepared Oliveros to be able to communicate and market Italian wines. Being selected as an ambassador of the biggest producer of wine in the world was a huge feat for an Asian immigrant who had no basic knowledge of wine prior to studying in Canada. Closer to home, Oliveros was chosen to work with Prince Edward County, a small wine region in Southern Ontario that’s not quite as well-known as its larger cousin, Niagara. She is currently working alongside wine producers and wineries to help them to market their products. Oliveros was also selected to do wine tastings and education for a group of celebrities at the Toronto International Film Festival and was invited to be a speaker at the Toronto Sushi Festival where she represented wineries from Prince Edward County. The opportunities are ripe for Oliveros, who says the greatest piece of advice she received is to never accept no as an answer, especially when the no is coming from yourself. “You have to believe that hard work, perseverance and optimism will work for you,” she says. Let’s drink to that!

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Celebrating success! Winners were honoured at the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards ceremonies last month The RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards of 2015 were celebrated with two ceremonies, one in Toronto on June 23, followed by one in Vancouver on June 25. The Vancouver event was held at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art in Vancouver and was emceed by CBC broadcaster Andrew Chang. Nine winners from Metro Vancouver and Calgary

were in attendance, including the winners of the two special recognitions: RBC Entrepreneur Award (Alice Chung) and Chevrolet Ingenuity Award (Vikram Vij). The Toronto event was held at RBC Waterpark Place, and was emceed by broadcaster Matt Galloway. Winners from Eastern Canada were honoured at this ceremony.

Toronto event

Kim Mason, RBC regional president, Greater Toronto. Winner Ulrike Bahr-Gedalia.

Winner Ver Cruz. Winners Sherif Guorgui (left) and John Iwaniura.

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Vancouver event

Vancouver event emcee broadcaster Andrew Chang. Group shot of all winners at the Vancouver ceremony.

Alice Chung was presented the RBC Entrepreneur Award by Andrea Digby (left) and Sarah Adams of RBC. Vikram Vij was the winner of the Chevrolet Ingenuity Award.

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LGBTQ immigrants face ‘another layer’ of settlement challenges By Margaret Jetelina

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n top of the many settlement challenges that immigrants face, being a gay immigrant adds “another layer” of difficulty in the journey, says Russian-born Ilaneet Goren, a social worker and equity and diversity specialist. She immigrated to Canada as a youth after living in Israel for 11 years. “In addition to settlement challenges, you’re trying to negotiate your identity, and figure out where it’s safe to be out, and where not,” says Goren. “Sometimes that’s not within your own family unit that you came to Canada with, which should be your no. 1 safety net.” She adds: “That’s true especially if you’re from a conservative culture. Of course, the challenges vary based on where you’re from and what your experience was in your country of origin — for example, in some countries, [being gay] is highly persecuted.” In her case, Goren says that after immigrating to Canada as a 21-year-old, her family was already under a lot of stress. “We were dealing with the typical stuff — jobs, apartment, financial stressers. Among all that, it’s not easy to come out.” Goren had joined a youth group where she fell in love with her first girlfriend. “I wanted to share my relationship with my family, but I couldn’t,” she says. “I didn’t experience a lot of inclusion or acceptance in the Russian/Ukrainian community. I didn’t feel necessarily comfortable to be completely out.”

Cultural taboo

Surrey, B.C.-based clinical social worker Alex Sangha (and a RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant

(2011)) understands cultural taboo all too well. “Many countries where immigrants originate from, such as India, Pakistan and Iran, have social, cultural and religious restrictions and taboos on homosexuality. It is difficult to come out to a family or friends under this environment,” he says. “Many gay youth do not want to shame their families and they want to do what their families expect such as having marriage and children even if they are gay. Sangha’s family is originally from Punjab, India, and of Sikh background, although he was born in England. “I immigrated to Canada with my two brothers and parents from England when I was relatively young. My parents then divorced. I came out to my mom when I was 19. I told her I was bisexual because I did not like to be gay. My mom accepted me. She said she knew I was different all along,” says Sangha. “My father to this day feels that being gay is wrong and sinful and unnatural. He loves me as a son but does not support my lifestyle. This is essentially in part a rejection of me as a person because I feel I have no choice over my sexual identity or orientation. Coming out was very difficult. I was alienated, depressed and suicidal.”

Gay support groups

Fortunately, Sangha says, these days there are more resources available for gay immigrants. “There is more support now and it’s getting easier for the generation coming up thanks in part to groups like Sher Vancouver.” Sher Vancouver is a support group for LGBTQ South Asians and their friends and families.

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Other examples include SOY's Express in Toronto, a program that provides support for young gay newcomers and refugees who come from countries or cultures where it’s not safe, legal or easy to be out. There are also several groups like Rainbow Refugee and LEGIT that advocate for people seeking refugee protection in Canada because of persecution based on sexual orientation. Iranian-born refugee Arsham Parsi started the Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees in Toronto “to create a resource for people who are in a similar situation as I was,” he explains. “Growing up in Iran as a gay person was very difficult because I had to act as a heterosexual, and there weren’t any resources that I could use when I wanted to come out.” Access to such support programs makes coming out in Canada easier, says Goren, who points to the LGBTQ Youth Line (1-800-268-9688) as a great resource. “The culture of human rights is strong in Canada relative to other parts of world, and that creates a culture where immigrants can more safely come out,” she says. “Being in Canada

certainly played a role in being comfortable with who I am.”

Finding your place

Sangha points out, however, that gay immigrants can also feel some exclusion within the LGBTQ community itself. “The gay world can be a lonely and difficult world at times,” he says. “For queer people of colour, you can sometimes feel marginalized and excluded. Just remember that you are not alone, so reach out and attend social events and join groups and just be yourself.” Goren, whose family came to understand and accept her lifestyle — and later celebrated her marriage to her partner of two years, Selina, in 2013 — adds: “It takes courage to be fully yourself. But when you’re able to be fully yourself, it improves your quality of life and sense of wellbeing.” Sangha sums up, “At the end of the day your friends and family who love you will support you. If not, you will meet new people. Be true to your identity and have the courage to support others in similar situations because the more of us who come out and support each other, the better it will be for everyone.”

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August 2015

Canadian Immigrant

SETTLEMENT | I M M I G R AT I O N L AW |

Same-sex sponsorship

You can apply as a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner

n Canada, people in same-sex and opposite-sex relationships have three options to sponsor their partner; they can either apply as spouses, common-law partners or conjugal partners.

Three partnership options

The spouse category is straightforward, and applies to anyone who was legally married, provided that both parties to the marriage are over the age of 16, and that both parties voluntarily entered the marriage. There are exceptions to this, including marriages conducted through proxy, telephone, internet and fax, as well as polygamous and bigamous marriages. The common-law partner category requires people in relationships who have not married to have cohabited together for at least one year in a conjugal relationship. It requires continuous cohabitation for one year, not

intermittent cohabitation adding up to one year. While cohabitation means living together continuously, short periods of separation due to work, business travel, family obligations, etc., are permitted. After the one-year period of cohabitation has been established, the partners may live apart for periods of time without legally breaking the cohabitation, provided that there is evidence that both parties are continuing the relationship. The conjugal partner category is for individuals who have been in a relationship for at least one year and who are not married nor have been able to cohabit for one year. The reason for not living together must be exceptional, and the conjugal partner category is typically used by people in samesex relationships in countries where such relationships can lead to persecution. Typically, there also must be a Canadian

immigration impediment to the foreign national partner living in Canada as a visitor, including the inability or unlikelihood of obtaining a visa. Canada does not have a fiancĂŠ or an intended common-law partner category.

socially. Establishing the primary purpose of a relationship is similar to establishing genuineness. However, the primary purpose test looks at the intentions of both parties to the relationship at the time the relationship began.

A genuine relationship

All couples equal

Regardless of which category is used, all applicants must demonstrate that their relationship is genuine and that the primary purpose is not simply to immigrate. To establish genuineness, couples must show that they share a mutual commitment to a shared life. It includes the requirement of monogamy, and applicants are required to demonstrate that they are interdependent physically, emotionally, financially and

At this point, the existence of same-sex relationships has become so ingrained in Canadian immigration policy that in the context of sponsorship applications, most practitioners and visa officers probably donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t distinguish whatsoever in how they assess couples in same-sex relationships as opposed to opposite-sex ones. As a Canadian, that makes me proud.

Steven Meurrens is an immigration lawyer with Larlee Rosenberg in Vancouver. Contact him at 604-681-9887 or visit his blog at smeurrens.com.

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Immigrant

Settlement

Guide 2015

To list your agency in the “Immigrant Settlement Guide,” please contact: ONTARIO LISTINGS Ricky Bajaj: 905-273-8170 or John Zhang: 416-803-3931

WESTERN CANADA LISTINGS

Alla Gordeeva: 778-558-3397 or alla@canadianimmigrant.ca

Are you a newcomer to Canada? You no doubt have many questions. Immigrating can be a challenging process, with many unknowns, but the good news is that there are many resources available to help you. Seeking help at an immigrant settlement agency is going to be your most important first step in Canada. And many services are free, from English as a second language programs to settlement counselling to career help, including mentorship and retraining opportunities. The services are all aimed to help you overcome the challenges you’re facing and succeed in Canada. Here are just some of the agencies ready to serve you in the Greater Toronto Area:

Agency

General Services and Specialty Programs

Languages

Brampton Multicultural Centre (BMC)

Not for profit, registered charity providing multilingual, culturally sensitive free programs & services to help clients enhance their community engagement while integrating into Canadian society. Programs: Initial settlement support, resumés & employment readiness workshops, advocacy with solution-focused counselling, interpretation & translation, services for youth and youth at risk, volunteer opportunities, seniors program and mental health support services in multiple languages. Reference to instructor-led LINC classes with child-minding & transportation subsidies, violence against women program and community engagement programs. Email: services@bmccentre.org www.bmccentre.org

• • • • •

English Punjabi Gujarati French Spanish

• • • • •

Hindi Tamil Urdu Arabic Farsi

Settlement Services, Family Counselling, Senior Services and Volunteer Opportunities. Specialty Programs: English Language Training & Citizenship Classes, Job Search Workshops, Adult Day & Seniors Wellness program, Services for Women, Children and Youth, Supportive Mental Health Services Email: info@indiarainbow.org www.indiarainbow.org

• • • •

English Punjabi Gujarati French

• • • •

Hindi Tamil Urdu Arabic

Find out how to: get the skills you need to find work quickly! — Job Search Workshops Program! perfect your resumé, practise interview skills and more — Job Find Club for Internationally Trained Individuals job search effectively — with Employment Ontario Employment Services. Access Bridge to HR — a bridging program for internationally educated HR professionals Email: info@jobskills.org www.jobskills.org

• English

Settlement Services, LINC Classes (level 1-6) with child minding, Counseling, Job search, Citizenship & Immigration, Groups for Youth, Seniors & Women and Volunteering. Specialty Programs: Bridge Training Program for International Mental Health Professionals, Community Engagement Program, Community Mental health Program and Anger management. Additional locations at Scarborough and Toronto. Email: northyork@mnlct.org www.mnlct.org

• • • • •

English Spanish Mandarin Bengali Turkish

New to Canada? Looking for a job in your field? Need career and training options? We can help Get free advice on how to use your skills and find a meaningful career in Canada. Contact us today to speak with one of our experts. We’re a national organization and serve all of Ontario. Contact: Elena Rakitskaya or Jim Lamarche Email: acp@nacc.ca www.nacc.ca/acp

• • • • •

English French Russian Farsi Spanish

Settlement Services: assist immigrants to integrate and become established and contributing members of Canadian society. English Language Classes are instructor-led, and supported by a computer lab. Job-specific, advanced-level Enhanced Language Training available. Supports to assist in developing the skills needed to find work: resumé/cover letter preparation, interview readiness and information about accreditation, workplace practices, Canadian employer expectations. Other services available. Email: info@welcomecentre.ca www.welcomecentre.ca

• English

197 County Court Blvd. Suite 303 Brampton ON L6W 4P6 Phone: 905-790-8482 Fax: 905-874-6100

India Rainbow Community Services of Peel 3038 Hurontario Street, Suite 206 & Unit 1, Mississauga, ON L5B 3B9 Phone: 905-275-2369 Job Skills Employment & Business Programs & Supports Locations in York, Peel and North Toronto Phone: 1-866-592-6278 Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto 2737 Keele Street North York ON M3M 2E9 Phone: 647-776-2057 National Association of Career Colleges 44 Byward Market, Suite 270 Ottawa, K1N 7A2 Phone: 1-866-981-6863 Welcome Centre Immigrant Services 7 Locations in York and Durham Regions Phone: 1-877-761-1155

August 2015

Canadian Immigrant

| C AREER COACH |

At the top

Begin your resumé with a compelling top one-third

growing notion among recruiters is that the “Career Objective” statement found at the top of a resumé is becoming more and more outdated in today’s job market. They feel instead of focusing on his or her objective, the primary responsibility of the candidate should be to quickly impress upon the recruiter what he or she can bring to the table in the organization. And so an ideal resumé today replaces the “This is what I want” objective statement with a “This is the value that I offer” branding statement today.

Brand yourself

A bold entry with a strong personal brand within the first five seconds, framed around your unique value and strengths, can open more doors for you. Here are a few examples that could go right under your name.

• dynamic customer service representative • passionate marketing sales head • seasoned mechanical engineer • experienced QA/QC analyst The combination of a powerful job title headline followed by a positioning statement that connects your experience to the position, telling a potential employer what you can do for them, can literally make you unbeatable. Because recruiters and employers generally spend most of their time looking at the top portion of a resumé, you must be strategic with the content you place at the top — it should excite them to move beyond the first few lines. When drafting your personal brand statement, highlight the key areas of expertise, insert keywords and definitely sizzle with personality. Here are a few examples:

• Accomplished business supplies and equipment professional with proven record of training teams and leadership development. • Energetic, passionate IT networking technologist with demonstrated skills in hard ware software applications. • Passionate and dynamic sales specialist with a focus on building effective relationships and driving clients to action. • Performance-driven and selfmotivated banking professional with high integrity. • Accomplished marketing, business development specialist with tested experience

in diverse markets.

Sharp extras

Think of your resumé as one of the arrows in your quiver. If it’s dull at the tip, you’re less likely to hit the mark. To make it sharper, it is also advisable to add a QR Code or a link to your LinkedIn profile or portfolio website link or any professional social media page — right at the top along with your email and phone number. I recommend opening the resumé with your name, the coveted job title that indicates the position you are looking for, followed by a well-defined brand slogan that sets you apart from others.

Indian-born Murali Murthy is owner of Vantage Copy, as well as a speaker, coach and best-selling author of The ACE Books — The ACE Principle and The ACE Awakening. He is also chairperson of CAMP Networking Canada. See poweroface.com.

Are you new to Canada and starting your own business? The Entrepreneurship Connections program is designed for newcomers who plan to start a business in Canada. If you have owned or operated a business outside Canada, or would like to launch one here, call today for more information!

www.accesemployment.ca 416-921-1800 canadianimmigrant.ca August 2015 20EntrepreneurshipConnections_July2015_CanadianImmigrant_halfpage.indd

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| HIGHER LEARNING |

School choices

Confused about where to study in Canada?

hen you ask students why they are attending college or university, you don’t hear “For the love of learning” as an answer often. You hear mostly about jobs and money. Beyond this motivation, the decision to attend post-secondary studies in Canada involves many factors including personal development, academic preparation, career goals, finances, location, family expectations, culture and opportunity. This is a life-changing decision and given the financial cost and time commitment, you will want to have as much information as possible about the school and program before you decide. For some, going back to university may seem like the right option; others might choose to amplify their degrees with a practical college diploma, or continuing education or bridging programs.

Considering university

Depending on your choice of program, university can either prepare you for a specific career or provide you with a strong foundation to think and adapt in a fast-changing world. Studying at university typically takes longer than at college, with most undergraduate degrees requiring four years of full-time study. The time you can dedicate and the funds available may be strong factors in your decision to attend university. There are university programs that are geared for specific careers, such as nursing and engineering. Many of these programs are competitive and admission requires specific courses, primarily in math and science. Those with broader educational goals or unsure about their career path in Canada may choose university and take a variety of subjects. They will have a concentration in one or more subjects, but courses will not necessarily lead to a specific career. Some professions such as law

and teaching prefer students to have a broad educational background prior to entering the specific graduate degrees required in order to work in the field. These professional programs are very competitive and you typically require an undergraduate degree, often in any discipline, with a strong academic record prior to being admitted. If you already have a bachelor’s degree from your country of origin, you may be interested in pursuing your master’s or PhD in Canada. But like your original degree, this can be a significant investment of time and money, so if your ultimate goal is to get a Canadian credential to get a job, then a shorter, more practical college or bridging program might be a better choice.

College choices

Most programs at college prepare students for specific careers. They may be a one-year certificate, a two-year diploma, a three-year advanced diploma, or an applied degree. Therefore, you will choose your college program on the basis of the kind of work you want to do. College programs vary widely from skilled trades such as occupations in construction to health care workers and legal assistants. Generally they represent areas of the economy where there are employment opportunities. Tuition fees tend to be lower at colleges except for the applied degree programs, which are more in line with university tuition. Given the focus on skills training as well as its shorter programs, college can be a good option for: • newcomers and foreign-trained professionals who need some additional Canadian-based training • people who already have university degrees but want more specific training or want to change careers • business owners who are interested in gaining additional

skills and training

Continuing education bridging programs

and

If you already have university or college training, but are interested in adding to your skillset, there are continuing education courses at both colleges and universities that can help with being competitive in the job market. For instance, in our multicultural world, having knowledge of more than one language is useful. Courses in accounting, marketing and interviewing may give a competitive edge in business, social service, hospitality and other fields. Many universities and colleges, as well as professional associations, also offer bridging programs specifically tailored to newcomers and foreign-trained professionals. These programs are designed to help a newcomer in a specific occupation to adapt their knowledge and skills to the Canadian environment, rather than redoing all

their training. The availability of such bridging programs in a variety of fields, especially licensed professions, has exploded. One example for internationally trained lawyers is the Osgoode Professional Development program at York University, a prep program that helps immigrant lawyers get ready to take the accreditation exam in Ontario. The program is flexible and offers extensive faculty support and resources. There is a similar program offered for accounting professionals called the CPA Bridging Program at the University of Lethbridge. This program enables you to complete the business and accounting courses needed for entrance into the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP), while you continue to work full time. For a list of many other bridging programs in various occupations, please see canadianimmigrant.ca under “Work & Education > Bridging programs.”

Geneviève Beaupré and Susan Qadeer have extensive experience working in university and college settings, providing career, academic and personal counselling to international and immigrant students.

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August 2015

Canadian Immigrant

Come to the fair

Immigrant expos landing in Halifax, Calgary and Vancouver this fall

anadian Immigrant magazine is coming to Halifax to present its signature Career, Education & Settlement Fair, on Sept. 8, at the World Trade and Convention Centre (1800 Argyle St.). While this is the first time the fair has been held in the Atlantic Provinces, the innovative event for newcomers to Canada is built upon the successful track record of similar events in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary for the past five years. Just this past June, more than 1,000 Canadian newcomers attended the 5th annual Career, Education & Settlement Fair in Toronto. Then, after the Halifax fair, the event will return to Cal-

22 canadianimmigrant.ca

August 2015

gary for the second time (Oct. 15) and Vancouver for the third year in a row (Nov. 16). “Halifax’s history is steeped in immigration to Canada, boasting the famed Pier 21 Canadian Museum of Immigration, and our goal is to ensure that today’s new arrivals get the information and inspiration they need to succeed in Canada,” says Sanjay Agnihotri, group publisher of

Canadian Immigrant. Guided by local advisory boards of immigration experts, Canadian Immigrant magazine is now calling all interested tradeshow participants to get involved, including employers, recruiters, immigrant and refugee settlement providers, language schools, educational institutes, immigration law firms and professional associations.

For information on taking part in these events as an exhibitor, sponsor or speaker, contact Ricky Bajaj

Alla Gordeeva

(Halifax fair) at 905-273-8170 or rbajaj@metroland.com

(Vancouver/Calgary fairs) at 778-558-3397 or alla@ canadianimmigrant.ca

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WELCOME TO CANADA Brought to you by:

BUILD YOUR CREDIT HISTORY IN CANADA And create a strong financial foundation for your family

stablishing a credit history in Canada will be one of the most important things you can do to secure your financial future in your new country. This is why it’s important to begin building a credit history as early as possible. What is a credit history? Your credit history begins the first time you get a credit card, a loan or a line of credit in your name. Your credit file tracks how much money you borrow and how quickly you pay it back. It then assigns you a credit score to identify the level of risk you present to lenders.

By Lisa Evans

to apply for, and responsibly use, a credit card. Using your credit card and making regular payments on time will help you establish a good credit history. • Establish good financial practices. Good financial management skills will be key to establishing a good credit score. Pay your bills in full and on time, or

a collection agency, which will negatively affect your credit rating. • Avoid multiple credit cards. When it comes to establishing your credit history, slow wins the race. Don’t rush out and get five credit cards thinking that will help you establish credit history faster. Each time you apply for a credit card, your

• Follow safe banking practices. To safeguard yourself from fraud, it’s important to never share confidential information, like your PIN (personal identification number) with anyone. It’s a good practice to do an annual credit report check to make sure no one has opened a line of credit in your name. • Ask your banker for assistance

at least pay the minimum amount shown on your statement and avoid going over the limit on your credit card. Not only is it important to pay your credit card bill on time, paying all of your bills, such as phone and utility bills, on time will also impact your credit score. Unpaid bills may be sold to

credit score is impacted. This is because the number of credit checks performed is factored into your credit score. Plus, having access to a lot of credit, and failing to pay it off, will have disastrous consequences on your credit score and will make it difficult for you to access credit products later on.

in establishing a credit history. While it’s common for newcomers to fret about not having a credit score yet, financial institutions are able to help. The Scotiabank StartRight® Program1 for Newcomers has unsecured and secured credit card options that help newcomers build their credit history.

How is a credit score determined?

Each time you borrow money, use your credit card or pay your bills, information about your financial transactions is sent to a credit reporting agency (the two main ones are Equifax Canada and TransUnion of Canada). The agency then uses this information to come up with your credit score. Your credit score is used by lenders to determine how much money you can borrow. Every time you borrow money in Canada — such as a mortgage for a home or a car loan — lenders will want some assurance that you can pay the money back. For this assurance, they look to your credit score. Your credit score may also be checked by landlords to determine whether you can rent an apartment.

Getting good credit

Follow these tips to establish a good credit history in Canada. • Apply for a credit card. The easiest way to start building your credit history in Canada is

® Registered trademarks of The Bank of Nova Scotia. 1. The Scotiabank StartRight Program, created for Canadian Landed Immigrants from 0–3 years in Canada, International Students and Foreign Workers. 2. The Scotiabank StartRight Mortgage Program, created for Canadian Landed Immigrants and Foreign Workers from 0-5 years in Canada.

August 2015

Canadian Immigrant

WELCOME TO CANADA Brought to you by:

Know your score

Not keeping tabs on your credit score may be one of the most overlooked financial mistakes Canadians make. Your credit score is like a financial report card that indicates the risk you present to lenders. Banks will check your credit score before handing out a mortgage or car loan, and landlords will check your credit score before renting you an apartment. A credit score is a number between 300 and 900 that is based on your payment history and outstanding debt. The higher your score, the lower the risk you pose to a potential lender. A score of 650 and higher is considered good, while anything above 750 is considered excellent. Someone with a low credit score (less than 600) may still be able to get access to credit, but they may be charged a higher interest rate. Regularly reviewing your own credit report can help you: • Identify outdated or incorrect information. Your credit report may identify an old credit card that you forgot to cancel or misinformation about an existing line of credit. • Understand why you have been declined credit. While it’s most beneficial to know your credit score before applying for a loan, accessing your credit report can help you make better financial choices in order to fix any problems with your credit that are standing in the way of you achieving your financial goals. • Protect your personal financial information from identity theft. If someone gains access to your financial information, they may be able to open a credit card or take out a loan in your name.

Doing an annual credit report check can help identify possible fraudulent behaviour.

How to get your score

You can order a free copy of your credit report by mail from Equifax and TransUnion, or you can pay around $15 to get an instant report online. Your credit score, however, is not free. This costs $20-$25, but is well worth the hassle you could face if someone is using your account for fraudulent activity.

CAN YOU AFFORD A HOME? What you need to know before you begin house hunting By Lisa Evans

ne of the first things newcomers need to do upon arriving in Canada is find a place to live. While many newcomers choose to rent a home for their first few years in the country, home ownership is also an attractive option for those who want to build equity right away. So long as you make your mortgage payments, your equity in your home increases from the day you buy it. The longer you live in the home, the more equity you will be able to build. While owning a home may sound like a great idea, figuring out how much of a home you can afford can be challenging. Take these steps before scouring the real estate ads to see if home ownership is right for you and your family.

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CanI

“I know how hard it is to establish your finances in a new country.” —Scotiabank advisor ®

Our advisors can help open the door to your new start in Canada. The Scotiabank StartRight Program , specially designed for newcomers, helps you settle quickly in Canada. Let one of our advisors show you how. ®

Visit scotiabank.com/startright or call 1-866-800-5159. ® Registered trademarks of The Bank of Nova Scotia. 1. The Scotiabank StartRight Program, created for Canadian Landed Immigrants from 0–3 years in Canada, International Students and Foreign Workers.

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WELCOME TO CANADA Brought to you by:

you with a certain mortgage amount and helps you to focus your house hunting to properties within your price range. When you receive a mortgage pre-approval, this typically locks in an interest rate for a period of time from the application date.

Save up for a down payment

In order to purchase a home, you will need to have money in the bank to use as a down payment. Canadian banks recommend putting down 20 per cent of the purchase price of the house. Homebuyers with less than a 20 per cent down payment will need to get mortgage loan insurance. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Commission’s mortgage loan insurance enables homebuyers to finance up to 95 per cent of the purchase price of a home.

Know your credit score

Lenders will review your credit history prior to approving you for a mortgage. If you have borrowed any money in Canada or have any open lines of credit (credit cards, personal loans, etc.), maintaining a satisfactory credit rating will be an important asset when trying to arrange a mortgage. For newcomers who haven’t yet established a Canadian credit history, the Scotiabank StartRight® Mortgage Program2 can help you own a home sooner.

Understand your expenses

Your mortgage isn’t the only expense you will incur when owning a home. Look into what your property taxes, heating, water and gas will cost. Also don’t forget to include condo/maintenance

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August 2015

costs if you purchase a condominium. If you’re buying a house, it’s recommended to put aside some savings for maintenance expenses such as a new roof or furnace repairs. Make a budget of all of your expenses related to the home to see if home ownership is a realistic goal. As a general rule of thumb, it’s recommended that your monthly housing expenses shouldn’t be more than one-third of your total household income.

Make use of online mortgage calculators

There are many online mortgage calculators that can give you an estimate of what you may be able to afford. They ask you to enter your current income, current credit expenses, plus all the estimated house costs, including down payment, to determine how much of a home you can reasonably afford.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage

A mortgage pre-approval is a pre-qualifying process with your lender (typically a bank) that lets you know exactly how much financing you can realistically be able to arrange for a home purchase. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage will allow you to shop for a home with ease, knowing that your lender will provide

Choosing a mortgage

Once you’ve found your dream home, you’ll likely need to arrange a mortgage to finance your purchase. Like houses, mortgages come in all shapes and sizes, meaning there’s lots to understand when making decisions about the type of mortgage you want. Here is an overview of some mortgage basics: Amortization period. This term refers to the length of time you will have to pay off your mortgage. Mortgages typically come in 20 to 25 year amortization periods. The longer your amortization period, the smaller your monthly payments will be, but the more interest you will pay overall. Payment schedules. You will have the option of paying your mortgage monthly, bi-monthly, every two weeks or weekly. Increasing your payments means you’ll have a couple of extra payments per year, which helps you to pay down your mortgage faster. Mortgage term. When getting a mortgage, you’ll also have to decide the length of time for which the interest rate, your lender is providing, will apply. A mortgage term is typically five years, but can be less. When the term is up, you will have the option to renegotiate the interest rate. Interest rate type. Mortgage rates come as fixed or variable. A fixed rate will not change for the mortgage term. Fixed rates are typically higher, but they provide peace of mind knowing that your interest costs will remain the same for the entire term. Variable interest rates fluctuate with prime rate changes, which may go up or down, thereby affecting your mortgage payments. If interest rates go down, you’ll pay less. Variable rates are a good option for homebuyers who are willing to accept some degree of risk. Open or closed mortgage. An open mortgage allows you to pay off your mortgage in part or in full at any time without any penalties. This option comes with a higher interest rate but is a great idea if you think you’ll run into some extra money, such as an inheritance, or if you plan to sell your home in the near future. A closed mortgage has a lower interest rate but doesn’t offer the same flexibility meaning you’ll have to pay a penalty if you pay off the mortgage before the term ends. facebook/canimmigrant

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CULTURE

Cana-dance

Yvonne Ng is a dancer, choreographer curator Immigrationand matters could be tricky of this summer’s Dance: Reach an Expert Made in Canada festival By Lisa Evans

vonne Ng almost didn’t arts. “I didn’t hear from them for become a dancer. Born a long time,” she says. Eventually in Singapore, the award- her parents did phone her and winning dancer, choreographer although they weren’t thrilled and producer came to Canada in with her decision, they accepted 1983 to study hotel and catering their daughter’s change of plans. management. “I knew I wanted “I do believe that they are proud to be in the arts,” admits Ng, but of me and happy with where I’m A AUG S her father was against her pursu- at,” she says, pausing to add, “I’m S I S S ing an arts-related career. not sure to this day they know OF MI “He said dance should only be how to describe what Ibe do.”tricky Immigration matters could a hobby,” recalls Ng, who started In her final year of study at ballet school at four years old. York University, Ng started a But, once in Canada on a student dance company called Dance Alvisa, Ng gave into temptation legro with two other dance stuand auditioned for York Uni- dents as an independent study, to versity’s dance department; she experience what it would be like was accepted into the program. to create, administer and proAlthough thrilled to have her duce shows. The trio continued talent recognized, Ng was also the company into the late 1980s terrified of telling her father Certified untilCanadian one of the co-founders deImmigration Consultants she’d changed her career path to cided to move to New and Members of CSIC, CMI, CapIC York. Graduates of the UBC Immigration pursue dance. Ng then founded Tiger Prinpractitioner Certificate program Member CSIC M064140 That summer, she went home, cess Dance Projects in 1995 UGA ARE N SQU IVE MISSISSA E O V TI TI A IA R IT CELEB TRE DR umbrella of Princess but was still afraid to tell herprovide par- under RTS IN Y CEN We alltheimmigration services NITY A 300 CIT OMMU EE Productions. The name was ents. “For a whole month, I felt ION FR ANADIAN C S IS M :C AD Y B D E C chosen to reflect Worker Ng’s unique like I had a lump in my throat Federal Skilled PRODU ould experience as an immigrant to because I felt I couldn’t tell my Arranged Employment dad,” she recalls. When she re- Canada andImmigration a visual minority. NgImmigration Con Certified Canadian Consultants Certified Canadian Canadian Experience Class and Members of CSIC, CMI,and CapIC Members of CSIC, CMI, Ca turned to Canada, she wrote her became well-known in the CanaGraduates of the UBC Immigration Graduates of the UBC Immigrat Neera Agnihotri 96 practitioner Certificate program practitioner Certificate progra 5 Provincial Nominee Programs 9 Member CSIC M064140 . 8 parents a long letter justifying dian dance community as both a 8 416.3 S Business and Investor why she wanted to pursue theprovide talented dancer, We allcontemporary immigration services We provide all immigr RTIST

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Yvonne Ng in performance.

producer and most recently as a choreographer. In 2001, she became the curator of Dance: Made in Canada, a bi-annual festival that produces the work of choreographers from across Canada. “I realized that there were a number of artists that I really loved and I wanted to give them a platform,” she says. This year, the Toronto festival will take place Aug. 13-16 at the Betty Oliphant Theatre. For Ng, the festival mirrors her background of being inclusive. Growing up in Singapore, a country comprised of many different nationalities — Chinese, Malaysian, Indian — and now living in Canada, Ng understands the value of a multicultural society. “The festival is a reflection of how I see the interconnectedness of our lives,” she says. By highlighting artists who are themselves immigrants as well as Canadian-born, the festival touches on the beauty of Cana-

da’s multicultural environment. Although Ng has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Soulpepper Community Arts Award, a Dora Award for best performance and the Ontario Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, she laughs when asked if she thinks of herself as a success. “I never think of it as successful, but I think of it as a pretty fortunate life,” she says, adding it took perseverance and a lot of motivation to get to where she is today. “You make the life you want to live,” she says, highlighting this is particularly true for immigrants who have to forge their paths in their new country from scratch, often without family support. “I have a long list of things I want to do all the time,” Ng says, arguing she hasn’t reached the peak of her career yet. “I guess success is when I wake up in the morning and my body doesn’t ache,” she jokes. August 2015

Canadian Immigrant

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ummer is universally known as road trip season: a time to go out and enjoy Canada’s natural beauty, explore its vastness, and experience many of the unique at- Family-friendly destinations By Ronald D’Souza tractions that await you. Road trips are a sure way to create memories that will last a lifetime and foster relationships with those you love. Here are some of the best local road trip destinations that Ontario has to offer. So go ahead — pick up that map, plug in your GPS and get going before summer slips away!

Niagara, the great

There is perhaps no other image of Ontario as iconic as the majestic Niagara Falls, which is in Southern Ontario. It’s a popular tourist spot for a reason, and definitely worth the approximately two-hour drive from Toronto. At the falls themselves, you can take the classic Maid of the Mist boat ride. Or go behind the falls where you’ll walk through tunnels and emerge from observation decks for a spectacular view. Head up to the top of the Skylon Tower for an overhead perspective.

You can also stop in at the Niagara Botanical Gardens. Located along the scenic Niagara Parkway, the botanical gardens are home to 40 hectares of beautifully maintained gardens as well as the butterfly conservatory featuring more than over 2,000 colourful tropical butterflies. Also visit Niagara-on-the-Lake, a pretty 19th-century village, with upscale restaurants and elegant architecture. A big wine region in Ontario, don’t miss out on the many winery tours as well.

Ottawa, the capital

Ottawa is the capital of Canada as is located in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario. Be sure to leave early if you want to spend the day here, as it is approximately a four-and-a-half hour drive from Toronto. Be sure to stop at the ByWard Market, where you’ll find museums, cafés, specialty food shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, pubs, salons and more. The market is situated within an area of roughly four square blocks and is easily accessible on foot, by transit or by car, and offers

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August 2015

and crisp, clean water. Sandbanks boasts three sandy beaches: Outlet Beach, Sandbanks Beach and Dunes There are many fun activities Ontario Beach. to enjoy, including windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, boating, sunbathing and swimming. Want to take things up a notch? How about camping, fishing and hiking? Sandbanks has it all, right here in our own backyard! Also, enjoy the various winery tours being offered in Prince Edward Country wine region, which offer fully escorted half- and full-day tours.

Toronto stay-cation guests a truly unique experience in one of Ottawa’s oldest commercial and residential areas. While you’re in Ottawa, be sure to also be amazed by Canada’s Aviation and Space Museum. It holds approximately 130 military and civilian aircraft — the largest collection in the country and the most comprehensive in the world! Don’t forget to experience Redbird, a full-motion flight simulator that’s used to train pilots that will put you in control of an aircraft as you fly around the Ottawa area. If you want to take things up a notch, hop into the 1939 open cockpit biplane for a real-life flight around the nation’s capital! Last, but certainly not least, be sure to marvel at Canada’s Parliament Hill. Parliament Hill is home to Canada’s federal government, where representatives from across Canada gather to make laws that affect the lives of Canadians. It’s made up of three buildings: the Centre Block, the East Block, and the West Block. Visit the picturesque grounds of Parliament Hill and look at the various monuments, commemorations and classic architecture that it has to offer.

Prince Edward County sand and wine

Prince Edward County in South eastern Ontario is situated about two-and-a-half hours away from Toronto. If your idea of rest and relaxation involves listening to the sound of waves while blanketing your toes in warm sand, then Sandbanks Provincial Park is your ideal destination! Sandbanks is among the largest and most beautiful beaches in Ontario, with golden sand

Looking to stay right here at home? Toronto has a lot to see. There’s a reason that our tourism industry is booming, and it’s because of the great local attractions, culture and events that the city has to offer. Toronto’s Zoo is the largest zoo in Canada, spanning more than 710 acres, and is divided into seven areas: Indo-Malaya, Africa, Americas, Tundra Trek, Australasia, Eurasia and the Canadian Domain. Some animals are displayed indoors in tropical pavilions and outdoors in what would be their natural environments.

Don’t forget to bring the kids — they’ll have a blast at attractions such as the Kid’s Zoo, Waterside Theatre and Splash Island. Or bring your family and friends to Toronto’s newest attraction, Ripley’s Aquarium. Here, you’ll be able to witness and experience a world of more than 16,000 aquatic animals in North America’s longest underwater viewing tunnel with more than 5.7 million litres of both fresh and salt water. You’ll be able to get up close and personal with three touch exhibits featuring horseshoe crabs, sharks and rays as well as daily dive shows every two hours. If you’re a thrillseeker, look no further than Canada’s Wonderland, located in Vaughan, approximately 40 minutes away from Toronto. It’s open daily from May to September, and on weekends from September through early November. The park features 16 exciting roller coasters and a 20-acre water park called Splash Works. Wonderland is a great place to spend the day and will leave you wanting to return. Luckily, they offer a season’s pass! facebook/canimmigrant

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Best-laid plans

Amy Wu, CGA, CPA, took a very practical approach to immigration and starting her own firm in Vancouver

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By Noa Nichol

Amy Wu fell in love with Vancouver and simply had to live here. She has since built up a successful accounting firm in the city.

my (née Hsiu Jung) Wu isn’t the type of person to go through life without a plan. While this practical mindset certainly bodes well for her professional accountant career as a CGA and CPA, it’s played an equally important role in her quest to find a place to call “home.” Wu, who was born and raised in Taiwan, graduated from college and immediately took up work as an accountant in her homeland. However, just a few years into her career, she found herself craving more. “I had bigger hopes and dreams; I wanted to accomplish greater success than I knew I could achieve if I stayed [in Taiwan],” she says. “My idea then was to go to the United States, to Philadelphia, to further my education.” Wu acted on her intention and, four years later, returned to

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Taiwan, where she continued to climb the corporate ladder, working for larger and larger financial firms, many with stakes in North America. Everything was going according to plan when, in 2001, a trip to Vancouver changed everything. “I was so impressed, I immediately fell in love with the city,” she says. “It is just so beautiful, like no place I had ever seen. I knew I needed to be there, but I also knew I would need a very good plan to do it.” Wu, who had honed her English skills during her time in America, says there were other preparations that needed to be made before she could make her dream of living on Canada’s West Coast a successful reality. “I knew that my main problem would be, can I find a job in Canada?” she says. “This is the same challenge so many immigrants face, even

if they have much experience in their fields and can speak the language. Many Canadian employers require Canadian work experience — and, when you are not from Canada, that can be difficult to obtain.” Difficult, but not impossible. Wu’s immigration plan included saving enough money ahead of her move to allow herself the time needed to gain the kind of experience that could help land her a good job in Canada. “I saved enough to stay for one year in Vancouver without working,” she says. “I made sure I would be OK, so I could see if it would work for me.” Indeed, upon her arrival in 2007, Wu did encounter the “lack of Canadian work experience” challenge, despite her impressive resumé and academic background. Again, she went into planning mode.

“I thought, how can I gain this experience if no one will hire me?” she recalls. “But I didn’t see a dead end; I saw that there were solutions. It was up to me to do something about it.” Swallowing her pride, Wu accepted an entry-level job in her field that she knew would help gear her up for something better down the road. She also volunteered to do personal income tax work at a local seniors’ centre and, on top of it all, studied for her CGA designation, which she obtained in 2010. She added the CPA designation to her name recently as well. “Then, I looked at all I had accomplished and, with support from my husband, I decided to take a risk and start my own business,” she says, adding that her downtown Vancouver accounting firm, HJ Wu & Company Inc., has experienced tremendous success in the five years since it launched — so much so that she is now looking to add a new partner and grow her business even more. “So many people, immigrants, are scared to leave their comfort zone, but I really think you have to make a plan, work hard and believe in yourself first in order to find success,” Wu says, adding there have been times along the way where she’s had to rework her plan to deal with change and challenge. “Get out of your comfort zone,” she adds. “You have already made a big jump, leaving your home to make a new one in Canada. When you’re here, don’t let obstacles stand in your way. Do something to overcome your challenges. You can find friendship and support at a church, a community centre or with your colleagues. Most important, you cannot just think about the past. Take time to learn about Canada, and to make a new home here.”

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