Time to Change

The following are two letters sent by readers of the Toronto Star, in reaction to the Editorial posted in the newspaper's Nov. 11th edition. These letters speak of an ugly truth that is so prevalent in Canada.




CANADA SHOULDN'T LECTURE FRANCE ON DISCRIMINATION
Nov. 13, 2005. 01:00 AM
Lee Yap, Toronto

Canada hardly is justified in lecturing France about integration. Granted, Canada's image is that of a tolerant, accepting nation with an open immigration policy and the French are much more elitist in many respects.

But Canada keeps selling immigrants on the dream of a better life while leaving out that all-important detail about "Canadian experience." As a result, we are wasting so much skill that could be put to better use. The irony is that for all its faults, I hardly ever hear about someone needing American experience to land a suitable job in the U.S. Surely it also exists but not to the degree it does here.

I daresay it is a form of racism to not give someone even just a shot simply because they do not possess Canadian experience. When my wife first went job hunting here, it was the Americans who took a chance on her — without an ounce of North American experience — making her head up their Canadian office. She rewarded them with numbers that four previous Canadian-born predecessors could not produce. This is not to say immigrants are better, just that they are not inferior.


TIME TO CHANGE OUR ATTITUDES
Let's embrace our new citizens with open arms and make sure they have equal opportunities
Nov. 14, 2005. 01:00 AM
Fernando Duque, Toronto

What is happening these days in France should make us think of the origin of these "riots," as the media insist on calling them. Inequity, discrimination and lack of opportunities affect immigrants, whether they emigrated out of desire or necessity. People who often had no option but to leave behind their possessions and to start a new life in a completely different culture, learning a new language and finding their way in a new society often find that they are not welcome in their new homes.

One can't help thinking of the similarities between the French situation and the hurdles that immigrants to Canada are forced to endure.

We pride ourselves on our multicultural society, but are we really welcoming these newcomers?

I have been in Canada for four years. I came here as a refugee and I am grateful for many things. I saved my life by moving to Canada, but I left my dignity at the border and I have not seen it since. Regardless of one's reasons for immigrating to Canada, whether that person comes as a refugee or as a landed immigrant, most immigrants will have to face the same situations once they arrive here.

First, there is "cultural shock." Learning the "Canadian way" of doing things can be quite painful and it explains why many immigrants decide to stay within a specific neigbourhood like Chinatown, little Italy or the Danforth; instinct makes them look for protection.

Then there is the language barrier. Having an accent in other parts of the world can work in your favour and can often be seen as "charming." In Canada, it is the other way around, where having an accent can close all doors. If someone has an accent that person is not seen as being on par with Canadians.

Let's not forget the most problematic of all the issues — finding a job. Doctors, accountants, engineers, architects and any professionals quickly realize their foreign experience and qualifications are worthless in Canada and they have to start from scratch. Experienced, foreign-trained professionals are serving hamburgers in restaurants because Canadian employers dismiss them as candidates for positions based solely upon their "lack of Canadian experience."

On top of the previous problems, there is the issue of the educational system in Canada. There are no undergraduate or postgraduate evening programs, they all are daytime programs and, for the most part, very expensive. Canadian employers dismiss foreign experience but there's no way to earn a living while also acquiring Canadian educational credentials.

Canada is a popular destination for immigrants dreaming of opportunities. They come here full of hope, only to be disappointed time after time by the discrimination and restrictions heaped upon them as they attempt to realize their dreams.


Going back to the problems in France, are the Canadian government and private organizations waiting for newcomers to Canada to say "enough" and start burning cars in the streets? Of course, no one wants things like this to happen anywhere. Hopefully, the world, and especially the so called "developed" countries, will learn a good lesson from what is happening in France. It's time to change our attitudes toward new Canadians. Let's embrace our new citizens with open arms and equal opportunities.