Canadian Immigrant - March 2016

MARCH 2016 | FREE

ARRIVE. SUCCEED. INSPIRE.

SHALINA OUSMAN

Publications mail agreement number 40011993

Innovative researcher looking for answers other brilliant women from the academic world

Q & A with Minister John McCallum Multicultural Women’s Conference & Fair in Vancouver

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CONTENTS 4

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IMMIGRANT WOMEN OF INSPIRATION

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PROFILE: Financial sensei Alireza Fadaie NEWS: Lilian To Bursary winners CANSPEAK: Words, expressions and sayings Our third annual International Women’s Day special picks five brilliant women from the academic world

12 WOMEN

Join us at the Multicultural Women’s Conference and Fair in Vancouver

16 GOVERNMENT

Q & A with Minister John McCallum

18 CAREERS & EDUCATION

HIGHER LEARNING: Is it time to quit school?

Top careers in the trades JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES: From isolation to success CAREER COACH: Do a free project to get hired

20 IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT GUIDE 24 SETTLEMENT

IMMIGRATION LAW: Post-graduate work permits PARENTING: Finding your true talent Canadian Immigration Summit returns to Ottawa

above Ananya Mukerjee-Reed — one of five Immigrant Women of Inspiration featured in recognition of International Women’s Day.

27 MONEY & BUSINESS

Swimsuit entrepreneur Gabriela Moreno MY TWO CENTS: Save for a down payment

30 BACK PAGE

TOP TIPS: Advice from our Top 25 HUMOUR BY HEMETERIO Cover photo by Jose Soriano

“Canada was built by citizen immigrants, people who come here permanently with their families to become Canadians.”

- Hon. John McCallum, MP Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Become a Regulated Immigration Consultant Full-time | Part-time | Online Contact a program adviser at 604.628.5784 or Toll free 1.844.628.5784 or apply online. www.ashtoncollege.ca Ashton College

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People. News. Information.

VOLUME 13, ISSUE 3 MARCH 2016

profile

Group Publishers Gautam Datt Sharma Sanjay Agnihotri

Alireza

Editor Margaret Jetelina mjetelina@metroland.com

Fadaie

Senior Editor Baisakhi Roy broy@metroland.com Editorial Design Terry Lankstead, Anne Nawrocka Courtland Shakespeare

Financial sensei

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 Sales Events & Marketing Coordinator Laura Jackman ljackman@metroland.com General Inquiries: info@canadianimmigrant.ca Circulation/Distribution Inquiries: ljackman@metroland.com ISSN 1910-4146

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left Iranianborn Alireza Fadaie wants to help you master your finances with his new book, Personal Finance Mastery: How to get a black belt in managing your money.

By Margaret Jetelina

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ranian-born Alireza Fadaie calls himself the “Financial Sensei,” putting together the two passions in his life — money and martial arts. And the Vancouver-based financial planner, who immigrated to Canada in 2003, recently wrote a book, Personal Finance Mastery: How to get a black belt in managing your money, available at Indigo, to help others master the art of finance.

Why did you choose to come to Canada?

My family and I had a pretty good life back in Iran, but I left for better opportunities that Canada offers in many ways. I have never regretted the decision.

What was your professional background in Iran?

I have a civil engineering degree from Iran, but I was an author and translator to some top martial arts and fitness magazines in Iran. Before moving to Canada, I was also teaching martial arts.

You work as a financial planner now?

Yes, I am very glad I have found the career that I have now. I have always enjoyed teaching and helping people, and have been smart with managing my own finances, so a career that helps people with their cash flow planning, debt management, savings, investment and insurance was just perfect for me.

I am self-employed under the Investors Group umbrella, which means I can build my own practice and deal only with clients who are the right fit for my business.

How did you end up in finance?

My very first job in Canada was as a security guard. I got some shifts at some of the Royal Bank branches and one of the managers referred me to start working as a teller. At the same time I studied toward a graduate diploma in business administration at Simon Fraser University. Then I went to the Bank of Montreal and became a personal banker.

How long have you been doing martial arts?

I took my very first karate lessons when I was six years old. Like many kids of my generation, I was inspired by Bruce Lee movies. My dad was a karate practitioner so he used to take me to the classes with him.

I never knew martial arts would become a big part of my life. I have a black belt in kyokushin karate and am a certified kickboxing instructor, and I also judge and referee. I have practised other martial arts such as judo, muay Thai (Thai boxing) and Brazilian jujitsu, but karate and kickboxing are certainly my primary styles.

What was it like to participate in the World Martial Arts

Games? Did you win any medals?

I was with the Canadian National Martial Arts team at the 2005 World Martial Games and was the only member of the 11-person team who did not win a medal so you can tell my first experience was a bit disappointing.

However, that experience was invaluable. You can’t attend a tournament in that level and not learn something. In 2008, at the games in Ireland I won a silver medal in black belt Japanese forms.

I competed one more time in 2012 at England and won a silver medal this time in black belt continuous sparring, despite my sciatic pain that got very painful. I am very proud of those two medals. Canada has offered so much to me and my family, and I am very proud I have competed and won medals for Canada.

In your book, you link martial arts and financial planning.

What’s the connection?

I have used martial arts as a metaphor. I strongly believe the reason people fail in their personal finances is not the products or the economics or market condition; it is that they don’t have discipline and they don’t listen.

In my book, I have tried to explain things in simple terms and have divided the chapters of my book like colour belts of martial arts. This way people have more fun with the book. facebook.com/canimmigrant

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your take Readers have their say

I am a grandmother of three lovable, adorable grandchildren, and a widow in my late 60s. I was born and raised in the developing country, Philippines, which is known as the Pearl of the Orient Seas. In July 2011, I came to Vancouver as a tourist.

While I am waiting for the approval of my papers as an immigrant, I was given by the Immigration department a super visa.

My two daughters, who are both Canadian citizens now, are the ones providing my food, medical and everything while I am with them, though sometimes I take good care of my grandchildren and help in doing domestic chores, I felt so uncomfortable having this kind of life. I am used to having a pro-active life and to fend for myself for the last 23 years as a government school teacher in my native land. To keep myself occupied, I went to the library, joined community events as a volunteer and involved myself in church activities. Since I love to work with children, I chose South Burnaby Neighbourhood House to be my regular volunteer work. Their staff members are friendly, accommodating, as well as family-oriented people. I tried my luck by submitting a resumé to them, but then, finally, I lost track of my application and stopped doing my volunteer work with them.

When I became a permanent resident, I got the guts to apply in supermarkets, food chains and department stores. I was thinking then that I can work legally and developed my selfesteem. My perseverance to land a job paid off when I got a call from the child care program manager of South Burnaby Neighbourhood House last August 2015, asking me if I am still interested in joining their team. I said a big “YES” at that very moment and was scheduled for an interview. At this point in time, I am one of their school age child care program leaders and I look forward every day to working with the children and staff.

I always believed that if you have a strong-willed perception in life, things will most likely go your way.

E D U L C N I S N A L P OUR PE ACE OF MIND. NO NO CR ED It Ch EC kS &

SU RP RI SE Ch AR GE S

Nita Buenafe, Burnaby, B.C.

To share “Your Take,” email mjetelina@metroland.com.

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news

canspeak...

Words, expressions and sayings

Let’s welcome spring, March 21, with a few “spring” idioms.

A spring in your step — If you walk with a spring in your step, you are no doubt feeling happy and confident.

Spring into action — Feeling suddenly in-

spired? Then don’t hesitate to spring into action, that is, begin suddenly moving or doing something.

Spring fever — Feeling restless from the long cold winter? You have spring fever! The warm season can’t come soon enough.

See more words at canadianimmigrant.ca under “Work & Education > Language.”

Lilian To Bursary award winners announced

Ashton College is pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the Canadian Immigrant magazinesponsored Lilian To Bursaries for Immigrants are Amir Moradian Arjmand and Cecilia Miwa Ide Ferreira.

Arjmand, a mechanical engineer from Tehran, came to Vancouver in 2014 with his family, only to discover he would need to undergo a lengthy recertification process in order to continue to work in engineering. Instead, Arjmand decided to focus on establishing his own business and applied for the full-time tuition bursary to study international trade.

“I want to connect with others from different regions and coun-

above Amir Moradian Arjmand and Cecilia Miwa Ide Ferreira are recipients of a bursary for immigrants at Ashton College.

tries, and although I have experience running my own steel company, winning the bursary will allow me to complete my Canadian education and learn soft skills and Western business standards,” he says.

Arjmand’s co-winner Ferreira also had trouble finding employment in her field after arriving in Canada. “I worked in human resources in Sao Paulo, but when I arrived in Canada I realized that most Canadian companies require an HR degree, and my previous education is in finance,” she says. “The bursary will allow me to return to school and secure a position in the Canadian job market. I am so thankful to have been chosen for this opportunity.”

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Our third annual ‘Immigrant Women of Inspiration’ picks five brilliant ladies from the academic world

KnowledgeSEEKERS

By Lisa Evans, Margaret Jetelina and Baisakhi Roy In recognition of International Women’s Day, March 8, Canadian Immigrant presents our third annual “Immigrant Women of Inspiration” special — for 2016, we chose the theme of immigrant women in academia. More than just professors, we picked five women from across the country who are pushing boundaries in education, and in their passionate pursuit of knowledge, ideas and change.

These brilliant PhDs have different areas of study, but they all have inspirational stories and much wisdom to share: Ananya Mukerjee-Reed, Shalina Ousman, Parin Dossa, Leonie Sandercock and Purnima Tyagi.

Ananya Mukerjee-Reed Dean in pursuit of justice

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here aren’t too many immigrant women heading up university faculties in Canada, so it’s a notable achievement for Indianborn Ananya Mukerjee-Reed, who was appointed dean of Toronto-based York University’s faculty of liberal arts and professional studies last summer.

Mukerjee-Reed holds a bachelor of arts and master of arts in economics from Jadavpur University in Kolkata and a PhD in political economy and public policy from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. She joined York University’s department of political science in 1995 as an assistant professor and later served as the department’s chair from 2011 to 2014.

Academia, you could say, is in her blood. Back home in Kolkata, her mother was also an academic and her grandfather, who retired from a senior position with the Indian government, built a school in

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a rural village, instilling in Mukerjee-Reed the importance of education for everyone.

“Kolkata is very well known for its academics. It’s a very culturally, politically and intellectually active city,” says Mukerjee-Reed. Growing up surrounded by the traditions of theatre, poetry and literature, Mukerjee-Reed was constantly engaged with political issues. “We were always taught to ask questions, not take anything at face value,” she says.

Serving others was also part of Mukerjee-Reed’s education. “My parents drilled into me that we were not only here to have a career and be successful, but to do something that served others,” she says.

“I went to an all-girls’ school, what we would probably now call a feminist school, but the message that we got is that we must develop an identity of our own. They very much encouraged us to have an identity, a sense of who we are, a great self-awareness so we could always have our feet firmly on the ground. And so no one can bully you into something you don’t want to do,” she says.

That strong sense of identity helped Mukerjee-Reed overcome the many challenges of being an immigrant in a new country where one’s identity is constantly being thrown into question. “I remained who I was in Kolkata, and that’s helped me through my journey,” she says.

Her strong feminist background also later shaped her studies in facebook.com/canimmigrant

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Shalina Ousman Researcher looking for answers

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Photo by Jose Soriano her chosen field of public policy. While on a sabbatical, after receiving her PhD, she went back to India and worked with one of the largest women’s movements in Asia. “It had around four million members who are women mostly from households below the poverty line,” explains Mukerjee-Reed.

This began a whole new field of study for Mukerjee-Reed on gender issues, social change, justice and sustainability. She became focused on investigating how political and institutional changes affected ordinary people, which then led her to co-found a research network at York called the International Secretariat for Human Development, a network that allows universities to pursue knowledge with the input and experiences of grassroots communities.

Some of the study areas she has focused on include justice for garment workers internationally, and its connection to policy gaps in countries like Canada, food justice and women’s solidarity movements in India, and women and patriarchy. “My teaching and research focus primarily on the theme of human development, broadly defined. The theme that dominates my current work is justice, particularly gender justice,” she notes.

Although Mukerjee-Reed has been successful as an academic, publishing two books and dozens of academic papers, she says she defines her success through the students whose lives she’s impacted.

“When I hear students say, ‘I never thought I could do this,’ and I have some small part to play in them doing that, that is what gives me satisfaction,” she says.

Now, as York’s dean of the faculty of liberal arts and professional studies, Mukerjee-Reed looks forward to having the ability to provide students with a sense of empowerment, giving back what she gained as a young girl growing up in Kolkata. “I want students to be able to know for themselves that the four years that they’re spending here is a transformative experience and by getting an education they feel they can take on the world.” twitter.com/@canimmigrant

halina Ousman has a fascination with the unknown. As a scientist, she is constantly searching for answers. “Being the discoverer, fi nding out something for the fi rst time that we never knew, is very thrilling to me,” says Ousman, who runs a research lab associated with the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary. Her focus is on multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that affects 100,000 Canadians.

Ousman immigrated to Canada from Guyana as a teenager in pursuit of a quality university education. “My parents were very education oriented and in the Caribbean we really didn’t have too many great options for university,” she says. Ousman attended Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, for her undergraduate and master’s degrees, then McGill University in Montreal for her PhD, before landing at the University of Calgary.

Her interest in studying the disease known as MS started as a graduate student when she discovered there was a high incidence of the disease in temperate regions, but not in tropical regions. “Coming from the Caribbean, I was wondering why this would happen; why there was this difference geographically,” she says.

Asking questions like this is what Ousman loves most, and it’s why she knew she wanted to pursue a career in academia. “Intellectually I have complete freedom on the ideas that we think of and setting up these experiments, asking these questions that we don’t know the answer to,” she says. Doing innovative research that contributes new knowledge to society is the most rewarding part of Ousman’s work, and what keeps her motivated.

“You need to have a certain personality to do this,” she says. “I think you have to be very self-driven. You have to be competitive when it comes to funding. You have to work hard. And there’s a little bit of obsessiveness with it. I never stop thinking about science.”

As a woman in academia, Ousman admits she has struggled to balance her career and family. Although she hired a nanny to help care for her three-year-old daughter, scheduling can be a challenge.

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<< see her,” she says. Ousman keeps her lab hours to eight during the weekday and often works from home after putting her daughter to bed. “Basically I have no time for myself!” she says with a chuckle.

But the rewards have been numerous. Ousman is making great strides toward developing a new therapy to help MS patients. Recently, her research has focused on a protein called alphaB-crystallin. This protein is part of the body’s natural healing mechanism and exists in higher levels in MS patients, but for some reason isn’t able to fight the disease. The belief is that MS patients are generating antibodies that attack this protein, thus making it ineffective.

Ousman has experimented with injecting additional amounts of alphaB-crystallin into animals with an autoimmune disease and found the symptoms were reversed in these animals. The next step in her research is to work with humans to see if the process will have similar results.

Although Ousman is unsure whether injecting alphaB-crystallin will be used as a therapy for MS, she hopes that her work helps shed light on the disease. “I want to know that I’ve contributed in some way that benefits humankind; whether in providing knowledge that advances further research or actually discovering a therapy that can benefit MS patients,” she says.

Parin Dossa Anthropologist seeking social justice and equality

populations such as racialized minority women, older persons, persons with disabilities and others who have been socially marginalized,” she explains. “And, based on our research findings, we need to put forward alternative ways of being for progressive change.”

She has brought forward such knowledge not only in the classroom, but at more than 30 conferences, and in several published articles, videos and books, including Afghanistan Remembers: Gendered Narrations of Violence and Culinary Practices and Racialized Bodies, Disabling Worlds: Storied Lives of Immigrant Muslim Women. She has also worked with an international organization training and mentoring researchers on issues of disenfranchisement and social justice in countries including Syria, Iran, Tanzania, Afghanistan and Pakistan. All her writings and teaching are geared toward effecting progressive social change, and she encourages her students to do the same, starting within their own communities.

“I encourage my students to work toward peace, equality and social justice. And our starting point must always be our immediate realities. We need to recognize the interconnection between the local and the global … how the impact of global issues are felt locally in the context of our everyday lives” she says. “It is in this context that we can explore avenues for a just world.”

Dossa adds that her sub-discipline of feminist anthropology is committed to advocacy and activist work, which requires working collaboratively with people at the grassroots level as well as with stakeholders. “In my work, I seek to open spaces for conversations and dialogue.”

In so doing, she has given a voice to the stories of so many who would normally go unheard.

Leonie Sandercock Academic pursuing research through stories

P

arin Dossa’s immigration journey as part of the 1972 exodus of South Asians from Uganda has certainly informed her academic career in anthropology — broadly speaking the study of humanity. That refugee crisis was a time in humanity’s history that exemplifies the type of injustice that Dossa fights against as a professor of anthropology at Simon Fraser University and associate member in the department of gender, sexuality and women’s studies.

“Being a third-generation Ugandan, it was very difficult for my family to leave our homeland. Our situation was rendered more difficult because our joint family was split: my sister, grandparents and I were granted Canadian visas. My parents and younger brother were sent to a refugee camp in England. This is how we started our lives: separated and with challenges,” she says.

“The first few years were difficult as we sought to become acquainted with and adapt to a new environment,” adds Dossa, who came to Canada with a bachelor’s degree in English and history from Makerere University, Uganda, and a master’s degree in Islamic history from Edinburgh University. “I had planned to study further and I was fortunate as my husband motivated me to pursue a doctoral program at UBC,” she adds.

She chose anthropology as her area of study, with a focus on issues of social justice. “My own and my family’s experiences of displacement brought about by colonialism and ongoing imperialism has motivated me to explore issue of social justice and equality,” she says. Specifically, she has focused much of her work on Muslim women, migration, aging, health, and violence in war and peace.

“In today’s world of violence and militant global capitalism, we need to explore the life worlds and narratives of disenfranchised

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t had never occurred to Leonie Sandercock that she would one day move to Canada to teach at the University of British Columbia in the School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP).

Frankly, the Australian-born Sandercock didn’t even believe that academia was for her. “My first goal was to be a phys. ed. teacher,” she says with a laugh. “I lived for sport.”

But once she started studies at the University of Adelaide — the first person in her working class family to do so — she says, “I got excited about learning and finding out about the world. Sandercock earned a coveted first-class honours degree in history and was expected to apply to Oxford, but didn’t. “I didn’t see the use in a PhD. I wanted to do something useful.”

But her mentor convinced her to pursue a PhD anyway, but in Australia and in the emerging research field of urban planning. “He made the argument that one of the problems of cities is that decisions about their urban development were being made by engineers, architects and surveyors. Instead, it is people with a more humanist education that should go into urban planning,” she says.

Her post-doctoral goal then became to work in government to make a real difference on land policy in Australia. But while she was completing her dissertation, the labour government that was open to facebook.com/canimmigrant

such ideas was deposed, along with the potential for her dream job.

She turned to an academic position and eventually became head of graduate urban studies at Macquarie University in Sydney, but still felt there was something more for her beyond the halls of academia. “I realized that as academics, we were only speaking to each other, but there was nothing applied [about my work],” she says. “I left like I was in an academic straightjacket.”

Fast forward to today, and Sandercock is a champion of what she calls community-based action research at UBC, where her academic research is applied or developed in the real world, using creative strategies like storytelling and multimedia.

So how did she get to this point? It started when the bright lights of Hollywood beckoned.

In fact, she had fallen in love with an urban planning academic from UCLA, John Friedmann, and followed him to California, where she became an instructor herself. She also took a master’s of fine arts in screenwriting, interested in sharing her ideas through the medium of fi lm.

She had some success in Hollywood, found an agent and even sold some scripts, one of which was made into a popular TV movie, Captive. “I was convinced I was done with university!” says Sandercock. But she soon realized that the type of meaningful stories she wanted to write about weren’t high on Hollywood producers’ lists. “I realized I’m in another straightjacket here.”

As part of the pioneering migrant women, my mother, Nabat, has been the source of inspiration, wisdom and a pillar of strength throughout the course of my life.”

— Parin Dossa

When her husband retired from UCLA, they moved back to Australia so she could take an academic position there. It was also during this time when Sandercock published one of her defining books, Towards Cosmopolis: Planning for Multicultural Cities. But changing politics and funding saw her department dismantled, and she quit. “I realized I had to go back to North America.”

She was invited to do a speaking tour on her Cosmopolis book at several Canadian universities, which quickly led to a job offer from UBC. Although “Canada was not on my radar,” she was impressed by the university and what she calls its “enlightened” conversation around urban planning.

So she moved to Canada and was finally able to pursue academics in the practical way she had always wanted. She used her fi lmmaking skills to create an acclaimed fi lm on the topic of immigration settlement called Where Strangers Become Neighbours.

“That led to the next fi lm project; in a serendipitous way, a woman from Burns Lake [in northern B.C.] known as the anti-racism lady, was given a copy and she asked if I’d be interested in making a fi lm about their [Aboriginal] community,” she says.

Sandercock was astonished to learn about the history and dispossession of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. “I couldn’t believe my eyes that this was happening in 21st-century Canada. It was a life transforming experience for me.”

And it brought about a change of direction in her work. In adtwitter.com/@canimmigrant

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dition to working with First Nations’ communities on telling their stories through fi lm, she has also developed curriculum for a new specialization at SCARP on indigenous community planning, done in collaboration with Aboriginal communities. “We’re now in the fourth year of our program. I’m really proud of it.”

Her next project is a dramatic fi lm on the Haida Nation. “We are ready to go into pre-production and will be fi lming this summer.”

While Sandercock admits such community-based action research is not the easiest path in academia, “it is the most rewarding,” she says.

Purnima Tyagi Entrepreneurial researcher innovates

Photo by Alessandro Shinoda

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ndian-born Purnima Tyagi is a PhD who has found an innovative role that crosses academia, business and science, as part of the Applied Research and Innovation Centre (ARIC) at Centennial College in Toronto. As the centre’s innovation program manager, Tyagi is focused on helping small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the health sector innovate their products through applied research and bring these products to market. >>

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<< “More than 90 per cent of Canadian companies are SMEs and they don’t have facilities to do research in-house. We support companies, specifically those developing products and technologies in the wearable, interactive and mobile technology sector in health care.”

Tyagi inherited her love for science and research from her father, a civil engineer who dedicated his career to bring water to the arid Thar Desert in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. She keenly followed the role of scientific research in developing better, droughtresistant plants that could withstand the desert heat to feed India’s growing population.

After completing her doctoral studies in biotechnology at the University of Rajasthan, where she established a molecular research lab, Tyagi became a research associate with the reputed Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India’s largest research and development agency. For her research work in biodiversity and largescale production of endangered plant species, Tyagi earned the Young Scientist Award from the Indian Botanical Society and the nation’s Women Scientist Award.

When she immigrated to Canada in 2009, she was determined to pursue her career as a researcher, and not lose the great momentum and reputation she had achieved in India. “When you come here you are just an immigrant. Some of the main challenges faced by an

immigrant are cultural shock and initial entry in the work force, among other things,” she says.

Tyagi quickly enrolled in a post-graduate program in research commercialization and innovation at George Brown College and, upon graduation, was immediately offered a position in the college’s research department. She grabbed the opportunity.

There she developed research proposals and managed the work related to applied research commercialization, helping small businesses develop their ideas into marketable products and services.

She was also a skilled writer of grant applications, further solidifying her profi le in Canada’s innovation sector.

In 2012, Tyagi joined Centennial’s ARIC. “One of our key objectives was to serve the community’s SMEs to help them improve their productivity, open new markets and innovate products to enhance their prosperity and success,” she explains.

Tyagi says it’s an exciting time in applied research, especially for the public college system. Research has traditionally been the domain of the universities, but businesses are learning that colleges can do the same work quicker and more adroitly, she says.

“Ontario’s colleges are going the extra mile to support students and ensure they are ready for the job. The work we do here in ARIC helps students understand the role of applied research and how it promotes economic activity.”

Be empowered!

Attend the Multicultural Women’s Conference and Fair to be held in Vancouver, March 31

By Margaret Jetelina

International Women’s Day, March 8, is a day to recognize and discuss women and the issues that are important to them globally.

In Canada, women of all backgrounds and ethnicities have equality and freedom to pursue their dreams, but they still face labour market challenges, income gaps and struggles with balancing work and life. And multicultural and immigrant women have additional challenges, dealing with foreign credentials obstacles, cultural expectations and lack of female peers.

Following on the success of its Career, Education and Settlement Immigrant Fairs, Canadian Immigrant is presenting its Multicultural Women’s Conference and Fair, to be held in Vancouver, March 31, 2016, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial Dr.).

The idea behind the free event is to provide an environment where women can be empowered, access information to help them succeed, and make new connections with like-minded women.

Emcee Dunia Tozy, Iraqi-born host of Shaw TV’s Open Doors, will guide the day-long event, which will include: • a tradeshow of exhibitors from the employment, education and social service sectors • motivational speakers on career tips, life and success, including a keynote by life coach Claire Yeung called “Become the Heroine of Your Own Story” • a Q & A panel discussion on “Empowering Immigrant Women in Canada,” featuring an inspirational panel of women from different walks of life • a yoga/meditation session with Hungarian-born, 71-year-old dynamo Ava Stone • “Ask the Expert” clinics on careers, leadership, homebuying and more • + a children’s activity area if you’re bringing along your baby or preschooler.

Learn more and pre-register now at canadianimmigrant.ca/ womensfair.

Want to exhibit at the fair?

Contact Alla Gordeeva at 778-558-3397; alla@canadianimmigrant.ca.

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facebook.com/canimmigrant

Get the career you want (with the degree you have).

Demand for Chartered Professional Accountants is growing in every industry world-wide. Build on the degree you already have, no matter the discipline, and transition into the career you want with the University of Lethbridge CPA Bridging.

Did you earn your degree outside Canada? Contact us for help enrolling. We are committed to helping internationally-trained professionals pursue careers in accounting and business.

Learn more:

uLethbridge.ca/future-student/cpa Campuses in Lethbridge and Calgary

BE EMPOWERED. MAKE CONNECTIONS. SUCCEED IN CANADA. E E R FADMISSION!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Dunia Tozy, Emcee Host of Shaw TV’s Open Doors

MARCH 31, 2016 Croatian Cultural Centre 3250 Commercial Dr., Vancouver Inspirational Speakers • Tradeshow of Exhibitors Q & A Panel: “Empowering Immigrant Women in Canada” Yoga Session • Children’s Activity Area • Networking Expert Advice on Careers, Homebuying, Parenting + More

Pre-register now at www.canadianimmigrant.ca/womensfair Want to exhibit at the fair?

Contact Alla Gordeeva at 778-558-3397; alla@canadianimmigrant.ca

Keynote:

“Become the Heroine of Your Own Story”

Claire Yeung, life coach, speaker and author facebook.com/canimmigrant twitter.com/canimmigrant

A.

twitter.com/@canimmigrant

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GOVERNMENT

Moving forward Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, John McCallum talks about some of his plans for the portfolio

By Margaret Jetelina

H

e’s not an immigrant himself, but the new minister of the renamed Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is no stranger to the portfolio. Prior to the last election, Minister John McCallum, a veteran parliamentarian and experienced cabinet member, served as the Opposition critic for immigration. And since his appointment to the department’s top job, he has shown his understanding of the complex issues that Canada faces, starting, of course, with the decision to resettle thousands of Syrian refugees.

But while the welcoming of refugees has been the most pressing item on his agenda so far, Minister McCallum is reviewing current policy and making plans for the year ahead. In an interview with Canadian Immigrant magazine, he talked briefly about some of those plans, and, while he didn’t reveal too many specifics, he did point to a few immigration areas that will see improvement soon, including quicker reunification of spouses and improved handling of international students who want to become permanent residents and then citizens.

When you served as the Opposition critic on immigration, what was your biggest concern with the Conservatives’ approach to the portfolio?

There were many! I think our overall theme was we wanted to welcome immigrants with a smile, not a scowl. I was concerned about the treatment of newcomers and the welcoming of refugees, but we’re beyond that now — we’re not focusing on the Conservatives.

Your government has already shown that welcoming approach and a return to Canada’s humanitarian roots with the welcoming of Syrian refugees. Recently, the Supreme Court of Canada also expanded humanitarian & compassionate grounds. Is compassion going to define your approach?

Yes, welcoming newcomers with a smile implies compassion. In the case of the refugee initiative, I’m convinced — and a big majority of Canadians are convinced — that it is the right thing to do. Canadians have done very well in welcoming the refugees so far, including provincial governments and cities, settlement organizations and

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above Minister John McCallum wants to welcome immigrants “with a smile, not a scowl.”

Photo by Cole Burston businesses; they have all stepped up to the plate. It’s become a truly national project.

There is, of course, concern over how refugees will integrate into the labour market? Will they be fi lling mostly entry-level type jobs?

We’ve had waves of refugees come to Canada, from Hungary, Uganda, Vietnam. In the short run, it’s a humanitarian gesture; Canada is paying a cost to welcome a large number of people. In the medium term, they become regular hard-working Canadians; they pay Canada back with fi lling jobs and paying taxes. After they get more established, they have children who are the next generation of Canadians, and it all goes on. That was the case for previous waves of refugees and I see no reason why it won’t be the same.

Refugees come in all shapes, sizes and experience. Some are highly skilled and some less so, and Canada needs all types. Even those who don’t have much education or don’t speak English or French will still do well. They will learn the language and take jobs that are appropriate to their skills.

Would refugees be a good fit for provinces such as New Brunswick to offset their aging demographics? The former premier of that province Frank McKenna recently suggested that newcomers be required to reside there for a few years to help build up communities.

I think we should try to help provinces in that regard, and I’ve been trying to spread out refugees as well, but whether you can require newcomers to stay — that is definitely a question. Constitutionally, you can’t restrict the mobility of Canadians. There are some ways to encourage people to stay, but we have to be mindful of the Constitution.

Immigrants tend to go where other immigrants are. Frank is right — cities like Toronto have a built-in advantage, so we need to create incentives for immigrants to get to other cities. The provincial nominee programs were started to encourage immigration to other cities. Manitoba, for example, has had success with it, as newcomfacebook.com/canimmigrant

We’re going to look at ways to improve things for students within Express Entry and the Canadian experience class.” ers would typically put down roots and stay.

It’s certainly the case that the two provinces keenest to receive have been New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, which have much older populations. They have talked about needing workers for fish plants, for example, and are strongly reaching out to refugees.

In terms of the family sponsorship stream, you promised a rise from 5,000 to 10,000 applications this year and you’ve delivered.

The quota was reached within days, but there was some criticism over how they get chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. There were reports of some immigration consultants couriering bags of applications to the processing centre to be at the front of the line.

The main story is we doubled the number. That exercise is over for 2016; 2017 will be another year and we have a whole year to [review].

How do you think Express Entry has worked since its inception last year?

Well, that’s an area I haven’t looked at in detail yet as we’ve been focused on the refugee situation, but it’s an important part of the system. When we were in Opposition, we didn’t criticize or praise the program, but said that we have to monitor it and see how it’s going.

Soon I will be delving into Express Entry.

One area that we talked about in our platform is to work to improve the situation of international students. They have not done well under this program. Now they need to get LMIAs [labour market impact assessments] for jobs and they have trouble doing that. We’re going to look at ways to improve things for students within Express Entry and the Canadian experience class.

We’re an aging society and we’re in competition with the United States and Australia, and it’s hard to think of a stronger group [of immigrants] than international students. They are educated, know something about the country, and typically speak English or French.

We have to court them. One of the things we will do for sure is to re-establish the credit they used to get for their time spent in Canada toward citizenship.

Do you have any other plans you can share about other immigration streams?

Well, I will tell you one other area we’re looking at. Currently, it takes far too long to reunite spouses. When a Canadian marries a non-Canadian, it takes up to two years or more sometimes to properly reunite them, and this is way too long and much longer than other countries take. One of the priorities I will have is to address this issue. Processing times are too long in many areas, but one of most serious is in the case of spouses. We’re getting rid of that two-year thing. We’ll have spouses become permanent residents immediately.

When will this change take place?

Soon. twitter.com/@canimmigrant

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CAREERS & EDUCATION HIGHER LEARNING

Thinking of leaving school?

S

Don’t drop out until you are certain it’s the right decision

tudents leave post-secondary school for many reasons — and sometimes it is the right decision, but sometimes it is a mistake.

Leaving school before completion has many possible consequences, including financial loss and an incomplete or poor academic record. Nonetheless, sometimes it is a good decision to leave in order to pursue other opportunities or to handle unexpected situations that arise.

If you are sure you should leave, look after the administrative requirements, including continuing fees, failures on academic records, and difficulties in future academic and financial matters.

Let’s look at why someone might leave school and if there are alternatives.

Wrong program If you have chosen a program that turns out to be wrong for you, it is probably best to leave it before wasting any more time and money.

You may be able to drop the program before you have to pay full fees for it or receive a failing grade, if you are not doing well in it.

You might decide to complete the semester and then drop the program, or to keep only those individual courses that you want to complete. There may be a related program that you can transfer into at the same school that suits you better.

Health issues If health issues prevent you from attending classes or focusing on your academic work, you may need to withdraw from school until you have recovered. If your health issue is temporary, you may be able to get extensions or other academic accommodations. If your health issue is longstanding or chronic, you will want to consult with post-secondary staff hired to help students with disabilities. They may be able to reduce any barriers to learning by providing academic accommodations.

Health issues can also include problems with depression and anxiety. Most schools have staff who can work with you to help overcome these difficulties. If it is necessary to leave school for medical and/or psychological reasons, a letter from a health care provider may help.

Financial constraints Although most students know the cost of attending school, sometimes they are not able to raise all the money required. They may have counted on getting part-time work or find that their budget was inadequate due to misjudged expenses or unexpected costs. Some-

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times it is possible to find work on campus to supplement income or to apply for bursaries and scholarships, some of which are based on financial need.

Some students are reluctant to take government loans; however, there may be some good reasons to apply for them. For instance, in addition to helping you to pay for school and living expenses, some grants and bursaries are based on whether or not you are eligible for a student loan. Consulting your school’s financial aid advisors and counsellors can help you with this decision.

Academically underprepared A student may find that they cannot keep up with the work because they don’t have a sufficient academic background. Attending a study group or spending more time on the material will close some gaps in their knowledge. If this isn’t sufficient, a background course or some individual tutoring might help.

For newcomers, a common problem is insufficient language skills, notably reading critically, listening for meaning and writing. Such deficiencies can be made up in a variety of ways, from free ministry and post-secondary programs, to more costly continuing education courses, to hiring a private tutor.

Family responsibilities Many students also have family commitments, perhaps supporting their own children or helping their parents. Life takes many turns and what is planned may not always work out. Child care arrangements can fall apart, jobs end, people get sick and need care, to name a few scenarios. The student may now have more responsibilities than they can manage. If this happens to you, you may want to consider part-time school, continuing education courses, waiting a year to return or any number of other possibilities.

Other extenuating circumstances Students may experience even tougher life circumstances, such as the death of a family member, a serious illness or a house fire.

These situations may leave the student with no other option but to withdraw from school. In these circumstances, if you are unable to withdraw within the school’s stated deadlines, you may be able to appeal for a late withdrawal. You may also get your tuition refunded or a credit toward a future semester.

Stay or go?

Deciding on whether or not to leave school can be a very difficult decision. While not every problem can be solved, as a newcomer, you may not be aware of all the possible solutions and supports available.

Counsellors and advisors will know about community resources as well as academic alternatives and requirements. These services are usually free and may help you minimize damage to your academic record, your finances and yourself as you figure out your next steps.

Geneviève Beaupré and Susan Qadeer have extensive experience working in university and college settings, providing career, academic and personal counselling to international and immigrant students. facebook.com/canimmigrant

CAREERS & EDUCATION

6 top trade jobs Opportunities in the skilled trades still promising

A

By Lisa Evans

lthough the downturn in the oil and gas industry in Alberta has led to job losses, affecting other sectors, too, including construction in that province, there is continued demand for skilled trades throughout Canada. Still facing aging demographics and steady construction growth, trade workers in Ontario and B.C. in particular are still in demand.

Continuing your trades career If you have experience in the skilled trades from your home country and want to continue your career in Canada, your first step is to reach out to the trade’s regulatory body in your province, if it’s a regulated industry. Certification varies province by province, unfortunately, so it’s really a matter of you researching based on your specific trade and chosen province; the Canada Job Bank website (jobbank.gc.ca) is a good source of information to start.

If you’re in Ontario, the Ontario College of Trades is an umbrella group that can also provide information on various trades. Tracey Shepherd, communications officer at the Ontario College of Trades, says the first step to practising your trade is the trades equivalency assessment to determine if you have the technical skills to enter the trade.

You will then have to pass a certification exam.

In B.C., if you have extensive experience working in a trade but have never been certified in Canada, you can go through the process of challenging the exam through the Industry Training Authority (ITA). Being approved to challenge means that you will not be required to go through the full program, but instead you will be allowed to become certified by writing and passing the final exam. Again, the requirements to challenge are different for each trade.

Becoming an apprentice If you’re new to the trades, an apprenticeship is the gateway to enter a trade in Canada. This work-based training program provides hands-on experience under the supervision of a licensed tradesperson and allows you to get paid as you learn. Most apprentices start by earning 40 to 60 per cent of the salary of a certified tradesperson and their pay increases the closer they get to certification. Apprenticeships vary from two to five years.

Red Seal Program Some skilled trades including plumbers, welders and bricklayers can receive certification through the Red Seal Program, the national standard of excellence for skilled trades. While trades training and certification are the responsibility of the provinces and territories, this program was established to create national standards for certain trades that are common to most jurisdictions.

In-demand trades While there are a number of in-demand trades in the country, these six are among the top: electrician, plumber, welder, construction manager, bricklayers and millwrights.

Electrician An electrician installs, tests, troubleshoots and repairs electrical wiring. Apprenticeships generally involve four years including at least twitter.com/@canimmigrant

8,000 hours of hands-on training, and four eight-week blocks of technical training and written final certification exam. National average salaries range from $30 to $38 an hour for certified electricians. Huron College in Brampton, Ontario, offers a three-month long pre-apprenticeship program for internationally skilled electricians who need to learn the theory and practical skills in order to become an electrical apprentice.

Plumber Plumbers install, repair and maintain pipes, fixtures and other plumbing equipment. Those with a Grade 12 certification equivalent with courses in math can enter the apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship includes classroom studies and on-the-job training under the supervision of a certified plumber. Apprenticeships are generally four years long with at least 6,000 hours of on-the-job training, and four eight-week blocks of technical training and a final certificate exam. The national salary average for experienced plumbers is between $54,000 and $74,000 a year.

Welder Welders work with metal parts including pipes and vessels. They can work in new home construction, renovation, heavy industrial, commercial and civil engineering. The apprenticeship program for welders typically lasts for three years, including at least 4,680 hours of on-the-job training, and three eight-week blocks of technical training and a final examination. The national salary average is $52,000 to $65,000 a year.

Construction manager Construction managers plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate all of the activities of a construction project. Although requirements may vary by employer, typically construction managers require a college diploma, certification in a recognized trade and experience in the construction industry. According to Service Canada, construction managers earned an average of $61,651 a year. George Brown College in Toronto offers a construction management graduate certificate to help internationally trained professions enter the Ontario construction workforce.

Bricklayer Bricklayers, or masons, work with bricks, concrete blocks and stones to build residential or commercial buildings, chimneys, fireplaces and other structures such as garden walls and patios. An apprenticeship period of 5,000 hours is required in order to complete the qualification exam. Bricklayers can earn between $47,000 and $62,000 a year.

Millwright Millwrights (industrial mechanics) install, repair, overhaul and maintain all types of machinery and heavy mechanical equipment.

Working from plans and blueprints, they install equipment and align parts or components. Some of the components they work on include pumps, fans, tanks, conveyors, presses, generators, and pneumatic and hydraulic controls. An apprentice period of four years is typically required. Millwrights earn an average wage of $28.78 per hour, and can earn between $42,026 and $91,644. canadianimmigrant.ca

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Immigrant SETTLEMENT GUIDE For getting your listing included, please call Ricky Bajaj at 416-856-6304 or Johnny Zhang at 416-803-3931

2016

Agency

General Services and Specialty Programs

Brampton Multicultural Centre (BMC)

Not for profit, registered charity providing multilingual and culturally appropriate programs and services for free to help clients enhance their community engagement and social capital while integrating into the Canadian society. Programs: Programs and services include Settlement support , employment readiness workshops, enhancing immigrant community connections through schools and libraries, advocacy and solution-focused counselling, interpretation and translation, volunteer and placement opportunities, mental health support services, seniors and women abuse and engagement services. A unique portfolio of youth programming is also available such as: Youth leadership development, life skills coaching, client-centred counselling, paid internships at various workplaces, gang prevention workshops, one-on-one intervention meetings based on individualized work plans.

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

• • • • • •

Find out how to: get the skills you need to find work, including: work experience, resume help, interview techniques, entrepreneurial options and more. We offer: Job Search Workshops Program, Job Find Club for Internationally Trained Individuals, Bridge to HR, Practice Firm, SelfEmployment Pathways for Newcomer and Employment Ontario Employment Services.

Email: info@jobskills.org www.jobskills.org

• English

RISE Program: provide community based, client-centred and holistic supports; mobile case management services for newcomers with mental health challenges within the city of Toronto area; assistance with navigating through the health care, housing, financial, education and employment systems for newcomers with special needs. Specialty Programs: Individual case management support; Information sessions on settlement and mental health related topics; Social recreation activities; Volunteer opportunities; English conversation café; Computer classes; Preparation for citizenship test classes.

Email: rise@madisoncs.org madisoncs.org

• • • •

English Arabic Farsi Amharic

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

General services and specialty program: Help small and medium business from starting business with business plans for success: business registration; business planning; corporate problem solving; corporate culture tutoring; legal, politics and social requirements service and assistance for government funding application.

Specialty program: business guide in Canada and Asia countries;enterprise assistant program; free tax services for new comers and seniors.

Email: info@sbsccanada orgwww.sbsccanada.org

• English

Community services for cultural and recreational activities, including classic poetry recitation events and Chinese traditional music concerts, with funds collected from its own members; supports for seniors groups for cultural and recreational activities; promotions for cultural exchange with the main stream society and many minorities’ cultural groups.

Email: thomas@nahst.org www.nahst.org

• English • Mandarin • Cantonese

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

Job Skills Employment & Business Programs & Supports Locations in Markham, Brampton, Keswick and Newmarket Phone: 1-866-592-6278 Madison Community Services Recovery during Immigration & Settlement (RISE) Program – funded by CIC. 400-210 Dundas St. W Toronto, On M5G 2E8 Phone: 416-977-1333 x 119 madisoncs.org/programsservices/cic-rise-program/ Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto 2737 Keele Street North York ON M3M 2E9 Phone: 647-776-2057 Multinational Small & Medium Business Community Center (MSMBCC) 211 Consumers Road, Suite 300, North York, M2J 4G8 Phone: 647-343-8288 The National Association of Humanity Science and Technology (NAHST) 4675 Steeles Ave. E Unit 2D22 Toronto On M1V 4S5 Or: 3-2375 Brimley Rd. Unit 351 Toronto ON M1S 3L6 Welcome Centre Immigrant Services 7 Locations in York and Durham Regions Phone: 1-877-761-1155

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Languages

English • Arabic Farsi • French Gujarati • Hindi Punjabi • Spanish Tamil • Urdu Tagalog (Filipino)

facebook.com/canimmigrant

CAREERS & EDUCATION J O B S E A R C H S T R AT E G I E S

From isolation to engagement

W

Sharing my own story — the story of so many immigrants

e all know that newcomers to Canada experience a rollercoaster of emotions: moving from known to unknown, from employed to unemployed, from being part of a community, to being a nobody in the middle of a new culture we do not always understand.

This time, instead of writing a regular column, I thought I would share my own experience of isolation and how I overcame it.

When I first arrived I came to Canada with my small family in 2004. My first two days were spent inside a basement with my kids. I was scared of going outside!

A week later, I was already looking for jobs; not understanding how different the culture and market was, I fell for a scam to sell knives door to door. That experience taught me I had to seek some help, so I signed up for a two-week job search program in Surrey and started volunteering for a non-profit organization.

Months passed and I was feeling isolated and depressed. I was paying for daycare and bus tickets to go volunteering and there were no responses after job interviews! I had nobody to talk to except my own family and started to lose self-confidence. Finally, I decided to open a family daycare that would allow me to care for my own children and those of neighbours while earning some cash. While there was some paperwork and logistics involved, I was confident I could do it; I had

been a teacher for many years and also had managerial experience.

However, the feelings of isolation and frustration didn’t go away. I started to feel really old and thought my career and professional life were over. While I love children, not talking to adults all day long and the lack of separation between work and home, along with the lack of time to myself, took a toll on my health.

The change came when I decided to study; I took online classes since I was at home all day. When my children were old enough, I closed the daycare and started looking for jobs. When it didn’t work as expected, I decided to go to a career planning workshop that saved my life; there, looking at the facilitators and counsellors, I saw myself. My goals of social justice and empowering people could now be achieved through a slightly different role. And I became an employment counsellor.

Building on experience Years passed (not many) and I not only gained experience, but I took specialized courses, presented at professional conferences and started writing this column and a blog. Pursuing my interests, I also became very engaged in community resilience through other grassroots and non-profit organizations.

Today, I can safely say I feel fully integrated into my new country.

I have friends and colleagues from different nationalities, and have contributed to the success and integration of hundreds of immigrants and refugees.

Am I a special case?

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The answer is “No.” Like many other immigrants, I made many mistakes, was scared and felt isolated, frustrated and lost. In a way, it was all of these things that made me become a counsellor because I wanted to support others and help them not feel scared or lost.

Many of my own clients acknowledge going through similar stages, too! Are you? Here are some tips to help you get through it: • Accept that the roller-coaster is real and happens to all of us.

• Understand that the highs and lows of the roller-coaster, as well as the time we take to be stable, vary from person to person and are influenced by many factors.

• Look for support from mentors both within and outside your community.

• Ask for help when you need it and accept it.

• Become engaged with the wider community.

• Give yourself permission to explore different options and be open to opportunities.

• Make sure you take care of both your physical, spiritual and mental health by eating healthy, resting, finding time for yourself, enjoying time with family and friends, doing something to relax, enjoying time in nature and exercising.

• Know that this is a temporary state and that your experiences and skills are not lost, but you may have to discover new and creative ways to use them.

Argentine-born Silvia Di Blasio lived and studied in Venezuela for many years. She currently works as a career counsellor and volunteers for many community organizations in her spare time, including in the areas of resilience, disaster management and food sovereignty. facebook.com/canimmigrant

CAREERS & EDUCATION CAREER COACH

Do the job before you get the job The pre-employment free project — the smart, fast way to get hired

F

ree. Don’t we all just love the word? It’s a great door opener and relationship-builder in every part of the world, cutting across generations and indeed across civilizations.

When it comes to your job search, you can use the same tactic to get hired faster. You may present an effective, balanced resumé with the right combination of skills and experience, but your job application still hasn’t answered the classic “What’s in it for me?” question — the invisible sign hanging on every employer’s neck.

Today you need do something new, something different, over and above the conventional norm. I call it the classic “buy one and get one free” approach. Why not impress the hiring manager by bringing to the table a complimentary project along with your resumé? Even Harvard Business Review endorses this approach. (Google: HBR.org, Projects Are the New Job Interviews].

The only reason the job opening exists is because the organization has a problem that you can solve or a need that you can fi ll. If you can deliver a free project that proves to them that you have the relevant skills, you instantly separate yourself. In other words, do the job before you get the job. You may not have the relevant Canadian experience, but a complimentary, pre-interview project can easily help you overcome that very hurdle.

Choose a project Do remember that credentials, certifications and paper qualifications do matter for industries like law, fi nance or medicine, but for most other fields you can stand out by working on such side projects. Start by reading through the job position to get an understanding of their needs. Now that you know what the company expects you to do day to day, you can actually prove to them that you can solve their problems.

You don’t have to always do projects in isolation either. If you work with any other individual or in a group, it can show an employer that you can work in a team and collaborate.

You can upload a PowerPoint presentation on free sites like Slideshare.net and share it on your LinkedIn Projects page. Or better still create a free, themed website through portals like Branded.me, Wix.com or Strikingly.com.

The pre-employment free project is an excellent way to showcase your soft skills — your ability to take charge, be driven and creative, conduct proper research and put together a project with enthusiasm — all these valuable traits do influence the hiring process positively.

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead, take up a project and make a defi nitive, distinct statement without saying a word!

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 aceworldfoundation.com.

DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society SINCE 1978

Here are a few suggestions for the following industries:

ent Services DIVERSEcity Emploianym s with Jobs

Marketing

Proudly serving Vancou

Connecting new Canad

nd region

inla ver, BC and the Lower Ma

If you’re applying for a sales or marketing role, a good side project could be demonstrating how you could market or actually sell some of the company’s products and presenting a document about it.

Design If you’re applying for a web or graphic designer related role, you could mock up some new designs for the company and present them in the before-and-after format and rationalize why you recommend your new designs.

Sales Maybe the company is looking to simply increase sales or reduce costs. Your ability to do either will certainly make the hiring manager take notice. Why not take with you a 30-60-90 day plan to demonstrate that you can help generate money, save money or both.

IT / product development If you are applying for product development related positions, you can run quick usability tests on the company’s products, document your strategy and approach, support it with some implementation suggestions and share those at the time of the interview. And if you are keen in entering the game development field, you can showcase a portfolio full of work in game development. twitter.com/@canimmigrant

“DIVERSEcity really helped make my job search successful.

Special thanks for inspiring me and helping me in regaining back my confidence.”

— Juliet (Originally from India, Employment Services Client) Connect with us on Social Media:

@DIVERSEcityBC

DIVERSEcityBC

Diversecity

DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society 13455 76 Ave. Surrey, BC V3W 2W3 Employment Services 604-547-1359 Connecting new Canadians with Jobs www.dcrs.ca/jobs canadianimmigrant.ca

March 2016

23

SETTLEMENT I M MPI G AR A EN T ITOI N G L A W

Permit to work?

C

anada’s post-graduate work permit (PGWP) program allows international students who have completed certain Canadian post-secondary programs to obtain work permits after graduating. The work permits are open, meaning that the graduates can work for any employer in any Canadian province. It is a fantastic program that enhances the competiveness of Canadian post-secondary institutions internationally, and is normally an essential step for international graduates hoping to obtain Canadian permanent residency.

However, every year there are many international students who mistakenly think that they will be eligible to participate in the program after graduating only to discover midway through their studies that they cannot. So if you’re an international student in Canada, it’s critical that you understand how the PGWP program works.

Who’s eligible?

In order for an international graduate to obtain a PGWP after graduating in Canada (excluding Quebec), an international student must: • have a valid study permit when applying for their PGWP • have continuously studied full time in Canada, except for the final academic session, where part-time studies are permitted • have completed and passed a program of study that is at least eight months in duration at either a public post-secondary institution, a private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as public institutions, or at a Canadian private institution if the student was enrolled in a program of study that led to a degree • apply for the work permit

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The complexities of the postgraduate work permit for international students

within 90 days of receiving written confirmation from their educational institution that they have met the requirements for completing their program of study.

Permit validity The duration of a PGWP is equal in length to the educational program completed, up to a maximum of three years.

Any completed program that is longer than two years will result in a three-year work permit. In other words, a two-year diploma and a four-year degree will both result in a three-year work permit.

It is important to note that it is the length of the program of study that matters, not the actual time that it takes an international student to complete the program. For example, if a student enrolls in a program of study that is eight months in duration, but completes it in six months, then the student will be able to obtain an eight-month work permit after graduating.

And an international student who takes two years to complete a one-year program will only receive a one-year PGWP. There are complicated rules and scenarios for students transferring from one program to another, or completing multiple programs, but a common one is when students obtain a oneyear degree/diploma from an eligible institution after having obtained, within the prior two years, another diploma/degree from an eligible institution, they then may be issued a work permit for up to three years.

Applying and working Graduates may submit their

applications online or, in certain cases, at a Canadian port of entry or at overseas visa offices. Students who have completed their program of study and who apply for their PGWPs are permitted to work in Canada while Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) processes their applications, provided that they were indeed full-time students enrolled in eligible programs while they were studying, and that they did not exceed their authorized offcampus work periods while they were students.

Finally, unlike with international students, the spouses or common-law partners of PGWP holders are not automatically entitled to open work permits.

They will only be eligible if the PGWP holder obtains skilled employment, and can demonstrate this to IRCC by presenting an offer of employment as well as a copy of one or more pay slips.

Ongoing complications Students who complete a program of study granted by a nonCanadian institution located in Canada are ineligible to obtain work permits under the PGWP program. However, students completing a program of study that has, as part of the program, an overseas component, such as an exchange, will be eligible as long as they earn a Canadian educational credential.

There are two further restrictions, or potential restrictions, to obtaining PGWPs that are currently the subject of litiga-

tion that potential international students and graduates should understand.

The first is that students participating in distance learning programs, either abroad or in Canada, are ineligible to obtain PGWPs. In 2015, this restriction generated considerable media attention, when IRCC refused the PGWP applications of an entire graduating class at a private post-secondary institution after it determined that the institution’s program constituted online learning. Some of these graduates have sought intervention from the Federal Court of Canada, and one of the questions before the court is whether there is a percentage of online courses threshold that must be met before IRCC can declare a program ineligible.

Until either IRCC or the Federal Court provides clarification on this matter, international students who wish to participate in the PGWP program should understand the possible negative consequences of enrolling in any online courses.

Second, recent graduates applying for PGWPs must ensure that they complete their PGWP applications promptly and properly. As with most work permit applications, if IRCC either refuses or bounces an application for incompleteness, then an applicant can typically apply for restoration of status within 90 days. It is not clear, however, whether restoration is possible in the case of the PGWP because of the requirement that a recent graduate’s study permit be valid when they apply for their PGWP. This matter is also currently being litigated by refused applicants, and we will hopefully know the results soon.

Steven Meurrens is an immigration lawyer with Larlee Rosenberg in Vancouver. Contact him at 604-681-9887, by email at steven.meurrens@larlee.com or visit his blog at smeurrens.com. facebook.com/canimmigrant

SETTLEMENT

A

ll children have their own unique talents to share with the world, and it is up to parents to help them discover and identify their unique abilities, and help them to reach their full potential. By helping our children find their true passion and natural gifts, they can do great work and have a greater contribution to society. Steve Jobs said it best: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”

Discover their talents Get to know your children’s likes, dislikes, temperament and skills, in order to help identify what piques their interest. Provide opportunities for your children to try a variety of activities and experiences so that they can develop a broad range of interests and really discover what they like. Encourage them to get out of their comfort zone and explore as many different activities as possible while they’re young. Be patient and know that

PARENTING

True talent Discover and nurture your child’s natural gifts sometimes it is a trial-and-error process that will take a while for them to figure out their talents and passion.

bracing them for who they are, and supporting them to become who they are meant to be.

Accept them for who they are

It is in our best interest to help develop children’s natural talent. Follow their lead and interests; allow them to explore their own path with their natural gifts. Once a child has zeroed in on their passion, then give them the space and time to further develop that passion.

Encourage and support them

We need to be mindful of not imposing our own interests on our children or trying to change who they are. Be it musical talent or academic skills, everyone is born with their own unique skills and intelligence. Show them unconditional love by em-

Invest in their talent

Cheryl Song, an immigrant from Malaysia, has more than 10 years’ experience of working in childhood education and family programs.

to pursue their field of interest.

Provide as many resources and opportunities as possible to cultivate their talent.

It takes dedication Keep in mind that talent is largely built, not born. No matter what one’s natural skills, it still requires hours and hours of hard work to master that talent. Encourage them to keep at their passion; know it takes dedication, discipline, devotion and perseverance to be truly great at something. There will be struggles, setbacks and criticism, but it is about pushing on and getting to the ultimate goals of achieving one’s dream.

We are all capable of achieving great success, if only we tap into our own uniqueness and talents. Instead of just following the crowd, let’s help our children create their own path of awesomeness, and do what makes them feel most fulfi lled and can make the most difference in the world!

Break the wall. Improve your English.

Learn English at your own pace www.AlbertaCanada.com/BreaktheWall twitter.com/@canimmigrant

canadianimmigrant.ca

March 2016

25

SETTLEMENT

T

he Conference Board of Canada’s National Immigration Centre’s second Canadian Immigration Summit returns to Ottawa on April 4-5, 2016, at the Fairmont Château Laurier. This two-day event is bringing together more than 250 leading representatives from government, business, education, non-profits and immigrant-serving organizations from across Canada. The goal?

To work toward creating a National Immigration Action Plan for Canada.

“Immigration matters more than ever to Canada’s social and economic prosperity — we require a vibrant, healthy, larger and highly responsive immigration system to ensure our future,” according to a statement from the Conference Board. At the same time, forces of international and domestic change are placing great pressure on the immigration environment.

“We need to develop innovative, efficient, and responsive policies and programs to meet the chal-

Dialogue on future of immigration Second Canadian Immigration Summit returns to Ottawa

and leveraging immigrants’ skills and connections to enhance economic prosperity.

“We invite delegates to share their vision and discuss how we can build a better immigration system,” notes the Board.

Learn more and register at conferenceboard.ca/conf/immigration. As a marketing sponsor, Canadian Immigrant readers can quote rebate code PRM7 for a reduced rate.

lenges,” says the Board.

The Canadian Immigration Summit 2016 is designed to help do just that. It will focus on the

themes of: supporting immigrants and refugees to succeed; creating partnerships to enhance the immigration system;

SUMMIT AGENDA

Plenary Session 4 Immigration Perspectives from Coast to Coast to Coast

Plenary Session 8 Temporary Today, Canadian Tomorrow?

Plenary Session 5 Strategizing Francophone Immigration

Plenary Session 9 Brain Gain = Financial Gain: Recognizing and Employing International Skills, Learning and Credentials

APRIL 4 Plenary Session 1 Opening Keynote Address: A New Federal Immigration Mandate Plenary Session 2 Societal License: The Importance of Public Support in Canada’s Immigration System Plenary Session 3 High Numbers and Tight Timelines: Lessons from Canada’s Refugee Resettlement Experiences

Plenary Session 6 Selection Around the World: Cutting Edge Immigration Policies APRIL 5 Plenary Session 7 Partnering to Create Welcoming Cities and Communities

Plenary Session 10 Incubating Immigrant Innovation, Investment and Entrepreneurship Plenary Session 11 Connecting Canada with the World: Leveraging Diversity to Enhance Prosperity through Trade

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March 2016

facebook.com/canimmigrant

MONEY & BUSINESS MY TWO CENTS

Save before you buy

Become a Healthcare Professional within a Year!

Saving for a down payment for your first home

W

hen I immigrated to Canada more than 10 years ago, I realized saving for a down payment for my first home would be a daunting task. But, with my wife’s enormous help, we fast-tracked our savings and we were able to save more, faster, and are now proud homeowners.

The main problem for many homebuyers is that they buy too soon or too big of a home, and they mistakenly believe that banks need them to come up with a very big down payment. While the bank needs a big down payment in some cases, the conventional 20 per cent is becoming a thing of the past. In recent years, lenders are taking more time to work with buyers to create a plan to come up with their down payment.

But, remember, the bigger the down payment, the smaller the mortgage and monthly payments will be, and the less interest you will pay during the life of your mortgage. So here are some tips on saving up funds before you buy.

Automate your savings When you are saving for a down payment, two things are important: one is your price range for your house and the second is the target date of your purchase, say three to five years from now. If you are earning a regular salary, consider having the bank automatically deduct a certain percentage of your paycheque every time you get paid and transfer it to a savings account where it cannot be easily

accessed. This requires discipline and commitment.

Affordable alternatives Since saving for a down payment is a big goal, sometimes it means making sacrifices or choosing affordable alternatives.

Some examples could include dropping the gym membership and working out at home, or cutting the cable in favour of Netflix.

Also shop around for your auto insurance and cell phone plans to ensure you get the best deal. There may be promotions that will allow you to save money.

Save any extras If you are a two-income family, consider living on one income and use the other income for saving.

If you are a single-income family, try saving at least 20 per cent. Also save any pay raises, bonuses, tax refunds or extra income.

Borrow interest free from RRSPs If you have money already saved in an RRSP, you can borrow up to $25,000 interest free for 15 years if you are a first-time homebuyer.

Create a plan To avoid getting discouraged when saving, break up your down payment into several smaller goals. For example, if you need to save $12,000 in three years, consider treating yourself to a nice movie or a meal with every $4,000 saved. You then start to visualize reaching your goal and saving for your down payment gets easier.

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. twitter.com/@canimmigrant

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canadianimmigrant.ca

March 2016

27

MONEY & BUSINESS

FASHION FORWARD Mexican-born Gabriela Moreno wants to make a splash in Canada’s swimwear industry

By Lisa Evans

M

exican-born Gabriela Moreno wants to make all women look beautiful in the one thing most of us hate buying — bathing suits. Her company, Gabriela Moreno Pro Designs, is ready to make a big splash in the Canadian swimwear industry.

Moreno came to Canada from Leon, Mexico, at the age of 18 to study French at Concordia University in Montreal. “In Mexico, when you’re in a private school, usually it’s bilingual, but by the time you’re in high school, it’s trilingual,” she explains. “I was good with my English, but my French needed more practice.”

After graduating high school, Moreno decided she wanted to stay in Montreal and pursued studies in fashion, studying at the Academy of Design and Technology in Montreal. “Design was something I was really passionate about. It was the only career that I wanted to do,” she explains. Moreno struggled to narrow her focus to interior design or fashion design, but finally landed on fashion.

While enrolled in fashion design studies, Moreno became fascinated with stretch fabrics, but these materials weren’t included in the program curriculum. “They taught us to do pants, coats, fabrics that don’t stretch,” she says.

In the first semester, Moreno’s class was asked to put on a fashion show and she chose to use stretch fabrics. “I asked the teacher how to do the pattern for a stretch fabric and she didn’t know,” says Moreno, who decided to move forward with her line, despite a lack of help. “I taught myself because nobody knew how to do it,” she says.

Her persistence, she says, is a character trait that has led her to where she is today.

“When I have something in my mind, I don’t back off until I achieve it,” she says. While her first collection was dresses made of stretch fabric, three years later, Moreno nar-

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above Mexican-born Gabriela Moreno is designing swimsuits for Canadian women. rowed her focus to bathing suits.

In 2011, she started Gabriela Moreno Pro Designs, a company that offers chic, comfortable high-quality swimwear for women.

Her swimsuits are made with a premium 100 per cent polyester microfibre, and are made in Canada. The technology in the fabric offers UV protection while an added boning material provides the shape of a corset, but in a much more comfortable manner, ensuring that women look their best both in the water and on the beach, no matter what their body shape is. “Knowing that they look their best has a positive impact on women’s self-image and boosts their morale.”

Although she often works 80-hour weeks, Moreno says she would much rather own her own company than work for another designer. “The thing about designing jobs in Montreal is it’s really limited and doesn’t pay well at all,” she explains. “Now, most of the design companies send the work overseas, so you don’t get to just design. You get to go get coffee and cut fabric if you’re lucky.” Moreno

never worked for a designer, deciding the only way she was going to make money as a designer was to strike out on her own.

And, last year, the young entrepreneur took her company onto CBC’s Dragons’ Den, presenting her business to some of Canada’s wealthiest investors and struck a deal with Boston Pizza owner Jim Treliving. Although the deal is not yet finalized, Moreno says pitching her business in the Den was an incredibly rewarding experience — both personally and for her business. Since appearing on the show, Moreno says business has been booming and she is currently working with Amazon, E-Village and has stock in four boutiques in Quebec. Her website (gabrielamoreno.net) also offers online sales. She was also invited to join Fashion Week in Miami and Vancouver for 2016.

Moreno says the secret to her success is simply to believe in yourself and work hard.

“The best advice I got in life is do what you love to do. If you’re successful, it’s because you’re good at it,” she says. facebook.com/canimmigrant

TORONTO

HALIFAX

CALGARY

June 8, 2016

September 9, 2016

October 17, 2016

Metro Toronto Convention Centre

World Trade & Convention Centre

EION E R FADMISS CAREER

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FAIR

EDUCATION & SETTLEMENT

IMMIGRANT

SAVE THE Get motivated for success at our 2016 Career, DATES! Education & Settlement Immigrant Fairs in 6 cities Learn more at: canadianimmigrant.ca/careerfair

EDMONTON

VANCOUVER

WINNIPEG

October 19, 2016

November 16, 2016

Date TBD

Shaw Conference Centre

Vancouver Public Library

Location TBD

Want to take part in our fairs as an exhibitor or sponsor? Contact us!

Toronto, Halifax Ricky Bajaj Tel: 905-273-8170 Email: rbajaj@metroland.com

Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton & Winnipeg Alla Gordeeva Tel: 778-558-3397 Email: alla@canadianimmigrant.ca

Brought to you by:

BACK PAGE

Top

Tips

Newcomer tips from our RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2015!

Amanda Yeung Collucci, Markham city councillor

“

Never give up, perseverance is very important. Don’t get down on yourself; pick yourself up and just keep going.

”

Thilak Tennekone,

P.E.I. community leader

“

Do your best and prepare for the new phase of learning of a new culture.

”

Vote for your favourite nominees for the 2016 RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards, March 24 to May 13, 2016, at canadianimmigrant.ca/rbctop25.

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March 2016

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