PROFILE: Gursimran Datla is carving space for authentic South Asian stories
NEWS: Vote now for Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards
Canada introduces “30 days or free” passport processing guarantee
Hate crimes in Canada remain high for immigrant communities
Where the jobs are in 2026 for newcomers in Canada
Lifestyle inflation is a growing reality for many
Frosted Haven is a winter landscape painted on a naturally fallen leaf by Indiaborn artist Shree Mehta. Drawing on more than two decades of life in Canada, Mehta captures the stillness and expanse of the country’s snowcovered terrain in this piece.
Immigrants with disabilities face gaps in access, support and opportunity
Pick Pickering: affordable, connected, welcoming for newcomers
Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher
Publications mail agreement number: 40065097
Canadian Immigrant is published four times a year in print. Canadian Immigrant welcomes submissions, but is not responsible for unsolicited material. Canadian Immigrant is a publication of Metroland Media Group, a division of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. Entire contents property of Canadian Immigrant.
HEAD OFFICE
211 Pritchard Road, Unit 4 Hamilton, Ontario L8J 0G5
Tel: 905 273 8111
FUSION People. News. Information.
GURSIMRAN DATLA Shooting his shot
BY CHITRA K MENON
From a small town in Punjab, India to Canada’s independent film scene, Gursimran Datla has built his journey with purpose, persistence, and a clear mission — to tell stories that reflect the layered realities of South Asian lives in North America. After arriving in Toronto as an international student in 2016, he faced cultural, linguistic and industry barriers; yet, he went on to found BetterHalf Films, a platform dedicated to authentic, diasporic storytelling. Today, his work includes festivals, industry pitches, and original projects exploring identity, migration and human connection.
Q: When you arrived in Canada as a student, did you imagine that you would be pitching projects to major film platforms?
I never planned to come to Canada. I first tried my luck in the Indian film industry, thinking I would work my way up as an assistant director, but it was expensive and overwhelming. I realized I could invest that same effort somewhere else. When I arrived in Canada, I adopted a mindset of learning – understanding the system, figuring out how storytelling works here, and mastering how to pitch projects effectively.
Q: What were the biggest challenges you faced breaking into the film industry as a newcomer?
There were two major challenges. One was language
— I had trained in Hindi and Urdu theatre, and I needed to communicate creatively in English with actors and collaborators. The other was cultural expression. Indian storytelling relies heavily on metaphor, symbolism, and subtext, while English storytelling is often more direct. Translating that emotional depth into a different format took time. Making my advanced diploma film, which won the Best Film award at the Donny Awards (annual student showcase by Centennial College’s School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design in Toronto) in 2017, reassured me that I was on the right track.
Q: You have spent years watching films, writing about them, and even running a film collective. How did that shape your storytelling?
Films have always been a window into people and cultures for me. I have watched hundreds of movies, studied film history, and engaged with cinema as a writer and critic. I even ran a community film collective in my hometown, Chandigarh, where we invited filmmakers and engaged audiences in dialogue. These experiences taught me not just about cinema, but about society — how people think, feel, and respond. That observation and understanding of human behavior informs every story I create today.
Q: You have said immigrant stories are “deeply Canadian,” yet rarely seen on screen. When did you realize you wanted to tell South Asian stories rooted in Canada?
When you move to a new country, you naturally view it through your own lens — shaped by your upbringing, culture, and language. But Canada has its own perspectives and challenges, especially within immigrant communities, and those stories are often untold. My project Masala Love was inspired by a Punjabi woman who arrived in the 1980s, worked in a factory, and raised her child — a story that had never been shown on screen. That realization motivated me to create stories grounded in the life around me and gave me a platform to say, “These stories matter,” not just for myself, but for my community and for other voices still missing.
Q: What led you to start your own production venture, BetterHalf Films?
I founded BetterHalf Films in 2021 because if I wanted these stories told, I had to create my own platform. It wasn’t just about my work; it was about providing a space
for other creators who needed guidance and opportunities. Over time, it has grown into a supportive community where we mentor emerging storytellers and help them share their own voices. In a city as large as Toronto, where people can feel disconnected, building that network became essential.
Q: Your work has been featured at several festivals. What have those experiences meant for you?
For independent filmmakers, festivals provide visibility, validation, and audience connection. Projects like Masala Love have allowed us to reach viewers from multiple communities. It is a South Asian Canadian comedy with characters from various backgrounds, and we are developing it further with experienced writers and producers.
Masala Love has been recognized at the University of Toronto Film Festival and screened at major festivals, including the International Film Festival of South Asia Toronto, Emerging Lens Cultural Film Festival, and MOSAIC International South Asian Film Festival. This recognition gives me the confidence to continue, proving that audiences value these stories.
Q: What draws you to the stories you want to tell and what can audiences expect next?
My project, Departure, inspired by a relative who faced violence after 9/11, examines migration across generations, while Reception is a satirical drama set in one location, exploring perspectives within the art world. At the same time, I’m experimenting with different formats — currently supporting young creators on an animated series. Whether it is comedy, drama, or animation, I want audiences to see themselves and their communities reflected on screen in stories that are authentic, relatable, and grounded in lived experience.
QUOTABLE
"Immigration is only half the story — integration is the other. The system is confusing, full of backlogs, and contradictory decisions. Long wait times are unacceptable. Two things must happen: the system needs to be managed better, and Canadians need to see that integration is working"
Hands-on learning. Flexible delivery.
Ratna Omidvar, Former senator, Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award winner, 2018
Canada introduces “30 days or free” passport processing guarantee
Canadians applying for passports will soon receive a refund if their application takes too long to process, under a new federal guarantee aimed at improving service standards.
The government announced that, effective April 1, 2026, applicants will get a full refund of their passport or travel document fee if processing exceeds 30 business days.
Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said the new “30 days or free” policy is designed to strengthen accountability and ensure a more predictable experience for applicants. Processing time will begin once a complete application is received — including all required documents, a compliant passport photo and full payment — and will end when the document is printed and verified. Mailing time is not included. Officials say most passport
applications are already processed within existing service standards, which typically range from 10 to 20 business days depending on how and where the application is submitted. The new policy introduces an automatic refund if those timelines are exceeded, with no action required from applicants.
The government says the measure is part of broader efforts to improve passport services and maintain public confidence following delays experienced in recent years. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families, said timely service helps Canadians avoid additional costs such as taking time off work, arranging childcare or paying for in-person appointments. The refund guarantee will apply to standard passport and travel document applications, but not to certain administrative services such as replacements or certified copies. It also excludes urgent and express applications, which already operate under separate timelines and refund rules.
Applications affected by exceptional circumstances that disrupt operations may also be exempt. The government says the new standard will apply consistently across all application channels, including in-person, mail and overseas submissions.
Hate crimes in Canada remain high, with racialized and immigrant communities still at risk
While police-reported hate crimes in Canada levelled off in 2024 after years of sharp increases, new data suggests that immigrants and racialized communities continue to face growing and evolving risks.
According to Statistics Canada, there were 4,882 hate crimes reported last year — a one per cent increase from 2023. The relatively stable number follows a 34 per cent spike the year before and comes after hate crimes have more than doubled nationwide since 2018. Beneath the surface, however, the trends tell a more complex story. Hate crimes targeting race or ethnicity — among the most relevant categories for immigrants — rose eight per cent in 2024. The increase points to continued challenges for racialized Canadians, even as overall figures plateau.
At the same time, hate crimes targeting religion remained high, following a dramatic 154 per cent surge between 2020 and 2023. In 2024, 70 per cent of religion-based incidents targeted Jewish communities, while 17 per cent were
directed at Muslim populations — both of which include large immigrant communities. Experts say the nature of these incidents is also shifting. While non-violent offences such as vandalism and mischief have declined proportionally, violent hate crimes are on the rise. Between 2019–2021 and 2022–2024, violent incidents targeting religion increased by more than 116 per cent. The data also highlights where these incidents are occurring. Hate crimes are significantly more likely to take place near educational institutions — about eight times more likely than other types of crime — raising concerns for international students and young newcomers navigating unfamiliar environments.
Religious institutions also remain key sites, though incidents in these locations have declined slightly over time. For many immigrants, these findings underscore a difficult reality: while Canada continues to promote itself as a welcoming destination, experiences of bias and discrimination remain a part of daily life for some.
It’s time to vote for the 2026 Top 25
All Canadians are invited to discover the shortlist of 75 Canadian Immigrant Award finalists from across Canada, read their profiles and cast your vote for their top three favourites at Canadianimmigrant.ca/top25.
Now in its 18th year, this prestigious award has been recognizing and celebrating the stories of Canadian immigrants who have achieved great things while inspiring others and making an impact in their adopted country. “Building a stronger future is about coming together as a nation, recognizing the contributions of everyone who has made Canada better. This year’s 75 finalists are true examples of leaders who are building careers and companies while giving back to their communities and fellow
Canadian Immigrant Awards!
Canadians,” said Sanjay Agnihotri, Publisher of Canadian Immigrant, a national multimedia platform and producer of the awards. “Join us in voting for the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards of 2026."
Presented by Western Union, the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards program has been the leader in highlighting inspiring immigrants in Canada, and, following an online voting and selection process, honouring 25 winners with the only national award celebrating immigrant success.
Over the last decade and a half, more than one thousand people have made the shortlist of Top 75 finalists, representing diverse professions,
experiences and cultural backgrounds, from coast to coast. The Top 75 finalists are chosen from among hundreds of nominations by a judging panel composed of past winners.
After the voting phase, this year’s Top 25 will join an inspiring group of past winners who are examples of true nation builders. Two of our Top 25 winners will be honoured with the Entrepreneur Award and the Youth Award.
Vote for up to three finalists until June 12, 2026 at www.canadianimmigrant.ca/top25. The award winners will be announced online and in the August issue of Canadian Immigrant magazine.
Roommates, Relatives, or Living Alone:
Adjusting to new living situations
Here are a few ways you can adjust to new living situations
Living with roommates: learning to share more than space
Living with roommates sounds simple enough until you’re actually in it. You start noticing things almost immediately. Different schedules. Different habits. Different ideas of what “clean” looks like. None of it is wrong, just different, and that difference is where most of the friction can come from.
How to adjust: It helps to say things early, before they turn into small frustrations you carry around. Not in a big, formal way. Just simple conversations about cleaning, shared groceries, or quiet hours. It might feel awkward to talk about it, but it prevents bigger issues later.
Living with relatives: comfort, with a few adjustments
There’s a certain kind of ease that comes with living with relatives. There’s familiarity in the language, the food, the small everyday habits. But even so, some things can still feel new.
You’ve grown into your own routines, and so have they. There are expectations that aren’t always said out loud, and moments where you feel that shift between being taken care of and being your own person.
How to adjust: Pay attention to how the household moves. When people gather, when they prefer space, how things are usually done. Then find a way to fit into that flow while still keeping parts of your own routine. It’s less about changing everything, and more about finding a middle ground that works for everyone.
Living alone: building something of your own
At first, it feels like freedom. You can do things your way, on your time, without needing to check in with anyone. Then, slowly, the reality settles in. Everything is yours to manage. Meals, groceries, bills, even the small things you never really thought about before.
How to adjust: Accept that there’s no perfect way to get it right from the start, and you don’t have to figure everything out all at once. Start with a few simple routines that make your days feel more grounded, whether it’s planning your meals, setting a grocery day, or keeping your space in order. There’s a learning curve, but it becomes easier with time.
Staying connected to family back home is another way many people adjust. Even while building independence, that connection doesn’t disappear. Sometimes that’s through regular calls. Other times, it’s stepping in to help when they need it, for everyday expenses or more important needs. Western Union makes it easier to send money back home, so you can stay connected while building your life here.
Finding your version of home
No matter how you live, be it with roommates, with relatives, or on your own, it takes time to adjust. Some days feel easy, others take more effort.
But gradually, things start to fall into place. You learn what works, what doesn’t, and what feels right for you. And before you know it, what once felt temporary begins to feel like a home you’ve settled into.
Western Union makes sending money back home easy online or via the mobile app. New customers enjoy a $0 transfer fee* on their first transfer. Visit westernunion.com/ca/en/home.html for more information. *Exchange rates apply.
WHERE THE JOBS ARE IN 2026
The sectors offering the strongest opportunities for newcomers in Canada
BY CHITRA K MENON
Canada’s hiring landscape is showing signs of measured stability in 2026. Employers are hiring cautiously, directing resources toward sectors that deliver essential services and long-term economic value. Health care continues to grow. Education systems are expanding to serve increasingly diverse communities. Professional services are adjusting to new technologies and shifting business needs.
For newcomers, this shift brings greater clarity. Opportunities still exist, but they are concentrated in specific occupations with defined credential requirements and clear entry pathways.
Internationally trained professionals are asking practical questions: Which roles are actively hiring? What do they pay across provinces? What licensing or certifications are required? And what steps can be taken in the first few months after arrival?
The answers are most evident in three sectors — health care, professional services and education — where demand remains steady and pathways are achievable with the right preparation.
Health care: steady demand, structured pathways
“Health care in Canada is always in demand,” says Shraddha Patil, a health-care recruitment specialist. According to Statistics Canada, employment in the sector grew by 85,000 jobs in the 12 months ending December 2025, reflecting sustained demand driven by an aging population and expanding communitybased services.
“For regulated professionals — including registered nurses (RNs), registered practical nurses (RPNs), physiotherapists, occupational therapists (OTs), pharmacists, social workers and behavioural support specialists — hiring remains consistently strong,” Patil says.
Ontario leads hiring for regulated roles, followed by Alberta and British Columbia. Demand for nurses is particularly strong in Alberta and in rural and remote communities, where recruitment challenges persist. Many newcomers initially settle in large urban centres such as Toronto or Vancouver, where competition is more intense.
Non-regulated roles also continue to see steady hiring. Positions such as personal support workers (PSWs), health-care aides, medical office assistants, dental assistants, pharmacy assistants and unit aides remain in demand. “For newcomers, such roles can
be a smart starting point while they work toward licensing,” Patil adds.
Compensation reflects responsibility and credential requirements. In Ontario, RNs typically earn between $75,000 and $100,000 annually, with hourly rates ranging from $40 to $55, depending on experience and shift premiums. RPNs generally earn between $50,000 and $75,000 per year.
Allied health professions also offer competitive earnings. Entry-level physiotherapists working toward full licensing may start between $60,000 and $75,000 annually, while OTs often earn salaries in the mid-$80,000 range. Social workers typically earn between $32 and $52 per hour, depending on experience and sector.
Non-regulated roles offer lower but stable entry wages. PSWs and health-care aides in Ontario typically earn $20 to $23 per hour, while similar roles in British Columbia range from $21 to $24 per hour.
Regulated roles come with strict requirements
“You cannot practise in a healthcare setting without proper certification,” Patil says. “Licensing, CPR, immunizations and TB testing are all mandatory.”
RNs must complete a recognized nursing degree, pass the NCLEX-RN exam and register with a provincial regulator such as the College of Nurses of Ontario. Other allied health professions follow similar pathways, requiring accredited education and provincial registration.
For newcomers entering the healthcare market, Patil
Patil
recommends treating the first 30 to 60 days as a preparation period. “Start by researching the provincial regulatory body for your profession and begin the credential recognition process. Obtain certifications such as First Aid and CPR, ensure immunizations are current, and — particularly for those considering community or home-care roles — secure a valid driver’s licence early, as many positions require travel between client homes,” she says.
Gaining local exposure can also strengthen applications. “We always encourage volunteering, even if some roles are unpaid. You gain hours and shadowing experience,” Patil adds.
For many internationally trained professionals, this process involves gaining Canadian experience while working toward credential recognition. Carla De Sousa followed a similar path.
De Sousa arrived in Canada in 2017 with a master’s degree in psychology and experience working as an OT. Starting over proved challenging. “I did not speak English well. But I was not ready to give up,” she says.
For several years, she worked survival jobs while improving her English and learning how the Canadian job market operates. In 2021, she secured a role as a rehabilitation support worker, allowing her to re-enter the field and gain Canadian experience. “Since there was no bridging program available for internationally trained occupational therapists at the time, I later enrolled in a bridging program in social work,” she says.
Today, De Sousa is registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario and is in the final stage of gaining equivalency for her licence. Her advice to newcomers is simple: “Connect with community organizations, learn about available resources, and keep moving forward.”
Professional services: opportunity with the right positioning
Professional services continue to offer strong opportunities for skilled professionals, says talent acquisition expert Sajithkumar Swaminathan.
“Business analysts, data analysts, financial analysts, risk and compliance specialists, internal auditors and cybersecurity analysts are actively hiring. ERP functional consultants working with platforms such as Sage, SAP or NetSuite, along with project management office analysts and project co-ordinators, remain in steady demand,” he says.
Salary expectations reflect the technical nature of the work. Business analysts typically earn between $75,000 and $105,000 annually, while data analysts earn $70,000 to $100,000. Financial analysts generally earn $70,000 to $95,000, and compliance or risk analysts can earn $75,000 to
$110,000. ERP consultants often command $85,000 to $120,000, while cybersecurity analysts may earn $90,000 to $130,000.
Regional dynamics also influence compensation. “Salaries in Toronto and Vancouver often carry a 10 to 20 per cent premium, although competition is higher,” Swaminathan says. Calgary offers strong opportunities in energy advisory and finance, while Montreal remains competitive but slightly lower on average. Atlantic Canada and the Prairies may offer lower pay but less competition.
“Employers are seeking professionals who combine analytical ability with strong communication and business acumen,” says talent
HEALTH CARE IN CANADA IS ALWAYS IN DEMAND
According to Statistics Canada, employment in the sector grew by 85,000 jobs in the 12 months ending Dec. 2025
acquisition leader Neylan Unsac. “Technical skills matter, but employers also value professionals who can translate data into actionable insights, collaborate across teams and understand Canadian regulatory frameworks.”
Unsac advises newcomers to pursue credentials strategically. “Rather than collecting certifications randomly, focus on those aligned with your career path,” he says. Designations such as CPA, PMP, or data analytics certifications in tools like Power BI or Tableau can strengthen credibility when combined with relevant experience.
For newcomers, the first 30 to 60 days in Canada can be critical. Unsac recommends starting with a Canadian-style resumé, strengthening LinkedIn visibility and identifying target employers. Networking, outreach and relevant certifications can help build credibility.
“Entry into the sector often comes through contract roles or mid-sized consulting firms, which allow candidates to demonstrate how their international experience connects to the Canadian
business environment,” he says.
Education: demand expanding beyond classrooms
“Education is the fourth major sector where immigration plays an important role in Canada, after health care, STEM and the trades,” says Shamira Madhany, managing director of Canada at World Education Services (WES).
As Canada’s population grows, the workforce ages and governments expand child-care programs, demand across the education sector is rising. “But when we talk about education jobs, we are not only talking about teachers. The sector has many layers,” she says.
Roles in demand include researchers, university professors, elementary and secondary school teachers, early childhood educators and teaching assistants. “For many internationally trained teachers, starting in early childhood education roles can be a foot in the door,” Madhany says.
The salary range varies widely. According to Statistics Canada, full-time university professors earn an average of about $162,000 annually, with senior faculty often exceeding $190,000. Public school teachers typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000, while early childhood educators earn between $35,000 and $56,000. Demand is strongest in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. At the same time, school boards across Canada report shortages of French-language teachers, special education specialists and classroom support staff.
Credential requirements vary by role. Professors typically require a PhD, while school teachers must complete a bachelor’s degree, a Bachelor of Education degree and provincial certification. Early childhood educators require a diploma or degree and registration with provincial regulators.
Madhany says credential recognition has become more co-ordinated in recent years. “WES partnered with the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada on the Pathways to Teach program, which gives internationally trained teachers a single-entry point to pursue teaching,” she says.
Preparation should begin before arrival. “Understand the credential requirements, gather documentation and start the evaluation process early,” she says. Volunteering in schools, libraries or community programs can help build familiarity and networks while licensing is underway.
At the same time, she says Canada needs better co-ordination across systems. “We need a more seamless system. Federal and provincial governments, along with regulatory bodies, need to work together so internationally trained professionals can move more quickly into the professions where Canada clearly needs them.”
From choice to strategy: aligning studies with Canada's new labour needs
BY VRUNDA BHATT
For decades, the Canadian dream for international students followed a familiar script: arrive, study, work and settle. When Dave Prakash (name changed to protect privacy) came to Canada in late 2024, he had the same goal in mind.
For thousands of newcomers like him, the classroom has long been a gateway to permanent residency. Statistics Canada data shows that by the end of their third year, nearly 20 per cent of study permit holders had transitioned to permanent residency. Among those who obtained postgraduation work permits (PGWPs), the success rate rose to 63.8 per cent.
But that pathway has changed dramatically in recent years.
Arriving during this period of uncertainty, Prakash saw his plans disrupted when St. Clair College, where he was enrolled, suspended several programs — part of a broader trend across postsecondary institutions facing policy changes tied to international student enrolment. His choices were restricted to programs offered by St. Clair College, the designated learning institution named in his study permit, also reflecting the policy change that came into effect in late 2024. Despite the setback, he completed a diploma in predictive analytics this April.
With study permit targets further cut by nearly 50 per cent in 2026, compared to the previous year, marking a steady tightening of immigration rules since early 2024, the once-straightforward journey has become far more strategic. International students must now navigate an immigration system where the program they choose can determine whether they are allowed to work in Canada at all. In this new landscape, education is no longer just preparation for a career. It is increasingly becoming a legal strategy.
The specialization mandate
To succeed under the new rules, international students must align their education with Canada’s labour market priorities.
That means navigating a detailed list of 1107 eligible Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes. For many college and diploma students, eligibility for a post-graduation work permit now depends entirely on whether their field of study appears on this list.
In February 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) expanded its categorybased selection to include 10 priority sectors, including health care and education.
Larissa Bezo, president and CEO of the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), says the shift reflects a broader move toward a more targeted immigration strategy. While bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates remain exempt from fieldof-study restrictions when applying for PGWPs, diploma-level students face far narrower choices.
Canada, she says, is increasingly prioritizing specialists — professionals such as medical laboratory technologists, practical nurses and cybersecurity architects — who can immediately fill labour shortages.
The “timing trap”
Immigration lawyers, however, warn that the system’s design creates new uncertainties for students planning their futures. Jacqueline Bart, managing partner at BARTLAW LLP, points to what she describes as a “timing gap” built into the process. “Provincial occupation-based draws are often problematic,” Bart says.
“By the time an applicant obtains permanent residence — typically about 18 months after starting their job — the occupation identified as in demand may no longer be prioritized.” That delay, she argues, makes long-term planning difficult.
“It undermines the effectiveness and fairness of the selection process and makes it extremely difficult for individuals to plan their settlement with confidence.”
The diploma–degree divide
Another major shift lies in the growing divide between university degrees and college diplomas. Oliver Mao, a lawyer and director of foreign worker programs at the law firm, says many students underestimate the importance of this distinction and the consequences that can be significant.
“A one-year certificate in a priority field — such as heavy equipment mechanics or practical nursing — can now hold a distinct legal advantage over a two-year general diploma,” Mao says. In some cases, the shorter program provides a clearer path to a work permit.
Graduates of non-eligible diploma programs, meanwhile, may find themselves dependent on an employer-supported Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to remain in Canada. However, this pathway is becoming increasingly difficult as the federal government tightens restrictions on temporary residents.
Playing the points game
For students already working in Canada, immigration experts say the key is understanding
how Express Entry scores actually work. Clara Morrissey, director of immigration programs at BARTLAW, says category-based draws remain the most accessible and the easiest pathway to permanent residency — but only for those who position themselves strategically.
“You have to target the right categories.”
Recent draws reveal striking differences in score thresholds. Physicians with Canadian experience have seen Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off scores as low as 169, while the Frenchlanguage proficiency category — requiring a Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level 7 — has seen cut-offs around 379, significantly lower than those for many STEM or healthcare draws.
In skilled trades, obtaining a Certificate of Qualification such as a Red Seal can add 25 to 50 CRS points, which may determine whether a candidate receives an invitation to apply. Understanding those numbers, Morrissey says, can make the difference between receiving an invitation to apply or remaining stuck in the immigration pool.
Navigating the new system
As both students and post-secondary institutions grapple with navigating the new system, immigration lawyers say a few practical steps can make a significant difference. Verifying the CIP code before enrolling in a program is critical for PGWP eligibility. Prakash is a classic example of someone who pivoted strategically, scrambling to find a program of interest on the CIP list.
As of 2026, spousal open work permits are also largely limited to spouses of master’s and postdoctoral students, or those enrolled in specific professional degrees such as medicine or law. Diploma students no longer have this additional pathway.
In today’s immigration system, the strategy has fundamentally changed, according to Mao. “The goal is no longer simply to get a permit. It is to secure a permit that leads directly to a high-demand NOC classification. In 2026, your education is your most valuable legal defence.”
Prakash will graduate in June and plans to apply for his post-graduation work permit in the coming months. He is already in talks with his current parttime employer about moving into a full-time analyst role. “I am looking forward to gaining valuable work experience in my field and ultimately settling in Canada permanently.”
With files from Gloria Suhasini
"If I am quiet, I am safe. If I am invisible, I am safe," this was Yasir Khan’s mantra growing up.
Born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan, Khan was the skinny, short kid with crooked teeth, an easy target for school bullies. At home too, he felt he had to “say the right thing” to earn approval. Over time, silence became a form of armour. That armour followed him everywhere: into school presentations, where he hid in washrooms to avoid speaking, and into corporate meetings, where he never volunteered an opinion.
"I told myself this is my personality," he says. "Some people are confident, some are not. I thought I was just the quiet one." Today, Khan is a TEDx speaker, founder of SpeakLikeACEO.com, and one of the most sought-after communication coaches for global executives. His clients include leaders from Microsoft, Google, Apple, Salesforce, JP Morgan and senior officials in Saudi ministries.
Khan has delivered more than 1,000 workshops, taught at eight universities across Canada and Malaysia, trained over 25,000 people through online courses, and built a community of more than 110,000 corporate and community leaders. His content has generated over a billion views and attracted nearly 4 million followers across social media.
Making toast
Fresh from Malaysia, where he had completed a business degree, Khan came to Kamloops, British Columbia in the winter of 2016 to start an MBA. Within one semester, he had failed.
"I’m terrible at numbers," he says. "I don’t know why I thought business school was a good idea,” he muses with a smile. Struggling academically and socially, he turned to the internet for answers. The first result: a Toastmasters club.
"I honestly thought it was a place to make toast," he laughs. "Like grilled cheese, sandwiches — I had no idea."
He walked into a public speaking club and met Karen Knight, a cabinet maker who attended for the love of communication. Seeing his fear, she urged him to speak. He froze.
"I had no intention of ever going back," he says. "It was humiliating." But
BY BAISAKHI ROY
Knight stopped him on his way out telling him that if he kept coming back, he would get better at speaking. With little to lose, he returned. Within weeks, he won his first public speaking contest. And then in six months, he ran 32 speech workshops on campus. Within a year, he delivered his first TEDx talk.
"I think it was crippling insecurity and sheer luck," he says, summarizing his journey.
After switching programs, Khan completed a master’s in education in British Columbia. In grad school, he coached classmates, many of them newcomers, on presentations. Small interventions — a few rehearsals, some feedback — transformed their performance. These sessions became the seeds of SpeakLikeACEO.com. He kept reminding them that communication is a skill, not their identity. He assumed his degree would lead to teaching. Instead, he discovered he needed another degree to qualify. So, he took the job he could get: receptionist at a hair salon in Vancouver. Later, he became a recruiter.
Practising being seen
Khan’s own experiments with visibility began in the most uncomfortable ways. As a student in Kamloops, he would walk into busy public spaces on campus — even a packed café — and lie down on the floor without explanation.
“The first few seconds were terrifying,” he admits. “But then something shifted. I realized other people were more awkward than I was. They didn’t even want to look at me.”
He began inviting friends to join the experiment. Eventually, they were summoned to the dean’s office to explain themselves. Instead of punishment, Khan received an invitation to speak about the exercise in an organizational behaviour class.
“It taught me that discomfort is a muscle,” he says. “The more you practise being seen, the less power your fear has.”
Unlearning silence
In his work with newcomers and international students across Canada, Khan sees familiar patterns: many arrive at networking events with an “I need a job” mindset, making them appear smaller than they are. They believe they have nothing to offer, blame their accent, or don’t know how to stand out.
"In 99 per cent of cases, the problem is not the accent. It’s how you feel about
Yasir Khan went from being a socially anxious child to a sought-after global communication coach. His viral TEDx talk “How to speak so people remember you” has crossed 1 million views.
your accent," he says. He encourages newcomers to express their value in simple, human terms. "Don’t just say, ‘I’m a software engineer.’ Add ‘What you should know about me is…’ That’s what people remember."
For many newcomers, Khan says, the biggest hurdle is not language — it’s conditioning.
“In South Asian cultures, we’re raised to respect a strict chain of command,” he explains. “The person above you knows more, so you only speak when asked.”
That mindset, he says, clashes with Canadian workplaces, where employees are expected to contribute ideas without waiting for permission.
“If you only speak when someone calls on you, you start to look like a passenger in your own career,” he says. “Here, you have to show value before you’re invited. If you keep your head down, people assume you have nothing to add.”
Khan acknowledges that having to learn the Canadian norms of communication can be hard for mid to senior level professionals in their thirties or forties.
“That requires a difficult kind of unlearning. The way you talk now is just a set of behaviours you picked up from family and culture,” he says. “You’ve used them so long that you call them ‘my personality’. But they’re trainable. You’re not stuck with them.”
For those seeking to build “executive presence,” Khan translates the term into practical guidance. His CEO speaking framework emphasizes control, emotion and organization: appearing in control of words and body, conveying conviction and energy, and structuring thoughts before speaking.
"If you organize before you verbalize," he says, "you immediately sound more confident and senior — even if you’ve just landed in Canada."
For Khan, the message to newcomers is clear and practical — confidence can be learned, but it starts with showing up. As he puts it: “You have to be visible to be valuable. You can be brilliant. But if no one sees it, they can’t reward it.”
SPEAK LIKE A CEO: YASIR KHAN’S CONFIDENCE PLAYBOOK
1. Think before you speak – Pause 1–2 seconds to organize your first sentence.
2. Answer in the first line – Get straight to the point in meetings and interviews.
3. Prepare your “first line” for networking – One clear sentence about who you are, plus “What you should know about me is…”
4. Rehearse out loud – Practise with a voice recorder like an athlete reviewing game footage.
5. Don’t hide behind ‘I’m just not that type of person’ – Communication is trainable, like learning a language.
Yasir Khan will be conducting a speech workshop at the Canadian Immigrant Fair for newcomers on June 19, 2026, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. For more details about our Speaker Series go to: canadianimmigrant.ca/careerfair/toronto
MOBILE APPLICATION AND AZURE CLOUD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Become an iOS and Android Mobile Application Developer, receive training as an Azure Cloud Developer and complete your Scrum Master certification through YWCA Toronto’s Mobile Application and Azure Cloud Development Program.
TORONTO START DATE: TBD ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Must have IT or object-oriented programming experience
Low income eligibility criteria
Must be a woman or gender diverse individual aged 16+
Must be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Convention Refugee, and reside in Ontario www.ywcatoronto.org SCAN TO APPLY
AI advantage
Transform your resumé for the Canadian job market
If you have recently immigrated to Canada, you probably remember this moment. You’ve read the same job description ten times. You’ve tweaked your fonts, adjusted your margins, and uploaded your resumé to another "Quick Apply" portal. And then…silence.
And as you sit there, staring at the blinking cursor on your screen, the imposter syndrome creeps in. “Is my experience not good enough? Am I just not qualified for the jobs I used to excel at? Did I make a mistake moving here?” And so on.
The real issue is something far less obvious and far more fixable. The resumé you are using was built for a completely different hiring culture. You have a "Global Resumé" trying to get hired in a "Canadian Market." It’s like trying to fit a three-pronged plug into a two-pronged outlet. It doesn’t matter how much electricity is flowing - if the connection isn't right, the lights won't turn on. In other words, the resumé is not wrong. It is simply not Canadian yet. Recruiters in Canada are not rejecting your experience. They simply cannot see it clearly. And that small shift in thinking changes everything.
Thankfully, you can now leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to get to your dream job faster. Here is your AI-powered guide to transforming your job search from an invisible struggle to an interview-ready brand.
1. Listing duties vs. sharing impact
The number one tell-tale sign of a global resumé? A list of duties. In many parts of the world, resumés are written to describe the environment you worked in. "Responsible for managing a team of five." "In charge of client relations." "Worked with CRM software."
In Canada, recruiters don't care much about the environment you were in - they care about the void you left when you walked out the door. Canadian resumés are not about responsibility; they are about results. They are looking for the business impact.
Trouvez vos talents bilingues sans effort Find your bilingual talent effortlessly
Le CDÉNÉ simplifie votre recrutement en Nouvelle-Écosse
Accès à un bassin international de talents qualifiés
Appui au recrutement
Préparation à l'intégration
Appui à la rétention des employés
CDÉNÉ simplifies your recruitment in Nova Scotia
Access to a pool of qualified international talent
Recruitment support
Integration preparation
Employe retention support
AI prompt for resumé impact
The AI prompt for resumé impact: Instead of staring at your bullet points trying to force the math, use AI as your thinking partner. Feed your old bullet points into ChatGPT or Claude with this prompt:
"Act as a senior Canadian hiring manager. Rewrite the following job duty to focus on measurable achievements and impact. Use numbers, percentages, and strong action verbs. Here is the duty: [Insert your old bullet points here]."
Example:
Before (Global Style): Responsible for handling customer complaints.
After (Canadian Style): Resolved 40+ escalated customer issues weekly, achieving a 95% satisfaction rating and reducing churn by 12% through strategic service recovery.
See the difference? One is a task. The other is a story of value.
2. Generic vs. ATS optimized resumés
Here is a truth that has nothing to do with your immigration status: If you apply online, most likely, a robot reads your resumé before a human does. In Canada, the reliance on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) is massive. These systems scan your document for keywords that match the job description. If the robot doesn't understand you, it will never forward your file to the hiring manager.
This is where AI becomes your secret weapon. You can’t just "spray and pray" the same resumé at 100 jobs anymore.
The AI prompt for ATS wins:
Copy the text of the job description you want to apply for. Copy your updated resumé. Use this prompt:
"Analyze this job description and compare it to my resumé. Identify the top ten keywords and skills missing from my resumé. Suggest how I can naturally integrate them into my experience without lying, based on my background."
This does two things. First, it tailors your resumé for the specific job, drastically improving your chances of passing the scan. Second, it teaches you the language of your industry in Canada. You may see that a "Project Lead" in your home country might be called a "Delivery Manager" here. And so, you are not changing your experience in Canada, you are simply translating it.
3. Objective statement vs. professional summary (Your Canadian Value Proposition)
If you are used to starting your resumé with an "Objective Statement", you may want to change it. Replace it with a Professional Summary — a 3–4-line elevator pitch that sits at the top of your resumé and screams "I am the solution to your problem." This is also where you subtly address the "newness" factor. If you have eight years of experience but only a few months in Canada, own it. Frame it as a blend of global perspective and local understanding.
The AI prompt for your summary:
"Write a professional summary for a [Your Job Title] with [X] years of experience, including [Y] months/years in Canada. Highlight my strength in [Your Key Skill] and my unique ability to bring a global perspective to the Canadian market. Keep it concise and results-oriented."
4. Basic vs. keyword-enriched LinkedIn profiles
A resumé is scanned in just six to eight seconds. It is your LinkedIn profile that gets the recruiter to trust you before you even meet. Right now, if your headline just says, "Looking for opportunities," you are invisible. LinkedIn is a search engine. If you don't have keywords in your headline, you don't exist in the market.
Rewriting Your Headline: Don't just put your last job title. Put your value.
Weak: "Project Manager | Looking for new roles"
Strong: "Project Manager | PMP Certified | Driving Operational Efficiency & Digital Transformation in the GTA"
Rewriting Your About Section: This is your story. Don't just copy your resumé. Speak to the reader. Acknowledge the journey. This builds trust.
The AI prompt for your LinkedIn upgrade: "Help me write a LinkedIn 'About' section for a newcomer to Canada. I want to acknowledge my journey here with confidence, not apology. I have [X years] of experience in [Industry]. Start with a hook about my passion for [Topic], include my top three career achievements, and end with a call to action for my network to connect with me."
In closing: Go from invisible profile to interview-ready brand
Here is the truth we uncovered today. By using AI to translate your global achievements into Canadian impact, you are finally telling your story in a language the system understands. You are taking the masterpiece of your career and putting it in a frame that fits the new wall.
When you optimize for the ATS, you stop fighting the robot and start using it as a megaphone.
When you rewrite your LinkedIn headline, you stop looking for a job and start attracting opportunities.
This is the shift from invisible to interview-ready, using AI as that translator. Update those documents. Change your headline. And step into the Canadian job market as the qualified, confident professional you have always been.
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 ACEWorldFoundation.com.
Canada’s ultimate career fair and speakers’ series for skilled immigrants, temporary workers, international students and all looking for information and inspiration is BACK!
What you’ll find at the fair: Careers
• JOBS! Hiring companies and recruiters
• Career search tips
• Interview workshops
• Resumé clinic
Education
• University and college info
• English language workshops
• Foreign credential information
• Tuition microloans
Settlement
• Inspirational immigrant speakers
• Immigration and visa advice
• Settlement services
• Bankinginformation & more!
Halifax: May 8, 2026, Canadian Museum of Immigration, Pier 21
Toronto, June 19, 2026, Metro Toronto Convention Centre (North Building)
Winnipeg: July 10, 2026 Radisson Downtown
Calgary: August 21 2026 (SAIT (inside Stan Grad Centre)
Edmonton: September 25, 2026 (venue tbd)
Vancouver - October 30, 2026 (Vancouver Convention Centre)
Mississauga - November 15, 2026 (Living Arts Centre)
Under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s leadership, rising backlogs, policy shifts, and public pressure are exposing deep cracks in Canada’s immigration framework.
Canadian Experience Class. This shift has made it more difficult for temporary residents already in Canada, many of whom are working and well established, to transition to permanent residence, intensifying the underlying mismatch.
Policy shifts and power plays
At the same time, the legislative landscape has shifted. On March 26, 2026, Bill C-12 received Royal Assent. It immediately bars individuals who have been in Canada for one year or more from making refugee claims, a measure expected to render tens of thousands of claims ineligible. It also grants the government sweeping authority to cancel or suspend immigration documents and even entire application categories. These powers come as several programs face extraordinary backlogs. Processing times in streams such as the StartUp Visa Program, the Self-Employed Class, and the humanitarian and compassionate category have stretched into decades, raising serious questions about their continued viability. But of course, even if certain programs are cancelled, the Trudeau government issued work permits to hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, tens of thousands of Iranians, and other smaller programs to respond to humanitarian crises abroad. If the government cancels immigration programs, or restricts access to asylum, where will these people go?
Backlogs, delays and a fraying consensus
Delays in security screening remain another major pressure point, particularly for Chinese nationals. Processing times for applications involving enhanced screening continue to stretch years beyond standard benchmarks, leaving applicants in prolonged uncertainty with limited transparency or recourse.
All of these developments are unfolding against a broader backdrop of shifting public opinion. Canada’s longstanding consensus in favour of immigration appears to be fraying, as concerns about housing, infrastructure, and service capacity are increasingly linked to immigration levels. In March 2026 the main media stories involving immigration were the Auditor General’s report identifying fraud in the international student program, and extortion gangs. The result is a more polarized environment in which immigration policy is subject to greater political and public scrutiny.
How this will all play out remains unclear. The pressures are mounting, and there is a sense that significant changes are coming under a prime minister who seems to mean business, whatever that actually means. Yet without a clearly articulated vision, the system risks drifting between competing objectives. The coming years will likely determine whether Canada can recalibrate its immigration system in a way that restores balance, predictability, and public confidence, or whether uncertainty itself becomes its defining feature.
Steven Meurrens is a partner with Larlee Rosenberg in Vancouver. Contact him at 604-681-9887, by email at steven. meurrens@larlee.com. He is the author of a very widely read blog on Canadian immigration law and the creator of an immigration law podcast called Borderlines
Prime Minister of Canada
Mark Carney
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada
Lena Diab
Hidden costs
Lifestyle inflation is a growing reality for many immigrants
For many immigrants, earning in Canadian dollars feels like a milestone. On paper, the income is higher. When converted back to home currency, it can feel like a significant financial upgrade — confirmation that the move was worth it. There is a sense of progress. Stability. Forward motion. But that feeling does not always last. Because while income rises, so does everything else.
When the cost of living catches up
Housing is often the first shift people notice. Rent or mortgage payments can take up a much larger portion of income than expected, especially in major cities. What once felt affordable elsewhere can quickly become one of the biggest financial pressures.
And it does not stop there. Grocery prices are consistently higher than anticipated. Child care, for those who need it, can feel like a second rent payment. Transportation, whether it is car ownership, insurance or transit, adds another layer of ongoing cost. Perhaps most noticeably, the support systems many relied on — extended family or affordable household help — are no longer as accessible. Those needs do not disappear; they simply become expenses. For many newcomers, the issue is not overspending — it is underestimating.
A helpful starting point is building a realistic monthly picture early on. Not just income, but actual costs: rent, insurance, groceries, child care and transportation. Even a rough budget based on local averages can quickly show how much of that higher income is already committed.
Why it does not feel like you are getting ahead
Over time, many newcomers find themselves in a frustrating position. Income has increased, sometimes significantly. But savings are inconsistent. Investments are delayed. Credit may quietly fill the gaps. And the “village” that once supported daily life is gone, replaced by both financial and time pressure. For many, this also means coming to terms with a difficult shift: the lifestyle that felt normal back home may not be financially realistic here, at least not right away.
The issue is not a lack of discipline. It is a mismatch between expectations and reality. In Canada, many costs are not optional — they are built into everyday life. Without structure, higher income simply supports a higher cost of living. This is where visibility becomes powerful. Even a simple monthly review — what came in, what went out and what was left — can bring clarity. Not to restrict spending, but to understand patterns. Because once you see where your money is going, you can start deciding where it should go.
What life in Canada actually costs
One of the biggest gaps for newcomers is not income but expectations. Without a clear benchmark, it is easy to make decisions based on what feels affordable rather than what is sustainable. Housing, for example, is often the largest expense. A common guideline is to keep it within 30 to 40 per cent of your after-tax income. In higher-cost cities, this may stretch, but consistently going beyond it can create pressure elsewhere.
Essential living costs — including groceries, transportation and insurance — can take up another 25 to 35 per cent. These are often underestimated, especially in the first year. Child care, where applicable, can add a significant layer, sometimes comparable to housing costs.
A simple way to think about it:
• 50 to 60 per cent toward fixed and essential costs
• 10 to 20 per cent toward savings, investing and debt repayment
• 20 to 30 per cent toward lifestyle spending
These are not strict rules, but they offer a reality check. If most of your income is already committed before savings are considered, it is often a signal — not of failure, but of misalignment.
The reality of taxes and a high-cost environment
Another layer many underestimate is taxation. Higher income often comes with higher marginal tax rates, along with deductions such as CPP and EI. In some cases, it can also reduce access to certain
credits or benefits. Compared to many developed countries, Canada is generally considered a highertax jurisdiction, particularly once federal and provincial rates are combined — making it even more important to plan around what you actually take home.
What looks like a meaningful increase in income can feel smaller once those factors are applied. This becomes even more relevant in the context of Canada’s cost of living. Cities like Toronto and Vancouver consistently rank among the most expensive in North America. Housing alone absorbs a significant portion of income, while everyday essentials — from cost of groceries to transportation — continue to rise. In other words, it is not just taxes reducing take-home income, it is the combination of taxation and a high-cost environment. A practical shift is to base your lifestyle on net income, not gross. Planning around what actually lands in your account, rather than what appears on your salary, helps avoid the gap many experience.
Redefining financial progress
None of this means moving to Canada does not create opportunity. It does. But that opportunity is not just in earning more. It is in learning how to manage that income within a different financial system. Because financial progress is not defined by income alone. It is defined by what you keep, what you build and how sustainable your choices are. For many immigrants, the real adjustment is not just cultural — it is financial.
And the sooner that shift happens, the easier it becomes to actually move ahead.
Shalini Dharna Kibsey is a CPA and Investment/Insurance Advisor at Dharna CPA Professional Corporation.
DOUBLE DISADVANTAGE
Immigrants with disabilities confront gaps in access, support and opportunity
The intersection of disability and immigrant status can create significant barriers for newcomers, both socially and at the policy level. But change is possible.
While structuring this column, I recalled an animated discussion with a client living with a disability she struggled to explain to a relative. The condition is called a nonverbal learning disability. “There’s no word in our language to describe this,” she told her uncle, as she outlined some of the challenges. “The closest term we have is used to describe an intellectual disability.”
“Well,” her uncle replied, “it obviously comes from your mother’s side of the family. No one on our side has anything like that.” This is just one example of responses that reflect — and reinforce — negative cultural beliefs and societal barriers faced by immigrants with disabilities.
Newcomers with disabilities often face overlapping challenges, including language barriers, difficulty with credential recognition and limited income. Social isolation, mental health impacts and reliance on outdated information from well-meaning networks can add further strain. The World Health Organization defines disability as an “umbrella term” that includes impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions, shaped by both personal and environmental factors.
Globally, about 15 per cent of people live with a disability. Among refugees, that number can rise to between 15 and 33 per cent. Disabilities may result from trauma such as war, torture or inadequate health care during migration, or may predate displacement and worsen over time.
A 2025 report based on the 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability found that nearly 37 per cent of people with disabilities experience barriers linked to others’ behaviours, misconceptions or assumptions. Research also shows that racialized youth with disabilities tend to face poorer school and employment outcomes. Multiple marginalized identities — including race, age, income
and gender — can compound these challenges.
For immigrants with disabilities, this creates what is often called a “doubleminority challenge.” They must navigate both systemic barriers and attitudinal bias while trying to access support services. Canada’s immigration system can add another layer of complexity. Applications may be refused if an applicant’s medical care is expected to exceed $27,162 annually (2023–24 threshold) or if their condition is deemed to place pressure on health services or public safety.
Refugees, protected persons and certain family members are exempt from this rule. Still, despite legislation such as the Accessible Canada Act (2019) and the Canada Disability Inclusion Action Plan (2022), progress has been slow. Many people with disabilities continue to navigate systems that have yet to fully adapt. This matters because it highlights the tension between cost considerations and equitable access. It also underscores where Canada has made progress — and where gaps remain. Settlement and community organizations play a critical role. They create safe spaces, provide connections and mentorship, offer translation and medical assessment support, and facilitate access to services.
The Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants has developed models to support access to social assistance, health care and other essential services. While barriers remain, targeted efforts — including culturally responsive programming, personalized supports and sustained advocacy — can improve integration and quality of life for immigrants with disabilities.
Carter Hammett is a freelance writer with two decades of experience in social work, employment counselling and adult education.
WHY PICK PICKERING
Affordable neighbourhoods, strong transit links and a diverse, welcoming community are turning the city into a “hidden gem” for newcomers looking to put down roots.
BY GLORIA SUHASINI
“I finally feel peace,” says Alla Teutul, her voice a soft, excited chirp as she takes in the quiet surroundings of the Pickering Public Library. Arriving from war-torn Ukraine just under two years ago, her gratitude is evident— especially when she looks at her son Andrew, sitting beside her. The family reunited with him after 10 years apart.
Today, Andrew and his wife live a five-minute walk from his parents, and his brother also lives nearby in the same North Pickering subdivision of Seaton. The neighbourhood is part of the Seaton Community — one of Canada’s largest combined residential, employment, and commercial developments. Over the next 20 years, the Seaton community is set to welcome 70,000 new residents and 35,000 new jobs, according to the City.
Strategic accessibility
For Andrew, the move to Pickering was a strategic balance of lifestyle and logic. “I lived in Etobicoke, where there is a large Ukrainian community, until two years ago. When I decided to relocate in preparation for my family’s arrival, Pickering was very attractive.” He found that the proximity to his
business and the cost of living were significantly more manageable than in Toronto or cities further west.
Pickering’s accessibility is a big part of its appeal, says Mark Guinto, head of public affairs and corporate communications for the city. “We’re the gateway to Durham Region, Toronto and York Region,” he says — a draw for newcomers who rely on strong transit and road connections.
The city is connected to the TTC and YRT through Durham Region Transit, with GO trains reaching Union Station in about 45 minutes. It also offers direct access to Highways 401, 407 and 412.
Work and wellbeing
Growth in Pickering is centred on the City Centre redevelopment, a 55acre project reshaping the downtown into a higher-density, mixed-use area.
The local economy is supported by sectors such as nuclear energy — including ongoing work at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station — as
Museum Village, opening later this year, acts as a vital bridge between the city's past and its future, according to Guinto. “The facility is a key space designed to celebrate local heritage while providing modern, accessible spaces for new residents to gather.”
Supporting this growing population is a health-care network led by Lakeridge Health. The Ajax Pickering Hospital provides fullservice emergency and acute care, while the newly opened Jerry Coughlan Health & Wellness Centre in North Pickering offers state-of-the-art day surgery, diagnostic imaging, and urgent care. For specialized support, the Durham Community Health Centre provides culturally responsive primary care and mental health services tailored to newcomers and equity-based populations across its regional sites.
A family-friendly "hidden gem"
Realtor Shiv Bansal calls the city a hidden gem. “It’s one of the best cities to raise a family, especially for newcomers looking for amenities and accessibility,” says Bansal, who is well aware of newcomer needs, having immigrated from India.
A top-performing agent for Century 21 Real Estate with 43 years of experience in the GTA, Bansal is also a well-known philanthropist supporting the Anishnawbe Health Foundation, the Alzheimer Society, the Scarborough Health Network and the Ajax Pickering Hospital, where he is a board member.
He points out that Pickering offers a rare "blue and green" lifestyle; families can spend their weekends exploring 220 hectares of parkland or walking the Waterfront Trail along Lake Ontario, all while being minutes away from a major shopping hub.
For Joy B., a Filipina dental hygienist, the "hidden gem" is defined by the social climate. A licensed dentist in her native Philippines, she worked for 13 years in Saudi Arabia before landing in Canada in 2016.
minority, and 36.3 per cent are immigrants, with many arriving from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
That diversity is visible in everyday life — from Tamil-owned restaurants becoming part of the local mainstream to Afghan families putting down roots across the city.
Places of worship often serve as early anchors for newcomers. The Pickering Islamic Centre (Masjid Usman), Devi Mandir and St. Mary & St. John the Beloved Coptic Orthodox Church are among the spaces where many begin to build community connections.
well as the Pickering Casino Resort, a regional destination for entertainment and tourism.
The new 44,000-square-foot Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre at the Pickering
Although the Canadian licensing process meant she could not practice as a dentist, Joy transitioned into a career as a dental hygienist — a move that provided a new professional foundation. “The first thing I noticed was how welcoming and unbiased the environment was,” she says, noting the contrast with her previous international experiences. “Once I started working here, I realized Canada is multicultural in the true sense.”
A community taking shape
According to the 2021 Census, 51.9 per cent of Pickering’s population identifies as a visible
Support systems extend beyond faith institutions. The Pickering Welcome Centre offers settlement services and credential guidance, while facilities such as the Chestnut Hill Recreation Centre host cultural events. St. Paul’s on the Hill Food Bank operates independently, focusing on providing food that reflects the cultural and dietary needs of a diverse population.
Well on her way to resettling in Canada, Alla works in the family business alongside Andrew, helping with bookkeeping. “In Ukraine, I earned a master’s degree in economics, but without the language, I cannot work in my field.” She is currently pursuing an Adult ESL program at Durham Continuing Education. Her story mirrors Joy’s — a reminder that while Pickering offers affordability and safety, its best value lies in providing the space for newcomers to rebuild.
