JUNE 2017 | FREE
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Afghan-born actor Kane Mahon’s rise from survival to the spotlight How the GIG ECONOMY is changing the way we work
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CONTENTS 4
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PROFILE: Calgary author Mansoor Ladha is one to watch NEWS: Changes to dependent age; citizenship revocation procedures CANSPEAK: Words, expressions and sayings
SUCCESS STORY
Afghan-born actor Kane Mahon: from survival to the spotlight
12 REFUGEES
above As we celebrate Canada 150, Canadian Immigrant looks back at 150 years of immigration.
24
How one Ontario CEO is helping Syrian refugees
14 IMMIGRATION
Looking at 150 years of immigration in Canada
20 CAREERS AND EDUCATION
CAREER COACH: Making the most of a career fair after it’s over JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES: The gig economy (Part 2) SOFT SKILLS FOR SUCCESS: Focus on teamwork Apply now for Lilian To Bursary for Immigrants
23 IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT GUIDE
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SETTLEMENT
IMMIGRATION LAW: Don’t mispresent on your application TIPS FOR SETTLING IN FASTER: Your first 100 days PARENTING: What to do for a product recall LIVE A FULFILLED LIFE: New column by life coach Nicole Gfeller
MONEY AND BUSINESS MY TWO CENTS: Get pre-approved for a mortgage SMALL BUSINESS: Naming your business right
BACK PAGE
HUMOUR BY HEMETERIO NATION OF IMMIGRANTS
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People. News. Information.
profile
VOLUME 14, ISSUE 5 JUNE 2017 Group Publishers Gautam Datt Sharma Sanjay Agnihotri
Mansoor
Editor Margaret Jetelina mjetelina@metroland.com
Ladha
Editorial Design Terry Lankstead, Anne Nawrocka Courtland Shakespeare
Memoirs of an immigrant
Digital Media Developer Kamil Mytnik Sr. Ad Manager Ricky (Kawaljit) Bajaj rbajaj@metroland.com Tel: 905 273 8170 National Sales Manager Varun Munjal vmunjal@metroland.com Tel: 905 273 8169 Sales, Events & Marketing Coordinator Laura Jackman ljackman@metroland.com General Inquiries: info@canadianimmigrant.ca Circulation/Distribution Inquiries: ljackman@metroland.com ISSN 1910-4146
Subscription rate in Canada: $47.99 plus HST for 12 issues Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher
Publications mail agreement number: 40065097 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 3145 Wolfedale Road Mississauga, Ontario, L5C 3A9 Printed on recycled paper. Toronto Circulation 50,000 copies Vancouver Circulation 30,000 copies Calgary Circulation 3,000 copies Canadian Immigrant is published monthly and distributed free throughout Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto. Canadian Immigrant welcomes submissions, but is not responsiblefor unsolicited material. Canadian Immigrant is a publication of Metroland Media Group, a division of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. Entire contents property of Canadian Immigrant.
canadianimmigrant.ca TORONTO 3145 Wolfedale Road, Mississauga Ontario, L5C 3A9 Tel: 905 273 8111, Fax: 905 277 9917
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By Margaret Jetelina
M
ansoor Ladha was born in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and moved to the country’s capital Dar es Salaam where he worked as a journalist with the country’s daily newspaper. When he was told he would have to belong to the ruling political party in the one-party state to keep his job, he moved to Nairobi, Kenya. He found work again at a daily, but he would soon move again, this time across the ocean to Canada. Dictator Idi Amin had just expelled all the South Asians from neighbouring Uganda, and Ladha was one of many South Asians living in other African nations who took that as a wake-up call. He landed in Toronto at 29 years old, hoping to continue his work as a journalist in Canada. Did you find work with a Canadian newspaper after you immigrated? I couldn’t get a job in the newspapers in Toronto because I didn’t have “Canadian experience.” Admittedly, I didn’t have Canadian experience, but I had a significant amount of experience in journalism and copyediting. It was just not enough to get employed with the various daily and weekly newspapers. After about three months of not being employed, I was recruited by the Edmonton Journal. So I went to Edmonton along with my family.
left Calgary-based Mansoor Ladha is author of Memoirs of a Muhindi. How did your journalism career progress? Later, I bought a weekly newspaper, and Morinville Mirror established another one, Redwater Tribune, both within commuting suburban areas of Edmonton. I owned the newspapers for more than 25 years before selling them in 2005 when I moved to Calgary. And in Calgary, you are … I am a freelance journalist, columnist and travel writer who has submitted articles and pictures to various daily newspapers, travel magazines and online travel sites. I have also published two books. Being a travel writer is a dream job for many. How does that work? I am registered with a few American PR firms who send me on press trips to U.S. destinations. Also, some tourism departments have offered me trips to various parts of the world. So I have travelled extensively in my retirement and have undertaken trips to Greece, India, Africa, Yukon, England, Wales, Turkey, to name a few. You’re also an active volunteer, for which you received the 2013 Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award. One of the pillars of my faith is
being an active volunteer. I have been a volunteer from a young age and the award was given to me due to my voluntary services in the Ismaili community and externally as I have served in various public boards, immigrant societies, press clubs and institutions. The community of Morinville, where I published my newspaper, also bestowed on me Citizen of the Year. Tell me about your new book. The book is a story about a brown person living in a black society (Tanzania) and later in a white society (Canada), highlighting problems of settlement, displacement and search for a home. The story reveals how a person’s skin colour can make a difference. The message is Canada being a country of immigrants should be more welcoming and receptive to immigrants as workers and employees. It was flagged as a “book to watch” by the CBC. How did that feel? I am humbled and proud to be recognized this way. I hope that the book is an inspiration to those who are newly arrived in Canada as there is always a beacon of success. facebook.com/canimmigrant
B:4.29” T:3.7917” S:3.7917”
news
IRCC increases age for dependent children Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is increasing the age for immigration applicants’ dependent children to “under 22” from “under 19.” “Raising the age of dependants lets more families stay together,” says Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Ahmed Hussen. “This will bring economic and social gains to our country as it enhances our attractiveness as a destination of choice for immigrants and refugees.” The change is consistent with the
global socioeconomic trend for children to stay home longer, including to pursue their post-secondary education. The new age limit of “under 22” will come into effect this fall, on Oct. 24, 2017, and will apply to new applications for all immigration programs, including for refugees. Children who are 22 years of age or older and who rely on their parents due to a physical or mental health condition will continue to be considered dependent children.
QUOTABLE
Canada 150 is a unique opportunity for communities to celebrateall that it means to be Canadian. Join your friends and family and take part in the festivities that are part of this outstanding year!”
ARG NO OVERAGE CH
E S IN -Z O N E
We Offer: • Financial assistance for Red Seal Training Courses • Wage subsidy to Employers for providing work experience and employment opportunities • One-on-one career coaching and soft skills training for the Canadian Workplace Who Can Join? • Between 19-29 years of age • First or second generation immigrant • Unemployed and non EI eligible, or • Underemployed working less than 20 hours/week Our Trades Employment Specialist, Peter Sajgalik has over 8 years of experience with employers and training providers in the Trades sector and our aspiring Essential skills training specialist Mona Bector will assist you in looking and preparing for your dream career in Canada. For more information contact: employment@dcrs.ca 604-547-1234 www.dcrs.ca/jobs twitter.com/@canimmigrant
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June 2017
5
T:9.875”
Future Troopers Program can help!
. O M / 0 $4
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Are you interested in a career in trades?
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— Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly
R E V O O G R NEVE T X E T & K L A T D ATA ,
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news
canspeak...
Words, expressions and sayings Cities in Canada often have slang versions of their names — sometimes more than one. Here are five: 1. Cowtown — Calgary, because of all the, well, cows and cowboy culture. 2. Hogtown — Meat packing was one of Toronto’s principal industries, but this nickname usually takes a back seat to Big Smoke, T.O. or, most recently, the 6 — popularized by singer Drake. 3. Winterpeg — Winnipeg is, after all, one of Canada’s coldest cities. 4. Bytown — This was Ottawa’s original name pre-Confederation, and still lingers. 5. Raincouver — Obviously, this nickname is for Vancouver, often also simply called Rain City. See more words at canadianimmigrant.ca under “Work & Education > Language.”
Bridge Delivery for International Medical Graduates
Revoking citizenship on grounds of fraud struck down in court On May 10, the Federal Court of Canada struck down provisions of the Citizenship Act that deal with revocation of citizenship on grounds of fraud and false representation. It ruled that the administrative revocation process violates the Bill of Rights by not providing the right to an oral hearing in accordance with principles of fundamental justice. In her ruling, Madam Justice Jocelyne Gagné said, “once acquired, citizenship is a right.” It is not a privilege that any government can give and take lightly. Justice Gagné found that four areas of due process were missing in current revocation procedures: an oral hearing, disclosure of the case against the individual, an independent decision maker, and the opportunity for humanitarian and compassionate review. All four of these requirements are found in a recent Senate amendment to Bill C-6, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act, which has been sent before the House of Commons. According to independent Ontario Senator Ratna Omidvar, “Such a decision would restore due process, and like other changes in Bill C-6, would close the narrative that some Canadians have fewer rights than others. This is about due process and the equality of all citizens before the law.”
info@ccnm.edu www.ccnm.edu
Continuing your medical career in Canada
The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Educating naturopathic doctors for almost 40 years
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Go from making calls to making the calls. Join us on July 12, 2017 for a free webinar to learn how the CPA designation can propel your career in Canada. Visit cpaontario.ca/careersuccess.
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SUCCESS STORY
Character
DEVELOPMENT Afghan-born Kane Mahon survived a warzone with survival instinct, hard work and determination — the same qualities that have helped him achieve his dreams of becoming an actor in Canada By Vivien Fellegi
E
leven-year-old Kane Mahon left his childhood behind the day the Soviets left his homeland of Afghanistan, and the mujahideen took over. The guerilla fighters (forerunners of the Taliban) commandeered his parents’ house at gunpoint. His parents, like many others, lost their livelihood, had to sell their belongings and were on the brink of starvation. That’s when Mahon’s survival instincts kicked in. He and his brothers started selling water in the hot summer at the marketplace. When others copied his idea, they, unfortunately, went out of business. He wasn’t going to give up, however. His next idea was to charge onlookers to watch him wrestle. He won every match, and his earnings helped his family eke out a living. Mahon’s ordeals as a boy in Afghanistan have moulded him into a survivor. He learned that he could handle even the toughest challenges that life threw his way. “I never panic. I just adapt to the situation,” he says matter-of-factly. His refuge from the destruction of war around him as a boy was an old black-and-white television he watched in secret. Films and theatres were deemed un-Islamic by the mujahideen, so Mahon and his brother attached antennae to the TV and powered it up using car batteries. Under the cover of night they would troop up to the roof and watch fi lms from other countries. “The movies were a window to the peaceful, outside world, where people were happy and the good guys always won,” he says. While watching these movies, Mahon also realized that acting could be a vehicle for telling his own tales, stoking his dream to become an actor one day. “So much has happened to me that I want to talk about,” he says. “Movies are a way of delivering friends I’ve lost and the childhood I’ve missed.”
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Fast forward to today in Toronto, Mahon looks every inch the actor that he dreamed of becoming. He’s dressed all in black, in a leather bomber jacket and a black fedora perched jauntily over his dark hair. His face is expressive. His brows furrow and he gazes into the distance while he ponders his remarks. When he’s collected his thoughts and begins to speak, he turns back and lights up in a megawatt smile. The Mahons fled to Tajikistan in 1993, where he finished high school and then completed a master’s degree in international relations. However, after 12 years in the country, the Mahons hadn’t been granted citizenship, so they decided to immigrate to Canada hoping for a brighter future. “Becoming a Canadian was a reincarnation of hope,” says Mahon. But there were struggles, too. He spoke Dari and Russian, but his English was basic, and he supplemented his ESL classes by reading children’s books. The most difficult challenge, though, was finding a job, as no one wanted to hire him without Canadian experience. But as Mahon proved as a young boy selling water and wrestling for money, he is not one to give up. “You’re most creative when there’s no hope left — that’s when your brain comes up with genius ideas,” he says. He found work as a house painter through Russian-Canadian newspapers, and was later hired as a retail stock boy and then moved up to a managing position at a clothing store. Two years later, he and his family were comfortable enough financially for him to begin taking acting classes. These sessions became his oasis in a whirl of responsibility. “Class was like a temple — you could go there, relax and forget about everything.” Acting also helped him process his old ordeals. “You can’t get rid
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SUCCESS STORY
The movies were a window to the peaceful, outside world, where people were happy and the good guys always won.”
above Kane Mah0n is not just an actor; he is also a filmmaker, who recently took part in a 24-hour challenge to create a five-minute film on Canada’s 150th. of your memories of war — they’re always inside you,” he says. But, as he probes his characters for their motivations, he explores his own hopes and fears, helping him to come to terms with his past. Once Mahon completed his classes at the George Brown Theatre School, his career ramped up quickly, especially in this new era of web series. With a black beard and hint of a foreign accent, he admits he tends to be typecast as a tough Middle Eastern character. He doesn’t mind; having a niche means he has less competition at auditions. When he tries out for a character named Peter, the room is fi lled with baby-faced actors with identical haircuts, he says, but only a handful of actors are usually vying for a character named Abdul. “I like being in the minority,” he says. Mahon has often been cast as a native of his homeland. He plays an Afghan kiln owner in a new animated movie, The Breadwinner, based on the Canadian youth novel of the same name. Directed by Nora Twomey and produced by Angelina Jolie, it is set to be released this summer. Mahon feels it’s his responsibility to make these tales authentic. In one of his recurring roles in the action web series Petrol, he plays an Afghan family man who turns to illegal activities out of desperation. In one scene, Mahon’s character, Ali, was supposed to have a meltdown. But the actor convinced the writers that an Afghan would more likely stay grounded in the face of danger. They tweaked the story. Mahon prepares for his roles rigorously. He begins by researching his characters’ daily lives, poring over their job descriptions and schedules. He also uses art to immerse himself in the stories. Every time he begins a new fi lm or digital series, he summarizes each scene by drawing a picture on a sticky note, placing them in order over his fireplace. All that work has paid off. In the last two years, Mahon has been nominated for Best Actor at the Vancouver Web Fest and Best Leading Male in an Action Series at the Rio WebFest. But the highest tribute has come from Canada’s most respected institution amongst actors; the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television nominated him for Best
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Performance by Male in Digital Media Web Series for his role in Petrol. “I’m honoured — it’s a reassurance that you’re doing something right,” he says. Next, Mahon stars in The Patriot, an Amazon original series, in the recurring role of Mikham Candahar. The first 10 episodes were released on Amazon Prime Video this February. Acting is not always glamorous, though. Many auditions end in rejection. At the start of his career, Mahon was nervous trying out for roles, but now he doesn’t sweat it when someone else wins out. “I’m just happy that he’ll get the job and help his family.” Mahon has also had to gain and lose more than 30 pounds for different characters. Even love scenes aren’t enjoyable; once he had to kiss his costar for five hours straight as the cameras shot the scene from different angles. “We bruised each other’s lips — we could never be friends after that,” he says in jest. Luckily, Mahon knows how to de-stress. “Life is too important to be upset over little things.” He escapes from reality through writing and fi lming his own productions. He recently finished a five-minute fi lm, Ambiguity, with the theme of Canada’s 150th birthday, for the ACTRA Toronto 24-hour fi lm challenge. His fi lm won. Now he is creating a oneman play about the war in Afghanistan. An amateur astrophotographer, Mahon also finds perspective when he gazes at the sky through his telescope. “We think we’re the centre of the universe, but compared to what’s in the vast space, our planet is just a speck of dust.” Passionate about fostering the next generation, Mahon created a Facebook group for Afghan actors around the world, and uses the forum to give them guidance. “United together we’re stronger.” Mahon’s advice for newcomers — actors or otherwise — captures the motto he lives by: “Don’t just dream. Predict your own future, then go and get it.” facebook.com/canimmigrant
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Come visit us at the Career, Education and Settlement Immigrant Fair, June 3rd to learn about our programs.
REFUGEES
Giving a hand up Ontario business leader Jim Estill shows how leadership combined with compassion can help refugees in Canada By Margaret Jetelina
above Jim Estill, CEO of Danby Appliances, not only sponsored dozens of Syrian refugees, he also gave many a job.
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he plight of refugees worldwide is recognized on June 20, World Refugee Day, but feeling empathy to their heartrending situation is one thing, taking action to help is something above and beyond — and it’s a step that few take. Jim Estill is one of those exceptional people. Although he was born in the United States before moving to Canada as a baby (so technically he’s an immigrant), Estill doesn’t have a family connection to the issue of refugees. He
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was raised in a free, democratic society, and had a prolific business career that led him to the position of CEO of Danby Appliances, an appliance company with annual sales of $400 million, in Guelph, Ontario. More recently, he is known as the successful businessman who privately sponsored 150 Syrian refugees, spending $1.5 million of his own money to do so. Canadian Immigrant spoke with him about his generosity and leadership.
What was it about the plight of Syrian refugees that moved you to take action? Th is is just such a huge humanitarian crisis. I did not feel I could stand by and do nothing. I have feelings for those who need a break. You started by sponsoring 50 Syrian refugees. Why didn’t you tell anyone at fi rst? Entrepreneurs tend to just do things. So that is what I did. facebook.com/canimmigrant
It depends on the person’s skills and capability. We have transitioned about 10 people to full-time, long-term jobs. We also make introductions and encourage other employers to hire the ones who are good. For example, we have an engineer we recommended to Eramosa Engineering so he is now working in his chosen field. We have also encouraged other employers to offer similar programs; Denso and Now Foods (Puresource) are doing that.
Eventually, you were to spend $1.5 million. Not an amount that most Canadians could afford to give away. Does money make doing good easier? I think it makes it easier to do things on scale. But it also makes it more difficult because everyone expects you can just pay for everything. In the case of Syrian refugee sponsorship, it is not mostly about the money; it is about the orchestration and work involved in settling people well. I think that is what is different than just donating something to [other charitable causes]. Would you advise other business leaders in Canada like you to do something similar? Of course they should, and I am frustrated that more people do not step up. Business leaders know how to orchestrate things. If you can run a company with 800 employees, you can run a volunteer organization with 800 volunteers. Much of what makes this work is the structure and organization, and it is business people who know how to do this. And, as for being generous, it is the duty of anyone who is in a fortunate position to see what they can do to help the world. You have also helped by hiring some of the refugees? I have a program where I offer any refugee 90 days’ work. We call the program Ease into Canada. Part of the emphasis is to learn English.
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Part of success in Canada comes from speaking English (in the area we are at least). We send people to the immigrant services training programs as well, for resumé writing, etc. We try to help people be placed in appropriate jobs for them. How many people have taken part in your Ease into Canada program? We have had about 60 people work though the program (not just the refugees I sponsor and not just Syrians — refugees and people needing a hand up). We have 21 people now in the program. Some have transitioned to full-time work at Danby Appliances including jobs like IT support, accounts payable, warehouse, assembly, customer service, assistant warehouse manager.
Are there any particular success stories of refugees you would like to point out? I have one refugee family who started working in the Ease into Canada program. We then helped them buy a sock store. So in the next few weeks they will be in their own business. Any plans for sponsoring more refugees? Right now the government is on hold. We will sponsor more families. The people I am likely to start sponsoring are the families of those already here. I have been contacted by more than 1,000 people who want to be sponsored. Anything else you’d like to add? Success for me is helping people through a hard time — not just supporting them for a year so they can go on welfare. Our program is one to help people help themselves and allow them to create their new life in Canada.
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IMMIGRATION
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NATION built by
IMMIGRANTS By Margaret Jetelina Continued on page 16
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTES Participation in the ninth annual RBC Top 25 awards has been overwhelming. We received thousands of votes from across Canada. Thank you for voting and making this year’s awards program its most successful yet. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 and also featured in the July special issue of Canadian Immigrant magazine. Be sure to visit: Canadianimmigrant.ca/rbctop25 to see the winners and read their inspiring stories.
CANADA 150
IMMIGRATION
As we celebrate Canada 150, Canadian Immigrant looks back at the history of immigration — and ahead at what’s coming
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t’s the eve of Canada’s 150th birthday, a perfect time to reflect on what Canada is — and who Canadians are. It’s easy to simplify that question by pointing to popular national symbols like the Mountie or the beaver or a totem pole. And, while there might not be a cute icon to represent the importance of immigrants to Canada, there’s no doubt that Canada has long been — and remains — a nation built by immigrants. More than 17 million immigrants have come to Canada since Confederation in 1867. And today’s population of 36,503,097 (as of Jan. 1, 2017) is made up of a very diverse bunch of people, with roots in most every country of the world. That trend is only going to con-
tinue. Census numbers released in April show the pace of aging in Canada’s population is accelerating, and that demographic shift underscores the need for Canada to maintain or increase its immigration levels. At the Canadian Immigration Summit in May in Ottawa, Craig Alexander, chief economist of the Conference Board of Canada, the presenter of the event, said that immigration levels should, in fact, be higher. By 2030, immigration intake should reach 350,000, or one per cent of the population, he noted.
150 years of immigration Looking back at the last 150 years of Canadian confederation, the annual number of immigrants
Top 10 mother tongues of permanent residents (2015)
nation and worked in dangerous conditions. According to Kareem El-Assal, research associate, education and immigration research, for the Conference Board of Canada, “[Canada] desperately needed immigrants to grow its economy, secure its borders and build a nation. In the decades following Confederation, Canada achieved some measure of success in populating its vast terrain — accomplished in large part due to the completion of a transcontinental
Immigrants by source country While the number of immigrants from India and China decreased between 2014 and 2015, the numbers from the Philippines have increased, making the Philippines Canada’s top source country of immigrants. Here are the top 20 source countries (2015). 1.
Philippines
50,846
2.
India
39,530
3.
China
19,533
4.
Iran
11,669
5.
Pakistan
11,330
6.
Syria
9,853
7.
United States of America
7,522
8.
France
5,807
9.
United Kingdom/Colonies
5,451
1.
Tagalog
15%
2.
English
9.3%
3.
Arabic
6.3%
4.
Punjabi
6.1%
5.
Chinese
4.9%
6.
French
4.1%
7.
Spanish
4.1%
8.
Urdu
3.8%
9.
Hindi
2.9%
10. Nigeria
4,133
2.7%
11.
4,091
10.
Farsi
Refugee origins The resettlement of 46,700 refugees — including both privately and government-sponsored refugees — in 2016 marks a record for Canada since 1978, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The top five refugee countries of origin in 2016 were: Syria: Eritrea: Iraq: Congo: Afghanistan:
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has swung up and down. In the late 1800s, for example, the number ranged from as low as 6,300 to 133,000, according to Statistics Canada. After Canada was officially formed in 1867, many immigrants primarily from Britain came to settle in the growing Canada (which had a population of just 3.5 million at the time). Many Chinese migrants were brought over to help build the Canadian Pacific Railway that connected the two coasts of Canada by 1885; they were, however, subject to discrimi-
33,266 3,934 1,650 1,644 1,354
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June 2017
Republic of Korea
12. Iraq
3,980
13.
3,763
Egypt
14. Jamaica
3,426
15. Bangladesh
3,304
16. Mexico
3,231
17.
2,835
Algeria
18. Morocco
2,736
19. Haiti
2,727
20. Vietnam
2,591 facebook.com/canimmigrant
IMMIGRATION
railway that provided immigrants with access to farmland in the Prairies, and an aggressive recruitment campaign that attracted immigrants from the U.S. and Europe.” Then came record numbers of immigrants in the early 1900s to help settle Western Canada — the highest intake reaching more than 400,000 in 1913. As Canada became a more progressive and modern society, more and more immigrants from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Sweden and Norway came for new opportunities and a new life. During the First World War, the number of immigrants dropped dramatically, to fewer than 34,000 in 1915. It dropped further during the Great Depression and the Second World War. The wars saw the tides turn against immigrants, and Canadians of Ukrainian and Japanese descent were sent to internment camps. After the war ended and a sense of peace resumed, immigration to
Canada turned a corner, with Britain and Europe as the main source of immigration. After the fall of the Berlin Wall and breakup of the Soviet Union, Canada welcomed more immigrants from that region as well. Over the course of the 20th century, Canada also welcomed thousands of refugees, developing a reputation for its humanitarianism. In the mid-1950s, 37,500 Hungarian refugees arrived, followed by refugees fleeing communism in Europe and South Asians who were exiled from Uganda in 1972. Canada also resettled 60,000 refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in 1979 to 1980. In the years leading up to Hong Kong’s return to China in 1997, 225,000 immigrants from Hong Kong came to Canada. Since the early 1990s, the number of immigrants has remained at around 235,000 per year, with a broadening of source countries to China, India, Iran and the Philippines, plus a focus on economic immigration. In 1998, the pro-
Seneca PART-TIME STUDIES
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• • • •
vincial nominee program (PNP) became part of Canada’s immigration system (outside Quebec), giving provinces and territories the opportunity to address their local economic needs. There was also an increased focus on temporary foreign workers and international students.
Immigration today Today, Canada is more than ever a nation built by immigrants, with one in five Canadians foreign-born. In 2015, 271,660 new permanent residents landed in Canada from more than 190 source countries, with 49 per cent coming from the Philippines, India, China, Iran and Pakistan, according to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The intake target for 2017 is 300,000 immigrants, under not only the Express Entry immigration stream for skilled workers, but also under the family class, PNPs and more. And they are coming to Canada from countries all over the
globe, with the Philippines, India and China as the top source countries for immigrants. “Our aging population and low birth rate requires us to prioritize the economic goals of our immigration system. Canada should also continue to reunite families and admit refugees quickly, and ensure they have opportunities to succeed in the labour market,” economist Alexander noted in a recent op-ed article, adding, “We need to continue to devote significant efforts to helping immigrants find their footing so they can make lasting contributions to Canada, as they have done throughout our nation’s history. Immigrants come here to build a better life, and by providing them with the right tools, such as employment and language supports, Canada will place them on the path to success. “Canada has long placed its trust in newcomers, who, in turn, have repaid the country in countless ways. That’s been Canada’s story for 150 years.”
Fully accredited programs Evenings, mornings, weekends, and online Occupation-specific Language Training Financial aid available
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TORONTO Saturday, June 3, 2017 Metro Toronto Convention Centre
FREE ADMISSION
CAREER
FAIR
EDUCATION
& SETTLEMENT IMMIGRANT
SAVE THE Get motivated for success at our 2017 Career, DATES! Education & Settlement Immigrant Fairs in these cities Learn more at: canadianimmigrant.ca/careerfair
HALIFAX
CALGARY
EDMONTON
VANCOUVER
September 8, 2017
October 28, 2017
October 30, 2017
November 9, 2017
World Trade & Convention Centre
Telus Convention Centre
Shaw Conference Centre
Want to take part in our fairs as an exhibitor or sponsor? Contact us! Ricky Bajaj • Tel: 905-273-8170 • Cell: 416-856-6304 Email: rbajaj@metroland.com
Vancouver Convention Centre East
Brought to you by:
CAREERS & EDUCATION CAREER COACH
Following up 5 things to do after attending a career fair or networking event
D
id you attend the Career, Education and Settlement Immigrant Fair in Winnipeg on May 24 or Toronto on June 3? Hopefully, you met many people, handed in copies of your resumé, talked to some employers and collected all the business cards you could possibly hold. Now what? If you’re jobhunting, what you do after such a fair is almost more important than what you did there. Here are five of the most important things jobseekers need to do post-fair.
1
Get organized
The advantage of attending such events is that it provides you with the opportunity to make face-toface connections with recruiters, decision makers in companies of interest and others who could become
important contacts for you. Since you probably networked with several different people, it’s important to stay organized to keep track of all your potential job leads.
Tips: • You’ll want to create a document that keeps track of all the human resource recruiters and representatives you spoke with. • Make sure to include their business card information, and any notes you may have jotted down about your discussion, especially about specific job leads.
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Do the follow up
You probably gathered as many business cards as you could, and now it’s important to follow up with the contacts you met.
above Newcomers networking at a recent Career, Education and Settlement Immigrant Fair, presented by Canadian Immigrant magazine.
Tips: • Send out thank-you emails or make a professional phone call within 24 hours after the fair. Your name will hopefully be fresh in their mind and it also shows that you care. • Make sure any follow-up email is well written and uses proper grammar. • Thank them for taking the time to speak to you during the event, remind them who you are and what you want from them. • Make sure to mention something specific from your conversation that they will hopefully remember you by.
3
Maintain the connection
Based on the person’s response, you may want to send an email or note occasionally to touch base. If they are in a position to hire you, let them know you are interested if they will have anything open in the future.
Want a career in financial services? Get the education you need to succeed in one of Canada’s leading industries. VISIT US AT
ifse.ca/CareerSuccess • 1.888.865.2437
*IFSE Institute (IFSE) is a distance education institute wholly owned by the Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC).
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Tips: • Don’t make your follow up too casual if you’re looking for a job. Go to the organization’s website and find specific positions that you could apply to and mention that in your follow up. • Always let them know you are excited to pursue the position and work for the company. • If you don’t see an open position, find out if there is an opportunity to volunteer or intern, or if
there is some way for you to learn more about the company. • Make sure to only contact them in moderation, and let them know you are very interested.
4
Polish your profile
When you’re reaching out to new connections, make sure you have somewhere to send them for more information, like a polished LinkedIn profi le and resumé.
Tips: • Update your LinkedIn profi le and resumé; make sure they reflect your most recent skills and experience. Connections you made at the event may follow up by trying to connect with you on LinkedIn. • Send an invitation to connect on LinkedIn with the recruiters and other connections you met at the fair.
5
Reflect on your experience
It is important to reflect on how you managed yourself so you can prepare and make any improvements at your next event.
Tips: Ask yourself: • How well did I prepare for it? • Do I feel like I networked well? • Did I learn something about myself? • What went well? • What would I do differently next time?
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 more at aceworldfoundation.com. facebook.com/canimmigrant
CAREERS & EDUCATION J O B S E A R C H S T R AT E G I E S
The gig economy (Part 2)
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hile full-time, traditional jobs are still the norm, things are quickly changing. Studies show that contract, part-time and multiple jobs are trending, and are expected to be up to 40 per cent of jobs by 2020. Until recently, going to college and finding a job were the main concerns for a young adult. Once they found employment, they were expecting to stay in the same sector (and usually the same profession) for the rest of their working lives. With life expectancy levels going up, we also see an influx of seniors who want an “encore” career, an opportunity to use their time and skills in something different.
Pros and cons But the gig economy has pros and cons for both employers and employees. For employees and jobseekers, the benefits include:
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How it’s changing the way we work • You can focus on your priorities and make decisions around how you want to invest your time and energy. • It gives you control over how you organize your time, finances and the work you do. • You have more freedom to try new interests and careers as opposed to staying attached to one career for life. • It allows you to diversify, which builds career resilience in uncertain times. • It opens the door for more independence and meaningful work through social enterprises and start-ups. • You work only when you need, giving you the freedom to pursue other things such as more time with family, personal projects, learning, travelling or working on your own business. For employers and small business
owners: • It saves money as companies only pay for the job done, and not for time spent when there is no real work. • It allows them to select among the best based on skills as opposed to seniority. • It provides flexibility to hire specifically for small projects, tasks or consultations. Of course, the gig economy also has cons for both sides as well. For employees: • You need to stay competitive by updating your skills regularly and continuously networking. • Gigs are uncertain, and so are
income and opportunities. • Competition may be high for well-paid and tractive gigs. • Uncertainty may lead to accepting projects or gigs with substandard compensation or working conditions. For employers: • With a high turnaround of employees, quality of products, services and processes may be difficult to sustain. • Good workers may be difficult to find for short-term projects unless there is high compensation. More on navigating the gig economy in Part 3 of this series next month!
Argentinian-born Silvia Di Blasio is a certified career counsellor and life coach with a passion for sustainability, food security and resilient communities. She works as a case manager helping immigrants to get back to their pre-landing occupations at the Career Paths Program at ISSofBC.
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CAREERS & EDUCATION
I
t’s no secret that Canadian employers look at a potential candidate’s soft skills in addition to technical skills. In fact, soft skills are often the deciding factor on who gets hired. In this Canadian Immigrant series, we will look at the most in-demand soft skills, and how you can show them off.
SOFT SKILLS FOR SUCCESS Teamwork
Soft skill no.3: Teamwork Knowing how to work as a team is an important skillset to have — and to highlight to potential employers when jobhunting. Employers want employees who can effectively work as part of a team to reach the organization’s common goals. That doesn’t mean you have to be the same or have the same ideas as your teammates. But it does mean you have to know how to work across differences in personality, working styles and ideas, to come to a consensus. That holds true whether you’re in a leadership position or a supportive role; the
to their perspective. Look at their ideas objectively, even if they are contrary to yours. You may change your mind! If you don’t understand someone’s ideas, feel free to ask questions to clarify. If you feel your ideas are not being heard, make a case for your ideas based on facts, not just passion. Understand that people have different working styles and personalities. Learn to accept and work with other approaches. Leave your ego at the door; view your colleagues as collaborators, not competitors. Be accountable for your behaviour and portion of the work. In the end, you can only be responsible for your own actions. Learn how to disagree with a colleague or even your boss without getting emotional about it. And, if things go too far, don’t be afraid to apologize, or accept an apology.
3 4 5
6 7 Canadian workplace is less hierarchical than many other global business settings. Impress an employer with these nine important teamwork tips.
1 2
Share your ideas openly, but be respectful of differing viewpoints. Listen, listen, listen. Let others have their say and be open
8 9
See “Soft Skills for Success” at canadianimmigrant.ca for the other installments of this series.
Free tuition for newcomers Apply by July 31, 2017, for the Lilian To Bursary for Immigrants at Ashton College
A
re you a newcomer looking for a new career or to upgrade your educational credentials? Vancouver-based Ashton College is offering full-time tuition bursaries, worth up to $8,000, to new immigrants through the Lilian To Bursary for Immigrants, sponsored by Canadian Immigrant magazine since 2005. Applications are now being accepted — deadline is July 31, 2017. Newcomers often face many barriers when it comes to re-establishing their careers in Canada. Often, the main obstacle between an immigrant and employment is recognized credentials. One of last year’s winners, Sophia Mata, was a physician in her home country of the Philippines. Not wanting to go through the daunting, expensive and lengthy process of recertifying as a doctor, she applied to Ashton College to study human resources and was thrilled when she won a Lilian To Bursary that
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censing bodies and professional associations, from Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), to the Forum of International Trade Training (FITT) and the Financial Advisers Association of Canada (Advocis). Both on-campus and distance education options are available, depending on the program of choice.
Who can apply?
above Sophia Mata was a bursary winner in 2016. covered her tuition. She decided she wanted to help her husband in his business, and the diploma in human resources management was a perfect fit for her.
Choosing a program Study areas at Ashton College
are focused on getting students into the career they want, from bookkeeping to human resources to international trade, and many more. The programs and courses are all accredited by or delivered in partnership with Canadian li-
Applicants must be permanent residents or Canadian citizens who arrived in Canada for the first time within the last five years, and who wish to enroll in a program at Ashton College. The winners are chosen after submitting an essay detailing future career plans, past education, financial struggles and community involvement. A reference letter from a previous instructor/employer is also required. To apply, visit ashtoncollege. com/grants. facebook.com/canimmigrant
Immigrant SETTLEMENT GUIDE For getting your listing included, please call Ricky Bajaj at 416-856-6304 or Johnny Zhang at 416-803-3931
2017
Agency
General Services and Specialty Programs
Languages
Brampton Multicultural Centre (BMC)
Not for profit, registered charity providing multilingual and culturally appropriate programs and services for free to help clients enhance their community engagement and social capital while integrating into the Canadian society. Programs: Programs and services include Settlement support , employment readiness workshops, enhancing immigrant community connections through schools and libraries, advocacy and solution-focused counselling, interpretation and translation, volunteer and placement opportunities, mental health support services, seniors and women abuse and engagement services. A unique portfolio of youth programming is also available such as: Youth leadership development, life skills coaching, client-centred counselling, paid internships at various workplaces, gang prevention workshops, one-on-one intervention meetings based on individualized work plans. Email: services@bmccentre.org www.bmccentre.org
• • • • • •
TCET provides Language, Employment, & Settlement programs that empower people in fulfilling their potential. Our LINC Home Study program provides Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) via distance education. The self-paced curriculum is offered either online or by correspondence. The program includes a weekly lesson via phone or VOIP with a certified instructor. Email: help@linchomestudy.ca www.linchomestudy.ca
• English • Some services available in French and other languages
197 County Court Blvd. Suite 303 Brampton ON L6W 4P6 Phone: 905-790-8482 Fax: 905-874-6100
Centre for Education & Training (TCET) Head Office: 90 Burnhamthorpe Road W, Suite 210, Mississauga, ON L5B 3C3
English • Arabic Farsi • French Gujarati • Hindi Punjabi • Spanish Tamil • Urdu Tagalog (Filipino)
Locations across the Greater Toronto Area and virtual services across Ontario & Canada Phone: 905-949-0049, Toll free at 1-800-668-1179, Email: Info@tcet.com, www.tcet.com Centre for Education & Training Language Assessment Centre York-Simcoe-Durham 420 Highway 7 East Suite 204 B Richmond Hill ON L4B 3K2 Toll free: 1-855-330-8655 Job Skills Employment & Business Programs & Supports Locations in Markham, Brampton, Keswick and Newmarket Phone: 1-866-592-6278 Multinational Small & Medium Business Community Center (MSMBCC) 211 Consumers Road, Suite 300, North York, M2J 4G8 Phone: 647-343-8288 The National Association of Humanity Science and Technology (NAHST) 4675 Steeles Ave. E Unit 2D22 Toronto On M1V 4S5 Or: 3-2375 Brimley Rd. Unit 351 Toronto ON M1S 3L6 Welcome Centre Immigrant Services 7 Locations in York & Durham Regions 1-877-761-1155
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Completing a language assessment is the first step to accessing English language classes in your community. Language Assessment Centres provide no cost English language assessments and referrals to classes for eligible immigrants seeking language training. Language Assessments services are available on a scheduled and pre-booked basis. If you live in York region, Simcoe County and Durham Region please call 1-855-330-8655 to schedule an appointment. Email: ysla@tcet.com www.tcet.com/assessments Facebook: www.facebook.com/Language.Assessment.Centre.YSD/# Twitter: twitter.com/LAC_YSD
• English
Find out how to: get the skills you need to find work, including: work experience, resume help, interview techniques, entrepreneurial options and more. We offer: Job Search Workshops Program, Job Find Club for Internationally Trained Individuals, Bridge to HR, Practice Firm, Self-Employment Pathways for Newcomer and Employment Ontario Employment Services. Email: info@jobskills.org www.jobskills.org
• English Interpreters are available
Help small and medium business from starting business with business plans for success: business registration; business planning; corporate problem solving; corporate culture tutoring; legal, politics and social requirements service and fund assistant application from government. Specialty program: business guide in Canada and Asia countries;enterprise assistant program; free tax services for new comers and seniors; Seniors program for social networking and conversational Café and special events to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation.. Email: info@sbsccanada.org www.sbsccanada.org
• English • Chinese
Community services for cultural and recreational activities, including classic poetry recitation events and Chinese traditional music concerts, with funds collected from its own members; supports for seniors groups for cultural and recreational activities; promotions for cultural exchange with the main stream society and many minorities’ cultural groups. Email: thomas@nahst.org www.nahst.org
• English • Mandarin • Cantonese
Settlement Services assist immigrants to integrate and become established and contributing members of Canadian society. English Language Classes are instructor-led, and supported by a computer lab. Job-specific, advanced-level Enhanced Language Training available. Supports to assist in developing the skills needed to find work: resume/cover letter preparation, interview readiness and information about accreditation, workplace practices, Canadian employer expectations. Other services available. Languages of service: English, interpreters are available Email: info@welcomecentre.ca www.welcomecentre.ca
• English Interpreters are available
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SETTLEMENT I M M I G R AT I O N L AW
Don’t misrepresent
P
Honesty is the best policy when filling out applications
rospective immigrants committing misrepresentation in their applications is becoming an increasingly big problem in Canada. In Vancouver, an individual was recently sentenced to eight years imprisonment for helping around 1,500 people lie in everything from permanent residency applications to permanent resident card renewals, including the use of fake passport stamps. As well, thousands of Canadians across the country are embroiled in citizenship revocation proceedings. Meanwhile, increased information sharing between government agencies, and improvements in the collection and analysis of data are resulting in a huge increase in immigration officials detecting everything from little white lies to complex fraud.
What is misrepresentation? Canadian immigration officials interpret the definition of misrepresentation very broadly as the goal is to help maintain the integrity of Canada’s immigration process. The law is clear that the onus is placed on the prospective immigrant (or visitor, worker or student) to ensure the completeness and accuracy of their application. Not all misstatements or omissions will result in an individual committing misrepresentation. The lie has to be material. In other words, the misstatement or omissions need to be ones that could affect whether someone is eligible for the immigration program that they are applying to, or whether they are inadmissible to Canada. For example, even though being charged with a criminal offence that is ultimately dismissed does not typically render one inadmissible to Canada, the failure to disclose a dismissed charge would be considered misrepresentation. Not disclosing the charge prevents officials with the opportunity to confirm if and why the charge was, in fact, dismissed. On the other hand, mistyping a postal code is unlikely to result in an immigration official determining that someone committed misrepresentation.
Third parties at fault? Misrepresentation includes lies and omissions made by other parties, including immigration consultants, lawyers and employers, even if made without the knowledge of the prospective immigrant. Indeed, a surprisingly common scenario that can result in misrepresentation occurs when prospective immigrants sign blank forms, trust their immigration representative to complete their application honestly, and then do not review their application before it is sent. While there is an “innocent misrepresentation” exception, it applies only to truly extraordinary circumstances in which a prospective immigrant honestly and reasonably believes that they were not misrepresenting a material fact and that the knowledge of it was beyond their control. An example would be where someone does not declare a child that they did not know about.
Severe consequences The consequences for an individual caught committing misrepresentation are severe. In addition to losing their status in Canada, permanent residents and foreign nationals are both subject to five-year bans on entering Canada. During the duration of this ban, they are prohibited from
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submitting a new permanent residence application. In addition to being severe, the consequences can also appear unjust. Consider the case of Nelly Cedana, a former live-in caregiver whose 2016 judicial review application of a removal order against her was unsuccessful. Cedana had come to Canada in 2009 to work as a live-in caregiver. In 2010, her employers, a teacher and a lawyer, terminated her employment. For unknown reasons, her former employers suggested to her that she continue to live with them and that she pay them $1,000 in cash per month. In exchange, they would issue her a cheque for the same amount and they would pretend that she still worked for them. They even issued fake T4 slips to her, claiming the recycled cash as employment income paid to her. When the fraud was discovered, the Canada Border Services Agency successfully sought to have Cedana removed from Canada for misrepresentation. Her counsel desperately argued that she was a vulnerable person who had been victimized and exploited by her employers, but was unsuccessful. The Federal Court noted that while it was the employers who proposed the illegal route to immigration, Cedana had chosen to accept it. After her decision, Madam Justice Elliot noted that it would shake public confidence in the administration of Canada’s immigration system if Nelly was removed from Canada yet the government took no actions against her employers, and that the consequences for violating Canada’s immigration laws should not fall solely upon those who lack Canadian citizenship while professionals occupying positions of trust are spared any scrutiny of their actions. However, anyone who spends a considerable amount of time talking with prospective immigrants, especially those in vulnerable circumstances, will know that the brunt force of the enforcement of Canada’s immigration laws will typically fall on the prospective immigrant, while the consequences for unscrupulous employers or consultants will be minimal, if any. As unjust as this seems, the reality is that everyone completing an immigration application typically knows what is true and what isn’t. As such, no matter how tempting it is to lie or how powerful the person who is recommending misrepresentation may be, honesty is always the best policy. As well, it should also reassure many that immigration officials typically provide an applicant the chance to respond to the allegation that they have committed misrepresentation. Obviously, applicants who have been truthful should take advantage of this opportunity. Applicants who simply made a mistake should also respond and explain the mistake. Immigration officers are humans, too, and they often understand that mistakes and misunderstandings can occur. 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. facebook.com/canimmigrant
SETTLEMENT T IP S F OR SE T T L ING IN FA S T E R
Your first 100 days Four things to tackle when you first arrive
M
oving to a new country can be both exciting and overwhelming. It’s a time of change from the familiar, and being prepared for the first few things you have to attend to goes a long way. While moving you and your family across the world is not easy, establishing a routine helps in integrating to life in Canada, setting you and your family up for success from the beginning. The first 100 days are important. Here are four things to tackle when you first arrive.
1
Visit your local government service office to apply for important government-issued documents. These include: Social insurance card (SIN Card): a nine-digit number you will need to work in Canada or to apply for government programs and benefits. Find a Service Canada Office near you to get started (see servicecanada.gc.ca). Health care card: Health care is likely different in Canada than it is back home. With your health card, you will be covered for a range of services. The next big step is fi nding out what additional insurance you may need not covered by Canada’s health care system, and fi nding health care providers including a family doctor in your community. Find one at cic.gc.ca/ english/newcomers/after-healthdoctor.asp. Driver’s licence: The process for getting a driver’s licence in Canada depends on the province or terri-
tory in which you live and on your driving background and home country. Check with your local driver services centre or learn more at cic.gc.ca/ english/newcomers/ after-transportationdriving.asp.
2
Open up your first Canadian bank account and start building credit history right away. Credit and credit history are needed in Canada for bigger purchases like a home or car, but may also be required for cell phone bills, rent and other monthly expenses. Additional information about banking for newcomers is available at rbc.com/newcomers.
3
Start building a social network in your new community. There are lots of free services and community organizations for newcomers. You can even start researching them before arrival to set up meetings and social events in advance. Visit cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/ services/ for more information on what’s available in your new community.
4
Stay in touch with your roots by joining cultural associations. This familiarity may help with the transition to life in Canada and you will meet new friends along the way. Moving to a new country requires significant adjustment. Preparing before you leave and knowing how to effectively settle into a routine upon your arrival will make the transition easier.
Ivy Chiu is the senior director, cultural markets, at RBC. Once a newcomer herself, Chiu is interested in helping newcomers integrate to life in Canada. Are you new to Canada or know someone who is? Visit rbc.com/newcomers for more advice. twitter.com/@canimmigrant
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SETTLEMENT LIVE A FULFILLED LIFE
The neuroscience of gratitude Practising thankfulness will bring more positivity
W
hen moving to Vancouver in 2013, I quickly realized that immigrating would be one of the toughest, life-changing events of my life. Like many other immigrants, I was initially struggling with the many challenges that come with leaving your old life behind and fi nding yourself in a
completely new environment.
Delaying happiness One day, as I was pondering over my new life, it dawned on me that I was equating reaching a goal with finding happiness. I realized that by doing so, I was setting myself up for feeling frustrated until I actually reached my target. I started
noticing that I was always running after something in order to become happy: learning English perfectly, finding a job, having a successful business, finding a partner, buying a house and so on. No matter what it was, I was delaying happiness until later, forever postponing it and connecting it to another goal. By chance, I stumbled upon a very inspiring documentary called Be Here Now, which helped me change my perspective on life. In the documentary, a terminally ill cancer patient reminds us to live each day as if it were your last. When you want something deeply, take action, do the best you can, but, even if the results haven’t arrived yet, all you can do is be here now and appreciate the present moment.
Gratitude list So, I started making a gratitude list at the end of each day in or-
der to practise being thankful and honour what I already had in my life. Even today, as a life coach and counsellor, I continue this practice as it has helped me go through other difficult situations in my life. And, even if it may not always be easy to find something positive, we know that the more you practise, the easier it gets. And this is not magic. This is neuroscience. Because “neurons that fire together, wire together,� the more we practise being grateful and thinking positively, the stronger your new neuropathways will become. In other words, your positive thoughts will become more entrenched, stronger, more automatic and more readily accessible. So, what can you start being grateful for in your life? What can you do to bring small moments of joy each day? Train your brain to see life through a more positive lens.
An immigrant from Switzerland, Nicole Gfeller is a life coach, counsellor and art therapist. Her counselling business in Vancouver aims to empower other immigrants who may be going through difficult times in settling down in Canada. Visit her website at nicolegfeller.com or email her at info@nicolegfeller.com.
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facebook.com/canimmigrant
SETTLEMENT PARENTING
Shoppers beware What to do when your children’s products are recalled
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rom baby bottles to car seats to toys, parents have a long list of products to buy for their children. Before purchasing items for our children, we take the time to research the best products, considering such factors as product quality, price and customer reviews. After feeling confident in our choices, we do not normally think about whether the product will face a product recall — a situation that has affected all manner of products in recent years, from food to cribs to cars.
What exactly are product recalls? When a product is deemed unsafe after it’s already been on the market, a manufacturer may issue a voluntary “product recall,” to inform the public to discontinue use of the product. In some cases, the manufacturer may be able to offer a fi x or solution to the problem.
How to find out more about the recall If you hear about a product recall through word of mouth, store notices, social media or local news, you can confirm the information to ensure it’s accurate and credible on the company website or at the federal government website: canada. ca/en/ser vices/health/productsafety.
What to do? It is better to err on the side of caution when it comes to safety; do not disregard the recall notices. First, check if the product you
purchased is the one being recalled. Take the time to read the recall notice carefully to check if your particular product is part of the recall as sometimes only certain batches are affected. Next, read the manufacturer’s instructions regarding what to do with the recalled product, and follow their instructions as to how to exchange, refund the product or properly dispose of the product affected. Please note that some items, such as batteries and medication, require proper disposal. You can also check the company website or contact the company directly for more information. If you have a product that has been recalled, do not give or sell the items to others. If it is deemed unsafe for your family, it is also unsafe for other families. And note that while most stores will not sell recalled products, product recalls can be missed when purchasing products online, overseas or second-hand, so be careful to check the products you buy for your family through such sources.
Report unsafe products If you have health or safety concerns, or negative experiences or injuries when using a product, you should take the time to report it to Health Canada, so that the authority can further investigate the matter, to ensure the product is safe for Canadians families. It is important to be a smart consumer. Stay informed, be vigilant, take proper steps to remove any recalled items, and report any health and safety concerns.
Cheryl Song, an immigrant from Malaysia, has more than 10 years’ experience of working in childhood education and family programs.
twitter.com/@canimmigrant
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MONEY & BUSINESS
MY TWO CENTS
T
he real estate market in Canada has been very hot for the past few years thanks in part to ultra-low interest rates, and many immigrants are diving right into the home-buying process. With housing prices quite high, especially in Vancouver and Toronto, getting a mortgage pre-approval will give you an idea of how much a bank will lend you to secure your dream Canadian home. Assess your assets Doing a pre-qualification questionnaire on a bank website can give you a general idea of how much mortgage you qualify for, but there’s more to it. The first step before the mortgage pre-approval process is to take an honest look at your financial situation. Add up all your assets like cash and investments, and deduct the debts and regular payments that you have to make. This gives you an idea of how big a monthly payment you would be able to afford.
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Know what you can afford Get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start house hunting Gather necessary documents A mortgage pre-approval is essentially going through the entire mortgage process, including a credit check. You will have to submit the required forms with your employment history, income, assets and liabilities and your down payment amount. This helps you to get a pre-approved mortgage amount with an approximate interest rate offered on your mortgage, which can usually be secured for up to 120 days as long as there is no drastic change in your financial situation, such as a job loss.
Advantages of getting preapproved There are many advantages of getting a mortgage pre-approval before you start hunting for a home. Having a confirmed mortgage preapproval letter is like money in the bank, giving you peace of mind, so you can take your worry off financing and focus on finding a house that suits you in your desired location.
A mortgage pre-approval also helps you focus your house hunting for properties in your price range. You also protect yourself from any interest rate increases over the 120 days; if the rate goes down, you will have access to the new lower rates. Having a pre-approved mortgage is also advantageous from the seller’s point of view. By proving that you already have the bank’s backing, you could possibly negotiate a better price. If there are multiple bids on a property, the seller will be more inclined to go with the buyer with a pre-approved mortgage as well. One last word on getting a mortgage pre-approval: don’t go through the process unless you are 100 per cent ready to buy a house within the next 60 to 120 days since the pre-approval shows as an inquiry on your credit fi le and usually the pre-approved mortgage limit and rates expire after a limited time.
Gokul Jayapal has a doctorate in biological sciences and lives in Toronto. He is an investment junkie who achieved financial freedom by persistence, frugal living and intelligent investing. He pursues his passion of investing in stocks and trades currencies and options. Reach him at gokultoronto@yahoo.ca. facebook.com/canimmigrant
MONEY & BUSINESS SMALL BUSINESS
W
hen naming your new business in Canada, you should take into account cultural differences, phonetics, spelling and accents — all of which may affect how your customers find you or relate to your business. I tell my clients to be careful when choosing their business name because it will stick with you for a long time. A friend told me his new company name was Dubble Exxpress Go. Anyone would have trouble finding this business in the phone book because the spelling is unusual for those words no matter how bad a speller you may be. The owner of the business is a great guy and the fact that he is an immigrant from India should not be relevant to his choice of business names. Now, imagine for a moment my Mumbai friend answering the phone and saying, “Dubble Exxpress Go, may I help you?” in an excited Indian accent. He gets so excited talking to customers on the telephone his English is often difficult to understand clearly. I suggested he create a website so that potential customers could interact with him through the internet versus the telephone. To overcome the cultural differences we used the simple web URL: vancouvervendingmachines.com. Does this leave anything to the imagination as to what this business sells? No, it doesn’t and, yes, his product is renting vending machines. I love this guy, but his business name leaves much to be desired.
Something meaningful? I’ve noticed that my Asian clients like to name their businesses with something familiar and meaningful to them. How many “Golden” restaurants or Win Win or Double Win Enterprises are there out there? Golden Bell may sound good for a Chinese food restaurant, but doesn’t have the same impact for a client of mine, a petrochemical consultant. She wanted to be considered a North American educated consultant and, in a very serious business like oil and gas, first impressions are important. We needed a name change and came twitter.com/@canimmigrant
What’s in a name?
Branding your business starts with choosing the right name
you can relate to or feel good about? • Is it clear, recognizable and unique? • Does it give the right image of the business? • Does it make your company sound too big or too small? • Is the name restrictive (e.g., Omni Kids’ Clothing vs. Omni Clothing)? • Can you secure the website for the name? • Do you really love the name? • Did you check for copyright infringement?
up with Stonebridge Consulting, giving an image of strength and longevity. Headquartered in Vancouver, her business sounds like it has been around for years.
Use your own name? Using your own name can bring other headaches. Entrepreneurs love to have their name in the business name, but what if your name is unfamiliar-sounding or difficult to spell? People will get caught up in the spelling and give up.
questions when choosing a name to brand your business:
Answer these questions and hopefully you’ll be on the right path to naming your business.
• Is it memorable or something Business startup specialist Gary Bizzo is CEO of Bizzo Management Group and author of How to Start a Successful Business — the First Time. He has coached or mentored more than a 1,000 businesses, including many owned by immigrants. Email ceo@garybizzo.com.
Think from your customer’s perspective The bottom line when naming your business is to be careful, think from your customers’ perspective, check to see if the name is similar to other business’ names and use common sense. There have been monumental name blunders in branding history. Hoover developed a vacuum cleaner and called it Zyklon — the German word for cyclone, so it seems like a sensible choice for a vacuum. However, Zyklon B was the lethal gas used in the concentration camps in the Second World War. Hoover apologized and renamed it. German company Bosch Siemens withdrew a trademark application for the name Zyklon for a range of home products, including gas ovens soon after.
Starting a new life in Canada? The YMCA can help!
Visit one of our Employment and Immigrant centres and get: • Individualized support, job consultations and job leads • Language assessment and referrals
• Specialized services for youth • Access to computers, Internet, printers and fax *Services offered vary by centre
Toronto Central • North York • Scarborough • Etobicoke • Richmond Hill • Mississauga • Durham
Visit ymcagta.org/newstart or call 416-928-9622 to learn more!
Strategies for naming So think about the following canadianimmigrant.ca
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above Canadian Immigrant has launched a new visual storytelling series to celebrate the contribution of immigrants from across this great nation, from the Atlantic to the West Coast. Our goal? To reach 150 immigrants by July 1, 2017, the 150th anniversary of Canada.
Learn more at canadianimmigrant.ca/nation-of-immigrants.
Innoclean/Gum Gone Graffiti Gone. www.innoclean.ca UNDERGROUND PRESSURE WASHING & GRAFFITI REMOVAL Commercial Cleaning. Gum Gone Graffiti Gone is Toronto’s leading Underground Pressure Washing and Graffiti removal company. We are looking for individuals who have experience or are interested in the Pressure Washing Industry to join our team. Some job responsibilities are Poster removal Small to large scale graffiti removal, underground pressure washing, and sidewalk pressure washing Operating Pressure Washing Machine (Will Train) litter pick up, day porter services, window cleaning, power sweeping, garbage pick up, snow removal.
Newcomer Resume Specialist 7+ years of global talent focus serving Newcomers to Canada Current, Canadian-style resumes Canadian/resume English; native English speaker Personal branding specialist Effective networking tips for Newcomers How to optimize prior learning Other value-added information and referrals Contact Lisa Campbell-Pace 289-383-0417 for details and rates https://ca.linkedin.com/in/lpace2
nts
Job Requireme
Hard Working Must be willing to learn A team player Dependable and reliable
Have a open schedule for flexible shift times. Hours are days, evenings and weekends. If this is a job that interests you please forward a little bit about yourself and why we should hire you as well as your resume. Job Type: Full-time Salary: $15.00 /hour to start.
Please email naliniinnoclean@gmail.com
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facebook.com/canimmigrant
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