Canadian Immigrant - January 2017

JANUARY 2017 | FREE

ARRIVE. SUCCEED. INSPIRE.

FINDING IDENTITY Publications mail agreement number 40011993

with the help of life coach Terry Sidhu Celebrating

the year of the

ROOSTER

God In Pink author HASAN NAMIR ON BEING GAY AND MUSLIM

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CONTENTS 4

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PROFILE: Cultural reporter Aparita Bhandari NEWS: Refugee report; Ontario language training CANADIANA: Our national symbols CANSPEAK: Words, expressions and sayings

SUCCESS STORY

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God in Pink author Hasan Namir on being gay and Muslim

12 COVER STORY

Finding identity is complex for immigrants who are balancing two cultures in an unfamiliar environment

18 CULTURE

above God in Pink author Hasan Namir shares his message of love and acceptance.

Photo by Elton Hubner

Celebrating Chinese New Year

19 CAREERS AND EDUCATION

SOFT SKILLS FOR SUCCESS: Communication skills CAREER COACH: What’s new in careers for 2017?

JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES: The difference between credential evaluation and recognition

23 SETTLEMENT

Changes to the parent and grandparent sponsorship program Anxiety as an immigrant: how to overcome it New goals for a New Year

28 29

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IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT GUIDE MONEY AND BUSINESS

SMALL BUSINESS: Start up right (Part 3) — financing and sales

BACK PAGE

HUMOUR BY HEMETERIO NATION OF IMMIGRANTS Cover photo by Maddy Adams

“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

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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 1 JANUARY 2017 Group Publishers Gautam Datt Sharma Sanjay Agnihotri

profile

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

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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Aparita

Bhandari Culture beat

By Baisakhi Roy

B

above A passionate arts reporter, Aparita Bhandari poses with a public art installation in downtown Toronto.

Tell us about your background as a journalist.

I came to Canada in 1998 because my father was posted here as the Consul General of India. I managed to get into the Toronto Star’s year-long internship program, and that started me on my journalism career in Canada. After working at the Star, I started freelancing for a variety of outlets, including The Globe and Mail and the CBC, and have also since contributed to magazines such as Toronto Life, Today’s Parent and Maclean’s.

Give me an example of a story that focused on culture as well as the immigrant experience.

I remember I once did a series of stories for the CBC Radio show Big City, Small World, which looked at subway musicians. I spoke to a Chinese musician, who played an instrument called the yangqin, which is like a hammered dulcimer. This musician was a classically trained musician, and she told me about her initial hesitation to play in the subways.

Back in her home in China, people who played at subways or train stations were considered beggars. But she was amazed at the amount of respect she got playing at the subway stations in Toronto. I immediately understood the sentiment behind her thought process, and also understood what an immigrant struggle meant to her.

As a culture reporter, what do you cover?

I love covering stories that show how Canada’s various cultural communities, who are so wellrepresented in Toronto, express themselves through their artistic endeavours. These may be cultural celebrations, but more often are plays, books, musical performances and the like, which showcase the community’s heritage, but also what their experiences have been like as immigrants in Canada.

How do your own experiences as an immigrant help you add texture to your stories?

I have been lucky to have had a fairly privileged life in Canada.

But I can certainly empathize with people who come from racialized or marginalized communities because I recognize some common elements in their experience and mine. Sometimes it’s just those shared experiences that speak loudest. It’s funny the number of times someone I am interviewing

angkok-born, but of Indian heritage, Aparita Bhandari is a well-known culture reporter, published in leading Canadian dailies and magazines. Bhandari talks to Canadian Immigrant about life, culture and journalism in multicultural Toronto.

has looked at me and said, ‘You know what I am talking about, right?’”

What are some must-do cultural activities you would recommend to new immigrants in Canada?

Get yourself a library card.

That’s one of the first things. There is a wealth of information and knowledge there, and also libraries are incredible hubs of cultural activities — from writing groups to cultural performances.

Next, visit the museums in the city. This may seem like a no-brainer, but we take our cultural institutions for granted.

And look at the arts listings for your city. On any given weekend, there are a number of plays, performances, book readings, poetry sessions and so on happening. It may not seem like the most important thing to do as new immigrants are busy with jobs, getting their kids in school, but the arts are an important way to connect with the city.

You are clearly passionate about experiencing culture in your city.

Yes, I love that I can watch a perfectly executed thillana or thumri one night, watch Bollywood or Korean fi lms in the cinemas the next day, and hear authors from across the world read at the Harbourfront the following evening. facebook.com/canimmigrant

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FUSION

canspeak...

Words, expressions and sayings

Have you noticed that workplace jargon often features sport metaphors?

Raise the bar No high jumping required here, but “raising the bar” implies you keep raising your standards.

Get the ball rolling It would be simpler to just say, “Get things started.”

Game plan A.K.A. a strategy worked out in advance.

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

news

Refugee settlement experience in B.C.— one year in One year after they arrived as part of the largest resettlement initiative in Canadian history, Syrian government-assisted refugees (GARs) shared their experiences on their fi rst year of living in B.C. for a report called Syrian Refugee Operations to British Columbia: One Year In — A Roadmap to Integration and Citizenship, by ISSofBC. While the report reveals many refugees still have a long way to go in terms of settling in Canada successfully, they were keen to express their gratitude to “all Canadians who opened their hearts for us.”

Some of the key findings in the report include: • 76 per cent of Syrian GARs are currently attending a federally funded adult English language class

Canadiana

Canada is …

Is there a “Canadian identity?” It’s a question that has been debated in light of rising immigration and global trends of xenophobia. According to Statistics Canada’s recent General Social Survey, national symbols can be seen as conceptual representations of a country’s identity. In fact, more than half of Canadians believe symbols are very important to the national identity — and immigrants were more likely than non-immigrants to believe so!

The top national symbols, according to respondents, are: 90% Charter of Rights and Freedoms 89% national flag 88% national anthem 87% RCMP 77% hockey Other common symbols didn’t rank nearly as high; sorry, beaver (16 per cent) and maple leaf (14 per cent).

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or Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) classes.

• 51 per cent of individuals who are not attending LINC classes have been on a waitlist on average of four months.

• 20 per cent indicated that they have taken training and/or education other than English.

• Seven per cent are employed on a full-time or part-time basis (59 per cent in manufacturing, construction and trades, and 31 per cent in food, retail and hospitality).

• 64 per cent of respondents who are not working stated that they were actively looking for work.

• 51 per cent of respondents reported their children were doing excellent or very good in school.

• 66 per cent of respondents reported they regularly use the food bank.

Ontario offers free language training for all immigrants Ontario is funding free language training for all newcomers and immigrants in the province. It is investing up to $60 million this year in Ontario’s adult non-credit language training program.

Th is investment will deliver free language assessment and training courses that help newcomers, refugees and immigrants settle in Ontario, regardless of how long they’ve been in the province.

“Strong language skills help immigrants succeed,” says Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Laura Albanese. “In Ontario, we open our English

and French as a second language courses to all immigrants no matter how long they have lived here.

We want immigrants to reach their potential and this investment strengthens their ability to get meaningful jobs, advance their careers or pursue higher education.”

Immigrants can access language courses through their local CLARS (Co-ordinated Language Assessment and Referral System) Centre, through which their language skills are assessed. They are then referred to a training location. facebook.com/canimmigrant

twitter.com/@canimmigrant

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January 2017

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SUCCESS STORY

Being and God in Pink author Hasan Namir shares his message of love and acceptance

By Nic Enright-Morin

H

asan Namir was just 11 years old when he immigrated to Canada in 1998 from Iraq. The decision to leave Iraq was prompted in part because people were beginning to ask questions about the young Muslim’s sexual orientation. In strict Islamic countries like Iraq, being openly gay is not only frowned upon, it is also illegal, punishable by imprisonment, corporal punishment or even execution.

Moving to Canada was no quick fi x for Namir, however. As a teenager, he struggled with his sexual identity. He spent many hours locked away in his room, reading and writing, both of which gave him comfort when he found it hard to talk to his family. They still held very traditional views about sexuality, despite now living in a country known for its diversity and acceptance.

Coming out to his family took a lot of courage, he admits. “Coming out has been a struggle, especially within the Iraqi community, as they don’t accept me and I’ve been kind of outcast,” he says. “Unfortunately, I don’t talk to my dad anymore, or any of my

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Photos by Elton Hubner aunts and uncles, and lots of other members of our community.

But I’m very close to my sisters, and my mom and I are trying to build a bridge together.”

The enlightened 29-year-old doesn’t hold a grudge, however.

“I love my family,” he says. “The fact that they struggle with my identity is never going to change the way I feel about them. I understand that it’s very hard for them.”

Despite the disapproval he has faced, Namir has made a wonderful life for himself as a happily married gay man; he and his partner, Tarnpal Singh Khare, live in Surrey, B.C. A graduate of Simon Fraser University who comes from a family of writers, Namir wrote a novel about his journey called God in Pink. Published in fall 2015, the novel made the Globe 100: Best Books of 2015 list and also received the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction.

Set back in his war-torn homeland in 2003, God in Pink is a revelatory novel about what it means to be gay and Muslim. The novel’s narrative is split between two characters: Ramy, a gay university >>

facebook.com/canimmigrant

One of the people I wrote this novel for was my dad. I don’t know if he’s read it yet and I don’t know if he’ll ever read it. I wanted him to be able to understand me.”

twitter.com/@canimmigrant

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January 2017

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SUCCESS STORY << student, who is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality, and Ammar, a local religious leader, who in helping Ramy discovers he has his own demons to face. Namir says that although he drew upon his own life experiences to write the book, the characters took on a life of their own once he began writing.

Although tackling such a controversial subject in his novel was not easy, Namir says he is delighted with all the support he has received. “This was my first book and I’m so thankful to Arsenal Pulp Press as they fulfi lled my number one dream in life, which was to publish a book,” he says. “I’m very thankful for all the people there who believed in me, as well as my friends and family who have supported and believed in me, every step of the way.”

Although Namir’s not sure if the book has made its way to Iraq yet, he says he’s had wonderful and encouraging responses from other Muslim countries. “The book was republished in Turkey and I was very impressed with how open-minded people were there and I got a lot of great feedback. Because of that, I’m hoping it will get translated into other languages, especially Arabic.”

Namir says he decided to write the book for many reasons, but one of the main reasons was very personal. “One of the people I wrote this novel for was my dad,” Namir says. “I don’t know if he’s read it yet and I don’t know if he’ll ever read it. I wanted him to be able to understand me. I love my dad so much and I know he loves me and perhaps one day, if he reads my book, he’ll be able to understand me better.”

Knowing only too well the courage it takes to come out, Namir hopes that the book also helps others who are coming to terms with their sexuality, as well as being a continuing platform for debate and dialogue. “I hope that it can help us all be more accepting of others.”

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For Namir, Canada is a symbol of acceptance.

“Moving to Canada has been the most amazing thing for me.

Canada means acceptance. We have an amazing Prime Minister now, who supports and is a guiding light, not only for the LGBTQ community, but for all kinds of races and people,” he says. “There’s a lot of support in this country, for people who struggle with their sexuality. I feel like living in Canada has definitely shown me what it’s like to be yourself and not to fear judgment.”

Namir adds that living in Canada has definitely helped him to reconcile his conflicting identities. “For me, trying to keep a balance between being a Muslim and being gay was definitely a struggle.

However I’d like to think that now I’ve got a handle on both identities. Some people say you can’t be gay and Muslim. But I say ‘Yes, you can,’” he says with conviction. “I went to Toronto last year and visited the Unity Mosque and it made me really appreciate things so much more. They bring both identities together, through the belief that God loves everyone, no matter who you are, where you come from, or what your sexual orientation is. It made me believe that Islam is a beautiful religion that accepts all people, no matter who they are.”

Namir today is busy working on his next novel, Son of Sodom, which he says is going to be a lot more complex, and is also in the process of publishing a book of poetry.

“I think the best way to spread the message of love is through education and sharing stories like God in Pink. When people listen to or hear stories about other people’s struggles, it really inspires a deeper level of understanding. Gay people are just like straight people. We’re human beings. We’re not any different. Hopefully, one day, we can put aside the labels and all live as one.”

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COVER STORY

A question of

IDENTITY

‘Who am I?’ is a universal question, but it’s more complex for immigrants who are trying to find themselves, while balancing two cultures in an unfamiliar environment

By Margaret Jetelina

T

he key ingredient to fulfi llment, in any aspect of life, is “a strong and affirmed identity.” That’s according to Terry Sidhu, a life and relationship coach based in Vancouver.

Seems pretty straightforward. But the answer to the question of “who am I?” — a question that is perennial to the human condition — isn’t always as clear-cut. Finding one’s identity is a lifelong journey influenced by a variety of defining factors, from gender to profession to personality to religion to culture. Not a static concept, our understanding of ourselves also evolves as we grow, learn and experience new things.

And it’s all the more challenging if you’re an immigrant living in a new or unfamiliar environment, trying to balance between two cultures. Especially in today’s increasingly xenophobic world with “identity politics” creating an unwelcoming atmosphere for immigrants and refugees in countries around the world, including Trumpian America and potentially even Canada (google Kellie Leitch).

Even in the current pro-multicultural Canadian climate, immigrants feel that push and pull between cultures. Luckily, we have professionals like Sidhu to help us wade through these tricky cultural waters.

Fight or flight Under his banner of VanCity Life Coach, Sidhu helps clients reach their full potential by helping them understand more about themselves.

“My work involves empowering your identity to guide your life into fulfi llment,” he says.

As an immigrant himself, he acknowledges that it can be tougher for immigrants to go through this process. “When we enter into an unfamiliar environment, we often have a fight or flight response,” he explains.

“We may resist the new culture, or, alternatively, completely let go of our old ways to just adapt or fit in. But when we do one or the other, we

discredit all these aspects of ourselves. The hardest thing is finding that balance between cultures to feel confident and secure.”

Sidhu faced this challenge of balancing cultures himself. Born in England of Indian ancestry, it was inevitable; he looked different, but sounded British. “People hear my accent and see the colour of my skin and get confused,” he says.

He was raised in Wolverhampton, a working class town, where his mom and dad were shopkeepers. “I pushed through a lot of barriers to just get an education. I had to sacrifice a lot of time at school, to help open the shop, stock shelves, that sort of thing.”

And when he was at school, he was often bullied. “I was the one always picked on at school. I was the butt of the joke,” Sidhu says, adding that culture was a huge struggle. “My dad was very strict. He wanted to raise us to follow traditions. I would go to school, and act more British and behave more Western. Then at home, you put on this identity that will keep your parents happy.”

He felt like he was being pulled between two worlds. “I became very introverted and sheltered in my own identity,” he says. “But I also became very observant. I started wondering, ‘Why do people do things and say things that way?’ I was always trying to understand why people are the way they are.”

For his own journey to self-awareness, he turned a lot to his mom’s Sikh faith. “My mom really told us about the religion and what it means, and those values have been instilled in me.” He also started practising yoga and meditation, all of which helped him to better understand himself, in all aspects of himself, not just culture. “Going through all these experiences, helped me to ‘find myself’ so to speak,” he says.

His journey would eventually inspire his future career in helping others reflect on their own identity. His coaching business didn’t >> right Who is Terry Sidhu? A Briton of Indian heritage who now calls Canada home. He runs VanCity Life Coach in Vancouver.

Photo by Maddy Adams

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Identity can be fluid; we can grow and develop our identity and hopefully improve to be our best selves.â&#x20AC;?

COVER STORY << materialize until he moved to Canada, however. “I knew my future wasn’t going to be in England. I wanted to break free,” says Sidhu, noting his three older siblings were all married with kids. “I wanted something different.”

He landed in Vancouver. “It was hard to leave my family, of course,” he says. “But here I realized I could be myself. I felt freer and more confident.”

Sidhu started writing about his journey of self-discovery in his blog, the Lion’s Life.

The response he got from others made him realize it would become his life’s work. “My blog grew into a platform for advice and inspiration for people around the world, also seeking fulfi llment in their lives.”

And understanding identity became a key message in his coaching practice. When he works with immigrant clients, he advises above Afroze Anjum. them to be open to understanding themselves beyond just cultural identifiers. “What you had before and where you are now are both a huge part of who you are as a whole person,” he says. “But the beauty of life, especially in a new country, is that we can decide what we want to develop into.”

An evolving identity Afroze Anjum understands this process well, not only because she’s a psychologist, but because she experienced it herself as an immigrant from Pakistan, first to the United States before settling in Toronto. “[Immigrating] was a culture shock for me in many ways. I had a lot of biases about what Western women and men might be like,” she says.

“When I deliver presentations, I often share with humour that my image of an American woman was largely based on those portrayed in the TV show, Baywatch, which was shown in Pakistan.”

Although she quickly recognized such perceptions were untrue, her settlement experience “was very complex.”

She received great support from her American host family and learned from them about American traditions and family dynamics. “It was a lovely experience for me.

But, on the negative side, after 9/11, things became hard, in terms of leaving and entering U.S.A., on a Pakistani passport, though I did not experience any discrimination while living in the U.S.A. Somehow, I wanted to live in a place where my national origin and my cultural identity were not a problem.”

Moving to Canada felt more comfortable, especially in the diverse city of Toronto.

“Cultural identity is a strong part of us. It’s not like I can hang it up in my bedroom when I go to work; it stays with me,” she says. “But sometimes we can be too tied to our own culture, which can limit growth and success.”

Anjum believes identity is something that evolves. “I spent 20 years in Pakistan, 10 years in America and 10 in Canada, so now all three countries have a big impact on my attitude, which has led to my growth,” she says. “I’m a very different Afroze than I was 10, 20 years ago. Identity can be fluid; we can grow and develop our identity and hopefully improve to be our best selves.”

As a psychologist, her work is heavily focused on strength-based >>

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COVER STORY

above Jasmine Bharucha. << resilience, which helps people focus on their character strengths to nurture growth, resilience and greater wellbeing. “Perhaps we should focus on those strengths instead of where you are from,” she says. “If you want to grow in Canada, you have to get out of your comfort zone, get to know others outside your culture and make yourself be seen.”

Understanding others Recognizing that identity is not a static state, solely based on culture, can also help people understand others better. After all, everyone is on their own journey, balancing their own cultures, circumstances and challenges. “You don’t have to resist someone because they have a different view of life — that’s what’s causing all these problems [in the world] — we have to accept each other for our differences,” Sidhu says.

Jasmine Bharucha, author of a book called Who Am I? An Interactive Guide to Self-Discovery for Kids and Parents, says, “Our belief and thought systems can definitely hinder us, not only personally, but how we interact with the world.”

Once a pop star in India, Bharucha had to essentially recreate her identity once she moved to Canada. Today a wife, mom, author and realtor in the Steveston area of Richmond, B.C., Bharucha is often invited to speak to audiences about her book’s message. She will start a talk with a simple exercise, telling her audience to close their eyes, connect with their breath and go back in their mind as far back as they can go.

“I ask them to just let go of everything they know and only see what’s inside of them,” she says. “Understand that everything we have come to believe, everything you have been taught and physically see is just perception. It’s just the way the mind processes information.”

But in a world that’s often a little-less enlightened and focuses more on labels and differences, how can we cope?

“It’s about trying to find a neutral ground,” Bharucha says. “If someone comes up to you and says, ‘That turban looks really funny,’ you shouldn’t take that personally. Instead, say, ‘I can see how you find it funny and strange as it’s not something that you grew up with.’ Neutralize the situation. Remember that everyone comes from their ‘place,’ their own sense of perception.

“There will always be people who are not willing to accept other ways of looking at things,” she adds, noting that a situation like the recent U.S. presidential election “just feeds that animal.”

“In the last 200 years, we have evolved from living within our own cultures with no crossover, to suddenly everyone is in everyone’s spaces,” she says. “Culture brings a little bit of texture and fun, but we can’t let it overstep being a good human. So we have to make it about what we bring to the table. How can we make things positive?”

“The best version of yourself is what you need to strive for,” says Sidhu.

“And the more you are yourself, the more you will make better relationships and achieve fulfi llment.” twitter.com/@canimmigrant

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January 2017

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CULTURE

Lunar beginnings Celebrating Chinese New Year on Jan. 28, 2017

By Margaret Jetelina

W

hen Eileen Lao moved to Richmond, B.C., 10 years ago from Guangzhou Shi, Guangdong, China, with her husband and daughter, celebrating Chinese New Year that first year was a little bittersweet. For Lao, one of the most important parts of the holiday is being with family and close friends.

“When I was young, the best part of Chinese New Year was getting together with different family members and close friends in the neighbourhood and we would make Chinese New Year food together,” she says. “We handmade the fried dumplings one week before the new year. Those were my favourite.”

Everyone would gather and judge whose dumplings were best.

“That was the sweetest part of the celebration for me,” says Lao, who is today the public affairs manager for immigrant services agency SUCCESS. After they moved to Canada, that tradition changed — “there are so many choices here for food, so we don’t have to make it our-

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selves” — but she felt fortunate to fi nd a group of friends that she would share the holiday with in years to come. “I call these friends our extended family here,” says Lao with a smile. “We usually have a gathering on Chinese New Year’s Eve. It’s important we keep the Chinese traditions and share it with our kids.”

Lao starts cleaning well in advance; in fact, Chinese New Year is a 15-day event, which caps off with a traditional lantern festival. “The lantern festival is on the 15th day and marks the first full moon in the Chinese calendar. It marks the return of spring after a long winter and symbolizes the reunion of family.”

above SUCCESS’s Eileen Lao shares her Chinese New Year traditions.

Communities across Canada join in such festivities with lanternmaking activities and Chinese New Year events and parades like the annual Vancouver Chinese New Year parade in Chinatown, featuring the popular lion dance, which will take place this year on Jan. 29.

“I enjoy the richness of it here,” adds Lao, who is also a dedicated supporter of Canadian heritage as a director with the Barkerville Heritage Trust in northern B.C. “It’s very festive and it’s not just about Chinese traditions, but we can also appreciate celebrations from other communities.”

Sharing traditions Traditions include the red pocket, where adults give money in red envelopes to children. “For kids, we have kept that tradition. We used to put cash only, but now we have more choices. Sometimes we give a gift card or lottery ticket, as it’s about luck for the new year. Or even chocolates. It’s not just about money, but about the wish you pass on for our next generation.”

Cleaning and organizing the house is also an important part of Chinese New Year for Lao. “It’s not just about keeping your house clean and tidy; it’s symbolic for the end of year. You cleanse for your next year. You might also add new decorations for the house or change something. It’s about keeping you happy and ready for a new year,” she says.

Year of the Rooster The rooster is 10th of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. Years of the Rooster include 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 and 2017. If you are born in a Year of the Rooster, here is a little Chinese folklore for you.

Lucky colours: gold, brown, yellow Lucky numbers: 5, 7, 8 Lucky flowers: gladiola, cockscomb Unlucky colour: red Unlucky numbers: 1, 3, 9 Personality traits: observant, hardworking, confident, courageous, talented, frank, honest, amusing, charming, popular Best-suited careers: salesperson, restaurant owner, athlete, teacher, farmer, journalist, dentist, soldier, police officer, surgeon Best love match: ox, snake Worst love match: rat, rabbit, horse, pig facebook.com/canimmigrant

SOFT SKILLS FOR SUCCESS

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t’s no secret that Canadian employers look at a potential candidate’s soft skills in addition to technical skills. In fact, where technical skills are relatively equal among applicants, soft skills will be the deciding factor on who gets hired. In this new Canadian Immigrant series, we will look at the most in-demand soft skills, and how you can show them off.

Communication skills

Soft skill no.1: Communication skills Speaking clearly in English is just the beginning of good communication skills for Canadian immigrants. Communication, as it pertains to soft skills, is all about how you present yourself when speaking and writing. Whether you’re chatting casually with one person or making a formal presentation in front of a crowd, employers want to know their employees can present their ideas confidently, and represent their organization well to clients and customers.

Impress a potential employer with your communication skills with these eight tips.

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CAREERS & EDUCATION chitchat, prepare some topics to discuss in advance. Better yet, prepare some easy questions; showing interest in others is another great way to make people feel comfortable.

Get comfortable with Canadian idioms and expressions.

There are many business sayings you will hear in professional settings, such as “game plan,” “get the ball rolling” and “raise the bar,” to name just a few (see “CanSpeak” on page 6).

Learn company and industry jargon to improve your occupational-specific communication.

However, don’t overuse such buzzwords, especially with customers or co-workers who come from a different background. Being able to explain technical concepts in plain language to others is an important soft skill.

Communicating in writing should reflect the same clear, confident voice you have when speaking, whether it’s a formal cover letter or casual email. Make sure your writing is also free of typos, errors and poor formatting like ALL CAPS or no caps.

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Be it face-to-face or over the phone, speak in easy-to-comprehend short sentences, with a strong, confident voice.

If you find that people often ask you to repeat yourself, slow down and speak up, especially if you have an accent that could hinder being understood.

Listening well is equally important to speaking well. Let others talk and actively listen to what they’re saying before you respond. Don’t interrupt.

A smile and warm demeanour also go a long way. Being friendly puts people at ease.

And don’t fear casual small talk. If you’re not great at

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CAREER COACH

What’s new in careers for 2017?

Get a head start with these top five job trends

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he world of recruiting and talent acquisition continues to evolve — and 2017 promises to be a roller-coaster ride with more changes expected in the coming months.

Here are five top career trends to watch out for in 2017. Get a head start and begin your year on a winning note. Why watch things happen when you can make them happen?

Trend no.

1

It’s all digital As technology continues to evolve, it will play an increasingly important role in the way talent search and hiring processes are used. Thanks primarily to LinkedIn, individual experiences, skills and aptitudes that exist purely in the digital realm are gaining more traction. Hiring managers con-

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tinue to use big digital data and other technologies to assess the ideal fit of jobseekers.

So, how can you make the most of this?

How you can excel Optimize your LinkedIn Profi le right away. As described in our December 2016 article, “Optimize your LinkedIn profi le,” LinkedIn is one of the most powerful tools in recruitment so ensure you profi le uses keywords, showcases your projects and strengths and is updated daily.

Also, put your smart phone to good use. The rise of mobile technology continues to redefine the recruitment landscape. This means, your resumé and job application must not only be meticulously tailored to specific openings, but should be designed to work well on a mobile device. In addition to mobile-friendly resumés, focus on creating and posting content that can be easily viewed on a mobile device. facebook.com/canimmigrant

CAREERS & EDUCATION

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Trend no.

known as stealth recruiting, recruiters are looking for candidates through their social media profi les and anywhere else they have a web presence.

How you can excel

Social is king Organizations are leveraging the growing importance of social for jobseekers in a wide variety of different ways — right from the point of application. Today, an online profi le can provide far more understanding into a candidate’s attributes than a two-page paper resumé can.

It’s also a two-way street with candidates using social media in equal measure to learn more about their prospective employers, helping influence career decisions more effectively.

How you can excel Today’s audiences spend more time on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter, using them as primary modes of communication. Develop a strategy for engaging recruiters and peers on these social networks, and leverage your presence with hashtags and keyword-enriched content.

Be more visually engaging. Make sure you leverage visual elements like pictures, short videos, infographics and gifs to stay top-of-mind in your social media activity.

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Trend no.

Video gives you the edge Hiring managers love the video format and you should, too. Among other things, online videos now exceed 50 per cent of mobile traffic and 64 per cent of all internet traffic. More and more employers are leveraging webcam and video interviews to streamline the hiring process, often conducting first-round interviews through video.

How you can excel With the widespread availability of smart phones, you can now make a personalized resumé video to send to companies. It is the best way to share your passion and excitement.

You can also record “how-to” videos to showcase your specific technical topics and share freely on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. If the videos are shot by yourself on your mobile phone, they are also likely to be considered more authentic.

Trend no.

4

Stealth recruiting on the rise With the number of Gen Y and, soon, Gen Z candidates continuing to rise, recruiters have become more proactive in finding candidates. Also twitter.com/@canimmigrant

Master applicant tracking systems (ATS). Employers are utilizing more tech-driven applicant screening processes to sift through all available information to source the best candidates. As a result, you should invest ample time in adapting your skills and background to best fit each targeted position.

Take your online branding and positioning very seriously. This will guide you to effectively communicate your skills and experiences to a vast variety of employers.

In order to be found easily online, you need to be able to communicate your value proposition in a concise and compelling way through a variety of media.

Trend no.

5

Your employment brand is a key selling point Savvy companies and candidates will evaluate each other’s brands before applying to or accepting a job, much in the same way they evaluate consumer brands when shopping. Many companies now have a dedicated, exclusive career site to deliver a cohesive brand image that reflects the company mission, vision and values.

How you can excel You can create a robust web presence with your own cool website. Look up free site builders like strikingly.com, branded.me or wix. com for ideas. Companies will research candidates as much as you will research them, so make your website a strong tool.

Your brand profi le should complement the detailed job description, engage recruiting managers and help them determine proactively if you are indeed the right cultural fit for the organization.

Invest time in building brand “You.” The secret to a successful hire is first understanding who you are and then communicating it well to others. Clearly defining your brand — what you do well, how you can make an impact, the type of problems you are adept in solving — sets you apart with a desirable core skillset.

Above all, develop your likeability. Candidates who develop their likeability online and offline have a decided advantage over other equally qualified jobseekers. Even in a digital age, people like to work with people they like and trust.

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. canadianimmigrant.ca

January 2017

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CAREERS & EDUCATION J O B S E A R C H S T R AT E G I E S

Credential evaluation vs. recognition What’s the difference and why it matters

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any immigrants think that having their credentials evaluated means they can work in their profession in Canada as they did in their home countries. Unfortunately, this is not true.

There is a big difference between going through an evaluation process and having your credentials recognized in Canada. Let’s start by explaining the difference between credential evaluation (also called assessment) and credential recognition (also called accreditation), as they are very different processes.

Getting an evaluation There are two main credential

evaluation/assessment agencies in Canada: World Education Services (WES), located in Toronto, and International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES), located in Burnaby, B.C. Evaluation agencies don’t have the authority to decide whether your international studies and experience are comparable to those required by employers in Canada.

They can only assess three things: 1. whether you studied where you say you did 2. whether the institution exists and is recognized by the educational regulatory body in your country 3. what level (in years) is this education comparable to similar

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studies in Canada.

If you’re an immigrant in a licensed profession such as engineering and teaching, you need to be aware that many professional regulatory bodies don’t accept either WES or ICES results. Th is means that before you send your transcripts to WES or ICES, check with the provincial regulatory body that governs your profession.

Credential recognition is different Credential recognition or accreditation is a different, more complex process for those in licensed or regulated professions.

About 20 per cent of all occupations and professions are, in fact, regulated in Canada, and each one has different rules and requirements when it comes to accepting internationally trained professionals. They are generally governed by provincial regulatory bodies, which could also have different requirements for the same profession depending on your province.

In some careers, such as nursing, teaching, medicine and certain trades, to name a few, accreditation is mandatory — you need to obtain a licence or ticket in order to work or carry the professional designation. Other careers are regulated only for certain levels of performance, as in the case of engineers, technicians, non-professional accountants and some trades.

Regulatory bodies tend to have their own assessment and accredi-

tation system, which may include: • evaluation of your international transcripts • requiring you to sit for Canadian exams • interviewing you • requiring you to gain supervised work experience • asking you to provide professional references • requiring you to complete further studies in Canada, particularly in areas such as industry legislation, ethics, technical courses and professional English.

Next step: a job?

Once you have completed an evaluation and/or accreditation process, you are not necessarily guaranteed a job, however. Th is is very important to understand.

Further, some accreditation processes may take years and cost thousands of dollars for fees, exams and retraining, so you’ll need to decide if this works for your situation: do you have the time, money and energy this requires?

So, if you are in doubt about how to proceed for your profession, the best approach is to get a consultation with a certified and experienced career counsellor, who can provide you with guidance on your next steps. It is also a good idea to have a few informational interviews with people already working in the industry and to talk with advisors from the appropriate regulatory body before making any decisions that may impact how well you start your new path in Canada.

Ashton College

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

www.ashtoncollege.ca

Argentinian-born Silvia Di Blasio is a certified career counsellor. With a passion for sustainability, food security and resilient communities, she shares her time and skills through diverse projects including writing, blogging, facilitating workshops, coaching and consulting.

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

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SETTLEMENT

Sponsoring parents and grandparents Changes made to the 2017 application process

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hile the parent and grandparent sponsorship program in Canada brings together thousands of families each year, demand for the program still exceeds the quota. In the past, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) limited the number of parent and grandparent applications it would accept, in order to manage intake in the program.

That meant the first applications received would be the ones processed.

But this process favoured applicants who were able to courier their application immediately. Last year, there were reports of immigration consultants and lawyers sending in big batches of applications together, which filled up the quota quickly.

This process is being changed for 2017. IRCC Minister John McCallum announced in December that people wanting to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada will now have 30 days to fill out an online form to indicate their interest.

IRCC will then randomly choose 10,000 individuals from those who filled out the form, and those people will be invited to send in their complete application package.

“We’re listening to what past applicants had to say and making the process fairer for people who want to sponsor their parents or grandparents. We’re ensuring everyone can access the application process

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by giving them the same chance to have their name chosen,” says McCallum.

How it will work Sponsors must first complete an online form on the IRCC website to let the department know they are interested in applying to sponsor their parents or grandparents.

The online form will be available for 30 days, from Jan. 3, 2017, to Feb. 2, 2017.

The form will ask for the individual’s first name, family name, date of birth, country of birth, main home address, postal code and email address. Once the information is submitted, you will get a confirmation number. Keep this number for your records. Submit only once, as duplicates will be removed.

Completing the form will not mean a person has applied to sponsor under the program.

At the end of the 30 days, IRCC will remove the duplicates, randomly choose 10,000 people and ask them to complete the full application. IRCC will let everyone who completed an online form know whether they were chosen or not.

Those who are invited to apply will have 90 days to submit their complete application to IRCC. Interested sponsors who are not selected will be able to indicate their interest to apply again in 2018. canadianimmigrant.ca

January 2017

23

MAZE of anxiety

Find your way out with these self-help tips for a healthy new year

By Dilnawaz Qamar

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nxiety and immigration go hand in hand. The period of transition from one country to another is often not as smooth as most immigrants expect it to be.

If you are a new immigrant facing tough times and dealing with anxious feelings, the good news is that you are not alone and this is just a temporary issue. As you start settling in and becoming more acquainted with the culture, environment and values of the new land, your anxiety level will decrease and you will begin to feel more comfortable in your new home.

CAUSES OF ANXIETY FOR NEWCOMERS There are many trials and tribulations awaiting newcomers to Canada initially, however. Some of the most significant are as follows.

Finding an adequate job A few months back, a newly landed family came to my counselling office because they were too stressed. The couple, who has two young children, are both highly qualified professionals from back home. They thought that because they applied for immigration via the federal skilled worker class, they would find a job right after landing in Canada. They became

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SETTLEMENT

quite anxious after realizing that their credentials wouldn’t be accepted unless they update their previous education according to Canadian standards.

Most immigrants go through similar situations related to their careers in Canada, causing stress and anxiety. And if they don’t find any remedy for their situation, many think about going back to their homeland.

Overcoming the language barrier Many immigrants, especially refugees, become anxious about starting their new life in Canada because of a language barrier. Not being able to communicate properly in the language of the majority is stressful and isolating. While free classes for English language learning are offered to new immigrants, the process of learning the language can add more stress in an already long list of other stressors.

Facing culture shock Beyond language, sometimes immigrants come from countries with totally different value systems and cultures than that of Canada.

I have clients from Syria, Pakistan, India and other countries who say it’s not easy to adapt to the new culture. Parents of young children, in particular, are perplexed about disciplining their children in the new country.

Getting used to the weather Canada is one of the coldest countries in the world. Sometimes people who migrate from countries with warmer climates feel difficulty in adjusting to the weather, especially if they are landing in the cold, winter months. If they are unable to get around easily because

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You can’t call yourself a failure; every new day in a new country brings new lessons, so be thankful for these.” of the harsh weather conditions, it becomes a hindrance in achieving their goals after landing here.

Missing social support Another factor causing anxiety in new immigrants is missing the support network they had in their homeland. While there are many support services and resources available for newcomers in Canada, not knowing how to find them and access them can cause great anxiety.

Going through financial constraints Finally, financial constraints can become a huge source of contention. Before they know it, the money they brought with them from their homeland is gone. When money concerns make them anxious, the unreturned calls to employers just add fuel to the fire.

Anxiety multiplied All the above factors multiply the anxiety newcomers are already facing as they go through the basics of arrival, from applying for health care, to getting a driver’s licence, to looking for accommodation, to opening a bank account, and much more.

So, what can an anxious newcomer do?

SELF-HELP TIPS There is no doubt that immigrants’ anxiety is at its peak when they are new to Canada; however, following these tips can be helpful in the transition.

Know the cause of anxiety Once you know the cause of your anxiety, you can start working on it gradually and systematically. Don’t ignore anxiety, as it may lead to other health issues.

Make a to-do list Because you have so many things to take care of as a newcomer, reduce your anxiety by keeping a “todo” list or a day planner with you.

When your mind is preoccupied by various responsibilities, you can easily forget important things, thus causing anxiety.

Keep trying When things aren’t working out as hoped, immigrants can often feel helpless. These feelings of helplessness may lead to doing nothing at all, which can, in turn, increase anxiety. The key to avoid such apathy is to keep moving forward; never stop trying.

Celebrate lessons learned If, after spending one or two months in Canada, you find yourself unemployed, unsettled and stressed, rewind the time clock and look at what you have achieved so far. Celebrate the lessons you have learned so far. Remember that, in your first few days, you didn’t know how to ride a bus, go for groceries, visit a clinic or go to the library, etc.

If you are comfortable in accessing these facilities today, your time has been well spent. You can’t call yourself a failure; every new day in a new country brings new lessons, so be thankful for these.

Seek help Don’t be ashamed of communicating your needs and concerns to others. Seek help if you need. Reach out to neighbours and friends, religious advisors or immigrant settlement counsellors.

Volunteer Find opportunities to work as a volunteer. This will increase your chances of getting a job and will also reduce your anxiety in getting acquainted with the Canadian workplace. You will make new friends and your network of acquaintances will expand.

Read inspiring books Read self-help books or books that inspire you. Reading motivational content will help you reduce your anxiety, and boost your confidence and self-esteem.

Surround yourself with positive people Try to avoid contact with negative people who feed your anxiety.

Instead seek the company of those who encourage you, are willing to help you, and have a positive approach toward life.

Start writing a journal Share your burdens and anxieties with your own, personal journal. Writing your experiences down will help give you clarity as you continue on your journey. And, when you finally feel settled in, going back to read the accounts of your new life in Canada will put a big thankful smile on your face.

Pakistan-born Dilnawaz Qamar is a mental health counsellor with Brampton Multicultural Community Centre. She can be reached at dilnawazasghar@gmail.com.

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SETTLEMENT

New goals for a New Year In a New Year’s resolution rut? Canadian Immigrant magazine offers up a list of 40 resolutions for a better you in 2017

By Margaret Jetelina

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t’s a Canadian tradition to start off each year with New Year’s resolutions — personal or professional goals to improve your life. The New Year symbolizes a clean slate to improve your life. But resolutions tend to be quite general — e.g., lose a few pounds, be more organized — and often quickly forgotten. If you need some fresh resolution ideas, here is a list of 40 simple, positive goals that might just inspire you to follow through this year.

Tell your spouse and kids daily that you love them.

Eat more veggies.

Parents, remember to take some time out for selfcare, whether that’s a yoga class or long bath.

Smile to at least one stranger per day.

Try something new for dinner once a week, from a different cuisine.

Remind yourself daily what you’re grateful for.

File away letters and bills every week instead of letting them pile up.

Take a Zumba class.

Nominate someone you admire for the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards.

Meditate.

Take up adult colouring. It’s fun and relaxing.

Start that novel, finally!

Greet people by name (i.e., Good morning, Jane).

Put your phone down more often, especially when in the company of others.

Turn up the music and dance with your kids.

Make a list of daily chores for every member of the family.

Take the stairs.

Eat an apple a day — yes, it really might keep the doctor away.

Learn something new about a friend’s culture.

Donate unwanted clothes and household items.

Wash your baseboards.

Learn a new skill for work to stay competitive.

Take up a new Canadian pastime like curling, canoeing or hiking.

Back up your computer files.

Print your photos into a photobook.

Wear moisturizer.

Talk less, listen more.

Less Facebook, more LinkedIn. Travel somewhere new in Canada.

Take a walk in the woods.

Stretch.

Join a non-profit board for a cause you care about.

Read Terry Fox’s biography, Terry.

Take public transit.

Do your income taxes in February or March instead of April this year.

Learn in which First Nation traditional territory you live.

Buy yourself flowers.

Be present with your children.

Network at local events like Canadian Immigrant magazine’s fairs.

Be authentic.

Bridge Delivery for International Medical Graduates Continuing your medical career in Canada info@ccnm.edu www.ccnm.edu Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Educating naturopathic doctors for almost 40 years 26

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2017 NOMINATIONS OPEN JANUARY 5 Canada is a country of immigrants. Celebrate Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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!

To Nominate, Visit canadianimmigrant.ca/rbctop25

CANADA 150

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

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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 Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto 2737 Keele Street North York ON M3M 2E9 Phone: 647-776-2057 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 National Education Society 28 Crown Steel Drive, Unit 15 Markham, ON L3R 9Y1 TEL: 647-535-8886 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

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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

Settlement Services, LINC Classes (level 1-6) with child minding, Counseling, Job search, Citizenship & Immigration, Groups for Youth, Seniors & Women and Volunteering. Specialty Programs: Bridge Training Program for International Mental Health Professionals, Community Engagement Program, Community Mental health Program and Anger management.

Additional locations at Scarborough and Toronto.

Email: northyork@mnlct.org www.mnlct.org

• • • • •

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

Various services for educational consultations, professional training programs, tutoring and credential assessment and accreditation for all ages, particularly for newcomers and immigrants and all Canadians.

Email: carrie@nedus.ca www.nedus.ca

• English • Chinese • Mandarin

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

January 2017

English Spanish Mandarin Bengali Turkish

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MONEY & BUSINESS SMALL BUSINESS

Start up right (Part 3) Things every newcomer needs to know about starting a business in Canada

I

n my last two columns, I provided the basics of starting up a business in Canada, beginning with looking at your business options, writing a business plan, and dealing with logistics and regulations. Next I want to focus on financing and reaching customers.

Financing for beginners Family and friends are the first source of capital in Canada. After all, if your loved ones believe in

your business and support you, you have a great chance of success.

Banks will provide loans and lines of credit if you can provide some source of collateral and they believe the business has merit (showing them your business plan, as discussed in Part 2 of this column, can help).

Also, ask your local immigrant settlement agency if they know of a microloan program aimed at immigrants or other government funding that you could access.

If your business requires larger

amounts of money, you will have to find investors to provide you with capital in return for a portion of your business.

An investor can be anyone from your neighbour to a venture capitalist, but you will have to consider them a partner in the business.

Bringing in customers Once you have the idea, the plan and the money, now you can focus on bringing people to your business.

Start with a strong brand and message to showcase your product or service, and incorporate those into simple marketing materials, including a website. Word-ofmouth is still the strongest way to promote your business, especially with today’s powerful social media.

So align yourself with networking groups, engage with people on social media channels like Twitter, post stories about your company on Facebook and LinkedIn, and post pictures of your products on Instagram.

Be creative and search for innovative ways to get your name out there!

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.

Why Support Kids To Develop Good Drinking Habits?

Water helps control body temperature, carries nutrients and oxygen to cells, cushions joints, protects organs and removes wastes Dehydration (not having enough fluid in your body) can cause headaches, tiredness, crankiness and poor concentration

How much water should kids drink each day?

4 – 8 years: about 5 glasses Boys 9 – 13: about 6 glasses Girls 9 – 13: about 5-6 glasses Remember, to drink extra water on hot days and when you're doing lots of activities!

Increase your kids’ water intake!

Find out more at healthykidstoronto.com twitter.com/@canimmigrant

canadianimmigrant.ca

January 2017

29

BACK PAGE

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.

Are you an Internationally Educated Engineer?

Looking to work in the financial services and insurance Looking to work in theindustries? financial services and IFSE CAN HELP! insurance industries?

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IFSE CAN HELP!

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1.888.865.2437 Visit us at www.ifse.ca today.

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

30

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

Are you looking to earn your Professional Engineering License (P.Eng.) in Canada?

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facebook.com/canimmigrant

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