Canada: A land of opportunity

While I was watching this video I couldn't help but think how many new landed immigrants have gone through the same disappointment as these people presented.  People come to Canada with a goal to better their current life situation with a hope that they will succeed in doing so.  Only after they arrive to Canada they realize that not everything is what it seems and that achieving that perfect dream now seems almost impossible.   

Canada has been accepting immigrants since the first White man came to this land.  Why, the whole country is built by immigrants for immigrants.  The rules and regulations may have changed but the underlying goal is the same: to recruit the most educated, adaptable people who will contribute to our economy and country as a whole.  Canada has also recruited people under the refugee program, providing a safe haven for those whose life may be in danger in their own country.  So we see Canada as a heroic, peace keeping country extending a helping hand to those in need.  What we don’t see is the reality that hits people once they arrive to Canada, and I’m not just talking about cold winters; I’m talking about experiences of immigrants and refugees alike that are not able to achieve their dream, not able to find work based on their credentials and are slowly slipping into poverty.

Canadian immigration policy has introduced the points system of entry in 1967, which is mentioned in the video to allow the applicants to enter Canada based on several factors such as knowledge of either English or French language, education, experience, age, arranged employment and adaptability amongst others (Tannock, 2011).  This policy was introduced in order to eliminate racial discrimination that existed with previous immigration policies (George, 2003, p. 149).  According to the work permit website, the amount of points required to enter Canada has changed in September 2003 adding up to 67 points.  This number has gotten lower in 2003, making it easier for people to come to Canada.

Being a new immigrant in Canada raises many problems and concerns.  Because their credentials are not given proper recognition, new immigrants face many challenges.  Recent study shows that there is a continued deterioration in the poverty level among new immigrants (Picot, Hou & Coulumbe, p. 415).  One of the reasons for such problem is the fact that immigrants have less paying jobs than those who are non-immigrants or born in Canada (Picot, et.al. p. 394).  Another obstacle that immigrants face is access to affordable housing, which has been a challenge for many immigrants.  Recent immigrants have more difficulty finding affordable housing and are over-represented amongst those identifying as being in core need for housing (Enns, 2005, p. 128).

There are several commercials that are accessible on youtube website that ridicule our immigration policy but also show the reality of how difficult it is to find suitable work.  The main concern that I wanted to raise here is the fact that foreign credentials are not being recognized accordingly.  After leaving war-torn Bosnia, my family and I found refuge in Canada.  During our pre-acceptance interview, my father was told how his trade as an upholstery worker and also a carpenter, would be beneficial in finding work.  However, he could never attain the type of work that reflected his qualifications.  Instead, he settled for a job as a construction worker.  He was one of the many newcomers that had to settle for any job that would meet their basic needs.   Why is this still an issue?  Many immigrants are infuriated with this policy.  If everyone’s education was accepted, we wouldn’t have some of the problems that we experience already.

-Medina

References

Enns, Rick. (2005). Immigrant households and homelessness. Canadian issues. Spring, 2005. Pp.127-130.

George, Usha. (2003) Immigration and refugee policy in Canada: Past, present and future. In Anne Westhues (Ed.) Canadian social policy: Issues and perspectives (pp.145-163). Waterloo, ON: Wilfrid Laurier University Press.

Picot, G., Hou, F. & Coulumbe, S. (2008). Poverty Dynamics among recent immigrants to Canada. International migration review. 42 (2) pp. 393-424.

Tannock, stuart. (2011). Points of prejudice:education-based discrimination in canada’s immigration system. Journal of geography 43(4). Pp. 1330-1356.

http://www.workpermit.com/canada/points_calculator.htm