Volume 19 Issue 4, 2022
PROFILE: Caribbean-born writer Veersen Bhoolai draws on personal experiences
HUMOUR BY HEMETERIO
NEWS: Canada’s linguistic diversity continues to grow, Upcoming offerings from Canadian Immigrant this fall
An entrepreneur to watch: Egyptian-born newcomer Moatassem Moatez builds a successful business during the pandemic
The Canadian immigration landscape postCOVID-19: With a growing number of people choosing to make Canada home, post-pandemic settlement navigates a new reality
TIFF 2022: Immigrant directors focus on themes of community and identity
PARENTING: Tips to deal with bullying
IMMIGRATION LAW: Clearing the backlog COSTI Immigrant Services in the spotlight: Mario
Calla, who has led the organization for 35 years, speaks about seven decades of the organization’s work
From trials to triumphs: Cathy Browne is a fierce advocate for women struggling with violence and other issues
HIGHER LEARNING: Tips for being successful in school
CAREER COACH: The ‘power of 3’ in communications Immigrants in the Media: Integrating internationally trained immigrant journalists into Canadian newsrooms
WELLNESS: Embrace your strengths and get them to work for you Lace up your hiking shoes this autumn
Have it all in a city of possibility.
lifeincalgary.ca
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Anyone with an interest in the management and distribution of health information is most welcome to apply.
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Veersen Bhoolai is a Canadian journalist who has worked in print and television. Coming from a family of lawyers, he calls himself the "lone wolf" journalist in the pack. He has published two books in 2021. The first, No, I don’t work in the kitchen, Surviving war-torn Afghanistan for three years, is his memoir as a journalist in that country and the second, Trials and Tribulations, is about a young boy’s struggle while growing up in Trinidad and Tobago.
I am originally from Trinidad and Tobago. I am a journalist and also a teacher of English as a Second Language (ESL). I first came here in 1985 as a student. I lived in Guelph for the first 16 months for grade 12 and 13. My family followed in 1988 as Trinidad and Tobago was going through an economic recession.
How has coming to Canada as a teenager impacted your life?
It was a big change for me. A different culture, all of a sudden, the food I was used to eating was not available and, at the time, I had a limited cooking repertoire. In addition, I had to get used to my first winter. I will never forget the first day I saw snow. It was just floating down from the sky like some sort of magic. However, minus 25 and 30 was normal in those days and it certainly took some getting used to.
in 2001, it stimulated me to sit down and start writing. But I wasn’t impressed with the first page and decided to abandon the idea.
Fast forward to 2009, I was working as a United Nations journalist in Afghanistan. Realizing that I was literally in the middle of history, I decided to keep a journal. I shared it with a few friends and family. Some of them were thrilled by it. As they put it, they felt as if they were right there with me and could witness what was happening.
I was surprised by their reaction as I had made no real attempt to write well, just factual accounts of my experiences. I realized that the key was not to try too hard to paint a picture with every sentence. Just communicate naturally.
When I left Afghanistan in 2012, I started the original book from 2001: Trials and Tribulations: A Young Boy’s Coming of Age. It took eight and a half years to finish as my time management was not the best. I then edited my Afghan journal and released it first in early 2021. Trials and Tribulations followed in late September of that year. The book, which is a coming of age experience in the Caribbean, has so far received honorable mention at the New England, London and San Francisco Book Festivals. Both books have done well on Amazon.
I have lived in Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Turkey, the Solomon Islands and Afghanistan. You truly do get a better appreciation of being a Canadian citizen, the freedom of speech, access to education and the public health care. The reality is that a country like Canada offers immigrants from developing countries and their children many more opportunities in their life. You can even work in blue-collar jobs here and live a very comfortable life.
You have worked as a journalist, and a teacher and now have published two books – what inspired you to become an author?
During the mid-nineties a book began to percolate in my head, it was based on my time in Trinidad and Tobago. When author V.S. Naipaul, who is also from Trinidad and Tobago, won the Nobel Prize for Literature
I was abroad for basically 20 years. I am home for good now and just want to work hard, maintain my journalism website and do the groundwork for my future books. I plan to write another memoir in the future, based on my 10 years living in Istanbul. I have also interviewed some of the finest athletes in the Caribbean, including Brian Lara and Gary Sobers. I plan to take some of my best interviews and compile them into a book.
When you do what you love it really isn’t work. I have a small fantasy of going back to Trinidad and having a gentleman’s farm. Perhaps that will happen, but in the meantime, just work hard and enjoy the wonderful benefits of being a Canadian citizen. I always appreciated that status but after having seen the lives of people in other countries, I appreciate it even more now.
This is a great country where opportunity abounds, you simply have to make an effort and work hard. I look at plumbers, electricians, carpenters, teachers, etc., in developing countries and then look at the salaries for the same occupations here in Canada and the pay is so much more – it is mind boggling!
You have had a truly global life – you’ve lived and worked in six countries. How does Canada compare?
The number of Canadians who predominantly speak a language other than English or French hit a record high in 2021, according to recently released 2021 Census data.
From 2016 to 2021, the number of Canadians who predominantly speak a non-official language at home rose 16 per cent from 4 million to 4.6 million. These individuals represent 12.7 per cent of the Canadian population, a proportion that has been increasing for 30 years.
In 2021, one in four Canadians had at least one mother tongue other than English or French, and one in eight Canadians spoke predominantly a language other than English or French at home — both the highest proportions on record.
The top three provinces/territories with the highest number of individuals with a predominant language at home other than English or French are Nunavut (42.2 per cent), British Columbia (over 17 per cent) and Ontario (15.7 per cent).
In 2021, 189,000 people reported having at least one Indigenous mother tongue and 183,000 reported speaking an Indigenous language at home at least on a regular basis. Cree languages and Inuktitut are the main Indigenous languages spoken in Canada.
Aside from English and French, Mandarin and Punjabi were the country’s most widely spoken languages. In 2021, more than half a
million Canadians spoke predominantly Mandarin at home and more than half a million spoke Punjabi.
Mandarin Punjabi Yue (Cantonese)Spanish Arabic Tagalog
Persian Language Urdu Russian Korean
Source(s): Census of Population, 2021
0 100,000 200,000 300,000 400,000 500,000 600,000
The number of Canadians who spoke predominantly a South Asian language such as Gujarati, Punjabi, Hindi or Malayalam at home grew significantly from 2016 to 2021, an increase fueled by immigration.
Data from Statistics Canada also shows that one quarter of the permanent residents who arrived in Canada from May 2016 to December 2020 were born in a South Asian country, and one in five was born in India. And, during the same period, about 1 in 10 permanent residents who arrived in Canada was born in China or the Philippines, where Mandarin and Tagalog are spoken, respectively.
Mark your calendars! Canadian Immigrant events – both virtual and in-person – provide excellent opportunities for newcomers and immigrants looking for information and connections in the areas of work, education, immigration and settlement.
Canadian Immigrant Industry-specific Web Conference Series: These free, live, virtual events, organized in partnership with ACCES Employment, focus on information for internationally educated professionals in specific areas. Sign up to attend the next two events: Starting your own business on September 29, 2022; and Hiring Trends and Interview Prep: October 13, 2022.
Canadian Immigrant Fair, Vancouver: Attendees will have the opportunity to spend the day speaking with settlement agencies, learning about educational options, exploring career opportunities and networking with other participants. As always, we present our very popular offering – the Resumé Clinic where experienced employment counsellors are available to critique resumés and provided free one-onone advice. November 3, 2022, Vancouver Convention Centre East, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Canadian Immigrant Virtual Fair: This free, all-day virtual event, offers attendees an opportunity to virtually connect with exhibitors including employers, recruiters, immigrant service providers, educational institutions and more. Speakers’ Sessions will provide attendees with opportunities to hear from various experts. November 17, Noon to 4 p.m. EST/ 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. PST.
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.
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.
Garsendy Emmanuel Guillaume 9265-6404 Quebec Inc. Montréal, QC Revocation
Depinder Deep Singh Vision Immigration & Settlement Abroad Canada Inc. Brampton, ON Revocation
Liza Lucion Canada Immigration Services Vancouver, BC Interim Suspension
Maria Esposito Service De Consultation En Immigration Montreal, QC Interim Suspension
Kuldeep Kaur Far East Consultants & Herr Law Group Surrey, BC Interim Suspension
Vipan Kumar Datta Far East Consultants (BC) Inc. Surrey, BC Interim Suspension
May 24, 2022
July 7, 2022
July 27, 2022
September 1, 2022
September 7, 2022
September 7, 2022
For more information, please vist: https://college-ic.ca/protecting-the-public/disciplinary-proceedings-and-tribunal
Imagine you decide to start a new company in a country you recently immigrated to. You don’t have any clients yet and rather than try to get the small fish in the sea and build from the ground up, you decide to knock on the door of the largest online retailer in the world – Amazon.
Now, imagine they say yes?
That’s what happened to Moatassem Moatez, CEO of MyCourier.
Moatez was born in Egypt, spent 15 years building a career in Dubai and immigrated to Canada with his wife and two children in August 2019, only six months before the world would be shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A few months after arriving in Canada, Moatez decided to start an e-commerce business selling an outdoor retractable stool that he branded Yellow Box.
“The first shipment came at the end of January, then boom – March 2020 came. I felt I was literally just starting,” he says. With people in lockdown and mindsets shifting from outdoor social activities to isolation activities, Moatez decided to scrap the business and donated the entire shipment of the product to charity.
“If you leave it in the warehouse, you’re paying for the warehouse and it’s not selling,” he says.
By May 2020, Moatez was done with the Yellow Box. He says this was the dark part in his journey. Still new to the country, having received a lot of no’s from companies he’d applied to, the pandemic felt like a dark cloud over what he had hoped would be a bright future in Canada.
Then out of the darkness came the idea for MyCourier. “I was calling a neighbourhood grocery store. I asked them for a couple of products, and I wanted delivery. The gentleman told me, ‘We don’t have delivery capacity.’”
Moatez figured that there must be other local retailers with the same issue. He dove into researching the courier business. For three months, he worked as a driver, using his own car, picking up and delivering flowers, pharmaceuticals, and the like. As he was working, he was speaking with customers to determine what could make the delivery experience better.
Being a delivery driver during the pandemic wasn’t easy. Moatez experienced a strange duality of treatment. Some people expected him to be a carrier of the virus. “You are the COVID yourself,” he says. “People asking you not to go into the elevator, people asking you to go to the back door, the side door.”
But Moatez says he also experienced the kindness Canadians are so known for.
“One time at a bank, people were lining up outside. I had my vest on
Moatez, pictured here with his family, received the Oakville Chamber of Commerce’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2022
and was going to stand in the line to pick up some papers. It would have eaten up my whole day. People said you’re a front liner, please cut the line and go do your job.”
Moatez says these experiences reinforced to him how easy it was to dwell on the negative experiences and encounters, but when something good happens, like someone opening a door for you or giving you a bottle of water, it could turn the whole day around.
In July 2020, Moatez launched MyCourier, a courier company that could offer more personalized and customized service with delivery times that could be adjusted to meet flexible office hours; something that larger delivery businesses don’t have the flexibility to offer.
Without a single client, he decided to cold call the world’s largest retailer, Amazon. “I thought let’s shoot for the moon. What will I lose?”
Moatez didn’t have an impressive list of customers to share with Amazon (they were going to be his first client). Nor did he have a long history of running the company (he didn’t even have a truck yet). But what he did have was experience.
“The courier business is about managing a huge number of drivers at the same time,” he says. Moatez, a serial entrepreneur who had run a series of start-ups in the Middle East, was used to managing teams on the ground, hiring, training and performance monitoring.
“Amazon can work with big companies, but they also want someone that has this mindset of how can we solve this, how can we push through when things become really tough on the ground,” says Moatez.
He secured the Amazon contract and started delivering in downtown Toronto. MyCourier now has approximately 100 drivers and continues to work with Amazon as well as independent retailers.
In 2022, Moatez received the Oakville Chamber of Commerce’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award and is now in discussions of expanding his company into Quebec.
1. Park your ego. You’re going to hear a lot of no’s, but if you take it personally, you’re never going to move forward.
2. Ask. You’ll never know the ‘no’ if you don’t ask.
3. Believe in yourself. You never know what your capabilities really are until you are faced with a challenge that forces you to do things your own mind could never imagine you would do.
4. Have faith that things will fall in place at the right time for you.
5. Count your blessings. If you have your health, your family, your support system, a roof over your head and food, these are blessings.
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Moatez has FIVE TIPS to share with newcomers.
Ah, COVID-19. No doubt about it, the global pandemic affected many aspects of life, including international migration levels. Overnight, there was a massive drop in the arrival of newcomers, refugees and international students to Canada as a result of border restrictions during the pandemic. And while travel is now possible certain restrictions are still in place.
It has been two and a half years since the start of the pandemic, and as life is slowly getting back to "normal", the number of people choosing to make Canada their home is starting to grow again. Immigration and newcomers are vital to
By Nicole Enright-Morin
many aspects of life in this incredible country, including economic growth and sustaining the labour market. Canada also needs immigrants due to an aging population, and currently the number of people retiring is at an all-time high.
Even though population growth slowed in 2020 and for a period in 2021 during COVID, according to data from the 2021 Canadian census, Canada still remains the fastest growing country in the G7. According to the Federal Government’s Immigrations Levels Plan released in February 2022, Canada will welcome 431,645 permanent residents this year (an increase from the initial target of 411,000);
447,055 in 2023 and 451,000 in 2024.
However, what these impressive statistics don’t show is the logistical reality of welcoming such large numbers of people into the country, nor the everyday challenges of settling in Canada.
Saleh Altah, senior manager of community development at DIVERSEcity, a settlement agency in Surrey, British Columbia, says that the government is having a hard time keeping up with demand. “There are huge delays in immigration PR card processing times right now, and a large number of people abroad have been waiting quite a long time to get their landing status.
With a growing number of people choosing to make Canada home, post-pandemic settlement will navigate a new reality THE CANADIAN IMMIGRATION LANDSCAPE POST-COVID-19
“For example, citizenship processing is currently up to 27 months. It has never been that high and it is having quite the impact, especially for people who need that status to be able to travel overseas to visit family. However, there have been some very tangible promises by the government that they are working on expediting the process.”
The promises Altah is referring to is that in August 2022, Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) would hire up to 1,250 new employees by the end of this fall to increase processing capacity and to tackle backlogs.
Altah says the biggest challenge for newcomers across Canada once they land is finding suitable housing. He says country-wide there are major challenges in getting people adequate housing because there is not enough inventory, and in many cities, there is no real commitment to affordable housing.
“For example, pre-pandemic, a one-bedroom apartment in Surrey would cost about $1,100, now the price is about $1,700 to $1,800,” says Altah.
The second issue that concerns Altah is the skyrocketing cost of living and inflation. He speaks about the problems with food security and the growing price of groceries impacting everyone, especially newcomers. “Even people who thought prior to arrival that they had the cost of living covered are finding food security very hard to manage. It’s a real crisis,” he says.
International students are also a huge part of the newcomer demographic and when COVID hit, students with plans to come to Canada in 2020 either studied online or deferred their enrollment.
This September is the first time in two years that many universities and colleges are back to full in-person learning. However, this process has also been impacted across the country by visa delays and processing times.
York University's assistant vice-president of global engagement and partnership Vinitha Gengatharan says that up to 20 per cent of students didn’t receive their visa in time to start the semester this September. “Although this has been a very stressful time for a lot of the students, I will say that they switched gears and adapted very quickly. Some of them have chosen to defer for a year, or until January, while others have chosen to study online.”
Gengatharan says trying to get their qualifications during the pandemic was stressful for all students and York University definitely saw an impact on students’ mental health. She says to combat that, the university implemented a range of new student services to help with wellness.
She says that now that students are back on campus full time, there will definitely be an adjustment period given the different learning experiences due to the pandemic. She says even remembering in-person etiquette and behaviours is something new for all the students
as they have been so used to Zoom classes. However, Gengatharan believes that despite the challenges, the atmosphere on campus has been a good one and she feels that, over time, everyone will get used to being back on campus.
Seneca College's director of student services Angela Burnie echoes Gengatharan’s views.
“Throughout the pandemic, Seneca has provided international students with resources to help them stay connected and learn about life in Canada while studying abroad, as well as support to help them travel safely when they were able. This term, the energy on campus is incredible with more students attending classes in person, engaging in activities, and collaborating face-to-face with classmates and professors, ” she says.
David Chen*, a first-year student at University of British Columbia deferred studying in Canada for one year as he wanted to experience learning in person. “I am so glad I waited, as life on campus is so different to my experience online,” says Chen.
“Canada is such a beautiful country, and I am excited to be here. The most stressful thing was finding accommodation and to be honest, it was more expensive than I anticipated. However, I feel really lucky to be here and I am enjoying everything about student life in Canada so far,” he says.
Ultimately, while challenges brought about by COVID are far from over for the growing number of newcomers in Canada for a multitude of reasons, and while there are complex issues to be tackled, the general consensus is relief that the dark days of the pandemic are over so that we can have an opportunity to rebuild.
*Student name changed on request.
It was a celebration alright! After last year’s subdued hybrid festival, the 47th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) was back to an in-person format with a stretch of King Street West in downtown Toronto transforming into a street party.
While cinema lovers lined up for tickets and film industry representatives mingled in the cafés outside the TIFF Bell Lightbox, and adoring fans lined up for hours for a glimpse of their favourite stars, audiences enjoyed live performances by stars like Colombian-Canadian singer Lido Pimienta among others.
Canadian filmmakers with an immigrant background presented emotional human dramas and sharp narratives focused on themes of community and identity.
Vancouver-based, South Korean-born
filmmaker, Anthony Shim wanted to honour previous generations of immigrants who dealt with the challenges of living as hyphenated individuals all their lives. His film Riceboy Sleeps is about an immigrant mother struggling to raise her son as a single parent in the ‘90s in Vancouver.
“I was often the only Asian child in school. I was looked at and treated like an alien, this foreign being that intrigued and even frightened people at times due to my ‘foreign-ness’. And yet, I so desperately wanted to be accepted by this predominantly white community that I quickly adapted; I behaved, spoke, and even tried to think like everyone around me,” said Shim in a statement.
Like Shim, Jamaican-Canadian Clement Virgo’s film Brother, one of the most anticipated films at the festival, pays homage to the sacrifices
above Lina Rodriguez. Photo by Calvin ThomasImmigrant filmmakers were at the helm of some of the most talked about films at this year’s festival
of first-generation immigrant parents. The film tells the story of two Jamaican-Canadian brothers being raised by their mother, grappling with life in a low-income neighbourhood in Scarborough.
“I never really appreciated or understood my mom or my parents until I had a child…I want to honour all our immigrant mothers and parents (through this film),” said Virgo in an interview with Toronto Star.
French-born Canadian Antoine Bourges in his film, Concrete Valley, shines the spotlight on one of Toronto’s immigrant hubs, Thorncliffe Park, to present a close look at the lives of its residents, especially professionals who have to re-skill themselves while starting their lives from scratch. “Their experiences often gave me a strange combination of hope for the opportunities their sacrifices offer their children and sadness for their own potential, often not being fulfilled,” said Bourges.
There was much praise for the documentary 752 is not a number, where the director, Iranianborn Babak Payami chronicles the determined quest for justice by Toronto dentist Hamed Esmaeilion whose wife and nine-year-old
daughter were killed when the Ukrainian Flight PS752 was shot down by the Iranian military shortly after its takeoff from Tehran on January 8, 2020. All 176 people on board died that day.
The documentary follows Hamed as he goes through multiple hoops to get the remains of his daughter and wife back to Canada and to uncover the reasons behind the horrific incident. Payami promised Hamed that he would help him in his fight for justice. At times, the director is shown in the footage, tearing up, listening to Hamed’s encounters with government officials, international institutions, intelligence operatives and people who patronized or demonized him.
“I broke the cardinal rule of not getting involved in the subject matter. And even in the film, gradually, I'd become party to the fight for justice with the families, especially with Hamed. My hope was to convey to the audience the situation that I faced, because the world is so full of bad news, so full of tragedies that one easily loses perspective of the gravity, the personal grief, and the intensity of the sense of loss for the families,” says Payami.
Colombian-born Lina Rodriguez’s So Much Tenderness garnered the attention of critics and movie goers with its compelling story of Aurora, an environmental lawyer who has to flee her native Colombia after her husband is murdered. Gradually, she begins to get back on track with her personal and professional life till she comes across a person from her past and has to relive her trauma.
Rodriguez wanted to explore the feeling of being in a constant state of suspension, of going back and forth, physically and emotionally.
“When I was working on a documentary before this, a lady told me something that rang very true – that as immigrants we are always
arriving. In this film, I also wanted to examine the possibilities that might come from moving to a new country. Colombia has a long history of violence, and it has had a long-lasting impact on generations; I wanted to explore the themes of reconciliation perhaps, with this film,” says Rodriguez who originally came to Canada as an international student.
Rodriguez hopes that there is more dialogue between creative people of colour so that they can help each other to tell more diverse stories.
“We are in a special moment now where there is a bit more openness to think about what it means to be Canadian, to sound and look like one. It also helps communities if they rally together. We had a lot of people from immigrant backgrounds and experiences in the team, which is why we got people who really wanted to be part of such a film. So instead of finding a space for yourself and holding on to that, you could show and bring other people to those spaces and share what you’ve learned,” she says.
above Babak Payami above A still from Clement Virgo’s Brother above A scene from Anthony Shim's RiceboySleepsMany people encounter incidents of bullying at some point of their lives and have the misconception that bullying is a common occurrence and is unavoidable. In fact, bullying should not be tolerated as it is a serious issue in our society that can negatively impact your child’s academic performance, as well as social, emotional, physical and mental health.
Victims can experience physical, social, prejudicial, verbal or cyber bullying or a combination. The frequency and duration of bullying incidents can also vary.
There is no single profile, and it can be difficult to identify the bullies. However, they are often victims themselves and some might
seen in bullies include name calling, teasing, intimidating, belittling, spreading rumours or causing physical harm.
While bullies usually pick on someone who is weaker or more alone, anyone can be a victim. Many children suffer in silence as they do not know how to get the help they need. Some avoid schools, develop depression or lash out at their loved ones. Moreover, prolonged bullying can lead to drug abuse, self harm or suicidal thoughts.
Some who witness bullying are worried that they might become a target if they speak up or intervene. However, bystanders can play an important role safely in supporting
• Familiarize yourself with school anti-bullying policies. Connect with other parents, school staff and parenting experts to discuss and support each other about bullying and racism issues.
• Help children to create a strong support network, such as parents, friends or teachers. Be mindful that there are times when children will need to turn to other people or resources such as Kids Help Phone, a school nurse or counsellors.
• Get to know your child’s personality, their friends, social media and school life; observe how they interact with others, whether they are overly aggressive, passive or assertive.
• Identify obvious and subtle signs of bullying and how to respond in different situations. Teach children the different roles and steps one can take when bullying incidents are identified.
• Build up your child’s confidence by teaching them how to be assertive and problem-solving skills.
• Be a model to teach children ways to be respectful, kind, empathic and compassionate.
Bullying can have immediate and long-lasting impacts on everyone involved and should be dealt with promptly and with utmost care. Everyone should feel safe, secure and respected wherever one lives, plays and learns.
Cheryl Song, an immigrant from Malaysia, has more thanAconsequence of the COVID-19 pandemic has been increased processing times at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Until recently, these processing times appeared to only be worsening, as IRCC each day, seemed to receive more applications than it could process.
After several years of unfulfilled promises that processing times would decrease, there is reason to believe this may be changing and that backlogs may soon be meaningfully reduced.
First, and perhaps most significantly, on August 24, 2022, IRCC announced that it is hiring 1,250 new employees to process temporary and permanent residence applications. The previous IRCC 2022-23 Department Plan budgeted in 2022-23 for 1,478 full-time equivalent employees to process temporary residence applications and 3,866 full-time equivalent employees for immigrant and refugee selection and integration. The addition of 1,250 full-time equivalent employees is very significant and should meaningfully increase IRCC’s capacity to reduce the backlog.
Second, on September 1, 2022, Sean Fraser, Canada’s minister of citizenship and immigration, announced that he will exempt permanent and temporary residence applicants who are already in Canada and meet certain criteria from the immigration medical examination requirement. Although it is not clear what the “certain criteria” are, IRCC estimates that this will impact approximately 180,000 applicants. In addition to saving time, and the frustration of some applicants having to do multiple medical exams as previous exam results expire, applicants will also save hundreds of dollars per person.
Third, IRCC is expanding telephone and video interviews for spousal sponsorship applicants and has launched a pilot project allowing spousal sponsorship and other applicants to take part in virtual interviews at some visa application centres rather than having to travel to a visa office. This development was likely a result of the 2022 Federal Court decision Djikounou v. Canada (Citizenship and Immigration). IRCC told the court that family class applications from Ghana which required an interview were indefinitely paused because IRCC did not think that telephone interviews were appropriate. Justice Mosley said that this was unacceptable, stating that it is not consistent with the objectives of Canadian immigration law for IRCC to continue to process applications from Western countries while applications in Ghana are left to languish. While it is unfortunate that it took a court order for IRCC to introduce these measures, hopefully they will help rectify inconsistent processing times based on visa office and reunify families.
Fourth, IRCC has introduced a more detailed online application tracker which provides applicants with information about the
processing of their application, including stating when correspondence has been sent by email. This should greatly decrease the risk of missed communication. It will also enable applicants who hire a representative to independently monitor the processing of their applications.
Fifth, IRCC is expanding its use of online portals to submit immigration applications. Such portals should theoretically enable faster processing as information is automatically inputted to IRCC rather than having to be received at a mailroom and scanned.
Finally, IRCC is using artificial intelligence (AI) to help triage applications and streamline processing. Since 2018, IRCC has used AI to triage applications from China and India so that eligibility assessments of straightforward applications would be automatic, and the Department has created processing tools, like a software called Chinook, that enables
bulk processing of applications. Immigration Minister Sean Fraser has announced that IRCC will continue to leverage technology to make processing faster.
While the above measures are both welcome and necessary there are some reasons to be concerned. An emphasis on speed could lead to rushed decisions of poorer quality, especially given how many new officers there will be. The use of AI could also lead to a lack of transparency in how triaging works. Bulk processing could lead to the increased use of bulk refusals. IT issues could lead to processing delays and applications being lost.
Nonetheless, while stakeholders should be vigilant in ensuring that their fears do not materialize, I believe that, for perhaps the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there is actual reason for optimism that IRCC is about to meaningfully reduce processing times.
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.
In 1952, a group of individuals came together with a dream – to provide newcomers to Canada with the basic necessities of life, and to help them become contributing members of Canadian society. The organization, initially known as the Italian Immigrant Aid Society, was founded by volunteers to help new Italian arrivals settle in Canada by connecting them with housing and jobs.
From those humble beginnings, working out of a church basement, COSTI thrived as it adapted to shifts in immigration and to the needs of newcomers.
the difficulty of adjusting to his adopted country. He recounts how as a child he put his arm around the shoulder of a school friend only to be pushed away and be called a homophobic slur. This was hurtful and puzzling as in his culture the gesture was a common expression of friendship. He says that his first couple of years in grade school were no easier as he did not speak English and was often disciplined for trying to seek clarification of the teacher’s instructions from other Italian students.
above Mario CallaIn the 1960s, this Italian organization expanded its programs to address the changing demographics of Canadian immigrants and shifting needs and has continued to do so over the decades.
“It is this adaptability and responsiveness that has seen COSTI grow over the past 70 years to an organization that employs close to 500 individuals who speak 68 different languages,” says Mario Calla, COSTI’s recently retired executive director, who has led the organization for 35 of those 70 years.
“Today’s services include settlement, housing, employment, English language training, refugee resettlement and mental health counselling, to name a few,” he says.
Calla came to Italy as a child and felt
It is through these personal experiences that Calla learned that even minor cultural differences can make newcomers feel uncertain and isolated. These experiences have stayed with him, and he has made it his personal mission to make the settlement journey for newcomers a painless and successful one.
Callla has led COSTI to adapt and offer services as immigration shifted away from Europe and towards Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. In fact, 60 per cent of its leadership team are racialized.
The profile of immigrants is also changing. Increasingly, immigrants have post-secondary education and professional qualifications and, in response, COSTI established a Centre for Internationally Trained Professionals and Tradespeople and is offering bridging programs and mentoring.
As Canada’s refugee protection program expanded, COSTI established a Refugee Reception Centre to house and resettle the new arrivals. This was tested when Operation Syrian Refugees required COSTI to resettle 2,200 refugees in a few months.
“This was a highlight in my career. I had to work around the clock to ensure resources were available and community supports were engaged to make the refugees’ resettlement a safe and successful one,” says Calla.
While there are many examples of successful services that COSTI has offered, Calla notes that his biggest contribution to COSTI was in sustaining a culture of service and compassion as it grew to 17 locations.
Calla contends that settlement services is all about “meeting newcomers from heart to heart, understanding their challenges and offering them solutions.”
He retires with mixed feelings. “I have found my work very fulfilling. I will especially miss the passion of my staff and the camaraderie with colleagues in the settlement field,” he says.
In 2021, COSTI joined Canadian Immigrant as a partner for the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards. “Our holistic approach to services encourages newcomers to dream beyond their immediate needs and achieve their dreams, for both their children and themselves,” says Calla.
"COSTI is proud to be a partner of the 2022 Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards and to celebrate the achievements and success of newcomers who are the fabric of our country. In working together, we are building opportunities for Canada's ongoing and future success today!"
Photos courtesy of COSTI
By Vivien Fellegi
Cathy Browne’s mother had a mantra. “A woman will fall down three times,” she would tell her daughter. But she’ll get back on her feet. These words would prove prophetic for Browne, who’d face down one obstacle after another in the coming years. But she never allowed these challenges to defeat her.
“I didn’t let what I went through prevent me from being who I am,” she says. Browne’s daughter, world champion hurdler Perdita Felicien, chronicled these stumbling blocks in her recently released memoir, My Mother’s Daughter.
Browne, now 66 years old, was born on the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia. The family lived in a tin shack without electricity or plumbing, and eked out a living selling trinkets to tourists. Cathy frequently had to skip school to help out in the family business. Eventually, she missed so many classes that she dropped out in grade six.
But regardless of their precarious finances, Browne’s mother taught her to look out for those who were worse off. Though she was a talented hustler, Browne capped her sales at two shell necklaces per client, directing customers to purchase other souvenirs from her less successful friends.
But the young girl had always dreamed of a more successful future. Gazing at a faraway island, Browne imagined a better life. “I don’t know how,” she would tell herself, “but one day I’ll cross beyond that island.”
The wish came true for Browne. The teenager befriended a wealthy Canadian couple who were vacationing on St. Lucia, and, a few years later, they hired her to come to Toronto and babysit their two children. She decided to make the move, leaving her own children with her behind with their grandparents.
But life in Canada was less rosy than anticipated. The couple fired her without cause just a few months after her arrival. The next employer was worse. “She was a prejudiced lady,” says Browne. She would underscore a point by swearing “on my white Bible.” She also threatened to call immigration if Browne’s work failed to measure up. (At this point Browne’s status was precarious and she was at risk of deportation.)
Browne hoped that her partner would solve her legal problems by marrying her and sponsoring her and her children. But her powerlessness only fuelled his scorn. Bruce put her down constantly, telling her she was ugly or stupid, and even humiliated Browne by shutting down the water
St. Lucia-born Cathy Browne, who once had to take refuge in a domestic shelter in Canada, is a fierce advocate for women struggling with violence and other issues
supply to their home. But when he hit her, Browne decided she’d had enough and took her family to an Oshawa shelter, Auberge (later renamed Denise House).
Their time at Auberge proved to be a turning point. “It changed my life,” says Browne, “It built my self-esteem.” Not only did the shelter provide a safe space during the crisis, but it also gave her a highly subsidised townhouse where she and her family could heal in peace.
Propelled by her newfound confidence, Browne went back to school, earning both a high school diploma and a certificate as a health-care aide (later called personal support worker). Browne says she will never forget walking on the stage on graduation day. “I was feeling really proud when they called my name,” she says. Her children sprang to their feet and clapped wildly.
Shortly afterwards, Browne landed a job tending residents at a nursing home. She revelled in her new career. During breaks from cleaning and feeding her charges, Browne belted out gospel songs and sashayed across the floor. The residents were thrilled by these impromptu performances. “They loved it,” says Browne. “They sang along with me.”
Her job gave her another, unexpected boon. One of her clients introduced Browne to her son, and the match led to marriage. “He treats me like a queen,” says Browne. “I’m the happiest, happiest woman.”
But her good fortune has not made Browne complacent. Today she’s a fierce advocate for women struggling with violence and other issues. When her daughter, Felicien, first approached her to get her permission to write their memoir, Browne didn’t hesitate. She wanted to share her story so that other, silent victims of abuse would be empowered to speak out. “It’s wonderful that they know they’re not alone,” says Browne.
Today, Browne and Felicien donate a portion of the book’s royalties to Denise House, and they jointly chair the shelter’s Courage Circle, which brings awareness to domestic violence. The duo also support the shelter’s fundraisers – while her daughter gives the keynote speeches, Browne mingles with the residents and to bolster their spirits.
Browne advocates for women everywhere – on Facebook, on the street, and even on the bus. One time, at a courthouse, she saw a young woman with a toddler burst into tears and learned that the child’s father had refused to support their child.
“I was in the same boat as you,” shared Browne, who proceeded to tell the girl about her own child who became a hurdling superstar. “You never know, you might have a champion,” she told the woman, and the father would “be the one losing out.”
The girl stopped crying and laughed. “I felt good,” says Browne. “I really like to help people.”
Today, Browne, who is retired, enjoys looking after her 15 grandchildren and her great-granddaughter. But her biggest gift to her family is the example of her indomitable spirit and her bubbly optimism. She’s come full circle from the days when her own mother predicted both trials and subsequent triumphs.
“I had to show [my children] that you fall,” says Browne. “But you’ll come back up.” above Cathy Browne
University or college comes with its own challenges, especially if you are travelling abroad or away from home during your studies. It could be useful to hear from others who are on the same journey.
We asked former and current excellent students for their advice on being successful in school. Their names are fictitious, but the advice is real. Some emphasized being organized, some offered advice on how to study and another suggested asking yourself about your reason for being in school. We hope you will find these tips handy!
Elora has been a successful student both in terms of grades as well as having an abiding interest in her field of study. She says that staying organized and aware of
upcoming deadlines is a big part of success in school.
Keep your class and reading notes organized and up to date and figure out what kind of monthly planner works best for you, whether it is paper, on your phone, or on your computer. Sometimes all of your projects and exams will fall in the same week, so it helps to plan in advance. At the beginning of every academic week, look at your goals and deadlines in the coming days so nothing takes you by surprise.
Esme’s good grades seem to come naturally to her but, in fact, she actually works hard. She suggests looking at your notes from class and rewriting them in a clear and organized manner. She says it helps to build a sort of muscle memory, and an opportunity to review them while you rewrite. Plus you can
access them easily when you need those notes again. She also suggests finding a study partner, as long as you know you’ll get something done and not get sidetracked.
Suzi’s tip may help the procrastinators. She says that if you are having trouble getting started, committing to a small task will get the ball rolling and then you may end up doing much more than you planned. Even if you only do a little, you’ll still feel good. Her current job also involves producing written work and she finds that her “trick” continues to help her.
Rustum listens to music while he studies but suggests avoiding music with words that will distract you. He suggests treating your studies as you would a full-time job. Devoting the same number of hours to your studies should be, by and large, sufficient time. Keep a regular schedule and try not to let the rest of your life be compromised. Rustum has many interests, and he finds that using a designated time to focus on academic work ensures that he doesn’t sacrifice his other interests.
Leyanda has many friends and is constantly in the throes of one
political activity or another but when it is time to write essays and study, she disappears. She finds somewhere no one can interrupt her. She stays away for as long as she needs to write her papers and study for exams. She turns her phone off until she is finished in the evening and only then answers the most important messages. She says her friends accept this about her.
Sunny, a recent graduate from a professional school, suggests that you question why you are at school. He says marks often don’t matter, but how you feel when learning does. If you’re able to feel confident and invigorated by what you’re learning, you’ll succeed, no matter what your marks are. According to him, school is an opportunity to grow, not to impress someone else.
It can be helpful to hear what others do to be successful as it can help you determine what might work for you. Many academic institutions have peer mentoring programs where you can chat with a student who can tell you what works for them. With solid advice, patience and persistence, you will find your way and develop your own strategies for success.
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.
Communication is an important skill in any environment that involves human interactions. However, when it comes to communication in the workplace, good communication is absolutely essential for personal and business success. It can instantly boost morale, engagement, productivity and satisfaction.
Good communication is key for better team collaboration and cooperation. But without a proper structure, most conversations in the workplace including business presentations end up rambling and are ineffective. Here is a proven strategy to unleash the full potential and enhance communication in your everyday interactions in the workplace.
The human brain absorbs and remembers information more effectively when it is presented in threes. This is a surprisingly simple, but effective principle captured neatly in the Latin phrase “Omne Trium Perfectum”. It means that everything that comes in a set of three is perfect and complete. The power of three in communications can simplify, clarify and make your information stick.
The rule of three also dictates how we communicate with each other in daily conversations. Yes, when it comes to written and verbal communications, the power
of three is an impactful technique that you can (and should) indeed learn, practise and master. In most cultures, the structure of threes is deeply embedded as an easy way to remember things.
For instance, in oral communications the outline of an effective speech should have three sections: an introduction, body and conclusion. Have you noticed that all good stories have a beginning, middle and end.
The power of three is the secret of effective communication anywhere. People find it easier to follow when messages are broken down and structured in sets of three. Using the power of three helps you simplify, provide balance and engage your audiences.
Establishes logic and simplicity. Messages in threes are easier for your audience and you to stay on track. It provides balance and order. And there is a clear expectation of how much they need to listen and how you are progressing.
Keeps your audience engaged. The audience stays engaged because the communication flows like chapters in a book. People pay attention as it signals that something memorable is coming.
Repetition is easy. By using the power of three, you can share concepts more thoroughly, highlight key points, and enhance the prominence of your message. Plus, repetition is easy, making your message more memorable and persuasive.
• Start with a simple, benefit-laden headline for your presentation. A strong headline expressed with clarity makes your audience aware of your idea, message,
product or service.
• Follow this up with three key messages supporting your primary theme. When you have more than three, you can still classify them into three categories.
• Summarize by creating three supporting points for each message. You can use a combination of facts, statistics and anecdotes.
From one-on-one conversations to elevator pitches to board meetings to full presentations, you can use the power of three in almost any scenario. This will also inspire your peers and even leaders to develop their messaging in the same way.
Comprise your message in three significant points – and repeat your key points to give your presentation the maximum impact. Go ahead, inform, inspire and engage your audiences effectively. The power of three is one of the most simple and effective ways to make them remember you and your words!
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.
By Tazeen Inam and Ramya Ramanathan
I pitched stories to many newspapers in mainstream media, but they never got back to me,” says Pradip Rodrigues, who worked as a journalist for over a decade with the English newspaper Times of India before he arrived in Canada in 2000. But questions about his English writing abilities came up when he shared work samples with editors. “They asked me if I have translated these stories,” he says.
It was then that Rodrigues realized that the editors were “clueless” about Times of India being among the top 10 English newspapers in the world. He said that coming from a country where English is not the first language, “they just assume I don’t have fluency in English.”
Rodrigues took on a job in the insurance sector, but his love for journalism never died.
He found a job with an ethnic newspaper in 2012 and continues to take on other freelance opportunities.
But despite all his efforts, Rodrigues says he experiences the “imposter syndrome”, a feeling that he’s not fit for the industry. (Loosely defined, this syndrome involves feelings of self-doubt that persist despite your education, experience and accomplishments.)
Rodgrigues’ story is just one of many. A study released in 2022 by the New Canadian Media (NCM) Collective on the socioeconomic conditions of first-generation immigrant and refugee journalists found that while many immigrants come with years of experience in the media from their home countries, and quite a few have gained international recognition,
above Pradip Rodriguesmost have struggled to break into the Canadian media industry.
The report, “Breaking into the Canadian media industry: economic and social barriers for first-generation immigrant and refugee journalists,” revealed that less than one-third of immigrant and refugee journalists work in the Canadian media industry. And over one-half of these journalists make less than $40,000 a year.
The study also found that only two out of five immigrant and refugee journalists work as freelancers in the media industry or other “gig” economy sectors.
Another survey released in 2021 by the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) found that white journalists tend to hold more senior positions – with 82 per cent in supervisor roles and 80 percent in top three leadership positions. In addition, 90 per cent of outlets that participated in the study have no Latin, Middle Eastern or Mixed-Race journalists on staff.
In a press release following the study, CAJ chair and survey lead Zane Schwartz acknowledged the gap. "The typical Canadian newsroom is not representative of the Canadian population," says Schwartz. "Almost half of all Canadian newsrooms exclusively employ white journalists. Where journalists of colour and Indigenous journalists are on staff, they tend to work in a handful of very large newsrooms."
As the diversity of Canada
grows, these studies are a wakeup call for mainstream media to incorporate the unique perspectives and experiences of new Canadian media professionals.
A number of immigrants journalists are also finding their own paths.
Broadcast journalist Gerard Keledjian who immigrated from Dubai is a living example of someone who did exactly that. Keledjian launched his own TV show and web-based series, New Canadians, offering information to newcomers to help with their settlement in Canada.
He does say that the media industry landscape is in transition worldwide, including in Canada, with the emergence of livestreaming platforms. This is leading to more opportunities for collaboration and outsourcing.
"With technology becoming accessible and affordable, internationally trained immigrants with a background in media can come up with creative solutions," says Keledjian.
Another example is New Canadian Media (NCM) which has tapped into the reservoir of immigrant journalists with various backgrounds. Over 200 individual contributors known as NCM Collective produce multimedia news coverage to a professional standard. Through relationships with mainstream media and a creative commons license, the stories on the portal
are being picked up by mainstream media. A number of journalists have also be able to find jobs, thanks to their work with NCM.
And then, last not but not the least, there’s Canadian Immigrant magazine. (Yes, the one you’re reading right now). This was founded by Indian-born immigrant Nick Noorani working out of his basement and paying for the magazine printing bills on his credit card. He painstakingly grew the magazine for seven years, at which point he felt it was time to leave “his baby” behind in the hands of dedicated staff and move on to new adventures.
What the future holds So how can immigrant journalists be better integrated into the Canadian media landscape?
Recommendations from the NCM study include opening up more permanent staffing positions for ethnic reports (83%), mentorship opportunities (76%), and more internships geared toward international students and immigrants. Some of the journalists also mention that the Canadian government should invest in concrete financial and language support to facilitate their entry into the media industry.
In a conversation on First Generation, Canadian Immigrant’s 2021 Podcast Series, journalist, news anchor and Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award winner Ginella Massa, says that there is a lot of work that needs to be done, not just in front of the camera, but behind the scenes and in management positions. But she is “seeing a willingness to shift.”
“Any kind of change takes time – if a certain way of thinking is entrenched in the institution, it can be difficult to unlearn and undo some of the things that have been done a certain way for decades,” says Massa, who made history in 2015 as the first Afro-Latina Muslim news reporter in North America to wear a hijab on air in 2015.
Massa acknowledges the barriers caused by being foreign educated, with different accents and ethnic sounding names but asks immigrant media professionals to continue to create contacts, advocate for themselves and remain persistent.
Massa says she had to be her own advocate. She recounts her experiences of looking for her first on-air job and being rejected three times over a period of two years before she succeeded. She says it was persistence, building
relationships with the hiring managers and asking them, “what can I do better next time?” that landed her the position.
“It’s not always the most talented who get the job but a lot of the time it’s the ones with the most gumption, the ones who are the most persistent and the ones who are just the gogetters,” she says.
Canada’s ultimate career fair and speaker series for skills immigrants, newcomers, temporary workers, international students and all new Canadians is back!
Noon to 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific) CanadianImmigrant.ca/virtual
Are you hiring? Looking to connect with New Canadians? This is your opportunity to meet with newcomers from coast to coast!
Ricky Bajaj - 416-856-6304 rbajaj@metroland.com
above Ginella Massa
Research has shown that when people use their strengths, they are more effective in carrying out tasks, often excel in them and experience frequent success. Strengths are positive traits, abilities, skills or characteristics which enable you to perform in a variety of settings. Studies have indicated that when we use our strengths, we are motivated, things come naturally, and we enjoy doing what we do even if it is challenging. Identifying and developing your personal strengths through continued commitment plays a big role in increasing your health and wellness.
Examples of personal strengths are creativity, empathy, being entertaining and extroverted, friendliness, honesty, etc. Identifying personal strengths, capitalizing on them or cultivating new ones have helped people of all ages to succeed and live a life of purpose, satisfaction and wellness.
On arrival, many newcomers tend to focus on their weaknesses or barriers. This can lead to frustration and stress during the settlement process. They pay little attention to their strengths and often minimize their potential. What starts as failures and loss of self-esteem can, over time, lead to chronic health problems such as obesity, diabetes, depression and alcoholism.
Many immigrants express their need for help to learn about their own strengths, and some are unsure about ways to utilize their strengths for personal development.
Here are five strategies to discover and clarify your strengths.
1. Make time to learn about them: For many newcomers, the language, vocabulary and concept of strengths may be new or different from their own cultures. To develop a common understanding of the terms and the value attached to them in the current context, use public libraries or online resources to learn about them.
2. Assess yourself: Self-assessment and self-evaluation are important to identify your core strengths. Do not ignore or underestimate your strengths as being irrelevant. Skills can be transferred and utilized effectively. Be bold in sharing them when there is an opportunity.
3. Ask for feedback: It may be challenging for some to assess themselves. Getting unbiased opinions and feedback from a friend, teacher or employer may help you recognize strengths or skills that you may have not noticed yourself.
4. Talk to a professional: A life coach/career counsellor/employment services may be able to help analyze and identify your strengths. Administering a
‘strengths inventory’ or questionnaire may help in narrowing down and highlighting the key strengths you possess. Some settlement organizations offer free employment workshops and discuss personal strengths as part of resumé building and interview skills.
5. Start and maintain a strengths list/journal: Writing down significant past and current events or situations can help you look for patterns and lessons learned. The analysis of the successes and failures will throw a light on your strengths as well as weaknesses. Maintaining a personal strengths list and adding to it when you are offered compliments or praise in the new country will serve as an energy booster.
Once you have identified your strengths, value them as your personal resource and tap into them. Use opportunities available around you to channel your strengths effectively for your wellness.
For instance, if you thrive on competition, setting weekly challenges with friends may motivate you to achieve your goals. For those whose strength is adaptability, figure out a plan B to replace a running activity on a rainy day with an indoor workout. For those who like to be in control, running on a treadmill or going on a bike ride for a certain distance may be motivating.
The benefits of using your strengths for health and wellness spill over in other dimensions of life as well. For example, if your strength is sociability and you enroll in group Zumba exercise class, you may be motivated to attend it regularly because you feel welcomed by others. And engaging in this group activity could also lead to friendships and networking opportunities that may benefit your professional life.
Giving it time to see results is important. However, if you struggle, referrals to professionals such as counsellors, dieticians, nutritionists, physical trainers and wellness coaches can guide you towards your goals. Experiencing success generates positive emotions and builds confidence, which in turn increases engagement and over all a purposeful life. Embrace your strengths and get them to work for you!
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.
Autumn in Canada is a magical time to be outdoors and soak in the riot of colours. Often referred to as a ‘shoulder season’ – a time between the peak periods of summer and winter – this is an excellent opportunity to go hiking with more views to yourself given the trails are less crowded and often cheaper if it means travel, even if do you have to pack a few more layers!
And you have a lot to choose from with 37 national parks and 10 national park reserves covering approximately 336,343 square kilometers of Canada's lands.
Here are some recommendations of short trails you can explore across the country this autumn.
Banff National Park in Alberta, a part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, offers lakes both turquoise and tranquil, stunning vistas and a large variety of wildlife. Choose from a wide variety of trails; but if you are a novice hiker, consider either the 2.5 km loop Fenland Trail or the 2.6 km Marsh Loop hikes for easy and pleasurable excursions.
Further west is the Kindersley-Sinclair Trail, a moderate hiking route stretching out over 17.5 km of rocky terrain in British Columbia’s Kootenay National Park. Not for the faint of heart, this day trip is in bear country, so caution is necessary, but the dazzling views of Mount Assiniboine make the challenges worth the risk for many.
Not to be outdone, Canada’s east coast has a multitude of gorgeous offerings ranging from ridiculously easy to seriously challenging.
One of the easier routes to navigate is the beautiful Skyline Trail in Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Highlands National Park. This 8.2 km loop hike takes up to three hours to complete and offers striking views of the Cabot Trail. Tread over fragile flora and be prepared to be wowed when spotting whales in the Gulf of the St. Lawrence below or bald eagles circling above.
We’d be completely remiss if we didn’t include the mighty fine vistas of
the 16 km Gros Morne Mountain Trail situated in Newfoundland. This, the most challenging excursion of this roundup, is best suited for experienced hikers. The views are simply stunning as you take in images of the Ten Mile Pond gorge and Long Range Mountains. Bring lots of water with you!
Finally, for the many Canadians living in the Greater Toronto Area, Rouge National Urban Park offers several trails. The Mast Trail is an inspired twohour trek that’s perhaps best suited for experienced hikers but available to all who like a challenge. The trail was previously used as a logging route as settlers logged white pines that were used for ship masts. The forest is filled with both wildflowers and wildlife which add diversity to the brilliant vistas. Make sure you bring a camera to capture the awesome colours of a brilliant autumn.
These suggestions are just a few of the literally thousands of trails available to people wanting to explore the outdoors.
For new Canadians who don’t know where to start, consider reaching out to organizations like Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) or parkbus.ca, which offer outdoor experiences for recent immigrants and see if they can help get you started.
The Canadian autumn is a marvellous opportunity to stretch your horizons and try something new. Indeed, our lush forests are filled with beautiful opportunities that are waiting to be discovered.
Visit the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s website (inclusion.ca) and download their free app, Canoo, which offers newcomers free VIP access to over 1,400 cultural and outdoor experiences, including free access to all of the parks under the Parks Canada umbrella.
You can find other articles about hiking and discovering the great outdoors on canadianimmigrant.ca.
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