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VIVIAN MERAKI Parenting redefined
BY VARSHA VIJAYARAJAH
Hong Kong-born Vivian Meraki is the founder of Unshakable Parenting, a coaching platform that helps immigrant families build emotional safety while honouring their cultural roots. Drawing from her own journey between Hong Kong and Canada, she empowers parents to break generational patterns through trauma-informed and somatic practices — raising confident, connected children without losing their heritage.
Can you share a bit about your own immigration journey growing up in an immigrant household?
I was born in Hong Kong and raised in Canada, and like many first-generation kids, I grew up balancing two cultures. At home, we held onto values like respect for elders, discipline and hard work. Outside, I was navigating a very different world — one that emphasized emotional openness and independence. While there was love, it often came through sacrifice and stability, not necessarily emotional connection. That experience made me think deeply about what I wanted to carry forward and where I wanted to evolve as a parent.
How did navigating two cultures influence your approach to parenting?
It made me intentional. I didn’t want to parent just by habit. Instead of asking, ‘What can I expose my child to
so they can perform?’ I started asking, ‘How do I help my child build the confidence to choose the life they want?’ I hold deep respect for the values my parents passed down — discipline, humility and responsibility — but emotional safety wasn’t always a part of that equation. I wanted to make space for both: honouring our culture and providing emotional connection so my children can thrive.
You’ve talked about the idea of ‘success as survival’ in immigrant families. How did that shape your life?
In immigrant homes, success isn’t about joy — it’s about proving the sacrifices were worth it. It meant getting a good job, financial security and maintaining respectability. And I chased that. I worked for the United Nations, led global campaigns and did everything ‘right’ on paper. But despite my accomplishments, I felt disconnected. I realized I had built a life that looked successful but didn’t feel like it belonged to me.
What inspired you to create Unshakable Parenting?
It came from realizing how many parents are holding it all together while carrying unspoken stress, pain and patterns from their own childhoods. Especially in immigrant families, there’s often a gap between good intentions and real emotional connection.
Through my coaching, I want to help parents raise emotionally resilient children by first becoming emotionally grounded themselves.
How does trauma-informed parenting specifically support immigrant families?
Many of us were raised in environments where emotional needs were minimized in favour of survival. Trauma-informed parenting helps parents pause, understand what’s behind a child’s behaviour and respond with presence instead of pressure. It’s not about abandoning our roots. It’s about saying, ‘Yes, we value discipline and humility, but we also create space for emotions, questions and repair.’ You can honour both.
What’s one first step immigrant parents can take to strengthen emotional connections with their kids?
Start with psychological safety. Let your kids know they can make mistakes, have big emotions and still be fully loved. Slow down. Listen more than you respond. Let their feelings exist without rushing to fix them.
A key part of my coaching involves somatic healing — body-based tools that help parents recognize how stress shows up physically. Our kids feel our nervous systems. If we’re anxious or shut down, they sense it, even if we don’t say anything. Somatic practices help parents notice those cues, breathe and come back to regulation.”
What does being ‘unshakable’ mean to you?
It’s not about never being overwhelmed. It’s knowing how to come back to your presence, your values and your calm, even when life is messy. My message to immigrant parents is simple yet powerful: you don’t have to choose between preserving your culture and raising emotionally resilient children. You can do both — and it starts with becoming unshakable.
Top employers hiring newcomers at the Mississauga Career Fair on Nov 12
Connect with recruiters from Samsung Electronics Canada, CBI Health, OGCA
and more!
Looking to build your future in Canada? The Canadian Immigrant Fair is your one-stop event for career, education, and settlement success — and it’s happening on November 12, from 10 am to 3pm at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga. Admission is free. This annual fair brings together everything newcomers need to thrive — from hiring employers and career coaches to settlement experts and educational institutions.
This year’s fair is your chance to meet employers and recruiters who are actively hiring talented new Canadians. Representatives from leading organizations, including Samsung Electronics Canada, VocationLab by CBI Health, and the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) will be on-site to discuss openings, accept résumés, and help you explore your next big opportunity.
Among the day’s highlights is the Job Search Accelerator workshop led by two of Canada’s most inspiring career coaches — Yauhan Mehta and Luki Danukarjanto. Mehta, a LinkedIn Top Voice and one of Canada’s top career coaches, has helped thousands of professionals land roles they love by combining mindset transformation with
practical strategy. Danukarjanto, known as “the soft skills guy,” is a former Deloitte management consultant, bestselling author, and host of the SIWIKE Podcast. Together, they’ll reveal how to land interviews without relying solely on online applications. Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, will uncover the unwritten rules of Canadian workplace culture, from interview etiquette to authentic networking. Rounding out the program is the power-packed What Employers Want panel, where experts offer insider advice on communication, digital fluency, and leadership in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).
Attendees can visit the free résumé clinic for one-on-one feedback from career professionals, explore the new AI Job Search Clinic to learn how technology can accelerate your career, and connect with trusted resources offering guidance on banking, small business support, and settlement services.
Don’t miss your chance to connect, learn, and grow — register at canadianimmigrant.ca/ careerfair/mississauga.
Survey finds Canada back on top as study destination
Canada is once again near the top of the list for international students choosing where to study abroad, according to a new survey by ApplyBoard. The fall 2025 survey ranked Canada second among six leading destinations, behind the United Kingdom but ahead of the United States, Australia, Germany and Ireland.
For much of the past two years, Canada had been viewed as the number one study-abroad destination in ApplyBoard’s global surveys. That changed in spring 2025, after caps on new study permits were introduced which tightened access to postgraduation work permits.
Despite the caps, Canada’s reputation appears to be recovering. In the latest survey, 84.3 per cent of the 400 student recruitment professionals polled rated Canada as “open, safe and welcoming.”
When it comes to openness and safety, Canada
ranked second at 84.3 per cent, just behind the U.K. at 86.9 per cent. In overall attractiveness, Canada placed a strong second again, with 74 per cent of respondents naming it a top study destination, compared to 82 per cent for the U.K. Canada also made gains in affordability, rising to 67.3 per cent from 63.6 per cent the previous year — surpassed only by Germany at 76.8 per cent and Ireland at 68.7 per cent.
When deciding where to study abroad, students placed the greatest importance on affordability and career opportunities. The cost of studying ranked highest at 91.4 per cent, followed by postgraduation work opportunities (87.8 per cent), cost of living (76.7 per cent), and job opportunities while studying (74.6 per cent). A welcoming environment also mattered, cited by 48.6 per cent of respondents. Nearly half of those surveyed — 47 per cent — said student interest in international education is stronger this year than last.
MOVING OUT
Newcomers are picking smaller cities over metros for better opportunities and affordability
BY CHITRA K MENON
When Limy Mathew migrated to Canada from India in 2019, she dreamed of career opportunities and a higher standard of living. But, after getting married, she realized that sky-high housing costs in Toronto, Ontario, combined with the challenge of securing a job in her field of study, made settling down difficult. Affordable housing seemed out of reach — until she decided to move to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
“This city is ideal for first-time homebuyers like us. It fits our budget, and my husband and I are so happy to have settled in this peaceful community,” says Mathew, now working as a personal banker in Halifax. “The job opportunities in my field of finance are strong, too. I also see many international students and newcomers moving here as well, which makes it feel like a growing community.”
Mathew’s story reflects a wider trend: more newcomers are looking beyond Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal as their first stop. The sprawling urban cores that once promised opportunity now come with steep trade-offs — soaring housing costs, crowded transit,
long commutes and rising everyday expenses. At the same time, remote and hybrid work, along with a renewed focus on work-life balance, have made smaller cities increasingly appealing.
“Remote work has changed a lot of calculations in many fields in Canada,” says Richard Florida, urbanist and professor at the University of Toronto. “In the past, people needed to live in big cities or downtowns to be close to offices. Young people still move to large cities for university or their first jobs, but once they want to buy a home, high prices push them to smaller communities.”
Data from Statistics Canada shows a consistent pattern of out-migration from cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal to smaller cities within the same provinces. Between July 2023 and July 2024, the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) lost 69,522 residents due to intra-provincial migration, while Montreal and Vancouver CMAs saw losses of 21,901 and 15,193 people, respectively.
For newcomers, this trend highlights the benefits of smaller cities: more value for
your dollar, easier settling in and stronger community connections. And their top choices are as follows.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Halifax has experienced steady growth over the past decade, driven by both immigration and internal migration. Its economy is anchored in health care, education, public administration and fisheries, sectors that regularly hire newcomers. Skilled immigrants in finance, technology or health care often find opportunities here, while organizations like the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) provide language support, settlement services and community integration programs. “Multiculturalism is visible everywhere, from cultural associations to community events celebrating newcomers’ heritage,” says Mathew. “For newcomers, Halifax offers accessibility, support networks and a slower pace of life — balancing opportunity with quality of life in a way larger metros often can’t.” Data from the Nova Scotia Department of Finance shows that housing is significantly more affordable. The rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,700 in the first quarter of 2025,
OUT
the trade-off is worth it: fewer big-city attractions, but cleaner air and a balanced lifestyle.
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is emerging as a strong alternative for newcomers weary of big-city costs. Manufacturing, health care and retail trade anchor the local economy, and key sectors are hiring newcomers. Still, challenges persist: Windsor’s unemployment rate reached 11.1 per cent in August 2025, one of the highest in Canada. Organizations such as the Essex County Local Immigration Partnership provide settlement services and pathways to permanent residency. Housing remains one of Windsor’s biggest draws. A one-bedroom apartment averages around $1,600 — still far cheaper than Toronto or Vancouver. Though vacancy rates are tight, daily expenses such as groceries and transportation remain affordable, allowing earnings to stretch further. For families, Windsor offers solid schools, health care and recreation, while safety and community spirit remain strong. Windsor’s proximity to the U.S. border adds shopping and job opportunities, making it an attractive option for newcomers seeking a balance between work, life, and community.
while homes remain attainable for first-time buyers. Apart from this, crime rates stay moderate and daily expenses remain manageable, with good schools, accessible health care and active lifestyle opportunities.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Saskatoon’s economy thrives in agriculture, mining, energy, manufacturing, technology and health care, providing a range of job prospects for skilled immigrants. The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) offers pathways to permanent residency for eligible newcomers Affordability is a key draw: one-bedroom apartment rent still averages between $1,400 and $1,550. But the landscape is shifting. Recent figures from Rentals.ca show Saskatoon remains the cheapest option among major Canadian cities, yet it also recorded one of the sharpest year-over-year rent hikes this August. Florida notes that this growth is not temporary. “As Canada expands and big cities become expensive, growth shifts to secondary or tertiary cities — but nothing will replace the role of Toronto. Unlike Toronto’s vertical density and subway system, smaller cities spread outward, and rising populations bring infrastructure and housing pressures that gradually erode affordability,” he says. Beyond housing, Saskatoon offers many qualities that appeal to newcomers. Groceries, transportation and childcare remain relatively manageable and contribute to the quality of life. The city is family-friendly, with a safer environment, strong schools, accessible health care and multicultural events like Folkfest.
Kelowna, British Columbia
One of Canada’s fastest-growing mid-sized cities, Kelowna, boasts a strong job market, particularly in health care and social assistance, retail trade, tourism, agriculture and wineries. Immigrants are finding opportunities in health care, retail and technical sectors, supported by local newcomer organizations like the Okanagan Immigrant Services Society (OISS). Housing is more affordable than in Vancouver or Toronto, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,700 to $2,200. Daily expenses — groceries, transportation and childcare are manageable. Short commutes, good schools and outdoor recreation appeal to families, although crime rates, vandalism and theft remain concerns. For many,
Moncton, New Brunswick
Moncton has become one of Canada’s most welcoming destinations for newcomers, offering affordability, opportunity and community. For many, the choice to settle here feels life-changing. Take Chioma Onyoha, for instance. The 31-year-old moved from Nigeria in 2023 as an international student and now works in health care. “It is so far the best decision of my life,” she says. “Here, transportation is easier, and I can settle without the pressure of big-city living. Opportunities are good in health care.” Immigrants like Onyoha now make up 9.5 percent of the local workforce, a share that continues to grow each year. With average rent for a one-bedroom around $1,300 and living costs well below big cities, newcomers can stretch their paycheque while enjoying reliable health care, good schools and strong community programs. “Immigrants get support from organizations like the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area and the Greater Moncton Local Immigration Partnership,” she says. “There are dual English and
Halifax, Nova Scotia
French schools for families, and I believe there’s stability, opportunity and a future,” she adds.
Beyond the big three
Smaller Canadian cities are no longer just “fallback” options — they’re becoming preferred destinations for many newcomers. Rising housing costs, congestion and stretched services in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal are driving residents to seek stability, affordability and a sense of belonging in smaller cities. Other smaller CMAs — including Kitchener-Waterloo and Thunder Bay in Ontario, Charlottetown, P.E.I., Red Deer, Alberta, and Kamloops, B.C., — also offer appealing trade-offs: affordable housing, accessible amenities, job opportunities and social integration.
Florida notes that while Toronto and other major cities will remain central hubs globally, population and opportunity will increasingly spread across smaller metros. “Multiculturalism is thriving in Canada, but the country could do better in terms of developmental strategies and the economy. We haven’t fully tapped into the energy and potential of immigrants. Aligning developmental policies with immigration policies to harness that potential would be a powerful step forward,” he says.
above: Charlottetown, P.E.I.
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CHANGEMAKER
Vancouver-based DEI and LGBTQ2S+ champion Yogi Omar reflects on the power of belonging and the fight for inclusion
BY VIVIEN FELLEGI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY: MARGARET JETELINA
It’s the summer of 2002 in Vancouver, and 18-year-old Yogi Omar’s first Pride parade. He’s swept along by the current of jubilation. There are women twirling in gold dresses and men marching in unison. Music explodes from speakers, participants are hooting, and onlookers are clapping. Omar wonders if he’s just dreaming. He spots rainbow flags waving among the cheering crowds. They’re sporting messages like “I love my gay son,” and “We can be your family.” Omar can’t stop the tears from flooding down his face.
“It was so empowering,” he recalls. “I didn’t think it was possible. Men were on full display.”
Growing up in a world of rejection
Being openly gay had never been this effortless for Omar, who was born in Indonesia, a country where any deviation from heterosexuality was not only frowned on, but illegal. From a very young age, the imaginative boy’s parents even banned him from joining choirs and other artistic pursuits for fear that they would make him gay. When he first realized that he was, indeed, gay, he tried to suppress his sexuality. His best friend in high school was “effeminate,” says Omar, and he admits to bullying him to draw attention away from unwelcome speculation about his own orientation. “I made his life hell because I was so scared about who I
could become.”
Films and television shows gave Omar some respite from these battles. He was particularly drawn to tales of “weirdos and outcasts,” who felt as alienated as he did. “It was escapism,” he says.
As he grew older, Omar regretted his actions, stopped hiding and resolved to improve the lot of the community. That’s where his activism on behalf of LGBTQ2S+ rights began, a mission that would guide him for a lifetime. But Omar faced dire consequences to his protests on behalf of LGBTQ2S+ rights. In Indonesia, you could be publicly caned or jailed for these expressions of defiance. “Or I could get married to a woman,” says Omar, “and be miserable for the rest of my life.” Sadly, his own parents also rejected him.
Building a new life in Canada
Facing both public and private persecution, Omar decided to leave Indonesia alone at age 18. By this point he was a university student, majoring in psychology and sociology, and eligible to continue his studies at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia.
Omar felt free, but he missed Indonesian food and his friends back home. Learning English
was the biggest obstacle. “I had a headache every day for three months because I could not understand a thing,” he says. Omar taught himself the language by watching TV series like The Gilmore Girls. Compared to learning English, coming out in Canada was relatively easy. Omar’s university had matched him with a Canadian homestay family, who accepted him exactly as he was. But Omar’s past obstacles resurfaced when he joined an Indonesian church in Vancouver. He was ostracized and pushed out of the congregation. That’s when Omar realized he had to make up his own rules. “I’m just going to live my life,” he decided.
The roadblocks he’d already encountered made him tougher, he explains. These trials helped him realize that while you have no control over external difficulties, you can determine how you react to them. “If you can’t find the silver lining,” he says, “you’re going to be miserable.”
Finding belonging and leading change
Encouraged by his homestay family, Omar embarked on a host of forays into Vancouver’s LGBTQ2S+ community. First, he joined Qmunity, a resource centre for LGBTQ2S+ people in B.C., where he signed up for a gay youth meetup. He also started singing with a
PHOTO COURTESY OF: MARGARET JETELINA
succession of gay men’s choirs. “I didn’t realize I had a voice,” he recalls.
Each new venture welcomed Omar with open arms, and for the first time in his life, he felt like there was a place for him. “The biggest part about belonging is the opportunity for you to really be who you are,” he says.
Once Omar felt integrated into his new existence, he quickly began to work to make life better for others on the margins. He joined the boards of the Vancouver Queer Film Festival, as well as its educational arm, Out in Schools, which brings Queer films into classrooms to spark conversations on homophobia.
fringes. In 2013, he became the co-owner of InspirationAll Talent Agency, which hires extras for film and television. Although film was his first love, Omar was disappointed by the lack of representation in the medium. “I didn’t see a lot of people like me on camera,” says Omar, who used his clout to ratchet up the representation among all ethnicities and genders. Though Omar was pleased with his
"If my actions have a ripple effect, this is what I will always do for the rest of my life."
He also became active on the boards of Qmunity as well as that of the Vancouver Men’s Chorus and served two terms with the City of Vancouver’s LGBTQ2S+ advisory committee, where he helped ban conversion therapy. Omar believes that music can change the world and produced several songs spreading messages of hope. One of these, “It Gets Better,” recounts the torments endured by a young gay adolescent. The song ends by reassuring listeners that he’s OK now. “That’s the world I want to live in,” says Omar, “where everyone is embraced.”
- YOGI OMAR
In 2013, Omar undertook a mission on his own. He spearheaded a “kiss-in” to protest the recent ban on gay rights in Russia. A similar event there had just been shut down, so Omar staged a mirror scenario in Vancouver, inviting his social circle to pucker up in front of the Russian embassy. “Kissing is a sign of love,” says Omar, “but yet it’s a powerful tool as a fight.” The event blew up on social media, inspiring global messages of gratitude.
In his work life, Omar is guided by the same imperative to better the lives of those on the
might accomplish more permanent changes. That’s when Rethink, the largest independent advertising agency in Canada, reached out to hire him as their manager of diversity, inclusion and talent development. The company strives to uphold the highest standards of both work and quality of life of its employees, he explains. “We put people first,” says Omar, “and then profit later.”
Diversifying the faces that appear on camera is another of Rethink’s policies.
“If you ever go on set,” says Omar, “it’s still mostly white men.” But over half
of those filmed on Rethink’s sets come from underrepresented groups, says Omar. Given the size of his company, Omar expects that its practices will positively influence the advertising industry at large. Omar has been showered with accolades for many of his triumphs. In 2013, he was included in Xtra’s Top 30 Under 30. “It’s one of my all-time faves because it comes from the Queer community,” he says. He was also a finalist in the 2024 2SLGBTQI+ Business Leadership Awards as Community Impact of the Year. At Rethink, he produced a Cannes Lion-winning campaign in 2022 and was most recently acknowledged as an AdColor 2025 Leader most recently. Today, Omar feels at peace. In a recent “full-circle moment,” one of the members of his former Vancouver-based Indonesian church came out as lesbian and contacted Omar. She admitted it had been hard to watch his expulsion, but that his successes had given her hope for a brighter future. “You give me so much … inspiration,” she told him. Omar was touched. “If my actions have a ripple effect,” he says, “this is what I will always do for the rest of my life.”
Layoff lessons
BY GAUTAM VISWANATHAN
When Manasvi Thakur lost her first job in Canada, it felt like starting all over again. But she soon realized that every setback carries its own lesson.
“Starting again doesn’t mean starting from scratch,” she says. “You bring your skills, your instincts, and everything learned along the way. It just takes time to figure out how they fit in a new place. One day at a time.”
Thakur moved to Canada from India in 2022 with her husband. Determined to rebuild her career, she applied for roles every week while taking on freelance writing and gigs in public relations (PR). “After about four months, I landed a full-time role as a PR manager at an agency,” she recalls. “The offer letter came in on one of those low-energy days where everything just feels stuck.” But soon after, the company restructured, and she found herself laid off again. “Some days, I’d feel hopeful; other days, I’d be overwhelmed. Expenses were adding up. Debt started to accumulate,” she says. “There were moments when I had panic attacks — even small things like a rejection email or an unexpected bill could trigger them.”
To keep going, she focused on small, consistent steps. “I’d make a list of three things: apply for one job, update one document, follow up with one contact,” she says. Her family and husband provided unwavering support, reminding her to pause but not to stop.
Months later, her persistence paid off with a new role in corporate communications. “Things do fall into place, slowly but surely,” she says.
Her message to other newcomers: “Try everything but take time to realign. The clarity you find in that pause can make all the difference.”
Read Manasvi’s complete story in Rooted in Resilience – a series celebrating newcomers who turn challenges into opportunities. Go to: canadianimmigrant.ca/careers.
Teaching ally
Unlock your professors' roles as mentors, references and career connections
Your professors are much more than people who stand at the front of the class and mark your assignments. They are individuals who can guide and mentor you, explain concepts you don't understand, and help you navigate issues with assignments or group work. There are some simple ways you can establish and maintain a good rapport with your professors and improve the chances that they will be a great source of support when you need it most.
Be present and engaged
Your professors likely don’t know you, so making a good impression from the start can go a long way. While it can be tempting to miss classes, especially if you have to work or are busy catching up on assignments, being there and showing up on time will help establish your credibility. Professors aren’t happy answering questions if what you’re asking was covered in class and you were not there, unless you had a very good reason for missing the lecture. Also, if you need an extension on an assignment and have been consistently late or absent, your professors likely won’t be inclined to extend support and flexibility. Your attendance and punctuality will pay off if you need a reference from your professors in the future. While showing up is important, sitting in class isn’t enough to make a positive impression. Staying alert, being curious, and asking thoughtful questions will earn you respect. Formulating insightful questions requires that you come prepared and do the readings ahead of time. You want to avoid asking questions that could easily be answered by reading the class notes or chapters in your textbook as this shows that you are unprepared, which could annoy your professors.
Make use of office hours
Most professors will let you know about their
office hours, which are times when you can meet with them individually. Take advantage of these opportunities to meet one-on-one, especially when your classes are large and your professor is unlikely to get to know you in other ways. You can use that time to get extra help, to expand on topics covered in class, to talk about your interests and passion for the subject, and to discuss any goals you might have (e.g., graduate school, work opportunities or research). You want to show your commitment to learning, not just obtaining good grades, and follow through on their recommendations.
Maintain professional boundaries
Being friendly and respectful in all your interactions with your professors is crucial and remember that they are part of your professional network, not your friends. Do not overshare personal details unless it is necessary (e.g., when requesting an extension). When you communicate with them, whether by email or verbally, be sure that you do so in a professional manner. Review your emails so they have a proper salutation, correct punctuation, and no spelling or grammar mistakes. If you need help with this, find out about supports available at your school. Give your professors a reasonable amount of time to reply to your emails and do not expect them to respond outside of normal daytime hours. Treat every encounter with your professor as you would a business meeting. You want to come prepared with your questions or topic of discussion, be concise, and always thank them for their time.
Ask for help early
Meeting deadlines consistently allows you to make a positive impression; however, there might be a time when circumstances in your life prevent you from doing so (e.g., illness, death in
the family, etc.). Unless there are extenuating circumstances not allowing you to do so, always give your professors as much notice as possible if you don’t think you will meet a deadline. Explain your situation and kindly ask if they may be able to give you extra time to complete an assignment. While it is up to them to decide if they will grant the extension, it can be very frustrating for a professor to get an email from a panicked student at the last minute asking for clarification on an assignment or for an extension.
Adhere to academic integrity
Professors expect you to adhere to your school’s academic integrity policy by producing original work and citing all your sources. Any breach of this policy may result in failure, suspension, or expulsion. This is not only damaging to your education, but also to your reputation. If you are considering the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as part of your learning, it is crucial to know your professor’s and school’s position on this, otherwise it is best to avoid using it. If your motivation to use AI is because you are struggling in school, it is best to reach out to your academic or counselling department as soon as possible to assess what supports you might need. Your professors are more than teachers. They are mentors, guides, and may be your future references. Developing and nurturing a positive relationship with them takes time, but it is well worth the effort.
Geneviève Beaupré and Susan
have extensive experience working in university and college settings, providing career, academic and personal counselling to international and immigrant students.
Qadeer
Promptly hired Get
hired quickly and confidently with smart
AI guidance
The job search landscape has changed forever. Résumés and cover letters no longer win interviews on their own. Today, you’re competing not just against hundreds of applicants, but also against Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that screen candidates long before a recruiter even sees your name. Here’s the good news: if you know how to use AI the right way — with smart prompts — you can level the playing field, tailor applications in minutes and stand out as the ideal candidate. Think of AI as your personal career coach, editor, and hiring manager rolled into one. The outcome you get depends entirely on the prompts you feed it. The better the prompt, the better the result.
Why prompts matter
The difference between a generic, copy-pasted résumé and one that lands interviews is often just a matter of language. Recruiters and ATS software look for keywords, metrics, and proof of impact. If your application doesn’t mirror what the job description is asking for, you’ll likely be overlooked. That’s where AI comes in. It’s not about letting AI write for you blindly — it’s about using it to sharpen your presentation, reveal blind spots, and position yourself as the best fit.
The power prompts
Prompt for your résumé: “Act as my hiring manager. Adapt the attached résumé to the role of a ‘__________’ at __________ (organization name). Read through this job description and match the same keywords, metrics, skills and experience from the job description to the
résumé to show me as the ideal fit for the role. The résumé is attached. Here is the job description pasted below: (paste job description).”
Prompt for your cover letter: “Act as my hiring manager. Adapt the attached cover letter to the role of a ‘__________’ at __________ (organization name). Read through this job description and match the same keywords, metrics, skills and experience from the job description to the cover letter to show me as the ideal fit for the role. The cover letter is attached. Here is the job description pasted below: (paste job description).”
With this single prompt, you can instantly tailor your application to match an employer’s needs.
It’s not your experience - it’s how you present it.
Most candidates already have the skills to do the job. The reason they don’t get hired? They don’t present those skills clearly. AI helps you position your value effectively. You become searchable, confident, and aligned with what employers want. When you use the right prompts, you stop guessing and start applying with precision. AI won’t do the job search for you
but it will make you smarter, faster, and more effective. Use better prompts, position yourself strategically, and get better results.
Remember: the right prompts lead to the right outcomes. The job market is competitive, but with AI as your behind-the-scenes coach, you’ll be prepared, polished, and positioned to land the job you want.
Your next opportunity may just be one smart prompt away.
1. Expose blind spots instantly
Prompt: “Act like a hiring manager in [industry] hiring for the [job role]. What’s missing from this résumé that would stop you from reaching out?”
→ Then upload your résumé.
Why it works: Recruiters rarely give feedback,
CAREERS & EDUCATION
but AI can. In seconds, you’ll see missing skills, keywords, or achievements you underplayed — insight that can save you months of guessing.
2. Rewrite your summary for confidence
Prompt: “Rewrite my résumé summary to sound confident, compelling and aligned with this job post. Include important keywords.”
→ Then paste the job description.
Why it works: Your summary is your elevator pitch. Most people undersell themselves. AI helps you write with clarity and precision, so you look like the answer to the recruiter’s needs.
3. Turn tasks into impact statements
Prompt: “Turn these bullet points from the résumé into impact-led statements with real metrics.”
→ Add the bullet points.
Why it works: Recruiters don’t want to read what you did — they want to see what you achieved. “Managed a team” doesn’t grab attention, but “Led a six-member team
to deliver a $1.2-million project three weeks early” does.
4. Reframe career gaps positively
Prompt: “Help me reframe the career gap as growth, not failure.”
Why it works: Life happens. Maybe you took time off for health, family, or study. Instead of hiding it, AI helps you frame it as resilience, learning, or upskilling — showing adaptability, not unreliability.
5. Optimize for ATS - without sounding robotic
Prompt: “Pull out ATS keywords from this job description and weave them in naturally.”
Why it works: ATS software scans for exact keywords. Without them, your application may never reach human eyes. This prompt blends those keywords naturally so you sound authentic, not automated.
6. Format for readability
Prompt: “Format this résumé so it’s easy to scan, clean to read and works on any system.”
→ Upload your résumé.
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Why it works: Fancy templates can confuse ATS systems. AI can reorganize your content, highlight priorities, and keep your style clean and professional.
7. Write the perfect networking DM
Prompt: “Write a short, confident direct message (DM) I can send to a hiring manager — no desperation, just showcasing my value.”
Why it works: Most job seekers never reach out directly, and those who do often sound uncertain. A confident, well-crafted LinkedIn or email message sets you apart before the interview even happens.
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.
Inside vs Outside Canada spousal sponsorship
Which class is right for you?
When it comes to spousal sponsorship, one of the most common areas of confusion and easiest to trip up on is figuring out which class to apply under. Prospective applicants are often surprised to learn that Canada’s spousal sponsorship program is designed as two separate streams: the family class, otherwise considered the Outside Canada Class, and the spouse or common-law partner In-Canada Class.
At first glance, the choice of class may seem self-explanatory. If the person being sponsored is living in Canada, apply under the In-Canada Class. If the applicant is abroad, apply under the Outside Canada Class. However, there’s a twist. For couples living in Canada, they can choose to apply under either the In-Canada Class or the Outside Canada Class.
Why does this matter? While both classes use the same forms and require many of the same documents, there are key differences concerning how and when they are processed that can have major implications for applicants. Here’s what sets them apart, and how to choose the stream that works for you.
Processing times
Processing times are a critical factor for couples to consider, as they are not always the same for both streams. In recent years, the timelines were fairly similar, but in the past few months they have fluctuated significantly.
At the time of writing, the Outside Canada Class is averaging 15 months, while the InCanada Class is taking about 23 months. Since processing times change regularly, they should always be checked before applying. For many couples, this factor alone may be enough to determine which class is the better choice.
Travel plans
Applicants under the In-Canada Class must reside in Canada with their spouse both at the time of application and throughout processing. Under this class, problems can arise if an applicant spends too much time outside Canada, raising the question of whether they are truly “residing” in Canada. Occasional short trips (a couple of weeks at a time) are usually fine, but frequent or extended travel can put the application at risk, potentially leading to delays or even refusal. For those who travel often for work or expect to be away for long stretches during processing, the Outside Canada Class may be the better choice.
Other considerations
Beyond processing times and travel considerations, there are a few other distinctions. For example, In-Canada Class applicants benefit from a public policy that allows them to apply even if they do not currently have valid immigration status in Canada. In addition, Outside Canada Class applicants may be required to attend an interview abroad, which can create a travel inconvenience. Finally, if an application is
refused, the rights of appeal differ: Outside Canada Class applicants can appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division, while the InCanada Class applicants are limited to seeking judicial review at the Federal Court, which offers much narrower grounds to challenge a decision.
The bottom line: if you’re applying for spousal sponsorship, don’t underestimate the importance of choosing the right class. Processing times, travel flexibility, appeal rights, and personal circumstances all factor into the decision. While the document checklist and submission method are identical, the mechanics of the choice ultimately comes down to a single checkbox and selecting from a drop-down menu on one of the application forms, which can be easily missed. That makes it all the more important to fully understand the differences, and to ensure that you select the right class for your personal circumstances at the outset.
Maxine Blennerhassett is with Canadian immigration law firm Larlee Rosenberg
AI-powered scams to avoid 3
Artificial intelligence is enabling fraudsters to impersonate, personalize and accelerate attacks like never before
One of the biggest transformations artificial intelligence (AI) is driving is in the area of fraud. AI lets scammers impersonate victims more easily, personalize their attacks, and move faster than ever before. Here are three common scams where AI is playing a major role, and ways to protect yourself.
1. The Grandparent Scam
This is a stark example of how fraudsters use AI to personalize their attacks. Scammers will target seniors with a phone call when they’re offguard or vulnerable. Using AI, they can alter their voice to sound like a family member in distress who urgently needs money.
Calls like this are meant to play on your emotions, so listen to your instincts. Ask yourself: Why would money be the immediate solution, instead of some other form of help? If you are unsure, call the family member back using the number you already have for them. Also, consider having a "secret word" that only family members know, to help quickly verify identity.
2. The Fake Order
This is a type of phishing scam where fraudsters send a message designed to look like it’s coming from a legitimate source, with the goal of stealing sensitive information or login credentials. A common version involves
sending a fake invoice or confirmation for an online order you never placed.
Treat any unexpected messages like this with suspicion. Fraudsters often pose as businesses you trust. Never click on links or use any contact information provided in this type of message. Reach out to the business yourself through the phone number or contact form on the company’s official website. They are often victims of the scam, too, and can help you get to the truth.
3. Authorized Push Payment (APP) Fraud
AI tools allow fraudsters to ask you for legitimate-seeming fast payments that often go through before your financial institution can react. They usually focus on impersonating quick but necessary payments, such as Canada Revenue Agency back taxes, bank overdraft fees, or credit card bills.
Thanks to the speed of AI, all it takes is a moment’s lapse in attention for someone to send what could be an irreversible payment. However, AI is also being used to strengthen fraud prevention. Many financial institutions and payment providers have developed sophisticated tools that work in the background while you complete a purchase. These systems are designed to detect this type of fraud automatically, in real-time, and stop the fraudulent transaction in its tracks. (NC)
How we think about money
Financial freedom for newcomers starts with bridging cultural money gaps
Money means different things to different people. For some, it represents success. For others, it symbolizes security or even shame. And while numbers are universal, your relationship with money is deeply personal — shaped by the culture, family, and the society you grew up in.
As an immigrant, you didn’t just bring your luggage when you moved to Canada, you also brought your money story. That story influences how you earn, spend, save, and even talk (or don’t talk) about money. In many cultures, money is not openly discussed. Talking about income, debt, or financial struggles can be seen as impolite or even taboo. For instance, in parts of Asia and the Middle East, discussing salary or wealth can come across as boastful. Even in Canada, many people still avoid talking about salary — a silence that can make it easier for pay gaps to persist among people doing the same job. And while the rise of Instagram and other social platforms has made it more common to see influencers proudly sharing their “six-figure” successes, what we rarely talk about is the debt, financial pressure, or emotional strain behind those highlight reels. We often celebrate the wins, but struggle to admit the financial challenges without feeling shame.
However, Canada does offer something powerful — access. You have more opportunities to ask questions and seek help here, whether that’s financial advice from a professional, a budgeting workshop at a community center, or even therapy to explore your money mindset. These open conversations and accessible resources can make it easier to build a healthier relationship with money, one based on learning and growth rather than fear or secrecy. Neither approach is right or wrong — they simply reflect different value systems. One culture may teach you that money is something to be handled quietly and respectfully, while another celebrates visible success as a sign of achievement. When you move to Canada, those beliefs often collide. You may find yourself learning how to ask for financial guidance, speak confidently about your goals, and make independent decisions, all while still valuing the humility and gratitude that your upbringing taught you. Finding balance between confidence and modesty becomes part of your journey toward financial empowerment
Family and gender roles
Cultural beliefs also affect how your family
manages money. In many traditional households, men are seen as the primary earners and decisionmakers, while women manage household expenses. Even as times change, those roles can linger subconsciously.
If you’re a woman, you may face unique challenges when it comes to financial independence. You might have grown up in an environment where financial literacy wasn’t taught to girls or where financial decisions were left to fathers or husbands. When you arrive in Canada, you’re suddenly expected to navigate complex systems — taxes, credit, mortgages, investments — often without prior experience.
Yet, in North America, women are increasingly leading the way in financial decision-making. According to recent studies, women now control over one-third of all household wealth and make roughly 80 per cent of day-to-day spending and financial decisions. This shift reflects both greater access to education and the growing emphasis on equality and shared responsibility within families. Most households have both partners working meaning each one is bringing in income. Unlike their parents, most younger generations have even gone so far as to having his/her bank accounts and dividing the decisionmaking process completely. In contrast, in many parts of the world, women are still excluded from major financial choices, such as property ownership or investment decisions.
This can lead to hesitation or fear around money management. But it can also spark empowerment. Many women share that moving to Canada was their first opportunity to truly take control of their finances — a freedom they now cherish.
Scarcity vs growth mindset
For many immigrant families, money was something you worked hard for and saved carefully. Spending on luxuries was often seen as wasteful or irresponsible. Parents frequently told their children to become doctors, lawyers, or accountants, not necessarily because of passion, but because those careers promised stability.
That scarcity mindset — the fear of losing what you’ve earned — can be both a strength and a limitation. It teaches discipline and gratitude, but it can also prevent you from taking calculated risks, such as starting a business or investing. On the other hand, Canadian culture
tends to encourage a more “growth mindset” when it comes to money, viewing it as a tool for opportunity rather than something to guard tightly. Understanding how these two mindsets can coexist is often the key to building wealth while still feeling financially safe.
Building a healthy relationship with money
No matter your cultural background, understanding your beliefs about money is the first step toward financial empowerment. Ask yourself:
• What messages about money did I hear growing up?
• Do I associate wealth with pride, guilt, or responsibility?
• Am I saving and investing because I want to — or because I’m afraid not to?
In Canada’s multicultural society, there’s no single “right” way to manage money. What matters most is developing awareness — and using that awareness to make choices that align with your goals and values.
Shalini Dharna Kibsey is a CPA and Investment/Insurance Advisor at Dharna CPA Professional Corporation.
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Built with grit
Refugee co-founders turn mobile car-detailing idea into $70M company
BY GAUTAM VISWANATHAN
Panda Hub co-founders Abdullah Sharief and Reza Ahmadi still remember their first days in Canada — arrivals shaped by conflict and the search for safety.
“I remember thinking, I’m here now, and I want to make the most of this opportunity,” says Sharief, who came to the country in 2018, during the Syrian civil war. “I was ready to move forward, embrace the change, and start building my future.”
Ahmadi came to Canada earlier, with his mother and sister in 1995, in the aftermath of the Iranian revolution and subsequent war with Iraq. “We arrived with nothing,” he recalls. “My mother didn’t speak English and worked as a hairdresser, earning just $2 a haircut to make ends meet.”
Today, Panda Hub — a mobile car detailing service headquartered in Toronto — operates in two Canadian provinces (Ontario and British Columbia) as well as 11 U.S. states. The company cleans customers’ vehicles at their homes and offices, a convenient alternative to a traditional car wash. It is valued at $70 million, employs more than 1,000 vehicle detailers, and has serviced more than 100,000 customers. Canadian NBA star Dillon Brooks is an investor, and expansion is underway across nine more U.S. states.
Early struggles
Panda Hub was born in 2020 when Ahmadi, exploring opportunities in the auto detailing industry, came across online ads for Sharief’s car detailing services. From their very first conversation, it was clear they shared the same vision and ambition. Because the co-founders spoke excellent English, they settled into Canada’s multicultural environment quickly. The bigger obstacle was financial: investors didn’t find mobile car detailing “sexy” enough. Still, they persevered. With some help from the Canadian Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive program which provides support in the form of tax credits and refunds to corporations, partnerships or individuals, they started with one detailing truck, expanding to 10 by the end of the year.
“The first truck was definitely the hardest,” recalls Ahmadi. “Financing was a big struggle since we didn’t have much capital and had to bootstrap everything. We had to find a truck at a reasonable price, buy the right equipment, and figure out how to put it all together.”
“We wanted the best quality tools, but it wasn’t easy to afford them at the start,” adds Sharief. “Looking back, that first truck was where most of our learning happened: how to set up properly, optimize, and make things work despite limited resources.”
Forging ahead
The momentum has continued. Panda Hub recently signed service contracts with both Air Canada and Canada Post, a validation of their hard work and dedication.
“These contracts came about because they reached out to us directly,” recalls Sharief. “Both companies had seen the reputation we were
building in the detailing industry.”
Their decision to start a business echoes a broader pattern. Immigrants are more likely than the Canadian-born to pursue entrepreneurship: 11.5 per cent of immigrants are more likely to be self-employed compared to eight per cent of Canadian-born persons because they wish to earn more money, while 5.6 per cent of immigrants choose to open a business, compared to 2.4 per cent of those who are Canadian-born, because they could not find work. Immigrants also account for about a third of all business owners with paid staff, creating jobs in key sectors such as construction, services, healthcare and retail. Yet the path is rarely smooth. Newcomers continue to face challenges around language proficiency; knowledge of existing settlement services; access to support systems; discrimination in the labour market; and recognition of foreign experience and credentials — barriers that can delay rewarding work on arrival.
Nevertheless, Panda Hub’s founders urge fellow newcomers to meet these challenges head-on and not be discouraged. “Some of the hardest moments eventually turn out to be blessings,” says Sharief. Ahmadi adds: “It requires adapting to uncertainty and constant change. You have to evolve as a person.”
photo: Reza Ahmadi and Abdullah Sharief (R).
Health disruptor
Journalist Nam Kiwanuka is tackling systemic inequality in women’s health care with her new podcast, (MIS)Treated
BY LISA EVANS
Nam Kiwanuka doesn't shy away from critical social issues. As host of The Thread, a TVO current-affairs series, Ugandan-born Kiwanuka is passionate about giving a voice to those often overlooked and silenced in society. Her latest project, a TVO podcast called (MIS)Treated, focuses on how medicine has historically — and continues — to fail women while also highlighting the people and innovations striving to make a difference. The idea for (MIS) Treated grew out of Kiwanuka’s own experiences navigating women’s health care in Canada. After experiencing heavy bleeding during her periods and monthly trips to the emergency room (ER), Kiwanuka was diagnosed with uterine fibroids. “I didn’t even know what they were,” she recalls. Because her condition was severe, surgery was the only solution, but the wait list was two years long.
“I had nightmares of bleeding out on the bathroom floor in the middle of the night and my kids finding me there,” she says. During her many ER visits, Kiwanuka began tweeting about what she was going through, and her posts quickly went viral. “So many other women said, ‘This happened to me.’” Hearing stories from women across the country prompted her to dig deeper into the state of women’s health care, uncovering some alarming truths.
mice in clinical trials — an omission that underscores how women have been excluded from medical research for decades. “We talk a lot about gender equity, but when it comes to health it’s not equal,” explains Kiwanuka. Kiwanuka realized an urgent conversation needed to happen to shine a spotlight on the gaps in the
“Women’s health is underfunded. It’s underresearched,” says Kiwanuka. In one episode of her podcast, she points out that between 2019 and 2023, startups focused on male erectile dysfunction received six times more funding than those addressing endometriosis — $1.24 billion versus $44 million. Medical research, she adds, has long been skewed toward men. It wasn’t until 2016 that the U.S. National Institute of Health required researchers to include female
cycle, tucking a pad into their pocket and quietly retreating to the bathroom, or taking time off work due to cramps or heavy bleeding. In worse cases, women are told their symptoms are in their head and are dismissed by doctors, later discovering those symptoms were fibroids or worse, cancer. For immigrant women, cultural and language barriers often make navigating health care even harder. Kiwanuka, who grew up in East Africa, explains, “I was taught to listen to doctors, people of authority, teachers, police; you don’t talk back to your parents.” For women who have grown up in cultures where challenging authority is discouraged, speaking up for one’s health can feel like defiance. Kiwanuka wants women to know they aren’t being disruptive by advocating for their health.
When asked what advice she would give to women — particularly immigrant women — dealing with menopause, endometriosis, or fibroids, Kiwanuka stresses advocacy. “The most important thing is to talk about it. Women have to be deprogrammed from believing there’s shame around our bodies, there’s shame around our periods, and reclaim the right to have good health.”
health-care system when it comes to women’s health. In her podcast, Kiwanuka tackles topics ranging from fibroids and endometriosis to forced sterilization of Indigenous women in Canada. She also explores new innovations that could improve health care for women.
“There’s a lot of shame — women don't talk about these conditions,” says Kiwanuka. Women are taught to hide evidence of their menstrual
She points to policy changes, such as lowering the recommended age for mammograms from 50 to 40 in Ontario, as proof of what advocacy can achieve. “It’s important to have these conversations because when we have them publicly — stigma be damned — we can actually create change,” she says.
Kiwanuka hopes that the podcast will arm women with information about their bodies. “We deserve to have quality care. Your health matters, and until the system takes it seriously, we have to take our own health seriously.”
Journalist Nam Kiwanuka
Sault Ste. Marie: Finding opportunity and home in the North
When Kennedy Chanuwa left Zimbabwe for Sault Ste. Marie (SSM) in January 2024, he was motivated by ambition and the desire for a quieter pace of life. Similarly, electrician Ankit Patel, who moved from India via the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), was drawn by the promise of growth in Northern Ontario. Their journeys reflect a growing trend: for skilled newcomers seeking a rewarding career without the intense financial pressures of larger urban centres, Sault Ste. Marie is quickly becoming a top destination. Chanuwa, an industrial millwright mechanic for Viacore, a material handling partner that provides conveyor belts, accessories, and maintenance services across various industries in Canada and the U.S, arrived in a city he'd never heard of. It didn't take long for its tranquility and spirit to win him over. He quickly set about establishing his professional credentials. He managed to pass his Red Seal certification on his first attempt. “I was happy when I passed it, because usually people say you don’t pass it the first time,” he recalls. His family, including his wife and 10-year-old son, joined him seven months later. His wife is now preparing for nurse training at Sault College, underscoring the city's diverse pathways to success.
Welcoming and wallet-friendly
“We really believe in investing in our resources, which are our employees.”
For newcomers arriving from high-cost cities, SSM offers significant financial relief. Data consistently shows that housing costs in Northern Ontario cities remain substantially lower than in the GTA, supporting the experiences of these skilled workers.
“Rentals and food are manageable. If you are coming from outside, you would want to start from a very affordable place,” Chanuwa advises. Patel, who started work as an electrician at Viacore in January 2025, also champions the city’s low-stress environment after his time in Cambridge, Ontario. While he admits the winter was "quite hard," the community made the transition smooth. “People here are very friendly and supportive,” he says. “I felt at home right away.” Patel and his wife now embrace the local lifestyle, making the most of the area's natural beauty with regular hiking and beach trips, alongside evenings dedicated to dining out and ten-pin bowling.
Employer investment and support
The success of newcomers like Chanuwa and Patel is often underpinned by local employers actively working to bridge the gaps faced by immigrant professionals. Tara Phillips, Regional Resource Development Coordinator at Viacore, sees her role as an integral part of welcoming new talent to the city. She notes that the demand for skilled trades like millwrights and electricians remains high in Northern Ontario, creating strong opportunities. “We partner with the Ivey Group and cover the associated fees with attaining their Permanent Residency, which I think makes us exceptional,” Phillips explains.
This support extends beyond paperwork.
Viacore works closely with newcomers, vetting their accommodations before arrival, furnishing necessities, and offering a personal welcome that includes airport pick-up and grocery runs. To address language barriers, they even provide ESL classes for employees. As Phillips notes, such initiatives ensure that the employees can participate fully both at work and in the community.
Life beyond work
For both families, the quality of life in SSM is paramount. Chanuwa and his family have embraced the city's quiet nature, forging bonds with neighbours from various cultural backgrounds, sharing meals and traditions. His son enjoys local sports, benefiting from the accessible community amenities like the YMCA.
Patel appreciates the peace and efficiency of a city where "you can get anywhere in ten minutes," allowing for a better work-life balance than the urban sprawl of the GTA.
Phillips, who relocated back to SSM after a brief stint in the GTA, understands the magnetic pull of the city. She points to the unique blend of career opportunity and quality of life as the main selling point. “If you want to experience the outdoors, have a lower cost of living than larger cities, without forgoing a rewarding career, and have a sense of community, Sault Ste. Marie is a great place to be.”
