FUSION

People. News. Information.

VOLUME 18, ISSUE 2 2021

Group Publisher Sanjay Agnihotri

Editor Ramya Ramanathan rramanathan@metroland.com

Editorial Design Safi Nomani

Sr. Ad Manager Ricky (Kawaljit) Bajaj rbajaj@metroland.com Tel: 905 273 8170

Assistant Manager Laura Jackman ljackman@metroland.com

IQBAL HAER

A passion for finance

By Ramya Ramanathan

Iqbal Haer is the Branch Manager of the BMO University and College branch in downtown Toronto. With over 15 years of experience in the retail banking services sector, he is committed to advising and guiding clients to achieve their financial goals. He came to Canada four decades ago as a young child and has built a successful career in banking. He was a speaker at the 2020 Canadian Immigrant Virtual Fairs.

General Inquiries: info@canadianimmigrant.ca

Circulation/Distribution Inquiries: ljackman@metroland.com

ISSN 1910-4146

Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher

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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

Tell us about yourself

In 1972, I left India with my mother and my siblings and moved to British Columbia, Canada. Growing up, I would attend kindergarten in the morning and would focus on learning English in the afternoons. As I became more fluent and confident with my English, I was able to communicate with the children in my class and build memorable friendships.

What led you to choose a career in banking?

My passion for learning and self-development, combined with my experience as a BMO co-op student while studying accounting at Kwantlen College has really been the catalyst to my career.

Starting my first day as a co-op student at BMO, leaders jumped in and began coaching me right away on all there is to learn about retail banking – such as investments, loans, and customer service. I quickly learned that working in banking aligned with my passions and I too wanted to be a financial expert focused on helping clients reach their financial goals. Even to this day, the greatest satisfaction and pride I have for my job is to see the financial progress of my clients and watch them achieve their goals.

How has COVID impacted what you do?

Since the beginning of the pandemic our priority has been to help and be there for our clients, communities and colleagues through these challenging times. Although COVID has altered how we interact with clients, my role as a branch manager has remained unchanged. I’ve remained focused on supporting customers, whether virtually or in person.

In response to the pandemic, and to help limit the spread of COVID-19, BMO has introduced new digital options for virtual appointments and e-signatures for signing documents to help serve the needs of our clients in an efficient and timely manner.

What are your future plans?

The financial industry is constantly evolving, and that means financial professionals like myself need to evolve with it to meet the changing needs of clients. I am committed to growing and learning both personally and professionally, and regularly explore online courses, both offered internally at BMO and externally, that will help improve my skills.

On a personal level, like many Canadians, I am focused on achieving financial independence to allow me to retire between the ages of 50-55. Of course, to achieve this goal, there are many small goals I need to focus on – such as investment goals and exploring a secondary income stream beyond my pension.

What financial advice would you like to share?

1. It’s important to build your savings and an emergency fund now to ensure you are financially prepared to cover any unplanned expenses. 2. Learn about investing your money. It will help you achieve your short, medium- and long-term financial goals. 3. Borrowing money isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you manage it carefully. It will help you build credit for larger borrowing needs you may need like buying a home.

What is your advice to immigrants and newcomers?

Network, network, network. It’s important to build your network to help you connect both professionally and personally.

Also, take advantage of various resources and products, specifically designed with newcomers to Canada in mind, to help you navigate your journey in Canada.

Most importantly, remember that the financial advisor at your bank is one of your most trusted relationships and should be treated as equally important as your relationship with your doctor or dentist. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, it’s important you understand and are comfortable with the decisions you make.

Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award nominations and upcoming events

In 2021, the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards will be back for its 13th year to highlight stories of immigrant success, philanthropy and inspiration. Immigrants increasingly make up a large portion of our population and have made – and continue to make – immeasurable contributions to the Canadian economy, society and Canada overall.

These prestigious national awards recognize immigrants who have helped shape Canada’s diverse landscape. The 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.

We are thrilled to announce that COSTI has joined us as one of our program partners for 2021.

Nominations for the awards will be open in April, visit our website or follow us on social media to stay in the loop!

Following the high level of interest and engagement in our 2020 Virtual Fairs, also coming up in April are the 2021 Canadian Immigrant Virtual Fairs – Eastern Canada, including Ontario and Nova Scotia, on April 15, 2021; and Western Canada including British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba, on April 29, 2021.

Sponsored by BMO and Public Mobile, these free all-day virtual events offer a dynamic environment for immigrants who need support as they look for jobs, go back to school and settle into their new home, taking into consideration the unexpected challenges caused by COVID-19. Attendees can connect with exhibitors including employers, recruiters, immigrant service providers and educational institutions.

Visitors can also attend virtual sessions to hear from inspiring speakers on topics ranging from resilience, immigration and pathways to permanent residency, financial advice and banking, and soft skills.

Visit canadianimmigrant.ca to find out more and register.

Middle managers important in creating immigrant-inclusive teams

A new report published by the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC), Make or Break: How middle managers and executives can build immigrant-inclusive teams, finds that one group that makes or breaks efforts to build immigrant-inclusive teams in the workplace is middle managers.

This report finds that while workplace inclusion starts with executive leadership, it is the everyday choices and actions of middle managers that pave the way for immigrant professionals to reach their full potential. This group has significant influence over what happens after an immigrant is hired, whether they feel part of their team, offering the feedback they need to grow, and ultimately the extent to which they progress in the organization.

The report finds that not enough workplaces measure how they are faring in terms of hiring, retaining or promoting immigrant professionals; Immigrant inclusion efforts by middle management have a greater chance of success if tied to organizational goals and conscious and unconscious bias creates systemic barriers that prevent immigrants from achieving their full potential. Preconceived ideas about international education, perceived lack of soft skills and different accents still affect immigrants’ ability to progress.

The report shares practical actions that management can take to positively form and lead immigrant-inclusive teams, and how executives can support them. For more information, visit triec.ca.