"You can't possibly have this problem in Canada!"
I flew to Germany last Sunday for a bit of a holiday - but unsurprisingly, have found myself working, and thinking about work, quite a lot! In spite of this, I have managed to drink quite a lot of coffee on patios and enjoy a trip to a Palace (a schloss as the Germans say) so it's not all hard work.
When I arrived at my AirBnB in Cologne, I was greeted by the delightful host, and we quickly found ourselves in a conversation about immigration. Germany, being connected by land to so many other countries, and with a welcoming immigration policy, has found itself as host to many thousands of migrants in recent years. Not all the stories are good, but in general, Germany has been accepting. It is known as the third-most welcoming country in the world for refugees, hosting 2.2 million, and 900,000 Ukrainians since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.
My host explained that there are challenges in Germany with the number of migrants, and I shared with her that, in spite of our relatively small numbers, we too struggle in Canada - with issues like employment, language training, and offering opportunities for integration for newcomers.
She was - I would say - a bit shocked.
"Really?" she said "You cannot teach them all English? People are not employed? You can't possibly have this problem in Canada."
I felt slightly badly telling her that this is the case in Canada. And yet, it was clear that there was some degree of misunderstanding about what we as Canadians are able to offer to newcomers.
Why would that be?
Compared to Germany, Canada accepts a finite, and relatively minimal number of newcomers for our land mass and wealth. Our refugee commitments are moderate, and we hand off some of our refugee requirements to private sponsorship groups.
And we do provide services. Publicly-funded organizations offer language classes, employment programs, and settlement services for life in Canada.
But it's not enough.
There are too many newcomers, and not enough teachers. Not enough appointments. And not enough access (Hands up if you live in rural Canada and not in a capital city!).
So how do we fix it?
Sure, we can demand that the provincial and federal governments provide more STUFF. But it takes time, and there may not be enough people to provide the services.
Alternatively - and perhaps not as attractively - individuals and groups can pay for these services.
I know - pay for it. Privately. Ugh!
But here's the thing: Paying for these services privately makes them
faster,
more efficient,
tailored to your needs,
and built on relationship (not on government funding!).
It's not to say there aren't great services to access from settlement agency and publicly-funded opportunties. But if you or someone you know who is new to Canada is waiting a REALLY LONG TIME for services, you might consider looking elsewhere.
Groups like the Halifax Newcomer Choir provide free language learning opportunties - unconnected to government-funded agencies. This group is entirely based on building relationships between newcomers and Canadians.
I offer a weekly, online English language class on Wednesday evenings. People can participate from anywhere in the world, and it's only $5 CDN to join. You don't have to preregister, and you don't have to commit. If you or someone you know wants to join our group, send me an email at info@orchardviewcoaching.com
If you are trying to get a job, or get a better job, in Canada, and not having much luck, free services can offer you some supports for your resume, interview skills, and job searching. If that doesn't work - or if it's taking too long - I can help.
We will spend time looking at your documents, and at your LinkedIn profile, talking about the skills you need and tricks you can use in Canada, and making sure you understand the work environment here.
And if you are an employer looking to hire newcomers, but still waiting to hear back from someone at an agency, give me a call! I will tailor-make your sessions, focusing on the skills and techniques that you and your team need - all for a very reasonable price.
All of these options put newcomers in touch with real Canadians, or with me - someone who will be with them for the long haul. No more getting swapped around between staffers; no lost files. Just you and me, meeting up, chatting, and making your Canadian experience a positive one.
Sound good? Send me a message at info@orchardviewcoaching.com. I'd love to chat with you.
Take care,
Rachel