Proposed Ontario legislation would remove a barrier for immigrants
Neil Gonsalves says the success of proposed Ontario legislation ‘will depend on our collective ability to get out of our own way’
Written by Neil Gonsalves | Originally published on November 5th, 2023 | For Metroland Media Group | Durham Division | You can view the original article HERE to read it in it’s original format.
“When newcomers to Ontario get a meaningful chance to contribute, everyone wins.” - (David Piccini - Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development)
“Is this performative or will it actually stop discrimination in the job market?” That was a question I was asked at the end of a guest speaking engagement where I mentioned the proposed new legislation by the Ontario government that would ban the use of “Canadian work experience” as a requirement in job postings or application forms.
I presented to a group of internationally educated professionals seeking employment in their field of expertise. I was asked to share my thoughts on new immigrant integration and potential barriers to full employment.
As an immigrant myself, it is heart-wrenching to hear questions like the one I was asked. It reveals the fears and trepidations many highly educated immigrant professionals face when embarking on a job hunt. The tone of voice and the sombre expression on the face of the person asking the question revealed a level of angst often underappreciated.
Whether the proposed legislation will have the desired impact its advocates purport will depend on the attitudes of employers and the biases of recruiters. It will require a shift in the way we think about knowledge and experience. In a global society where labour moves relatively seamlessly around the planet, the physical location where experience is acquired is less relevant than the transferable utility those skills and knowledge bring to the Canadian workforce.
In the first nine months of 2023, more than 162,000 new immigrants arrived in Ontario. According to the most recently published census data, “immigrants (including non-permanent residents) comprised approximately 28 per cent of Durham’s population.” By comparison to other GTA regions, Durham has the lowest percentage of immigrants.
In Canada, immigrants admitted under the economic category are selected based on their capacity to contribute to the economy and meet labour market demands, or to create economic opportunities through self-employment. The economic category is one of the primary categories for immigrant selection, accounting for more than half of new immigrants to Canada.
Yet many new immigrants, including those arriving under the economic category, find themselves woefully underemployed. Piccini said in an early November 2023 statement, “For far too long, too many people arriving in Canada have been funnelled toward dead-end jobs they’re overqualified for. We need to ensure these people can land well-paying and rewarding careers that help tackle the labour shortage.”
The Ontario government plans to introduce legislation that, if passed, would ban the use of “Canadian work experience” as a requirement in job postings or application forms. The intention is to allow new immigrants a pathway into employment that matches their qualifications. If passed, this new legislation will mean “Ontario would be the first in Canada to include provisions on Canadian experience in employment standards legislation.”
Whether this proposed legislation is performative or substantive will depend on our collective ability to get out of our own way. It will be contingent on our capacity to see value in plurality, and demonstrate a willingness to embrace a multitude of perspectives.
A changing social context can be the catalyst for economic growth, creativity and the emergence of new opportunities — or we can choose to believe that the best measure of experience is its acquisition within a defined area contained within an imaginary line on a map.
About the Author:
Neil Gonsalves is an Indian-born Canadian immigrant who grew up in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and moved to Canada in 1995. He is an Ontario college educator, TEDx speaker, author, and an advocate for new immigrant integration and viewpoint diversity.
Notes:
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1003798/ontario-to-ban-requirements-for-canadian-work-experience-in-job-postings
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/221026/dq221026a-eng.htm
As a person who heard the words "no Canadian experience" when I moved here and "no Trinidadian experience" when I had moved back home for a couple years, I can tell you it is emotionally devastating and destroys your motivation. However, that being said, I would be interested in how this gets rolled out and implemented - done right it would be the answer to many an immigrant prayer.
Appreciate the article and Brian's comment about his experience, both made me see this in a different light. Will be interesting to follow-up on this in a year or two.