Canadian Immigrant February 2017

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Singer, TV host and budding philanthropist Ria Jade + 4 other passionate women in the arts Sponsoring a spouse?

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Welcome

immigration minister AHMED HUSSEN

Perla R. Smith Canadian Common Law LLM Candidate, 2017

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CONTENTS 4

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PROFILE: Sherika Powell, one of Top 100 Black Women to Watch CANSPEAK: Words, expressions and sayings NEWS: Racism forum, Atlantic immigration and more …

CANADIANA: Black History Month

COVER STORY

The fourth annual “Immigrant Women of Inspiration” special spotlights five women in the arts: Rosario Ancer, Ria Jade, Unaiza Karim, Min Sook Lee and Yvonne Ng

16 GOVERNMENT

Somali-born Ahmed Hussen is the newest Immigration minister

18 CAREERS AND EDUCATION

8 above Rosario Ancer, artistic and executive director of Flamenco Rosario Vancouver, is one of our five “Immigrant Women of Inspiration.”

Photo by VNB Photography

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Opportunities with Doctors Without Borders for IMGs CAREER COACH: Instagram your way to a job HIGHER LEARNING: Meeting your professor

23 SETTLEMENT

PARENTING: Birthday party ideas IMMIGRATION LAW: Sponsoring a spouse speeds up

IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT GUIDE MONEY AND BUSINESS

Natural entrepreneur Irfanali Moledina MY TWO CENTS: Love, marriage and finances

SOFT SKILLS FOR SUCCESS: Business etiquette 30

BACK PAGE

HUMOUR BY HEMETERIO NATION OF IMMIGRANTS Cover photo by Randolph Ordinario

“Canada was built by citizen immigrants, people who come here permanently with their families to become Canadians.”

- Hon. John McCallum, MP

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Regulated Immigration Consultant Program Online | In-Class Both formats are available for students studying full-time or part-time.

NATIONAL Online (604) 628-5784 / 1(844) 628-5784

BRITISH COLUMBIA Vancouver Abbotsford (604) 625-1150 (604) 283-2028

Ashton College www.ashtoncollege.ca

Select programs are eligible for funding under Federal or Provincial Student Loan plans. twitter.com/@canimmigrant

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People. News. Information.

VOLUME 14, ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY 2017 Group Publishers Gautam Datt Sharma Sanjay Agnihotri

profile

Editor Margaret Jetelina mjetelina@metroland.com Senior Editor Baisakhi Roy broy@metroland.com

Sherika

Powell Daring to be bold

Editorial Design Terry Lankstead, Anne Nawrocka Courtland Shakespeare Digital Media Developer Kamil Mytnik Advertising Sales Sr. Ad Manager (B.C. and Alberta) Alla Gordeeva alla@canadianimmigrant.ca Tel: 778 558 3397

By Margaret Jetelina

Sr. Ad Manager (Toronto) 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

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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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above Sherika Powell wants to empower other women.

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herika Powell has a message for other women: “dare to be bold.” As a writer, entrepreneur, mom and host of Rogers TV show Women on the Rise, she wants to support women to be the best versions of themselves. Of Jamaican heritage, Powell was recognized as a 2016 Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada.

So, how can women be bold?

Daring to be bold is deciding to become fearless and live out your destiny. I think a certain level of boldness and having a level of belief in yourself and your abilities can take you to places you can only imagine. We all have amazing talents and gifts that are waiting to come out. But if we want the best version of ourselves to emerge, we must take massive leaps of faith and go beyond what we think we are capable of.

Where does your desire to empower other women come from?

I feel like my past experience and what I have conquered throughout my life can be shared to empower other women to know that despite how many times you have been knocked down, you can get up 10 times more and persevere.

You survived childhood sexual abuse, which you wrote about in your book A Woman Unchained.

Is it difficult for you to be so open about this?

I battled with writing my story for many years until I actually decided to put pen to paper. The internal battle had a lot to do with vulnerability and letting the world literally in on my experience and trauma.

But I realized that my story is so much bigger than me. I wrote about it to give others a sense of hope that, yes, it can get better.

Tell me about your TV show Women on the Rise?

My show is to support women and highlight women from the Durham Region and their efforts to be the best versions of themselves. As women, I believe we need to stop looking at each other as competition, but rather allies; if one woman succeeds, we all succeed.

And you’re also a busy mom of boys. How do you juggle it all?

It’s funny you say juggle because some months can look exactly like that — a juggling act.

First and foremost, the most important title of all is “mom.” I really try to work around the family schedule and do my work — which isn’t really “work” but what I call

“passion work” — outside of that.

I also try not to take on too many projects (hard to do because I love a good project). I’m learning to be OK with not taking every opportunity that comes my way.

Any other strategies for making it all work?

I’m not afraid to ask for help when I can’t complete a task, and I’ve learned to say no and not feel guilty about it. I’ve also removed the phrase “work-life balance” out of my world. Instead, I try to prioritize my goals to set daily and weekly goals that I want to achieve and if goals don’t get accomplished, they roll over to the next week.

You were a 2016 recipient of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada Award. What did that mean to you?

I am very proud to be of AfroCaribbean heritage. This was a huge accomplishment for me; to be recognized for all the hard work and dedication I am putting into my work is truly an honour.

I hope to be a trailblazer and leave a legacy for black women and all women of any ethnicity.

It was amazing to see and interact with other black women across Canada who are also doing great work in their respected fields. facebook.com/canimmigrant

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FUSION

canspeak...

Words, expressions and sayings Can’t keep up with social media slang? We’re way past LOL and OMG these days. Here’s a few more to add to your cheat sheet: SMH – shaking my head

OH – overheard

ICYMI – in case you missed it

2mr – tomorrow IMO – in my opinion

IDK – I don’t know

l8r – later

TL;DR – too long; didn’t read

See more words at canadianimmigrant.ca under “Work & Education > Language.”

Canadiana

February is Black History month

There is a long history of Black Canadians in this country, going back to early settlement and the Underground Railroad that brought U.S. slaves to freedom in Canada. Restrictions were made on immigration by black immigrants in the early 20th century, however. But that started to change in the mid1960s after the restrictions were lifted, and slowly rising numbers of immigrants from the Caribbean and Africa started settling in Canada.

More recently, there has been a further slight increase in the share of immigration from Africa, Caribbean, and Central and South America, according to Statistics Canada. Between 2006 and 2011, about 145,700 immigrants arrived from Africa, 12.5 per cent of the newcomers who arrived during that period, up from 10.3 per cent in the

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five years prior. African immigrants accounted for only 7.3 per cent of immigrants during the 1990s, and just 1.9 per cent prior to 1971.The numbers are similar for Caribbean immigrants, except for a brief peak in the 1970s, when they accounted for 17.3 per cent of newcomers.

Today, black immigration is steady. As of 2014 data, Nigeria is the 11th top source country of immigrants to Canada; Haiti is 14th and Jamaica 16th. Black Canadians form the third-largest visible minority group in Canada, after South Asian and Chinese Canadians.

February has been recognized as Black History Month in Canada since 1996, after Grenada-born Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament introduced the motion in the House of Commons.

news

Racism forum in Vancouver On Feb. 22, 2017, Vancouver-based immigrant settlement agency SUCCESS will be hosting a community forum in partnership with organizations committed to the elimination of racial discrimination in British Columbia. Called Safeguarding Our Communities, Upholding Our Shared Values: A Community Forum on Immigration and Racial Discrimination, the event, which will take place at UBC Robson Square (800 Robson St.) in Vancouver, features a keynote address by Canada’s Ambassador to Norway Artur Wilczynski, who is Polish-born, Montreal-raised with a background in international affairs.

The forum will address the impact

of recent incidents of racial discrimination toward newcomers, as well as the alarming trend of racially charged sentiments in the media on newcomers, immigrants and longtime residents.

In addition to Wilczynski’s keynote, a panel of experts will participate in an informed conversation about racial discrimination in our communities, their historic significance and how local communities might foster healing from racism.

There will also be a facilitated discussion around the value of immigrants to the province, and a call to action to foster integration, inclusion and social sustainability.

NATIONAL

BRIEFS

Canada >> An average of 1,400 Canadian immigrants are intercepted at the border each year and ordered removed from the country for not fulfilling their residency requirements. Canada’s immigration law requires permanent residents to be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days in every five-year period in order to maintain their status.

Although newcomers whose status has been revoked can appeal to a tribunal under humanitarian considerations, only one in 10 succeeds in the process, according to government data.

B.C. >> With the high cost of housing in B.C., the provincial government recently announced a new Home Owner Mortgage and Equity Partnership program. It is meant to help homebuyers with their first down payment, with the provincial government matching funds up to $37,500 — or up to five per cent of the purchase price — with a 25year loan that is interest-free and payment-free for the first five years.

Some critics warn homebuyers to

be careful not to overextend themselves, however.

Ontario >> A new report from Ontario’s Far Northeast Training Board has found that secondary immigration is a viable answer to local business owners’ succession planning in the north. In other words, immigrants who first settled in Toronto are moving to northern cities like North Bay and Timmins, where they are purchasing businesses and making successful lives for themselves.

Atlantic >> A recent report released by the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council states that the number of immigrants to Atlantic Canada has tripled since 2002, reaching a record 8,300 in 2015 and jumping to more than 11,600 in the first nine months of 2016 (largely due to the influx of Syrian refugees). Immigration will increase further through a new federal Atlantic Immigration Pilot, potentially reaching 18,700, but low retention rates limit the boost to population numbers. facebook.com/canimmigrant

COVER STORY

Artsy T Y P E S

Our fourth annual ‘Immigrant Women of Inspiration’ special picks five creative ladies who are crafting passionate lives and careers in the arts in Canada Canadian Immigrant presents our fourth annual “Immigrant Women of Inspiration” special — for 2017, we chose the theme of immigrant women in the arts. In previous years, we have featured women in academia, entrepreneurship and female empowerment, and this year, we wanted to showcase how some extraordinary immigrant

women are making lives and careers for themselves in artistic paths. Despite the challenges and stiff competition to make it in such creative fields, these five women — flamenco artist Rosario Ancer, singer and TV host Ria Jade, visual artist Unaiza Karim, filmmaker Min Sook Lee and contemporary dancer Yvonne Ng — showcase what a combination of

talent, passion and determination can achieve.

While these women come from diverse cultural backgrounds, art forms and even generations, they all have inspirational stories — and advice — about pursuing their artistic dreams, and making an impact along the way.

Here are their stories ...

Stories by Margaret Jetelina, Noa Glouberman and Baisakhi Roy

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or Rosario Ancer, artistic and executive director of Flamenco Rosario Vancouver and the International Flamenco Festival, witnessing a live flamenco performance for the first time in her native Mexico set her soul on fire.

“The cry of the singer, the strum of the guitars, the female dancing — it really captured something that my soul was searching for,” Ancer explains. “I could not be at peace until I moved to Spain to study this complex art form.”

Move to Spain she did, staying there for several years pursuing a deep and meaningful education in all things flamenco, particularly on the theatrical side. It was there she also met her husband — a Canadian flamenco guitarist — and became a mother.

“We were both touring and it became too difficult as parents, so we decided to move back to Vancouver for two years, then to Mexico for three,” she says, adding that she launched a flamenco school and a performance group in her home country during that time. “In 1989, my husband really wanted to return to Canada, and I had to follow him.”

Though she left her family and, for the most part, her cultural background and heritage in Mexico, moving permanently to Vancouver sparked a creative flame in Ancer that has yet to be extinguished.

“That was July [when we arrived in Canada] and in September I started

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teaching,” she says. In 1990, she produced her first flamenco festival at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre. From there “everything grew,” and in a few short years her Vancouver International Flamenco Festival moved to a larger venue at the Vancouver Playhouse. It celebrated 25 years in September 2016.

“It was hard at first because there wasn’t much of a flamenco community in this city,” Ancer says. “There were some people teaching the dance, but there had never been a school in Vancouver with a progressive ap-

Rosario’s success tips “I think there is a bias when it comes to women, including immigrant women, who are driven to succeed at whatever it is they do. My advice is not to give in to the critics, who may call you vicious and stubborn rather than determined. You may have to fight a little harder than others, but have no fear. Always be yourself in your creations; if you do good work, meaningful work, eventually it will be recognized.”

facebook.com/canimmigrant

Rosario Ancer Flamenco innovator proach to learning, nor a school where you could learn flamenco all year round with a mentor.”

Also challenging was warming Canadians up to the idea that flamenco is not simply a folk dance, but a rich, experimental and experiential art form.

“When I came here, most people viewed flamenco as entertainment performed in a Spanish restaurant. Yes, you can do that, but there is so much more to it,” says Ancer, who received the prestigious Lola Award in August from Vancouver’s Dance Centre. “I had to start the shift to get people to think beyond the clichés.”

One method she used to accomplish her goal was to choreograph works that were deeply meaningful to her and drew from her own life experiences — in her own words, “I felt the need to say something with my dance, both as a dancer and a creator.”

One of these works, Los Cuatro Vientos: The Four Powers, was inspired by the four directional winds that bring with them gifts and spur on the cycle of life. Ancer took the theme a step further, connecting it to immigrants who come to Canada from the north, east, south and west with skills, experiences and cultures to contribute. A second work, Mis Hermanas, tells the story of her own relationship with her sisters, who all remain in Mexico.

“Part of my heart is still in Mexico and part of it is still in Spain, but I am Canadian now and this country is also part of my identity,” says Ancer.

“When something very personal becomes universal, when many people connect to it on different levels, this is what art is.” >>

twitter.com/@canimmigrant

Photo by David Cooper

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COVER STORY

Ria Jade Songstress with heart

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here are lots of fabulous singers around, but what separates those who just dream of being a musical artist and those who are living it?

Talent? Sure. Connections? They help. Determination. Definitely.

But, perhaps most important of all, is the willingness to put yourself out there. Over and over again, even in the face of criticism and bullying.

Ria Jade understands all this well.

Born in the Philippines, Jade, 19, has been singing for what seems like her whole life. “There’s a picture of me at two years old singing karaoke in the Philippines,” she says with a chuckle.

Her love of singing only intensified after she came to Canada as a child.

She sang her heart out on the local competition and performance circuit, especially within the Filipino community. But she was bullied for her efforts by kids at school. They also taunted her about her appearance and weight.

“They said, ‘you’re never going to make it,’” says Jade, who consequently struggled with anxiety and panic attacks, as well as body image issues that led to a battle with the eating disorder anorexia.

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As she grew into a teenager, the multi-talented musician — she plays keyboard/piano, guitar and bass — began to better understand her mental health issues, and decided not to let the bullying keep her from her love of music. In fact, those tough times often served as inspiration in her own songwriting.

Jade has since produced and released her own music, with the unwavering support of her manager mom, Jackie Dee. She released an EP called Miss Volcano, in June 2016, with seven original songs available on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify, and is currently fine-tuning a new single “Cherry Cola” that she plans on releasing very soon. She is often asked to perform her twist on alternative, blues, rock and indie pop at local events and venues, both in the Filipino community and more mainstream avenues like the Abbotsford Agrifair, Enchant Christmas Light Maze and the upcoming indie talent showcase RAW Vancouver on March 2, 2017.

In February 2016, she was centre stage at Rogers Arena for the Balancing Our Minds (BOM) youth summit in Vancouver. There she sang her song “Snowflakes,” a touching melody about bullying inspired in part by the memory of Amanda Todd, a 15-year-old B.C. girl, who committed suicide after being severely bullied online.

“The song is about being fragile as a snowflake. We’re all so unique and beautiful and yet fragile,” says Jade who won a 2016 Music and/or Sound Award from Reel 2 Real International Film Festival for the song’s music video, which she also wrote and edited.

Motivated to help others dealing with mental health issues and bullying, Jade speaks out on the topic, and has even started a movement called Paint it Purple, to support mental health, equality, LGBTQ and empowerment. She’s planning a Paint it Purple Fashion Gala later in 2017.

“Since I was young, I always felt this drive to be out there for others and be vocal about what I care about,” Jade says.

Vancouverites might also recognize Jade as host of her own entertainment TV talk show, EveRIAthing on Shaw Multicultural Channel.

“I was performing at an event in the Filipino community and they were having technical difficulties with the equipment. So I just started talking to the audience so it wouldn’t be awkward. A Filipino producer from Shaw Multicultural Channel saw me and asked me if I was interested in doing some hosting,” she says, adding it was just about being at the right place at the right time.

The busy songstress and TV host, who dabbles as a reporter on another Shaw TV show Indie MixTape, is also back in school, studying hairdressing. She says she wants to be able to support herself financially while she continues to pursue her music. “It’s such a competitive industry. While I hope to find a place in music, I don’t want to be struggling to support myself.”

Though she admits she’d love to be picked up by a recording label, Jade says, “I still have so much to learn. But I’m writing every single day, whenever I have free time.

“Everything has happened so far for a reason. Everything happens at the right time.”

Ria’s motivational tip “I would definitely encourage people not to give up. Just because they say you can’t, prove that you can. Don’t be afraid to speak from your heart.”

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COVER STORY

Unaiza Karim Illuminating artist

Photo by Saajid Motala

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ward-winning visual artist Unaiza Karim began her career as a secondary school teacher in the United Kingdom, teaching and providing in-class support to children of refugees. Life has come full circle for Karim in Canada. She, along with a group of private sponsors, was recently instrumental in getting a Syrian family to relocate to Oakville, a Toronto-area suburb.

“Earlier last year, myself and anyone I spoke to were just shell shocked by the images of the [Syrian] people having to leave their homes. We really thought we are living such comfortable lives and I don’t know how these people are managing given the things they are facing. We decided we couldn’t just watch this without doing something,” said Karim in a recent newspaper interview.

Her selfless actions are certainly inspiring. But Karim is also inspirational in her artistic pursuits, having carved a niche for herself in the art world, specializing in decorative arts from the Islamic tradition. Armed with a master’s degree in visual Islamic and traditional arts from the Prince’s School of Traditional Art in London, she has a special interest in the art of books and illuminated manuscripts. Today, the self-employed artist of Pakistani heritage is on a mission to make such art accessible to everyone.

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“Illumination is a very specific skill. It’s about the art of the book itself — the binding, handwriting, calligraphy and so on,” she explains.

“Illumination is about decorating the writing and adorning the picture books with patterns in order to illustrate the stories. I focus on the decorative element of the book: the title, margin, top and bottom of page. I want to distill what I know to make it more accessible to people who have little or no knowledge of such a specialized art form,” she says.

Karim herself was inspired by scholar Martin Lings, the author of The Quranic Art of Calligraphy and Illumination, after attending a lecture of his. On his advice, Karim sought out a classically trained teacher in Turkey who taught illumination at Istanbul’s Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University.

Arriving in Canada in 2011, Karim started scouting out local markets and arts shows in Toronto to get a feel of the arts scene in the city.

“I set up my own classes,” she says. “I got together six to eight elementary school students and gave them an immersive experience in the arts.

For example, one session would be Persian miniature painting or Ottoman art. We would sit on the floor and do drawing exercises. I did art sessions in schools, birthday parties and events at community centres.”

Her training as an educator further motivated her to devise programs for a wide array of people. “I discovered a huge interest in art by people who did not have any formal training, but wanted to have an experience.

They wanted a day of relaxation — an artistic getaway if you please,” she says with a laugh.

Karim, a busy mother of two, recently wrapped up some interesting projects, including offering courses at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto on the floral forms decorating manuscripts in the museum’s permanent collection, and a range of freehand and guided drawing and painting techniques.

Having exhibited extensively including at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto with a collaborative exhibit called Bullets to Butterflies (inspired

by Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai), Karim is looking to start on a new body of work this year. She is also planning an entrepreneurshipthemed event for children where they can raise funds for a cause by selling handmade works of art.

“People are interested in experiencing something unique and if you find your niche and find innovative ways to get that out to the public, the possibilities are boundless,” says Karim.

Unaiza’s advice for artists “Find other artists — you will be amazed at the amount of information you can find. Get to know your local neighbourhood, scout out what’s going on in the art world and be proactive.”

facebook.com/canimmigrant

COVER STORY

Min Sook Lee Meaningful filmmaker

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in Sook Lee likes to ponder complex social questions like racism, inequality and nationalism, and she uses the art of storytelling to raise awareness of these ideas. As a documentary fi lmmaker, she gives a voice to the voiceless, and puts a spotlight on issues that have no easy answers. She’s an artist … she’s an activist.

Chatting with Lee, who also teaches a course on art and social change at the Ontario College of Art and Design University, is like taking a master class in the issues of migration, race and belonging in Canada — themes that are central to her latest fi lm project, Migrant Dreams.

One of the Top 10 fi lms at the 2016 Hot Docs Canada International Film Festival, Migrant Dreams unmasks the hidden realities of migrantlabour exploitation. It shows the human face of the exploitation that often accompanies the temporary foreign worker program. Working stealthily, with a local activist named Cathy and members of the group Justicia for Migrant Workers, Lee uncovers examples of both mistreatment and environmental hazards. “[I made] this documentary because I hope it is used as a tool for political change,” according to Lee. “At the same time, the women who participated in the fi lm put their livelihoods at stake. And we were always mindful of this. But the goal is worth fighting for.”

She has focused on the topic of migrant workers in Canada previously, in her fi lm, El Contrato. For this 2003 fi lm, she received the Cesar E. Chavez Black Eagle Award for its impact on the rights of migrant workers.

Lee’s search for meaning in the stories she tells could be traced back to her own early immigration to Canada. She came to Canada as a young child from South Korea in the 1970s, and grew up in downtown Toronto in a working-class family. “I grew up behind the counter of the family store,” she says. “It’s a familiar immigrant story. My parents didn’t speak English. My sisters and I were a bridge between our parents and the country of Canada.

We had to translate not just linguistically, but culturally and socially.”

Lee says her family faced a fair bit of racism and she struggled to find a sense of how she belonged in Canada, or whether she really did at all.

“As I watched my parents trying to navigate the Canadian system and facing economic and cultural challenges, while being themselves targeted by racism, I saw how disempowering it could be. That really informed my place in society.”

She says she didn’t see the stories of immigrants like her reflected around her. “Early on there was an idea of Canada where I didn’t belong and I wanted to challenge that. There is a cultural amnesia that is applied to how the Canadiana story is told and crafted,” she says, explaining it leaves out the stories of certain classes, indigenous people and recent immigrants from 1960s onward. “That, I think, really has been something for me to actively counter and address.”

The medium of documentary fi lmmaking is effective for telling such stories, but it’s not necessarily an easy artistic path.

“I’ve been working in documentary fi lmmaking for almost two decades,” Lee says, explaining that sometimes her fi lms are in collaboration twitter.com/@canimmigrant

with broadcasters and other producers, and sometimes she pursues them as independent productions. “Certainly it’s challenging. We all struggle to find financing and support for our projects. Or then to get it distributed.”

For Migrant Dreams, she raised money from multiple funding sources and then fi lmed for three years. The fi lm was then picked up by Cinema Politica for distribution.

Lee is currently mulling over ideas for a new fi lm on the topic of citizenship, but she has also made fi lms on a variety of topics outside such themes of immigration. She has also investigated the world of policing and politics in Toronto in her award-winning fi lm Hogtown. As a mom of two, she wrote a fi lm called My Toxic Baby, about chemical-laden baby products.

In addition to being an immigrant, she says, “I’m a woman, workingclass woman, woman in arts and all these different parts of my experience inform my view of society and my approach toward storytelling.”

Min Sook’s takeaway “Find other artists like you with whom you can share stories and build solidarity.”

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COVER STORY

Yvonne Ng Dance’s tiger princess

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ancer, choreographer, presenter, producer, curator and arts educator, Singapore-born Yvonne Ng is a multidisciplinary powerhouse.

Of Peranakan Chinese descent, Ng moved to Canada in the late 1980s, where she completed an honours undergraduate degree in fine arts at York University. But, even before completing her degree, she co-founded dance company Dance Allegro, showing she would be a force to be reckoned with in Toronto’s contemporary dance community.

Since then, she has diligently nurtured an enduring career creating and performing works that reflect both her cultural heritage and her adoptive home of Canada, under her Tiger Princess Dance Projects.

This past November, Toronto’s DanceWorks premiered two of her newest works — a solo, In Search of the Holy Chop Suey, and a trio, Zhong Xin at Harbourfront Centre.

Her curiously named solo has a cool origin story. “In the ‘80s, there was a TV series called In Search of … This TV series focused on searching for phenomena like the Loch Ness monster, the Holy Grail, Bigfoot, aliens, UFOs and such. But they would never find the ‘thing’ that was the subject of that episode,” she explains. “For me, chop suey is a similar type of phenomenon. The dish chop suey was created in the U.S.A. in the 19th century — its tangential relationship to Asia is the migrant workers from China of that time. As a kid in Singapore, I thought it was a Western dish and I coveted everything Western. For me, the ‘phenomenon’ that I am searching for in this choreography and performance is a meaningfulness in my own life. I have come to believe that like the Loch Ness monster, UFOs or chop suey, the search may never yield one tangible complete thing, only fragments and glimpses.”

The award-winning artist who received the Ontario Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts – New Talent Award, among many other accolades, modestly acknowledges the mark she’s made on the contemporary dance scene in Canada. “Naturally, I hope my choreography will be seen as a contribution, but that is not for me to say,” she says.

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“Probably my most significant contribution has been as an organizer. I run a festival called dance: made in canada / fait au canada and I used to run a monthly series called Series 8:08. Those two programs alone have given paid work to hundreds of choreographers and close to 1,000 dancers over the last 20 years.”

She adds: “It is one thing to train as a dancer and perform in school shows, but to actually work professionally is a completely different experience.”

Ng is now busy preparing for the next installment of dance: made in canada / fait au Canada festival, which is set for August 2017. The festival lineup will be announced Photo by David Hou soon.

As an immigrant female dancer, Ng is often asked how to get established in Canada’s dance landscape. She has a four-point plan laid out for aspiring dancers who may also be new to the country.

“It begins and ends with what you bring to the job as a dancer. The things to keep in mind are: 1. Professionalism: that means coming to rehearsals prepared and leaving your cell phone in your bag.

2. Artistry: don’t be afraid to be yourself artistically. If a choreographer wants to work with you, they want all of you: your personality, your spirit, your individuality.

3. Technical excellence: you might be talented, beautiful and arrive on time, but that might only take you so far. It takes strong technical ability, adaptability to different aesthetic styles and grit to compete for work in this industry.

4. Presence: this is the “X” factor and it is something that is innate and difficult to define. Some performers are more compelling when they walk out on stage — it is a type of charisma,” she signs off.

More according to Yvonne …

“Another aspect of professionalism is networking and I would suggest that this has to be done with a true heart. You have to go out and see performances and connect with other artists and audiences.”

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BE INSPIRED. GAIN INSIGHT. MAKE CONNECTIONS.

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Saturday, March 25, 2017

Second Annual Event

VANCOUVER

Croatian Cultural Centre • 3250 Commercial Dr.

Doors Open: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tradeshow of Exhibitors • Empowering Lineup of Speakers Networking Opportunities • Fun, Beauty & Fashion • + More As a woman in Canada today, you are busy … working hard to develop your career, achieve success, be a good mother, have strong relationships, be healthy, be happy. Sometimes we just need an opportunity to be inspired, and gain new insights to help us achieve personal and professional success. That’s where the Multicultural Women’s Conference and Fair comes in, bringing Canadian women from all walks of life together to empower each other to achieve our dreams.

Pre-register now at www.canadianimmigrant.ca/womensfair Want to exhibit at the fair? Contact: Ricky Bajaj at 416-856-6304; rbajaj@metroland.com

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GOVERNMENT

above Minister Ahmed Hussen is the first Somali-born MP and cabinet minister in Canadian Parliament.

Photo by Melissa Renwick/Toronto Star

WELCOME Minister Hussen

The first Somali-born member of Parliament is Canada’s newest minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship

By Margaret Jetelina

I

t’s been more than 10 years since an immigrant has been at the helm of the federal immigration portfolio. Italian-born Joe Volpe was minister for just one year under Paul Martin’s Liberal government in 2005-2006, before the ensuing Harper years, most prominently led by Ontario-born Jason Kenney. Last year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau selected John McCallum as minister of the newly named Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. As the former Liberal immigration critic, Montreal-born McCallum had been an obvious choice, but this January’s cabinet shuffle replaced McCallum with Somali-born Ahmed Hussen.

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Hussen is the first-ever Somalian-born member of Parliament. He is also a refugee, who came to Canada alone as a 16-year-old from his wartorn homeland in 1993. His personal experiences will no doubt help shape the leadership of the portfolio, which has seen thousands of Syrian and other refugees arrive in Canada over the last year.

“I am extremely proud of our country’s history as a place of asylum, a place that opens its doors and hearts to new immigrants and refugees, and I’m especially proud today to be the minister in charge of that fi le,” Hussen said after his appointment. facebook.com/canimmigrant

The story of Canada is the story of immigration, and I’m especially proud and humbled that the prime minister would task me with this important role.”

It wasn’t his experiences as a refugee that propelled Hussen into Canadian politics, however.

In 2004, Hussen was proclaimed a “Person to Watch” in Toronto for his community work in Regent Park. Back then, he didn’t seem to have any political ambitions. He told the Toronto Star at the time: “I don’t think I could handle the life of a politician … I don’t want to be front and centre.”

Hussen had lived in subsidized housing in Regent Park after graduating high school in Hamilton. Considered one of the most economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Canada, with a population made up largely of visible minorities and immigrants, Hussen returned there after graduating from York University with a bachelor’s degree in history. He attended a barbecue hosted by local MPP George Smitherman, determined to secure a volunteer position at the provincial legislature. “I wanted to use volunteer experience to get a job,” he said. “I never thought I would end up working there.”

But Smitherman was so impressed with Hussen that he encouraged him to apply for a job in then-Opposition leader Dalton McGuinty’s office.

Hussen got it, and when the Liberals won the election in 2003, he followed McGuinty to the premier’s office as a special assistant.

Meanwhile, Hussen helped form the Regent Park Community Council, which took a leadership role in advocating for residents during the $500-million revitalization project. “I was working in Queen’s Park all day, and then returning home to organize for Regent Park in the evenings and on weekends,” said Hussen, who was awarded a Queen’s Gold Medal for his work in the neighbourhood.

Hussen then left the premier’s office and became the national president of the Canadian Somali Congress, which works with police, schools and governments across the country on cross-cultural programs. He also decided to further his education and went to law school at the University of Ottawa. After passing the bar in 2012, he started practising criminal defence, immigration and refugee law, and human rights in Weston, Ontario. He also served on the board of the Global Enrichment Foundation, which helps women in East Africa go to university and college, as well as the board for the Toronto-based Journalists for Human Rights.

Then, perhaps surprising even himself, Hussen threw his hat into the political ring, a dozen years after he stated he had no desire to be a politician.

In October 2015, he ran as the Liberal Party candidate for the YorkSouth Weston seat. He won. And, this January, the rookie MP, refugee and immigration lawyer officially made his way “front and centre” to become the 20th federal immigration minister. All his experiences certainly make him a qualified choice.

“The story of Canada is the story of immigration, and I’m especially proud and humbled that the prime minister would task me with this important role,” he says.

With files from Toronto Star twitter.com/@canimmigrant

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17

CAREERS & EDUCATION

Doctors on a mission International medical graduates going through relicensing in Canada can keep working in their profession with Doctors Without Borders

By Claudia Blume

inset Montreal-based Dr. Emile Luzolo Mbikulu, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, works with Doctors Without Borders.

W

hen Dr. Nishadi Silva moved with her family to Halifax in 2010, the Sri Lankan pediatrician did not know how difficult it was to enter the Canadian health system as a trained professional.

Although she had already practised for 17 years as a physician in her home country — six of those as a pediatrician — she learned that in order to work in Canada, she had to go through a complex, lengthy and costly evaluation and examination process. She would also have to redo her medical residency to obtain her Canadian medical licence.

Worried about losing her clinical experience, she returned to Sri Lanka after 14 months, leaving her husband and son behind. She came back to Canada one year later because she missed her family, and because she did not want to lose her permanent resident status.

Silva has since passed the fi rst Canadian medical evaluating examination, and has still three more to do. She says that even passing the exams is not a guarantee for getting one of the few medical residency spots, for which the competition is fierce. “Many of my friends who completed all four exams did not even get an interview afterward,” Silva says. “I therefore tried to fi nd an alternative to be able to practise medicine, and to earn a living.”

She applied to work with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières, an international medical humanitarian organization that

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manages projects in close to 70 countries around the world. “I witnessed the great work humanitarian organizations did in Sri Lanka after the devastating 2004 tsunami,” she says. “Ever since, I have dreamed of doing humanitarian work.”

Silva’s first two assignments with Doctors Without Borders were in Uzbekistan, where she worked in a pediatric tuberculosis project. She was able to use the Russian language skills she learned years ago in Ukraine, where she went to obtain her medical degree when the universities in her home country were closed during Sri Lanka’s civil war.

More recently, Silva spent four months as a medical activity manager in a camp for displaced people in Bentiu, South Sudan. She says that the work experience she has gained overseas is invaluable. “I have met many medical professionals from around the world during my humanitarian assignments,” she says. “It helps me to enhance my professional career.”

Like Silva, more and more foreign-trained physicians who have immigrated to Canada consider working for Doctors Without Borders as a viable career option.

Qualifications to join Two thirds of the physicians who apply to work with the Canadian office of Doctors Without Borders are international medical graduates. In the past facebook.com/canimmigrant

four years, more than 70 of them have been recruited as aid workers.

Owen Campbell, who manages recruitment for Doctors Without Borders Canada, says that international medical graduates wanting to work with them have to meet the same requirements as Canadian-trained physicians. “We require that a doctor does not have a significant clinical gap — usually not more than two years,” he says. “They need to have a valid licence to practise and provide us with a letter of good standing and three medical references from people who can attest to the quality of their practice as a medical doctor.” Diplomas and specializations are verified by a third-party credential verifier. All specialists, such as surgeons, anesthesiologists or obstetricians, must first be validated by the organization’s technical advisors — a requirement that applies to both international and Canadian-trained physicians.

Applicants need to be legally able to work in Canada, and since the matching process can take some time, only permanent residents and citizens can apply as they need to be able to freely enter and leave the country over an extended period of time. Campbell says that, generally speaking, working outside the country does not put the permanent resident status of immigrant doctors in jeopardy, since fieldworkers are signing Canadian contracts and are paying Canadian income taxes. But he adds that individuals should seek out professional advice to discuss the specifics of their case as immigration laws can be complex and may change.

If all requirements are met, the chances of being accepted are good, as there is a great need for medical doctors in projects around the globe.

“We are particularly looking for emergency room physicians, family doctors with northern experience, obstetrician-gynecologists, anesthesiologists, surgeons and infectious-disease specialists, especially in the

area of HIV and tuberculosis,” says Campbell.

International experience a plus Prior international experience can be a big advantage when working overseas with Doctors Without Borders. Dr. Emile Luzolo Mbikulu is a physician from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and first worked with Doctors Without Borders in South Sudan in 2012. “The pathologies I found in South Sudan were quite similar to those in the Congo, so unlike some of my Western-trained colleagues, I did not find the medical work challenging,” he says.

Mbikulu decided to work for Doctors Without Borders after completing a master’s in public health in Belgium. “While I loved treating individual patients when I worked in hospitals back home in Kinshasa, I learned how vaccination campaigns can help thousands of children,” he says. “That’s why I decided to work with a humanitarian organization in countries where access to health care is limited.”

Mbikulu has since also worked in the Central African Republic, Yemen and Ivory Coast. Shortly after he and his wife, a Congolese nurse, moved to Montreal with their son at the beginning of 2016, he signed a contract with Doctors Without Borders Canada and did a short assignment as a medical referent in Liberia.

Some physicians choose working as a medical aid worker with Doctors Without Borders as a long-term career option. Physicians who do multiple overseas assignments have access to learning and development opportunities, as well as the possibility to grow into senior leadership positions, allowing them to have an input toward policy and strategic objectives of the organization.

left While dealing with the doctor relicensing process in Canada, Sri Lankan-born Dr. Nishadi Silva works on humanitarian projects with Doctors Without Borders.

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Febuary 2017

19

CAREERS & EDUCATION CAREER COACH

Instagram your way to career success How to use this visual social media platform to find a job

W

hile LinkedIn continues to be the leading platform for jobseekers, emerging sites like Instagram are rising in prominence, too.

In this evolving age of social media, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Instagram can be used for things beyond posting pictures of pets, recipes and vacations. With a little ingenuity, you can use Instagram to not only establish your personal brand but also demonstrate your social savvy.

Here are five easy steps to tap into the power of Instagram to research potential companies, reach out to employers and claim your dream job.

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Research and engage

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Establish your personal brand

Is there an ideal, dream company that you would love to work for?

Browse through the company’s Instagram page, and you’ll get real insight into the company culture. Now go ahead and click “Follow” on its Instagram page! Engage with the company socially, “Like” their photos, participate in contests and join conversations. And soon, you’ll integrate yourself into their social structure.

Think of your Instagram page as a professional platform, one that is an extension of your personal brand. Companies and hiring managers love candidates who are passionate. So use your Instagram profi le to tell your unique story. Also, you never know who will come across your profi le, so put your best foot, and best work, forward.

“Bookkeeping is a stable and in-demand profession with statistics indicating that 80% of all bookkeepers find full-time employment.”

Service Canada

Registered Professional Bookkeeper Program Online | In-Class

Contact an admissions officer or apply online today.

Ashton College

BRITISH COLUMBIA Vancouver (604) 283-2028 Abbotsford (604) 625-1150

www.ashtoncollege.ca

Select programs are eligible for funding under Federal or Provincial Student Loan plans.

1114

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Be relevant

4

Use hashtags

5

Follow and interact

You can have fun with your Instagram pictures and posts. Just make sure what you post is relevant to your brand, especially if it is intended to enhance your job search. At the same time, be mindful of your privacy settings. Make sure that your Instagram profi le is set to the public mode to help you network freely with other professionals or connect with companies.

One of the most effective ways to get influencers to notice your Instagram account is by using hashtags. Use hashtags so that your photos show up in searches. Once you research a company to see what type of skills they look for in employees, then make sure to hashtag those skills whenever you tag the company in a post. You can automatically boost your picture’s placement in search results with hashtags.

Respond to the demand for bookkeepers.

NATIONAL Online (604) 628-5784 / 1(844) 628-5784

3

Once you’ve found the right company and people to follow, and have uploaded and tagged the appropriate content, the next step is to interact. Make sure you post pictures and information that are relevant and correspond with their values as companies use hashtags to view the social conversation about their image. Demonstrate your knowledge about the company and admiration for their work, and always remember to tag them in the comment to ensure that they will see it.

This sounds clichéd, but, yes, even today, a picture is worth a thousand words. Instagram has now become the site of choice for companies to interact visually with their customers, and could be a great way to help you in your job search.

Employ a little savvy, use Instagram as a personal branding asset and land yourself a picture perfect career in no time.

Murali Murthy is an acclaimed public speaker, life coach and best-selling author of the ACE Books — The ACE Principle, The ACE Awakening and The ACE Abundance. He is also chairperson of CAMP Networking Canada. Learn more at aceworldfoundation.com. facebook.com/canimmigrant

CAREER

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EDUCATION & SETTLEMENT

FAIR IMMIGRANT

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For inquiries, call 416.856.6304 or rbajaj@metroland.com

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CAREERS & EDUCATION HIGHER LEARNING

Office hours

Make the most out of meeting with your professor

S

ome people are eager to meet with their professors while others may feel somewhat anxious about the prospect. Whether you look forward to this or not, it is a normal part of post-secondary student life in Canada. You may also find that these meetings can advance your learning.

Why meet?

There are many reasons why you might want to or need to meet with your professor.

You may want to initiate a meeting with your professor if: • you want to discuss a paper you are preparing; your professor may help in the approach you take or aspects of the research • you want to inquire about a grade you received • you have questions or need extra help in an academic matter • you miss an important exam or presentation • you are seeking information on careers and academics in their field of study • you are seeking a reference for a job, further studies or a scholarship.

In any of these situations, be sure that you have prepared for the meeting by thinking through your questions and by bringing any relevant material with you to the meeting. When you are asking for a reference, it is often a good idea to remind the professor of your work in the class or any outstanding grades you received. You may want to bring along a resumé or a copy of your work to help them remember and construct a reference letter.

A meeting at their request A professor may ask to meet with you or may ask to meet individually with all the students in the class. Some professors have the time and in-

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terest to meet students individually and see it as part of the curriculum.

You may also be called for a meeting if there is some difficulty, ranging from queries about plagiarism to administrative matters. On the positive side, a professor may ask for a meeting to nominate you for a position or scholarship, or to discuss a particularly well-done assignment.

If you are not sure why you are being asked to meet, you can always ask what it is about and whether you need to bring anything with you.

What to expect Some professors may have drop-in office hours during which you can just show up, or you may have to make an appointment, which can usually be done by email. If the professor has a private office and the door is closed when you arrive, be sure to knock even if it is your designated meeting time.

Be aware that a professor’s time is limited and other students may want to talk to them also. If you agreed to meet at a specific time, be sure to be on time as being late is considered rude. Look for clues when it is time to wrap up your discussion and leave. Never stay past the agreed time or their office hours unless it is clear that they still want to continue talking.

And say thank you afterward. Showing a professor that you value their time will help make a positive impression, which can be invaluable if you need help from them later on.

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.

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SETTLEMENT PARENTING

Happy birthday!

Celebrating your child’s special day

C

elebrating birthdays is a big part of mainstream Canadian culture, especially for children. But different cultures often have different birthday traditions and beliefs. So how should you celebrate your child’s special day?

10 ideas to celebrate Your child will likely be invited to many birthday parties from school friends throughout the year.

They might be invited to go swimming or bowling or to the child’s home, where they will likely play birthday games, like musical chairs or a treasure hunt. They’ll probably munch on pizza or hot dogs, birthday cake and come home with a small loot bag — a little thank you for coming and bringing a gift for the birthday child.

While there is often a big emphasis on parties and gifts in Canada, a birthday celebration is really about making your child feel loved

6

and special. So, when it comes time to celebrate your own child’s birthday, you can look at these Canadian party ideas for inspiration. In addition, establish birthday traditions that celebrate the uniqueness and interests of your child, as well as your family’s culture and values.

Here are 10 suggestions on making your children’s birthday special.

Encourage them to do some volunteer work, or donate birthday money, toys, books or clothes to help those who are less fortunate.

7

Similarly, in addition to giving gifts, suggest to family and friends to donate to a charity on the child’s behalf.

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4

8 9

2

5

10

Every birthday, make it a tradition to take their photo, as well as a family photo, and see how much you all change over time.

Encourage them to recall memorable and wonderful moments from the last year, whether it’s done in the format of oral storytelling, scrapbooking, homemade video or journalling.

3

Invite family and friends to bring photos or stories about them and make a special scrapbook.

Invite their siblings, grandparents, teachers or other important people to write them a birthday letter.

Have them make a list of their goals and wishes for the upcoming year, and their plans to achieve them.

Take a family day trip to a place or event of their choosing.

Prepare their favourite food or go to their favourite restaurant for dinner with the whole family.

Do something that celebrates your culture, including talking with relatives from back home online.

Cheryl Song, an immigrant from Malaysia, has more than 10 years’ experience of working in childhood education and family programs.

Bridge Delivery for International Medical Graduates

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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Febuary 2017

23

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 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 Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services Main Office: 17 Four Season Place, Suite 102 Toronto ON M9B 6E6 Branches in: Etobicoke, Toronto, Mississauga and Scarborough Phone: 1-844-493-5839 Welcome Centre Immigrant Services 7 Locations in York & Durham Regions 1-877-761-1155

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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

General Services and Speciality Programs. Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services (Polycultural) provides a wide range of community and settlement services for individuals and communities to be productive members of the society. We are a non-profit organization and are also registered as a charitable organization.

Services offered: Newcomer Services, Refugee Settlement and Integration, Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS), Language Learning and Skills Development (LINC and ELS), Transition to Employment, Youth and Children Services, Services for Seniors, Problem Gambling Counselling, Family Support Program, Partner Assault Response Program, Interpretation, Income Tax Clinic and Summer Camps.

Email: info@polycultural.org www.polycultural.org

Over 40 languages including: English, French, Albanian, Arabic, Bosnian, Cantonese, Croatian, Dari, Farsi, Hindi, Mandarin, Polish, Punjabi, Pashtu, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Swahili, Tamil, and Urdu

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

Febuary 2017

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NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY! Canada is a country of immigrants. Celebrate Canada’s 150th year by nominating an inspiring immigrant, who has made a positive impact in Canada, for this coveted national award!

Newly included this year is our youth award to recognize our outstanding Young immigrants!

Nominations Close Feb. 27, 2017

To Nominate, Visit canadianimmigrant.ca/rbctop25

CANADA 150

SETTLEMENT I M M I G R AT I O N L AW

Sponsoring a spouse?

IRCC is making the process faster and more efficient married spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child.

These new checklists are more interactive, as you will have to answer questions and follow instructions based on your responses. There may still be some additional documents required by the visa office, however, so be sure to check for country-specific requirements on IRCC’s application kit webpage.

Proving your relationship The proof you must provide to demonstrate the genuineness of your relationship has also changed, depending on whether you are married, in a common-law relationship or in a conjugal union. Namely, if you are married spouses who can demonstrate that you have a child together, are married for the first time, are currently living together and have been married for at least two years, you will not be required to submit additional evidence of your relationship.

If you are required to submit additional evidence of your relationship, there are now limitations on how many pages or pieces of supporting material you can submit. For instance, you can now submit a maximum of 20 photographs to support your relationship, which should be taken at different times and places. Similarly, you can only submit a maximum of 10 pages of letters, text messages, emails or social media conversations.

Medical exams no longer need to be submitted upfront; IRCC will send instructions when the medical exam results are needed. Likewise, the police certificate requirement has been streamlined, so you will only need to submit them for the country you currently live in, and the country you have spent most of your adult life since reaching age 18. If IRCC would like further certificates, it will request them during processing.

Getting updates

I

n December 2016, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced its commitment to process most spousal sponsorship applications within a 12-month timeframe. This would bring processing times down significantly. Currently, outside Canada applications are taking an average of 18 months to process, and inside Canada applications can take 24 months or more.

New application forms, too Along with this new processing commitment, IRCC has released an updated application package. Now there will be only one application package for both inside and outside Canada spousal sponsorship applications. This means that the same forms will be required by all visa offices.

The forms themselves have also been updated. For instance, the relationship questionnaire now has fewer questions than it did before. Also, the applicant’s background information form will now not have to be submitted upfront; it can instead be either uploaded online, within 30 days of receiving an acknowledgement of receipt, or submitted by mail.

There is now also one new simplified application guide, as well as one document checklist, depending on whether you are sponsoring your

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How you receive updates regarding your application is also changing.

You can link your paper spousal sponsorship application with your online accounts. You will then be notified by email if there are requests for further documents or if there are messages from IRCC, and you will be able to see real-time status updates for your applications. You can also request to receive a text message when your application has been accepted into processing.

If you are going to link your application to your online account or to your representative’s account, make sure that you regularly check the email account. If IRCC requests additional documents, missing a deadline could cause serious headaches.

Not all applications will be faster IRCC is only committing to process about 80 per cent of spousal sponsorship applications within the new 12-month timeframe. Complicated applications or those with unusual sets of facts may still take longer than one year to process.

Hopefully, these changes will make the spousal sponsorship process more efficient overall, and the federal government will be able to fulfi l its promise to make family reunification a priority.

Krisha Dhaliwal is an immigration lawyer with Larlee Rosenberg in Vancouver. Contact her by telephone at 604-681-9887 or by email at krisha.dhaliwal@larlee.com.

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MONEY & BUSINESS

A nose for business

Irfanali Moledina is a natural entrepreneur who started an essential oils business in Calgary

By Margaret Jetelina

plicable beyond insect repellent,” says Moledina, explaining that essential oils need a release mechanism, typically a room diff user.

“But diff users aren’t very portable,” he adds with a chuckle. “[Patches] are very versatile; you can stick them virtually anywhere … We now have products catering to aromatherapy and air freshening.”

Purple Frog has one product to invigorate called Air Awakening, using peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils, and one for relaxation, called Snooze Button, with lavender and chamomile. There’s also the Insect Shielder, plus hanging car air fresheners and plans for non-toxic room sprays.

“People are not aware of what’s

really in the products they are inhaling,” he says. “That stain on my parent’s house is still there today!

If it can do that, imagine what it does to your body.”

Purple Frog products are sold primarily through the natural retail market in the United States and abroad, but Moledina wants to bring his natural products to the mainstream retail market, which means long days and nights for the busy entrepreneur, who also volunteers his expertise in his Ismaili community, most recently as the fi nance chair of the Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board.

“I’ll also often put an Air Awakening patch on my shirt collar. It keeps me going for late nights!”

above Irfanali Moledina is a busy CPA and entrepreneur in Calgary.

Photo by Nathalie Terekhova

A

s a young immigrant from the U.K. growing up in Calgary, there was one thing that really bugged Irfanali Moledina about his home in Canada: mosquitoes. He used to use bug repellant pretty enthusiastically, until he noticed that the chemicalladen product caused the siding of his family home to permanently stain!

That memory stuck with him as he graduated high school and went to the University of Calgary to study commerce. While still studying, he started a small distribution business. The product? A natural bug repellent.

“I always knew I wanted to be a business guy,” says Moledina, who

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decided to pursue an accounting designation after university, too.

Today, the Ismaili CPA is not only a partner of a busy Calgary public practice fi rm RMI & Associates, he is also the CEO and co-founder of Natural Distributions Ltd., a.k.a. Purple Frog — the evolution of his earlier insect repellant distribution business.

Joining forces with a business partner, Moledina moved from merely distributing to manufacturing products. They developed their own non-toxic insect repellant with encapsulated essential oils released through squeezable patches.

“We quickly recognized that the portable technology was ap-

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*IFSE Institute (IFSE) is a distance education institute wholly owned by the Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC). canadianimmigrant.ca Febuary 2017

27

MONEY & BUSINESS MY TWO CENTS

T

here is perhaps no other issue more contentious in a marriage than money. So for the health of your bank account and your relationship, it’s important for a couple to try to understand each other’s attitude toward their finances.

I have been married for 14 years and, while it might be an unusual arrangement, we have a joint account for absolutely everything, including life insurance, investment and trading accounts. And while I manage the finances on a daily basis, my wife has a big influence on every financial decision we make.

Managing finances together as a couple increases confidence and reduces stress. It works for us!

Pooling your incomes This idea of combining both of your incomes into a single pool and using it for all of your expenses including your mortgage, bills and groceries might freak out many couples who like a bit more independence. But it does make budgeting a lot easier. This way, you both have control over the money, but it

Love and money Managing finances together as a couple

allows for transparency about what you are each spending money on.

In a joint bank account, you are also both responsible for the debt and any overdrafts. Be transparent and let your spouse know of any unusual expenses you may incur.

Couples who want a little more independence might prefer putting a portion of their income into one joint account for shared basic expenses, in addition to having their own separate

I

t’s no secret that Canadian employers look at a potential candidate’s soft skills in addition to technical skills. In this Canadian Immigrant series, we will look at the most in-demand soft skills, and how you can show them off.

Soft skill no.2: Business etiquette Having knowledge of Canadian business etiquette can help put yourself and others at ease. Not just about good manners, skillful etiquette can help you feel confident and connect more easily with others. Impress a potential employer with these eight business etiquette tips.

1 2

cuss with your partner monthly and yearly financial goals, and how you are going to get there. Whether your goal is to save for an overseas holiday, a down payment on a condo or more RRSP contributions, the important thing is working together toward your common goals.

And, if you take out a loan together, remember that you are both responsible for repayment.

So always understand what you are signing and agreeing to.

Look the part! Dress for success, be well-groomed and boast fresh breath.

Arrive on time. Better to be a little early and have time to find parking and freshen up, than to run into a meeting flushed and late.

accounts for more personal expenses.

Planning financial goals Beyond basic budgeting, it’s beneficial for couples to talk about long-term financial planning. Dis-

Talk openly about money Disagreements over money are the most common cause of marital strife. Open, clear communication about money makes life much easier for any couple. So talk, understand each other’s views on money and develop a family financial strategy that incorporates both of your ideas and goals.

Gokul Jayapal has a master’s degree in biological sciences and currently works and lives in Toronto. A freelance writer on money and finance, he is an investment junkie who trades stocks and options part time. He can be reached at gokultoronto@yahoo.ca.

SOFT SKILLS FOR SUCCESS Business etiquette

3 4

Have good posture, stand straight and shake hands firmly.

Eye contact is valued in Canada as a sign of paying attention and showing respect. Even if it’s not a custom in your homeland, understand its importance here in making a good impression.

Be aware of other non-verbal cues such as body language and facial expressions. Make an effort to smile!

Be comfortable engaging in small talk. This is the opportunity to get to know someone and build trust.

At a business lunch or dinner, use your best table manners, eat something simple and avoid alcohol unless it’s expected or a celebration.

Be courteous and respectful to others and yourself. In this day and age, that also means understanding when to put the smartphone away and focus on the person in front of you.

5

6 7

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See “Soft Skills for Success” at canadianimmigrant.ca for the first installment of this series on communication skills.

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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-ofimmigrants.

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