UPFRONT
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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