Canadian Immigrant - April 2013

» Vote online now for the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards! ontario edition

april 2013 • canadianimmigrant.ca free

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EXAMINING

health care access, coverage and careers

THE SUPER VISA

… IS IT REALLY SUPER? Publications mail agreement number 40011993

Tips FOR NEW

HOMEBUYERS HOW TO TREAT PEOPLE IN THE WORKPLACE

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upfront UPFRONT

FEATURES 10 | Cancer research leader

Dr. Xuesen Dong came to Canada to further his prostate cancer research

24 | A review of the Super Visa How ‘super’ is it?

26 | Spotlight on Homebuying — Spring 2013 Tips on what and how to buy

REGULARS 4 | Our Take/Your Take 6 | Fusion ›› PROFILE: Dr. Jianhong Wu ›› CANSPEAK: English sayings explained ›› 2012 immigration numbers

17 | “Set for Success” Careers & Education Guide ›› In-demand health care jobs ›› Getting to work in health care ›› SKILLS FOR SUCCESS: Relationship advice ›› Immigrant med student becomes Rhodes Scholar

TORY | 14 COVER S

How free is medicare in Canada?

And other health care questions answered

22 | Business

›› Cake business means sweet success

29 | Money

›› MY TWO CENTS: Income tax time

30 | Culture

›› Immigrant literature as a genre ›› Living in … Alberta ›› Pros and cons of ‘arrival cities’

34 | Back Page

›› CULTURE SHOCK: new column ›› New crossword!

April 2013

Canadian Immigrant

3

Cover design by Vanessa Dhanbeer

32 | Settlement

upfront

Volume 10, Issue 4 april 2013 Group Publisher Gautam Datt Sharma Director – Business Development Sanjay Agnihotri Editor Margaret Jetelina mjetelina@canadianimmigrant.ca Senior Editor Baisakhi Roy broy@metroland.com Creative Director & Editorial Design Vanessa Dhanbeer Digital Media Developer Kamil Mytnik Advertising Sales Sr. Ad Manager (Vancouver) Alla Gordeeva alla@canadianimmigrant.ca Tel: 778 558 3397 Sr. Ad Manager (Toronto) Ricky (Kawaljit) Bajaj rbajaj@metroland.com Tel: 905 454 4344 ext.274 National Sales Manager Varun Munjal vmunjal@canadianimmigrant.ca Tel: 905 454 4344 ext.272 Sales Events & Marketing Coordinator Laura Jackman ljackman@metroland.com

our take It’s time to vote!

It’s springtime, and we always have lots going on at Canadian Immigrant at this time of year.

Our April issue is jampacked with information on everything from the public health care system to homebuying to a terrific review of the Super Visa program by writer Denise Hansen.

We are also in the middle of the voting stage of our RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards program. We have a shortlist of 75 nominees, and now is the time to vote for your favourites!

We have an incredibly shortlist this year, from prominent artists like dancer and choreographer Wen Wei Wang to influential academics like president of York University Mamdouh Shoukri to well-respected entrepreneurs like

hotelier Steve Gupta. OpenRoad Auto Group CEO Christian Chia.

And so many more, from diverse backgrounds and from across Canada.

Voting takes place from March 21 to May 14 at canadianimmigrant. ca/rbctop25. Once the voting phase ends, we will tabulate the votes and select the 25 winners, who will be announced in mid-June, along with one winner who will be singled out by associate sponsor Chevrolet to win the Chevrolet Immigrant Ingenuity Award.

Thank you as well to our esteemed judging panel who reviewed the hundreds of nominations and selected our Top 75. The panel included former

Top 25 winners and other friends of the magazine, including past winners Zulima Wesso, Narima Dela Cruz, Iman Biock Aghay and Gautam Nath, along with former associate editor Gloria Suhasini and longstanding columnist Mayank Bhatt. Thank you!

Margaret Jetelina Editor, Canadian Immigrant

Want to share your thoughts with us? Email editor@canadianimmigrant.ca.

General Inquiries: info@canadianimmigrant.ca Circulation/Distribution Inquiries: canadianimmigrant@torstardirect.com Torstar Direct Services: torstardirect.com TDS Director Connie Fancy Circulation Supervisor Sandra Iqbal Controller Sherree MacDonald ISSN 1910-4146.

Subscription rate in Canada: $36 plus HST for 12 issues.

Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher.

Publications mail agreement number: 41074504 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 7700 Hurontario Street, Unit 201 Brampton, Ontario, L6Y 4M3 Printed on recycled paper.

Toronto Circulation 52,000 copies Vancouver Circulation 30,000 copies Canadian Immigrant is published monthly and distributed free throughout Vancouver and Toronto. 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.

canadianimmigrant.ca Toronto 7700 Hurontario Street, Unit 201 Brampton, Ontario, L6Y 4M3 Tel: 905 454 4344 Fax: 905 454 4385 Vancouver 8508 Ash St. Vancouver BC, V6P 3M2 Tel: 604 872 0102

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April 2013

your take Give and take

When I moved to Toronto in 2012, I found neither relatives nor friends in Canada. I just went online and started my journey. I am a telecommunications professional with about five years of relevant work experience from Bangladesh. When I reached Canada, I did not have any prior idea of the workplace culture and environment, where to start, how to apply for jobs, how to socialize and build a network. Trust me.

Then I met with volunteer co-ordinator Dip Habib and explained my situation. After a small face-to-face interview, he offered me a volunteer opportunity.

I readily accepted that and started my journey as a volunteer at the East Scarborough Storefront. This organization paves the way for me to reach my goal.

Soon after my joining, I started to meet different people of the community; talk to them about different issues and community information. By managing the computer facility centre, I have gained hands-on exposure about dealing with people of different cultural background as well as a very strong knowledge of workplace culture and business communication. Over time, with the help of the Dip Habib and Samah Ahmed, I have made the perfect collaboration of the advices, resources and referral program to secure an honorable position in the society as well as the economy.

At the very beginning, I reviewed and formatted my resumé in Canadian style and Carolyn Saenz, community employment specialist of the Store-

front, discussed about how to write and update the resumé, especially the careful use of keywords. This gave me a defined way and increases the probability of an interview call.

After meeting with Waheeda Alam from Settlement Assistance and Family Support Services (SAFSS), I have made clear about how to socialize myself, and what are the services and facilities that government can offer me during my early days. But from the beginning, there is always one thing in my mind and that is I am here to give, not to take.

The East Scarborough Storefront runs a concept that is Community information and Service Hub. This Hub structure is very organized and easy to access. It ensures services to the mass community.

It is also very effective for the newcomers, who have very little idea about the locality.

Since February 2012, I have worked with a survival job and call centre job. After that I worked for a telecom planning consultant for about seven months. In the meantime, I have given interviews at Wind Mobile, Bell, TELUS and Rogers Communications. At last I have been selected by one of them on January 2013 as an engineering specialist for Rogers Communication Inc. The sky is the limit.

It felt very tough at some point, but I never gave up.

Thanks a lot to the Storefront and the people who have helped me in this one-year journey. I do really appreciate them from my heart.

Toyeb Hossain, Scarborough, Ontario facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

COMING NEXT ISSUE ›› What makes a good immigrant? ›› Rental rights for newcomers ›› Careers in the trades

WHAT TORONTO’S TALKING ABOUT.

Don’t think with an ‘accent’

As a loyal reader of your magazine, I would like to add my comment on the article in your January issue on immigrant language skills. All of us are contributing to this society with knowledge of many world languages and, yes, we all speak with different accents , some heavier than others and we all try hard to improve them. What is important is that we all understand each other and help each other.

The bottom line is that even if we speak with an accent, we do not think with the accent.

Dragana Mitrovic, Toronto

With host Matt Galloway, Jill Dempsey with news & Joan Chang on traffic.

Now you can stay on track with what’s happening around you, no matter where you are. Download the CBC Radio app and you’ll be able to listen live to any CBC Radio program, including Metro Morning.

At least that’s one thing you can always count on during your commute.

Now available on iPad, iPhone and BlackBerry 10.

Helpful magazine

I am a Canadian immigrant and a student of Humber College. I am a regular reader of Canadian Immigrant magazine. I find this magazine very interesting and helpful. It’s very informative with a lot of facts and show immigrants the many different paths they can choose from to settle in Canada. Also, as I am pursuing my TESL course from Humber College, I do find some of the articles very useful for my assignments.

Ruchi Bansal, Mississauga, Ontario

Being raised in Canada

After reading your article, “Raising a Canadian,” I found common elements in parenting in my family. Coming from Taiwan, there was constant arguing between my parents and the kids in the family. Mom especially thought that she was right all the time so no point trying to argue with her.

Other aspects of the stereotypical “Canadian” we didn’t adopt such as eating regularly at fast-food outlets. We’ve always see, ourselves as the “middle-class” immigrant who are into fine dining. Home cooking is no exception as long as the food tasted good.

At first my parents were pushing us to improve our English to the extent they almost gave up speaking to us in Chinese. One thing mom and dad were never willing to compromise was the obligation to look after the elderly in the family. Back home my parents and their siblings took turns looking after their parents. They felt that if we marry Whites, we would live independent lives and leave them on their own.

So the second “no” is that we should not marry Whites. It is a taboo subject to discuss at home. When we first arrived in Canada, our school had other nationalities besides Whites. My sister had a friend who is Indian. One time my sister was invited to a gathering at a community centre. Mom and dad stepped their foot down forbidding her to attend the event because it would increase her chances of meeting her future Indian husband. They couldn’t come up with any excuse than “historically people from India were this and that”... They could have made the same stereotype about the Chinese.

Anyway, my older siblings moved away from home soon after graduating from university and ended up with white partners whether mom and dad liked it or not ...

S HK

Tell us “Your Take” on immigration, Canada or our magazine. Send your letter to the editor at editor@canadianimmigrant.ca.

Weekdays at 5: 30 - 8: 30am cbc.ca/metromorning @metromorning

April 2013

Canadian Immigrant

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fusion news. people. events.

profile

Dr. Jianhong Wu Ace academic

By Baisakhi Roy

K

nowing that, at age 15, he was admitted to China’s Hunan University and, at 23, he earned a doctoral degree in dynamical systems, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that Dr. Jianhong Wu is himself a certified genius. A professor at York University’s faculty of science and a Canada Research Chair in industrial and applied mathematics, Wu was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal this past November in part for his work to map the spread of diseases such as influenza, SARS and the West Nile virus. Canadian Immigrant had a chance to talk to Wu about his impressions of Canada and his advice for other newcomers.

What were your first impressions of Canada when you arrived in Edmonton?

I landed on Christmas Eve. Coming from the southern part of China, the one thing that was a huge shock was the temperature! I had to adapt to a completely new culture and society. There was a small community of Chinese students and scholars and we were pretty tightknit. I realized that having people from the same background is absolutely helpful and makes the transition easier.

Dr. Jianhong Wu is a globally recognized authority in mathematical theory and applications.

You say that both Chinese and Canadian cultures have influenced you greatly. How do they fit together?

The way that I grew up in China has been very complementary to the life I have in Canada. The two influences — Chinese and Canadian — I feel, make me a more complete person.

When I was growing up in China, the education system was very different from what it might be today. We stressed on the analytical part of a problem and that’s how we learned the concepts of subjects, especially mathematics. In China, the focus was on theory. In Canada, I learned how to apply fundamental research to issues in daily life like ecosystem management. Canada has a tradition of excellence in linking theory to application.

What are some of the challenges you faced and how do you think has the nature of struggle changed for immigrants today?

It has always been the difference in culture and the difference in looking at things, the different attitudes that are the root cause of struggle.

It used to be language that used to be a big barrier for me and for people coming from China in the 1980s. Now, most Chinese come with very good English, much better than mine 20 years ago. What is key is how people look at a new culture, their way of thinking ... the biggest obstacle is when people don’t fully accept Canada as their country. You have to own this country, feel that this country is yours.

You take immense pleasure in your teaching job. What do you think of the quality of students in Canadian universities?

I see a huge improvement in the quality of students in the past couple of years due to some positive measures undertaken by the government and certain civic organizations. They are taking a huge interest in students from countries that are emerging economies like China and India. They are building lots of programs to give international students an opportunity to explore Canada first before they decide to study here.

Who is an ideal student for you?

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titititi tiAN HtiLP!

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canadianimmigrant.ca

April 2013

I need my students to have very a rich background in training … because we move a lot between interdisciplinary areas of study, there is a lot of interfacing between theory and application. I have observed that students are getting stronger and more skilled in that respect.

Many immigrants are going back to their native countries, especially from countries with a thriving economy. What do you think of this trend?

In this modern society, there is no place that is isolated. It depends on what your ambition is — do you want to start something or do you want to contribute in growing the economy, etc., but going back does not mean that they are cutting their ties with Canada because in this time and age, you simply cannot live in isolation.

Many of my friends who have gone back maintain a very strong link with friends and colleagues in Canada. Economy, science and academics cannot live in isolation. It is a huge benefit; I tell them to bring me good students from China! facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

FUSION

canspeak “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

Based on an old Welsh proverb, this saying has some scientific merits as well. The apple has Vitamin C, which is good for the immune system, and phenols, which reduce cholesterol.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

It’s easier to stay healthy by preventing disease rather than curing problems after the fact. Attributed to Benjamin Franklin, this quote was originally advice intended to prevent fires.

“Laughter is the best medicine.”

Laughter is said to reduce pain and improve the flow of oxygen to the heart and brain, but this saying can apply to more than just health. After all, approaching anything with a positive, light attitude will be better than with a negative one.

Record number of immigrants from China, India, Philippines last year According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, a “record number” of immigrants, visitors and students were welcomed to Canada from China, India and the Philippines in 2012.

China was the number one source country for immigration to Canada in 2012, with 32,990 permanent residents admitted.

Canada also issued a record 235,000 visitor visas to Chinese applicants in 2012, an increase of 158 per cent compared to 2004.

And the record 25,245 study permits approved represents an increase of 235 per cent since 2004.

The Philippines was the second largest source country for immigration to Canada in 2012 with 32,704 permanent residents admitted. This represents an increase of 146 per cent since 2004.

Canada also issued a record 44,000 visitor visas to Filipino applicants in 2012, an increase of 68 per cent compared to 2004.

And the 941 study permits approved represents an increase of 429 per cent since 2004.

India was the third largest source country for immigration to Canada in 2012, with 28,889 permanent residents admitted. This represents an increase of almost 15 per cent since 2004. Canada also issued a 130,000 visitor visas to Indian applicants in 2012, an increase of 58 per cent compared to 2004. And the record 13,000 study permits approved represents an increase of 530 per cent since 2004.

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April 2013

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@canimmigrant

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Success Story

North America is the place to be for the best in prostate cancer research, says Dr. Xuesen Dong

By Ana-Maria Gheorghiu

A

t the Jack Bell Research Centre, on Oak Street in Vancouver, the door is locked on Sundays. Most of the offices and laboratories are empty, but there are always a few regulars who can still be found there on weekends.

One of them is Dr. Xuesen Dong, a researcher at the Vancouver Prostate Centre. For him, Sunday is just another day at work.

In January 2013, he was one of four recipients of the Movember Rising Stars in Prostate Cancer Research Grant Program. This is the very first year this national award is being offered, so the expectations are very high. The grant he received, of almost half a million dollars, will help support his scientific activities for the next three years, but, as he insisted throughout our interview, there is always room for more when it comes to funding.

Before we sit down to discuss his professional trajectory, Dr. Dong offers to give me a quick tour of the premises. He is very proud of the centre, which he describes as being “the best place for prostate cancer research in the world.”

He explains: “Not only do we have a great team of physicians, but we also have a robotic surgery centre, which offers very precise procedures, with less damage to nearby tissues. We have one of the largest tissue banks, a computer-aided drug design system, protein sequencing, a pharmacology core — it’s like a factory here.

This centre was founded by Larry Rosenberg and organized by Dr. Martin Gleave, and we are a very strong team; the environment is extremely competitive.”

The tour culminates with a visit to the laboratory where he does his research, which is, indeed, impressive, and can easily overwhelm an untrained eye. A lone student from Dr. Dong’s team is getting ready to start working on a project, so we move the conversation to the office.

More than 10 years ago, Dr. Dong left his native China to enter an exchange program with Université Laval, in Quebec City. After two years, he went on to study at the University of Toronto. His career path ultimately led him to Vancouver, where he put together his own research team.

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April 2013

facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

Success Story

“My parents were not rich,” he explains, “and, at the time, I could not find the opportunities to do what I wanted in China.

For what I want to do, the best place is North America. I want to do research because I like a challenge.”

He continues: “Clinical work is subject to protocol; if you get a special and interesting case, you can’t go beyond protocol. Things are getting better in China in respect to research, but the best place is still North America. I have been offered the chance to go back and supervise a fertility research project, but I want to stay here, because the resources are strong here.”

For what I want to do, the best place is North America. I want to do research because I like a challenge.”

The research project for which he was awarded the Movember grant is called Androgen receptor signaling in castration resistant prostate cancer. As if the laboratory visit hadn’t been intimidating enough! Luckily, Dr. Dong is ready to explain in detail what his work entails.

“The prostate is driven by androgen hormones, which bind to a protein inside the cells. This interaction drives the normal prostate growth during puberty, and then during old age, when the prostate becomes enlarged. The standard protocol to treat this is called castration, or androgen deprivation therapy. The problem with this therapy is that that it is effective for about two years, but then it stops working and the cancer reoccurs.

Dr. Xuesen Dong at his office and laboratory in the Jack Bell Research Centre in Vancouver.

April 2013

Canadian Immigrant

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Success Story “We are now trying to understand why this cancer can resist therapy and regrow.

We found out that the cells generate another protein that is not controlled by the hormones, so it stays active all the time.

Currently, we are attempting to define how this protein is generated, and, based on that, we will develop therapy against it, to block its activity. We partner with a research group in Seattle to develop an inhibitor; we are working on designing a small molecule that can make it responsive to treatment. This is my job for the next three years.”

An ambitious project that could be defining to his career, but which, understandably, comes at a high cost. Time is a luxury for Dr. Dong, who has to juggle a very busy schedule with his family life.

“I work approximately 10 hours a day during the week and seven to eight hours a day on weekends, so between 60 and 70 hours total. I am lucky that I can work from home some days,

so I can spend more time with my wife and daughter.”

I think back at the vast laboratory loaded with samples, test tubes and machinery, but Dr. Dong insists on clarifying that his activity is in no way confined to its walls. The life of a scientist often involves more paperwork than experiments.

“I would say that more than 60 per cent of my time is spent trying to secure funds and only 40 per cent in the lab, but it’s not always easy to separate the two. When ideas come together, they become a package, and I have to present this package to funding agencies, so that I get the resources needed to support my team. Whatever happens, people need to get paid.”

He stresses the importance of campaigns such as Movember, which help sustain research efforts and encourage more men to get their routine medical checkups. When it comes to serious health issues, like prostrate health, it is in everybody’s best interest to pitch in. There are many other

talented scientists such as Dr. Dong, who dedicate their careers to giving hope to prostate cancer patients, but, in the end, money makes or breaks that hope.

“This is why we are constantly trying to raise awareness about the need for funding. People should be aware that research is the very future of health care.

All medical advances will be completed here, in what we call ‘bench-to-bedside research.’ But the budget is shrinking, and the public needs to understand that saving money in this field ends up costing more in the long run.

There will always be a need for reliable funding in research. ” Dr. Dong seems to have found his footing here in Vancouver, both professionally and personally. He has been trying to bring over his parents from China, although he confesses to being a bit frustrated with the long wait times for those in the queue. “My family and I are very happy here ... with everything except the property prices,” he laughs.

Are you looking for a job?

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Examining the medical system

E

ach year, more than 250,000 assessed five components in their newcomers make Canada their measurements, including availability home, drawn by its reputation for of resources, use of resources, access a strong economy, excellent education to resources and clinical performance.

Immigrants are attracted to Canada’s system and its free and universal And that’s just for what’s considered public health care, but is the reality as health care system. basic or essential health care services, “Overall we’re pretty lucky in such as family doctor’s visits, surgergood as its reputation?

Canada in terms of our health care ies and hospital treatment. Although

By Emily Rose system,” says Janie Brown, executive sometimes subsidized, other services director of Callanish Society, a Vansuch as dental work, private hospital couver non-profit organization that assists patients with cancer and their rooms and prescription drugs are not free.

What is and what isn’t covered depends on where you live. Each provfamilies. Brown began working in the Canadian health care industry after emigrating from the United Kingdom in 1974. “We don’t pay a lot of ince or territory has its own health care plans. For example, although money per year for what we get, and I think what you get for that price is all provincial plans pay for psychotherapy, only four provinces cover actually pretty amazing.” treatment by a classical Freudian psychoanalyst. Eight provinces cover a Although the roots of what is often referred to as medicare stem back vasectomy or tubal ligation, but only four cover reversal procedures for to the early 20th century, it is the Canada Health Act of 1984 that ensures patients who change their minds on having more kids. Some provinces all Canadians have access to a publically funded health care system. This such as British Columbia have government programs that provide subsimeans that Canadians (including permanent residents) can visit a doctor dies based on income for prescription drugs. for checkups or health concerns for free (the doctors bill the government).

They can see specialists and receive treatment and surgery for illnesses. Access concerns Advertising is kept to a minimum and costs are paid through income tax Despite the Canadian government investing $5.5 billion to decrease wait with the exception of British Columbia, which imposes a fixed monthly times since 2002, waitlists for health care services are still a concern for many. premium. (This is waived or reduced for low-income earners, and there “This is a country in which dogs can get a hip replacement in under a are no deductibles.) week and in which humans can wait two to three years,” Dr. Brian Day Brynn, a registered nurse from Ontario, shares Brown’s enthusiasm for famously told the New York Times. Day is president and director of the the Canadian health care system. “I’m an advocate for free health care, I controversial Cambie Surgery Centre in Vancouver, which offers private think it should be a basic human right,” she says. fee-based care for services traditionally covered under the public health The Canadian health care system differs from private systems, such care system. The Canadian Health Coalition responded by pointing out as in the United States, where more than 37 million people are without that dogs are put down if their owner can’t pay, and that “access to care health insurance and a further 53 million are underinsured, which means should not be based on ability to pay.” they are not adequately covered in the event of a serious illness. According Lorne, a resident of British Columbia, waited four months for a hip to a poll conducted by Nanos Research, the majority of Canadians (91 per replacement after seeing a specialist, longer than the average wait of 10 cent) agree with Brown and Brynn and prefer the Canadian health care weeks. “I had no problems with being on a waitlist,” he says. “I had great doctors. I was very privileged in the treatment I received.” system over the private-style system.

Registered nurse Brynn believes that it’s a choice: “It’s either pay more Yet the Canadian health care system is not without its faults. Access concerns, quality of care and the high costs of those services not covered and be seen much quicker or don’t pay and have to wait a bit longer.”

According to a study by the Commonwealth Fund, just 22 per cent of under the system are some of the common complaints. For newcomers, these issues are further complicated by unfamiliarity with the system that Canadian doctors felt it was possible for patients to get an appointment may not be culturally or linguistically sensitive to their needs. the next day. This was the lowest percentage of 10 countries surveyed.

“I had trouble accessing health care when I first arrived in Canada,” says Canadian family doctors also reported the second-longest wait times to Rasheed Assan, who required dental work. “The system confused me. see a specialist, and Canada ranked second last for after-hours care and And because seeing a dentist is not covered, I had to pay out of pocket.” time taken getting access to diagnostic scores.

“I hear more complaints about [waitlists] in the media than I do from Assan’s situation is not unique, with many newcomers experiencing difficulty navigating the system and affording the services that are not patients,” says Brown, adding that in real emergencies, patients are seen covered. It raises the question: is the Canadian health care system as free quickly. “In that way, I think the system is very good,” she says. and universal as its international reputation suggests?

Rua Mercier believes that wait times are in part related to the challenges in accessing services in the community. “When people are unable to How free is free? access services in the community,” she says, “they access emergency care.

According to the 2012 edition of The Price of Public Health Care In- Patients go to the emergency in desperation, which blocks the system.” surance published by conservative think tank the Fraser Institute, the “Too many people are going to the emergency room with colds and average Canadian family of four pays $11,400 in taxes for health care the flu,” agrees Ian, an immigrant from Australia. “The Canadian health insurance. “There is a widespread belief that health care is free in Canada. care system is being abused.”

It’s not,” says Nadeem Esmail, co-author of the report.

Another problem is the lack of services available for some illnesses and The cost of health care is increasing over time at a greater rate than disorders. Brown believes this is particularly bad for chronic illnesses other expenditures such as clothing, food and shelter, according to the re- such as arthritis and mental health issues. “People seem to be waiting a port, and this cost does not necessarily mean better value for your money, lot longer for those procedures,” she says. “It’s almost impossible to get which varies province to province. Quebec and Ontario residents get help for anxiety disorders and depression. I don’t think a lot of people are the best value for their health care dollars, while Saskatchewan, Prince getting the care they need in the mental health system.”

Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador have the worst. The report Lack of access to mental health services is of particular concern for

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What’s covered. Almost all essential basic care is covered, including primary care physicians, specialists and hospital services.

What’s not. This varies depending on the province, but usually does not cover dental or vision.

Cosmetic surgery and some forms of elective surgery are not considered essential. Pharmaceutical benefits are only available to the elderly, disabled or low-income earners.

How to apply for public health insurance. Apply for a health insurance card as soon as you arrive in Canada. Forms can be found at doctor’s offices, hospitals, pharmacies and immigrant organizations.

Documents required are identification and confirmation of permanent resident status.

Some provinces (Ontario, B.C., Quebec and New Brunswick) have a three-month waiting period for coverage.

Cost. Canadians do not pay directly for health care services, but pay through government taxes (except in B.C., where you pay a monthly premium).

When travelling outside of your territory or province, you may need to purchase private health insurance to have the same medical services covered.

Newcomers also need to purchase private health insurance to cover themselves during the three-month waiting period.

Alternatives. In some provinces, private supplemental plans can be purchased to help pay for things like dental work, eye care and other treatments not included under basic care.

Some employers also subsidize extended health care plans as an employee benefit.

16 canadianimmigrant.ca

April 2013

While Canada has a national health insurance system, the rules and regulations surrounding the administration, eligibility and coverage of medicare differ from province to province. In Ontario, medical coverage is made available to its residents through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) (see health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ohip for more information). For most newcomers, there is a three-month waiting period before coverage starts in that province — however, it is a good idea to apply for an OHIP card as soon as you arrive in the province.

As a newcomer, you must also be physically present in Ontario for 153 days in any 12-month period, be physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately after establishing residency in the province, and make your primary place of residence in Ontario.

In order to get an Ontario health card, you must apply in person at a Service Ontario centre. There is no charge for this service, but you will be asked to complete a registration form as well as provide three original documents/pieces of identification to prove your residency. If there is no Service Ontario office in your area, phone 1-800-664-8988 to ask about “outreach” temporary registration sites throughout the province.

• all insured medically necessary services provided by physicians • some dental surgery, when it is done in the hospital • one eye examination a year for persons under 20 and those 65 and over • one major eye exam once every 12 months for persons aged 20 to 64 who have medical conditions requiring regular eye examinations • transportation costs for some residents of northern Ontario who must travel long distances for specialty medical care • emergency health services given in connection with an acute, unexpected condition, illness, disease or injury that arises outside Canada and requires immediate treatment • services provided by podiatrists are partially covered immigrants, who may have faced trauma in their country of origin and can have difficulty adjusting to a new country.

Quality of care?

Aside from access, some health care professionals have concerns about the quality of care, which is determined through federal standards. Brown believes quality of care isn’t made a priority. “Overall, I think the quality of care in terms of relationships is really poor and has really gone downhill, but the quality of emergency crisis support is better,” she says.

“There’s very little personal care now if you’re admitted to a hospital,” she continues. “Nurses are more removed from the bedside ... basically they are mostly doing medication administration and procedures. I think that’s a change since the last 10 or 15 years.” Instead of looking at illness from a holistic point of view, she adds, “health care is focused on disease and on the physical body.”

In terms of quality of care, Canada ranked slightly behind the United States in a poll conducted

by Harris/Decima in 2009; 36 per cent of Canadians rating quality of care as excellent compared to 40 per cent of Americans.

Brown believes the relationship between patients and health care professionals has deteriorated due to workload increases. “It’s about money,” she says. “Nurses are more expensive than nurses’ aides [and] they are expected to do a lot more in terms of patient load.”

Cultural challenges

Canadian immigrants face additional barriers when dealing with the health care system. These may arise out of difficulties with the language, not understanding how the system works and having different expectations of care.

“One of the issues I used to know personally about is the lack of interpreters,” says Brown.

She says that when immigrants who don’t speak English access medical care, they tend to rely on family members. Despite 20 per cent of Canadians having a nonofficial language as their native tongue, Brown believes there is a chronic shortage of interpreters.

“This is quite a serious problem in the health care system. How on earth can you provide health care when you don’t provide interpreters?”

Brynn agrees. While on an outcall, she visited a family from the Middle East with a small baby. The

• cosmetic surgery • regular dental services in a dentist’s office • certain ambulance services • you may need to pay the full or partial cost of services provided by other health care providers, such as physiotherapists

mother spoke no English, and the father’s English was very limited.

“It was difficult to provide care,” she says. The family also lacked understanding of the services available, which limited their options. “To me that’s also a big barrier,” she says.

Another barrier for immigrants is accessing health care that is culturally appropriate. If a health care provider is not familiar with an individual’s culture, they may recommend treatment that is not sensitive to traditional beliefs, practices and traditions. “[Canada] definitely has its own model of care that doesn’t necessarily apply to [all] cultures,” says Brown.

It’s really up to newcomers to take control of their care, learn about the system and utilize the resources available from immigrant organizations, which can help newcomers better understand the health care system.

Assan encourages new immigrants to utilize these services. Despite feeling that the dental system should be covered under universal health care, he thinks Canada has one of the best health care systems in the world. “At the end of the day it’s a good system. I feel fortunate to be a part of it.”

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4 in-demand health care jobs

Dental assistants, medical laboratory technicians, registered nurses and physiotherapists are the tops

By Lisa Evans

J

obs in health care consistently dominate the list of the top 50 jobs in Canada, compiled

by Canadian Business based on Statistics Canada data. An aging population and a steady stream of retirees mean Canada’s health care system will soon become overburdened, resulting in increased demand for skilled professionals.

Health care workers today are also least likely to be found on the unemployment line; the average unemployment rate for health care workers falls between 1.3 to 2.6 per cent only, while unemployment rates for all sectors fluctuate between seven to 11 per cent.

What does this mean for newcomers?

While demand for skilled health care professionals is high, most health care occupations are regulated, meaning internationally trained professionals’ credentials need to be accredited by a licensing body in order for them to practise in Canada. For newcomers seeking to work in the sector, simply having practical experience is not considered sufficient.

In 2009, the federal government, in recognition of the need for foreign-educated health care professionals to fill the labour gap, invested $50 million to improve foreign qualification recognition.

Certain professions including nursing, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, medical laboratory technologists, pharmacy technicians and physicians now have their qualifications assessed within one year and many offer bridging programs that help newcomers update their skills to match the requirements of the respective professional regulatory body.

According to WorkinginCanada.gc.ca, the Government of Canada’s main newcomer resource for employment information including current job opportunities and future forecasted demand, the

top in-demand health care professions are dental assistants, medical laboratory technicians, registered nurses and physiotherapists.

[1] Dental assistants

A dental assistant works under the supervision of a dentist. They work with patients prior to and after the dentist meets with the patient and assists the dentist during certain dental procedures. According to the Canadian Dental Assistants’ Association, average salaries range from $15 to $25 per hour, or $30,000 to $40,000 per year.

Education

Dental assistant programs vary across the country. Most are 18 months in length and require a secondary school diploma with biology and chemistry. To become accredited, all graduates of the program are required to complete the national exam, a two-part clinical practice and written exam administered by the National Dental Assisting Examining Board. Foreigntrained dental professionals are eligible to complete the exam after having their academic credentials assessed.

[2] Medical technologists

The ever-increasing use of technology has created a demand for workers with a combination of IT skills and knowledge of the health care industry. Demand is especially high for diagnostics and medical imaging workers. Salaries range from $40,000 to $80,000, depending on the province and years of experience.

Education

Lab technologists require a college diploma in medical lab technology as well as a six- to 14-month assistant or technician course. Medical radiation technologists require a college diploma or university degree, a diploma in medical radiation studies and must pass the Canadian Association of Medical

Radiation Technologists’ national certification exam. Foreign-trained professionals may qualify for the nine-month-long bridging program for medical laboratory technicians, offered through Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario. The program is divided into three semesters and consists of theory and laboratory sessions at the college, along with a clinical placement.

[3] Nurses

Nursing is one of the most heavily populated professions in Canada.

Employment in nursing has been growing steadily since 2003. The Canadian Nurses Association projects a shortage of 113,000 registered nurses by 2016. While nursing is a very physically demanding profession, there are many options and opportunities to specialize. A typical full-time annual salary for an RN ranges from $70,000 to $80,000, depending greatly on the region.

Education

Nursing is a regulated profession, meaning applicants must meet the requirements of the College of Nurses. There are three types of nursing careers in Canada. Registered practical nurses (RPNs) — also known are licensed practical nurses (LPNs) — require a two-year diploma in practical nursing that can be completed at a community college.

Because an RPN’s education is less comprehensive, they are most often placed with patients with stable and predictable conditions. Registered nurses (RNs) complete either a collaborative college-university nursing program or a four-year university nursing program leading to a bachelor of science in nursing or a bachelor of nursing. An RN’s education is more comprehensive and therefore they are often responsible for taking care of patients with more complex needs. Nurse practitioners are RNs with advanced university education.

Foreign-trained nurses are required to have their credentials certified by the regulatory body

and must write the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination. Bridge programs are available, but the waiting list is often very long.

[4 ] Physiotherapists

A physiotherapist works with patients who suffer from limited mobility and treat pain, disease or injury. The scope of the practice of the profession has grown as certification has moved to the master’s level, meaning physiotherapists are able to tackle more than the musculoskeletal system and are branching out into problems that involve the cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems. Private sector practices have expanded as the public has become more aware of the benefits of physiotherapy and no longer require a doctor’s note to visit a physiotherapist.

Salaries vary considerably from public to private practice, ranging from $30 to $50 per hour or $57,000 to $96,000 per year.

Education

There are 14 physiotherapy programs in Canada. All programs are at the master’s level, are 24 to 30 months in length, and require an undergraduate degree to qualify.

International applicants with an equivalent undergraduate degree must have their credentials checked by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators. All graduates of the physiotherapy program as well as internationally trained physiotherapists must complete the physiotherapy competency exam — a national written and practical exam — in order to become accredited.

Internationally trained professionals whose credentials do not meet Canadian standards are invited to participate in a bridging program.

These one-year programs, offered through the University of Toronto and the University of Alberta, are designed to transition newcomers into the Canadian health care system and prepare applicants to do the physiotherapy competency exam.

April 2013

Canadian Immigrant

17

M

Career development practitioner Afshan Basaria offers her advice on getting to work in the health care industry

any internationally trained doctors, nurses and other professionals feel frustrated when they first arrive in Canada and find out that they may not be able to work in their prelanding occupations instantly. As an immigrant myself, I know that settling in a new country can be tough, and the path to attain career satisfaction is even tougher.

Most health occupations in Canada are regulated; this means that anyone who wishes to work as a nurse, physiotherapist, pharmacist or physician in Canada, for example, has to gain a licence to practise. No licence usually translates into no employment. But acquiring licensure can be a long and tedious process.

The first step for new immigrants should be to contact the regulatory body (for their relevant profession in their province), to seek a thorough understanding of the application process regarding;

• • • • • •

credential evaluation language requirements relevant bridging programs skills enhancement requirements required examination processing times for applications Unfortunately, you realize licensure could take up to several years, but you need to start working now, so what do you do?

For the short term

While you are working toward your licensure, you could consider taking a short-term course that could enable you to find employment in the health industry sooner rather than later.

Think about your transferable skills; for example, if you have professional experience as a registered nurse, consider taking a short-term training course as a licensed practical nurse, care aide, medical lab assistant or medical office assistant. This way you would still be able to work in the health care industry and gain valu-

able experience as you work toward your long-term goal.

Expand your horizons

Also, consider looking for opportunities in other cities or provinces.

Some provinces have more lenient requirements for obtaining licensure than others and offer excellent relocation packages, incentives, signing bonuses and great job opportunities.

For example, Manitoba’s Nurses Recruitment and Retention Fund offers nurses up to $8,000 to offset the costs associated with relocating to Manitoba.

Do your PD

Wherever you choose to settle, engage in professional development while working toward your licensure. Research and join relevant professional associations to get insider information on events, workshops, courses, etc. Form or participate in study groups to practise for various

examinations that you might have to take as part of your licensure requirement.

It’s also important to increase your understanding of culturally expected manners of the Canadian health care system. Work hard to orient yourself to Canadian communication styles in the workplace.

Be competitive

Remember, an employer sees hundreds of applications and resumés for one job posting. Ask yourself this question: “Who am I competing against for this job?”

In all likelihood, you are competing with candidates who may have been born and bred in Canada, have Canadian education, Canadian experience and an excellent grasp of the English language. For you to be competitive, you will have to work extensively toward your licensure, language and communication skills, and professional development.

Are you looking for a job?

We offer a range of free employment services: Specialized services for Internationally Trained Professionals Direct connections with employers Recruitment and mentorship events and programs Talk English CaféTM – provides an interactive environment to practice workplace communication skills Career planning, Canadian labour market information and job trends Resume development, interview practice and coaching on how to market yourself to employers Access to computers, internet and telephones at each of our locations

416-921-1800

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Scholarly success Med student adds Rhodes scholarship to his achievements

By Sarah Munn

H

ardworking.

Decent.

Amazing. Compassionate.

Humble. That’s how people who know Ayodele Odutayo describe him.

In December, this 24-year-old medical student, who goes by just “Ayo,” added a Rhodes scholarship to his ever-growing list of accomplishments. “In many ways it’s still surreal,” says Odutayo, noting the attention he’s received since winning the prestigious award.

Only 11 Canadians per year can become Rhodes Scholars, chosen based on the following categories: intellect, character, leadership and commitment to service. This year, Odutayo is one among that small, lucky group.

After making it through a twoday interview process, Odutayo says he is both humbled and grateful to have been given the opportunity.

He and his 10 new colleagues will depart for England in late September, starting their new programs at the University of Oxford in October. The Rhodes Scholarship covers their tuition and provides a stipend enough to pay for rent, food and transportation.

“I wouldn’t be able to do this on my own,” says Odutayo, who has applied for two master’s degrees in public health, one that is coursebased and one that is researchbased.

Studying in this field will help him work toward one of his primary goals of becoming a researcher, focusing on analyzing and reforming health care systems. He is gradually building his education in this area, holding an undergraduate degree from the University of Western Ontario and finishing medical school at the University of Toronto this year.

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Young Rhodes Scholar Ayodele Odutayo exemplifies what studying hard can achieve.

Odutayo’s interest in working in medicine started when he was a child living in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

“I had to do a school project, and because it’s such a small island, I was able to shadow the doctor for a week, even though I was only in Grade 4. That was when I had the chance to learn about some physiology around the digestive system,” says Odutayo, who now plans to practise in nephrology, the

tario may have been, the family had already made a major move once before. Originally from Nigeria, Margaret, an environmental scientist, had moved her young family from Africa to the Virgin Islands when she was offered a job with the United Nations Development Programme; Odutayo was just seven years old at that time.

Though he does not remember much of his early childhood in

It was very much a bold decision.” genre of medicine that deals with the kidneys.

“That’s where I really decided, ‘OK, I wanna be a doctor,’” he says, remembering the moment that would become the catalyst for an even bigger decision made by his mother, Margaret.

Putting faith in her son’s dream, she chose to move her family of three — herself, Ayo and his younger sister — to the country she thought best for Ayo to reach his goals.

“She decided to make the move early on so that I had an opportunity to get used to the educational system in Canada and perhaps be successful and get into medical school,” says Odutayo, who was 12 when they immigrated.

As daunting as a move from the tropical British Virgin Islands to the icy winters of On-

Nigeria, Odutayo does remember the support of his family there and some of the difficulties of living in the country.

“Things are much easier in the Virgin Islands around basic things such as purchasing of goods or safety of going out by yourself and just the basic necessities and privileges that we take as everyday things here,” he says, comparing life in Nigeria with life in the British Virgin Islands and Canada.

“Then I think she felt Canada would be a much more comfortable place to live, and a safer place to live and she had heard good anecdotes from other people who had visited Canada,” says Odutayo.

“It was very much a bold decision,” he says, explaining they knew no one in Canada before arriving one day in March. Ad-

justing to life in Canada wasn’t easy, but Odutayo has done it with great success. Since arriving here, he has been piling activities onto his plate and excelling in all of them. At the moment, Odutayo is busy with medical school and does clinical work for his program at the East Mississauga Community Health Centre. He also sits on a committee of the Canadian Medical Association and whenever he can makes time for his hobbies: basketball and steel pan.

For other newcomers to Canada, Odutayo recommends being openminded. “I think that it’s a basic value that can go a very long way,” he says.

For students, Odutayo advises finding a mentor, which he has benefitted from greatly in his field.

A last but crucial piece of advice he offers is for youth who are new to Canada. For them, he recommends participating in sports or music programs like he did. “I think it provided a safe environment to get to know other people,” he says. “It’s hard to get used to living in Canada. Young people need a protected environment and some of that comes through sports and music.”

As for his motivation to do everything he does and strive for success, Odutayo credits his mother.

“She made a lot of sacrifices from the very beginning,” he says. “I think this profile should be more about my mom than me!”

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Business

Sweet success Brazilian-born Beth Aguiar discovers she can have her cake and eat it, too

By Lisa Evans

the kitchen was covered [with cake stuff],” she says. The family upgraded to a newer home with an unfinished basement where Aguiar could design her dream second kitchen for her cake business.

Chantilly Cake Designs (chantillycakedesigns.com) now fulfills orders for baptisms, birthday parties, weddings and other special

hood isn’t without its challenges.

“When you’re running a home business, you’re always working,” she says. “Sometimes I see myself working until three in the morning and then I have to wake up at seven to drive the kids to school.”

While the hours might be long, Aguiar says she wouldn’t have it any other way. “If I was working

When you’re running a home business, you’re always working.”

N

o party is complete without a cake, but for Brazilianborn baker Beth Aguiar, not just any cake will do. The owner of Chantilly Cake Designs in Mississauga, Ontario, sometimes spends days working on a client’s order. “I’m a perfectionist. I’m very picky,” she says. Aguiar works out of her home, turning any theme into an edible work of art, making sure her cakes are the stars of the party.

A cake-making business wasn’t what Aguiar imagined for herself when she arrived in Canada. After working in an entry-level administration position for three-and-ahalf years, Aguiar was on maternity leave with her second child when she discovered a hidden talent for baking.

Being at home with a new baby and a toddler had her fantasizing for some mommy alone time. “I decided to take a course at night, just to get out a bit and see some

22 canadianimmigrant.ca

April 2013

adults,” she says. On a whim, she registered for a cake decorating course at Michael’s craft store.

“The course had four levels and I took them all,” she says. The classes sparked Aguiar’s creativity and reignited a passion for baking.

“I always liked to make desserts. I had an easy bake oven [when I was a child], but I didn’t know how to decorate,” she says.

In 2006, she started selling her homemade cakes to friends and neighbours. “I never put a business plan on paper. I just started selling the cakes and it started to get bigger,” she says. After a few months, she placed an ad in the Brazilian newspaper and word of mouth caused her home-based business to explode.

Her home kitchen soon became overrun with custards, icing sugar and cake decorating books. “I was doing everything in my kitchen.

My husband sometimes had to take the kids out to eat because

events. Each cake is made to order from scratch and designed after a consultation with the client. It seems there’s no theme Aguiar can’t make a cake for. Some of her unique designs include an iPhone cake, a shoebox cake, a ladybug cake and many more.

Keeping to her roots, Aguiar’s cakes contain a Brazilian touch.

“I like to play with the recipes. If I get a North American recipe, I will twist it a little bit to make it my way. It still tastes North American, but with a little Brazilian twist,” she says. With 40 per cent of her clients immigrants from Brazil, Aguiar has incorporated Brazilian flavours and style into her cakes. “[Brazilians] like very moist cakes. Not moist. Very moist,” she laughs. Many of her Brazilian clients complain that the cakes they get in the grocery store and Canadian bakeries aren’t as sweet as what they are used to in Brazil.

“We use a lot of condensed milk [to add sweetness to the cake],” she says. Creamy custards and fruit fillings are the most popular among her Brazilian clients, as is dulce de leche — a Spanish flavour that is gaining popularity in Canada.

“President’s Choice just started selling it in a jar, but mine is better,” she laughs.

Juggling a business and mother-

in an office like I was before, I wouldn’t be able to pick up my kids from school,” she says. While she arranges babysitting on Thursdays and Fridays when she’s busy preparing cakes for weekend parties, she relishes the free time the business allows her to spend with her boys and husband. “If I was working elsewhere, I might be making more money, but maybe I wouldn’t be as happy,” she says.

Seems Aguiar can have her cake and eat it, too.

Beth Aguiar adds a Brazilian flare to her home-based cake design business.

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Immigration Policy

How super is the super visa?

Two families and an expert weigh in on the program

By Denise Hansen

S

ince its launch in December 2011, the Canada Super Visa, also known as the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, has been a “super” hit. From the time the program was unveiled, more than 11,000 super visas were granted to overseas parents and grandparents; the acceptance rate for the visa continues to remain at around 80 per cent and in December 2012 it was announced that the super visa program would be extended for another year.

It’s not so hard to understand where the popularity and enthusiasm for the super visa comes from. The one-of-a-kind visa allows for parents and grandparents of people living in Canada to visit and remain in Canada for up to two years at a time without having to renew their visitor status. The multiple-entry visa, once granted, is valid for 10 years. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) promises that if applicants meet all the requirements, the super visa can be issued within eight weeks.

To be eligible, applicants need only prove they are a parent or grandparent of a Canadian permanent resident or citizen, provide proof of medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company, undergo a medical examination, and provide a written guarantee of financial support from the child or grandchild they will be visiting in Canada.

But are super visa eligibility criteria and the application process as trouble-free and straightforward as they seem?

Canadian Immigrant spoke to two families and one immigration legal expert about super visa experiences to find out if, in fact, the program is as “super” easy as it appears.

It was smooth sailing until she [my mother-in-law] got to the Canadian airport.”

Not what it appears?

Koonal Jaisi and his family were one of the first to apply for the super visa, only two weeks after the announcement of the program. “My wife was pregnant at the time so we really wanted her mother to be able to join us in Canada as our family got ready to welcome our second child. We knew it would be a huge emotional and practical help to have her here with us,” explains Jaisi, who admits that the birth of their first child was rough due to limited family support. Most of the Jaisi family lives in India.

So Jaisi’s mother-in-law applied for the super visa in New Dehli.

After completing the eligibility requirements, in January 2012 she received approval and a stamp in her passport validating her super

24 canadianimmigrant.ca

visa until 2018. In February 2012, she travelled to Toronto.

“It was smooth sailing until she [my mother-in-law] got to the Canadian airport. In India, everything was great … processing times, there were no obstacles in completing the medical checkup or receiving the approval. However, at the Canadian airport, things went downhill.

The immigration officer in Toronto only gave her a six-month visa to stay in Canada,” details Jaisi.

It turns out Jaisi’s mother-in-law’s medical documentation was not available to Canadian immigration authorities in Toronto, so they were not able to provide her with a longer stay. Without verifying the medical records, officials were not able to grant Jaisi’s mother-in-law the longer stay she would have been entitled to under the super visa.

“We were so angry. My wife was emotionally so upset and distressed with this news. We had already purchased a oneway ticket for my mother-inlaw based on the expectation that she would be granted a two-year visa. We bought the expensive medical insurance for one year. We had done everything. We just felt really very cheated,” explains Jaisi.

Because of an internal processing error on the part of CIC, the Jaisi family eventually had to apply for a visitor extension to allow for her to remain in Canada beyond six months.

“Maybe one of the lessons here is to wait for enough time for all the internal CIC databases to be updated before a family member flies over to Canada? We don’t know, but that is just our best guess about what went wrong.”

April 2013

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• Income plays a vital role. For example, a family of four must have a minimum family income of $43,292 to be eligible for the super visa.

Visit cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5256ETOC. asp#incometables to see more minimum annual income requirements.

• Do not book flights for your family member too early. If refused for the super visa, you do not also want the bad news of being stuck with a non-refundable plane ticket.

• Processing times are quick, but will vary depending on the region of the world where the application is submitted. Visit cic.gc.ca/ english/information/times/perm/fc-parents.asp for up-to-date information about processing times for the super visa at various Canada visa posts around the world.

• Be sure to understand the details of your insurance plan. For example, most Canadian insurance companies will refund you the months not used on the plan (i.e., when your family member leaves Canada). Check this and other points with the insurance company before purchasing.

• Pay your fees upfront so that your file is processed immediately.

You do not want to waste time by having your application put on hold until your payment is received.

• Be sure to fill out all forms carefully, accurately and correctly.

Your application will be returned, or worse refused, if the information provided is incorrect or missing.

• You must provide reasoning for why your parent or grandparent deserves to come to Canada. This is a crucial point. Your application for a super visa must provide reasoning for your why your parent or grandparent needs to be in Canada with you for an extended period of time. You must advocate for your parent or grandparent and explain why you require their presence in Canada. You cannot just fill out the forms and assume that on the basis of being your parent or grandparent, your family member deserves to come to Canada.

Apply well

On the other hand, the super visa experience for Yasmine Mehrabnia and her family was as simple and straightforward as the family could have hoped for. Mehrabnia’s grandmother from Iran applied for the super visa in March 2012 and received an approval letter a few months later in August. In December, she travelled to Toronto and was granted a one-year stay. “[My grandmother] has had a great experience with the super visa. It was a lot harder last time my grandmother applied [to come to Canada] … at the time, she was coming with her husband and they were given a harder time in terms of how long they were going to stay and what assets and funds they were going to bring with them,” explains Mehrabnia.

“Applying with the super visa, my grandmother was not interviewed and she was given a longer period of time to visit.

She was very pleased with the communication process on behalf of CIC and how quickly she

was able to travel to Canada,” says Mehrabnia. “Everything was straightforward and easy to obtain and she was able to provide all the necessary documents with enough time to gather each of these before submitting them with her application.”

The family sought the help of a lawyer and Mehrabnia admits this helped them the most with the application process. She also emphasizes that they made sure the application provided as much information regarding her grandmother’s background, intentions to stay and leave Canada, and as many details pertaining to financial assets and information.

“All in all, my grandmother had a great experience with the super visa application process.

She was very fortunate,” concludes Mehrabnia.

Super barriers

Immigration lawyer Michael Niren of Niren & Associates shares similar positive sentiments, but admits there are aspects of the Canada Super Visa program that continue to trouble him and his clients.

“It has been an overall good experience with the super visa program. While parental sponsorship applications used to take years and years to process, the turnaround time for the super visa is generally very quick and stable and approval rates are high,” says Niren, who has experienced firsthand the frustration involved with waiting years for clients’ parental sponsorship applications to be approved or, in some cases, refused.

Still, he notes that the financial criteria that applicants are expected to meet, in combination with families being required to purchase one year’s worth of medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company, is onerous and leaves some less well-off

families unable to ever apply for the super visa.

Like most all Canadian immigration programs and initiatives, the Canada Super Visa program hinges on families proving to Canada that their loved ones will not be a financial or physical burden to Canadian society. But, for an immigration visa that is not permanent, but rather is temporary, Niren argues, “the financial criteria and income threshold is a little extreme.”

That being said, he also admits large amounts of applicants do generally continue to qualify for the super visa. “The super visa approval rate is very high and once an applicant meets all the requirements, there is a strong likelihood they’ll be approved,” states Niren confidently.

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Canadian Immigrant

25

M

aking the decision to buy a home is a difficult one, particularly for immigrants who are unfamiliar with the Canadian housing market.

There are many factors that must be taken into consideration, including location, price, size and proximity to amenities such as schools and work.

One major decision is making the choice between purchasing a new house or an existing one.

Almost every province has seen an increase in residential building permits, with increases in both new and existing housing prices. Builders are adapting to land shortages by building apartments and condominiums, while existing properties are being subdivided to combat both housing price increases and demand. For many, the decision comes down to preferences and priorities.

Immigrants Serena and Fred Li chose to build a new house instead of buying an old one. They

New or old?

commute to town. The old adage “they don’t build them like they used to” can be apt, with many new homes constructed out of cheaper, more readily available material.

Buying a home in Canada

By Emily Rose

purchased two acres outside of Lethbridge, Alberta, drawn to the work opportunities available, but still wanting to live outside a big city.

“In Shanghai, we spent a lot of money on rent for a small apartment,” says Fred. “When we moved to Canada, we knew that we wanted something of our own, and we liked the idea of having a big yard.”

After purchasing the land in 2005, they rented in central Lethbridge while their fourbedroom, two-storey house with semi-detached apartment was being built. Shortly after moving in, they sponsored Fred’s parents, who moved into the apartment. In 2011, they had their daughter, Mia.

Buy a new build?

Choosing an older home

Like Fred and Serena, many are drawn to the advantages of buying a brand-new home, which includes low maintenance, increased energy efficiency and modern conveniences such as built-in dishwashers, networked wiring systems, and even workout and media rooms.

New houses are also built to code, which ensures consumer safety requirements are met. Some builders also provide new owners with a warranty for the structure and components.

The drawbacks to buying a new house include the possibilities of having similar plans to other houses, needing to purchase major appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines, paying tax and a longer

Those who choose to buy preowned houses may save on tax and cost, but there are some drawbacks.

They tend to be a bigger risk than new homes due to the possibility of repairs, ongoing maintenance and updates such as bath remodeling.

Many older houses are smaller than average, but are often closer to amenities, have larger yards and are in established neighbourhoods.

Buy with caution

Regardless of the choice between a new or an older home, home ownership is a risk. Mortgages are longterm legal and financial obligations, and home ownership carries the risk of foreclosure and bankruptcy.

Careful consideration is required before purchasing a property.

Welcome Home We are the Government of Canada’s national housing agency and the go-to resource to help you settle in Canada. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation gives you the tools you need to make your housing decisions and find a safe, affordable home for your family.

We offer information on renting, buying and maintaining your home in 8 different languages.

We understand what home means to you.

Visit us at www.cmhc.ca/welcomehome

26 canadianimmigrant.ca

April 2013

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Changing mortgage rules Can impact newcomers looking to buy for the first time

By Emily Rose

R

ecent changes in the housing market for governmentbacked insured mortgages may impact Canadian immigrants seeking to buy property in Canada. The changes, which came into effect July 9, 2012, were aimed at ensuring stability and tempering a burgeoning housing market. According to TD Bank, these rules will reduce annual home sales by nearly 20, 000.

Reduced amortization period

The first change involved reducing the maximum time allowed to pay off a government-insured mortgage from 30 years to 25 years.

This means less overall interest is paid, but creates higher monthly payments. First-time buyers may need to earn as much as $500 more a month to qualify for a mortgage, meaning that up to five per cent of Canadians may not be able to purchase a home. Monthly payments may mean an extra $209 toward mortgages each month.

Banks use two ratios to determine what you can afford, the gross debt service ratio (GDSR) and the total debt service ratio (TDSR). The GDSR, which includes your monthly mortgage payment, cannot exceed 35 per cent of your monthly income before taxes. The TDSR includes the GDSR, plus any other loans of debts you have. The TDSR cannot exceed 42 per cent of your monthly income before taxes.

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April 2013

Refinancing limit set

The refinancing maximum was also reduced from 85 to 80 per cent, meaning homes valued at $300,000 will allow refinancing up to $240,000 instead of $255,000. This maximum was reduced with the aim of ensuring that the size of a loan is not too large in comparison to household income and home value. “This will promote savings through home ownership and encourage homeowners to prudently manage borrowings against their homes,� said Canada’s Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty.

Limiting CMHC insurance

Under the new rules, the availability of insured mortgages is now limited to houses with a purchase price of less than $1 million. This was enacted in order to ensure taxpayerbacked mortgages are not going to wealthy Canadians, and may prove helpful for Canadians by limiting the amount of equity they would lose through refinancing and promoting savings.

On the other hand, individuals already struggling to pay debts have fewer options when it comes to debt restructuring.

Properties valued at more than $1 million now require a 20 per cent down payment to get an uninsured mortgage. Coming up with this $200,000 down payment can be difficult for Canadian

immigrants, who already face substantial costs associated with relocating to Canada. Limiting CMHC insurance to homes under $1 million also limits the op-

tions when it comes to settling in some parts of Canada, such as the Greater Vancouver area, where properties priced above $1 million are extremely common.

After you have immigrated to Canada, making the decision to buy a home can be an exciting but perhaps unfamiliar journey. Here are seven tips to help you on your path to home ownership.

1. Apply for credit. It is very important that you establish a credit report. When considering a new mortgage application, Canadian lenders will look at your credit standing.

2. Gather relevant documents from your country of origin.

Depending on your immigration status, you may need to provide copies of your residence documents. Make contact with your home bank in the event that you may need to provide a bank reference letter.

3. Get organized. Canadian lenders will need a job letter, pay stub or other forms of proof of income like income tax documents. If you are planning to transfer money from another country for your down payment, you should also allow plenty of time to complete this.

4. Become informed. Research the basic procedures of buying real estate in Canada. For example, are you aware of the rules when buying a stratified property like a condo?

5. Create a budget. Housing costs in Vancouver and Toronto, for example, can be high. A financing budget can ensure your anticipated housing costs are manageable.

6. Get pre-approved. By filling out a short application, a banker or mortgage broker can let you know exactly how much of a mortgage you can qualify for.

7. Use professional services. Rely on professional guidance. Buying your first home can be time-consuming and frustrating at times, and the right guidance from realtors, mortgage brokers/lenders, inspectors and lawyers/notaries can reduce some of the stress and the risks. facebook/canimmigrant

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MONEY

| M y T w o C e n ts |

Income tax time

I

How I filed my first return in Canada

am well aware of the quote by the great Benjamin Franklin that nothing is certain in the world except “death and taxes.”

The taxes part did not bother me until I landed in Canada almost a decade ago. Earning money without paying taxes is the way of life in my home country. Yes, filing an income tax return is not compulsory and no one bothers (how cool is that?).

Tax returns in Canada

But, as a newcomer to Canada, I had to face my new reality — filing an income tax return every year. Filing income taxes for one person is difficult enough as a newcomer, but I just got married before I landed in Canada and so we had to file two returns (one for my wife). As if the whole marriage thing weren’t complicated enough!

As we embarked on our first tax returns, we had some questions: since my wife doesn’t work and has no income, do we still have to file her taxes? How much money do you have to make to file taxes? And how do you get help to file taxes?

Questions, questions and more questions — all the banks were screaming about RRSPs as “the deadline” was soon approaching. What does RRSP mean, I thought? Is that something you need to file income taxes?

I went to a bank hoping they can file income taxes for me, but they politely explained to me to get help from a tax professional.

I faced a fair share of newcomer obstacles in my early days in Canada.

After my first tax filing with the help of a tax professional was out of the way, my quest for more answers started. I found out some interesting tips about income taxes.

Be organized

The best income tax help you can give yourself is to be organized, whether you use the assistance

of a tax professional or do it by yourself. For many, the most difficult part of preparing for tax time is gathering the necessary income tax records. Keeping your records organized all year long will make it a breeze to file your own taxes, saving you time, hassle and money in the long run. Staying organized isn’t that complicated. At the beginning of each year, open a separate file for each of your documents, e.g., brokerage statements, charity donations, daycare expenses, vehicle expenses, etc.

ing you get from saying “I do my own taxes” has to be experienced firsthand. More importantly, preparing your own return will force you to pay closer attention to key aspects of your personal finances, and hopefully help you increase your cash flow by legally reducing your taxes owed.

If you know your stuff and file your taxes promptly, you could get a nice little tax refund. And filing makes you eligible for all sorts of benefits like the Canada Child Tax Benefit.

It’s fun and beneficial

Everyone knows there are some stiff penalties for those who

In my opinion, filing your own taxes is fun and easy, and gives you a sense of accomplishment.

The satisfaction of completing a daunting task all by yourself boosts your self-esteem. The proud feel-

Risk of no returns

choose not to file their return.

So get organized and file your return every year before the deadline, especially if you owe money to the government.

And, with a few income tax returns under your belt, any questions you still have will become clearer. I found the answers to my above questions — yes, you should file an income tax return every year even if you do not have any income in Canada, no you don’t need an RRSP but it can help lower your taxes, and if you need help, turn to a tax professional to help file your tax return right!

Gokul Jayapal has a master’s degree in biological sciences and currently works and lives in Toronto. A freelance writer on money and finance, he is an investment junkie who trades stocks and options part time. He can be reached at gokultoronto@yahoo.ca.

April 2013

Canadian Immigrant

29

CULTURE

Immigrant lit

H

e wonders how his parents had done it, leaving their respective families behind, seeing them so seldom, dwelling unconnected, in a perpetual state of expectation, of longing.”

So ponders Gogol Ganguli, the protagonist of Jhumpa Lahiri’s 2003 novel, The Namesake.

Ganguli, balancing between an Indian heritage and an American upbringing, may not be real, but fictional characters like him have come to represent the stories of immigrants struggling to reconcile mixed identities in an increasingly popular genre — immigrant literature.

These stories — written by first-, second- and third-generation immigrants — can be traced back to the early 1900s, but came to the forefront in the 1950s as the impact of mass migration, globalization and shifting ideas of “home” began to find its way in the literary world. These aren’t impartial accounts of immigration but, rather, impassioned stories about the realities of migration — voluntary or otherwise.

One of the earliest immigrant works was Willa Cather’s 1918 novel My Ántonia, a story about a Bohemian family settling on the Nebraskan plains. Though Cather was American, she had a great interest in the European immigrants beginning to arrive in the United States. It wasn’t until the 1950s, however, when many of these groups began telling their own stories.

In 1957, Vladimir Nabokov introduced readers to Timofey Pavlovich Pnin, a Russian professor living in the United States struggling to adjust to American culture and the English language in the novel Pnin — likely a reflection of Nabokov’s own difficulties immigrating to the United States from Russia.

The Canadian immigrant experience has also been welldocumented by authors such as Wayson Choy, whose novels The Jade Peony and All That Matters follow a Chinese Canadian family living in Vancouver’s Chinatown in the late 1930s and 1940s. The author expertly navigates the

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April 2013

A genre of its very own

By Manori Ravindran

Beirut-born Rawi Hage wrote about the immigrant experience in Montreal in his book Cockroach.

hostilities felt toward Chinese and Japanese immigrants during the Second World War. More recently, Canadian writer Rawi Hage tackled oppression and identity in his 2008 novel Cockroach. Like Choy, his story about a Middle Eastern immigrant fighting for survival in the slums of Montreal also focused on racism toward newcomers in Canada.

These characters have become icons of the immigrant experience, and just as important to 20th- and 21st-century literature as the transnational movements that inspired them. Though a variety of topics crop up among such works, predominant themes have come to include identity in adopted countries, conflicting loyalties and issues of discrimination and racism.

Identity in new countries

Few writers wax as eloquently about identity and rootlessness as Lahiri, an American writer with an Indian background. Her published works to date — Interpreter of Maladies, The Namesake and Unaccustomed Earth — brim with stories about immigrants (often Bengali) living in the United States and feeling the relentless pull between cultures.

Many of her characters call their cultural identities into question as they balance the expectations of their families with their own aspirations. The Namesake’s Gogol Ganguli, for example, can’t relate to his Bengali parents, and does everything in his power to distance himself from them, both geographically and ideologically.

Similarly, Indian-born author Nikita Lalwani tackles identity in her 2007 book Gifted. Lalwani’s protagonist, Rumi Vasi, is a 10-year-old mathematics prodigy.

Pushed by her parents to attend Oxford University by age 15, Vasi struggles between honouring their wishes and just being a regular British teenager. Although the novel focuses on the diaspora’s desire to excel in higher education, at its heart is a bitter conflict faced by many second-generation adolescents.

Canadian writer Gurjinder Basfacebook/canimmigrant

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ran’s 2010 novel Everything Was Good-Bye tells a story based on her own experiences growing up in B.C.’s Lower Mainland. Basran’s protagonist, Meena, is a young Indian woman trying to assert her independence in the Punjabi community. But raised in a strict, traditional household, Meena struggles with the reality that she might never have the same freedoms as her Canadian peers.

Connection back home

attitudes toward immigrants and racialized minorities in the 1950s. Wah recounts one incident during a fishing trip with one of his father’s Chinese friends: “We’re walking back up the hill with our catch of suckers and some kids start chinky, chinky Chinaman and I figure I’d better not be caught with him anymore. I become as white as I can ...”

Wah discusses “passing” for white in certain situations due to his Scandinavian background, as well as the barriers between him and the Chinese community, where this same white background is eyed with suspicion.

Stories like Wah’s and other novelists no doubt hit close to home for any immigrant reader on their own journey. In this way, immigrant literature as a genre is not just an exercise in fiction, but a reflection of the real immigrant experience.

For any immigrant, visiting your prose detailing country of origin after a long Themes of discrimination Wah’s hyphenated identity in period away can evoke questions A reality of many immigrant Nelson, B.C., where his family about your culture and heritage. stories is the acknowledgement opened a Chinese café in 1951.

You may look the part of a local, of racism and discrimination, Wah’s father was a “Canadianand pass as one, but on the inside which often accompany xeno- born Chinese-Scots-Irishman it’s another story. It’s exactly this phobia during periods of mass raised in China,” and his mother dilemma that Filipino expat au- migration. It’s a theme that a Swedish-born Canadian from thor Miguel Syjuco faces head-on permeates the works of Lahiri, Swift Current, Saskatchewan. in Ilustrado. The 2010 novel and Syjuco and countless others, The book is an exercise in winner of the Man Asian Literary but the issue is harnessed mas- unravelling identity, particuPrize follows the journey of the terfully in Canadian poet Fred larly Wah’s Chinese heritage, writer investigating his mentor Wah’s Diamond Grill, a series of but also focuses on Canadian Crispin Salvador’s death.

Salvador, a celebrated Filipino writer, fled the country in 1972 on the eve of President Ferdinand Marcos’ declaration of martial law.

He was in exile, working as a pro(Ife), MA L.L. (McGil), B/BCL (McGill), BL, ll.m (u.k) BSC (Ife), BSC MA (McGil), B/BCLL.L. (McGill), BL, ll.m (u.k) fessor at New York’s Columbia University, when his body was found in Omnicom School of Languages the Hudson River in February 2002. in the very heart of North York In order to get to the bottom of Saldowntown next to the Public vador’s mysterious passing, Syjuco Library helping internationallymust return to Manila, a city he left trained professionals as a young man. to succeed: “Three more hours until I arrive. At Manila. I almost said • ESL part-time& full-time programs ‘at home,’” writes Syjuco. “My in small groups seatmates glance at me as if I was • Systematic approach to listening, a foreigner. I save my Tagalog speaking, reading and writing in words for the proper time, to surprofessional context prise them with what we share.”

• Two-level English for Nursing program As the protagonist tries to • Medical English for Doctors Criminal Law | Immigration/Refugee w find leads for his biography of Criminal Law | Immigration/Refugee Law Law • Financial English ( Accounting, Salvador, he also realizes he’s Personal Injury/Civil Litigation | Family a w Personal Injury/Civil Litigation | Family Law Law Banking, Economics & Trade) an outsider in Manila, a place • TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB, GMAT he once called home. Syjuco’s preparation brilliant descriptions of his past 30 minutes Free Consultation 30 minutes Free Consultation • Accent reduction juxtaposed with recollections of another life in New York convey 5 Park Home Ave., 6th Floor, the confusion of being back in Tel: 416.398.4833 Fax: 416.398.9871 1 Toronto, ON, Canada M2N 6L4 Tel: 416.398.4833 | Fax: |416.398.9871 the Philippines. He may have Tel: 416 223-7855 Toll Free: 1.800.774.2685 Toll Free: 1.800.774.2685 Fax: (416)224-1641 grown up there, but his cultural 1280 Finch Ave, W | Suite 615 | Toronto, authenticity is always questioned K6 1280 Finch Ave, W | Suite 615 | Toronto, Ontario,Ontario, M3J 3K6 M3J 3K6 OMNICOM School of Languages by peers who believe that living Email: toronto@omnicomstudy.com simeonoyelade@gmail.com E-mail E-mail simeonoyelade@gmail.com abroad creates an automatic diwww.omnicomstudy.com vide that can’t be overlooked.

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April 2013

Canadian Immigrant

31

SETTLEMENT

Living in …

Alberta

With its strong economy, beautiful landscapes and good standard of living, Alberta has much to offer new immigrants

By Emily Rose

W

hen Leena first saw Alberta, it was from the window of a plane 30,000 feet above sea level. “Straight away I was drawn to the beauty of it all — the majestic snow-capped peaks of the Rockie mountains, the aquamarine lakes and miles of green forests all around,” she says.

Since emigrating with her husband from India a decade ago, Leena has established a career in education, started a family and integrated within the community of Red Deer, a city in central Alberta.

“Alberta is an excellent place to live,” she says. When asked if there are many opportunities for immigrants, she nods her head vigorously.

“So many. Canada is the land of opportunity, and Red Deer is my home.

I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.”

Leena is one of the half-million immigrants who call Alberta home.

A good standard of living, strong economy and provincial policies that encourage immigration make Alberta an ideal place to settle and start a new life in Canada.

Geography, landscape and climate

Alberta is the fourth largest province of Canada, covering an area of 661,000 square kilometres. Located in Western Canada, it is bordered by Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, British Columbia and the U.S state of Montana. With a population of 3,645,257 in 2011, the province has the fourth highest population in Canada. Its capital is Edmonton, and largest city is Calgary.

The climate of Alberta is diverse, with four distinct seasons. Environment Canada ranks Alberta number one as having the most comfortable weather overall in Canada. Alberta also has the highest number of sunny days in Canada, with more than 2,300 hours of sunshine per year.

Summers are mild, with daytime highs around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. Daylight hours can reach 18 hours per day in summer. Winter temperatures range from -15 to -25 in the evening and five to -13 during the day, although temperatures can occasionally lower to -30 to -40 degrees.

“It took me a while to adjust to winters in Calgary,” says Fernando, an immigrant from El Salvador. “I was used to the humidity and warmth of my home country. I miss it sometimes, but I also enjoy ice skating and skiing.”

Like the climate, the landscape of Alberta is diverse. Glaciers, mountains, prairies, forests, waterfalls and rivers cover the area, and the province is home to more than 530 parks and protected areas, 600 lakes and 245 rivers.

Education and training

Like the rest of Canada, Alberta offers a world-class education system at a post-secondary and vocational level. There are six universities in Alberta, including the University of Alberta

32 canadianimmigrant.ca

April 2013

and the University of Calgary, as well as numerous polytechnical institutions and public and private colleges.

“We based our decision to move here partly on the schooling system,” says Winnie, who emigrated from Taiwan with her husband and two young children. “We wanted our children to have the best opportunity in life, and Calgary appeared very family-friendly.”

Education is free of charge for children attending school from Grade 1 to 12, and by law children must attend from the ages six to 16. School boards determine school fees, which may be charged for supplies, transportation and materials.

Culture and leisure

Alberta is home to one of Canada’s largest ethnic populations, which is reflected by the large number of multicultural festivals, such as Calgary’s Caribbean Festival and Greek Festival. The first Monday of August is also dedicated as Heritage Day, which celebrates multicultural heritage. Other festivals include folk and music festivals, and Edmonton’s Fringe festival, which features live performances in theatre venues.

Each July, the Calgary Stampede draws more than 1.2 million visitors for a taste of cowboy culture. As well as one of the world’s largest rodeos, the Stampede features concerts, agricultural competitions, a parade and stage shows.

Outdoor activities include camping and hiking, and scenic attractions such as the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park offer views of mountains, glaciers, forests and local wildlife. Winter activities include cross-country skiing, ice fishing, hockey and snowboarding.

Alberta is also home to many sporting teams, including hockey teams the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers, and the football team the Calgary Stampeders.

Economy and employment

Alberta has one of the strongest economies in Canada thanks to its rich mineral resource deposits and production of fossil energy. Unlike other provinces, there is no PST (provincial sales tax) in Alberta. There is also no capital tax, no payroll tax or health care premiums. Personal and corporate income tax is low, and the province has the lowest fuel prices in Canada.

Jobs in demand in Alberta include engineers, financial auditors, accountants, construction managers, millwrights and industrial mechanics, contractors and supervisors in skilled trades, industrial electricians and petroleum, gas and chemical process operators.

Fernando, who works on a drilling rig near Fort McMurray, believes jobs are plentiful in Alberta. “I never had trouble finding work,” he says.

“Alberta is a great place with many opportunities.” facebook/canimmigrant

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SETTLEMENT

L

ike every city, Toronto has its share of high-rise, low income neighbourhoods: Thorncliffe Park in the north, Scarborough Village in the east, North Kipling in the west, and St. James Town, one of Canada’s most densely populated areas, located downtown. With the majority of residents identified as recently arrived newcomers, these neighbourhoods are increasingly becoming labelled “immigrant ghettos” resulting in a bad reputation throughout the city, fewer commercial and economic investments, and forcing newcomer residents to think: “I hate my neighbourhood!”

But is there an important, positive role immigrant neighbourhoods have on the settlement experience for individuals new to Canada? Is it time to acknowledge these communities as important stepping stones to immigrant establishment, integration, and social and economic success?

The quintessential immigrant neighbourhood

A walk around St. James Town’s looming 19 high-rise apartment buildings and it comes as no surprise that St. James Town is the city’s most recognized immigrant neighbourhood. As Canada’s most populated community and one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods anywhere in North America, there are officially 17,000 people who live in St. James Town, with residents stating that figure is closer to 25,000. The majority of residents are recently arrived immigrants [64 per cent of the population is made up of immigrants, many of whom arrived in the last five years] and after English, the top 10 languages spoken in 2006 were Tagalog, Chinese, Tamil, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Serbian, Amharic, Urdu and Bengali.

Most see St. James Town and other immigrant communities like it as just another economically deprived neighbourhood. “St. James Town suffers from overcrowding, lack of green and public spaces, poor building and neighbourhood maintenance and a general lack of resources for serving the large and diverse population,” according to

Arrival cities: good or bad?

It depends on how you look at them

By Denise Hansen

findings presented by the Wellesley Institute’s St. James Town Initiative set forth.

St. James Town is also considerably poor. The incidence of lowincome is above that of the City of Toronto, and in the case of families, the incidence of low-income is more than double the rate of Torontonian families. Unemployment is higher than in the rest of the city and although the educational background of St. James Town residents is no different from Toronto residents (if anything, St. James Town residents are slightly higher educated than the rest of Toronto), more St. James Town residents find themselves in low-skilled sales and service occupations.

St. James Town’s emergence as a settlement area for newcomers has also resulted in a high degree of transience (around one-third of the population moves out within three years). As a result, the area sees modest commercial and economic investments and outsiders assert the community is little more than a “ghost town.”

Arrival city

But there is a wave of residents, activists, scholars and thinkers who are offering an alternative view to low-income, high-immigrant neighbourhoods such

as St. James Town.

“Depending on how you view it, [immigrant neighbourhoods] are either a successful antechamber [waiting room] to urban life or a place of dangerous isolation and poverty,” explains Doug Saunders in his book Arrival Cities.

In other words, the alternative view is that low-income, highimmigrant neighbourhoods are a social and economic refuge for new immigrants adjusting to life in Canada. Such neighbourhoods are full of ethnic diversity, neighbours who speak the same language and settlement and integration services only minutes away. Especially in inner-city immigrant neighbourhoods like St. James Town, communities are well served by public transit routes, primary schools, cheaper grocery stores, and places to launch businesses that have low rental and start-up costs. “[Immigrant neighbourhoods] benefit from [their] tight clustering of poor, foreign residents: this helps [them] function as an instrument of integration, a platform for urban inclusion … [It’s] a springboard or gateway community where people settle for a couple of years while they get a job, and then they move on. [Immigrant neighbourhoods] appear unchangingly poor and segregated only if you fail to observe

the trajectory of each resident. And for half a century, those trajectories have generally been upward,” writes Saunders.

There is indeed something to be said about the important, positive role immigrant neighbourhoods have on the settlement experience for individuals new to Canada. Instead of dark, dangerous pockets of isolation and poverty, these neighbourhoods have the potential to facilitate important social connections among residents, who understand the immigrant experience, share a socioeconomic position and can relay useful information to one another.

Low-income immigrant neighbourhoods such as St. James Town can be seen as places that afford immigrants an “arrival city” where they may save up for purchasing homes, learn English with others who speak their language, grow accustomed to Canadian life, and, ultimately, find comfort in the fact that the neighbours and community members who surround them also understand the struggle that exists in embarking on a better life someplace so different.

Like with most anything in life, the immigration experience and “arrival cities” can be terrible or uplifting, depending on how you look at it.

April 2013

Canadian Immigrant

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Driving me nuts

Learning to drive in Canada was an altogether surprising experience for new columnist Lynn Sassoon

I

never thought I would need to drive; public transport was my haven. I enjoyed zoning out on the bus, peering out at the world from the window, reading during traffic jams, the feeling of community while waiting with the rest of the commuters, and even the friendly charging to enter the bus.

But when I moved from my mid-town condo to my own home, I was forced to face what I had avoided for too long — driving!

Even back home in India, I was not interested in driving. When most of my friends were rejoicing at getting the keys of their cars, I was wondering if having a driving licence would be a useful identification card (growing up in a country where few pieces of id were valid for getting passports, visa, entering clubs or other things I liked to do). While most parents were hiding their car keys from

their kids, mine would leave them in plain sight on the kitchen counter in a heart-shaped bowl. While most of my friends were raving about the freedom of driving, I would worry about my tires getting stolen if I left the car in the parking lot for too long.

That said, pleasure or pain, it was time to face it. I soon realized what I thought was a luxury or a convenience was actually a necessity for me to juggle work and family and life in general in Canada.

I remember attending the classroom sessions on driving; I was the oldest in the class, but most unaware of the rules, with most 16-year-olds already familiar with the roads. My question, “So what is a blind spot?” was met with a few laughs and smiles from the students, but I think the instructor loved having me in the class since I seemed to ask all the right questions.

In class, a superstar, but in the car, my struggles began.

Sitting in the car, my driving instructor gave me lots of useful tips. In Canada, you really stop for a stop sign, unlike back home where the word stop is generously splashed behind any car or truck or sign board, as a way of reminding drivers more to be cautious than to actually come to a full stop.

I have to admit that my driving teacher became like my family member and was on our list to invite for tea and snacks when we

moved into our new home.

Slowly, like a pattern, the rules of the road started to fall into place. As I sweated in my seat, I tried to correct my parking time and time again, uneasily positioned my car in the middle of the intersection waiting to turn left, and often wondered who reached the four-way stop light first. These rules seemed to work well enough; now, where am I going to go now that I have my licence?

Lynn Sassoon immigrated to Canada from India with a background in human resource management. She faced many barriers to employment and settlement as a newcomer to Canada, and shares these humorous stories in this column.

Driving in Canada

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1. A lane dedicated to commuters with more than one person in the vehicle.

5. If you go over the speed limit, you may be pulled over for this.

10. When a passenger is trying to tell you how to drive.

12. A place where you stop for pedestrians.

14. What lane should you stay in except for passing?

15. The driving portion of your driving examination.

16. Tires or tyres?

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A more official word for “car.”

Document you need in order to drive.

Feelings of anger while stuck in traffic.

What level of government has jurisdiction over driving.

7. A “condiment” situation on the road.

8. You need this financial safety net in order to drive in Canada. 16 9. Yes, this item really means “stop.”

11. The unit driving speed is measured in Canada.

13. Another word for highway.

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April 2013

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