Canadian Immigrant August 2021 Edition

Volume 18 Issue 4 | 2021 c anadianimmigr ant.c a

ARRIVE. SUCCEED. INSPIRE.

Publications mail agreement number 40011993 | $5.95

THE MAN BEHIND THE FIRST SUPERTALL BUILDING IN CANADA SAM MIZRAHI THE IMPORTANCE OF

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION in Canadian workplaces

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DOS AND DON'TS OF A VIDEO RESUME

CROSS-CULTURAL RELATIONSHIPS

VOTE NOW!

TOP 25 CANADIAN IMMIGRANT AWARDS

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME Arwina Mogul creates a successful technology platform

CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

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CONTENTS Volume 18 Issue 4, 2021

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FUSION

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COVER STORY

PROFILE: Najwa Zabian on finding a home within yourself HUMOUR BY HEMETERIO

NEWS: Voting is now open for the Top 25 Canadian

Immigrant Awards!

The man behind the first supertall building in Canada: Iranian-Canadian real estate developer and entrepreneur Sam Mizrahi is reaching new heights

12 FEATURE

Diversity and inclusion in Canadian workplaces: The growing number of immigrants in Canada leaves no choice but to ensure that immigrants have equal access to opportunities and resources as the Canadian-born population

14 CAREERS AND EDUCATION

HIGHER LEARNING: Get in shape for school

CAREER COACH: 10 dos and don’ts of a video resume

16 SETTLEMENT

The importance of cross-cultural relationships: Making intercultural connections can help you embrace the country’s multicultural ethos and build your networks IMMIGRATION LAW: Language requirements for work permit applications PARENTING: Tips for tough conversations

20 LIVING

WELLNESS: What are your personal gifts?

Navigating motherhood in a new country

24 PROFILE

For the love of the game: Filipino-Canadian Arwina Mogul brought together her passion for video games and an entrepreneurial mindset to create a successful technology platform

27 MONEY AND BUSINESS

TIPS FOR SETTLING IN FASTER: What you should do with your money ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Advice for newcomers looking to start a business in Canada

CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

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metaphorical home within one’s soul serves the purpose of being clear on what it is you are needing and what it is you are working on. For example, in the Clarity room, you envision mirrors all around because it’s literally for the purpose of seeing yourself and the world for what they really are. It’s about authentic acceptance. The Self-love room is all about living in action what it means to love yourself. Being aware that’s the room you’re entering inherently has a defined and empowering purpose. It removes any distractions from that purpose.

People. News. Information.

VOLUME 18, ISSUE 4

2021

NAJWA ZEBIAN

Group Publisher Sanjay Agnihotri Editor Ramya Ramanathan rramanathan@metroland.com Editorial Design Safi Nomani

What do you enjoy the most about being Canadian?

I enjoy the diversity within which we live. It's beautiful to see a place where people with intersectional identities can coexist respectfully and peacefully.

What advice do you have for newcomers and immigrants to Canada?

Don’t try to fit in. Don’t abandon yourself and all your identities just to be accepted. If you do that, all you’re doing is living a double life; one at home and one in public. If you work on building that home for yourself within, the place where you feel seen, loved and heard just as you are, you will not feel the need to put on a mask or hide parts of who you are out of feeling ashamed or not good enough.

Finding a home within yourself

Sr. Ad Manager Ricky Bajaj rbajaj@metroland.com Tel: 905 273 8170 Assistant Manager Laura Jackman ljackman@metroland.com General Inquiries: info@canadianimmigrant.ca

By Ramya Ramanathan

Circulation/Distribution Inquiries: ljackman@metroland.com

Photo credit: Farah Benni

ISSN 1910-4146 Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher

Publications mail agreement number: 40065097 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 3145 Wolfedale Road Mississauga, Ontario, L5C 3A9 Printed on recycled paper.

Toronto Circulation 30,000 copies Vancouver Circulation 15,000 copies Calgary/Edmonton Circulation 5,000 copies Canadian Immigrant is published five times a year in print.

Canadian Immigrant welcomes submissions, but is not responsible for unsolicited material.

Canadian Immigrant is a publication of Metroland Media Group, a division of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited.

Entire contents property of Canadian Immigrant.

canadianimmigrant.ca TORONTO 3145 Wolfedale Road, Mississauga Ontario, L5C 3A9 Tel: 905 273 8111, Fax: 905 277 9917

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ajwa Zebian is a Lebanese-Canadian activist, author, speaker and educator. Her search for a home was central to her early years as she struggled to find her place in the world. She became a teacher and a doctoral candidate in educational leadership.

born. I started visiting Canada with my family at the age of 6 and fully moved here at 16.

What inspired you to write the book?

Welcome Home is a culmination of all my years of searching for the feeling of home in other people.

When I decided to start writing Welcome Home, I was As Najwa began to write in an effort to connect at a point in my life where I had become aware of this with and heal her first students, a group of young self-abandoning pattern. I knew I needed to break refugees, she found that she was also writing to heal it. The answer was in building a home within myself herself. The author of three collections of poetry, she through a process of unlearning, rediscovery and delivered the TEDx talk "Finding Home Through self-actualization.

Poetry" and recently launched a digital school, Soul Academy, and a podcast, Stories of the Soul. Her work Where is home for you? has been featured in the New York Times, Glamour, I am my own home. Home is me. Therefore, Elle Canada and HuffPost. wherever I go, I am home. This helped me immensely with traveling. I’d always feel physically disoriented She is the author of the newly published book, because being in a new environment meant I had to Welcome Home, where she shares her personal story adapt to it and to the people in it. Now that I have a of coming to Canada and building a new identity for home within, I don’t wonder if or strive to fit in. I herself. don’t mold myself into the new place. I project who I am into the environment around me instead. In Tell us about yourself.

Welcome Home, I share many stories from my life.

Above all, I'm a human trying to live as authentically One of them is about my journey with putting the as possible. I believe I am an activist for myself to be hijab on and taking it off. This story on its own is a heard and seen, and through that, I'm an activist for perfect example of me learning who I am and being others to feel seen and heard. I do this through openly who I am. and vulnerably writing about emotions and thoughts we all experience. I also speak and teach on various In your book you speak about constructing different topics of healing through my online school Soul rooms within ourselves (Self-love, Forgiveness, Academy and my podcast, Stories of the Soul.

Compassion, Clarity, Surrender and the Dream garden), can you explain?

What brought you to Canada?

My parents started their family in Canada. They There’s a reason we assign different uses for physical decided to move with their five children to Lebanon parts of our living space. It’s about the purpose, the in 1980 so they'd learn Arabic. Eight years later, I was use, the intention of being in that space. Dividing the

CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 18 Issue 4 | 2021

Having a home within means that you are authentically living wherever you go. And what that means is that you are being true to yourself in every context and not abandoning yourself to please others.

Embrace what feels like home to you. Also, don’t be afraid of change.

Have an open mind. As long as you consciously choose that change, as opposed to feeling forced into it, it can take you on a journey that brings you closer to yourself.

CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

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news

FUSION

Voting is now open for the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards!

Now in its 13th year, the prestigious Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards recognize immigrants who have helped shape Canada’s diverse landscape. These national awards are an important celebration of diversity and the significance of coming together as Canadians, highlighting inspiring stories of immigrants from across Canada, and honouring them with the only national award celebrating immigrant success.

You can now vote for up to three of your favourite finalists online at canadianimmigrant.ca/top25 until September 17, 2021

canadianimmigrant.ca/top25.

Past winners over the last 12 years have come from all backgrounds, professions and countries of origin, and share something in common — they are all role models who have worked to make Canada a better place.

This year’s shortlist of 75 represent diverse ethnic communities, cities and industries, and were chosen from among hundreds of Canadian Immigrant nominations. The judging panel, Magazine invites all Canadians composed of past winners and to learn more about these finalists, was selected in May inspirational finalists and to cast 2021. a vote for their favourites.

Ontario-based settlement Now, more than ever, services agency COSTI is a these positive stories show program partner for the awards. we are all in this together. This Established almost 70 years year, as we continue to cope ago, COSTI aspires to empower with the challenges posed by newcomers who come to our the COVID-19 pandemic, the country from all over the world, event will be held virtually at to succeed and achieve their full

potential in their new home, Canada.

For the seventh year, one of the Top 25 winners who demonstrate excellence in business will be recognized with the Entrepreneur Award.

And, for the fifth year, the Youth Award will recognize the achievements of immigrant youth (between ages 15 and 30) who are making a difference in their adopted country and show great potential in further building this nation. Similar to our Entrepreneur Award, the Youth Award will be an additional honour given to one of the Top 25 winners. No separate votes are required.

This year’s media partners are CityTV, Toronto Star, Metro Newspaper, Metroland Community papers, Sing Tao and OMNI Television.

Looking for work? We can help!

ACCES provides free job search support and customized programs to help you succeed in your employment journey.

Contact us today to get started.

accesemployment.ca 416-921-1800

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 18 Issue 4 | 2021

COVER STORY

THE MAN BEHIND THE FIRST

SUPERTALL BUILDING IN CANADA

Challenges to me are the rites of passage. Everyone who achieved any level of success at anything that one does must confront and conquer the challenges that life presents.

It’s a part of life.

- Sam Mizrahi

Iranian-Canadian real estate developer and entrepreneur Sam Mizrahi is reaching new heights

By Ramya Ramanathan

M

eet Sam Mizrahi – the mastermind behind ‘The One’, Canada’s first supertall building (an occupied structure that reaches over 300 metres). Located at the country’s important Yonge and Bloor intersection in Toronto, when completed, this will be the tallest building in Canada (CN Tower will still be Canada's tallest structure).

Mizrahi’s journey in Canada began when his family first visited from Tehran, Iran, in 1976 to see the Montreal Olympics and fell in love with the country. They decided to immigrate when he was a young boy.

“My parents felt the underlying currents at that time in Iran, and the possibility back in 1977 for what became the actual reality of the 1979 Iranian Islamic revolution and felt that for us as a young Jewish family, we would have a better life here in Canada,” says Mizrahi.

Like any other immigrant family, they had to learn to adapt to their new environment. “The early years were challenging for me and my parents, not knowing the English language fully, but we learned quickly,” he says.

At age 16, Mizrahi started on his path to entrepreneurship.

“I started buying and selling batteries and blank audio video cassettes while I was still in high school. It was a way for me to make extra money,” he says.

Parallel to his electronics business, he started rezoning and development work but was hit by real estate recession and market downturns of 19901992.

Mizrahi then moved to Los Angeles looking to start a business in an industry where he could harness technology and bring better environmental systems, similar to what he had done with the electronics business.

He started Dove Cleaners, a successful upscale dry-cleaning company that he then brought back to Toronto and took public on the TSXV.

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 18 Issue 4 | 2021

Eventually, Mizrahi sold his interest in Dove Cleaners and, in 2007, decided to focus fully on real estate development.

“I wanted to bring the same technologies such as ISO 9001 and processes to construction and development that I had learned in my prior businesses," he says. "The main underlying ingredients were taking care of your customers and to achieve excellence and exceed expectations in the products and customer experience.”

Thus started his journey with Mizrahi Developments a well-known name today in the Canadian luxury condominium marketplace.

In 2014, Mizrahi bought the southwest corner of Yonge and Bloor for $300 million and, after a three-year process of gaining proper building approvals, began construction in 2017.

Once completed, this 85-storey building at 1 Bloor Street West will be Canada’s tallest residential and retail tower.

Mizrahi says that all his enterprises have had something in common.

“What was unique in all of my businesses was that I was always serving and started companies that served a niche market. A market segment that nobody really was competing in or providing the products or type of services.

“At Dove Cleaners we served a high-end, detail driven, first of its kind and best in class in Canada, environmentally friendly cleaning systems, and an attention to detail like no other in the industry. Nobody had served this market at that time and [it] included valet services and the first of its kind of internet order and tracking back in the late '90s and early 2000s.

“At Mizrahi Developments, when I first started the company, I was building luxury mid-rise buildings that were too big for the small builders and developers and too small for the established builders and developers,” CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

9

COVER STORY says Mizrahi, referring to the vacuum that existed back in 2010.

“Then came The One Development, which served the exact opposite side of the real estate market sector, but again served a niche market. The first supertall tower in Canada that nobody had yet developed or built, or envisioned in Canada,” he says.

As it nears completion, he says, “I feel incredibly proud and grateful. It’s incredible that the collective vision and support of the City and all of our stakeholders made The One possible.”

Behind his success Mizrahi attributes his success to many factors. “I do not believe there is a single reason or ingredient. One needs a lot of forces to come together to create success, and success is never easy. But I believe for my own personal success, there are two of them. One of them is passion and the second is those I surrounded myself with,” he says.

Passion, he says, can take you through challenging times by providing the perseverance to push forward. “I think challenges are the test and the ingredient that allows success to happen by holding a mirror up to oneself and asking how badly you want this to happen, and passion provides the energy to get through these obstacles."

Mizrahi has made an effort to associate with people who were older than him, with more experience. "This way one can know their knowledge and experience at a younger age and be able to use it now and do something great with that wisdom, as opposed to later.”

He says that for him, "Failure is not an option. Challenges to me are the rites of passage. Everyone who achieved any level of success at anything that one does, must confront and conquer the challenges that life presents.

It’s a part of life. It's the only way that one can grow.

"That’s really the main job of an entrepreneur, to solve for the challenges that are presented and overcome them, so the world becomes better and so much more interesting.”

What guides Mizrahi in life is his philosophy: “I want everyone that

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 18 Issue 4 | 2021

comes into contact with me or my company to feel that by knowing me or us, they were better off.”

At the end of the day, Mizrahi says that what sustains him is his family.

“My wife and children. I love to experience life with them and to explore new places and new experiences together.”

Mizrahi is also very active in the community. As a philanthropist, he has supported a diverse range of charities in health care, the arts and the communities in which his company is active. This includes building the Temmy Latner Forest Hill Jewish Centre on a philanthropic basis, serving as a board member of Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center and the B’nai Brith of Canada, a non-profit organization that promotes tolerance and human rights around the world.

Mizrahi says that being a product of two cultures has impacted him in very positive and rewarding ways.

“I was able to bring the best elements from both worlds/countries and cultures together. I am so proud of being a Canadian born in Iran. The world today is so much more beautiful in so many ways because of how we have brought the best of different cultures together into one.”

Words of advice It's only appropriate to ask Mizrahi for real estate advice: “Buy any real estate you can when you have the opportunity to buy it,” he says. “Only sell the real estate when you have something better to purchase with it, as it will continue to always appreciate over time, and it is the best hedge against inflation.”

He says that COVID has provided many lessons. "In regards to real estate, COVID has taught us how valuable outdoor real estate space is.”

Mizrahi’s advice to newcomer and immigrant entrepreneurs is: “Get involved in the community as quickly as possible when you arrive into a new country. By getting involved, you automatically have the community help you find new opportunities and contacts. Success is found through the people that surround you.”

Member Name

Company Name

City

Disciplinary Action

Effective Date

Kuldip Singh Chahal

HR Immigration Inc.

Montréal, QC

Disciplinary suspension

May 14, 2021

Osama Ebid

Fast to Canada

Mississauga, ON

Revocation

May 26, 2021

William Lenard Howie

New Canadian Immigration Services

Surrey, BC

Disciplinary suspension

August 1, 2021

FEATURE rely on a point-in-time training, an individual champion, or a singular experiment. Further hindering results is that these approaches are often shared only at senior levels.”

Romansky says D&I initiatives can be successful provided that organizations make sure they are sustainable, which means the strategy is supported by the entire organization can be measured over time and is baked into all of the company’s existing processes.

In Canada, many workplaces and educational institutions now have dedicated units that oversee their diversity and inclusion practices.

York University in Toronto is one of them.

Placed 33rd in the world in the Times Higher Education 2020 Impact Rankings, York was among one of the earliest institutions across Canada to establish a CHREI (Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion) with an idea to promote and build a respectful, equitable, diverse and inclusive community.

“Diversity and inclusion are foundational values of York, and we have long been a leader in practicing those progressive values,” notes Yanni Dagonas, advisor and deputy spokesperson, communications and public affairs at York University. “We have a commitment to continual improvement, and we look for opportunities that support our shared values.”

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

in Canadian workplaces

The growing number of immigrants in Canada leaves no choice but to ensure that immigrants have equal access to opportunities and resources as the Canadian-born population to allow their full engagement and participation in the workforce.

C

and ethnicities and voices. In short, it means having a heterogenous workforce of distinctive perspectives and experiences that’s reflective of the society in which an organization operates in.

to the organization’s success. If diversity is about assembling a workforce from different backgrounds and experiences, inclusiveness is ensuring that the social norms and behaviours in place make employees feel they can fully participate.

While often used in tandem with diversity, inclusion is a concept of its own. Inclusion Indo-Canadian Radhika Nath (name in the workplace means making sure those Diversity in the workplace refers to people have equal access to opportunities and changed), who has worked with the nonprofit having and welcoming people from different resources – the room to grow, get recognized sector in Toronto for over a decade, can see this cultures, genders, sexualities, disabilities and be promoted – and can contribute fully shift.

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 18 Issue 4 | 2021

She says she feels hopeful about the current trend. “When I visit their website now, they have two immigrants in their senior management and are increasing diversity in their committees.

Which only makes sense since half of Toronto are immigrants, don’t just recruit us – give us a voice!”

Are we doing enough?

By Johnny Zhang & Radhika Panjwani onversations about the concept of diversity and inclusion in the workplace have become more mainstream, given the shift in Canada’s demographics. The number of immigrants is increasing, even more so in metropolitan areas, and conversations about this subject have become even more important.

“I have seen the understanding of inclusion starting to emerge. A company I worked with three years ago had no immigrants on their board or in their senior management. While they were starting to pay attention to diversity, the handful of immigrants working there were admin staff and one accountant,” she says.

A Gartner survey revealed that diversity and inclusion (D&I) measures are largely ineffective because the policies don’t trickle down to the employee level.

“While CEOs are prioritizing and committing to the values of D&I and want to see progress, ultimately, the current measures are not moving the needle enough,” says Lauren Romansky, managing vice president in the Gartner HR practice. “Based on our research, we know that many D&I strategies are ineffective because they

He explains that the university has several advisory bodies in place to help provide crucial feedback, lived experiences and an inclusion lens to advance equity and diversity principles.

Included in these advisory bodies are the President’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights, which has existed at York since the late 1990s; sub-committees SexGen, RISE and Enable York; and the university’s Indigenous Council, which was created in 2002.

Dagonas says the university is committed to employment equity and diversity and promoting a positive and supportive environment.

He provides some statistics to support CHREI’s success. For instance, it recorded a 200 per cent year-over-year increase in attendance at Equity, Diversity & Inclusion workshops, including completions of training modules with Race, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI) training series was expanded to include a specialized Anti-Racism REDI, a series of four sessions that was delivered three times to 584 staff participants and 199 faculty participants.

Looking ahead Perminder Singh, who works with a medium-

sized construction contracting company as an administrative assistant in their human resources (HR) department, believes that organizations that truly practice diversity and inclusion and make the effort to create a diverse workforce should be lauded publicly.

Singh has experienced the struggle of finding inclusive employers. In 2018, after he graduated from college, he worked several gigs including working at a food chain and warehouse before he landed the job at the construction firm.

Singh says that at some of the low-paying jobs he has worked, diversity and inclusion was not a priority for the companies.

Singh is happy that in his current job the company is currently focused on making the workplace heterogenous by ensuring the hiring process reflects all cultures, ethnicities, races and genders, and provides opportunities to learn.

In July this year, diversity and inclusion content facilitator Maya Touissant was invited to speak about diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Singh says that it was a very informative talk, initiating a lot of interaction and conversation amongst his co-workers.

The presentation stressed that to make the workplace more diverse and inclusive, one must revisit their thoughts and discard any biases.

People often form these biases unconsciously, and it impacts their performative abilities towards people who identify as a visible minority.

In fall 2021, the organization is set to make all employees complete the Unconscious Bias Training. Singh says that for an immigrant and a person of colour like himself, it is remarkable to see a company emphasize this type of training, enabling everyone to feel included, so they can carry out the same practice with others.

Although Singh is grateful to have found a foothold in the Canadian labour market, he has dreams of someday opening an independent HR firm, one that would integrate values of equity, diversity and inclusion in all its workings.

“Inclusion exists when traditionally marginalized individuals and groups feel a sense of belonging and are empowered to participate in majority culture as full and valued members of the community, shaping and redefining that culture in different ways,” Singh says.

“I wish we get to a time when talking about diversity and inclusivity are not restricted to a mere ‘menu month,’” he hopes. “I wish that companies begin to revisit and heterogenize their workforce composition thoroughly.”

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CAREERS & EDUCATION

B

CAREERS & EDUCATION HIGHER LEARNING

CAREER COACH

Get in shape for school

10 dos and don’ts of a video resume

Six good habits to cultivate for your academic year

How can you stand out from the rest?

to study which subjects. This ends up saving you time and reducing your stress. The time it takes to get organized is a fraction of the time wasted looking for things, making decisions and waiting for motivation.

Your increased productivity will be worth it. Working from a schedule you draw up is an important aid.

uying school supplies, maybe some new clothes and a haircut was once sufficient for the start of the school year. For post-secondary students, the ritual is more demanding and elaborate.

It is more like getting in shape for a triathlon than a trip to the mall.

Here are six things that will help you be ready for your academic year – and the best time to start is now!

You will want to maintain these good habits throughout the year in order to make the most of your efforts and investments. Some bad habits will need to be replaced by ones that are more likely to help you succeed. they start their post-secondary education. In fact, exercise is the Get daily exercise cornerstone of other healthy habits Students who have been and should not be abandoned. Time physically active in high school or should be made for a reasonable while they were working full-time amount of weekly exercise. With it, often think they won’t have time you may find you sleep better, are for exercise and to play sports when more interested in healthy eating

If your finances are in order at the beginning of the school year, you are not searching for part-time work or other sources of funding.

When you are not worried about meeting your expenses, you can free up your mind for academic work.

Maintaining excellent school grades can also be a source of funding for the following semester through bursaries, scholarships and work recommendations by faculty.

and find the energy to be more focused in your studies. Exercise can improve your mental health as well as your physical health. Most schools have an athletics centre or gym and the cost to use it is covered through your student fees, so there is no extra fee to join.

Attend your school’s When you are well rested, it is so much easier to think. Keeping a regular sleep routine will help you fall asleep and stay asleep. It is hard to recover from weekend splurges, so the routine should be followed as much as possible, seven days a week.

Become familiar with other aspects of good sleep hygiene if insomnia becomes an issue.

orientation and check ongoing communications

Some students don’t think they need to attend orientation or pay much attention to the information given at the start of class or the school year. Whether you are a first-year student or a student in your final semester, you may miss some critical information that is given at the orientation or at the first class of the semester. This can include important dates for Get in the habit of eating adding and dropping a course, healthy and regular meals information about tests and exams Besides the advantages of a or the necessity for registering for healthy diet for your long-term graduation. You may be unaware well-being, proper nutrition also of academic and support services promotes energy and mood benefits; available to you; the refrain “no one both are important for students. If ever told me” does not usually help. you learn to cook your own meals, you will save money and have them You have some control over how available when you want them. That you prepare for post-secondary goes for snacks as well. school. If you are well rested, well fed, energetic, organized, informed Get organized and sufficiently financed, your When you are organized, you school year can get off to a good know where to find things and when start.

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.

CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 18 Issue 4 | 2021

DON’T

6. Don’t read from a script

You can write a script and rehearse it, but during recording, don’t read from it. This won’t allow your personality to shine through. Also ensure that you don’t take your eyes off the camera – as this may indicate that you are reading from a prompt, which is an absolute no-no.

Get your finances in order

Get into a good sleep routine

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straight to the point by recording and editing it under 90 seconds or two minutes. You will have little time to capture and retain the viewer’s attention. So stay organized and on point.

7. Don’t rush through your material

While it’s important to keep the video under two minutes, it doesn’t mean you should rush through the material. Speak calmly, clearly and confidently. You can thoughtfully plan and execute all aspects of the video in a professional manner.

A

ny job that’s advertised today easily attracts 2. Impress with your wardrobe 250 resumes or more. In such a competitive Make a strong first impression on your environment, how do you stand out from audience. It’s important to dress appropriately the rest, attract attention and make your mark? for the position you are applying for. Always dress formally, in exactly the same way you would One of the ways to achieve this is by creating for an actual face-to-face interview. a video resume. Yes, you can complement your traditional paper resume with a video resume as 3. Smile and maintain eye contact they are now widely accepted by organizations Keep your eyes focused on the camera and around the world. speak directly to the target audience. Always maintain eye contact to create trust and show A video resume offers many advantages your confidence. People who smile often are seen over a paper resume – you can express your as approachable and are remembered, so smile a enthusiasm, your personality and showcase your lot during the interview. communication skills easily. Remember, a video resume should not be submitted in place of a traditional resume but as a compliment or if the 4. Organize the structure Start with a crisp and clear introduction of employer specifies. who you are. Follow this up with an introduction It’s not difficult to record a video resume. All of your skills and experience that is relevant to you have to do is get a digital camera, or any the job. End the video by restating who you are and always have a strong call to action. This is common smart phone can do the trick. where you can place your contact details and Here are the top 10 dos and don’ts of creating also clickable links to your LinkedIn profile and portfolio. and editing a winning video resume.

DO

1. Write a script

Be prepared. Write and practice often so you can be flawless while filming. Feel free to edit the script often to be clear and concise in your presentation. Planning your script carefully ensures that your best qualities are highlighted.

8. Don’t have body movements

Don’t move around a lot. If you are unconsciously fiddling with your hair or adjusting your clothes during the recording, it will be distracting. In short, stop doing anything that will draw attention away from what you are saying. Simply face the camera, relax and speak calmly.

9. Don’t compromise on light

Invest in good lighting. Having a shadowy or poorly lit video can distract from what you’re saying and make the video come across as unprofessional. Using professional tools and researching lighting techniques can make your video stand apart.

10.Don’t compromise on sound

Make sure you have high quality sound.

People shouldn’t be struggling to hear what you are saying. Ensuring high quality sound will demonstrate that you put effort into creating the best outcome possible and will show the same enthusiasm at your job.

Adding a video resume can boost your odds of landing a job. Make your video resume stand out Don’t go overboard as attention spans are by following these essential dos and don’ts and notoriously short. Keep your video short and get that interview call.

5. Keep it brief

Murali Murthy is an acclaimed public speaker, life coach and best-selling author of The ACE Principle, The ACE Awakening, The ACE Abundance and You Are HIRED!. He is also chairperson of CAMP Networking Canada. Learn how he can help unlock your magic at unleashyourwow.com.

CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

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SETTLEMENT

THE IMPORTANCE OF CROSS-CULTURAL RELATIONSHIPS Finding ways to explore Canada’s rich tapestry of cultures and making intercultural connections can help you embrace the country’s multicultural ethos and build your networks.

By Radhika Panjwani

S

ome years ago, Mississauga, Ontario resident, Ritu Neb walked up to two brown women in the cafeteria at work and mistakenly assumed they were from India and spoke Hindi. Neb said she was red-faced when one of the women told her she was from the West Indies and her friend was Bangladeshi.

Even though the incident happened more than nine years ago, Indian-born Neb has not been able to put it behind her.

multiculturalism, as well as appreciate and understand different cultures by not just reading about them, but by immersing in their cuisine, dance and arts.”

spaces to audiences from diverse communities.

She has successfully forged connections through music and dance, and in turn, gotten to know the tapestry of different cultural groups and the people who call Canada home.

Neb, the artistic director of Pure Soul Energy, a dance company she launched some five years Also, for more than six years now, Neb has ago, says her lack of understanding forced her to volunteered with Carassauga, Mississauga’s step outside of her narrow world. premiere multicultural festival. Through her volunteering stint at local events in the Universal language of art communities, Neb has met like-minded people.

“I was embarrassed by my ignorance and realized there was so much I didn’t know Over the years, Neb and members of her For newcomers, there’s an exciting world about Canada,” Neb says. “I promised myself troupe have performed at Christmas parties, waiting to be discovered. The main thing is to that I would experience this country’s weddings, multicultural festivals and other be willing and open to meeting new people and

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 18 Issue 4 | 2021

letting them introduce you to their culture, with a dollop of Tzatziki,” Lichtman says.

Neb says.

“Understanding different festivals, whether it’s Taste of Italy, Taste of the Danforth, Howard Lichtman, partner at Ethnicity Taste of Manila…will allow the newcomer to Matters, a Toronto-based multicultural literally and figuratively experience Canada’s marketing agency agrees. multiculturalism.”

Lichtman’s company runs the Taste of the Danforth, an annual festival in Toronto, showcasing Greek culture and cuisine on behalf of the Greektown on the Danforth BIA, a not-for-profit organization.

Canada’s multicultural mosaic embraces different cultures, and so there’s an opportunity for newcomers to see first-hand that they share a lot in common with others despite obvious differences in language, religion and geography, he says.

Lichtman’s observations are spot on. For instance, Diwali, Chinese New Year and the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) are celebrated by people from different parts of the world. These celebrations have several common elements – they all represent the triumph of good over evil; symbolize new beginnings; and are traditionally celebrated with exchange of gifts, prayers and deep cleaning of the house.

“The Taste of the Danforth is not just a Greek festival, but it’s a multicultural festival

she says. “Joining Toastmasters helped me both in my professional and personal life because I was able to articulate my thoughts and improve my language skills.”

Neb also found success in the workplace as she progressed along with Toastmasters. She His advice to newcomers? Explore different developed confidence to address diverse groups ethnic neighbourhoods, walk the streets, talk to without being crippled by fear. storekeepers, eat traditional food and imbibe the cultural spirit.

“There’s no doubt, it boosted my confidence,” Neb explains. “At my first meeting, I learned Making professional connections Toastmasters was more than just public speaking. I advanced my language skills and Besides the art and cultural scene, Neb attributes a part of her building her professional network and successful settlement in Canada to Toastmasters International, a non-profit organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills to individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Neb is the recipient of the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award, the highest educational level in Toastmasters. The club allowed her to improve her communication skills as well as network with professionals from different cultures and all walks of life. She credits her success as an entrepreneur and artist to the organization’s programs.

“My life changed because of Toastmasters,”

above Ritu Neb CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

17

SETTLEMENT

SETTLEMENT I M M I G R AT I O N L AW The Government of Canada’s community connections resource page offers newly arrived immigrants several ideas through which they can build connections across communities, make friends and alleviate the feeling of homesickness.

Some of their suggestions include: and join immigrant serving organizations (ISOs) in the community. Most agencies serving newcomers have different programs and services including social activities. Celebrating Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Halloween will help newcomers adjust to the new way of life.

• Sign-up

• Volunteer: Neb and Lichtman both attest to

how volunteering and participating with local organizers, schools, hospitals, etc., can create vocabulary, learned to think on my feet and a sense of belonging. Volunteering may also be deliver an elevator pitch.” a good way to find a job. Volunteering at local places of worship such as churches, mosques Beyond equipping members with and synagogues can be both spiritually fulfilling communication skills, platforms like but also help individuals find the community Toastmasters can help build bridges with a where they can then promote their ideas, talent, diverse group of people and make personal entrepreneurship and products. connections. As Canadian author and leadership expert Robin Sharma says, “The business of At the end of the day, building bridges with business is relationships; the business of life is other communities only requires a mindset that human connection.” believes we’re all more alike than different. above Howard Lichtman

DID YOU KNOW? • Every

year, June 27 is celebrated as Canadian Multiculturalism Day – a day marked to celebrate and reflect upon the wealth of diversity that enriches our society.

• 2021

marks the 50th anniversary of Canada’s Multiculturalism Policy. In 1971, Canada became the first country in the world to adopt multiculturalism as an official policy, intending to preserve the cultural freedom of all individuals and provide recognition to the cultural contributions of diverse ethnic groups to Canadian society.

Language requirements for work permit applications

C

Understanding guidelines, assessments and evidence requirements

A small but growing number of Canadian visa offices in their work permit application checklists have started requiring that applicants include copies of IELTS, CELPIP or TEF language test results in their applications. This will likely further lead to an increase in the importance of applicants demonstrating that they have the English or French language ability to perform their job duties in Canada.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website provides that visa officers should base their assessment of language on (1) what is stated in the Labour Market Impact Assessment, if applicable, (2) the specific work conditions and arrangements that the employer has made or has undertaken to accommodate the applicant’s limited ability in English or French to address potential safety concerns, (3) the terms in the actual job offer and (4) the general requirements set out in Canada’s National Occupational Classification description for the occupation.

The IRCC website further states that officers should not consider perceived challenges that an

CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 18 Issue 4 | 2021

For the most part, the Federal Court of Canada has shown significant deference to IRCC and upheld most of the refusals.

There has recently been a notable increase in Federal Court of Canada judicial reviews of work permit applications that were refused because visa officers did not believe that applicants had the English or French language ability required to work in their occupation in Canada.

Usually, only a small percent of refused applicants challenge their decisions, and an increase in court cases about a topic is often indicative of a larger trend.

The IRCC guidelines

18

problems in understanding and expression. [They] are not able to use complex language.’”

anadian immigration legislation provides that a visa officer shall not issue a work permit to a foreign national if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the foreign national is unable to perform the work sought.

applicant might face in interacting with the broader community, such as availing themselves of community services, if this is not relevant to their job performance.

Language Benchmark 4 or higher.

In several of the Federal Court cases, however, IRCC refused work permit applicants who had much higher scores.

In June 2021, however, Justice Bell declared that a visa officer’s refusal of a prospective truck driver’s work permit application was unreasonable. Justice Bell wrote that the IRCC officer appeared fixated on the IELTS test results and the British Council’s descriptions, and that the visa officer ignored other evidence, including the employer’s language requirements, the employer’s assessment of the applicant’s language ability and other information from the Canadian Language Benchmarks website that the applicant presented, which suggested that his IELTS test scores were in fact high enough to perform the work.

Increasing language requirements

The refusal reasons are often Justice Bell’s decision is similar, and the following paragraph hopefully the first of many in which While the IRCC website states consisting of the refusal reasons judges apply greater scrutiny to that visa officers should apply a from one decision represent a overly simplistic assessments of holistic assessment that considers typical work permit refusal based whether work permit applicants a number of factors and sources of on language concerns. can perform their prospective jobs evidence of language ability when in Canada.

“I have concerns regarding assessing whether someone has the language ability to work in an the applicant’s English language It is also a message to applicants occupation, it seems visa officers skills which are also listed as a whose IELTS or CELPIP test scores are increasingly fixating solely on requirement for the position on the do not show that they are fluent IELTS, CELPIP or TEF language LMO [Labour Market Opinion]. in English to, in their work permit While the applicant has an overall applications, include evidence test results. band score of 5.5. on the IELTS, I that they have sufficient language Also, a review of the Federal note that he only received a score of abilities to work in their occupation Court of Canada decisions shows 4.5 in reading and a 5 in speaking. in Canada. This evidence can that visa officers are often imposing Although the LMIA does not include explanations to visa officers higher language requirements on explicitly state a minimum required of how to interpret the test results, work permit applicants than they IELTS score for this position, I note previous education in English, are for people currently working that the British Council classifies past employer reference letters in Canada who wish to apply for students at this band level as being and letters from their prospective permanent residency. For example, a 'Limited user [whose] basic Canadian employers affirming that under both the Temporary competence is limited to familiar their language abilities are suitable Residency to Permanent Residency situations. [They] frequently show for their position.

Pathway, as well as the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Steven Meurrens is an immigration lawyer with Larlee Program, truck drivers working Rosenberg in Vancouver. Contact him at 604-681-9887, in Canada, are required to score by email at steven.meurrens@larlee.com, or visit his blog at a language test of Canadian smeurrens.com.

CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

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SETTLEMENT

LIVING PARENTING

WELLNESS

Tips for tough conversations

What are your personal gifts?

How to talk to kids about critical issues

Know that you matter!

H

aving tough conversations with children is inevitable, yet it is something that many avoid as it makes them uneasy.

As difficult as it is to have these conversations, failure to discuss some critical issues might lead to misinformation and increased levels of anxiety.

Below are challenging children.

tips to help conversations

uncomfortable while having tough conversations.

he/she manages them and the team. Some managers feel threatened by this suggestion, but I think it’s important to remember that leadership involves other people. Without any followers there is no leadership; it’s game over. You can only use your personal powers to influence others for good if they perceive you have those powers in the first place.

• Prepare in advance by rehearsing and practicing in your head, to a mirror or with another adult to make the conversation easier.

Leadership needs to be flexible and personal, tailored to the individual’s needs. One size will not fit all, and finding out how satisfied others are with your style will help you adjust it to suit, and ultimately, you’ll evolve into a better leader — into your highest and best self.

Consider their perspective Consider your child’s age, •

experience, personality and with with maturity level to engage in the conversations that meet their needs.

Plan ahead • Talk to trusted family and friends to decide how to conduct tough conversations with children.

Warren Buffet observed “there will never be a better you than you”.

Amongst the billions of people on this planet, you are unique, you are special. You have your own personal gifts to offer to the world. One of the most important goals you can set for yourself in the future is to make a difference in others’ lives by being the best you can be.

Make •

it more relatable and accessible by keeping the conversation simple; use analogies to explain certain complex issues or share personal experiences

Gather relevant facts and • additional resources using online Expect differences of opinion or

sources, books and seek • challenging questions to arise professional advice. during discussion. Remain as • Reflect on your own experiences, neutral as possible and seek to biases and views. Be willing understand your child’s to be comfortable with being perspectives.

Strategize an optimal time when to conduct conversation. It could be a one on-one conversation during a walk or in a car, or even involving the entire family during dinner time or in a family meeting.

Choose •

sharing or sharing disturbing details.

CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 18 Issue 4 | 2021

any

• If other unrelated topics come up,

try to understand your child’s thought process. Pause the conversation and revisit the topic at another time if your child shows • Know that it might require signs of distress and needs time to multiple attempts to get the process what you have discussed. conversation going and you may Move forward need to revisit the topics.

Reassure your child that he/ • • Break down any complex and she can revisit the topic, and seek emotionally charged conversations support from parents, extended

into multiple smaller family, counsellor, teachers or conversations. other significant adults or friends.

• Remain calm and neutral when Seek professional help if your the tough conversations result • child experiences extreme stress in intense emotions or heated and anxiety levels. dialogues.

• While difficult conversations can Set the tone be messy, try to end with a positive • Give children your undivided note. Let children know that attention and let them know that you are there to support them, you are there to listen and answer and that together as a family, you questions. Practice active listening can overcome any challenges. and allow them time to speak and process the information.

Having tough conversations can be a challenging learning process.

Validate their emotions and • The good news is that the more acknowledge their perspectives. you have these conversations with • Find out how much they know children, the easier it will become about the subject and then share and your connection with them will relevant information – avoid over- grow stronger.

Cheryl Song, an immigrant from Malaysia, has more than 20 years’ experience of working in early learning and family programs. Contact her at cheryl@learnwithsong.com or visit her website at learnwithsong.com.

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of

What will you do today to be the best you? And how will you share that with others?

B

efore the pandemic, while at a yoga class, the teacher asked us to consider the following question during our practice: “What gifts do you offer to the world?”

I resisted the urge to open my eyes and look around the room to see if anyone else was puzzled by the question and instead tried to focus my mind on the question.

What gifts do I give to my workplace, my family, my friends, my community…?

Think about it for a moment, for yourself – What are your personal gifts?

It’s a great question to consider at any time in your life, but especially when preparing for a job interview or when networking, as usually you will be asked to talk about yourself and describe your strengths. Being clear and confident you have something to share with the world can also restore some perspective when you’ve faced a number of setbacks or if you are feeling anything less than good enough.

First and foremost, it’s important to your emotional well-being that you know that you matter. Whatever problems, mistakes or adversity you have experienced, you will feel better and more satisfied with your life if you recognize you have value.

Maybe it’s also a question for those who know you and have experienced you to respond to. What do they believe are your personal gifts? Asking for that kind of feedback takes a bit of courage but the answers can be insightful. Other peoples’ perceptions of you can be different from your own views and if you want to make a positive impact on others it’s helpful to know what they think.

Hazel Morley has worked as a trainer, facilitator and coach for more than 25 years, in England and after immigrating to Canada in 2009. After her own personal health crisis, she shifted gears to focus on strategies for enjoying optimal health.

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When running leadership workshops, I always suggest to managers that they ask their direct reports how satisfied they are with the way that CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

21

LIVING WELLNESS

Navigating motherhood in a new country

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ew to Canada and have a baby on the way? Or are you considering motherhood?

Congratulations! Getting into the unfamiliar role of a mother in an unfamiliar culture and environment can be overwhelming but there is no need to panic. It is crucial that you prioritize your health and well-being and use your personal skills and available resources to navigate this major life event.

Every woman enters the world of parenthood with expectations based on their own childhood experiences, watching their siblings or friends with their kids and also through other sources such as books, movies/television shows or online forums. Different cultures also celebrate motherhood with special rituals and care plans for women entering this stage of life.

Surrounded by loved ones and helpers for baby care/household chores and getting the needed

Practical tips from newcomer mothers

attention, rest and time to adapt to the new role may be a common expectation in your home country.

However, things can be very different in a new country.

Educating oneself, modifying expectations, careful planning and creating new support networks can not only help you manage the initial weeks after childbirth, but also make the whole experience of motherhood less stressful and build resilience to face future challenges.

Here are a few practical tips shared by newcomer mothers during my wellness group sessions.

The suggestions may be helpful to women who are expecting or who are contemplating having a baby.

1. Seek information and knowledge from trusted sources and multilingual pamphlets (developed in Canada) about pregnancy and childcare to learn the different terms,

procedures, rules, responsibilities and rights that may be helpful during different situations. This can help you prepare for the first few weeks as well as guide you in the role of motherhood.

or attend a new moms group to learn, share and get support. It can be refreshing to get out of the house and beat the isolation and monotony. Sharing your own cultural practices and wisdom about pregnancy and baby care can 2. Be open, ask questions and share enrich interactions and generate your cultural preferences with your appreciation, value and respect. health-care professional as it is very important to feel understood Apart from the above, simplifying during this period. Use cultural/ activities such as preparing one language interpreters or other pot meals, limiting chores to one a digital apps and services if you need day and accepting help from your help in communicating with the spouse or friends can help manage health team. exhaustion. If you are experiencing severe anxiety or mood changes 3. Celebrate your pregnancy and and are unable to experience joys of motherhood with a small group motherhood, speak candidly with of friends, with colleagues at the your doctor to get timely support. workplace or with your spouse.

Motherhood in a new country is You can mark it according to your cultural practices or by following a unique experience for each person. traditions in Canada. These events For some, going through pregnancy and raising a child helps them realize can be uplifting. their capabilities and what they 4. Eat healthy by choosing diet can accomplish on their own. For and food alternatives available in others, it can create self-doubt and Canada as food choices; ingredients anxiety. Many parenting programs commonly used in your culture and supports are offered to families during pregnancy or child birth by health units and the education may be unavailable. Similarly, system to enhance skills and build practice self-care methods that are confidence. Recognizing that help comfortable and compatible with is needed and accepting it when it your health needs and preferences. is offered has helped many women Praying, meditation, massages, enjoy motherhood and improve showers and walks can help keep bonding with their children. Ask the body and mind energized as your doctor or call your local health unit for information about these well as rested. programs. A little guidance can put 5. Enroll in a free prenatal class you in the right direction.

Nandini Tirumala is a mental health wellness coach, educator and advocate with 25 years of experience in Canada with a special focus on mental health support services for newcomers and immigrant families.

CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

23

PROFILE

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME Filipino-Canadian Arwina Mogul brought together her passion for video games and an entrepreneurial mindset to create a successful technology platform

By Lucy Slavianska “Don’t wait for the ‘right moment’,” Arwina Mogul, entrepreneur and CEO of the Toronto-based company Beam.gg, advises newcomers to Canada. “If you feel excited and passionate about a business idea, start looking into it, start researching, tap into the existing networks in the place you live.”

Canada. It was a change she initially didn’t embrace. Moving to a new school on another continent, to a country with a very different culture, without knowing anyone and having no emotional and financial support was not easy for the young Mogul. At 16, she had to find part-time jobs to help her family make ends meet. She worked at Tim Hortons, in a factory and as part of a cleaning crew, before she found a job in administration.

Mogul speaks from experience. Her own journey towards creating a successful company in the video games industry was a long and winding By the time Mogul went to college to study to be a social worker, she road with challenges and setbacks. had sworn off video games because she considered them a distraction.

Mogul was born in the Philippines and when she was in primary school, her father, who was an engineer, moved the family to Hong Kong. It was in the '90s when more and more people were getting on the Internet and there was an unprecedented enthusiasm for creating new content and design. Mogul felt fortunate to live in one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world where a child could easily get access to computers and Internet. She would spend most of her free time in Internet cafés playing video games and acquiring computer skills. At the age of nine she learned to code and was good at HTML, CSS and Java Script.

“As an immigrant you want to have a success story for yourself,” she says. For a lot of immigrants that means to be able to finish education and get a job – not necessarily a high-paying job, but one that pays the bills and helps your family survive. So I didn’t have the luxury to dream about having a business, because having a business meant not to be financially stable." Therefore, Mogul’s focus was on getting a job and helping her mother and sister financially, purchasing a home and buying a car. "It would have been very selfish to put that extra pressure on my family,” she says.

Finally, after finishing college and having worked hard for years, When she was in high school, her family decided to immigrate to Mogul decided to reward herself. She started to play video games again.

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 18 Issue 4 | 2021

Canada is at the forefront of diversity and supporting entrepreneurs from different walks of life and with different experiences, ethnicities and ages,” Then she realized that there was a new industry that was forming around computer games and she didn’t hesitate to volunteer in it. Soon Mogul was able to have her side-hustle and also got recruited to work in Qatar on the creation of the first esports theme park in the world.

When she returned to Toronto, she finally started her own company Beam as an online ticketing platform that connected video game lovers to online and offline esports events they would be keen to attend. The idea turned out to be successful and the company quickly grew.

In 2020, however, the Beam team had to pivot its business. “We were building software for live events, but the pandemic completely crushed everything; there were a lot of canceled contracts,” Mogul explains.

She didn’t waste time in adapting to the new reality: “We had a full circle moment. Our mission shifted more towards helping businesses in attracting and engaging new customers and becoming more competitive in an increasingly digital world. We help them launch their own community platforms and then invite their customers to log in.”

Mogul admits that working in the industry is stressful and there are a lot of ups and downs, but she is confident she has found the environment to thrive in. People often ask her what it’s like to be one of the few women in her field. “From my experience…being a woman in multi-layered industries that are heavily dominated by men – esports, gaming, technology, business, start-ups – I can say that there is definitely a lot more to be done when it comes to supporting women,” she says.

But she believes that this support is available.

“Fortunately, Canada is at the forefront of diversity and supporting entrepreneurs from different walks of life and with different experiences, ethnicities and ages,” she says.

In spite of her busy schedule, Mogul loves sharing her knowledge and experience with new immigrants to Canada. When she talks to those who consider starting their businesses, Mogul points out the importance of networking and the opportunities Canada offers.

“Almost every city here has an entrepreneurship hub. There are a lot of programs and also a lot of ways to fund your idea or your business. As you embark on that journey, it is good to have the support of friends and family – not necessarily financial, but emotional support; however, if you don’t have it, then there are a lot of networks and tech hubs where you can make friends,” she says.

CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

25

MONEY & BUSINESS T IP S F OR SE T T L ING IN FA S T E R

It’s time to vote!

We received hundreds of truly inspiring nominations from newcomers coast to coast who have made a positive impact since their arrival in Canada. Now it’s your turn to help chose this year’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrant award winners!

CAST YOUR VOTE TODAY AT: www.canadianimmigrant.ca/top25

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SING TAO MEDIA

What you should do with your money 13TH ANNUAL

T

Things to keep in mind to manage your finances still have some interest, so it may be worth paying them off first before saving for a big purchase or investing in a personal account.

here are so many things you’re supposed to do in your financial life. Save for retirement! That seems crucial, right?

Or wait: Invest! Or wait: Should I pay off my mortgage first?

6. Set goals

The following guide will explain what to do with your money, whether you just landed your first job or you’re figuring out what to do with an extra thousand dollars.

1. Kill

your high-interest debt and large debts

If you have debts with an interest rate above 5 per cent, pay those off in full before you do anything else. If you have credit card debt, this is you Once you’ve cleared your highsince credit cards charge as much as 18 per cent in interest. If you have interest debt and built up an more than one high-interest debt to emergency fund, you’re ready to pay off, get rid of the debts with the invest. highest rate first, then move to the First, if your employer matches next highest. contributions to GRSPs (Group The other big concern with Retirement Savings Plan) take debt is how much you have. “We advantage of it. Usually, employers recommend our clients keep a debt- will match up to a certain percentage to-income ratio that’s no more of your salary, sometimes as much than two and a half to one,” says as 3 per cent or even 5 per cent. That Michael Allen, portfolio manager means, if they match, you’re getting at Wealthsimple. That means an extra 3 per cent to 5 per cent multiply your income by 2.5 — and income. if that number is smaller than your Our advice is to contribute outstanding debt (including home mortgages and car loans) try to pay the exact percentage that your employer matches, so you get the it down. most possible money from them.

2. Build the right emergency fund But stop there, since GRSPs have limited investment plan options.

It’s neither smart nor relaxing to You’ll want to invest the rest of your live paycheque to paycheque. We money elsewhere. advise building an emergency fund with three to six months’ worth of 4. Get yourself some taxliving expenses, should you get laid sheltered retirement account off or become ill. Keep it somewhere action conservative, like in a savings To encourage us to save for account. retirement, the government offers This might be a bummer if you’re what are known as tax-advantaged eager to start investing. But, if life retirement accounts, in which hits the fan, you don’t want to take money grows tax-free. out an expensive loan to pay off There are two types of these unexpected bills. accounts: the Registered Retirement 3. Take advantage of employer- Savings Plan (RRSP) and the TaxFree Savings Account (TFSA). matched investing programs

some expert-level savings

Up to this point, the smartest thing to do with your money is fairly clear. But things get less certain once you hit “fiscally-minded expert-level adult.”

One option is to max out your non-taxable registered accounts.

For example, if you have unused RRSP contribution room after investing in your work retirement fund, you can put money in your Generally, a TFSA makes sense group plan or in a regular RRSP to if you’re investing for a goal that max out your contribution limits. comes before retirement (a home, Once these non-taxable accounts wedding, car, etc.) or if you make are maxed, you can then invest in a less than $50,000 a year. An RRSP personal account, which are taxable. is better if you earn more than $50,000 and don’t anticipate taking Another option is larger savings the money out before retirement: goals — a car, a house, graduate unless it is for a down payment. school for your children.

5. Pay

down your low-interest

Either way, remember: if you have money that you want to spend in less than three years, it belongs Depending on your situation, the in a savings account. Be wary of next best thing to do with extra cash investment folks who guarantee gains may be to pay down other debts — in the short term. But you know that. even those with an interest rate of You’re expert-level now. less than 5 per cent, like a mortgage.

Contributed by the Wealthsimple Why? These low-interest debts team. debt

CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

27

MONEY & BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURSHIP

was a fresh start for us.” extensive tools available in English, Spanish, Obtain the right documentation Arabic and more.

Without the contacts Canadian-born Depending on what your business is and where “Before spending money, anybody should be you are located, you will need specific permits entrepreneurs have, like other immigrants, Dedas had to put more work into networking. able to find free resources online,” says Wilding. and paperwork in order to operate.

When starting SKICOSMOS, Dedas relied To ensure these tools are legitimate, she encourages newcomers to use information largely on the City of Vancouver’s website to from their municipality, major library, financial ensure he had the relevant licenses and that he institutions like the BDC or relevant registered was following all of the city’s rules. organizations like ACCES. On top of following municipality guidelines, Wilding says that if you are wanting to be in a Have a business plan regulated field, such as finance, health care or After research, Wilding says, “The second most in the food industry, you must ensure that you important thing to succeed in your business is to are certified within that respective area. She also encourages you to look into the requirements of create a business plan.” your province or territory, as different locations The Entrepreneurship Connections manager have different rules in terms of permits and says your business plan can be a “constantly regulations. evolving document” that outlines your finances, Finally, Wilding says that while a business your target clients, your plan for marketing and your sales and sales forecast, to name a few things. doesn’t need to be officially registered until revenue exceeds $35,000, in order to avoid being “There’s a lot that goes into it,” says Wilding. behind on taxation, it is important to register But she adds that it’s easy to find helpful business your business right away. plan templates online.

Additionally, she says entrepreneurs need to be able to efficiently deliver a business pitch, which ideally identifies a problem and how the company will solve it.

D

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 18 Issue 4 | 2021

“You still have to go out there and pitch your business,” she says. “Still do that kind of oldfashioned sales and pitching.”

Follow your dreams

Network online and offline

And while starting a business in a new country may seem like an overwhelming endeavour, if your business is your passion, Dedas says to pursue it.

Looking back on when he and his family moved to Canada, Dedas says they had “no friends, no connections. We knew no one, so it

“We followed our dream, we kept trying, and we believed in our idea,” he says. “If you believe that you’re going to make it, you will make it.”

Explore your career opportunities, build your network, and get inspired by successful skilled professionals!

By Kaitlin Jingco Catherine Wilding hears Dedas’ sentiments. espite opening just a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic, Apostolos Dedas’ Wilding is the manager of the Entrepreneurship business SKICOSMOS has been thriving. Connections program at ACCES Employment, which helps newcomers who plan to start a “We’re really happy,” says Dedas, who business in Canada. The program provides immigrated to Vancouver from Greece five years individual coaching, which includes creating a ago. “Even though we started our business when business plan, access to legal consultation and the COVID appeared, we’re doing well, and we see a lot support of an established mentor. of people and skiers benefitting from what we do.”

“For newcomers coming to Canada, there’s a SKICOSMOS, which Dedas founded in 2019 lot of information about how to get a job. But for with his wife, Gianna, offers virtual ski simulator newcomers coming to Canada to find information technology allowing skiers and snowboarders to on entrepreneurship, it’s a little harder,” she says. train regardless of the conditions outside.

If you’re a newcomer who is looking to start a And while things have taken off, Dedas says, business, here are some of Dedas’ and Wilding’s “Preparing everything for the new business top tips to help you navigate the Canadian entrepreneurship world. wasn’t very straightforward.”

Though the online world provides extensive opportunity for meeting new people, Wilding says it’s important not to just “wait and hide behind” online content, but to also go out and interact with people in real life.

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Advice for newcomers looking to start a business in Canada Where do you begin?

His BDC-appointed advisor was a significant contact for answering operative questions, and social media was and continues to play a big role for SKICOSMOS in building connections with new and existing clients.

Do your research From business advice to rules and regulations to determining if going into business is right for you, research is where Dedas and Wilding say to start.

“It was all about researching,” says Dedas, reflecting on how he started SKICOSMOS. “As long as you are familiar with how to use a computer, you can get all the information you need.”

While online, Dedas relied on the City of Vancouver’s website, which has lots of information about starting a business in the city.

He also turned to the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), whose website has

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