found out sooner how grim the prospects would be for them. They could then have saved themselves the trouble of coming over. The lack of success on the part of many professionals in accessing the job market raises the question as to whether immigrants are too obsessed with working for someone. A person with some savings and that many years of experience could investigate the possibilities of working as a self-employed accountant in Canada. One might begin as a home-based business and with a track record of success expand into regular office space. Most people with a need for accounting services would not care as long as they are assured that the job would be done satisfactorily. Considering that payment will be contingent upon proper execution of the project in question no one has anything to lose. Too few recent immigrants may be considering such possibilities even though Canada has a rich history of immigrants succeeding as self-employed individuals or families.
Dealing with “Acculturative Stress”
Going from being a doctor in one’s country and enjoying the status and perks that come with it to becoming a dishwasher in Canada may cause some people to stress out. Some are strong enough that they take such a come-down for what it is: a temporary condition. But as the months stretch into years one’s self-esteem can take a beating. Certainly, you can draw strength from your accomplishments in the past and acknowledge that the shenanigans that Canadians use to avoid employing immigrants do not make you less than you are. While you cannot help but feel the effects it is also clear that your lack of acceptance from those who appear to hold your fate in their hands does not necessarily mean you are incompetent. There is a point beyond which you realize that it’s not just because you are not a good fit for the companies to which you are applying but that there is something deeper going on. You begin to realize that, this great country, with all its shining buildings, well-scrubbed people, gleaming cars and blooming flora, also has another side, a dark side, if you will, and that as the saying goes, all that glitters is not gold. You may find comfort in commiserating with other immigrants whose own tales of woe may be worse than your own. You may even laugh through your tears and go for a walk along the beach or do a bit of window shopping to cheer yourself up. You’ve come to Canada with the full expectation of throwing yourself into Canadian life but how can that happen, when you are stymied at the starting gate? Without a job, how do you participate actively in the life of the community? You may begin to wonder if you had made a mistake to make Canada your new home. You want to convince yourself that all will be well. What a beautiful country! Why can’t you also have a little share in this piece of heaven on earth? But you need to get a job and all your efforts are turning to nil. Beauty is all around you but you can’t have beauty for breakfast, can you? And when your three-year-old cries for some solid food you certainly can’t say, “Hey, kiddo, look through that window pane. This is a beautiful country.” You may begin to feel a certain disconnection between yourself and other Canadians, that is, those that you perceive to be shutting doors of opportunity in your face.
You might draw hope from the experiences of other immigrants who have eventually succeeded in making their dreams come true. For some, having an exit strategy has been the key to saving their sanity and their pocketbook. While some, such as the astronaut husbands of Hong Kong and Taiwan are able to fly back and forth between their native land and their newly adopted country not everyone is able to do so. Consider the full range of options open to you, including whether or not to accept a temporary job while doing what is necessary to gain the necessary occupational foothold in your field.
Move from Knowledge to Wisdom
Wisdom is the application of knowledge. Thus, knowing the importance of good communication skills and the concern that some employers raise about accents would you consider doing something about your accent or do you see that as an assault on your identity to have to try speaking “like a Canadian?” If you are independently wealthy and do not need to depend on others for jobs or other favours you might decide that your accent is just fine, thank you. Others might think that for the sake of adaptability it is important to work on their accents. Some Canadians may truly be unable to understand your accent even though in your heart of hearts you believe that you are speaking English or French. While some make an extra effort to understand the immigrant others take the attitude that immigrants had better adapt, or else! If you have been imagining all along that living in Canada is going to be an easy ride you might have to do a reappraisal. The reasons employers can cite for not taking you on are numerous and they do not all necessarily hold water. The common heritage of mainstream Canadians and those from Western Europe may be one of the key reasons those individuals are given opportunities much faster but the truth may be a little more complex. The educational systems of countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States are perceived to be roughly similar to the Canadian educational system whereas in many other countries Canadians are not really sure. Of course, if business leaders have been paying attention they will know that despite what they read in the media there are many other countries with a good educational base. Also, people from Europe may have more reference points with Canadians in terms of interest in popular culture. It is easier to get along with people who watch the same types of movies, enjoy the same kinds of jokes, and have the same kinds of hobbies. In a perfect world this should not have been the case but we do not live in a perfect world. So, how about taking part in activities that put you in contact with mainstream Canadians? Some have found involvement in church activities, the art and theatre scenes, or sports to be good places to connect with others.
CHAPTER FIVEBARRIERS TO MINORITY SUCCESS: RACISM, IDENTITY, AND DIVERSITY
Thank You, Canada
Most immigrants feel grateful that Canada has allowed them in. This reflects many immigrants’ awareness that Canada is indeed a terrific country. But whether immigrants or refugees many of these new entrants are very much aware of their capacities, abilities, and potential, which they do not wish to waste languishing in Canada year after year without any opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the continued development of the country. While the political asylum granted by Canada allowed them to escape from possible premature death they were also hopeful that they would be able to access jobs or take advantage of educational opportunities or self-improvement. Many, however, find out that their qualifications count for nothing or very little in Canada. Many in this group believe that racism is at the heart of their lack of economic progress or social acceptance. This is because the educational attainments of many of these new entrants to Canada are quite high, with many having completed high school and not a few with degrees or other higher educational qualifications from their old countries. Canada, by showcasing its acceptance of refugees, is able to enjoy the accolades that come with such an expression of concern for the victims. Canada is able to make a show of being beneficent which hardly translates into practice, except for those new entrants that connect to strategic resources. Even while these visible minorities lament the lack of any visible opportunities for themselves they express the hope that in time they would not forever remain at the bottom of the Canadian social and economic totem pole.
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