Canadian Immigrant August 2026 by Canadian Immigrant

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VOLUME 23: ISSUE 3 | 2026 | CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA

TOP 25 CANADIAN IMMIGRANTS OF 2026

Immigration fraud can be hard to spot. Protect yourself from unauthorized practitioners who could put your immigration journey at risk.

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CONTENTS Volume 23 Issue 3 | 2026

FUSION

NEWS: New applications under Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) paused Canadian Immigrant writer wins journalism award

TOP 25 CANADIAN IMMIGRANT AWARDS Presenting the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award winners of 2026

22 FEATURE

Experts say workplaces — not accents — need to change

24 CAREERS AND EDUCATION

CAREER COACH: Using AI to find hidden job opportunities

26 SETTLEMENT

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IMMIGRATION LAW: New Express Entry rules may change who gets invited to apply

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People. News. Information.

FAMILY REUNIFICATION TAKES ANOTHER STEP BACK

VOLUME 23, ISSUE 3

2026

Ottawa's pause on new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications reflects a broader shift in Canada's immigration priorities.

Publisher Sanjay Agnihotri Editor Baisakhi Roy broy@metroland.com Editorial Design Kristina Miler Brand Manager Ricky Bajaj rbajaj@metroland.com Tel: 416 856 6304 Assistant Manager Laura Jackman ljackman@metroland.com 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

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.

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or many immigrants, becoming a permanent resident or Canadian citizen has never marked the end of the immigration journey. Another milestone often follows: bringing parents and grandparents to Canada to share family life, help care for younger ones and grow older together. That goal is now on hold for thousands of families. The federal government recently announced that it is pausing new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) until further notice, saying the move is necessary to support a "well-managed, sustainable immigration system." Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will continue processing existing files and expects to admit up to 15,000 parents and grandparents in 2026, in keeping with the country's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan. The decision is not an isolated one. It fits into a broader reset of Canada's immigration system, one that has seen lower immigration targets, tighter rules for temporary residents and a growing emphasis on reducing backlogs before expanding intake. While Ottawa continues to describe family reunification as a pillar of immigration policy, the latest announcement illustrates how that objective is increasingly being weighed against operational constraints. Those constraints are significant. More than 60,000 parent and grandparent sponsorship applications are already in the system. Average processing times sit at roughly 33 months nationwide and can reach 66 months in Quebec. The program has struggled with demand for years. Since 2020, IRCC has relied on a lottery system after receiving more than 200,000 expressions of interest from prospective sponsors. Rather than opening new intake rounds, the department has continued issuing invitations from that existing pool. The latest pause closes the door entirely — for now. Canadians and permanent residents who have been waiting for a new opportunity to sponsor their parents or grandparents can no longer submit an interest-tosponsor form, and IRCC has offered no timeline for when a new intake might resume. For affected families, the Super Visa becomes the primary alternative. The program allows parents and

grandparents to remain in Canada for up to five years at a time and provides multiple entries over a 10-year period. Recent changes have relaxed some income and health insurance requirements, making it easier to qualify. But it is not a substitute for permanent residence. Super Visa holders remain temporary residents. They do not enjoy the same long-term security or access to benefits as permanent residents, despite often playing an integral role in family life. For many newcomers, grandparents provide childcare that allows parents to work, preserve cultural and linguistic ties for children and offer practical support that can ease the challenges of settlement. That contribution has long fuelled the argument that family sponsorship should be viewed as more than a humanitarian commitment. Advocates have argued it is also an economic one, enabling newcomer families to participate more fully in the workforce while strengthening long-term integration. The government's position reflects a different reality: immigration spaces are finite, processing inventories remain high and public confidence increasingly depends on a system that can deliver timely decisions. Whether the pause proves temporary or signals a longer-term shift remains to be seen. For thousands of families waiting for the chance to sponsor their parents or grandparents, the message is immediate. Family reunification remains a stated priority — but for now, it is one that will have to wait.

“We exist because we believe that immigration has been Canada’s secret superpower for hundreds of years. Our ability as a country to welcome people to not just come and arrive and stay for a little while, but to become just as Canadian as everybody else, to stay and succeed and become citizens. This has been the strength of Canada.” Daniel Bernhard, CEO, Institute for Canadian Citizenship

CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 23 Issue 3 | 2026

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT WRITER CHITRA K. MENON WINS CEMA JOURNALISM AWARD

anadian Immigrant is proud to celebrate freelance writer Chitra K. Menon, who has received a 2026 Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA) Award for Journalistic Excellence in the Print/ Online category for her feature, “From Dreams to Distress: The Mental Health Crisis Facing International Students.” The award honours reporting that informs, educates and amplifies voices of Canada's diverse communities that are often overlooked. Menon’s feature explored the growing mental health challenges facing international students in Canada amid rising tuition costs, housing pressures, financial stress, changing immigration policies and uncertainty about their futures. Through in-depth reporting and firsthand accounts, the story highlighted the emotional toll many students experience while underscoring the need for greater support from institutions, policymakers and communities. For Menon, the recognition represents far more than a professional milestone. “Receiving the Canadian Ethnic Media Association Award is incredibly meaningful because it represents much more than professional recognition,” she says. “To me, it symbolizes something I’ve always believed in—that perseverance matters.” Like many immigrants, Menon rebuilt her journalism career after moving to Canada from Kerala, India, where she worked as a television journalist covering politics, current affairs and social issues. In Canada, she continued pursuing journalism while establishing herself in a new media

landscape, contributing to Canadian Immigrant and other publications on immigration, settlement, education, employment and newcomer success. “Like many immigrants, I had to start over from scratch in a new country, rebuilding my career, earning trust, finding opportunities, and navigating countless uncertainties,” she says. “There were moments of self-doubt, unanswered pitches, and stories that never saw the light of day. This award reminds me that every setback and every step of that journey was worth it. It is not just recognition of one story; it is a recognition of resilience, perseverance, and the courage to begin again.” Menon says Canadian Immigrant played an important role in helping her establish herself as a journalist in Canada. “My association with Canadian Immigrant has been a special part of my journey as a journalist in Canada,” she says. “From the moment my first story Facilitating the Integration of Newcomer Youth was published, the magazine gave me the opportunity to tell stories that truly mattered. More than just a byline, it gave me a platform, a voice, and a sense of belonging as a journalist in my new home. The magazine played an important role in helping me establish my identity as a Canadian journalist, and I’ll always be grateful for the trust and opportunities it has given me.” Today, Menon works as a Communications Representative with CUPE Ontario while continuing to contribute freelance journalism focused on newcomers and underrepresented communities.

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Announcing the

TOP 25 CANADIAN IMMIGRANTS OF 2026 Celebrating Canada through the success stories of top immigrants The story of modern Canada is the story of immigrants coming to this land for freedom and opportunity. The recipients in this year’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards prove the contributions that immigrants make in building this country are undeniable. Canadian Immigrant, with the support of presenting sponsor Western Union, is proud to announce 25 inspirational nation builders being honoured in the 18th annual Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards.

entrepreneurs, professionals and community champions

The 2026 list includes several faces from television, a soccer icon, a standup comedian, an iconic architect, as well as

Cariño, Rodolfo D. Lastimosa Jr., Andrian Makhnachov and

working tirelessly to uplift others. Selecting the Top 25 out of 75 esteemed finalists is no small feat. The winners are selected after an extensive nomination, judging, shortlisting and public online voting process. Congratulations to the 25 recipients as well as all finalists. We thank our panel of judges made up of past winners Khristine Dan Shaikh.

NOW, WHO ARE THE 2026 TOP 25? LET’S READ THEIR STORIES … 6

CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 23 Issue 3 | 2026

Amaya Athill | Teeing up change!

or golf pro Amaya Athill, the sport was a welcoming place for her growing up in Antigua and Barbuda. But when she moved to Canada, seeing Black women golfers was all too rare. “I had seen people who looked like me in and around the game, so I did not have to imagine whether it could be done. I knew that it could,” Athill says. “In Canada, I saw how golf felt distant, intimidating or like a space women, especially Black and racialized women, were never meant to enter.” Athill has been helping to change that since immigrating in 2022, shifting from her career as a lawyer into an advocate of the sport, both on and off the green. Today, Athill is the regional director, Ontario, at Golf Canada, where she supports membership growth across the province and national participation initiatives to grow the game. She is also a PGA of Canada professional — one of only two Black women golf professionals in all of Canada! “It is powerful for someone to see a Black woman golf professional, but it is even more powerful when that visibility is connected to real community and real opportunities to participate,” adds Athill, who founded Black Women Golfers to do just that, through lessons, social rounds and community events. “Many arrive nervous, unsure of the rules, the etiquette

or whether they belong. Then, over time, they begin to take up space, ask questions, make friends and see golf as something that is truly available to them,” she says. “Golf has given me confidence, relationships, opportunity and a sense of belonging, and I want more women to experience that, too.” Athill, who received the 2024 PGA of Canada Warren Crosbie Community Leader of the Year Award, also amplifies representation in the sport as a writer for SCOREGolf Magazine and her own platform, @golf_interrupted. “To be recognized nationally by the golf industry for work rooted in inclusion made me feel that there was room in Canada for the fullness of who I am: a woman from Antigua and Barbuda, a lawyer, a golfer, an immigrant, a Black woman and a community builder.”

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Mohamed Bagha | Atlantic Canada strong

aking Saint John, New Brunswick, stronger is more than Mohamed Bagha’s job — it is the purpose that has shaped his life and career since moving to the Atlantic province from Kenya to attend the University of New Brunswick. Today, as growth manager for the City of Saint John, Bagha works at the intersection of economic development, strategic planning and community growth, helping create the conditions for businesses, neighbourhoods and residents to succeed. “My work is based on a belief that Canada’s prosperity depends on turning diversity into a tangible economic asset, and that communities have both the talent and the opportunities to thrive,” he says. Before joining the municipal government, Bagha spent more than a decade as managing director of the Saint John Newcomers Centre, supporting newcomers while helping employers meet critical workforce needs. His leadership there earned him recognition as Changemaker of the Year and Most Inspiring Immigrant in the Maritimes. Beyond the awards, he recalls one moment when he realized his contribution to his new home really mattered. “A colleague sent me a copy of a parliamentary committee transcript and, as I read through it, I came across my name. A member of Parliament was speaking about the positive impact

of multiculturalism and the importance of investing in communities and mentioned me. I stopped reading for a moment,” Bagha remembers. “When I first arrived, I was simply trying to find my place. Never did I imagine that one day my work would become part of a conversation in Canadian Parliament about building a stronger and more inclusive Canada!” Now, more committed than ever to building a prosperous Atlantic Canada for everyone, Bagha is working to build partnerships, mentor emerging leaders and champion sustainable growth across the region. “It is about more than numbers. It is about creating a vibrant, welcoming environment where the next generation can thrive,” he says. “I arrived with ambitions and aspirations, and Canada gave me the opportunity to turn those into action. Through my work in community development, immigration, economic growth and public ser v ice, I have been fortunate to contribute to this country, which I proudly call home.”

Cameron Bailey | Film legacy

amed one of Toronto’s 50 Most Influential People for the last 14 years by Toronto Life, Cameron Bailey uses his influence to shine a spotlight on film, as chief executive officer of TIFF and the Toronto International Film Festival. The non-profit cultural organization is Canada’s — and the world’s — largest public film festival, with a mission to change the way people see the world through movies. “I lead the team that brings together audiences of all kinds for screenings, talks and events at Toronto’s TIFF Lightbox,” Bailey says. “We’re inspired by the opportunity to transform how people see the world through film. I have so often seen movies open people’s minds and expand their hearts, which can lead to a bit more generosity and compassion in the world.” This benevolent wish was no doubt shaped by his early years, born in London and raised in England and Barbados, before moving to Canada. “For a while when I was a kid, I lived in an Ontario

CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 23 Issue 3 | 2026

Housing building with my mother and sister. It was a beautiful place, but I learned later how stigmatized public housing can be for families. When I was invested this year as a member of the Order of Ontario, I looked back at the journey from Ontario Housing to now,” he reflects. That journey has included working as a film critic with Toronto’s NOW Magazine, CBC Radio One and CTV’s Canada AM and being published in other publications, such as The Globe and Mail, The Village Voice and Screen, along with several books. It was the 1990s when he first joined the Toronto International Film Festival as a programmer, curating Canadian, African and South Asian cinema. In 2021, after a progressive career with the festival spurred by “curiosity and resilience,” Bailey was made the chief executive officer of TIFF. “I was raised by Caribbean parents who came from a long tradition of hard work, some of it forced, under enslavement. What I do is nothing compared to what my ancestors lived through,” he says. Even so, Bailey’s years of influence on the film industry and movie audiences is a legacy he can feel proud of.

Katrina Chen | Authentic journey

atrina Chen (陳葦蓁), life coach, author and president of AnXin (安信) Community Savings in B.C., believes in bringing your full, authentic self to your work, community and life. It’s what being Canadian represents for her. “Being Canadian means creating space where we can live the lives we want authentically and work together to build a more equitable future. I am grateful for the chance to build a life here, contribute to my community and raise my son in a place full of possibilities,” she says. After coming to Canada as a student from Taiwan at 17, Chen started her career in grassroots community work before entering public service on the Burnaby Board of Education and then as the MLA for Burnaby-Lougheed. She was the first Taiwanese-born Canadian appointed to B.C.’s Cabinet. “My work has always centered on equity and on the belief that communities grow stronger when we lift each other up. That principle guided my time as B.C.’s minister of state for childcare, where I helped advance the first steps toward the $10 a Day universal childcare system that can help provide a more equitable foundation for all,” says Chen, who continues to serve on non-profit and public boards. “Collective effort can open doors for families and communities.”

For Chen, being a survivor of genderbased violence is also part of her journey. “After more than 18 years in public service, I stepped back to unpack the challenges and trauma I’ve faced as a survivor. Leaving the political environment allowed me to focus on healing and living more authentically.” In addition to her role leading AnXin, a social‑purpose credit union dedicated to serving Chinese‑language communities, Chen is also an ICFcertified life and career coach, and the author of an award‑winning picture book, A Stronger Home, on breaking the cycle of violence and healing. “I often share with my son, ‘If our neighbours do well, we do well,’” she says. “My early experiences in Canada deepened my commitment to equity — asking for help when I needed it, offering support when I could and understanding that community is built through small, consistent acts of care.”

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Shivani Dhamija | Success from scratch

hivani Dhamija is the founder of Shivani’s Kitchen, a business idea that came to her after moving from India to Halifax in 2011 and struggling to find clean, authentic Indian kitchen staples. While working various jobs, she nurtured her entrepreneurial vision, launching first as a meal delivery service. That evolved into cooking classes, then spice blends sold at farmers’ markets, before she built the food manufacturing business from scratch. “My wish is to bring Indian flavours to Canada because I missed the food I grew up with and knew other immigrants felt the same way,” she says. Dhamija has earned the title of the “Spice Queen of Atlantic Canada” while she grew Shivani’s Kitchen to more than $1.5 million in sales, including paneer and new products like idli and dosa batter and kulfi. During the initial startup challenges, there was a moment she considered returning to India, however. “Then I got the email from Costco to stock my products!” she says. “But what really made me stay here is the community that I found in Halifax. A big part of why I've been successful is the love and support this community has shown me.” But recent disruptions in her business have

seen her paneer no longer on store shelves and her distribution at Costco at an end. Calling this “a very hard time,” Dhamija is working to gradually rebuild her business, including recently acquiring Halifaxbased Dairy Sweet Moon. “My mother ran a clothing business in India and would take me along with her for sales. She taught me that if you want something, you have to go out and get it.” Dhamija also shares the lessons she has learned with immigrants, women and small business owners, volunteering with the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia. “I want to make a difference in this country, be it through my food in mainstream stores or through jobs created in Nova Scotia. I want to show that an immigrant woman can create a brand that belongs in every Canadian home.”

ENTREPRENEUR AWARD RECIPIENT OF 2026

Notice: Since the time of writing, Shivani’s Kitchen faced substantial changes in its business. We have updated the digital versions of this article to reflect the changes.

Filipe Dinis | Newcomer to national leader

t’s the quintessential immigrant success story — a family comes to Canada to build a better future for their children. Arriving in Canada at the age of four with his family from Portugal, Filipe Dinis grew up embracing the opportunities of his new country. The first in his family to attend university, he graduated from McGill University and went on to build a distinguished 33‑year career in the federal public service in Ottawa. “When I graduated from university, walking across the stage and hearing my name called was an incredibly emotional moment. It was then that I truly felt I had achieved what my parents had immigrated to Canada for — a better life and greater opportunities for their children,” he says. “Looking out at the future ahead of me, I felt not only proud to be Canadian but also a responsibility to give back to my community and to the country that had given my family so much.” In 2014, Dinis, an

CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 23 Issue 3 | 2026

FCPA, was named the first chief operating officer of the Bank of Canada, overseeing the bank’s operations, strategic planning, enterprise risk management and corporate functions, including Canada's currency operations. Over the next decade, he played a transformative role in modernizing the bank’s operations during a period of rapid technological, economic and geopolitical change. “There were challenges along the way, as there are in any journey, but I never let setbacks define me. I believed that if I worked hard, stayed focused and persevered, I could achieve my goals,” he says. “Those qualities have guided my career and continue to motivate me to give back to the community and country.” Although he retired from the Bank of Canada, he continues to support organizations that improve the lives of Canadians through board service. Dinis serves on the board of directors of VIA Rail Canada and Northeast Power Coordinating Council as well as Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario as vicechair. From young immigrant to national leader, Dinis’ journey embodies the very best of Canada — opportunity, service and a commitment to building a stronger future for all.

Reza Eslami | Building impact

eza Eslami shapes communities — literally — as an award-winning architect and founding partner of ICON Architects Inc. in Toronto. “As an architect, I know that my impact is literal and permanent. I have physically shaped the communities, neighbourhoods and skylines where Canadians live and work,” Eslami says. Looking back to when he first immigrated from Iran at the age of 24 in 1996, he says he came fortified with skills and ambition, but it was Canada that filled in the gaps. “This country gave me the foundation, resources and freedom to grow from an immigrant into a successful entrepreneur, he says. Eslami is a LEED AP (leadership in energy and environmental design accredited professional) dedicated to sustainable and avant-garde design. From downtown high rises in the city core to townhomes in suburban neighbourhoods, he has built a reputation for excellence, delivering sophisticated and energy-efficient architecture. ICON has worked on more than 300 multi-family projects since its inception in 2008. “Our business is widely recognized in the industry and has won several awards and been in many publications through the years,” says Eslami, who has also served as an international jury member to the Grands Prix Du Design for the past three years.

A committed leader in the architectural community, Eslami has mentored more than 200 individuals through the Ontario Association of Architects and JVS Toronto. “I clearly and painfully remember that I had no guidance on [getting licensed as an architect in Canada], as there was simply no one within my network who had walked the path before. So, I became determined to help other newcomers with what I had learned myself about Canadian construction,” he says, adding that they have hired many newcomers at ICON who have gone on to successful careers. Guiding others has been an important part of feeling Canadian for Eslami, who is also an exhibited photographer and published poet. But there is one moment, related to his poetry, that also stands out. “I was in Vienna for the launch of my book, Solitude, and I was introduced as ‘Reza Eslami, the Canadian poet!’ That proud moment will always live in me.”

Monica Flores | Transformative leadership

his June, Monica Flores, who leads her own Montreal-based strategic communications and stakeholder relations firm, was in Quebec City, P.E.I. and Ottawa for the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference. “Being selected to participate in the conference was one of my proudest moments. Following a competitive admissions process with 2,500 applicants, I was honoured to have been selected as one of the 250 delegates!” says Flores. “The conference was a transformative leadership experience for me. It has fueled me for the future,” she adds. “It also offered a meaningful opportunity to reflect on my journey as a Canadian and to appreciate the experiences that have shaped it.” Experiences starting with immigrating to Canada as a child from El Salvador. “My parents took the courageous decision to leave everything behind and move to a country where they had never been and where they knew no one. But they worked hard and showed incredible resilience,” she says. “Canada gave me and my family the opportunity to build a new life and it has shaped who I am both personally and professionally.”

It has definitely influenced her 25-year career, seeing her hold senior leadership positions within Fortune 500 organizations, including GlaxoSmithKline, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Novartis, with responsibilities spanning Canada, Latin America, the United States and Europe. She also served as vice-president of government affairs and communications at Telefilm Canada. Today, the MBA advises organizations on communications strategy, stakeholder engagement and building trusted relationships through Monica Flores Consulting Inc. Sharing her expertise in the community has also been part of her journey. Flores, who is fluent in four languages, has served on more than 15 boards of directors and committees for nonprofit organizations in social services, health care, academia and the arts. Passionate about developing the next generation of Latina women leaders, she also co-founded the Latin American Canadian Women Executives Network. For her leadership and impact, she was named among the 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians in 2025. Returning home after the Canadian Leadership Conference, Flores is now inspired to do even more. “I want to help shape a prosperous, more inclusive future for Canada through leadership, service and collaboration.” CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

Sneha Jain | Fulfilling potential

hen Sneha Jain arrived in Canada from India in 2020, she was deliberately choosing a country whose health-care values matched her own. Her career had already taken her through Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, Stanford Health and Massachusetts General Hospital, shaping how she thinks about excellence in care, but what drew her to Canada was the belief that quality care is for everyone. “I had a clear view of what most medical systems were missing: a foundational, unshakeable commitment to the idea that care belongs to every person. Canada had that, and I wanted to be part of building on it,” she says. Today, Jain serves as regional director, clinical innovation and system optimization at Fraser Health in B.C., where she leads initiatives that use technology to improve access to care and strengthen service delivery. “I am convinced that Canada, with its universal foundation and deeply held values of inclusion, has a real opportunity to lead on the global stage,” she says. Through her work, Jain has found her purpose in Canada, but the moment she felt truly Canadian didn't happen in a boardroom or hospital. It

happened on a mountain overlooking B.C.’s beautiful coastline. “The moment I first felt truly Canadian had nothing to do with my work at all,” she recalls. “One afternoon, soaked, exhausted and absurdly happy at the top of a hiking trail with the inlet stretched out below me, it hit me: I was not visiting this beauty. I lived here. This was home.” Jain shares such insights from her immigrant and professional journey with other newcomers and emerging professionals as the lead organizer of Google Developer Group Burnaby and as a strategic advisor to Immigrant Networks. She also champions responsible AI and has cofounded Mynd Ojas AI, a platform that uses technology to advance women's health, mental wellness and support for neurodiverse populations. “My deepest ambition is to help make this the country where every immigrant who arrives can rise to their full potential, and where every Canadian can say, without hesitation, that the health-care system here is the best in the world.”

Nketti Johnston-Taylor | Creating opportunity

t was several years after moving to Calgary, Alberta, when Nketti Johnston-Taylor had one of those “a-ha” moments. She was helping a newcomer family and, as she listened to their questions, she realized she was not simply hearing their story; she was hearing pieces of her own. Born in Sierra Leone, she was just 11 when civil war forced her family to flee to the United Kingdom. “Overnight, life became divided into a before and an after,” she recalls. Bullied and struggling to fit in, she searched for a sense of belonging while adapting to an unfamiliar world. “I remembered the uncertainty, feeling out of place and trying to build a life from the ground up,” she says. “Then, in that moment, it hit me. I wasn't simply receiving support from others anymore; I was helping provide it. Belonging isn’t something you find; it’s something you help create.” This understanding forms the foundation of Johnston-Taylor’s work today, supporting newcomers’ journeys as CEO of the Centre for Newcomers in Calgary. It was an unexpected twist in her own journey that saw her initially move to

CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 23 Issue 3 | 2026

Canada in 2012. During a family trip back to Sierra Leone, she met a Sierra Leonean Canadian who would become her husband. “Canada has been the place where I became a wife, a mother of three, a leader and a person who feels deeply connected to the future of this country,” she says. A PhD economist, educator, consultant and author, Johnston-Taylor’s work focuses on policy, equity and economic transformation. She previously worked with the Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council, helping connect newcomers with jobs and now leads 250 staff at the Centre for Newcomers, who support tens of thousands of immigrants each year. She is also co-chair of the Government of Alberta’s inaugural Black Advisory Council. “Every day, I meet newcomers with incredible talent, resilience and ambition. People who do not need charity, but opportunity,” she says. “Canada gave me an opportunity to build a life defined not by the circumstances I came from, but by the possibilities ahead of me. My life's work is ensuring others have that same opportunity.”

Didi Kaneff | Building strong communities

hen Didi Kaneff, president of the Kaneff Group, immigrated from Bulgaria in 1978, it marked the beginning of an extraordinary philanthropic journey alongside her late husband, Ignat Kaneff, a renowned entrepreneur and one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2016. “My late husband, Ignat, arrived in Canada with very little, but he possessed determination, humility and an unwavering belief that this country offered opportunity to those willing to work hard,” she says. That determination laid the foundation for what would become the Kaneff Group, a respected real estate developer, builder and property manager within the Greater Toronto Area. “While real estate is at the heart of what we do, our mission has always been about creating places where people can live, work and thrive,” she says. Since becoming president in 2000, Didi Kaneff has continued to build upon that legacy with the same commitment to excellence and community. “Success is never achieved without challenges, setbacks and difficult decisions. But perseverance, integrity and a strong work ethic are what carry you through those moments.” Kaneff has also been deeply committed to giving back through volunteerism. Over the years and while raising her family, she has supported numerous organizations, including the Mississauga Symphony,

the Living Arts Centre and Credit Valley Hospital, where she served three terms on its foundation’s board of directors. In 1986, she established the Ignat Kaneff Charitable Foundation, which has since contributed tens of millions of dollars to educational, housing, health care and community organizations. Among the many beneficiaries are Community Living Mississauga, the University of Toronto, York University and countless other organizations that strengthen communities across Ontario. “To me, making an impact means using the opportunities we have been given to help others succeed,” she says. Kaneff has also served as president of St. Dimitar Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church in Brampton, where she has been dedicated to preserving Bulgarian cultural heritage while fostering a strong sense of community and belonging. “I hope our family’s legacy is remembered not only for the buildings we have created, but for the communities we have strengthened and the lives we have touched along the way.”

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Hazel Mae | Face of baseball

TV sports broadcaster for Sportsnet, Hazel Mae is the face players see on the field after Toronto Blue Jays games. “My daily 'office' is a baseball diamond, and my soundtrack is the roar of the crowd,” says Mae. Her uniform? Jewel-toned dresses from her own Hazel Mae Design line. Filipino-born Mae is a trailblazer — one of the first women to break into the sports broadcasting industry in Canada, unapologetically wearing vibrant colours and a radiant grin, while sharing deep knowledge of the game. “Growing up, my father used sports as our family’s bridge to Canadian culture. He would save up to buy us the cheapest tickets in the highest deck of Exhibition Stadium just so we could experience the Blue Jays together,” she says. Sports broadcasting wasn’t a typical career path for a woman. “I was inspired by baseball’s unique power to unite Canadians from all walks of life just as it did for my own family,” says Mae, who started her career with the New England Sports Network, the MLB Network and TBS. “The welcome mat wasn’t exactly rolled out for a Southeast Asian woman. I had to learn quickly to lock out the noise, master my craft and develop thick skin.” With resilience, she pushed forward until she

achieved her dream of being a field-level reporter for the Toronto Blue Jays. In December 2025, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame honoured her with the Jack Graney Award. In March, she received the Gordon Sinclair Award for excellence in broadcast journalism. And, this September, she’ll release her memoir, Before I Let You Go, recounting her journey from newcomer in the nosebleeds to celebrity reporter. “I remember finding myself standing on the field, holding a microphone with the Sportsnet logo, preparing to host the Major League Baseball home opener. I looked up at the broadcasting booth, then down at the field and finally out into the crowd. I thought about my dad, who arrived in this country with nothing but a dream for his kids, and it hit me: I wasn't just watching the Canadian story unfold from the nosebleeds anymore. I was actively helping to write it.”

Rocco Maragna | Places of belonging

eaving Italy at the age of 11 and landing at Canada’s Pier 21 in Halifax, Rocco Maragna’s immigration journey has been built on a search for knowledge and belonging. As a young newcomer, he immersed himself in learning English and became a voice for his family and other Italian immigrants in Canada. “That ability to remain open and learn continuously is what enabled me to then build a professional life in architecture,” says the now 79-year-old. Maragna studied architecture at the University of Toronto, while working for the renowned architect Ron Thom and WZMH Architects. A scholarship took him to the International University of Art in Venice before completing a master’s degree at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. His career spanned decades and four continents: from designing Delisle Court, a vibrant plaza and public space with skylight on Yonge Street, to the Canadian Embassy in Cairo, to the reconstruction of towns devastated by the 1976 Friuli earthquake in

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Italy, to an award-winning design for the Damascus Museum of Modern Art. In 1997, the year he stepped away from his Toronto-based practice Maragna Architect Inc., he returned to Pier 21, a visit that became a defining moment for him. “Standing there again, I experienced the full arc of my migration. It was not a single memory that returned, but an accumulation of passages: beckoning, beginning, becoming and belonging,” he says. “The difficulties of displacement resurfaced alongside the quieter presence of those people, institutions and opportunities that had made my journey possible.” In that moment, he realized: “I had become Canadian not through arrival alone, nor through formal acts of affiliation, but through the sustained process of living a life within it.” Maragna’s focus shifted from designing buildings to exploring how movement, displacement and memory shape societies, and how belonging itself is constructed. This led him to found the Gallery of Human Migration, a digital storytelling, cultural institution exploring migration and belonging. “Architecture taught me how to shape places,” he says. “Migration taught me how people come to belong within them. Looking back, I realize my life's work has been about building both.”

Gerlinde Metz | The science of resilience

hen Gerlinde Metz, PhD, FCAHS, arrived in Canada in 1999, she brought with her a deep curiosity about how life experiences, including stress, shape the brain — an interest inspired by her family’s traumatic experiences during the Second World War in Germany. “Curiosity has been the driving force throughout my life and career in research. It has motivated me to ask difficult questions, embrace new challenges and pursue opportunities that initially seemed beyond reach,” she says. They became quickly within her grasp, and today, the neuroscience professor’s groundbreaking research at the University of Lethbridge’s Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience in Alberta is transforming our understanding of stress, resilience and health across generations. “When I received my first major Canadian research grant, it was a sign that Canada had become my home and that I was trusted to contribute to its scientific and academic community,” says Metz, who now holds the Dr. Bryan Kolb Research Chair. Her research has shown that stress can create biological “memories” that influence not only individuals, but future generations, which can help advance early detection of disease risk and new approaches to prevention and personalized

medicine. Her discoveries are also helping shape mental health approaches to reducing the long-term health impacts of stress. “I study how stress and life experiences shape health and brain function across generations,” she explains. “I also mentor students and trainees from diverse backgrounds and collaborate with researchers across Canada and around the world, including projects related to space health, biomedicine and human resilience.” Her research is now being applied by NASA. Metz studies how astronauts adapt to long-duration spaceflight and isolation. This work is uncovering insights into healthy aging and resilience that benefit people on Earth as well as in space. Metz’s influence extends beyond the laboratory. She has mentored hundreds of students, fostered collaborations across neuroscience, medicine, engineering and data science, and championed programs promoting inclusion and accessibility. “I believe that opportunities come with responsibilities. Canada welcomed me and provided opportunities that shape my career and life. Giving back through research, teaching, mentorship and community engagement is my way of contributing to a country that invested in me.”

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James Mullinger | Funny happens

comedy editor at GQ magazine in London, U.K. James Mullinger left behind his successful media career to build a new life in New Brunswick with his family. Twelve years later, he has established himself as one of the country’s top stand-up comedians, performing to sold-out audiences nationwide and internationally. “When we moved here in 2014, we were searching for a better way of life for our children. Canada gave us that and so much more. The people of Canada decided to make all my career dreams come true, too!” he says. It helps that Canadians have the greatest sense of humour in the world, according to Mullinger. “When I realized that they would enjoy an outsider playfully pointing out their idiosyncrasies, that is when I found success.” Mullinger is also a regular on CBC Radio’s The Debaters, as well as a writer and publisher. He and his wife, Pamela, co-founded [Edit], a national print magazine dedicated to celebrating Atlantic Canada’s people, culture and stories. He also recently wrote a children’s book, Willow Finds Her Wag, with his son, River. And his award-winning memoir, Brit Happens: Living the Canadian Dream, celebrates his own immigration journey with not just humour, but heart.

“As an immigrant, there is a moment when you realize that Canada has stopped being the place you moved to and has become simply home. For me, that happened gradually through friendships, school concerts, comedy clubs, hockey arenas and community events,” he says. “Being a Canadian means everything to me.” That’s why Mullinger uses his comedy to give back to Canada, bringing people together and raising funds for vital causes and organizations such as Canadian Cancer Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation, animal rescue groups, food banks, mental health initiatives and more. He and his wife also created the Rothesay Yule, an annual community event that raises money in support of nurses and health care professionals through the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation. “Canada changed my life,” he says. “Every show I perform, every magazine we publish, every book I write and every story I tell is, in some small way, an attempt to say thank you.”

Adetoyese Oyedun | A story of impact

rom Nigeria to the corridors of Imperial College London to the lecture halls of Hong Kong to the boardrooms of Edmonton, Alberta, Adetoyese (Toye) Oyedun, PhD, P.Eng., is building a life of impact in business, innovation and community. “While I have lived, worked or studied in four other countries, Canada gave me a blank page and said, ‘Write your story.’ And I accepted that invitation fully,” Oyedun says. That story is centered on environmental sustainability. As CEO of Crescite Consulting and Strategic Group in Leduc, Alberta, Oyedun leads a sustainability consultancy that delivers life cycle assessment, ESG strategy, clean energy and circular economy solutions. “We help organizations measure, ma nage a nd reduce their environmental footprint,” he explains. Oyedun’s expertise is built on years of experience studying, publishing and lecturing on sustainability at various institutions including the University of Alberta. At Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), he previously served as senior project manager for the

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$10 million Plastics Research in Action initiative, transforming plastic waste into recycled-plastic asphalt for Alberta’s extreme climate. Today, he’s also an executive in residence at Canadian cleantech accelerator Foresight, where he mentors cleantech entrepreneurs in scaling innovation and impact. Inspired to scale up his own business across sectors, he co-founded Crescite Professional Services Corporation, O.E. Motors Inc., Crescite Food Services Inc. and Crescite Books, a faith-based publishing house, with his wife, ‘Kiitan. “What carries me through is my ability to look at an unfamiliar environment, find where I can add value and get to work,” he says. His community impact matches his professional reach. As board chair of Redeemers Food Bank, he fights food insecurity across Edmonton, First Nations communities and the Black community. He also champions inclusion as the regional director of partnerships at Black Engineers of Canada. “I carry my Nigerian roots with pride while planting deep roots here, raising a family with my wife, building companies, leading a food bank and sitting on provincial boards,” he says. “Making an impact in Canada means refusing to just survive as an immigrant. It means contributing at every level, in the boardroom, in the church, in the classroom and in the community.”

Prabath Pullay | Changing lives

rabath Pullay immigrated to Canada from Sri Lanka in 1996 with a background in business and exports, but as many immigrants do, he took on a survival job. He became a front desk attendant at the Salvation Army in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. “After being turned away from many jobs in my field due to lack of Canadian experience, I accepted a job in a different field just to make ends meet,” he says. What was supposed to be a temporary position became a passionate new direction for Pullay, and he was quickly recognized for his commitment. “When I was rewarded with my first promotion to a management position, that was the moment I finally felt that I was on the pathway to successful settlement in Canada,” he says. Pullay rose from manager to director in the charitable organization, helping establish and expand programs for vulnerable people, including first safe house for victims of human trafficking in Canada and the Alternate to Detention Program for refugees. “Both programs have led to positive transformations in the lives of residents,” he says proudly. In 2014, he became the executive director of the Salvation Army Belkin Communities of Hope. In this role, he oversees programs focused on personal

development, safety and restoration of people’s lives across Metro Vancouver, including housing, support services for addictions and mental health issues, resettlement services for refugees, emergency shelter services, rehabilitation services for people exiting the corrections system and outreach services for victims of human trafficking. “Witnessing life-saving and life-changing moments in the lives of individuals we work with inspires me in my work,” says the MBA, who also volunteers his expertise with the Richmond Community Homelessness Table, the City of Richmond and Liberty International Ministries. This year, Pullay celebrates 30 years of service at the Salvation Army. “There were ma ny individuals who helped me throughout my journey in Canada and, if not for them, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he says. “I realized that I can also make an impact in peoples’ lives and this is what propels me to work hard and give back to the community.”

Aparna Rangnekar | Creative connections

ibrant colours, bold textures and layered cultural storytelling define Aparna Rangnekar’s artistry. The Indian-born visual artist, ceramist, muralist, curator, art educator and community-engaged arts facilitator came to Canada 16 years ago and has been shaping community arts in Ontario ever since. “My work is centred around bringing people together through creativity,” she says. “Through collaborative murals, workshops, art mixers, cultural festivals and a monthly community music event that I co-founded, I create opportunities for people to connect, express themselves and find a sense of belonging.” Now an art instructor with FirstOntario Arts Centre Milton, Rangnekar began her Canadian arts journey with volunteer work and board service for local arts organizations. It was 2013 when she was selected as one of seven mural artists to revitalize Vivian Lane in downtown Brampton, where she created her first Canadian mural, Attunement. Then she conceptualized and facilitated a legacy mosaic

mural to celebrate the Pan Am Games at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, with 80 artists from the Fine Arts Society of Milton. She also led the creation of the Velocity ParaPan Am mural at the Milton Sports Centre. Championing South Asian artistic traditions within Canada’s broader cultural landscape has also been a consistent thread through her career, and, in 2017, Rangnekar joined the board of directors of the Arts and Culture Initiative of South Asia and serves as festival director of the Visual Arts of South Asia Arts Festival. Two of her recent murals for Arts Milton’s 2023 Exclusively Inclusive public art project were also inspired by traditional Indian folk art. “I believe that creativity has the power to bring people together. I’ve seen children paint alongside seniors, newcomers meet and make lifelong friends, families create together, and people gain confidence through art and music. It doesn't matter where you come from or what language you speak, when people create together, they connect.” Facilitating these connections has made Canada feel like a true home to Rangnekar. “Seeing people connect, support one another and build lasting relationships through creativity made me realize I wasn't simply building a life in Canada anymore, I was helping build community.” CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

Roy Ratnavel | Summit of success

inancial executive Roy Ratnavel came to Canada alone at 18 years old, carrying the memories of the civil war in Sri Lanka, including being imprisoned because of his Tamil identity and losing his father, who was killed. “When I landed at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on April 19, 1988, I saw two burly Canadian police officers walking toward me and I tensed reflexively. I had learned to associate uniforms with terror,” he says. “But they simply smiled and said, ‘Good afternoon.’ It was at that moment that I decided to become a Canadian.” Since then, Ratnavel has taken every opportunity this country has offered him to build a successful life, starting in the mailroom of a small investment firm. He went on to build a remarkable 30+ year career in financial services, rising to become executive vice-president of CI Financial and ultimately vice chairman of CI Global Asset Management, one of Canada’s largest independent asset management companies. Since retiring from corporate life, he has become a national bestselling author with his memoir Prisoner #1056, which chronicles his journey from political prisoner to Bay Street executive. It earned a Bronze Medal at the Axiom Business Book Awards.

“In my keynote talks based on Prisoner #1056, I share lessons on resilience, gratitude and opportunity, while supporting newcomers, education and youth development,” says Ratnavel, who mentors emerging young leaders in the asset management industry. He is also deeply involved in philanthropy relating to mental health. In 2019, with his wife and son, he summited Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for mental health care. He also serves on the board of directors of the Scarborough Health Network Foundation and, in 2025, he and his wife donated $1 million to support culturally sensitive mental health services. “Very early on, life taught me in a painful way that life is not always fair. But adversity can build strength, and enduring hardship with purpose can be transformative,” he says. His purpose today is to help others access the same opportunities he had. “Canada gave me a second chance at life, and opening doors for others is my way of giving back.”

Poshak Sachdeva | Survive and thrive

YOUTH AWARD RECIPIENT OF 2026

oshak Sachdeva’s first job in Canada was in a butcher shop, a difficult reality for a vegetarian. He arrived from India at 18 to go to university and, like many newcomers, his early experiences were defined by survival. But his journey from survival to success came quickly. At 25, Sachdeva became the youngest executive director in the history of the Irrigation Industry Association of British Columbia in Abbotsford, B.C. “I work at the intersection of agriculture, education, workforce development, public policy and water stewardship,” says Sachdeva, now 28. “Many people are surprised to learn that less than 20 per cent of B.C.’s farmland is irrigated, yet it produces more than 65 per cent of the province’s food value. My work focuses on helping ensure British Columbia has the skilled professionals, leadership and education needed to sustain food production and responsible water management for future generations.” Recognized as one of BC Business’ Top 30 Under 30,

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Sachdeva credits tenacity for thriving as a young leader. “I have always been driven by a desire to see how far I can go and what I am capable of becoming. Like many newcomers, I experienced setbacks, failures and moments of uncertainty. Yet I never viewed those moments as reasons to stop. I viewed them as part of the journey.” Sachdeva, who now mentors other newcomers and young professionals, actually never wanted to come to Canada as an international student; it was his parents’ decision. “They believed it would offer me opportunities I could not find back home. Looking back, they saw a future that I simply could not yet imagine,” he says. “Every accomplishment I achieve is, in many ways, my attempt to honour their sacrifice and make them proud of the decision they made.” This year's Top 25 Youth Award winner, Sachdeva adds that, beyond his own achievements, he feels a responsibility to leave Canada stronger than he found it. “Over time, I stopped asking when I could go home and started asking what I could build here,” he says. “The more I contributed to my community, the more I felt I belonged.”

Jatinder Pal Singh | Fashion forward

t was 1984 when Jatinder Pal Singh opened the doors of Chandan Fashion in Toronto, along with his wife, Sarab. The immigrant family, including children, Chandan and Chandni, lived above the store, which has become a landmark in Toronto’s Gerrard India Bazaar, known for its iconic blueand-pink building. Back in India, his father had a garment shop in Punjab called Kuki Silk. “I worked alongside my father in the clothing business,” Singh says. But, during a visit to Canada, he met Sarab and his path changed course. “I knew I wanted to build a life with her. Four years later, we were married, and I moved permanently to Canada.” Singh started off by working in a furniture factory. “I took every overtime shift I could,” he says, and, after saving a modest $1,900, he opened the doors to his own business. Today, it is a premier destination for modern South Asian bridal and party wear, and the focus of the CBC reality show, Bollywed. The series follows the Singhs’ lives and the challenges of running an intergenerational business with their now adult children. “Looking back, it is humbling to see that small dream grow into one of Canada’s most recognized South Asian bridal retailers,” Singh says. “I am also honoured that our family's journey is featured in

Bollywed, allowing us to share our culture, traditions, family values and immigrant story with audiences around the world.” Singh (known by the nickname Kuki), has not just made a name for himself as an entrepreneur, but also in community service by feeding the unhoused in the area around his business in Toronto’s Little India and donating to charity. “As a devoted Sikh, I participate in seva (selfless service) at my local Gurdwara every week. Over the past four decades, I have helped many newcomers settle in Canada by sharing advice and encouraging them as they build their own lives here,” he says. Looking ahead, Singh’s goal is to continue expanding Chandan Fashion across Canada. “Watching our family business grow into a multigenerational legacy has been one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.”

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Carl Valentine | Champion on and off the pitch

ootball has been at a fever pitch in Canada with FIFA 2026, but today’s excitement is built on a long legacy — one that legendary player Carl Valentine helped shape and continues to share as club ambassador with the Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club. “The main part of my job is going out into the community where I try and connect with people, especially the kids,” Valentine says. “I really feel those I meet can feel my energy about the game, leaving a lasting impression.” Born in Manchester, England, Valentine, who is partly of Jamaican descent, began his professional football career in 1976 as a 17-year-old with Oldham Athletic. He then signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps, helping them win their only North American Soccer League championship in 1979. Feeling welcomed in Canada, Valentine became a citizen in 1984. From his home base in North Vancouver, the game took him back to England to play for West Bromwich Albion and to clubs in the United States before he returned to play for the Vancouver 86ers. He also proudly represented Canada on the men’s national team. One of his two most memorable moments was “playing for Canada in the 1986 World Cup,” he says. The other? “Being inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame.”

After retiring as a player in 1992, Valentine moved into coaching and management with the 86ers, the Whitecaps FC Academy and the Ottawa Fury. He also dedicated himself to growing the game and serving the community. “I came to Vancouver not knowing anyone. But I don’t remember being homesick because everyone seemed to look after me,” he says. “Now is my chance to say thank you and give something back.” Valentine remains deeply committed to mentoring young athletes and using sport to build confidence, inclusion and opportunity. As club ambassador, he connects Whitecaps FC with the community by engaging fans, attending charity events and championing initiatives that uplift local communities. He also uses his platform to advance social justice, e q u a l it y, ment a l health awareness and environmental initiatives across B.C. “I'm proud to be making a difference in my community as Canada has given me so much.”

Margaret von Lau | One person can make a difference

argaret von Lau believes it can take just one person to change the course of someone’s life. When she came to Canada from Poland in 1989 with a law degree, she struggled to find her place in her new country. She decided to build on her education, earning certifications in human resources and management, but it was the people who helped her along the way that made all the difference in her journey. “During some of the most difficult times, I was fortunate to meet people who believed in me and helped me find opportunities when I needed them most,” von Lau recalls. This inspired her to dedicate her career to supporting refugees and immigrants; 10 years after arriving, she founded Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services (N.E.E.D.S.) Inc., in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Today, under her leadership as CEO, N.E.E.D.S. supports more than 2,000 newcomers annually through settlement, education, employment, youth programming, mentorship and community integration services. “Those early experiences stayed with me. They taught me that

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successful settlement is not just about programs and services — it is about people and personal connection. It is about having someone who believes in you, guides you and helps you see possibilities when the future feels uncertain. I knew that I wanted to be that person for others.” Her commitment to newcomers, particularly youth, is rooted in her belief that every individual deserves dignity, opportunity and the chance to thrive long term. “I have had the privilege of witnessing the success of some of the first newcomer youth and families who participated in programs that I helped develop. Many had arrived in Canada after experiencing war, displacement and significant trauma. Seeing them overcome barriers, develop confidence and become active members of their communities is one of the greatest privileges of my life.” Beyond her organizational impact, von Lau is an award-winning advocate in advancing human rights, anti-racism, trauma-informed practices and strengthening communities, including in her volunteer leadership role with the Canadian Polish Congress of Manitoba. “What motivates me most is seeing people transform their lives. I have always believed that when we help others succeed, we strengthen the entire community.”

Supinder Wraich | Star power

olice dramas are one of the most popular genres of television shows, and British Columbians can take pride in calling the one-hour drama Allegiance, starring Indian-born actress Supinder Wraich, their own. Wraich plays Sabrina Sohal in the CBC show about a rookie officer in her hometown of Surrey, B.C. “I remember when I got the call, and then I got some of the scripts and I just was like, ‘Oh my God, how am I going to do this?’ she shared in an interview with CBC. The series, which recently won the 2026 Leo Award for Best Dramatic Series, explores stories about the diverse community in Surrey and deals with themes of racism, privilege and policing. Now in production for season four, Wraich, who won the 2025 Best Lead Performer, Drama, at the Canadian Screen Awards for her work on the show, said to the Asian Cut that she was thrilled “somebody has written a dynamic Sikh Punjabi woman for me to inhabit.” Coming to Canada as a young girl, Wraich remembers feeling different, insecure and unable to speak English. The character she plays in Allegiance is Canadian born but connected to her heritage, allowing Wraich to explore her own feelings of

identity as an immigrant from India, both on and off camera. She has delved into other facets of her journey, including growing up in a Punjabi family in the trucking business in Brampton, Ontario, by writing, co-producing and starring in her own CBC Gem series called The 410, named for the highway linking her hometown to the Greater Toronto Area. Wraich has also appeared in a variety of both Canadian and American shows, including The Good Doctor, Private Eyes, Hudson & Rex and more. She notably played Aqsa in CBC/HBO’s queer comedy Sort Of and also stars in the upcoming short film WritOr based on the story by Irish-Canadian novelist Emma Donoghue (a Top 25 Canadian Immigrant herself!). If Wraich, a graduate of the Canadian Film Centre’s Actor’s Conservatory, has one piece of advice for others following in her footsteps, she said, “Let go and let yourself breathe and let yourself trust yourself.”

Lian Zhang | Building bridges on P.E.I.

ian Zhang and her husband moved from China to Prince Edward Island in 2013 with their two children to run a family business. But Zhang, who holds a master’s degree in mass communication, dedicates most of her time to volunteering to bring people together in Canada’s smallest province. “I am deeply committed to building bridges between communities on Prince Edward Island,” says Zhang, co-founder and president of the Asian Heritage Association and the Chinese Culture Federation. “Canada is vast, but P.E.I. has its own unique dynamics. There are real gaps in information among different regions, ethnic groups and generations. My team and I use our skills to help newcomers integrate, reduce misunderstandings and break down prejudice. These may seem like small efforts, but I believe they accumulate into real social progress.” Zhang was first inspired to connect her community after discovering an old advertisement calling on P.E.I. residents to raise funds for China during the Second World War. “In 1943, people here came together

to help a country on the other side of the world,” Zhang explains. “I was born in Nanjing, where more than 300,000 people lost their lives in the Nanjing Massacre. When I saw that ad, I felt a deep and unexpected connection. Here was a small island, thousands of miles away, extending a hand to my people during their darkest hour.” Zhang went on to organize exhibitions on the history of Chinese Canadians and educational workshops for newcomers. “I truly felt that I am now an Islander because I understood that Canada’s values — humanitarianism, multiculturalism and breaking down barriers — were not just abstract ideals. They were lived realities, and I had become part of that story.” Today, Zhang carries that legacy forward, bringing diverse Islanders together for the annual P.E.I. Asian Heritage Month celebration and the P.E.I. International Lunar New Year Gala. The events also raise funds for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, where she has served on the board of directors and has organized multiple fundraisers. “Every event I organize, every conversation I have, is rooted in the hope that we can celebrate our differences and build a more connected society.” CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

SAY THAT AGAIN? As more immigrants turn to accent coaching, experts say it is time for Canadian workplaces to change how they listen BY LISA EVANS

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Part-time English courses also available.

CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 23 Issue 3 | 2026

or many immigrants, an accent is a reflection of their culture, but it can also be a professional hurdle. According to recent research, the way you speak can indeed affect your chances of getting hired or earning a promotion. Some newcomers turn to accent coaching to improve communication. Others argue expecting immigrants to sound more “Canadian” conflicts with the country’s multicultural values. Experts say both can be true: accent bias exists, and accent coaching can help those who choose it. But the bigger question is whether success in Canada should depend on how you sound.

Evidence of accent bias “Accent bias refers to the tendency to judge a person based on how they speak rather than what they say,” says Christy Zhou Koval, assistant professor of organizational behaviour at Queen's University Smith School of Business. "Those with certain non-native accents are less likely to be hired, are overlooked for promotions, and excluded from customer-facing or leadership roles despite having the necessary qualifications.” Zhou Koval’s research focusing on stereotyping, bias, diversity and workplace inclusion indicates that people with non-native accents tend to be perceived as less competent than those with a native accent. Samantha Jackson knows this firsthand, as a recent immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago, who studies how accents influence hiring decisions. An assistant professor in linguistics at the University of Toronto, she coauthored a 2024 study with Derek Denis, What I Say, or How I Say It? Ethnic Accents and Hiring Evaluations in the Greater Toronto Area. For the study, human resources students listened to women with Canadian, British, Chinese, Indian, Jamaican and Nigerian accents answering the same scripted interview questions. Those with Canadian voices were consistently favoured, despite half of the participants being non-Canadians themselves.

FEATURE STORY

When an accent becomes a stereotype Actor Mladen Obradovic says accent bias has shaped his entire career. Obradovic immigrated to Canada from Serbia in 2005 and says his accent has been a determining factor in the roles he is considered for. "As soon as we opened our mouths, we were placed into a basket — people from the Philippines are always nannies, people from Eastern Europe are always mobsters." His experiences, and those of fellow immigrant performers, led to the development of the Accent Discrimination Sub-Committee within Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists, where Obradovic serves as co-chair. "We don't have characters that are depicting the reality of our society," he says. According to Obradovic, the lack of representation has consequences beyond entertainment and can fuel accent bias.

What accent coaching actually does Accent coaching is often mistaken for teaching people to erase their accent. But Accent Coach Rachel Holmes says the goal is simply helping people communicate more clearly. Her coaching focuses on retraining the muscles used in speech to produce unfamiliar English sounds. "Training these muscles is like learning a new sport that you never played as a child," says Holmes. "The brain is initially 'blind' to sounds that don't naturally exist within another language's sound system." An accent coach first helps clients hear and distinguish unfamiliar sounds, often using minimal pairs—words that differ by only one sound, such as mat and mitt. From there, clients learn how to physically produce the sounds using mouth diagrams, dental models, and a "listen and repeat" shadowing technique to understand the placement of the lips and tongue. "Then it's practice, practice, practice," Holmes says. Holmes says professionals are often frustrated by how their accent impacts how they are understood. “Many of my clients are looking to advance their careers, step into leadership roles, or simply avoid hearing ‘can you say that again?’” Holmes recalls a call centre employee with a Spanish accent, who no longer had customers asking for a manager because they couldn’t understand her. Another client, a dental student who had previously failed an admissions interview, was accepted after improving spoken communication. Speech Language Pathologist Sylvia Whiteside, who has provided accent training since 2005, hears similar stories. “The vast majority of my clients are frustrated by miscommunications, they notice people concentrating hard to understand them and they avoid speaking at work.” While some have received promotions or become more confident when making presentations, Whiteside says for some others, clearer speech

is about physical safety. She recalls working with an engineer at a mining company whose accent made him difficult to understand over the walkie-talkies and for safety reasons wasn’t able to drive into the mine on his own. After speech training, he was able to communicate clearly enough to work independently.

Choice, not obligation Zhou Kova l says accent Mladen Obradovic modification shouldn’t mean giving up one’s identity. "The challenge is distinguishing between improving communication and expecting people to change (and even to hide or abandon) an important aspect of their cultural identity," she says, noting that it can be empowering when it's voluntary and focused on an individual's own goals. "It becomes problematic when employers pressure employees to change their accent simply because their natural accent is viewed negatively." Samantha Jackson Jackson agrees that accent coaching can benefit those who choose and it shouldn’t be the price of acceptance in the workplace. She points to her own experience working with her co-author Denis. "He initially didn't understand some things I said, but we shared the burden of communication, and he got used to my accent." While Jackson understands why some seek accent coaching, she stresses the focus should be on reducing bias. "Accents are often framed as barriers to employment, but the true barrier is bias — a lack of willingness to work with others who are different," she says. While accent coaching can help people communicate more clearly, build confidence and succeed in roles where clear communication is essential, experts say it should be a choice—not an implicit requirement. But perhaps the bigger question isn't whether immigrants should change the way they speak — it's whether Canada is prepared to embrace the many ways English can sound. As more newcomers choose accent coaching to meet their own goals, it is time that workplaces became better at listening. CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |

CAREERS & EDUCATION

CAREER COACH

Beyond job boards Using AI to find hidden opportunities

f you’re new to Canada, you’ve likely spent long nights trawling through multiple job boards and employment websites. You then apply, wait, and sometimes receive an automated rejection. Here’s the catch: the roles that could truly change your career trajectory rarely make it to those sites. They’re filled through word-of-mouth in internal channels before they ever get posted. Welcome to Canada's hidden job market. Studies consistently show that a large percentage of positions are filled through referrals, internal candidates, networking, talent pipelines, or direct recruiter outreach before a public job posting ever appears. In fact, the "hidden job market" is estimated to account for up to 80 per cent of all job openings in Canada. For new immigrants and international students facing the "no Canadian experience" barrier, this statistic can feel like a locked door with no key. The good news is, now AI is handing you the key. Modern AI tools can decode job postings, build Canadian-style resumés, and even uncover job leads. Let's explore how you can leverage AI tools to access the hidden job market and land roles that might otherwise pass you by. Strategy #1: Decode hidden expectations in job postings Many job postings contain HR and industry jargon, as well as unspoken assumptions that can deter newcomers. A posting that appears welcoming may still carry expectations about Canadian workplace norms that you might not recognize. Use a generative AI assistant like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini to convert Canadian workplace jargon and acronyms into plain language. For example, you can feed a job description from a job post into one of these tools and receive a glossary of keywords to demystify phrases like "stakeholder engagement," "deliverables," and "cross-functional with [X years] experience in [mention your collaboration". field of expertise]. I am now applying for jobs in my field in Canada. Using the experience Action Step: Next time you see a job ad that I've provided, adapt my work history to match interests you, run it through AI before you do Canadian hiring standards. Focus on outcomes, anything else. Let AI translate it into plain language not duties. Use numbers and percentages where so you understand exactly what the employer is possible. Use Canadian phrases like “stakeholder looking for — and whether you're a strong fit. engagement,” “cross-functional collaboration,” and” deliverables.”" Strategy #2: Translate global experience to Before: "Responsible for client coordination Canadian context and reporting." After the AI rewrite: "Managed 12 individual Your global experience is valuable, but Canadian accounts for clients in diverse fields and delivered hiring managers may struggle to see how your skills weekly performance reports, improving client fit into their context. AI can help you bridge that retention by 33 per cent". gap. Prompt AI to rewrite your work experience to match Canadian workplace standards. Make sure Action Step: Take one project from your resumé that you focus on outcomes rather than duties and and run it through this prompt. Compare the use phrases that resonate with local employers. before and after — you'll see how small language Sample Prompt: "I am a [mention profession] shifts can dramatically change how employers

CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 23 Issue 3 | 2026

perceive your qualifications. Strategy #3: Discover new career pathways and related professional roles One of AI's most powerful features is identifying roles you may not have considered — positions that use your skills but exist in different industries or job functions. Use AI to highlight both direct advancement opportunities and lateral moves across industries. Prompt it to analyze your skills, identify adjacent roles, and show you where your experience overlaps with in-demand positions — even in unexpected fields. Action Step: Upload your resumé to your AI assistant and analyze which roles best match your skill set. You may discover career paths you hadn't considered — pathways that open doors to employers more open to hiring newcomers.

CAREERS & EDUCATION Strategy #4: Get noticed by recruiters and include creating a marketing campaign for a Canadian business, analyzing the value of public • employers assets in your field, or designing a plan to onboard The jobs that never get posted are won through a local team. relationships, not just resumés. Recruiters act as Action Step: Use AI to identify a project you the bridge, placing talent into companies before can complete in two weeks. Document every step • job boards ever get involved. AI can help you get on their radar and you can build relationships with and share it on LinkedIn. This shows recruiters that you can ideate, execute in the Canadian context, them. Action Step: Optimize your LinkedIn profile and deliver — regardless of where you gained your using AI tools. Make sure you have an outcome- experience. focused headline and summary that showcase your value to recruiters when they check your LinkedIn profile.

The bigger picture: why this approach works

on tools that could help your job search. Join communities designed for newcomers. Platforms like the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council Mentoring Partnership (triec.ca) can connect you with mentors who help you navigate the hidden job market. Take ownership of your narrative. The skills you built abroad are still just as valuable here. With the right AI tools, you can reshape and localize your background so Canadian recruiters immediately recognize your potential.

The hidden job market doesn't have to remain Yes, AI may be making some basic roles hidden — AI is putting it within your reach. redundant. At the same time, it's also revealing The opportunities are there. The AI tools are Strategy #5: Create current, relevant a wealth of contacts, data, and openings that free. And the time to start is right now. Canadian experience through projects many of us could never have found on our own. For newcomers to Canada, this shift is an A formal position isn't the only way to show opportunity. Your global experience, combined Canadian experience. Hands-on projects and with AI-powered tools to translate and showcase real-world scenario work can speak just as loudly. it, can help you bypass the traditional barriers that And AI can help you generate project ideas that have held back so many immigrants before you. demonstrate practical skills, as employers are increasingly valuing these kinds of proof points. Your next steps Murali Murthy is an acclaimed public speaker, life coach and best-selling author of The Sample Prompt: "Based on my experience, • Start small. Pick your favourite AI assistant ACE Principle, The ACE Awakening, The ACE suggest two project or case study ideas that I can — be it ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini — and Abundance and You Are HIRED!. He is also accomplish and add to my profile.” figure out options to rewrite your resumé or chairperson of CAMP Networking Canada. translate job postings. Learn how he can help unlock your magic at Then create the AI-suggested projects, showcase • Build a "keep up" habit. Spend 20 minutes ACEWorldFoundation.com. each week following AI news to stay current the results, and document everything. Examples

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SETTLEMENT

IMMIGRATION LAW

Express Entry overhaul Major changes could reshape how Canada selects skilled immigrants — and who gets invited next

ince its inception, EE has become the primary pathway to permanent residence (PR) for economic immigrants. But recently, it has also become a source of growing frustration. Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores remain highly competitive, and many candidates feel there are few tangible ways to improve their ranking. For candidates making real-life decisions around study, work and language learning, the proposed changes could come as welcome relief for some, and another major disruption for others. Express Entry: The existing framework At present, EE manages applications under three federal economic immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Candidates must meet the minimum requirements of at least one program, enter the EE pool and receive a CRS score. The highest-ranked candidates, or those who meet the criteria for a targeted draw, then receive periodic Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for PR. In 2023, IRCC introduced category-based selection, perhaps the biggest shift in EE so far. It allows IRCC to prioritize candidates who meet categories established by the department to support specific economic goals, including French-language proficiency and experience in priority occupations such as health care, trades and education. This year, IRCC also announced categories for physicians, senior managers and researchers with Canadian work experience. The practical effect is that many CEC draws are no longer purely “general.” Instead, programspecific draws and category-based rounds have become central, while the FSWP is essentially all but obsolete for candidates outside Canada unless

they qualify under the French language category jobs, rather than based on the candidate’s individual or Provincial Nominee category. earnings or the salary attached to a specific job offer. By using occupation-level earnings, rather than A simpler structure: one program instead individual earnings, IRCC hopes to reduce concerns of three? about gender and geographic wage disparities, and One of the biggest structural changes under about candidates working excessive hours in lowerconsideration is consolidating the current EE wage jobs to demonstrate higher income. programs into one. Instead of separate eligibility This proposed change tracks what many rules for the CEC, FSWP and FSTP, all candidates provinces are already implementing with their would be assessed against one common set of nominee programs, including British Columbia minimum requirements. and Ontario, where wage can be an important Based on IRCC’s proposals, candidates will need selection factor. The reasoning behind this logic at least a high school level education, a minimum is that temporary residents earning higher wages language proficiency level of 6 on the CLB or tend to have stronger economic outcomes after NCLC benchmarks, and one year of Canadian or becoming PRs. international skilled work experience in the last The possible return of CRS points for job offers three years. is also notable. Job offer points were removed in Structurally, this would simplify EE. However, March 2025, in part because of fraud concerns. from a practical standpoint, the impact may be However, in re-implementing this factor, IRCC limited because most candidates in the pool likely appears to be considering a narrower framework, already meet these baseline requirements. possibly limited to high-wage occupations or situations where the candidate has already been The bigger question: how will CRS scores working in the position for a longer period. change? The more consequential changes will come Who could benefit? through the CRS itself. IRCC has been looking One group that may benefit from these proposed at employment and earnings data for permanent additions is older, high-earning skilled professionals. residents to determine which factors are the Under the current CRS, age is a heavily weighted strongest predictors of long-term economic success. factor, with candidates in their 20s receiving up This could result in the removal or modification of to 110 points, while candidates aged 45 or older existing factors, and the introduction of new ones. receive none. As a result, a senior executive with Two possible new factors of note are CRS points a master’s degree and several years of foreign and for high-wage Canadian work experience, or for a Canadian work experience may struggle to be job offer in a high-wage occupation. competitive in the current system simply because Critical to this assessment is how IRCC will of their age. Although it is unlikely that age points define “high wage.” IRCC seems to be considering will be eliminated altogether, the implementation awarding points based on whether the candidate’s of job-offer and wage-based points could help offset occupation falls within a prescribed list of high-wage the points lost because of age for some candidates.

CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 23 Issue 3 | 2026

SETTLEMENT Who could be disadvantaged? Post-graduation work permit holders may be among the candidates most affected by the proposed changes. Under the current system, Canadian education can add 15 to 30 CRS points, depending on the level of education completed. Early reports suggest that IRCC is considering reducing or removing these points, which will mean many recent graduates could see one of their key advantages weakened. In addition, the introduction of wagebased points could also disadvantage recent graduates, who are often early in their careers and earning lower salaries.

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What about the French language category? Through its immigration levels plan, IRCC has been working to increase the number of French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec, a priority expected to continue over the next few years. As a result, many candidates have invested significant time and resources in learning French solely to improve their EE prospects. What do the proposed changes mean for candidates learning French for this purpose? On one hand, IRCC appears to be considering removing the additional CRS points for French-language ability, which may suggest a reduced emphasis on French within the CRS. However, IRCC has also said that French-proficiency category-based selection gives it enough flexibility to meet its targets. As a result, French-language category draws will likely remain a regular priority and may continue to have relatively low CRS cutoffs, even if the extra points are removed. A chance to fix long-standing problems These reforms also present an opportunity for IRCC to redefine outdated policies and clarify points of contention within the current system, including the distinction between Canadian and foreign work experience. In a postCOVID landscape where remote work across borders is becoming more frequent, the definition of Canadian versus foreign work experience has become much murkier. Another limitation with the current system is self-employment. Under the current rules, self-employed Canadian work experience does not count for the CEC. However, self-employed foreign work experience can be counted as foreign work experience. This is a frustrating limitation for many candidates in Canada and creates uncertainty for contractors and other workers in non-conventional arrangements. The changes to the EE system present IRCC with an opportunity to address these issues squarely and, hopefully, provide more clarity to applicants. When will this happen? A full structural overhaul of EE will not happen overnight. The three EE programs are set out in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, so replacing them with one program would require regulatory amendments, as well as a complete technical overhaul of the EE portal. Given this, early indications suggest these changes are not likely to roll out until the end of 2027. Some CRS changes, however, could arrive sooner. IRCC has indicated that it may introduce a wage factor as early as the end of 2026. As always with IRCC, the timing and final details remain uncertain. The bottom line EE has always rewarded candidates who can align their profiles with Canada’s economic priorities. The challenge is that those priorities are shifting. For candidates, the best strategy is to stay informed, keep profiles accurate and up-to-date, and avoid relying too heavily on any one factor. For some, the overhaul may create new opportunities. For others, it may require a recalibration of plans. Candidates who have made major life decisions around EE, whether that’s learning a new language, studying in Canada or changing jobs, will need time, transparency and clear communication from IRCC as the new system takes shape. Maxine Blennerhassett is with Canadian immigration law firm Larlee Rosenberg.

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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 23 Issue 3 | 2026