December 2015 - Canadian Immigrant

DECEMBER 2015 I FREE

ARRIVE. SUCCEED. INSPIRE.

Publications mail agreement number 40011993

Continue Your Education in Canada

The sweet story of German-born chocolatier

Thomas Haas Immigrants

in the new Parliament

WE HOPE TO DO GOOD THINGS HERE AND TO REPAY CANADA FOR WHAT IT HAS DONE FOR US — Eyad Sallat, a Syrian refugee in Canada

UPFRONT

CONTENTS REGULARS 4 | OUR TAKE/YOUR TAKE 6 | FUSION

›› PROFILE: Pizza master Kiran Dhaliwal ›› NEWS: Surrey LIP brings community together

18 | DRIVING

›› Winter driving: be ready!

26 | SETTLEMENT

›› DEAR FAIZAL: Seeking a fresh start after infidelity

29 | IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT GUIDE

SUCCESS STORY 10 | The sweet life

30 | BACK PAGE

›› HUMOUR BY HEMETERIO

Photos by Brad Hill

Renowned chocolatier Thomas Haas crafts his desserts not just with delicious ingredients, but also with heart, soul and his love for Canada

FEATURE 15 | A diverse house There is a long list of immigrants representing their fellow Canadians in the new Parliament

19 | ›› CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION: A special focus ›› CAREER COACH: Be a thought leader

Cover photo by Sandra Minarik

COVER STORY 13 | Hope in a new land One Syrian refugee’s story reveals what it’s like to flee one’s homeland for a safe future in Canada

Respond to Canada’s need for immigrants.

Become a Regulated Immigration Consultant Full-time | Part-time | Online Contact a program adviser at 604.899.0803 or email admissions@ashtoncollege.com.

604.899.0803 | 1.866.759.6006 www.ashtoncollege.com Ashton College

we build careers

December 2015

Canadian Immigrant

3

UPFRONT

our take VOLUME 12, ISSUE 12 DECEMBER 2015 Group Publishers Gautam Datt Sharma Sanjay Agnihotri Editor Margaret Jetelina mjetelina@metroland.com Senior Editor Baisakhi Roy broy@metroland.com Creative Director & Editorial Design Safi Nomani snomani@metroland.com Digital Media Developer Kamil Mytnik Advertising Sales Sr. Ad Manager (B.C. and Alberta) Alla Gordeeva alla@canadianimmigrant.ca Tel: 778 558 3397 Sr. Ad Manager (Toronto) Ricky (Kawaljit) Bajaj rbajaj@metroland.com Tel: 905 273 8170 National Sales Manager Varun Munjal vmunjal@metroland.com Tel: 905 273 8169

Tears of joy

You don’t always need language to communicate, as Oxford Dictionaries’ Word of the Year 2015 suggests; instead of a word, they chose an emoji known as the Face with Tears of Joy. This emoji was chosen as the “word” that best reflects the ethos, mood and preoccupations of 2015 worldwide.

If a picture is really worth a thousand words, our Vancouver photographer Sandra Minarik certainly captured a lot of emotion — joy, relief, gratitude, love — in this month’s cover photograph. The story of Eyat Sallat (see page 13) is the story of many refugees — from Syria or elsewhere — who have found a new hope in Canada.

There has been a great deal of media attention on the Syrian refugee crisis in the last few months because of Trudeau’s promise to bring in 25,000 Syrian refugees before the end of this year. Ques-

tions of humanity, responsibility and security abound, especially in light of recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Beirut. Our goal with this story was to show that human side of the refugee debate.

Newcomers to Canada — whether they are refugees or economic immigrants —have so much to offer this country. Just look at the long list of immigrants who are now serving in the federal House of Commons (see page 15) or the sweet prestige of someone like famed German-born chocolatier Thomas Haas brings to this country (see page 10).

That is what Canada is all about.

Immigration matters could be tricky

Reach an Expert

Margaret Jetelina Editor, Canadian Immigrant

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some of our kababayans approached me, telling me I’ve been elected to the board of directors of one of that it’s about time that we launched the “BayaniSales Events & Marketing Coordinator han clean-up drive,” meaning that they would like the biggest condo complex here in Toronto.

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Yes. ljackman@metroland.com surroundings. And they even suggested that come Why? Because to help manage this multi-millionGeneral Inquiries: summer time, the homeowners should get together condo complex is both an awesome and serious info@canadianimmigrant.ca undertaking and more so if the homeowners are in for a barbecue party aimed at fostering the spirit of Circulation/Distribution Inquiries: high expectation of us delivering the goods, sooner neighbourliness in the complex. ljackman@metroland.com I think the key to our success is the unbreakable or later.

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Publications mail agreement number: In short, this is some kind of unity in diversity; protection of their condominiums’ value — these 40065097 FederalofSkilled Worker and their background ould were some of the things we had promised them these people regardless Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: cultures would surely come together and be united Arranged Employment during the elections.

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serve as a model for other condo-townhouses’ homeowners. If they want to boot out their board of directors for some reasons or another, the only thing they need is to stay united and make sure all their moves are legal, meaning they have to consult a lawyer to give them direction.

Actually, there were a number of issues/concerns that banded the people together.

But I would rather not go into details, suffice to say that the election’s results showed that the homeowners were one in their desire not only to bring about major changes in the complex, but also to create a neighbourly community which they can all be proud of.

These days, hundreds of condo owners are in high spirits in our housing complex over the victory of the six new members of the board whom they believe will bring about meaningful changes in the community, thereby protecting the value of their homes.

Together with me in the board are two of our kababayans — Hermie and Romeo — and we are now part of the “little government,” helping manage the 180-plus condominium complex.

I’d like to thank all our co-house owners for giving us their overwhelming support. This early, I’m certain that I will only serve for one term to give way to others who would like to share their expertise and talents in serving our community/housing complex.

And it’s also important that homeowners should not allow the same group of people running the affairs of the condo to prevent them from runnin for the simple reason that nobody has the monopoly of skills and abilities to protect the homeowners’ interests.

Homeowners should try and be given a chance to run as directors — and by being members of the board, they would get some idea on how their homes are being managed.

And they don’t need the intelligence of a rocket scientist to serve on the board, all they need is a spirit of volunteerism, a common sense and a big heart — and all of these things will serve them well in making good decisions that affect their homes and community.

Another forthcoming board’s election — to replace directors whose

terms are expiring — is on the horizon.

Volunteers are needed, indeed!

Willie Jose, Toronto

How to open bank account?

New immigrants are forced to work for free in Canada. This slavery is called volunteering. Open bank account? How? if we work for free?

Do we get any benefits while working for free? Is bread and milk free for our families? Shame on Canada and your portal for not speaking against this.

Ante Banic

WANT TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS? EMAIL MJETELINA@METROLAND.COM.

Thank you to our fair sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers and supporters!

Our fourth and final Career, Education and Settlement Fair for immigrants of 2015 was held in Vancouver in November, with amazing results, building on the success of events in Toronto in June, Halifax in September and Calgary in October.

Attendance was high at the fairs, which featured many exhibitors, employers, speakers, clinics and more.

A special thank you to presenting sponsor Scotiabank and associate sponsor IELTS Canada – British Council, for their support of all four fairs. We couldn’t have done it without your support and that of our gold sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and supporters.

We’re looking forward to the New Year with new events!

December 2015

Canadian Immigrant

5

fusion news. people. events.

PROFILE

KIRAN DHALIWAL Dough of inspiration

By Peeyush Agnihotri

P

izza Master Fusion is a pizza shop in Calgary that, besides serving the cheesy topped-up baked dough, also serves up dollops of inspiration. The reason?

It’s owned and managed by a very able quadriplegic woman of immigrant background — Kiran Dhaliwal — who has not let physical impediment come in the way of achieving her goals.

Dhaliwal, an IT professional, is one hugely motivated and ever-smiling person, who is excelling as an

entrepreneur as well giving back philanthropically to the community.

Tell us in yourself?

brief

about

I am a 39-year-old information technology professional from an immigrant background. My parents are from Ludhiana, India. Eldest of the three siblings, I have been married for 12 years. My husband is a neurology doctor, who just completed his residency in Canada and had his initial

Kiran Dhaliwal mixes Italian and Indian cuisine at her Calgary pizza shop.

medical education from a reputed college in Pune, India.

He is a paraplegic. I worked with various oil and gas companies as a software professional, before devoting myself full time to PizzaMaster Fusion, a pizza shop that now boasts some celebrity customers, including the present Mayor of Calgary!

How is Pizza Master Fusion different from the rest? Why the word ‘fusion’ in it?

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6

canadianimmigrant.ca

December 2015

Some of the toppings are so very us in the sense that all our sauces are natural and freshly made. No canned stuff. Then we never caramelize the dough. The Indian taste has been fused with the Italian recipes and hence the word “fusion.” In fact, in 2013 we received Calgary’s third-best pizza shop award. (According to Calgary Sun’s reputed food columnist: “Their Punjabi wings are a must.”) The logo has Italian tricolours superimposed on the turban of a mustachioed man, a tribute to both — the Italian and the Indian culture.

How do you manage this enterprise with your “restrictive” abilities?

Automation is the key. I call my husband the vice-president

of expansion [she laughs]. He helped me digitize the screen, helped me develop a differently abled-friendly POS system.

The whole shop is wired to be managed from our home or from any other place of our convenience. Video-feed, Bluetooth-enabled phone orders, ordering system to work off the PC. You name it!

You give back philanthropically … what cause is dear to you?

Empowering kids is a cause very dear to me. I support teenaged children fundraising events with materials and donations, and help in community engagement activities by enabling and helping them build social capital.

Any future plans of business expansion?

We are coming up with another pizza shop in the northwest Calgary community of Sage Hills and the concept is fast casual. Called Velocita Pizza, it would offer six varied mouthwatering tastes and would be delivered across the counter in three-and-a-half minutes. It will hopefully get going by next summer.

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FUSION

Surrey LIP brings people together gage both Canadianborn residents and newcomers together, creating a true sense of belonging and inclusiveness, and enhancing understanding of different cultures,” says Lily Yang, a volunteer with the event’s organizer, the Surrey Immigrant Advisory Rountable (IAR), which is part of Surrey Local Immigration Partnership (LIP), a consortium of government, public The Surrey Local Immigration Partnership’s Immigrant Advisory and private instituRountable organized an event to connect immigrants in the B.C. city. tions, business, nonThis fall, the City of Surrey saw an innova- profit and community agencies working tive, multicultural event that brought people together to strengthen Surrey’s integration of all cultures — immigrant and Canadian- of newcomers. born — together. Called the Welcome to “We put lots of time and effort to make this Surrey Centre Block Party and held at City block party successful. It showcased a good Hall Plaza, it was attended by more than 200 example for newcomers that they are part of people and featured entertainment, food and the society, they are welcomed. To me, the a bustling community spirit. party raised awareness of our differences, as “The purpose of the block party was to en- well as the inclusiveness of our community,

celebrating both,” adds Yang.

Olga Shcherbyna, Surrey LIP co-ordinator, says, “One of my favourite quotes is by American anthropologist Margaret Mead: ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.’ And over the last year I have been fortunate to work with [the IAR] such a group of hard-working individuals, striving to make a difference.”

Shcherbyna explains that, through consultations, the Surrey LIP identified that Surrey residents would like to have more meaningful opportunities for Canadian-born and immigrant residents to interact with each other and connect through different cultures.

“Hence, then the LIP’s IAR group applied and received public grants to organize an event that would provide such an opportunity,” she says. “By organizing the Welcome to Surrey Centre Block Party, Lily and other members of the Surrey IAR have reminded us why Canada is a great country and the role that immigrants have played in making Canada a compassionate and truly caring nation.”

There are more than 50 LIPs across Canada working to strengthen collaboration between community partners aimed at improving immigrant integration outcomes.

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SUCCESS STORY

Renowned chocolatier Thomas Haas crafts his desserts not just with delicious ingredients, but also with heart, soul and his love for Canada

By Nic Enright-Morin

S

ome people spend a lifetime wondering what their calling is, but for Thomas Haas the famed pastry chef and chocolatier, it seems as though he was simply destined to make people happy by sharing his culinary skills.

A fourth-generation pâtissier, Haas got his start working in his great-grandfather’s restaurant in the Black Forest region of Germany.

He continued to learn his trade under some of Europe’s finest chefs and worked hard to earn his konditomeister, or master pastry chef title.

When Haas was just 25 years old and working in a hotel in St. Moritz, Switzerland, he was approached by the Four Seasons Hotel group to work for them in North America. Haas says that he jumped at the chance to be their executive pastry chef in Vancouver, even though he admits, “I had to look it up on the map to see where it was.”

Haas continued to work diligently on refining his craft in Canada, and after placing in the top three in the influential North American Pastry Chef of the Year contest, Haas moved to New York with his wife, Lisa (who he met while working at the Four Seasons in Vancouver).

Despite landing one of the most prestigious jobs in his industry — working at the famous Daniel restaurant on Manhattan’s Upper East Side — being named one of the top 10 chocolatiers in North Chocolatier Thomas Haas shares some recipes in a local cookbook called The North Shore America in 2010 and Foodie released in time for Christmas. making television

10 canadianimmigrant.ca

December 2015

Photos by Brad Hill appearances on shows like Martha Stewart Living, Haas and Lisa had left their hearts in Canada.

“There is no better place than Vancouver. It’s a place with instant gratification; you just need to look outside to appreciate it,” says Haas.

“No matter how many hours I work, I can always find one hour to escape and be right there in that beauty.”

Haas says that while New York is wonderful, being in Canada is a much better fit in terms of a work/life balance. “As much as I loved every minute of New York, I just couldn’t see myself being a good father and husband where my main drive was about work, and New York is a lot about that.”

So Haas and his growing family relocated back to Vancouver in 2001, and he set about starting his own business where he could share his passion for good food, while also creating a happy family life.

This fall makes it 10 years since Haas opened his first chocolate and pâtisserie café in picturesque North Vancouver; another location of Thomas Haas Chocolates & Pâtisserie followed in in the trendy Kitsilano area of Vancouver. Five days a week you can go to either one of the stores and be dazzled by the stunning array of baked goods, chocolates and fragrant smells from brewing coffee. Topped off by happy staff busily serving a slew of customers, you would be forgiven for thinking you had walked into a Christmas card.

Everything is made with the finest ingredients like aged maple syrup from Quebec, B.C. wine or vanilla beans from Tahiti. Everything is also handmade in a traditional artisan way, including all 30,000 chocolates that are individually hand-painted each week. With treats like that, it is easy to see how the Haas brand has gone from strength to strength, not only with his retail customers, but also corporate clients.

But you have to go back to the beginning of this story to see just how much of a labour of love this enterprise has all been.

Initially when Haas returned to Canada, he worked by day as a consultant to a number of Vancouver hotels and restaurants. Then at night he would come home, make chocolates until midnight, flop into bed for a few hours, before starting another 18-hour day.

“I started with nothing, it sounds so cliché, but it’s true. I started in my basement with stainless steel tables, white tiles and walls, a door you could lock so no one could interrupt you — it was like the little crazy room of a chef!”

But starting from the ground up has been the key to Haas' and his wife Lisa’s (who is also his partner) success. “We’ve always been placing one little stone on top of another one, without major expectations and it has served us really well,” he says.

Even though Thomas Haas has grown his company into a successful business with 42 employees, his dream is not to build an enormous facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

Photos by Brad Hill

SUCCESS STORY empire. “If something grows too big, then something is going to give.

I feel the only way to run this business is if I’m involved in serving customers as much as I’m in the kitchen, or doing bills in the office.

Then for sure every night it takes me 10 seconds to fall asleep.”

He adds “We have such a good culture at work that sometimes people look at me and say, ‘Aren’t you the boss, do you really need to be there every day?’ and I’m like, ‘Probably not, but I choose to.’ In my eyes, I have a balance. I don’t take two days off, we take Sunday off and Mondays are an errand day, so it doesn’t even feel like work, and work doesn’t feel like work to me on most days anyway.”

In his downtime, Haas is a keen cyclist and on his Sundays off, he and his two teenaged children spend the night cooking a family meal together. Not only is it precious family time, but Haas says that teaching his kids to cook and to fend for themselves is an important life skill.

For other immigrants new to Canada who dream of starting their own business, Haas says that just like making chocolates, you need to have all the right ingredients, “My advice would be to dedicate and commit yourself to what you do. Don’t worry about talent. Hard work will get you to your goal if talent doesn’t work. If you are committed and dedicated, anything is possible.”

He says that he is happy doing whatever needs to be done, whether it’s cleaning countertops or creating $8,000 custom-order wedding cakes.

“An optimistic attitude is key to turning your passion into a job that you love; embrace it in a positive way,” he says. “For example, I loved my night shift; my attitude was never that it was a burden. You also have to stay humble. Setbacks wouldn’t get me down. I would just say OK, let’s try this again, but a little bit better.”

And embrace your new country, too, he adds. “That’s my biggest thing, I’ve always remembered that Canada opened the door to me and let me in, and so I want to contribute to that.”

His customers are certainly thankful for his sweet contributions.

And, even though he is surrounded by tempting desserts all the time, Haas himself hasn’t gotten tired of sampling a couple of treats per day.

Don’t ask him what’s his favourite, however; it’s like asking him to

I started with nothing … in my basement with stainless steel tables, white tiles and walls, a door you could lock so no one could interrupt you — it was like the little crazy room of a chef!” choose a favourite child, he jokes.

“But I can’t go past the showcase without grabbing a Jamaican rum truffle because I like the crunch,” says Haas, who shares a few of his delicious recipes in a local cookbook called The North Shore Foodie released just in time for Christmas. “People sometimes say our chocolates are too nice to eat, but actually we try not to be that way. We want it to be beautiful to the eye, but it has to taste great, that comes first. It has to have heart and soul.”

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REFUGEES

Hope in a new land

One Syrian refugee’s story reveals what it’s like to flee one’s homeland for a safe future in Canada

By Janet Nicol Photos by Sandra Minarik

E

Cover photo by Sandra Minarik

yad Sallat’s life took a dramatic turn in 2011. It was a turn that would eventually lead him from his homeland of Syria to Richmond, B.C., where he now lives with his wife, three sons and daughter, ages three to 13.

After the dictators of Tunisia and Egypt had fallen, Sallat’s country of Syria joined the democratic uprising known as the Arab Spring. It was a hopeful time, with a call for freedom and dignity among Muslims and Christians alike. Sallat became involved in a rebel campaign, volunteering as a media activist in the small northern city of Idlib where he lived with his wife and children.

President Bashar al-Assad, whom Sallat now refers to as a “butcher,” was determined to crush the rebels at any cost, he says. The peaceful uprising soon became a military conflict, with Islamist groups (ISIS and JaN) joining the fighting and several countries taking sides. (As it stands now, Iran, Russia and the Islamic group Hezbollah support the government forces, and the United States, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are on the side of the rebels.)

Sallat was harassed by government soldiers in the early months of the civil war.

Realizing his family was at risk, he sold his small

transportation business and travelled alone to Lebanon to find work, planning to bring his family later. While he was away, his family’s home was hit with a barrel bomb, a barrel-shaped metal container containing ex-

travelled to join him in Beirut, after a three-month separation.

“I knew I had a chance to work in Lebanon, unlike Turkey or Europe,” Sallat says. He drove a cab in the streets of Beirut and applied to the United Nations for

been killed to date and 11 million uprooted from their homes — four million of these displaced people leaving their country. But it was the heartbreaking photograph of a drowned boy lying on the shore of a Greek island this

I was attracted to Canada. It felt like my second country.” plosives, along with shrapnel, oil or chemicals.

“The bomb didn’t explode,” he explains with the assistance of translator Adel Tawakul, a family outreach worker at immigrant settlement agency SUCCESS, “but the chemicals from the bomb spilled out.” A fire was ignited and his family barely escaped their home.

Sallat’s wife suffered severe burns to her feet. She was treated in a hospital in Aleppo, 59 kilometres away. His family then

resettlement in Canada through its operation centre. Most Syrian refugees coming to Canada come through the Beirut centre.

Coming to Canada

“I was attracted to Canada,” Sallat says. “It felt like my second country.” Finally in mid-2014, his application was approved, and his family travelled to Montreal.

They didn’t stay in Quebec long though, deciding Canada’s milder West Coast weather would be a better environment because of his wife’s injuries. The family spent six weeks at Vancouver’s Welcome House and then moved to Richmond, where they now live.

His two eldest sons are enrolled in public school and Sallat is taking adult education classes.

“I hope to get better in the English language,” he says, smiling slightly.

Sallat still believes in Syria’s future, despite the fact that 50 per cent of the country’s population has been displaced. “Syria is not a failed state — yet,” he says, “but the rulers of the world and their policies have failed.”

Crisis in Syria

More than 250,000 Syrians have

summer that was shared through social media that seemed to waken the world to Syria’s crisis.

Of the 2,157 Syrians who have drowned trying to reach Europe, two-thirds were women and children.

“The free world has failed the Syrian people,” Sallat says. “The whole world has watched the massacres happen. The world is silent. Where is the conscience of the world?”

Peace talks continue, the latest in Vienna this October, involving the United States, Russia, Iran and more than a dozen other nations. The White Helmets, a volunteer medical group in Syria, are demanding a no-fly zone to stop the barrel bombing of civilians — bombs that have reportedly killed 6,500 civilians.

Two United Nations resolutions have called for the Syrian government to stop barrel bombing and to stop the use of the chemical weapon, chlorine gas. Both resolutions have been ignored.

Was the uprising for freedom worth it?

“Nothing in the world is worth what has happened,” Sallat answers with intensity. “No, the Arab Spring is not worth killing children, women and men.”

December 2015

Canadian Immigrant

13

REFUGEES

Welcoming refugees

When the refugee crisis in Syria became critical, Canada’s doors were not wide open in the way they had been for other similar refugee crises like the Vietnamese boat people in the 1970s, which welcomed 60,000 refugees in 18 months.

Canada receives three categories of refugees: refugee claimants, government assisted refugees (GARs) and privately sponsored refugees (PSRs). GARs receive settlement services and income support for one year through the national humanitarian Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP). PSRs are provided settlement and financial

support by their private sponsor.

Once a top destination for refugees, federal changes in laws in 2012 led to a significant drop in refugee claimants. In 2014, refugees accounted for nine per cent of overall immigration to Canada in comparison to 1980 when refugees accounted for 28 per cent.

The new Liberal government, however, has pledged to take in 25,000 government-sponsored Syrian refugees before the end of the year.

There are 36 refugee reception centres across Canada that provide the initial transitional

Eyat Sallat and his four-and-a-half-year-old son, Diaa.

Photo by Sandra Minarik

housing and first language resettlement services to all government assisted refugees. Immigrant services groups across the country are planning for an increased demand for housing, medical services, interpreter services in Arabic and Kurdish, and school enrolment.

Many Syrian refugees may require traumafocused support as well.

Chris Friesen, chair of the Canadian Immigrant Settlement Sector Alliance, raised concerns about the settlement sector’s ability to handle this number of refugees in such a short amount

14 canadianimmigrant.ca

December 2015

of time, but said in a recent statement, “Preparations have begun in refugee reception centres across Canada in response to the Government of Canada’s Syrian refugee resettlement plan. We are now on standby, putting in place significantly enhanced reception services to welcome an expedited increase of Syrian refugees.”

Hope for the future

As for Sallat, he continues to follow news reports about the Syrian civil war and refugee crisis, watching Al-Jazeera television and other Middle-Eastern media for news. He still has extended family members in Syria, who have endured the civil war now for four-and-a-half years. Sallat communicates with these relatives through the internet and social media. “They didn’t have a chance or ability to leave,” he says of his relatives still in the war zone.

For his immediate family, Sallat sees a positive future in Vancouver. “Canada is a beautiful country,” he says. “The people are very nice. We hope to do good things here and to repay Canada for what it has done for us.”

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GOVERNMENT

A diverse house

There is a long list of immigrants representing their fellow Canadians in the new Parliament

Become a Healthcare Professional within a Year!

With files from Diana Manole

W

hen Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled his diverse, genderequal cabinet on Nov. 4, he made international headlines for his “cabinet that looks like Canada.”

It is the first cabinet in Canadian history with the same number of women as men. The cabinet, and House of Commons as a whole, also feature increased ethnic representation, including many immigrants, who have made Canada their home and are now striving to give back to their communities through public service.

IMMIGRANTS IN LIBERAL CABINET

THE

Minister Maryam Monsef.

Maryam Monsef, minister responsible for democratic institutions (Peterborough— Kawartha) Fleeing the terror and oppression of the Taliban 20 years ago with her family, Maryam Monsef is the first-ever Muslim and Afghanborn minister in the federal Parliament. Monsef graduated from Trent University with a bachelor of science and has worked with a number of organizations including Trent University, Fleming College, Peterborough Economic Development, the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough and the New Canadian Centre.

Harjit Sajjan, minister of defence (Vancouver South) Born in India, Harjit Sajjan im-

Minister Harjit Sajjan.

Most Programs Have Practicum

migrated to Canada when he was five. He joined the Canadian army in 1989 and was the first Sikh to command a Canadian army regiment. He also served with the Vancouver police gang crime unit.



Amarjeet Sohi, minister of infrastructure and communities (Edmonton Mill Woods) Bus driver Amarjeet Sohi became a member of the Edmonton City Council in 2007 before seeking federal election in 2015. Born in India, Sohi returned there to study in 1988 and was wrongfully imprisoned as a terrorist in



  

   

Medical Laboratory Technician Esthetics ECG/Phlebotomy Technician Community Service Worker Personal Support Worker Physiotherapist Assistant Occupational Therapist Assistant Medical Office Assistant Early Childcare Assistant

Financial Assistance May Be Available to Those Who Qualify Are You Eligible for Second Career Funding? Call to Find Out Medical Laboratory Technician/OSMT Approved Medical Professionals May Qualify for Credits for Prior Learning

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Minister Amarjeet Sohi.

December 2015

Canadian Immigrant

15

GOVERNMENT his home country, spending 21 months in prison.

IMMIGRANT MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT Since 1979

New Year.

New Career!

Get started with National Academy and be on your way towards a great career!

HeaLTH Care • DeNTaL BUSINeSS • POLICe

British Columbia

Sukh Dhaliwal (Newton– North Delta) Liberal Party Born in India; founder of land surveying company Hedy Fry (Vancouver Centre) Liberal Party Born in Trinidad and Tobago; family doctor; MP since 1993 Randall Garrison (Esquimalt– Saanich–Sooke) NDP Born in Nebraska, U.S.A.; a criminal justice and political science college instructor Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East) NDP Born in Hong Kong; Vancouver city council member and provincial MLA before this election

Born in Poland; involved in politics from an early age, including working for the Immigration department Deepak Obhrai (Calgary Forest Lawn) Conservative Party Born in Tanzania; one of the longest serving members of parliament of South Asian and/or African ancestry

Ontario

Omar Alghabra (Mississauga Centre) Liberal Party Born in Saudi Arabia, of Syrian descent; a mechanical engineer by trade Gary Anandasangaree (Scarborough–Rouge Park) Liberal Party Born in Sri Lanka; human rights lawyer and Tamil community activist

Elizabeth May (Saanich–Gulf Islands) Green Party Born in Connecticut, U.S.A.; leader of the Green Party Joyce Murray (Vancouver Quadra) Liberal Party Born in South Africa; co-founded Brinkman and Associates Reforestation Ltd.; an MP since 2008 Jati Sidhu (Mission-MatsquiFraser Canyon) Liberal Party Born in India; president of Greenvale Enterprises Inc., and CEO and president of the Sidhu Group Alice Wong (Richmond Centre) Conservative Party Born in Hong Kong; first Chinese-Canadian woman to serve in cabinet in 2011 as the minister of state for seniors

Happy Holidays!

Alberta

Ziad Aboultaif (Edmonton Manning) Conservative Party Born in Lebanon; entrepreneur, businessman and advocate for organ and tissue donation Darshan Kang (Calgary Skyview) Liberal Party Born in India; journeyman welder, then realtor and a provincial MLA before this election Tom Kmiec (Calgary Shepard) Conservative Party

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December 2015

Gary Anandasangaree.

Chandra Arya (Nepean) Liberal Party Born in India; business executive and community activist Tony Clement (Parry Sound– Muskoka) Conservative Party Born in England; held provincial cabinet positions in Ontario, before turning to federal politics Ali Ehsassi (Willowdale) Liberal Party Born in Switzerland, of Iranian heritage; a lawyer by trade Peter Fonseca (Mississauga East–Cooksville) Liberal Party Born in Portugal; an Olympian who represented his country as Canada’s top marathon runner Ahmed Hussen (York South– Weston) Liberal Party Born in Somalia; lawyer and national president of the Canadian

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Somali Congress; first SomaliCanadian in House of Commons Majid Jowhari (Richmond Hill) Liberal Party Born in Iran; CEO of boutique consulting firm, Iridium Management Consulting Group Iqra Khalid (Mississauga–Erin Mills) Liberal Party Born in England, of Pakistani origin; worked as a legal professional with the City of Mississauga Kamal Khera (Brampton West) Liberal Party Born in India; registered nurse, community volunteer and political activist Michael Levitt (York Centre) Liberal Party Born in Scotland; partner and vice-president of business development for the Benjamin Group Yasmin Ratansi (Don Valley East) Liberal Party Born in Tanzania; principal and founder of Ethical Edge Raj Saini (Kitchener Centre) Liberal Party Born in India; owner of Greenbrook Pharmacy Ramesh Sangha (Brampton Centre) Liberal Party Born in India; a practising lawyer who arrived in Canada as a sponsored parent Bob Saroya (Markham–Unionville) Conservative Party Born in India; Pizza Pizza store owner

Liberal Party Born in China; leader, organizer and volunteer for newcomer community organizations Arif Virani (Parkdale–High Park) Liberal Party Born in Uganda; constitutional litigator advocating for human rights and access to justice Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre) Liberal Party Born in Pakistan; an engaged member of the Scarborough community

Quebec

Ramez Ayoub (Thérèse–De Blainville) Liberal Party Born in Syria; past city councillor and mayor of Lorraine Emmanuel Dubourg (Bourassa) Liberal Party Born in Haiti; accountant with 20-year career in the federal public service Faycal El-Khoury (Laval–Les Îles) Liberal Party Born in Lebanon; founded construction company Alexandra Mendès (Brossard– Saint-Lambert) Liberal Party Born in Portugal; past president of the Liberal Party of Canada (Quebec) Eva Nassif (Vimy) Liberal Party Born in Lebanon; an internationally trained nurse who became a translator after immigrating

Sonia Sidhu (Brampton South) Liberal Party Born in India; registered cardiology technologist, diabetes educator and clinical research co-ordinator Sven Spengemann (Mississauga–Lakeshore) Liberal Party Born in Germany; professional experience spans the private sector, academia, government and international affairs Marwan Tabbara (Kitchener South–Hespeler) Liberal Party Born in Lebanon; worked in operations at Frito Lay Geng Tan (Don Valley North)

Eva Nassif.

Pablo Rodriguez (HonoréMercier) Liberal Party Born in Argentina; communication and management consultant December 2015

Canadian Immigrant

17

DRIVING Sponsored by:

Be winter ready!

Preparing yourself and your vehicle for the road ahead

By Ronald D’Souza

I

t’s that time again.

Snow, ice and freezing temperatures are here — and are here to stay for the next few months.

Taking a few simple measures can help ensure that you and your family are safe this season.

Tips for driving smart and safe

Slow down: I know this seems obvious, but people usually don’t slow down enough when driving in snow. Don’t let other people pressure you into going faster than you’re comfortable with. Stay in the right lane and let faster vehicles pass you!

Leave more space ahead: Following distance between cars needs to be increased dramatically in bad conditions. Leave a minimum of nine seconds or two car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you. The presence of slippery conditions can be tough to determine until it is too late.

Braking in an emergency: Let your vehicle’s ABS (antilock braking system) do its job.

ABS will allow you to steer your vehicle even while applying the brakes fully. Applying full brake pressure without ABS brakes can make you slide out of control. For cars without ABS brakes (usually older vehicles), it is recommended to pump your brakes instead of pressing firmly onto them. If you have the choice, pick a car equipped with ABS and traction control — both available with any new Buick vehicles — as these technologies make winter driving much safer.

Avoiding skidding: The best way to keep your vehicle from sliding and losing control is to slow down well before you try to

18 canadianimmigrant.ca

make a turn. After slowing down to make the turn, you can always speed up during the turn to help maintain traction. If you happen to enter a turn too quickly, avoid hitting the brakes suddenly, as it can send your vehicle into a ditch or hit a guard rail. Entering the turn too fast results in many winter driving accidents.

Don’t panic: When driving in snow, stay calm and don’t panic — overcorrecting a steer can lead to skidding into another direction.

Don’t jerk the steering wheel or slam on the brakes. Smooth, soft and slow moves will keep your vehicle safe in bad conditions.

See and be seen: Even during the daytime, use your headlights if it’s snowing; it will help you to see and be seen by other drivers.

During a heavy snowfall, high beams may make visibility worse.

If you have fog lights, use them in conjunction with your low beams.

Have a truck, SUV, 4x4 or all-wheel drive? Great! That will help you maintain control or help you from getting stuck. However, if you lose traction, you’ll

December 2015

still end up in the ditch, leaving you stranded. Remember, having high clearance and all-wheel drive doesn’t make you invincible, so don’t get over-confident!

Preparing your car

Fluids: Having your car’s fluids checked is particularly vital when facing harsher weather. Ensure that your car has clean engine oil, which will minimize wear and help with smooth starting.

Although not required, synthetic oil maintains its liquid form, even at sub-zero temperatures. This ensures quicker, easier starts, and puts less stress on critical components including the starter and engine. As an added bonus, your car will warm up faster, too!

Next, check your brake fluid to see if it is clean and full. Low brake fluid can reduce brake pressure when you apply the pedal and make them feel mushy.

Additionally, make sure to top up your windshield washer fluid to one that is rated at least -40 degrees Celsius. Finally, check your engine coolant. It is essential that

your radiator and engine coolant be in top shape during the winter, as they help provide you with interior heat on cold days.

Tires and brakes: Having a good set of tires and properly functioning brakes are the most important lifeline you and your loved ones have in harsh weather. Having four winter tires with good tread helps improve traction and reduce stopping distances when driving on icy, snowcovered roads. In fact, if it is below seven degrees Celsius, all-season tires begin to harden and lose adhesion with the road.

Having winter tires has become mandatory in some provinces, including Quebec, as they are proven to reduce the risk of accidents and can potentially save lives.

By the same token, having properly functioning brakes is equally important. Make sure your brake-pads and rotors are in good conditions. Also, don’t forget to check the emergency brake. If your brakes constantly squeal each time they are applied, it may be time for new brakes, as worn-out brake-pads make squealing noises as a reminder to be replaced.

Everything else: Make sure your lights, wipers, battery and ignition system are in top shape.

Did you know a weak battery is the top reason for being stranded during the winter? For your safety, consider roadside assistance service and always carry an emergency kit, which can include band-aids, thermal blankets, matches, road flares, booster cables, snacks and a snow brush.

Be safe this season and enjoy the winter, everyone!

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Continue Your Education A special focus on furthering your studies

N

o one would deny that getting an education is a good thing. The benefits are plenty for immigrants to Canada, including these 10:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

earning a Canadian diploma/certificate/degree expanding your knowledge learning the Canadian context to your field of expertise making new connections improving your English skills accessing internships or co-op programs for work experience finding your path to a new career improving your technical through hands-on learning improving your soft skills such as communication, teamwork and presentation skills 10. becoming more employable overall.

The question then is what’s an immigrant’s most effective education strategy?

The last thing any internationally trained professional wants to do is to start their education in their field of expertise over from zero. It’s more a question of how to add to their existing knowledge to give them an edge in Canada.

Fortunately, many post-secondary institutions in Canada understand the situation internationally trained professionals face and are creating approaches and designing programs to help newcomers adapt their

skills and knowledge to the Canadian context.

In this first instalment of our new “Continue Your Education” series, Canadian Immigrant offers the fundamentals on handpicked schools and programs that are working hard to help you take your expertise to the next level in Canada, or adapt your professional skills to a new field. (More school and program profiles from across the country will be published in print and online at canadianimmigrant.ca in the coming months as we work to develop a comprehensive catalogue of targeted educational options for newcomers.)

UNIVERSITIES Universities offer bachelor’s, master’s and PhDs in many fields such as arts, education, medicine, etc.

They also have continuing education departments where working professionals can return for shortterm programs to add to their skillset. Many are also adding specific immigrant bridging programs to provide internationally trained professionals with advanced standing in a degree program in recognition of their previous experience.

WHO: Internationally trained business, HR or IT professionals WHAT: York University — Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Professionals WHERE: Toronto, Ontario

ENGINEERING SOFTWARE SKILLS ENHANCEMENT Our specialized bridging programs provide internationally educated professionals like you with the technical skills that are in demand by employers.

APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED FOR JANUARY 2016

.NET BRIDGING PROGRAM MOBILE SYSTEMS INTEGRATION Funded by:

December 2015

Canadian Immigrant

19

If you have a business background and already hold a university degree from an accredited international institution, you may be interested in York University’s one-and-a-half year certificate program that allows internationally educated professionals to earn a professional certificate in business, human resources or IT. This program, in the faculty of liberal arts and professional studies, provides you with the skills necessary to pursue a career in business in Canada. Some courses are held in the evenings to allow for flexible schedules.

WHO:

Internationally trained accounting, finance or other professionals WHAT: University of Lethbridge — CPA Bridging Program WHERE: Calgary and Lethbridge, Alberta Are you interested in becoming licensed as a chartered professional accountant (CPA) in Canada? This program can help, even if you don’t have a specific accounting background. As long as you have a four-year degree in any discipline, this program provides the courses needed for entrance into the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP), the certification program for the CPA designation. If you’ve already completed some of the accounting prerequisite courses, you’ll complete the CPA Bridging Program more quickly. Courses are offered in the evenings and weekends in Calgary and during the day in Lethbridge.

COLLEGES Colleges are public post-secondary institutions that offer bachelor’s degrees and university transfer programs, as well as occupation-oriented certificates and diplomas. Continuing education programs at colleges are designed to meet the unique needs of working professionals. Specific immigrant bridging programs may also be available in certain fields.

WHO: Internationally trained nurses looking to relicense WHAT: Centennial College — Practical Nursing Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses WHERE: Toronto, Ontario If you are an internationally trained nurse looking to get back to work in Toronto, the Practical Nursing Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses is a one-year fast-track program designed to assist internationally educated nurses like you to transfer your skills and nursing knowledge to a Canadian setting.

The program’s curriculum was developed in accordance with the College of Nurses of Ontario’s Professional Standards and Entry-toPractice Competencies and is ideal for internationally educated nurses

who want to work as a registered practical nurse (RPN) in Canada.

Graduates from this program are eligible to apply for registration as an RPN in Ontario through the College of Nurses or may apply to Ryerson University’s post-degree completion program to earn a bachelor of science in nursing to become a registered nurse (RN).

WHO:

Internationally trained professionals looking for work, with focus in health care WHAT: Douglas College — Skills Connect for Immigrants WHERE: Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley and Abbotsford, B.C.

Are you an Internationally Trained Professional looking for a career in HR? BRIDGE TO HR will help you fast track your HR Career!

Contact us at 1-888-940-8004 for details and for the next start date in Fees may apply. your area

Craig R. Bridge to HR Client

Info Session held every Tuesday.

jobskills.org/bridgetohr bridgetohr@jobskills.org

4961 Highway 7 Markham L3R 1N1

Hosted by:

Are you considering A highly pAid id H uron C ollege cAreer in the skilled trAdes? of Management, Techology & Healthcare

Check Check out the Electrician Pre-Apprenticeship program at Huron College of Management, Technology and Healthcare.

We We can help you get started on the path to building a high paying, highly demanded and highly respected career that is helping build Canada.

CONtACt Us fOR mORE iNfORmAtiON tOdAy! 20 canadianimmigrant.ca

December 2015

2023 Williams Parkway East, Unit 4, Brampton, Ontario, Canada L6S 5N1

289.569.0078 Fax: 905.494.0141 Phone:

www.HURONCOLLEGE.CA www. facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

If you are in Canada with a certification from an international institution or if you have five years of work experience in a profession or high skill occupation outside Canada, but are having trouble finding work in your field in Canada, the Skills Connect for Immigrants program can help you.

In this program, newcomers like you are introduced to professional Canadian job search techniques and receive individual assistance as well as funding for courses, exams or memberships related to career goals. Career consultants provide guidance in creating customized resumés and cover letters, and workshops provide role-play exercises to prepare jobseekers for interviews. In order to apply, you must be unemployed (non-EI) or employed in a job outside your field, be proficient in English and be a permanent resident living in the Lower Mainland of B.C. A health care specific version of the program at Douglas College focuses on the following occupations: • licensed practical nurse • medical laboratory technologist • medical radiation technologist • midwife • occupational therapist • pharmacist • physician • physiotherapist • registered nurse • registered psychiatric nurse • speech language pathologist and audiologist • ultrasonographer.

WHO:

Internationally educated IT, programmer or engineering and architecture professionals WHAT: Humber College — Immigrant Bridging Programs WHERE: Toronto, Ontario

If you’re an internationally educated engineer, IT professional or computer programmer looking to upgrade your skills and gain employment in Canada, these short (15- to 20-week) bridging programs offered

by Humber College may be for you.

Humber College offers a 15-week Engineering Software Skills Enhancement program that provides internationally educated mechanical, electrical or civil engineers and architects with the latest in technical and software skills that are in demand by Ontario employers. Computer programmers can benefit from Humber College’s .NET Developer, a 20-week bridging program that provides advanced concepts, skills and knowledge required by Ontario employers. IT professionals can take the 15-week Mobile Systems Integration program to update their skills.

WHO: Internationally trained nurses looking to relicense WHAT: Langara College — Post Degree Certificate in Nursing Leadership and Management WHERE: Vancouver, B.C. If you’re an internationally trained nurse and want to find nursing work in Vancouver, Langara College’s Post Degree Certificate in Nursing Leadership and Management may be the right choice for you. This one-year program is designed to enhance the leadership and management skills of internationally trained nurses to help you prepare to apply for your nursing license in Canada.

Langara College also offers a Post Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice for internationally educated nurses who need to brush up on their education and skills. This program addresses differences and gaps in knowledge and skills to help you successfully integrate into the Canadian health care system. This program is recognized as an RN re-entry program by the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia. Students learn in the classroom, online, in the nursing simulation centre and in clinical practice settings.

CONTINUING EDUCATION At Humber, we teach the professional and practical skills you need to move up and make a difference in your community and in your career. Further your education one course at a time.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS • Border and Immigration Services (In Class or Online) • Municipal Bylaw (In Class) • Criminal Intelligence Analysis (Online) • Private Investigation (Online)

communityservices.humber.ca/ce

December 2015

Canadian Immigrant

21

WHO:

Internationally trained professionals in teaching, construction and nursing WHAT: George Brown College — Immigrant Bridging Programs WHERE: Toronto, Ontario If you’re an aspiring college teacher or have a background in construction or nursing, George Brown’s catalogue of bridging programs can help you make your career in Canada. Bridging programs are designed to help internationally educated professional make the most of their international education and experience and overcome the barriers to access to the Canadian job market.

College Teachers Training for Internationally Educated Professionals is a postgraduate program offered in-class or online that prepares internationally educated teachers to work in the Canadian college environment. Its Construction Management graduate certificate program prepares students for management positions in construction.

The Academic Pathway for Nurses graduate certificate provides internationally educated nurses with the theory and clinical skills required to practise as a nurse in Canada, after being assessed by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Each nurse has an individual pathway as indicated by the letter of direction from the College of Nurses.

PRIVATE COLLEGES Private colleges are privately run institutions that offer short-term certificate and diploma programs that are occupation specific, many targeted to newcomers.

WHO:

Internationally trained pharmacists and health care professionals WHAT: Academy of Applied Pharmaceuticals Sciences (AAPS) WHERE: North York, Ontario

Bridge Delivery for

AAPS is a life sciences and pharmaceutical training college in Canada, providing programs in high-demand fields including pharma, biopharma, health care, food and cosmetics. State-of-theart laboratories, modern classroom facilities and partnerships with employers and regulatory bodies make AAPS among the top rated colleges in North America, especially suitable for internationally trained professionals.

Diploma programs include: food technology, safety and quality; pharmaceutical quality assurance and quality control; clinical research, drug safety and pharmacovigilance; and professional regulatory affairs. Started by an Iranian-born professional, Laleh Bighash, who faced barriers herself, the school was developed with the aim of working with newcomers and recent graduates to transition them to the Canadian workplace.

WHO:

Internationally trained business, legal or other professionals seeking a new field WHAT: Ashton College — Immigration Consulting Program WHERE: Vancouver, B.C. Are you looking to use your skills to a new field in Canada? Do you want to help other newcomers navigate Canada’s immigration system? A career as an immigration consultant may be for you. Ashton College’s Immigration Consultant Diploma program is a full-time 16-week program that includes 320 hours of instructional time. You’ll learn about immigration law and policy and acquire the analytical skills to apply these principles within practical settings. Open to university or college graduates, or to those with a combination of education and related work experience, the program will prepare you to take the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) Full Skills Exam.

info@ccnm.edu www.ccnm.edu

International Medical Graduates Continuing your medical career in Canada

The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Educat ing nat uropat hic doctors for almos t 40 years 22 canadianimmigrant.ca

December 2015

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Learning that makes a difference

Jessica

Visual Arts and Design

John

Legal Studies

Faye

Dental Health

Sarah

Business Studies

Damien

Film and Performing Arts

Eliss

Esthetics

Meet Jessica, John, Faye, Sarah, Damien and Eliss – just a few of the people who have achieved success with the help of our Continuing Education courses. The skills, connections and confidence they gained made it possible for them to achieve their goals. Read their stories on our website, and see the difference you can make in your own life with George Brown College.

Choose from evening, weekend and some daytime Courses in Arts and Design Business and Legal Studies Communication and Languages

Emergency Management Health Sciences and Community Services Hospitality and Culinary Arts

Liberal Arts and Sciences Makeup and Esthetics Technology and Trades

Enjoy flexibility and convenience through our in-class, online and other distance learning options.

coned.georgebrown.ca

Register now for winter courses!

| C AREER COACH |

Goodbye job candidate …

Hello industry thought leader

T

8 expert ways to attract recruiters as an expert in your field

hought leader. You might have heard these words, but are not quite sure what they mean. A trending industry buzz word, a thought leader is someone who is recognized as an expert in his or her field, for innovative ideas and industry expertise.

Thought leadership is a proven way to establish your credibility and stand out from the crowd.

When you demonstrate that you have a firm understanding of upcoming trends in your industry, hiring managers will be more inclined to approach you for the next job opportunity.

So how do you become one in your field? Here are eight tested ways to raise your visibility and

carve out your place as a thought leader.

Create a robust social media presence

Today, with the rise and rise of social media, you can establish your influence with a strong profile on multiple platforms.

There are many ways to do this, with some of the most popular social media tools being LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+ and even Instagram.

Blog often

Create your own blog on free sites like Wordpress. com and share relevant articles related to industry topics. Even with a short post of around 250

Are you new to Canada?

Are you looking to build a successful career?

ACCES Employment can help!

Our sector-specific programs help new Canadians to find a job in their field and to build their career in Canada.

Working with over 1000 employers in the Greater Toronto Area, we can connect you to companies hiring in your sector. ACCES Employment offers specialized services for professionals from the following industries: • Engineering

• Supply Chain

• Human Resources

• Finance

• Sales and Marketing

• Information Technology

Funded by:

Visit www.accesemployment.ca or call us at 416-921-1800.

24 canadianimmigrant.ca

December 2015

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words, you can showcase your knowledge and curate valuable content that attracts traffic to your online profile, especially from recruiters and decision makers. Not to mention, it also significantly raises your Google’s search engine rankings.

Be a guest blogger

Uncover guest-blogging opportunities.

The overstretched marketing teams at many firms will be thrilled if you offer to write a short post to familiarize customers with a service they offer or address the concerns of their clients.

What’s more, if the blog article can have your online brand or signature on it, hiring managers will be able to gauge your potential easily.

Tweet often

If you feel blogging isn't exactly your cup of tea, why not consider sharing your thoughts in 140 characters or less on Twitter? What's more, you should also connect with other industry leaders on Twitter, and retweet, respond and interact with them

when possible. Always be sure to respond to Tweets and also share others’ tweets. Tip: online news channels widely prefer Twitter to identify story leads, so you could follow the leading magazines in your field and easily find hot topics to tweet about.

Publish SlideShare presentations

Use the same blog article and turn it into an attractive presentation. By sharing information on this popular social networking site by LinkedIn (slideshare. net), you yet again increase your chances of raising your profile and getting noticed.

Spotlight, action!

camera,

Are you ready for your 15 minutes of fame? Then create a short YouTube video to show your professional expertise on a favourite topic. Remember to dress sharp, and think of it as a job interview as your video could be your first impression on prospective future bosses. Now go ahead and share it on other social media platforms.

Use your LinkedIn account actively

Plan of action

Connect with thought leaders

• Be consistent and be yourself.

You don’t have to be a prolific or highly awarded writer. The focus is on your thought leadership, not anything else.

There is more to LinkedIn than just searching for jobs. Once you have perfected your profile, click on the Home menu and click on the “Share an Update” box. Post articles or even short one-line messages pertaining to your industry. Remember to click on the Twitter button at the bottom of your post to add it to your Twitter profile.

other

Join as many LinkedIn groups that pertain to your industry that you can find. Comment on blogs or post relevant articles and updates on these group boards often. Apart from updates on individual LinkedIn pages or apps on member smartphones, a daily or weekly digest of activity gets emailed to the members in their email inboxes, too.

What does all this effort mean for you? Thought leadership is a great way to establish yourself as an expert in your field. It can give you an edge whether you’re looking to advance in your job or looking to break into the Canadian market. But it does take time and effort, so keep the following in mind: • Develop a plan and work to the plan.

• Anyone can share a link or a blog. So it’s important that you have your opinion and valueadd on it.

• Find what works for you and stick with it. And have lots of fun.

Murali Murthy is an acclaimed public speaker, mentor and best-selling author of the ACE Books — The ACE Principle, The ACE Awakening and The ACE Abundance. He is also chairperson of CAMP Networking Canada.

Learn more at poweroface.com.

WHERE TALENTED, DIVERSE PEOPLE LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY. Join us to be part of a smart, innovative team looking to build a great city today and tomorrow.

December 2015

Canadian Immigrant

25

SETTLEMENT | D E A R FA I Z A L |

Seeking a fresh start after infidelity Dear Faizal: My wife and I are both European and in our 40s. I immigrated to Canada a few years ago, and my wife and kids joined me last year. When I first arrived to Canada, I was extremely lonely, and joined various online meetup groups. I made a friend of a lady, and one evening our friendship crossed the boundaries. We stopped seeing each other after this particular night. I know this was a mistake; my wife and I have always been in a monogamous marriage. But a few months ago, my wife found some old emails between this lady and me, and my wife realized my infidelity. As a result, she does not trust me anymore. I would like to close this chapter of my life and begin the New Year having a close relationship with my wife, but don’t know where to even begin. — Seeking a fresh start Dear Seeking: I appreciate your desire to work on your marriage and rebuild trust with your wife. I’d like you to understand, however, that closing this chapter of your life and being able to move on from this mistake will require long and tedious, but valuable, work on your part.

In my opinion, as a therapist, trust is the glue that binds partners together; with it, you can build a solid foundation from which emotional safety can result; without it, the marriage, and other inter-related relationships, falls apart, causing anger, sadness and resentment in the couple.

To begin to repair the marriage and re-establish trust, the violating partner must ask for — and receive — forgiveness for his or her transgressions.

Here are six steps to help you on the path to forgiveness: 1. Asking for forgiveness should be done in a single sitting, one in which both partners ensure that they will not be disturbed. Find a time when you and your wife have some free time and are in a safe place.

Let your wife know that you have something important to share with her. Request that she not interrupt you until you are completely finished

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December 2015

expressing yourself. Assure her that you will hear her out, if she would like to respond to what you will share.

2. Apologize to your wife. Tell her exactly what you are sorry for. She needs to appreciate that you feel remorse for your infidelity and are taking responsibility for your actions.

3. Tell her your motivation, without any excuses, for being sexual with another woman. From what I can see, you were lonely and did not plan to cross the boundaries. Assure your wife that you are not excusing your actions; you are simply giving facts to help her understand the reasons — acceptable or not — for your behaviour.

4. You need to show empathy for what your wife felt when she found out about your affair. You must feel her pain and express them to her so that she realizes that you understand what she’s going through.

5. You must prove to your wife, through your actions, that you have changed. As a start, perhaps you could, in her presence, void your membership/profile on the meetup groups you belong to and delete any email correspondences you have had with this lady (or any other women from these sites).

6. Lastly, and most importantly, you must ask your wife for her forgiveness. For example, “I value my life with you, and though I know that I’ve hurt you by being unfaithful, I promise that I will not betray you again. Can you somehow find it in yourself to please forgive me?” Let your wife know that she does not have to give you an answer immediately, and that she can approach you when she has had time to process your apology.

If your wife accepts your apology and forgives you, feel blessed that you have been given a second chance. Make use of this opportunity to nurture this new trust and help it develop into a truly intimate relationship. Take comfort in knowing that most couples who rebuild trust — after much personal insight and open, honest and non-judgmental communication — have a nurturing relationship for many years to come.

Faizal Sahukhan, PhD, is a couples counsellor and the author of Dating the Ethnic Man: Strategies for Success.

Visit him at multiculturalromance.com or call him at 604-899-0102. facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

CANADIA N I MMI G RA N T MA G 7 . 2 5 X 9 . 7 5

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CORPORATE PROFILE

I

mproving your IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score may be the easiest way for newcomers to gain entry into Canada. The IELTS test is the world’s most popular English language test and is used by the Canadian government in part to determine who will be granted entry into Canada for work and study.

In order to assist newcomers with improving their IELTS scores, IELTS Canada – British Council developed the Road to IELTS, a free 30-hour program that focuses on improving test takers’ abilities in the four key areas of the test: • listening • reading • writing • speaking.

Assia Hamdane, head of marketing at IELTS Canada – British Council, says the Road to IELTS program can increase a test taker’s score by an entire point.

The effectiveness of the British Council’s Road to IELTS preparatory course is rooted in its history of providing high-quality education. “The Road to IELTS was designed by Clarity [a com-

INCREASE YOUR IELTS TEST SCORES With the Road to IELTS

By Lisa Evans pany based in Hong Kong] in col- als on its website (ielts.ca). Once laboration with British Council, you register for the test, you rea company that has been in the ceive an extra 30 hours of online English language business for 85 preparatory materials containing years,” says Hamdane. Road to more 300 interactive exercises.

IELTS materials were designed Students who want extra trainby British Council English lan- ing can take preparatory courses guage experts who have a wealth at British Council centres. of experience and a history of success in education. Because It helps you understand the it’s developed by the very same IELTS test format people who developed the test, The Road to IELTS will help test the Road to IELTS material mim- takers understand the test format ics the test very closely. “They’re and know what to expect. You’ll like cousins,” says Hamdane. get an opportunity to answer So, how can the Road to IELTS questions in all four categories help you? of the test and know the types of questions that you’ll be asked in It offers 40 hours of each part.

preparation

Even before registering for the IELTS test, you can start to prepare. IELTS Canada – British Council offers a free 10-hour session of IELTS preparatory materi-

It’s an evaluation tool

The Road to IELTS will tell you where your strengths and weaknesses are in your use of the English language. IELTS is an English

proficiency test. It evaluates how you use the English language — your punctuation, choice of words and grammar. The Road to IELTS draws your attention to things you need to pay attention to on the test in order to avoid losing points. “If you write a sentence but you forget a comma, the meaning of the sentence can be completely different just because it has or does not have a comma,” explains Hamdane. The Road to IELTS was designed to point out these flaws and help test takers learn to correct these small errors before making them on the test.

It’s fun, too!

Preparing for the IELTS test can be fun, too. The British Council developed the 1,001 Ways app to help test takers learn English accents from all over the world, improving their listening skills.

Watch a video of a person speaking and guess where they’re from.

Then record a five-second video of you saying “There are 1,001 ways to speak English” and your video will be added to the game so others can guess where you’re from.

For more information on the Road to IELTS, visit ielts.ca.

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28 canadianimmigrant.ca

December 2015

facebook/canimmigrant

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Immigrant

Settlement

Guide 2015

To list your agency in the “Immigrant Settlement Guide,” please contact: ONTARIO LISTINGS Ricky Bajaj: 905-273-8170 or John Zhang: 416-803-3931

WESTERN CANADA LISTINGS

Alla Gordeeva: 778-558-3397 or alla@canadianimmigrant.ca

Are you a newcomer to Canada? You no doubt have many questions. Immigrating can be a challenging process, with many unknowns, but the good news is that there are many resources available to help you. Seeking help at an immigrant settlement agency is going to be your most important first step in Canada. And many services are free, from English as a second language programs to settlement counselling to career help, including mentorship and retraining opportunities. The services are all aimed to help you overcome the challenges you’re facing and succeed in Canada.

Here are just some of the agencies ready to serve you in the Greater Toronto Area:

Agency

General Services and Specialty Programs

Languages

Brampton Multicultural Centre (BMC)

Not for profit, registered charity providing multilingual, culturally sensitive free programs & services to help clients enhance their community engagement while integrating into Canadian society. Programs: Initial settlement support, resumés & employment readiness workshops, advocacy with solution-focused counselling, interpretation & translation, services for youth and youth at risk, volunteer opportunities, seniors program and mental health support services in multiple languages. Reference to instructor-led LINC classes with child-minding & transportation subsidies, violence against women program and community engagement programs.

Email: services@bmccentre.org www.bmccentre.org

• • • • •

English Punjabi Gujarati French Spanish

• • • • •

Hindi Tamil Urdu Arabic Farsi

Settlement Services, Family Counselling, Senior Services and Volunteer Opportunities. Specialty Programs: English Language Training & Citizenship Classes, Job Search Workshops, Adult Day & Seniors Wellness program, Services for Women, Children and Youth, Supportive Mental Health Services Email: info@indiarainbow.org www.indiarainbow.org

• • • •

English Punjabi Gujarati French

• • • •

Hindi Tamil Urdu Arabic

Find out how to: get the skills you need to find work quickly! — Job Search Workshops Program! perfect your resumé, practise interview skills and more — Job Find Club for Internationally Trained Individuals job search effectively — with Employment Ontario Employment Services. Access Bridge to HR — a bridging program for internationally educated HR professionals Email: info@jobskills.org www.jobskills.org

• English

Settlement Services, LINC Classes (level 1-6) with child minding, Counseling, Job search, Citizenship & Immigration, Groups for Youth, Seniors & Women and Volunteering. Specialty Programs: Bridge Training Program for International Mental Health Professionals, Community Engagement Program, Community Mental health Program and Anger management.

Additional locations at Scarborough and Toronto.

Email: northyork@mnlct.org www.mnlct.org

• • • • •

English Spanish Mandarin Bengali Turkish

New to Canada? Looking for a job in your field? Need career and training options? We can help Get free advice on how to use your skills and find a meaningful career in Canada. Contact us today to speak with one of our experts. We’re a national organization and serve all of Ontario.

Contact: Elena Rakitskaya or Jim Lamarche Email: acp@nacc.ca www.nacc.ca/acp

• • • • •

English French Russian Farsi Spanish

Settlement Services: assist immigrants to integrate and become established and contributing members of Canadian society. English Language Classes are instructor-led, and supported by a computer lab. Job-specific, advanced-level Enhanced Language Training available. Supports to assist in developing the skills needed to find work: resumé/cover letter preparation, interview readiness and information about accreditation, workplace practices, Canadian employer expectations. Other services available.

Email: info@welcomecentre.ca www.welcomecentre.ca

• English

197 County Court Blvd.

Suite 303 Brampton ON L6W 4P6 Phone: 905-790-8482 Fax: 905-874-6100

India Rainbow Community Services of Peel 3038 Hurontario Street, Suite 206 & Unit 1, Mississauga, ON L5B 3B9 Phone: 905-275-2369 Job Skills Employment & Business Programs & Supports Locations in York, Peel and North Toronto Phone: 1-866-592-6278 Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto 2737 Keele Street North York ON M3M 2E9 Phone: 647-776-2057 National Association of Career Colleges 44 Byward Market, Suite 270 Ottawa, K1N 7A2 Phone: 1-866-981-6863 Welcome Centre Immigrant Services 7 Locations in York and Durham Regions Phone: 1-877-761-1155

December 2015

Canadian Immigrant

29

BACK PAGE

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