Editorial

I met a very successful man who spent almost half of his 10 years in Canada fighting to get his credentials recognized. In our first meeting, he said to me, “They tell you that Canada is friendly to newcomers. But that’s not true – Canada is violent to newcomers.”

I wouldn’t have used the word “violent” but then again, I’m not an engineer or a medical doctor who came to Canada believing that a good job and prosperity awaited me here, only to have my credentials weighed and found wanting.
I’m not a refugee who is finding out that without good English skills it is very hard to find any kind of job at all. I never risked most of my worldly possessions or said goodbye to dear friends or family on a gamble of a good life.

But if “violent” is a good description, then I would like to say, “I’m sorry.” And I’m sure most Canadians would join me.

The Canadian government and Canadian business establishment are both trying to find answers. One tool they find helpful is employment assessment. The more quickly you get one, the faster you can get on track to the Canadian career you intend to pursue – and the more quickly you will have the tools to figure out if your financial resources will carry you long enough to become “employable” in your field.

In the meantime, you might find that people are willing to pay you for what you know (you might make a good consultant, bookkeeper or teacher) or you may discover that you have good business instincts. Over the next year thousands of you will open shops, schools and a huge variety of other businesses.

Hopefully, something you read in the following pages will help you – even a little bit – towards your success in Canada.

Dale Sproule, Editor.

CNM