Canadian Immigrant - January 2020

Volume 17 Issue 1 | 2020 c anadianimmigr ant.c a

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Blend

Leena and Gustavo Castelar create a coffee bridge between Canada and El Salvador

Hot jobs for 2020 BRINGING ‘GLOBAL CITIZENRY’ TO FASHION Elle AyoubZadeh

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 17 Issue 1 | 2020

CONTENTS Volume 17 Issue 1, 2020

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PROFILE: Artist Sharada Eswar takes control of her narrative NEWS: Parental sponsorship, RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards

28 WINNING ADVICE

RBC TOP 25 CANADIAN IMMIGRANTS share their words of wisdom and inspirational tips

30 BACK PAGE

HUMOUR BY HEMETERIO

COVER STORY

Entrepreneurs Leena and Gustavo Castelar run Firebat Coffee Roastery in Oakville, Ontario, sourcing beans from their native El Salvador

12 LIVING

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE: Wellness tools and resources to support immigrants reach their potential WELLNESS: What will your year 2020 look like?

15 CAREERS AND EDUCATION

Hot Jobs for 2020 CAREER COACH: Importance of soft skills in the workplace HIGHER LEARNING: Tap into all available opportunities

20 SETTLEMENT

IMMIGRATION LAW: How the Federal Court will review visa refusals going forward PARENTING: The power of the printed word PROFILE: Iranian-born Elle AyoubZadeh brings ‘global citizenry’ to fashion

24 MONEY AND BUSINESS

TIPS FOR SETTLING IN FASTER: New year, new money management Think carefully before you apply for a payday loan

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People. News. Information.

SHARADA ESWAR

VOLUME 17, ISSUE 1

2020 Group Publisher Sanjay Agnihotri Editor Ramya Ramanathan rramanathan@metroland.com

Taking control of her narrative

Editorial Design Safi Nomani Digital Media Developer Kamil Mytnik Sr. Ad Manager Ricky (Kawaljit) Bajaj rbajaj@metroland.com Tel: 905 273 8170 Assistant Manager Laura Jackman ljackman@metroland.com Marketing & Events Jamie Coffin General Inquiries: info@canadianimmigrant.ca Circulation/Distribution Inquiries: ljackman@metroland.com ISSN 1910-4146 Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher

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By Ramya Ramanathan

S

harada Eswar refers to herself as an inter-disciplinary artist with roots in India. Writer, storyteller, singer and arts educator, her work spans across multiple disciplines and art forms. A graduate in Literature Studies, she has trained to be a writer and a storyteller and has also immersed herself in several styles of music including Indian classical music. Prior to coming to Canada, Eswar has had the opportunity to represent India at various international cultural forums.

Since her move to Canada in 2001, Eswar has been performing and teaching in Toronto and internationally, drawing on her South Asian ancestry and heritage.

Through the Artist in Education program of the Ontario Arts Council, she teaches storytelling through shadow puppetry and music in schools, and narrative writing for the Toronto District School Board’s International Languages Program. Most recently, Eswar was with the Art Gallery of Ontario as a Community Activator. She is also a published children’s author.

What are you currently working on?

At any given time, I have at least two or three projects on the go (I guess those are the perks of being a freelance artist! Or is that the hazard?!). I am currently in Stratford with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, working as a Directorial Dramaturg on a play (Two Gentlemen of Verona) directed by Peter Hinton. I am also facilitating artistic workshops for a Newcomer Project that will culminate in an exhibition during the Luminato Festival in June 2020; writing two plays that are supported by Soulpepper Theatre; and also working with Whynot Theatre and Shaw Festival on their production of the Indian Epic, The Mahabharata.

What inspires you the most?

Stories and people inspire me the most. Community and stories are very intertwined for me. In my own personal life, stories have always been how I have experienced the world: made and found meaning, dealt with and responded to the extraordinary and ordinary things. It’s a sense of the importance of hospitality and Tell us about your work.

Storyteller, writer and vocalist, I effortlessly combine not having or creating barriers or eliminating categories the three worlds of art. My work synthesizes the stories, between people. legends, the folklore and the mythologies and aesthetics of India and the eclectic influences of the world we What key challenges did you have to overcome?

I believe that everyone has their journey and everyone live in. My work reflects the hybridity of our lives and has their struggles. I had been working in multi-national transcends borders of culture, religion and ethnicity. advertising agencies before I moved to Canada and thought it would be easy getting into one of them, but How has moving to a new country impacted your I never got past the front desk. I would constantly be journey as a storyteller?

As a storyteller and writer, working with children asked if I had Canadian experience... till today I haven’t and youth, I am constantly faced with the challenge of understood what that has meant. So that’s when I started engaging audiences’ minds, redefining my boundaries creating my own work and here I am today happy that I as a storyteller and an artist and exploring new artistic made that choice. directions. My personal vision of storytelling is continually inspired by tradition. Tradition is the cornerstone for the Can you share a special memory about Canada?

Catching my first snowflake! I had never seen snow in creation and practice of my art, and it will always be the touchstone for the art I create and perform. However, the my life before and the joy of seeing the first snowfall is demographics of my audience is heterogeneous and at something I will never forget. Even after all these years it times largely Eurocentric. Which means, my work needs holds the same magic for me. to be relevant and accessible to everyone. As a storyteller therefore, I have had to strive to reflect a contemporaneity What is your advice to newcomers?

Don’t let others tell you how to tell your story. Take that makes my storytelling Indian in technique but at the control of your narrative! same time universal in context.

CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 17 Issue 1 | 2020

news

Twelve years of RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards The RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards program is back for a 12th year to highlight stories of immigrant success, philanthropy and inspiration. Nominations are now open for the 2020 awards. Canadian Immigrant and title sponsor Royal Bank of Canada are now calling on all Canadians to nominate an immigrant or refugee who has an inspirational story to share at canadianimmigrant.ca/rbctop25. The deadline for nominations is February 21, 2020, 11:59 p.m. EST. With 350,000 immigrants coming to Canada annually (according to the federal immigration levels plan 2019-2021), Canada stands as an extraordinary example for welcoming immigrants and refugees. Immigrants increasingly make-

up a large portion of our population and have made – and continue to make – immeasurable contributions to the Canadian economy, Canadian society and Canada overall.

“RBC is honoured to be a part of the RBC Canadian Immigrant Awards to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments that immigrants have made in this great country,” says Amit Sadhu, Vice President, Newcomer Strategy, RBC. “These awards have become a prominent fixture to recognize immigrants and their importance to Canada. RBC has a longstanding commitment to immigrant success in Canada and our involvement in these awards enables us to embody this commitment in a very meaningful way.”

This will be the sixth consecutive year that one of the Top 25 winners will also be selected for the additional RBC Entrepreneur Award and the fourth consecutive year that one of the Top 25 will be awarded the additional Youth Award, which recognizes young immigrants between the ages of 15 and 30 who are making a difference through achievement and/or service.

The Settlement Agency Award returns for a third year, to recognize the amazing work immigrant settlement agencies are doing to help newcomers integrate and succeed in Canada.

After nominations close, a distinguished panel of judges will review all nominees and present a shortlist. Winners will be announced in July 2020.

Temporary pause to sponsorship program for parents and grandparents The federal government has announced a temporary pause to the popular Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program for 2020. The Program normally opens for application once a year, which is often in January. Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino has announced that the application process for 2020 is being postponed.

The application process for this program has been reworked multiple times over the past years following challenges with the system given that the demand far exceeds the supply of available immigration spots. The government has indicated that this pause is to allow sufficient time to “complete the development of a new

application intake management process for the parents and grandparents sponsorship program, to be implemented in 2020.”

More details are expected on the new intake management process by April 1, 2020 at the latest. No new applications are being accepted until the new process is implemented.

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news

Winners of 2019 Ashton college bursaries announced sponsored these bursaries that cover fulltime tuition (valued up to $8,000) for a range of Ashton College programs on campus in Vancouver or online – everything from diplomas in immigration consultancy to human resources to sales and marketing.

One of this year’s winners is Grace Nguyen, who landed in Kelowna, B.C., in 2018 with her husband and seven-year-old daughter as a new immigrant under the province’s Skilled Immigration Program. An HR professional from Vietnam, Nguyen is determined to develop her career further in Canada. “I believe that taking the Diploma in Human Resources Management online course will equip me with rounded Canadian HR knowledge and qualification that is essential for me to develop my professional career in this field,” says Nguyen.

Bursary winner Janpreet Walia from India could not find a job as a teacher after moving to Canada. Luckily, she stumbled upon an opportunity to work in a firm that helps people above Grace Nguyen immigrate to Canada. She realized she wanted to above Janpreet Walia work in this field to help other people’s dreams Winners have been announced for the 2019 come true. With limited financial resources, start making a difference in other people’s lives.

Visit canadianimmigrant.ca to learn about Ashton College Bursaries for Immigrants.

Walia decided to apply for the Ashton College Since 2005, Canadian Immigrant has co- bursary to study immigration consulting and opportunities in 2020.

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 17 Issue 1 | 2020

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COVER STORY

A perfect

Blend

Successful entrepreneurs Leena and Gustavo Castelar run Firebat Coffee Roastery in Oakville, Ontario, sourcing beans from their native El Salvador and selling to cafes and households across the GTA.

By Lisa Evans

W

hen Leena and Gustavo Castelar first considered immigrating to Canada, the idea of moving to a new country and chasing another corporate career didn’t appeal to them. They are now the co-owners of Firebat Coffee Roasters in Oakville, Ontario, roasting beans from their native El Salvador and distributing coffee to local cafes and households across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

The couple immigrated to Canada in June 2016. As a mixedrace family (Leena is originally from Finland and Gustavo from El Salvador), the couple felt Canada would be a welcoming place for the next phase of their lives and to raise their young children, then aged 2 and 4.

The decision to start a company was in part the result of wanting a career change. In El Savador, Gustavo was an airports director, overseeing airline operation to 13 different airports across North America and Leena was a project manager in strategy and business development.

The couple didn’t just want a new scenery; they wanted a new life. “I imagined what it would be like here looking for jobs, working, maybe getting fired,” says Gustavo. “I’d rather bet on us.”

Leena was more apprehensive about becoming an entrepreneur.

“I thought who moves to a new country with two tiny kids in tow not knowing anyone to start a new business. This goes against everything we learned in business school,” she laughs.

They also felt an ethical call to stay connected to their home country. “Coming from a country you foresee is going into

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 17 Issue 1 | 2020

trouble, if my economic activity would help me to slow it from falling into that place, I had to do it,” says Gustavo. “To come here and get a job and forget about El Salvador felt a bit traitorous to me.”

Gustavo had started learning about roasting coffee as a hobby and knew that there was a market in North America for good quality coffee. For two years before making Canada their home, Gustavo spent every weekend driving up to the mountains in El Salvador visiting farmers and learning everything he could about the coffee production process and roasting, with the intention of bringing that knowledge to Canada to start Firebat Coffee Roasters.

When they arrived in Canada, the couple felt the pressure of a tight timeline to get the business off the ground. They had already ordered the roasting equipment from the Netherlands and it was ready to be delivered, but they didn’t have an address to ship it to. After delaying the roasting equipment company for several months, they finally rented a house in Oakville and gave the company their home address to ship it to, knowing they would have six weeks while it was in transit to find a location for the business and be able to accept the delivery. “We couldn’t have it delivered to our house of course, but we had to give them an address,” says Gustavo.

With a little bit of luck, they were able to find a space in an industrial location in Oakville with affordable rent and the right amount of space and by the end of September, Firebat Coffee Roasters had a home and a brand new roaster.

I am a believer that the effort is yours. The outcome isn’t, so just focus on the effort,” says Gustavo.

Leena (right) and Gustavo Castelar (left) with Rodrigo Giammattei, Gustavo’s best friend and business partner for Firebat based in El Salvador, who they refer to as their “boots on the ground”.

CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

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COVER STORY Next, they needed customers to purchase their coffee. They decided to take their coffee to local farmers’ markets to meet people and build connections. “From May to December 2017 we did 100 events,” says Gustavo. They often had their children tag along with them to markets, which was challenging but it was there that the couple were able to find a community of supporters who were willing to help.

Through word of mouth at farmers’ markets, the Castelars found connections with local cafés. One vendor at a farmer’s market introduced them to their first retail shop, Raise the Root Organic Market in Leslieville in Toronto. Another introduced them to a local café. Firebat Coffee is now served in dozens of cafés in the GTA and surrounding areas and they have several grocery retail partners as well.

Starting a new business in a new country was risky, but the Castelars trusted their ability to work hard. “I am a believer that the effort is yours. The outcome isn’t, so just focus on the effort,” says Gustavo.

Now two-and-a-half years into the business, the Castelars are happy with what they have achieved so far. Not only have they steadily grown their brand recognition in the GTA, but their business is sustaining itself.

The couple love meeting with other entrepreneurs, especially other newcomers, and their advice to those looking to start a new business in Canada is to seek ideas and inspiration from their own cultural heritage and background to offer something unique to the Canadian market. “We feel that Canadians are excited about different cultures

and curious about life in other parts of the world,” says Leena.

The Castelars love when Canadian customers ask questions about the producers in El Salvador and feel that through the roastery, they are not only able to support their own family here in Canada but are contributing to families in their home country.

Canada is also full of cost-effective ways for new businesses to start without investing a huge amount of capital. For the Castelars, farmers markets and pop-up events provided great testing grounds for their business without a huge financial commitment. Their success from these small events has helped them to grow into the business they are today.

While the Castelars are excited by the growth in their business, they say family always comes first. “We want to grow the business sustainably and in balance without sacrificing our family or our health,” says Gustavo. While in the early days of the business, the Castelars and their children were spending every weekend at farmers markets selling coffee and putting in long hours, today they are more conscious of the time they invest into their business.

Living in Canada where there are so many opportunities for their children to discover their talents, the Castelars want to provide their children with the time and space to do so. “They are blessed to live and grow up in Canada where they have access to great education and the possibility to truly flourish,” says Leena.

The couple hope that their business will help their family maintain their connections to their roots and to their family members in El Salvador, providing the perfect blend of both worlds.

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 17 Issue 1 | 2020

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LIVING

Anxiety and stress can be overwhelming for those looking to build a new life in Canada.

Settlement programs along with wellness tools and resources to boost mental health are available to support immigrants reach their potential and thrive in their new home.

By Baisakhi Roy

T

hirty-five-year old Sharmistha Manna’s enthusiasm is both unexpected and infectious. The Indian-born immigrant has been pounding the pavement for a job and it hasn’t been easy. The interviews haven’t been great, and she misses her family in Kolkata, India, but she’s keeping her chin up. “It has to happen, right?” she asks rhetorically. “I wouldn’t be offered Canadian immigration if the government didn’t think I was worthy enough,” she says.

Setting up one’s life in Canada from scratch can be daunting and affects each individual differently. Like Manna, the biggest concern for new immigrants is being unemployed or underemployed. Factor in culture shock, the winter months, language barriers and the absence of familial and social support – and you have an individual who can very well be looking at a nervous breakdown.

A 2016 study conducted by the Mental Health Commission of Canada mentioned that immigrants when they first arrive, are generally in better mental health than the Canadian-born population. Known as the “healthy immigrant effect,” this condition slowly dwindles over time for lack of linguistically and culturally appropriate support services, social isolation and the fear of stigma from having a so-called “mental health problem.”

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 17 Issue 1 | 2020

The good news is that there are a whole range of mental health wellness and settlement programs available to offer support for new immigrants.

Settlement support Like Manna, one of the main challenges that new immigrants face that causes stress and anxiety is, finding appropriate work. And like her, the first stop for many on arrival is to approach their local settlement agency for support. Manna learned about a number of settlement services for newcomers at the Brampton Multicultural Community Centre

(BMC) and attended a job orientation session.

This gave her the opportunity to network and get a sense of the Canadian job market.

Settlement agencies like BMC offer tons of support to new immigrants, ranging from employment services including networking events and job fairs, one-on-one sessions with career consultants and mentoring support.

A comprehensive list of newcomer service providers is available on the Government of Canada website.

According to recent reports, present-day newcomers are faring much better in comparison to their predecessors in terms of unemployment rate (which has decreased) and wages (which has increased). This is partly attributed to federal and provincial funding for newcomer programs which has increased to more than $1.5 billion over the past two decades.

Wellness programs

above Sharmistha Manna, an immigrant from India, is currently in the throes of job hunting

Services extend much beyond employment services in these agencies. Many programs at BMC are focused on health and wellness. “We offer the Mind Your Health program, funded by the United United Way Greater Toronto, which provides culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate self-awareness programs to newcomer clients. The program aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma and promote mental

health and well-being of individuals from the newcomer and immigrant community so they can enhance their ability to adapt to change, cope with challenges, engage in productive activities and contribute to their community,” says Salima Tejani, Acting Director, Programs and Services, BMC.

“I recommend two apps to my clients. One is Headspace, a guided meditation app that also teaches mindfulness techniques. Another one that’s popular and is getting us results is Daylio, a mood tracker app. It helps clients identify what triggers their moods. Journaling is one of those activities which if done dedicatedly, can produce great results.,” she adds.

Other apps that are free to download and are popular include Anxiety Reliever: Stress and Anxiety Relief (that teaches you how to breathe effectively), MindShift (helps you track specific anxiety symptoms and provides strategies to avoid triggers) and Stigma (connects to support groups and helps discuss strategies with people with similar experiences).

Practice healthy living

above Praveen Kalra is Settlement Programs Manager, Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre At the Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre, a social services agency based in Mississauga, counsellors are working overtime trying to address the needs of anxious immigrant parents struggling with disciplining their children in a new country with different concepts about parenting.

According to Praveen Kalra, Settlement Programs Manager at the agency, “We have a team of 18 counsellors that speak over 21 languages who engage with our clients on issues that include stress related to job or housing search, family or relationship breakdowns, feelings of isolation and past or current traumatic experiences. We understand that a newcomer to Canada may experience overwhelming anxiety and stress due to a variety of reasons and we are here not only to support them but to also have them participate constructively and positively in society.”

Settlement agencies often organise health and wellness fairs that provide access to wellness experts who can offer one-on-one consultations specific to an individual’s needs.

In addition to the services provided by settlement agencies, there is a lot that newcomers can do to better their day-to-day mindset.

Digital resources at your fingertips For the tech savvy immigrant of today, tons of online resources and apps can aid with mental health and wellness. Apps that track moods and encourage documenting your feelings to meditation and yoga are all the rage. “For a newcomer today, like any other person, their phone is everything,” says Ridhim Mehta, Mental Health Counsellor, BMC.

The struggle of settlement is a daily one and can be a long-drawn out process. How and what you eat, goes a long way in maintaining a robust body and a healthy immune system which in turn, affects one’s mental make-up directly.

The 2019 Canada Food Guide is a great resource for those looking to practise healthy living. The guide not only educates about food portions and food groups but also has valuable information including food labels, nutritional values of particular foods and practising mindfulness while eating. “Healthy eating is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and helps prevent chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers,” says Dr. Theresa Tam, chief public health officer of Canada, upon the release of the guide.

that maintaining a network of acquaintances: for instance, fellow gym-goers, neighbours, employees at the local grocery stores, can contribute to a sense of connection to the community.

Stay positive Experts agree that dealing with stress and anxiety is an ongoing issue that plagues immigrant families and that there is a considerable gap between the demand for services and supports available.

“The funding hasn’t increased for mental health and wellness programs, it has remained consistent. Our counsellors are overwhelmed by the increasing demand for services.,” admits Kalra from the Dixie-Bloor Neighbourhood Centre. “The wait list for mental health is on the rise and resources are limited,” echoes Tejani at BMC. Despite the need for more resources, most immigrants like Manna find a way.

Manna attributes her sunny disposition in the face of struggle to her disciplined routine.

“I’ve always had a routine in India, where I had a flourishing career – get up early, get breakfast done and get ready for work. I follow that here as well. My day is pretty unpredictable. I could have a couple of interviews lined up, a few may fall

Setting up a routine of regular exercise supplements the effects of a good diet. Joining running clubs, the apartment gym or setting aside some time in the day for a brisk walk around the neighbourhood vastly improves one’s state of mind. The goal is to thrive and not just survive.

Creating community Settling in Canada while battling the blues can be a daunting process but it need not be a lonely one. There are plenty of opportunities available to make that human connection. Often, reaching out to that long-lost high school friend or second cousin who are already in Canada can help newcomers find useful information and more importantly, feel less alone.

through but something may come up last minute and when I have a proper routine, I can manage my day well. I can fit it a lot of appointments and get a lot done,” she says.

Meetup groups or Facebook groups are a way to connect with people going through the same experience and/or with the same interests.

Participating in community events and finding volunteering opportunities are a great way to network and connect with a new community.

Forming what can be referred to as ‘lowstakes relationships’ can also have a positive impact on wellbeing. Researchers have found

But Manna reminds herself that she made the choice. “I chose to come here so I don’t complain. And on the days that I feel especially blue, I walk into a Tim Horton’s… There are few things a French Vanilla latte can’t cure! Also, people here are really friendly – you smile at someone and they smile right back at you. That definitely helps.”

With contributions from Ramya Ramanathan.

above Ridhim Mehta is Mental Health Counsellor with BMCC

CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

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LIVING WELLNESS

What will your year 2020 look like?

E

Review, assess and set your goals for the year ahead

very year offers an opportunity for a new beginning; for a fresh start. If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to look ahead and set some new goals and targets for 2020.

Review the positives from 2019

It is common for some of us to end a year feeling deflated and disappointed with the things we didn’t get done, or the things we wish had happened. Reviewing the ‘wins’ and positive memories from 2019 can help us to acknowledge what we did achieve, including the experiences or moments we enjoyed, to get us in the right frame of mind to set some new goals. It can help to look at photos, a calendar or journal, anything that will jog the memory of the past year. Here are a few prompts to get started: • What was one of the best decisions you made?

• Who was an important part of your life last year? (an amazing

friend, family member, neighbour, colleague...?)

• What barriers and challenges did you overcome?

• What, or who, made a positive impact on you?

• What one thing did you get done, or change, that you are most proud of?

• What experience are you most grateful for?

• What was the biggest risk you took that paid off?

• What was the most important lesson learned?

decision making?

• What do you want to achieve?

What kind of contribution do you aspire to make?

• Who do you want to spend your time with? Who matters most to you?

Begin at the end

Now is the perfect time to use our imagination creatively and positively to plan for success. Our brain cannot tell the difference between a real event and something we have vividly imagined.

Imagine that it is December 31, 2020 and you have enjoyed your ideal year: • How are you feeling?

• What have you achieved?

Create a clear sense of purpose • What are you proud of? for 2020 • How have you grown?

This is always a good place to start • What’s changed for the better because we know that a clear sense in: your relationships/work/ of purpose is good for our mental home/health/finances, etc.? health and wellbeing. Without a • What was your experience of clear idea of what’s most important work? Of your home life? to us we may spend our time reacting and responding to other people’s Pick three words for success needs and expectations of us. Living Our brain needs a regular our life on their terms, by their rules. reminder to stay on track and a We may end up compromising too nudge to get us back on track when much in order to suit others and as a we lose our way (it will happen, result, end up feeling resentful, as if we’re only human). Choosing three we are sacrificing our own happiness words that are relevant to our for theirs. goals and the lifestyle we want to • What kind of a person are you? create can serve this purpose. Pick • What do you stand for? three words that apply across a few • What are the values, beliefs and different areas of life (relationships, principles that guide your work, health, etc.).

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 17 Issue 1 | 2020

For example: Connect – build my community, help others make connections, use my voice, share my message.

Move – make time for regular exercise and get going on the projects I’m working on.

Play – a reminder not to take things too seriously and find the joy in what I do.

Stay productive rather than busy

With an average lifetime lasting approximately 28,000 days, life is short. While our lives may be busier than ever before, they may not necessarily be productive, and we are not always focused. When we commit to stop doing or spend less time doing those activities that distract us from our goals and intentions we will create more time for those things that make us feel satisfied and fulfilled.

• What one small thing could you do less of that would make a big difference?

• What do you need to stop doing completely?

Focus on what, rather than how

We often limit ourselves when we realize we don’t know how to achieve what we want. What matters most is that we decide what we

want and worry less about how we are going to make it happen. Once we have decided, our brain will get working on the ‘how’ and we will figure it out in time, provided we are highly motivated and committed to the goal.

• What one thing would you be thrilled to have/be/do this year but don’t yet know how to make it happen?

Put a date on your dreams

A dream becomes a goal once we commit to a date. Our brain needs this direction in order to focus.

‘Someday’ is not a day of the week; it isn’t specific enough. When we aim for a target date our brain is far more likely to hit it.

Make space

Our brains aren’t designed to constantly be processing input so it’s not healthy to plan every waking moment. Allow space for spontaneity – for those lastminute decisions to do something different, or nothing at all - and flexibility – to adapt if needs be to the inevitable challenges and unexpected events.

The year 2020 can be all we plan for, and more.

Hazel Morley has worked as a trainer, facilitator and coach for more than 25 years, in England and after immigrating to Canada in 2009. After her own personal health crisis, she shifted gears to focus on strategies for enjoying optimal health.

CAREERS & EDUCATION

HOT JOBS FOR 2020 High demand across multiple sectors presents strong opportunities

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here is plenty of good news for Canadians hoping to start the year with a new job, as well as those preparing to enter the Canadian workforce. Randstad Canada has reviewed data from across the country to determine the most in-demand jobs for 2020.

Key trends are holding year over year. Notably, it’s a job seekers market, which means many of the roles we see on the list are challenging for employers to fill. To put it simply, demand exceeds supply. As well, the demand for blue-collar jobs remains high in Canada. Also, the IT sector continues to struggle with finding the workers they need – a global reality not limited to Canada.

There is a growing need for blue-collar workers This year’s top 10 list includes a range of sectors, however, the increasing need for blue-collar workers stands out.

Four of the 10 roles on the list are blue-collar: truck driver, welder, general labourer and heavy-duty mechanic.

Newcomers who lack the training or qualifications for these roles will find technical courses across the country that will help them achieve the necessary certifications and enter the Canadian workforce quickly.

Demand for professional positions and office & administrative roles remains high Surprisingly, and for the second consecutive year, demand for retail roles remains high. While the retail industry has faced challenges from automation and online shopping, sales associates and merchandisers for consumer goods are still in demand. Other roles that make the list this year include roles in technology and engineering such as full stack developers and project managers; business development managers – across all sectors and industries; and receptionists – once again, across all sectors and industries.

Most in-demand jobs for 2020 and pay ranges The following salary ranges should be considered a guide and may vary regionally. Randstad’s salary guide (available online) can provide more information.

To create the list, Randstad Canada’s business analysts reviewed data from

clients across the country and analyzed the roles posted in the previous 12 months to identify patterns and hiring trends.

Truck driver

$36,650 - $48,600 annual salary

Welder

$19.60 - $28.50 per hour

General labourer

$15.20 - $19.30 per hour

Heavy duty mechanic

$25.20 - $35.70 per hour

Sales associate

$38,200 - $50,600 annual salary

Receptionist

$32,300 - $42,600 annual salary

Full stack developer

$60,600 - $125,200 annual salary

Business development manager

$93,500 - $164,400 annual salary

Project manager in engineering

$74,000 - $134,000 annual salary

Merchandiser (consumer goods)

$57,300 - $97,100 annual salary

Note: For blue-collar roles, as well as and office & administrative support roles (receptionist and sales associate), the salary ranges above correspond to 1st and 5th years of experience.

For engineering, IT and sales and marketing roles (the remaining roles above), salary ranges represent entry level (1–3 years of experience) to senior levels (8–12 years).

Key takeaways The wide range of sectors and skill levels on this year’s top ten list reflect Canada’s relatively strong economy. Many of these roles require relatively little formal training, while providing good compensation ranges.

While a college or university education is necessary for the engineering, marketing and IT roles on the list, a degree isn’t the only path to good, steady employment in Canada. For immigrants who want to enter the Canadian workforce quickly, or without returning to or enrolling in college or university, sales associate and general labourer roles are worth considering.

Patrick Poulin is President, Staffing and InHouse, Randstad Canada, a leader in the HR services industry.

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CAREERS & EDUCATION CAREER COACH

IMPORTANCE OF SOFT SKILLS IN THE WORKPLACE Soft skills are as important as your hard skills in achieving success

S

oft skills in the workplace are important at every level and everyone can benefit from working on them, from students to newcomers to well-placed professionals. When applying for a job or a promotion, your soft skills are as important as the hard skills i.e., the skill you need to achieve success on the job.

As a newcomer to Canada, you will eventually land a job but getting the position you want or progressing in your career may be an uphill task without the necessary soft skills.

Despite having years of work experience at established organizations, in addition to a high level of education and quality references, many immigrants find it challenging to advance in their careers.

According to a recent article in the Toronto Star, “Immigrants may have made progress reaching the first rung on their career ladder in Canada, but they are getting nowhere near the C-suites.”

In the workplace, there is need for both the hard i.e., technical skills needed to perform and the soft skills to fit into and progress within the Canadian workplace culture.

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 17 Issue 1 | 2020

These include skills like communication, the ability to work in a team, adaptability, self-awareness, time management, leadership skills and overall, doing things in a culturally appropriate way.

In LinkedIn’s Global Talent Trends report, 92 per cent of talent acquisition professionals admit that soft skills are equally or more important to hire for than hard skills.

In my two decades of experience as a Career Coach, I have interacted with everyone from newcomers looking for their first job in Canada to those looking to transition to a job more appropriate to their skill set from that first

‘entry-level job’, to mid-level career professionals aiming to climb up the career ladder.

Having worked with everyone from management consultants, occupational therapists, software engineers, CPAs, aerospace engineers and more, I see a higher demand for soft skills in BHASE sectors (Business, Humanities, Health, Arts, Social Science and Education) over the STEM sectors (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The Client Services Manager definitely needs more soft skills compared to the Lab Technician. But in the long run for career progression, it is wise to brush up on your people skills at every given opportunity.

In the workplace, there is need for both the hard i.e., technical skills needed to perform and the soft skills to fit into and progress within the Canadian workplace culture.”

Here are six of the most important soft skills you need to be effective in the workplace.

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Communication: It goes without saying that effective communication – both written and verbal skills - is paramount to any job. It involves articulating oneself well, being a good listener and using appropriate body language. Good communication enhances your chances of building relationships with co-workers.

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Teamwork: A company’s success is the result of many people working toward a common goal. Employers look to team players to help build a friendly office culture, which helps retain employees and in turn, attracts top talent.

3

Flexibility: The speed of change in The speed of change in workplaces can be very rapid. Consequently, employers need workers who can adapt to industry shifts and changes. Adaptability is an extremely valuable asset to employers.

4

Problem solving: Companies rely on problem solvers to navigate unexpected challenges. Problem solving also includes EQ (Emotional Intelligence) – the ability to control and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships.

5

Creativity: Creative thinking means being resourceful and finding ways to solve problems with limited resources. Your ability to come up with unique solutions or alternatives can drive innovation and increase efficiency.

6

Leadership: Displaying leadership skills helps you gain visibility which can lead to more opportunities for new jobs, promotions or salary raises. One way to do this is to seek opportunities to take on more responsibility and serve teams as much as possible.

Career progression Getting a job is only the first step. Once you get that start, beyond making a living, you need to focus on how to fit in and progress to senior level positions.

Make it a conscious effort to break current communication barriers, increase job satisfaction, add value to your organization and advance to more fulfilling roles. You can consciously develop soft skills that will help you begin to understand some of these differences and apply your new knowledge.

It’s important to understand how your performance will be measured in a Canadian workplace. I believe that these four key actions can hugely help in your advancement at work.

Making an effort to fit in To get ahead in your career, you must be perceived as being able to fit into the company culture. Fitting in includes having the soft skills to blend in with your colleagues. Sometimes this could also mean being able to socialize after office hours and discuss the latest Leafs game – this is as important as your ability to multitask and deliver the projects on time.

Get out from behind your desk — especially if you’re new to your role. Make it a priority to show up on time for meetings, prioritize time management on team projects; but at the same time, set up lunch dates with colleagues, attend special events and so on with equal adroitness.

Focusing on interpersonal skills Whether you’re at a board meeting or at a social event, your interactions with colleagues and key influencers will establish a foundation for your future success in your organization.

Make it a point to be engaging and genuinely interested in the person you are talking to.

• Become comfortable with small talk.

Canadians love to talk about subjects including the weather, the weekend getaway, last night’s game before getting to the main topic.

• Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.

• Talk in terms of the other person’s interests.

And do it sincerely. This makes the other person feel important.

Learning to be assertive Many people shy away from being assertive at work for fear of offending someone, but that may be an incorrect perception. Assertiveness is often confused with being aggressive. While aggressive behaviour takes the ‘my way or the highway’ approach, assertive behaviour means expressing your thoughts, feelings and needs in a direct, clear, honest and respectful way to others.

Assertiveness requires a combination of hard and soft skills, which is highly valued in the workplace. Aim to be assertive. No matter how new or settled, no matter how big or small your job profile is — interacting in this manner will make your employers see you as a valuable team player.

According to Anna Zhang, a rising PR

professional and marketing manger for financial projects who interacts with diverse individuals, and one of the people I had the opportunity to coach, focusing on soft skills helped her be more persuasive. “I learned to accept that asserting my point of view in a cordial, but firm way will help me further my career. Assertiveness is a necessary soft skill and if done properly, there is nothing unseemly about it.”

I learned to accept that asserting my point of view in a cordial, but firm way will help me further my career.

Assertiveness is a necessary soft skill and if done properly, there is nothing unseemly about it.”

— Anna Zhang, a rising PR Professional and Marketing Manager Executive presence How do you get promoted into a senior management role? Executive presence requires this combination of soft skills in addition to your hard skills.

To be promoted into leadership positions, being perceived as leadership material is essential.

Some of the key elements of executive presence include the ability to project confidence, read an audience or situation well and develop a sense of others’ perspectives.

In addition, the ability to speak with authority, make presentations and poise under pressure, and appearance, all contribute to your executive presence.

Murali Murthy is an acclaimed public speaker, life coach and best-selling author of The ACE Principle, The ACE Awakening, The ACE Abundance and You Are HIRED!. He is also chairperson of CAMP Networking Canada. Learn how he can help unlock your magic at unleashyourwow.com.

CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

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CAREERS & EDUCATION HIGHER LEARNING

Tap into all available opportunities

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Your post-secondary education is much more than a credential

our post-secondary experience could be much more than getting a credential. It could include making friends, getting work experience, and obtaining good references. It can also provide you with opportunities to broaden your interests, learn how to research and write, receive support from mentors and get intellectual stimulation to inspire you for a lifetime. Full-time students and, in some cases, parttime students are eligible for many services and opportunities. Don’t deprive yourself. Seek them out, use them and reap the benefits. you; they may become part of your professional network, your friends The people and even romantic partners. They There are many people you may can help you develop new interests meet as you pursue your education. and skills as you influence each other.

Faculty may become your role models, Staff can help you understand the mentors, referees as well as your institution and may become your teachers. Your classmates may help employer if you work on campus.

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 17 Issue 1 | 2020

from different fields of study, write position papers, obtain experience in marketing, public speaking and budgeting, and anything else that a student government takes on.

There are also events that happen through school which offer you the opportunity to socialize – whether it is a ski trip, a coffee house meeting or listening to a local band.

The services Post-secondary schools offer a variety of services. Counselling can help with personal and learning challenges and is often a good source for information about the other services available on campus and in the community. Career services may help you in getting job ready through resume writing and interview skills development, and some schools invite employers on campus to hire. Most schools provide health services, which may also include access to mental health counselling with shorter wait times than in the community. Other services include free tutoring and writing centres where becoming a better student is the goal. Find out what services are available at your school. Most are free and exist because students need them and it is expected that you will make use of them.

The experiences If you limit yourself to just going to class, you may miss out on experiences that could be very useful personally and professionally. Participating in student government, either paid or voluntary, is an opportunity to sit on committees, meet others

Work opportunities Many schools offer work experience as part of their program, which could be an internship, placement or co-op experience.

Also, opportunities exist for students to work on campus to help support expenses, gain careerrelated training, and to participate as part of student administration, peer programs or institutional life.

These opportunities may help you develop skills in time management, team work, and can be something you can add to your resume. They can also help you with improving language skills and provide you with a better understanding of Canadian culture.

A broader knowledge base It is common for a school to invite speakers who are experts in their field to present their research, work and ideas. These events are usually free and open to interested students. By attending these events, auditing courses, or taking additional electives you have the opportunity to get more intellectual stimulation, broaden your knowledge and find new ideas and interests.

There is much more to school than just your classes. You put in the time, effort and money – so why not make the most of it. Take this opportunity to enrich your life further.

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.

PUBLIC NOTICE The Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (“ICCRC”) is the national regulatory body that serves and protects the public by overseeing licensed Canadian immigration and citizenship consultants and international student advisors. ICCRC’s federal mandate stems from the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Citizenship Act. To ensure ongoing consumer protection, the Council administers a complaints and discipline process to ensure that its consultants and advisors comply with ICCRC’s Codes of Ethics and Regulations.

Below is a list of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (“RCICs”) who are currently subject to a suspension or revocation as a result of a disciplinary action. If you have any concerns about these individuals or any of our other members, we encourage you to contact us via our website with the information. This list was current at the time of publication and is subject to change. To see the most up-to-date list please visit ICCRC’s website.

Urgent Interim Suspension

www.iccrc-crcic.ca

Discipline Decision

Member:

Carlos Alaniz, R406623

Member:

Artem Djukic, R4099919

Company Name/ Location:

Fast Track Immigration

Company Name/ Location:

Soko Immigration Consulting Services Mississauga, ON

Summary of Allegations:

Court Proceedings are in progress alleging 24 counts of fraud and/ or forgery contrary to the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the “Court Proceeding”)

Finding:

Sanction/Duration:

Interim Suspension; Effective: 1-Nov-19 until a further decision on the complaint launched in 2019 is rendered by the Discipline Committee.

The Member failed to provide multiple clients with services that he promised. The Member provided misleading and/or erroneous advice to clients, including instructing clients to engage in dishonest and illegal conduct. He failed to provide refunds after agreeing to do so and failed to cooperate with ICCRC’s investigation.

Sanction:

Revocation; Effective 08-Jan-20 – Permanent; Monetary Penalty; Costs Awarded to ICCRC

Monetary Penalty:

$166,510.00

Costs :

$73,787.55

Decisions and Reasons:

https://tinyurl.com/ua49cmn

Decisions, Reasons and Order:

Vancouver, BC

https://tinyurl.com/yxxenr67

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

How the Federal Court will review visa refusals going forward

O

Significance of the decision that a person born in Canada to undercover Russian spies is a Canadian citizen

n December 19, 2019, the Supreme Court of Canada in the case of Minister of Citizenship and Immigration v.

Alexander Vavilov created a revised framework for the standard of review in judicial review applications. This case has significant implications for how Canada’s Federal Court will review the decisions of immigration officials.

Understanding the concept of standard of review I published an article about this case in the December 2018 issue of Canadian Immigrant dealing with the concept of the standard of review and how it pertains to courts reviewing administrative tribunal decisions. In the immigration context, administrative tribunals include visa officers, border officials and Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada members. The Federal Court has the jurisdiction to review all decisions of these tribunals, including visa refusals stays of removal and deportation orders.

The concept of the standard of review is perhaps best illustrated by using the analogy of a parent asking her child to pick the clothes that she will wear to school that day.

A parent who is showing her child a lot of deference will let her child wear whatever she wants to wear to school, as long as what the child picks is reasonable. If the child tries to wear pants over her head, for example, the parent would say that the child’s choice is unreasonable and prohibit the outfit. A parent showing deference will not interfere, however, simply because the clothes do not match or look bad. Such an approach is known as the reasonableness standard.

In contrast, a parent not showing a lot of deference would stop her child from wearing clothes that don’t match or look bad. The

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parent would only let the child wear outfits that the parent would wear. This approach is known as the correctness standard.

What the Supreme Court of Canada had to say In Vavilov the Supreme Court affirmed that in most cases the reasonableness standard, rather than the correctness standard, will apply to the judicial review of the decisions of immigration officials. The Supreme Court further stated that going forward, the reasonableness standard review would be more robust. Judicial review will not be a “rubberstamping” process or a means of “sheltering administrative decision makers from accountability.” Judges are required to ensure that decisions are “transparent, intelligible and justified.”

Vavilov articulates several further principles that will be of interest to people considering challenging a decision.

First, the Supreme Court affirmed

CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 17 Issue 1 | 2020

unreasonable for a decision maker to interpret or apply the provision without regard to that precedent.”

Fourth, the Supreme Court affirmed that while visa officers do not have to address every piece of evidence, the failure of an officer to meaningfully grapple with key issues or central arguments raised by an applicant may render the decision unreasonable.

Fifth, the Supreme Court stressed that it is important for consistency in administrative determinations.

In other words, whether someone gets a visa should not depend on whether the officer handling their case is ‘nice’ or ‘strict’.

Of particular note is that previously some Federal Court judges had stated that immigration officials could not follow what is written on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website. The that the reasonableness analysis Supreme Court appears to have focuses on the reasons, not cautioned against this, noting outcomes. Prior to the decision that summaries of past reasons, some had argued that even if a visa standards, and policy directives officer’s rationale in refusing an should guide the work of frontline application made no sense, a judge decision makers. should uphold the decision if the judge might also have refused the Going forward Vavilov is a new decision, and in application. The Supreme Court disagreed and reiterated that an 2020 the biggest story in Canadian immigration law will be how the officer’s reasons must make sense.

Second, the Court stated that a Federal Court applies it. A more refusal will also be unreasonable robust reasonableness standard if it is not possible to understand is welcome, especially one which the officer’s reasoning on a critical appears to say that immigration point. Reasons that contain officials need to follow their circular reasoning, false dilemmas, department’s guidelines and the unfounded generalizations or absurd website. A lack of consistency is premises will also be unreasonable. one of the biggest complaints about Third, the court ruled that Canada’s immigration system, where there is existing Federal and hopefully a more pronounced Court of Canada jurisprudence emphasis on transparency and on how to interpret Canadian intelligibility will result in a fairer immigration legislation, “it would be and rational process.

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

SETTLEMENT PARENTING

The power of the printed word Seven reasons why print books are still powerful tools in the digital world

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ith increasing use of technologies, many parents are turning to electronic books, or other audiovisual media to replace reading oldfashioned print books to children.

Does this mean that print books are obsolete? While there are pros and cons to both options, I believe that print books continue to be very effective learning tools.

Below are seven powerful reasons for families to pick up print books and start reading to children.

1. Print books help children to use their imagination, based on the

words and illustrations provided on the pages of books. This provides an opportunity for the readers’ unique experience, knowledge, and vivid imagination to come alive, helping them build connections between the stories in the book and their imagination to bring the stories to life.

2. Reading books allows readers to control the pace of reading and the way the story is being told in comparison to audio-visual devices where one is not often able to control the speed of the narrative or the delivery. This helps readers choose what phrases or sentences to repeat, when to pause, slow down or speed up according to the needs or level of their children, so that they can best absorb the knowledge from the books. This also allows the parent to personalize the content by interjecting sound effects or comments along the way.

3. For those learning a new language, one can write or highlight the texts on their copy of the book,

make revisions, jot down notes on pronunciation of new words being learned or mark the words down in one’s own language, especially when it comes to learning a new language.

4. Print books don’t require costly equipment, batteries, apps, wi-fi or passwords! Anyone of pick up books from a local library or a bookstore and start reading, anywhere, anytime.

5. Print books are suitable for people of diverse levels of technology skills or literacy levels. From picture books to novels and non-fiction books, there is something for everyone.

6. Parents can rest assured that with a printed book, their children cannot wander to inappropriate online websites or be distracted by other online apps. This can help having to deal with negative behaviours associated with excessive

technology.

7. Authors and illustrators often invest quite a bit of thought and effort in designing the book, from the placement of words, illustrations selected and the language chosen to create books for children of all ages and interests. Make use of some of that excellent learning material!

At the end of the day, reading together, whether it is an electronic or print book, is one of most effective ways to bond with our children, and connect on a deeper level. Remember that our children do not need or want digital storybooks with fancy effects or an audio-visual device that offers a professional storyteller with perfect English skills. What our children really need is having their parents’ time and attention – reading books together regularly can be a powerful bonding experience.

Cheryl Song, an immigrant from Malaysia, has more than 20 years’ experience of working in early learning and family programs. Contact her at cheryl@learnwithsong.com or visit her website at learnwithsong.com.

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PROFILE

BRINGING ‘GLOBAL CITIZENRY’ TO FASHION Iranian-born entrepreneur Elle AyoubZadeh has paired her cross-continental background to create successful brand Zvelle, a globally-inspired line of women’s accessories

By Rebeca Kuropatwa

B

orn in Iran shortly after the revolution in 1981, Elle AyoubZadeh moved with her parents to Dubai and attended an American school until she was 13. They then moved to New Zealand where AyoubZadeh finished high school and attended university, studying business and specializing in luxury marketing.

“I always had this desire to see the world and do something with my life, so I bought a one-way ticket right after university to Australia... and that’s how I started my career in finance,” said AyoubZadeh.

“I’ve always been a person driven by instinct and didn’t see myself living the rest of my life in Australia. One day, I was standing outside of work and this bus went past. And, it had this ad on it that said, ‘Good things last longer in Canada.’ And I got this feeling in my gut and was on the phone with my mom when I saw it. And, I said to her, ‘I think I want to go to Canada.’ And my mom, God bless her, she’s always supported my big vision, what I want to do in life. And she said, ‘I’m sure you’re going to do that.’ And a couple weeks later, I saw the same ad, except it was in the newspaper, and I thought, this means something.”

After two years in Australia working for a global company, AyoubZadeh decided to ask for a transfer to the Canadian office in Toronto, which was looking to expand from 20 employees to 200 and needed all the help they could get.

Although she was given a nice promotion and a package to help cover her relocation costs when she came to Canada in 2007, having moved from one country to another as an adult a few times by then, AyoubZadeh knew that adjusting to a new country always comes with challenges.

“You get the good with the bad,” she said. “It’s like a coin with two different sides. When I moved here, it was when the financial crisis had hit.

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 17 Issue 1 | 2020

For me, a young person, single, and not knowing anyone in Canada, it was really the best time to immerse myself in work. I’ve always been very driven and very ambitious. I just enjoyed every challenge.

“I didn’t grow up with entrepreneurs, so I didn’t speak that language, but I did get really interested in venture capital. That was kind of the closest thing to building companies, for somebody with my skill set, which was really marketing, business development, and coming up with new ideas.”

It was then that AyoubZadeh realized that she was ready to pursue her dream of opening her own business. Having had experience helping other people with their businesses, she developed very strict guidelines for how her business would look and operate.

Zvelle, the company AyoubZadeh founded in 2015 in Toronto, employs people in Toronto, Canada as well as Florence, Italy where the shoes and bags are made, marrying high end fashion with comfort, maintaining that one does not need to come at the expense of the other. She takes pride in the brand’s exquisite Italian craftsmanship, which she has paired with her cross-continental background to create this globally-inspired line of women’s accessories.

AyoubZadeh was blessed to have had a brother, Amir, who has a developmental disability. Helping her mom with a high needs child, ensured that AyoubZadeh developed coping skills that only people in her situation possess at a young age – also making her considered by her peers “un-cool,” which afforded her time to herself. What had sometimes seemed like a burden for a teenager, she now sees the value in as she considers herself a global citizen in a world in which we are all truly equal, regardless of race, colour, or religion.

And, it is with this mindset that she runs her business. “I think that, in

Canada, we live that way – that’s the beauty of this country,” said AyoubZadeh. “I believe in this so much that I decided to invest in building a company that really brings this idea of global citizenry to fashion. And, by ‘global citizenry,’ I’m talking about this mindset of being open to the world and embracing all the cultures, all the similarities and differences, and really applying it into everything you do.”

“That’s the world I grew up in and that I believe in. And, when we look around, I keep coming back to Canada. This is why people want to move here from all around the world. So, I wanted to bring that into fashion and really change the way women and their stories are portrayed.”

At the 2018 Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA), Zvelle was nominated for the Accessory Designer of the Year Award.

Zvelle is a direct-to-consumer brand, so it doesn’t have any permanent locations. Its most recent pop-up location was in Toronto.

By ‘global citizenry,’ I’m talking about this mindset of being open to the world and embracing all the cultures, all the similarities and differences, and really applying it into everything you do.”

above Elle AyoubZadeh considers herself a global citizen in a world in which we are all truly equal, regardless of race, colour, or religion.

They also name every style after different women from around the world – not famous women, but women who have a story that the company shares in their marketing. “It’s their way of impacting the world positively,” said AyoubZadeh.

“Everything I’m doing today would not be possible if my parents had not been immigrants, if I had not been an immigrant.

“I think this helps me understand other cultures better at the end of the day, regardless of what language somebody speaks or what they look like. I think it is that human connection that we all have, where we can really get together if we decide to do something positive in the world. So, that’s my journey.”

Living a purpose-driven and ambitious life, AyoubZadeh is determined to leave a positive footprint on this universe, proclaiming that there are no limits to good you can do or be.

And, to other immigrants, AyoubZadeh implores that they be themselves, keep their culture, and use it to contribute to Canada and the world – “unfold your own myth,” as Persian poet Rumi said.

CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

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MONEY & BUSINESS T IP S F OR SE T T L ING IN FA S T E R

New year, new money management

New to Canada? Three tips to help you successfully manage your finances

T

o begin the New Year, we often participate in a time-honoured custom of creating New Year’s resolutions.

This typically involves individuals setting self-improvement goals to fulfill throughout the year.

And finances, particularly money management and saving, commonly make an appearance on resolutions lists.

In the spirit of the New Year and starting 2020 off on the right foot, below are some financial management tips specific for newcomers to Canada. These will not only help you start the year off right, but also kickstart how you manage your money in Canada.

Get to know the types of Canadian bank accounts: One of the differences you may notice first is the various types of accounts available to you. The two mostcommon types are ‘chequing account’ and ‘savings account.’ You

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might decide to open a chequing account for your day-to-day transactions or deposit your pay cheques. A savings account is ideal for funds that you don’t need access to on a daily basis and may be the right option for setting money aside for things like home furnishings or education.

Research available investment plans: One is the Tax-Free Savings Account, or better known as a TFSA. A TFSA is an account where individuals can set money aside tax-free over the course of their lifetime; contributions to a TFSA are not deductible for income tax purposes but withdrawals from a TFSA are tax-free. You are not required to have earned an income to open up a TFSA so it’s a great way to start investing quickly and take advantage of tax-free savings.

Build your Canadian credit history: Once you open your first Canadian bank account, it’s

CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 17 Issue 1 | 2020

important to start building credit history right away. Credit and credit history is needed in Canada for bigger purchases like a home or car, but may also be required for cell phone bills, rent and other monthly expenses.

One way to start building a credit history is by applying for a Canadian credit card and using it wisely. Having a Canadian credit card and making regular payments on it is the easiest way to establish a credit history and build a good credit score in Canada, which can help you qualify for other borrowing options and lower interest rates in the future. A credit card provides other benefits as well: • It’s a convenient way to shop and pay for services without carrying large amounts of cash.

• It’s often needed for certain purchases, such as setting up a contract for a mobile phone, renting a car or shopping online.

• Purchases made in Canada using a Canadian credit card are not subject to exchange rate costs.

Happy financial planning and all the best in 2020!

Amit Sadhu is the Vice President, Newcomer Segment, at RBC. Visit rbc.com/newcomers or visit a branch near you for help and advice to help you save more and settle in faster.

Make MeMories of suMMertiMe last a lifetiMe Help send 25,000 kids to summer camp 2020 Goal: $650,000

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MONEY & BUSINESS

Think carefully before you apply for a payday loan

P

How informed are you about payday lending?

ayday loans are short-term loans with high-interest rates that are often available to people without or with poor credit history.

When immigrants move to Canada, they arrive without a Canadian credit history. Unfortunately, even if they had a good credit rating in their home country, information is not shared between countries. And since establishing a credit history from scratch takes time, payday loans become an attractive option for newcomers.

Payday loans are offered by private businesses not regulated by the government and do not help you build your credit. Payday lenders do not report borrower compliance to credit bureaus; therefore, borrowers cannot build credit or improve their credit score.

Consequently, as a newcomer, it is crucial to think carefully before deciding that a payday loan is your best option.

Before getting a payday loan

As tempting as it might seem, there are a few things newcomers need to consider before It is easy to get payday loans. Usually, they choosing a payday loan.

Can you get money somewhere else? Ask friends are approved instantly; do not require credit checks, documents or a co-signer; and they are and family if they can help you first. If what you want is to start a business or pay for education, disbursed quickly.

However, because of their high-interest training, assessments, credentials or licensing, a rates, these loans can be costly in the long run microlender can be your best option. They are and difficult to pay back. Missing a payment or non-profit organizations that offer smaller loans failure to repay the loan can have catastrophic and typically require less documentation than consequences to your finances because you will banks and, depending on the lender, provide lowinterest rates. be subject to a high penalty fee.

What every newcomer should know

26

CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 17 Issue 1 | 2020

Do you understand all the fees attached to a payday loan? Comprehending all the costs associated with payday loans is essential, especially the costs you would incur if you are not able to pay back the loan.

How informed are you on payday lending?

Information is key. Familiarizing yourself with the laws and regulations on the topic could

help you avoid predatory lending practices.

Educate yourself to make the right decision It is expensive to settle in a new country, and savings often run out more quickly than anticipated.

Payday loans may seem like a solution during a stressful, tight period but they can often create much more anxiety in the long run.

Interest charges by payday lenders are incredibly high. The costs of the loan can escalate out of control, and you could find

yourself in a vicious cycle of taking out payday loan after loan. This is why it is smart to consider all other options before choosing this route.

More importantly, by educating yourself about personal finances and being aware of your rights and responsibilities as a consumer, as a newcomer, you can ensure you are making the right financial decisions. It would be easier for you to establish a good credit history while at the same time, managing your financial goals.

By Margarita Arbelaez, Windmill Microlending

MONEY & BUSINESS

Succeed financially in Canada My Money in Canada is a website designed to support newcomers to Canada as they settle and establish themselves financially in Canada.

Visit moneymanagement.prospercanada.org/newcomer

Co-founder and supporter of the Prosper Canada Centre for Financial Literacy

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27

MOTIVATION

WINNING

ADVICE

RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants from 2019 share their words of wisdom and inspirational tips with you as we walk into a new year and a whole new decade!

Rola Dagher

President and CEO, Cisco Canada

“

Thirty years ago, I arrived from war-torn Lebanon with few possessions and no expectations; survival has been my life focus for so long. What I did possess was a strong work ethic, growth mindset and hunger to learn. Though my path wasn’t straightforward, my hard work and the support of mentors helped me realize the endless opportunities in this country. My advice: Trade your expectations with appreciation of what Canada can offer you — through perseverance and resilience —­ you’ll forge a new path forward that you might not have dreamed possible. And always remember, life owes you nothing, Life is an opportunity for you to make the best of it. Go out there and make the best of being YOU.

”

Selwyn Collaco Chief Data Officer, TMX Group

“

Keep a positive attitude and reflect back on the learnings from 2019. It is easy to set goals in the new year and not meet them but takes a lot more grit and work to be true to yourself in understanding your weaknesses and working on them. It is only you and your ability to work hard alongside your strong work ethic that will help define your path to success. Stay in control, be passionate and pursue your dreams to reality. Wish you the best in 2020.

”

Mohd Jamal Alsharif

Founder and President, Humans for Peace Institution

“

I would like to give a small piece of advice to everyone: volunteer wherever and whenever you can. Volunteering will help you understand others, learn about the community, network, and increase your knowledge. At the end of the day, I would wish everyone a happy new year full of happiness, health, love and peace.

”

28

CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 17 Issue 1 | 2020

Philip Lee, C.M., O.M.

Dr. Nhung Tran-Davies

Retired Entrepreneur and Manitoba’s 24th Lieutenant Governor

“

Physician and Founder, Children of Vietnam Benevolent Foundation

“

On the Chinese lunar calendar, we are celebrating the ‘Year of the Rat’ in 2020. Those born in this zodiac sign are known to be instinctive, alert and adaptable. We can all try to emulate these traits and try to anticipate the journey ahead in order to reach our goals.

We can be more aware of our actions and make appropriate changes in our attitudes and efforts. My father Sam would say, don’t wait for things to happen, make them happen. Work 20 per cent harder to be 20 per cent better.

Anything is possible in Canada if you work hard enough. Remain resilient in the face of failures and setbacks, as there will be many, because every challenge prepares you for something bigger and better. Through it all, take some time to sit back and cherish the fact that you are now Canadian. Who you are – your culture, your colour, the richness of your language and stories, your unique contributions – is what makes Canada so beautiful.

Kimberlee Shelley-Ajibolade

Javier Badillo

”

Branch Manager - Universal Staffing and District Manager Black Women Honors & Empowerment (Brampton Chapter)

“

I think it’s important to be thankful for what we do have and what we’ve gained. My advice: 1. Set goals (I use a vision board - dream big but be realistic) 2. Stay focused 3. Have something that grounds you (for me, it’s my faith) 4. Volunteer - a great way to give back, make connections and gain experience 5. Be grateful - even in the small things. Finally, remember in life there are only wins and lessons – nothing is a failure if you learn from it, so just do it!

”

Film Director, Spitshine Flicks

“

Allow yourself to reassess what work means to you. A lot of newcomers who are used to a career or a way of life are afraid or too proud to pick up jobs that carry a certain stigma in the cultures they come from. But there’s pride in work here in Canada, and personally, I’ve never felt judged for the work that I do – whether from choice or necessity. Once that’s out of the way, the sky is the limit.

”

”

CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

29

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 17 Issue 1 | 2020

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DON’T MISS THE 2020 FAIRS! Halifax

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• ENGLISH LANGUAGE HELP • IMMIGRATION AND SETTLEMENT HELP • BANKING AND SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES • MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS • INSPIRATION TO SUCCEED

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