Canadian Immigrant - November 2023

Anton Sestritsyn

CONTENTS

4 FUSION

PROFILE: Tino Dogo and his passion for sustainable innovation

HUMOUR BY HEMETERIO

NEWS: International students to be allowed more off-campus work hours, New census data reveals population trends

8 COVER STORY

Ukraine-born Canadian Anton Sestritsyn’s philosophy of being a ‘doer’ has motivated the young man to fight for his country’s rights throughout his career

12 FEATURE

Riding out the housing crisis: Experts say that moving to smaller cities where rents are lower and buying to build equity are some of the ways to deal with the current housing scenario

15 CAREERS AND EDUCATION

CAREER COACH: 6 ways to show your leadership skills in the workplace

HIGHER LEARNING: When is your stress level an urgent issue?

18 SETTLEMENT

PARENTING: Is your family ready for a pet?

22

IMMIGRATION LAW: Canada boosts immigration targets

Tips to cut your home heating bill this winter

PROFILE

A life he designed: Filipino-Canadian award-winning property stylist and interior decorator Red Barrinuevo is living his dream

25 LIVING WELLNESS: Navigating an unfamiliar health-care system

Managing overseas family relationships: How can immigrants stay connected with loved ones?

29 MONEY AND BUSINESS

ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Why emotional intelligence

ISSofBC, helping immigrants since 1972 with settlement, English language classes, and employment and entrepreneurship services and training needs. www.issbc.org info@issbc.org (604) 684-2561

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FUSION

People.

TINO DOGO

A passion for sustainable innovation

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By Ramya Ramanathan

In 2018, Zimbabwe-born Tino Dogo moved to Canada to study biology with a minor in political science at the University of Manitoba. He brought with him dreams of changing the world for the better through setting up a social impact-driven business.

Dogo believes our world’s most pressing issue is climate change. As an elected student leader at the University, he leads sustainability campaigns and advises sustainability policy on campus and through the Manitoba Government Youth Advisory Council on Climate.

He has co-founded Badaya, a carbon-neutral vertical farming initiative based out of Winnipeg, with the primary objective to balance adapting to the changing climate and mitigating further warming of our planet in agriculture. Dogo says he recognizes that industrial agriculture is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which threatens the stability of the food supply chain. Still in the development phase, the vision for Badaya is to grow and produce food vertically and hydroponically, housed in an energy-efficient growth building that uses renewable energies to sustain itself.

What brought you to Canada?

I came to Canada for a new, challenging experience as part of my university education. I chose the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg because of its reputation for world class education and research. Part of my decision in choosing Canada over another country was its friendly immigration policies and opportunities to stay after completing my degree.

What were your first impressions?

I started school in the winter semester, so my first taste of Canada was a cold, Winnipeg January. I remember my breath condensing in the cold outside. This was made up for by the friendly warmth of the people I met.

Is there a reason you picked Winnipeg?

In addition to its reputation for education and research, affordability at the University of Manitoba, and Winnipeg, influenced my decision. My best friend

from high school also came to the university in the fall semester, so having someone I knew around was a big plus.

Tell us about your venture, Badaya.

We are interested in creating more sustainable systems. Right now, we’re focused on farming and the wider impact of Canadian agriculture on climate change. We want to both make farming a more sustainable practice and more resilient to the effects of climate change by creating indoor, vertical farming solutions. This summer, we had the incredible opportunity to complete the Press Start CoLab innovation accelerator program and that really helped us to make industry connections with fellow young innovators, and helped entrepreneurs to really hone in on our core vision for Badaya. We’re currently experimenting with an aeroponic tower garden in our apartment.

What inspires you?

The Montreal Protocol really inspires me; they identified CFCs [chlorofluorocarbons]and other ozone depleting chemicals to ban, which successfully reversed the damage to the ozone layer. I hope we can be a part of finding and implementing solutions that tackle really big environmental concerns facing our planet.

What challenges have you faced as an international student?

Although part of the reason I came to Canada was to have space to explore my own identity, I do still experience homesickness. Even with the time difference, technology has played a large part in helping because with just a phone call I can see and talk to my family. Adjusting to a different culture can sometimes be challenging but approaching everything with curiosity and an open mind transforms it into a fun learning experience.

What is your advice for other international students or youth moving to Canada?

Finding a community to feel connected with is an easy way to make new friends and helps with homesickness. I strongly encourage newcomers to try new things, even if they seem difficult. This helps with expanding your network and learning valuable lessons.

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International students to be allowed more off-campus work hours

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser has announced the temporary lifting of the current 20-hour-per-week cap on the number of hours that eligible post-secondary students are allowed to work off-campus while class is in session.

According to this announcement, from November 15, 2022, until December 31, 2023, international students who are in Canada and who have off-campus work authorization on their study permit will be allowed to work over 20 hours per week. Foreign nationals who have already submitted a study permit application will also be able to benefit from this temporary change, provided their application is approved.

These measures will provide many international students with a greater opportunity to gain valuable Canadian work experience and will increase the availability of workers to sustain Canada’s post-pandemic growth. In addition, this will address the challenges employers are facing in finding and retaining workers during this period of economic recovery and growth.

New census data reveals population trends

Census data released in October 2022 provides an updated statistical portrait of the immigrant population in the country. Conducted every five years by Statistics Canada, the population census helps understand how Canada is changing over time. Highlights include:

• Almost one in four people (23 per cent) are or have been a landed immigrant or permanent resident in Canada. This topped the previous record of 22.3 per cent in 1921, and is the largest proportion among G7 countries.

• Just over 1.3 million new immigrants settled permanently in Canada from 2016 to 2021, the highest number of recent immigrants recorded in a Canadian census.

• The share of recent immigrants settling in Atlantic Canada almost tripled in 15 years, rising from 1.2 per cent in 2006 to 3.5 per cent in 2021.

Over half of recent immigrants living

in Canada were admitted under the economic category. Of these 748,120 economic immigrants, just over onethird, were selected through skilled worker programs and another onethird through the Provincial Nominee Program.

• Most recent immigrants came from Asia, including the Middle East (62 per cent). Almost one in five recent immigrants (18.6 per cent) were born in India, making it the leading country of birth for recent immigrants.

• In contrast, the share of recent immigrants from Europe continued to decline, falling from 61.6 (per cent) in 1971 to 10.1 (per cent) in 2021.

• The share of second-generation Canadians (children of immigrants) younger than 15 years with at least one foreign-born parent rose from 26.7 per cent in 2011 to 31.5 per cent in 2021.

Visit the Statistics Canada website for more data.

“YOU CANNOT TRADE FREEDOM FOR ANYTHING ELSE”

By Vivien Fellegi

“ Go big or go home,” is Ukrainian-Canadian Anton Sestritsyn’s motto for life. The high-achieving 29-year-old immigrant has been living out these words all his life. Sestritsyn played tennis professionally during his childhood. When he swam in high school, he made it to Ukraine’s Olympic reserve team. Even his biology projects scored medals in international youth competitions. “If I dedicate my time to something, then I want to excel in that,” says Sestritsyn. “It’s a very Ukrainian kind of mentality.”

Sestritsyn was born in the “touristy” seaside Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea (currently temporarily occupied by Russia). “I have very fond memories growing up,” he says. His father, an engineer, and his mother, a teacher, fostered the values of perseverance and of “being a doer, not a complainer,” he says. Setsritsyn’s passion for politics began at the dinner table where his parents would analyze the evening news each night.

During these early days, Sestritsyn also developed a lifelong love for his country alongside a growing awareness of its trials.

“Every Ukrainian family one way or another suffered under different Russian regimes,” says Sestritsyn. As a result of their struggles, Ukrainians treasure their liberty above all other aspects of life, including housing and even their well-being. “You cannot trade freedom for anything else,” he says. This belief has motivated the young man to fight for his country’s rights throughout his career.

First, though, he needed a proper education. After graduating from high school at age 17, Sestritsyn immigrated to Canada to pursue a bachelor’s degree in public affairs and policy management at Ottawa’s Carleton University. Though the newcomer missed his family in Ukraine,

he adjusted quickly. “You have to grow up fast when you’re on your own,” he says. Sestritsyn felt comfortable amidst Canada’s large Ukrainian population and made friends quickly amongst the multicultural youth who reminded him of the diverse nationalities back home.

Sestritsyn’s ambition was to enter Canadian politics, but he feared it wouldn’t be realized. “I thought when I first came here that it was unattainable,” says Sestritsyn, “that it was something reserved only for people from here.”

But a catastrophe offered him this opportunity. In 2014, Russia invaded Crimea and annexed it. It was an unprecedented act of “brutality,” says Sestritsyn. “You’re just not prepared for something like that to happen in Europe in the 21st century,” says the Ukrainian.

The young undergraduate student sprang into action to aid his homeland, organizing protests every evening. “My goal was to defend Ukraine,” says Sestritsyn, “and make known to the general public…what’s going on.” His activities caught the attention of politicians on Parliament Hill, and he was offered a job providing translation and advice to the government on all matters pertaining to his homeland. “It was a great opportunity,” he says, to “contribute to Ukraine.”

This experience helped him forge valuable connections and gain work experience, and was the springboard to a rewarding career dedicated to securing human rights and democracy in Ukraine. Next, the foreign policy expert entered the public realm, working as a political correspondent at a television program, Forum TV. Then, at the non-profit organization, The International Council in Support of Ukraine, he ran a program helping to rehabilitate physically and psychologically injured Ukrainian soldiers.

Ukraine-born Canadian Anton Sestritsyn’s philosophy of being a ‘doer’ has motivated the young man to fight for his country’s rights throughout his career

IF I DEDICATE MY TIME TO SOMETHING, THEN I WANT TO EXCEL IN THAT.”

Sestritsyn’s advice on Ukraine has guided world leaders on Parliament Hill, in the U.S. Congress, and even at the United Nations.

In February 2022, Sestritsyn was devastated when Russia again invaded Ukraine. “All of my family’s still there,” he says, so “of course it’s very difficult.” But the solution-focussed thinker joined Roshel –manufacturers of smart armored vehicles headquartered in Mississauga – to help protect his former homeland. As vice president of business development, Sestritsyn liaises with international governments who buy the personnel carriers and ship them to Ukraine. Operators have told him that this is saving lives. This means that someone’s father is coming home, says Sestritsyn. “You can’t even convey in words how much it means to know [that].”

In June 2022, Sestritsyn co-founded Café Ukraine in Ottawa – a dropin center and meeting place for Ukrainian refugees, offering English and French classes, and organizing movie nights and even yoga workshops. Most importantly, this is to connect them with others in a similar situation, says Sestritsyn. “They want that feeling that they’re not alone.”

This seems to be working. The Café is bringing attention to the plight of Ukraine. Dignitaries including Canada’s deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland; Mélanie Joly, minister of foreign affairs; and U.S. secretary of state, Antony Blinken, have all come to visit the Café to meet the founders and hear the refugees’ stories.

Countless friendships have sprung from the venue, and the refugees constantly tell the founders, “Thank you, we feel at home here.” This kind of positive feedback energizes the patriot.

“It gives me strength and power to keep doing what I’m doing,” says Sestritsyn. “And it motivates me to do more.”

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Riding

By Baisakhi Roy

Abhay Garg says that job opportunities outside major cities like Toronto or Vancouver are few and far between, but he’s determined to explore his options.

“Toronto has become unlivable right now. Before the pandemic, I wouldn’t spare a thought when buying clothes or shoes, but now I’m always budgeting because I need that money for rent,” he says.

The Brampton resident who moved from India to Canada in 2017, works as a field technician and is sharing a three-bedroom house (with one washroom) with five of his friends, paying $540 per person. After spending up to $1,400 on gas and car insurance, and rent, Garg hardly has anything left for his expenses. Friends of his who moved to Calgary last year are advising him to do the same, given the city’s lower rents, lower taxes and a better standard of living.

“I have good work experience now so I am hoping to land a well-paying job so that I can at least have a good lifestyle,” Garg says. He is regularly applying to positions that become available in his field of expertise in Calgary and other cities in Alberta including Edmonton and Red Deer.

A housing affordability report released in 2021 by the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) found that 46 per cent of new immigrants in Ontario like Garg would consider moving provinces for more affordable housing. Another 42 per cent said that they were planning to move by 2023.

What can you afford?

Sri Lankan-born mortgage specialist Naween Thomas who specializes in working with new immigrants, first time home buyers and real estate investors, recommends that newcomers consider buying a home if they can afford it, but to do so meticulously, given the challenges in the current housing market.

“Every day you do not own a house when you can is a day lost in building equity. Do not try to ‘time’ the market. If you are personally in a situation to buy, do it,” says Thomas. “In the current housing market, you don’t have to deal with bidding wars, overpaying, and these are advantages in my eyes.”

Although he favours buying, he also suggests restraint. “Home ownership is not a competition and you do not want to be cash poor. Do not rush into buying a home if you are not financially ready or buy something you cannot afford.”

Praveen Kalra, Director, Canadian Settlement Operations - International Division at SaveMax Real Estate Inc., says that despite the rising interest rates and inflation, buying can be an option, depending on the location.

“Newcomers who have good jobs, families with double incomes, could be approved for as much as $600,000. Unfortunately, in the GTA one can’t buy even a condo at that price,” Kalra says.

Kalra, who’s previously worked in the newcomer settlement services sector, further explains that renters too are affected by steep home prices. “Newcomers find it hard to get rentals because they are also competing against

people who’ve been here for one or two years but cannot afford to buy houses. They’re still in the rental market,” Kalra says.

Then there’s the issue of there not being enough housing inventory to match the number of immigrants who came to Canada during the pandemic and the ones expected in the next few years.

On November 1, 2022, the federal government announced its immigration plan, which will see Canada welcome 465,000 new permanent residents next year, 485,000 in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025. The gap in supply and demand is worrying. Newcomers are often found to be doling out huge amounts in rent for subpar living conditions.

above Naween Thomas

the average rent for all property types across Canada in September 2022 was $2,043 per month – an annual increase of 15.4 per cent. The average rent is up 4.3 per cent monthly and 21.9 per cent from the recent market low of $1,676 per month in April 2021.

“Not everyone can afford to outbid the

other and often end up living in basements with no contracts in very unhealthy and unsafe conditions. Renters are known to pay upfront, six or even 12 months in advance, which is illegal. But sometimes, there’s just no choice,” Kalra says.

“I mean you have to live somewhere. That’s basic! I know people who’ve been sitting in Airbnbs and hotels for months now and paying huge amounts because they’re not able to get accommodations,” he adds.

No quick solution

Negotiating with landlords to lower the rent, seeking government-funded resources, looking out for incentives and discounts being offered by landlords and seeking out neighbourhoods where the vacancy rate is high are some of the ways that one can find affordable housing.

Organisations like The Housing Help Centre offer customized programs like subsidized housing options for permanent residents and refugees in the GTA. Initiatives like The Affordable Home Ownership program, run by the region of Waterloo, help renters with buying their first homes.

For aspiring homebuyers like Garg, who doesn’t want to rent forever, buying a home seems like an achievable goal.

“However hard I work and how much ever money I earn, it won’t be enough to buy in the GTA. But according to my current research, in Calgary, in 200-300K, I could get a nice two-bedroom apartment with parking, which I can also rent out. So that’s a much better deal for me. Hopefully everything works out,” he says.

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above Praveen Kalra

above Abhay Garg

6 ways to show your leadership skills in the workplace

Key tips even when you don’t have a leadership role!

You can demonstrate your leadership skills from any position, even without a formal title. For instance, a positive attitude is a great leadership trait. When you radiate enthusiasm and positivity no matter the job, people do notice. And, when things go wrong as they often do – whether it is dealing with disagreements, difficult people or office politics, it is the individual who stays above the fray who is appreciated and respected.

The people who lend a helping hand, add value and support others are truly indispensable. These are the people who are usually the first to say, “How can I help?” This increases trust and raises your level of influence. Irrespective of your position, here are a few ways to showcase your leadership skills in the workplace.

1 Be authentic

Sure, experience and skills matter, but what tips the scale in your favour is your drive and passion. You will be able to create authentic connections when you embrace who you are are act with confidence. You may not be perfect now, but your authenticity will definitely inspire others to trust you.

2 Appreciate the good in others

The ability to see the good in others is a valuable trait in the workplace. When you spot potential in a colleague, you could guide them by offering them a challenging task. It not only builds their self-esteem but improves their skill set and the overall skill set of the team. When you appreciate others for their work, it can go a long way in building trust.

3 Solve problems

When you deal with your peers, you get a chance to listen to them, identify their needs, solve their problems and gain trust. When you step up with ideas on how to resolve challenges and resourceful suggestions on how they can accomplish their goals, your worth goes up instantly. Guide your teammates to advance and help them harness their skills. Everyone including your peers and seniors will value your ability to think through problems and find fresh solutions.

4 Volunteer more

Start volunteering and participating in a way that contributes to achieving overall goals and objectives. Volunteer to lead a project or take on a small team — anything that will demonstrate the leadership qualities you have that will benefit the organization. Your positive results will help to build trust with your colleagues.

5 Be a positive influence

Your optimism can dim or light up the workplace. Always aim to set an example of positivity, and say “yes” more often to difficult

projects. This is a valuable and rare leadership quality. Notice and appreciate the everyday effort by everyone, however small it may be. And do this at every opportunity, in private and in public.

This certainly helps you establish your authentic presence. Be the person who can be counted on, by ensuring that your peers have the right resources they need to excel.

6 Collaborate effectively

Mastering communication skills is key to successful collaboration. Start by crafting clear messages and invest efforts in forging positive relationships. Effective collaboration means working together to increase transparency and trust. This is at the core of all great teams in the workforce. By engaging with your team and maintaining positive relationships, you create an environment of genuine respect.

In summing up, by investing in people, trusting them and volunteering to go above and beyond to find solutions, you automatically demonstrate true leadership traits.

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Stress is common among students. It is not unusual for a student who has moved away from home for the first time to feel bouts of homesickness. Postsecondary students often struggle to focus on schoolwork when there are new people to meet and intense socializing going on. The expectation that students need to monitor their own time and efforts may leave some students feeling overwhelmed and unsupported. The first semester of the first year can be a major adjustment, but many students eventually manage this despite its difficulties.

When is your stress level an urgent issue?

When students experience bouts of anxiety and low moods, there may be a negative impact on their studies. While problems with mood and anxiety may be managed, they shouldn’t be ignored if they are prolonged, extending into several weeks or even months. Particularly, suicidal thoughts and self-harming

stress level an urgent issue?

Practical tips for students

behavior should be treated as urgent matters. In addition to personal discomfort and loss of pleasure, academic achievement and progress may be in jeopardy. The school schedule with its assignments and exams continues despite a student’s need to take a break to look after their health and stress overload. An inability to concentrate, agitation, sleeplessness, pessimism, obsessive worry, and other challenging issues may leave students far behind in their academic work and unable to catch up. That is why these symptoms, when stretching into weeks, may need urgent intervention.

What should you do?

If the issues you are experiencing last for weeks or months, it is important to get help, either from a mental health professional such as a school counsellor or from a physician.

Some symptoms such as fatigue, poor concentration, sleeplessness or excessive sleeping may be due

to a medical condition and seeing a physician should be prioritized to rule out possible causes. If a problem with anxiety or depression is diagnosed, treatment should be considered since it may be far easier to turn around a more minor problem than a major one, if left untreated.

Since time is a factor, a good first step is finding out if your school has a health centre with medical staff or a counselling office. If you would like to see a doctor and there isn’t one at your school, counsellors can assist with finding one in the community. While they can’t provide a diagnosis, counsellors can help determine if your symptoms could be signs of a mental health problem. They can also help you find solutions to problems causing stress and develop strategies to cope.

There is often high demand for these services and students shouldn’t be satisfied with an initial appointment that is months away since their academic work could be seriously impacted. Inquire about the availability of drop-in or sameday appointments at school or call various clinics in the community, if a timely appointment is not available. Getting help when it is needed is also serves as verification as to when the problem started and when the student sought help, so students have it should they need to document this later for their school record.

While they are in the process of getting assessed, students may find out if their teachers or the school’s accessibility office can provide some flexibility or temporary academic accommodations. The school’s counselling services can usually support students with navigating these requests. If you choose to approach your professors to ask for flexibility and accommodations, consider the kind of help you need and what faculty need to know. Generally, professors do not require a lot of details about

your personal health and life issues, but they may ask for documentation to support your request.

If a student is unable to continue with some or all of their classes, schools usually have policies and procedures for taking time off, issuing a temporary incomplete grade, dropping a course without academic penalty, or taking a more extended leave from school. An academic record is a student’s history and there shouldn’t be academic sacrifices when a problem is out of the student’s control and when efforts have been made to rectify it.

Other non-health related urgent concerns

There are other situations that can put students’ academics in jeopardy such as an ongoing family or housing crisis or financial problems. Students shouldn’t make the decision to leave school without first seeking help and documenting their circumstances. Personal problems can lead to loss of time, money as well as credibility.

Services are provided at school to help students cope with problems that interfere with their academic work, to avoid disruptions to their school year, and to determine a student’s best options given their circumstances. Seek help when you need it.

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.

Deals on n .

Is your family ready for a pet?

Factors to consider before you make your decision

Family pets can bring so much joy and offer benefits, such as reducing stress, improving physical health, and teaching children about empathy and responsibilities. However, research and careful consideration is necessary to ensure that getting a pet is a good fit for your family.

Rules and regulations

Check with your rental or strata bylaws regarding pet restrictions, such as limits on the size, type or number of pets allowed. Find out whether the pet requires to be spayed or neutered, and practice proper pet etiquette when out with your pet. Learn about your city bylaws and provincial exotic animal laws to see if you need a pet license, and that those pets are legally allowed in your home.

Health and safety

While pets can bring many health benefits, they can also carry diseases

in ways including animal bites, contact with the animal’s waste, saliva, dander, or pests they may bring into your home.

Knowing the health risks, make sure that the choice of the family pet is a good fit for your children’s age, health conditions, and personality. Practice proper handwashing and regular cleaning to ensure both the animals’ and children’s health and safety.

Time commitment

While some pets are low maintenance, others require more time and care. Typical tasks include cleaning of their living space, grooming and visits to the veterinarian. If your child is responsible for caring for the pet, make sure your child can balance schoolwork or after school activities and pet responsibilities. If your family travels frequently, ensure someone is available to care for your pet while you are away.

Living space

Your pet needs adequate living space to roam, play and feel safe. Consider factors such as type and size of the animal, the needs and personality of the pet and family members, the age and number of family members, and the size and type of your home. Do not forget about space required when transporting the pet to and from veterinary clinic or other trips.

Financial considerations

The cost of owning and caring for pets can be substantial, such as the initial costs of purchasing or adoption, housing, training, obtaining the pet license and insurance. Other costs include regular checkups, vaccination costs,

medication and food, treats and toys, in addition to licenses, insurance and emergency costs.

Yes, getting a pet is exciting! But take the time to consider the various important factors before making the final decision. This is a long-term commitment and requires serious consideration to ensure your pet receives the care and attention it needs and deserves.

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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Canada boosts immigration targets

Immigration levels plan 2023-2025

On November 1, 2022, Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), tabled Canada’s 2022 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration. The publication of the Report to Parliament on Immigration is an annual occurrence in which Canada’s immigration department summarizes Canadian immigration statistics of the previous year and provides immigration levels planning for the future. This year’s report generated considerable media attention because the government announced that its target for 2025 was to admit 500,000 new permanent residents.

Where we are coming from

In 2021, Canada welcomed 405,999 permanent residents, the highest level of immigration in the country’s history. Of this, 191,338 were individuals who transitioned from temporary resident status to permanent.

The economic immigration class continued to be the largest source of permanent resident admissions, at approximately 62 per cent of all admissions in 2021. Overall numbers were up for all programs compared to 2020, which is not surprising due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic that year.

IRCC in 2021 also approved 415,817 work permits and 445,776 study permits. When accompanying family members are factored in, this means that the number of people who entered Canada with temporary status continued to greatly exceed the number of permanent residents admitted.

It should be noted that when it comes to the impacts of immigration on Canada’s economy, housing prices, social cohesion, etc., the media often focuses on the number of permanent residents admitted to Canada. However, as can be seen in the above statistics, the admission of permanent residents only tells part

of the story regarding who is coming to Canada and is not reflective of the total number of people actually admitted to Canada.

Where we are going

In February of this year, IRCC stated that its goal was to welcome approximately 431,645 new people as permanent residents in 2022, 447,055 people as new permanent residents in 2023, and 451,000 in 2024.

The new 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan is more ambitious. The new target for 2023 is 465,000 new permanent residents. The goal for 2024 is 485,000. The goal for 2025 is 500,000.

There are several things to note about these projections.

First, Quebec’s immigration agreement with Ottawa allows the province to welcome around 23 per cent of Canada’s new permanent residents. Based on the levels above, this would exceed 100,000 per year.

On November 2, 2022, Quebec Premier Francois Legault reiterated his position that Quebec cannot accept more than 50,000 immigrants a year. If Quebec maintains this position it is not clear if the federal government would reallocate targets elsewhere or accept lower overall immigration levels for Canada.

Second, certain programs dominate the revised numbers. In February 2022, the government targeted that 86,000 new permanent residents would be admitted through the Provincial Nomination Program in 2023. That number has been revised to 110,000. The forecasted number of business immigrants has also increased since the February 2022 plan from 1,000 people in 2023 to 5,000. Finally, the target for

humanitarian & compassionate and public policy admissions for 2023 has increased from 10,500 to 15,985.

Third, Canada anticipates reducing the number of government-assisted refugees that it resettles from 23,550 in 2023 to 15,250. It is not clear if this reflects a determination to admit more refugees through other streams or just hopeful optimism on the trajectory of global affairs during the next few years.

Fourth, 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan does not mention any programs for Ukrainians who travelled to Canada this year under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET). Adults arriving through this program are eligible for three-year open work permits. As of October 2022, 108,836 individuals have arrived in Canada through this program. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has approved 338,276 applications. 307,116 applications remain in processing. These work permits will be expiring starting in 2025. It is not clear how the influx of such a large number of people will impact levels planning in the future, especially given political sensitivities around the Russia–Ukraine conflict.

Finally, and related to the above, there are no planned admission levels for foreign workers or international students. While the government is responsible for setting permanent resident targets, the private sector and post-secondary institutions largely dictate how many temporary residents are admitted. While Canada plans on admitting record numbers of permanent residents, the gap between the number of temporary residents admitted and the number of permanent residents will only likely continue to increase.

Steven Meurrens is an immigration lawyer with Larlee Rosenberg in Vancouver. Contact him at 604-681-9887, by email at steven.meurrens@larlee.com, or visit his blog at smeurrens.com.

Tips to cut your home heating bill this winter

Ways to reduce your energy consumption and balance your budgets

The cost of natural gas for many Enbridge customers in Ontario was once again increased on October 1 after the Ontario Energy Board approved the utility company’s application.

The total impact on your bill will depend on how much gas you use and the terms of your gas marketer agreement; however, with the recent increases, it’s likely that the average homeowner will be paying several hundred dollars more this year. When combined with the increasing costs of other essential goods due to inflation and rising interest rates, many homeowners are rightfully concerned about balancing their budgets this winter.

Here are nine tips to reduce your consumption and lower your utility bills this winter.

1. Lower your thermostat. The simplest and most cost-effective thing you can do is to lower your thermostat by setting it a few degrees lower than normal. To offset cooler room temperatures, wear a sweater and some wool socks, and cozy up with a blanket when you’re at home. To save even more money, lower the thermostat when you are sleeping or out of the house. This can be made even easier with the use of a ‘smart’ or programmable thermostat. Every degree you lower the thermostat, you can lower your heating costs by two to three per cent. That can add up to some significant savings over the course of the winter heating season.

For example, try setting your thermostat to 20 degrees Celsius when you are home, and 16 or 17 degrees while asleep or away. If you’re going to be away for an extended period

such as a vacation, set it even lower, around 12 or 13 degrees.

2. Make sure all your heating vents are open and unobstructed. This is even more important if you have a forced-air heating system.

3. Use ceiling fans on the reverse setting. This will help circulate warm air and keep it from settling at the top of rooms, especially if you have higher ceilings.

4. Keep your curtains and blinds open during the day. Try to keep your blinds and

curtains open during the day for some free heat courtesy of the sun. At night, close them to add an extra layer of insulation.

5. Replace your furnace filter. This is something all homeowners should be doing at least twice per year, if not more frequently. A clogged and dirty filter forces your furnace to work harder to circulate air, which uses more energy and can shorten its lifespan.

This is also good for indoor air quality. For best results, try cleaning your filter once per month with your vacuum and replacing it every three months.

6. Make sure you’re not wasting the heat you’ve already paid for. Check every window and exterior door in your home to make sure it’s well-sealed and you can’t feel any drafts (check on colder days). The weather stripping will wear out over time, so it should be checked once a year.

You can buy inexpensive weather-sealing kits at any hardware store and shore up leaks yourself. If you have older windows, buy transparent plastic window kits, which create a sealed bubble over old windows and make them much more insulated.

7. Invest in a programmable ‘smart’ thermostat. Modern thermostats not only offer a range of convenient features, like allowing you to monitor and adjust your home’s temperature remotely via your smartphone, they can also save you money.

By automatically and precisely adjusting your home’s temperature when you’re sleeping or out of the house, a smart thermostat can lower your heating costs and effectively pay for itself in as little as a single winter heating season.

8. Upgrade your old windows and doors, insulation and heating system. Although these require an initial upfront investment, these upgrades can save a significant

amount on home energy costs over many years. Newer high-efficiency Energy Star furnaces for instance, can be anywhere from 10 to 40 per cent more efficient than a very old unit, which may be operating at an efficiency rating of only 60 to 80 per cent compared to the 95 to 98.9 per cent of modern systems.

9. Consider applying for government grants/ rebates. There are several government grants and rebate programs available for homeowners to help cover the cost of energy-saving home upgrades.

The federal government’s Greener Homes Initiative is offering up to $5,000 towards qualifying energy-saving upgrades. Enbridge is also offering up to $5,000 to their customers. There are several other local and regional programs as well being offered by various levels of government and other organizations.

Be sure to carefully study the eligibility criteria, and keep in mind it’s easier to qualify before having the upgrades done.

If you have a lower income and are concerned about being able to afford your heating and energy bills, there are other available programs which to that may help, including the Low-income Energy Assistance Program. There may also be other local programs available in your region.

Ultimately, heating costs are something all Canadians must deal with, and being proactive and implementing these recommendations can, especially when used together, add up to substantial savings.

Stay warm this winter!

Simon Bernath is the CEO and founder of FurnacePrices.ca

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By Lisa Evans

Red Barrinuevo came to Canada in search of freedom. As a gay man, Barrinuevo spent years in the Philippines, masking his identity. He did what he felt society expected of him, working as a pharmaceutical representative, getting married and having a child. “I put myself in this situation where I ended up so miserable,” he says.

At the age of 35, Barrinuevo decided to change his life and immigrate to Canada, a place where he felt he would be able to embrace who he is without the cultural expectations of his home country.

Today, Barrinuevo is a proud gay man and one of Toronto’s most sought-after interior designers and home stagers. But what might sound like a glamorous career started from very humble beginnings.

When Barrinuevo left the Philippines, he left all of his savings to his ex-wife and young son.

“I felt so guilty coming out and leaving them,” he says. He arrived with his savings of $600. He worked two jobs washing dishes for a restaurant

and also as a home and office cleaner, trying to make enough to cover his bills while still sending child support back home.

Eventually, Barrinuevo was offered a telephone banking job at CIBC where he worked for two years followed by a job at an investment bank.

Getting close to his 40th birthday, Barrinuevo decided he no longer wanted to sit at a desk. “I left my son, I left my life, I left everything not to just work in an office,” he says. “The point in moving to Canada was to actually do what I want to do. I wanted to do something more.”

Barrinuevo always had a passion for interior design. His Toronto apartment was so nicely decorated that it was being used by the rental office as a showroom. “The rental office would ask me can we use your apartment because someone wants to see a unit. It was like a model suite,” he says. Friends were always asking him for help decorating their own homes, picking paint colours or furniture.

While Barrinuevo thought he had the talent to become an interior designer, he didn’t have the time or money to go back to school. “I read an article about home staging. I didn’t have to go back to school for it. It’s unregulated as long as you have the eye for it.”

Barrinuevo took a $1,200 online course with the Staging Diva. “I put the badge and certification on my website as though I’d finished at York University. It gave me confidence just to know that I passed it.”

Barrinuevo started his staging and interior design business, Redesign4More, in 2010, but during his first two years of business, he continued to work at the bank full-time. “I worked for the bank from 8 to 5, then I was helping people stage homes and decorate from 5 until 2 or 3 in the morning. During my lunch break, that’s when I would do my design consultations,” he says.

One of his first projects was for a friend who had recently immigrated from Cuba. “They bought a house in Cabbagetown and they wanted me to help them furnish the house and decorate it.” The house was featured in Canadian Home Trends magazine. “It validated that I was on the right track and people are noticing it,” he says.

In 2012, Barrinuevo decided to leave his bank job and jump into his interior design business full-time. Since then, his career has taken off. Since 2020, Barrinuevo has been the property stylist on HGTV Canada’s Hot Market, a show that follows real estate agents through landing big listings and getting the best return for their clients through transformative renovations and staging. “When I got the phone call (from HGTV) I thought it was a joke,” he says.

In addition to HGTV, Barrinuevo’s work has been featured in Toronto Life, House & Home and The Toronto Sun, and he was named one of the most influential people in real estate home staging by RESA Global.

While becoming an award-winning interior designer feels like a dream come true, Barrinuevo says it never would have happened if he didn’t have the right mindset. “When I moved here, I told myself failure is not an option. I sacrificed my comfortable life to be here.”

When he meets newcomers to Canada, he tells them to be present and make the most of where they are. “When you move to a new place, move in physically and mentally. Don’t move to Canada with your mind still in the Philippines. This is where I decided to move, and I have to do what I have to do based on where I am.”

above Red Barrinuevo

When you move to a new place, move in physically and mentally,” says Red Barrinuevo when he meets newcomers to Canada.

Public Notice

The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants is the authority mandated by the Government of Canada to regulate the practice of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs). Its role, authority and powers are established in the  College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act (Canada). The College sets and enforces the licensing, education and ethical standards of the profession in the public interest.

Through its complaints and discipline process, the College ensures that all licensees comply with the Code of Professional Conduct by holding them accountable for breaches of the Code.

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Below is a list of RCICs who have been recently subjected to a suspension or revocation as a result of a disciplinary action. If you have any concerns about these individuals or any of our other licensees, we encourage you to contact us via our website. This list was current at the time of publication and is subject to change. To see the most up-to-date list please visit the College website.

Depinder Deep Singh Vision Immigration & Settlement Abroad Canada Inc. Brampton, ON Revocation

July 7, 2022

Norilyn OligioSarma Oligo-Sarma Canada Immigration Services Toronto, ON Suspension September 28, 2022

Kuldeep Kumar Bansal Overseas Career & Consulting Services Limited Surrey, BC Suspension October 12, 2022

Balbir Singh Hothi Indica Immigration and Employment Inc. Surrey, BC Suspension October 12, 2022

For more information, please vist: https://college-ic.ca/protecting-the-public/disciplinary-proceedings-and-tribunal

Licensee Name Company Name City Disciplinary Action Effective Date

Health and wellness decision-making tips for newcomers Navigating an unfamiliar health-care system

Newcomers make a lot of decisions within the first few weeks and months after arriving in Canada. These range from initial settlement-related issues such as finding housing, schools for children, enrolling in language classes or skills training and making choices about employment. Being new to the culture, environment and not having the family support or networks, it can be extremely daunting and stressful to be responsible for these decisions.

During the settlement process, an important area that may often be ignored involves decisions about your health and wellness. Faced with an unfamiliar health-care system, long waitlists, cultural and language barriers, some newcomers postpone seeking help or consultations for health-care needs.

What may come as shock for some is that not paying enough attention to a health problem in the early stages could end up as a serious health condition or a mental health crisis that requires having to make important decisions in a new environment. This can be overwhelming – having to educate yourself about a serious condition and learning to navigate an unfamiliar health-care system.

Here are a few steps that can help you prepare to make good decisions about your health and well-being.

Educate yourself about your province’s health-care system.

Learn about your province’s health-care system and how it meets the needs of its people. Research and learn from available resources, discuss with peers or seek support from settlement organizations and other ethnic community organizations. Some of the immediate needs and areas you may want to focus on are to finding a family doctor, learning about specialists, extended health-care coverage, role of emergency health services, walk-in clinics and public health programs. Learning about regulated professions and governing bodies can also help you make choices for other health needs such as dental services, psychologists, physiotherapy, etc. Having a good understanding of the system, options and services available can lay the foundation for making informed decisions.

Consider your personal values, beliefs and expectations.

Newcomers from different countries and cultures have different values, beliefs and expectations about approaching their health and wellness needs. To avoid being treated with a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, it is

important for you to recognize your unique beliefs, values and preferences and be willing to share it with your health-care provider. It is also equally important to manage your expectations of care, which may be different from your country of origin. An example would be expecting to be seen immediately by your family physician if you think you need immediate care or help. Setting realistic expectations in situations beyond your control can also reduce self-blame for decisions that did not turn out the way you wanted.

Participate actively in decision-making for your health-care needs.

Discussing health and wellness issues with your health-care professional will make you feel valued, build trust, reduce stress, help you feel more satisfied with the decision-making process, and follow your treatment plans. Asking questions and accessing recommended resources or medical evidence will help you understand risks and benefits to make informed decisions. Seeking input from family members, faith leaders or trusted community members will also help integrate your beliefs in treatment recommendations and management. Learning about health-care policies system such as informed consent, role of substitute decision maker and laws like the Mental Health Act will also be useful to understand the role of patients and families in health-care decision-making.

As you navigate the health-care system and make health decisions for yourself and your family, it is important to be open to new approaches and methods, communicate effectively with your service provider and be flexible about choices. When your needs are unmet and you do not feel engaged or cared for, you may also have to make tough decisions that may involve changing your health-care professional, not consenting to a treatment or filing a complaint. Educate yourself to be an empowered client, consumer or patient.

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

MANAGING OVERSEAS FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

How can immigrants stay connected with loved ones?

By Kaitlin Jingco

It was a tough blow to Jeyson Torreglosa when his father, the only person he knew in Toronto, was forced to leave Canada to head back to their home country of Spain.

It was 2013 and the then 23-year-old Torreglosa had managed to find a job in Canada, where his father had already been working for months. But after just a few short weeks of being together, Torreglosa’s father’s permit was up, and he was told he had to go.

“So now you find me alone here in this country with a language that I didn’t know how to speak,” says the Colombian-born Spaniard. “It was a big shock for me.”

And while it was hard to be without his friends and family, knowing what was happening in Spain and the tough financial situation his loved ones were facing, Torreglosa decided to stick it out for one year, working in Canada and sending money back to his family.

“I didn’t want to live without them. I missed them so much,” he says. But, he adds, “I knew that they needed it.”

“Leaving and going to a whole new country, especially if there is a language barrier, it can be very traumatic because it’s so different and you have to learn to cope,” says therapist Nancy Diaz from Inclusive Therapists, who specializes in working with immigrants, children of immigrants and

women of colour from Canada and around the world. Especially when you’re leaving behind friends, family or even romantic partners, she adds, “It’s heartbreaking and there is a lot of grief associated with that.”

One of the most difficult parts about dealing with that migrating experience is figuring out how to best interact with the loved ones who have been left behind, says Diaz.

For young Torreglosa who hadn’t planned on staying alone in Canada, calling home every day is what worked best for him – it kept him connected to his mother, father and two brothers whom he missed deeply, and it reminded him of what he was working for.

But Diaz doesn’t necessarily recommend daily calls for everyone. Since every situation and relationship is different, the therapist suggests starting off with some reflection.

“We have to actually examine ourselves as individuals and ask, What is it exactly that I want in my life? Why am I here? What do I want my life in this new country to look like?” she says.

Once you know the answers to those questions, you can better decide what you want your interactions to be, then you can have conversations with loved ones about boundaries, she continues.

“You don’t want to be resentful of that family member or partner because they held you back from really enjoying that time in the new country,” the therapist says. “It is tricky to find that balance, but it’s important.”

While Torreglosa always kept in close contact with his family in Spain,

he also made a point to embrace Canada. He worked different jobs and eventually landed in construction, he played soccer, focused on spirituality and made new friends who spoke both Spanish and English. But he decided to return to Spain after one year.

What Torreglosa didn’t know was that this stint in Canada would not be his last.

In 2015, while back to attend a wedding of two friends whom he met while living in Toronto, Torreglosa met Colombian-born Canadian Juliana, whom he would later go on to marry.

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above Jeyson Torreglosa with his wife Juliana & daughter Camila

“I never thought I would meet Julie and be married here,” he says, reflecting on his vacation turned permanent move.

Unexpectedly back in Canada, Torreglosa had to again go through the experience of longdistance relationships with the friends and family

whom he left in Spain. And while he still misses and wishes to be close with his Spanish loved ones, as a husband and now father, the 32-yearold isn’t able to chat as much as he did before.

“Now I call most Thursday nights. We do video calls. My daughter Camila gets so excited to see her yaya and yayo,” Torreglosa says of his parents. “They’re dying to meet Camila. That’s the hardest part – the fact that in your happy moments, you don’t get to live it with them.”

These struggles are all part of the trauma and grief that can come with being an immigrant. To make it through, Diaz recommends exploring and validating all of the feelings that come up. If possible, she also encourages immigrants to consider therapy, to connect with other immigrants from one’s home country, and to join in-person or virtual support groups.

“You’re uniquely you, and only you know what’s going to work for you,” says Diaz on how to best navigate immigration and long-distance relationships. She adds, “It’s also about not being too critical of yourself and not judging yourself if you do need more or less interaction with family members. Everyone is different.”

For Torreglosa, weekly calls balanced with time spent at work, church, and with Canadian friends and family allow him to stay connected with his loved ones in Spain while also enjoying his new home. What also helps is the knowing that he’ll see his family during a reunion in the new year, and the knowing that he’s made the right choice in moving to Canada.

“I love it here. I love the people. I love my wife,” he says. “I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere.”

above Nancy Diaz

You’re uniquely you, and only you know what’s going to work for you,” says Nancy Diaz on how to best navigate immigration and long-distance relationships.

Why emotional intelligence is a key factor when kickstarting your business

Three fundamental steps to drive success and profitability

The idea of diving into entrepreneurship is daunting for many, but the reality is, it can be attainable and a lucrative path to success when you focus on key elements. Inherently, individuals possess entrepreneurship skills, but it is a matter of tapping into them. This requires doing the work most people are uncomfortable with and continuing to challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone.

When thinking of starting a business or a career change, as a young entrepreneur there are three fundamental steps that I have found to help drive success and profitability. My entrepreneurial journey came from humble beginnings and staying committed to the process proved to be an

Businesses are built on relationships and genuinely connecting with others. That’s why tapping into your emotional intelligence (EQ) is a meaningful task which contributes towards building strong relationships, achieving career goals and personal fulfillment. People like doing business with individuals and brands they like and share similar values with. This skill set comes with practice and taking the time to find an authentic connection with people you meet. Luckily, people like to talk about themselves. Ask questions, show interest and find similarities. Emotionally connecting will

build comfort and trust in your relationships. Even if ethnic barriers exist, it’s important to never put yourself in a victimized state. This will only lead to an unnecessary barrier that can stunt your growth. The more open you are, the more likely you are to discover a shared passion and connection with others. It becomes easier with time, so practice this skill and you will see the results of your efforts.

2. Access what free time you have to invest in yourself and your business.

When you initially start your business, you likely do not have access to a loan or investors to support you, nor many business connections. With little to no money at your disposal, your biggest asset is your free time. Realistically, you have bills to pay and may need to work while building your business. Since it can take time to generate income and become profitable, it’s important to assess what available time you have to allocate towards developing your business. If you dedicate every free moment, you will see progress. For example, at the onset, using free time to network will help create opportunities in growing your business that didn’t exist before.

3. Set financial business goals and benchmarks.

It is crucial to set realistic goals and benchmarks for your business, so you have a clear understanding of how you are doing and when to move to the next stage. This starts with defining the service-based business or product you want to sell from the beginning. Getting started with a service-based business requires mainly the dedication of your time and skill set you would like to offer. If you are selling a product, make sure to source an item that requires little to no capital, so you can scale up and grow.

Running a business comes with its challenges and continuously overcoming obstacles. My greatest advice for individuals wanting to become an entrepreneur is to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Sticking through it can bring life-changing rewards and fulfillment. Entrepreneurship is the best way to forge a fruitful path to achieving personal success and financial goals.

Josef Azam is the CEO and co-founder of Design Shopp International, a Montreal-based multinational digital marketing agency that has generated over 1.5 billion dollars in sales for global clients.