“Beyond ‘Canadian experience’: Immigrant employment from a human rights perspective”
Canadian experience: the newcomer services’ view
Immigrants are people, not just figures says young Canadian photographer
“Beyond ‘Canadian experience’: Immigrant employment from a human rights perspective”
On January 16, 2013 I participated in a panel titled, “Beyond ‘Canadian Experience’: Immigrant Employment from a Human Rights Perspective” in The Debates Room at Hart House at University of Toronto. I represented the Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto to launch a special edition of New Voices magazine centring on “Canadian experience.” Below is my speech:
Everyday, unfortunately, whenever you read your daily newspaper or follow your Twitter feed, you will come along an article or a testimonial that will remind you that newcomers to Canada still face many barriers. Read more
Canadian experience: the newcomer services’ view
By 2015, 100 per cent of all labour growth in Canada will come from immigration. Still, recent statistics show that GTA unemployment rates, for example, stand at 5.4 per cent for Canadian-born workers, while they’re almost double for immigrants, at 9.6 per cent. If we just look at those who arrived in the past five years, the figure is as high as 14.2 per cent.
Architect Films’ new documentary on Toronto immigrants from countries in conflict
I have been asked by Architect Films to help out with a documentary they are producing about Canadian immigrants who come from countries in conflict. Architect Films is looking for immigrants who can tell their stories. Below are details about the project.
G.K.
Architect Films is developing a documentary about immigrants living in Toronto who come from countries that have suffered through conflict in recent years. The documentary will tie together the stories of individuals who experienced violence firsthand in their homeland, and have since escaped to Toronto, the most multi-cultural city in the world. Read more 
Maple Key Campaign 2012: Gerard’s Story
Shortly after moving to Canada, I started volunteering with the Mennonite New Life Centre working with a group of internationally trained journalists.
Currently my story is featured as part of the Centre’s “Maple Key Campaign 2012.” The campaign features also the stories of other newcomers that the Centre is helping: Olga, Rayhan and Paco.
Read more
Persistence pays off for immigrant physiotherapist
Nada Khairallah was a successful physiotherapist in Lebanon, but she was looking for more. And she believed that she could find new opportunities in Canada. She applied for immigration in 1999 and was on her way to a new life in Canada. Read more
Orange LLP features Gerard Keledjian’s success
The Orange LLP blog featured me this week as a newcomer success story! I was happy to share my stories - from Canadian media and the newcomer experience to maple syrup – with the readers of the blog. The interviewer was Tory Hetherington.
The blog post reads: “TH: You’re an incredibly accomplished person! How did you get your career started? Did you always know you’d have an involvement in media? Read more
From engineering to environment: How a mentor helped an immigrant’s journey to work
When Victor Reyes left the Philippines to pursue his Master of Engineering in Australia, he didn’t think he will end up in Canada. And just when the idea of staying in Australia started to tempt him, he fell in love with a Canadian, got married and moved to Toronto in 2006.
Reyes didn’t do any research. When in Toronto, he contacted a credential evaluation service and had his degrees certified. Read more
Alternatives looking for story contributions from new Canadians
Immigrants are people, not just figures says young Canadian photographer
Brett Gundlock didn’t know anything about immigration. He had not lived the immigrant experience himself nor did know anyone who had. His limited views on the subject came from what he had heard during his occasional chats with cab drivers and by listening to their stories. Read more
Fitting Canada’s new faces
When it comes to shopping for eyewear, how do new immigrants differ from their Canadian-raised offspring?
The fifth and current wave of immigration to Canada started after reforms were made to the country’s immigration law in the late 60s and throughout the 70s. The majority of immigrants began coming from South Asia, China, and to a lesser extent from the Philippines, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
So what do those recent immigrants look for when they go to optical stores here? And are there any differences between the ones who moved to Canada and their native-born offspring when it comes to consuming eyecare products? Read more
