Maple News reports that while immigration remains a cornerstone of Canada’s economic recovery and population growth strategy, many newcomers continue to face hurdles when entering the labor market. Despite demand for skilled workers, obstacles such as non-recognition of foreign credentials, language barriers, cultural differences, and underlying hiring biases can delay or derail newcomers’ career goals.
Tim Lang, President and CEO of Youth Employment Services (YES) in Toronto, says these challenges reveal a disconnect between employers and internationally trained professionals. “Despite the need for new Canadians, there are still employers who show a preference for Canadian-born workers,” Lang explains. YES is one of several employment organizations focused on helping immigrants build pathways toward meaningful employment by supporting resume development, recruitment matchmaking, and workplace readiness.
Employment support services like YES collaborate with thousands of local employers to advocate for inclusive hiring. They not only connect talented immigrants with job opportunities but also work to educate employers about the tangible benefits of a diverse workforce. According to Lang, “New Canadians bring fresh perspectives, a wealth of global experience, and immense potential. Once they overcome initial language or cultural hurdles, they often become vital, long-term contributors to business growth.”
Recognizing these systemic barriers, the Ontario Human Rights Commission released a policy in 2013 aimed at eliminating the so-called “Canadian experience” requirement in hiring. This policy stresses that demanding Canadian work experience can be discriminatory and provides guidelines to support fairer hiring processes.
Immigrants themselves can take proactive steps to improve their job prospects. First and foremost, Lang advises adapting to employer expectations in Canada. A major part of this involves crafting a Canadian-style resume. According to Government guidelines, an effective resume should be concise (no longer than two pages), free of spelling errors, and focused on measurable achievements. Writing in the third person and excluding personal pronouns like “I” or “my” is also recommended.
Canada’s economy relies heavily on newcomers to fill labor shortages and bolster population growth. As more immigrants join the workforce, ensuring they have equitable access to jobs is not only a matter of fairness but critical to the nation’s long-term prosperity. Advocacy from employment centers and evolving employer mindsets play a key role in bridging this gap.
Maple News will continue covering the evolving landscape of immigration and employment in Canada, ensuring newcomers are equipped with the right knowledge to thrive.