(Photo by Madhumanti Mandal via Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0)
Portions of the included interview have been edited for brevity and clarity.
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“We select immigrants for their potential to contribute to economic growth based on their skills, language abilities and the gaps that exist in Canada’s labour market.”
The above quote is taken from the Government of Canada’s official website, which appears to champion immigration as key to boosting the Canadian economy and filling labour shortages. Indeed, Canada has a points-based immigration system, meaning potential newcomers are given a score based on work experience, language skills, and education level.
Even though the Canadian Government places a lot of importance on immigrants’ skills, in reality, newcomers often encounter challenges when entering the Canadian workforce. A Global News article from 2024 states that: “38 per cent of employed newcomers were not able to find a job in their field, and 60 per cent of employed newcomers said they had difficulty finding a job due to challenges with credentials and needing local experience.”
Employers usually value Canadian work experience and qualifications more than experience acquired abroad, meaning even individuals with extensive experience are often overlooked. The Ontario Human Rights Commission has a policy on removing the “Canadian experience” barrier. They describe it as a vicious cycle: “When facing a requirement for Canadian experience, newcomers are in a very difficult position: they can’t get a job without Canadian experience and they can’t get Canadian experience without a job.” British Columbia (BC) implemented the International Credentials Recognition Act (ICRA) with the same issue in mind.
However, businesses believe that Canadian experience does not have a substitute. They argue that it guarantees knowledge of Canadian culture and business practices, as well as making it easier to check references and proof of language skills.
Yet, Canadian experience requirements are problematic at best and discriminatory at worst. Many newcomers end up taking volunteer positions or jobs that do not align with their educational or employment experience obtained abroad. Furthermore, employers can take advantage of newcomers’ vulnerability, which opens the door to exploitation and mistreatment of immigrant workers.
Employment for Newcomers in British Columbia
Humaira is an award-winning human rights activist and journalist. She moved to British Columbia in 2021 following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August of the same year. A vocal critic of the Taliban and a familiar face in Afghan media, Humaira chose to leave Afghanistan for her safety.
In the same year, Alejandro Rubio packed his bags to leave Boston, USA. Born and raised in Colombia, Alejandro obtained his diploma in the United States before deciding to leave. Citing BC’s positive reputation among international students, he moved to Vancouver to pursue a Master’s in Communication. Alejandro now co-runs an organization with his partner called There in Canada that helps and welcomes newcomers in BC.
Although from very different backgrounds, Humaira Saqib and Alejandro Rubio share a couple of important similarities: they are both newcomers in BC, and both arrived in Canada as people with experience and qualifications acquired abroad. In this article, we will hear from Humaira and Alejandro as they describe the barriers faced by newcomers entering the job market in BC.
What was your experience of entering the Canadian job market?
Humaira: Entering the Canadian job market is very challenging. Given my work experience, I expected to find a job straight away, but it has been difficult to have my skills and qualifications fully recognized. This is true for most immigrants who arrive.
They are educated, talented, and can speak English, but they still struggle to find a job that aligns with their experience and specialization. It does not matter how much experience you have and whether you are an expert; it is hard for newcomers to find work that matches their skills and experiences.
Alejandro: Entering the Canadian job market is a challenge. When I first looked for a job here, I was studying for a diploma in marketing and communications. At the time, the Canadian Government allowed international students to work 20 hours a week. Most of the part-time jobs were in hospitality. I needed something flexible that would fit my schedule, so I decided to focus my efforts there.
My first job was as a busser in a restaurant. I applied as a server, but they did not give me the opportunity. Later, I found a part-time job doing social media and communications for a boutique. I was doing a bit of everything and was happy to be doing something I enjoyed. I must emphasize that it was very challenging to get the position!
In BC, how complicated is it to have non-Canadian university work experience and qualifications recognized?
Humaira: It is important to have Canadian work experience! One of my friends came here in 2021, like me. She has more than 25 years of experience as a doctor, and she worked at the Health Ministry in Afghanistan. Yet, she is unemployed and doesn’t know what to do.
It is very complicated for many newcomers to have their qualifications recognized. Most of our friends don’t know where to go to get their qualifications recognized. Some academic credentials from Afghanistan are simply not recognized. Many have to study again or choose a different field. It means that there are engineers and doctors, people with PhDs and Master’s degrees, who have to work in jobs where they do not utilize their knowledge and experience.
Alejandro: Even though you may have a lot of experience on your resume, it doesn’t count as much if it is not Canadian. It is tricky because how can you get experience if people won’t give you a job? Striking this balance can be challenging.
I have some friends whose employers valued their work experience from abroad, but this was not my experience. In my opinion, in around 80% of cases, not having Canadian work experience leads to a “no” in hiring procedures.
In Canada, it is not that difficult to have non-Canadian qualifications recognised. In fact, for me, it was a requirement to apply for Canadian residency. However, they are definitely not valued as highly as Canadian qualifications. Employers don’t seem to trust qualifications from abroad.
How does discrimination in the job market shape newcomers’ resettlement experience?
Humaira: When newcomers see that their expertise is not valued, it can be very discouraging. Some young people may even face mental health challenges. Others may give up, which prevents them from fully integrating into their new society. One of the reasons young people commit suicide is that they are unemployed.
When newcomers see that everything they have worked hard for—their education, knowledge and skills—is not valued in Canada, they feel frustrated, disappointed and excluded.
Alejandro: It is mostly a problem for temporary workers because employers take advantage of their situations. They know you need the hours and money for permanent residency, so they don’t treat you as well as people who were born and raised in Canada.
What policies could be put in place to make newcomers in BC feel more welcome when they arrive?
Humaira: Policies that make life easier for newcomers are vital. Some people have to wait for over a year to access English courses, which causes even more problems. They need guidance for navigating job markets. Community resources would help newcomers to integrate more smoothly.
As I’m in my second year of a Master’s degree, I am doing research into why so few Afghan women work in BC. From what I understand, there is a lack of data about Afghan people. It makes people invisible! We need more research about newcomers so that policymakers can create programmes and policies to better support integration and participation in the workforce.
Alejandro: When I arrived, I was an international student. The government in BC does not have any support in place for people who arrive here with a work permit or on a student visa. We are not welcomed officially as newcomers. That is why I set up There in Canada, to welcome people like myself who need advice and support.
The Way Ahead
It appears paradoxical that Canada should pride itself on being welcoming to newcomers on paper, while simultaneously making it incredibly difficult for them to integrate. Immigrants are encouraged to come to Canada, but when they arrive, they find themselves in ill-suited employment and without adequate support.
Humaira and Alejandro both moved to BC because they believed that they could build good lives for themselves here. However, their combined experience highlights the extent to which newcomers from all over the world struggle to find employment. Policies that value Canadian experience and qualifications over non-Canadian ones put newcomers at a disadvantage.
At the same time, Canada has taken steps to stop treating newcomers and their experiences as secondary to Canadians. Yet, Humaira and Alejandro’s testimonies show that those affected are not seeing the effects. There are also racialized elements to consider. A CBC News survey found that white newcomers are more likely to find a job than racialized newcomers, suggesting high levels of racism in recruitment decisions.
Both interviewees were adamant that there needs to be greater support and advice put in place for newcomers. These could include simplified measures to have international qualifications recognized and support packages in place for every newcomer that simplify the first steps towards building a life in Canada.
Edited by Lubaba Mahmud
