Use immigrants’ skills: Miller
Foreign credentials not recognized, mayor tells conference Newcomers do well but their success rate is starting to slip
Barriers that prevent professionally trained immigrants from getting jobs in Canada need to be removed, Mayor David Miller told the Metropolis conference meeting in Toronto.
Miller said his own mother had difficulty getting a teaching job when she arrived in 1967, despite 28 years of experience in England, because she didn’t have Grade 13.
“ It was a level of school that didn’t exist outside Ontario so it was impossible to meet,” Miller said. “ That happens today over and over and over again.”
Toronto, which has more immigrants than native- born residents, should be given a role in setting immigration policy so it can advocate improvements, Miller said while taking part in a panel with municipal leaders from Vancouver, United States, Sweden, France, The Netherlands and Brazil.
“ Our immigration system nationally welcomes people because of their qualifications and often people get here and then can’t use those qualifications,” he said, adding that some end up driving cabs for a living.
“ The reluctance to recognize foreign credentials after allowing newcomers into the country sees many qualified individuals step into taxicabs instead of assuming professional jobs in hospitals, universities and schools.”
Employers need to be encouraged to give newcomers a chance, he added.
“ We often in Canada, unfortunately, have business say, ‘ What’s your Canadian experience?’ rather than ‘ What’s your relevant job experience?’ We’re starting, I think, to educate businesses that when you ask ‘ What’s your relevant job experience?’ you can tap a wealth of resources.” Newcomers to Toronto work hard and do well, but their success rate is starting to slip. Historically, immigrants achieved income levels exceeding native- born Canadians after eight years in the country, but that has now lengthened to 12 years or more, Miller said. The city’s economy is enriched by immigration, he told the conference, being held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Metropolis is an international forum for research and policy that looks at the impact of diversity and immigration on cities. Its 10th conference is being held in Toronto until Friday.
“ Our labour force heavily depends upon immigrants of varying kinds of skills from professional to trades to manual. And our small business economy here is driven often by people of diverse backgrounds, many of whom are immigrants.”
Miller offered the example of a shop in the Gerrard India Bazaar that sells wedding outfits to people of Hindu background throughout North America.
“ People literally fly to Toronto to get their wedding clothes . . . So immigration is good for business.”
Because the city government sees the problems and opportunities firsthand, it should help set immigration policy, he argued.
“ We’re trying to achieve an agreement with Ottawa, Queen’s Park and Toronto on immigration settlement.
“ We know how important immigration is for successful business and entrepreneurism,” Miller said. “ We also know there are challenges if we don’t properly help people successfully adapt.
“ And without being at the table, we can’t achieve the best goals.”