A country of immigrants, we know that integration is a two-way street and we can all do our part to build welcoming communities. Canada Connects initiative, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and offered through several settlement agencies across the country, seeks to creates meaningful connections between newcomers, long-time Canadians, and established immigrants. The free program helps newcomers with the settlement process, and combat the isolation many face as they move to a new country. Canada Connects helps newcomers gain a sense of belonging and become fully en ..read more

Navigating Canada’s immigration system can bring exciting new opportunities but also frustrations – particularly when faced when an application stuck in processing. Delays, lack of updates and prolonged waiting are not only stressful but may result in missed job and academic opportunities, or family separation. In today’s processing landscape, delayed applications are not only common, but broadly felt by applicants across all application categories. So, what recourse do you have with a delayed application? Thankfully, there are several different strategies available. Each option has its own ad ..read more

As a nutritionist, mother of three, chief cook, and married to an Italian man with a huge extended family, my entire world revolves around eating. As a new mom (16 years ago already), I remember feeling overwhelmed with meal preparation, which surprised me as I am a dietitian and I love to eat. Admittedly, feeding my family in those early years was no small feat. Below are learnings based on my own personal experiences. Expand your children’s palette Helping to expand food choices for a child, who only wants to eat curly macaroni with butter, is daunting. Did you know that over 50 per cent of ..read more

The mere act of removing oneself from all that is familiar and landing in the middle of a new culture can shake our sense of self. It takes time to navigate these new changes, this new language and these new beginnings. The whole process can be quite overwhelming; even more so for those fleeing a traumatic situations. It can have a profound impact on how we see ourselves and the world. So, how do we stay centered? How to navigate this uprootedness and make sense of it all?   One powerful tool that contributes to working through these adjustments is jour ..read more

To most immigrants, arriving in Canada is a dream. While some are lucky to have a prior job waiting or have relatives or friends to stay with, others are not so fortunate. They may have to start on their own and find their own path. Living in Canada can pose many challenges especially if you are alone. If only life came with a user manual! Unfortunately, it doesn’t, and it doesn’t have an “undo” button either. But life gives you lessons, and experience makes us wiser. Below are some dos and don’ts based on lessons learned from my own personal journey in Canada to help you prevent the Canadian ..read more

In today’s world of constant flux, the dynamics of the workplace are changing too and springing one surprise after the other. The latest one doing the rounds of workplace discussions is the trend of ‘dry promotions’. Simply put, your employer may reward you with a higher position, a new job title or additional responsibilities. But you do not get the intended pay raise that should have accompanied the promotion.  While this can be disappointing, a dry promotion can help you gain valuable management experience, develop your skills, and expand your resume to aid future career progression. Y ..read more

Chinese-born Gu Zhenzhen moved to Toronto over three decades ago to study magazine journalism. She stayed home for a decade to look after her four children and went back to school when her youngest started kindergarten. She eventually received a bachelor’s degree in education and became a teacher at the Toronto District School Board. Gu has had a wide variety of jobs – from a flower seller to a babysitter, bookseller to a Mandarin teacher. She says these experiences provide her with rich material for her writing. She now works at the Toronto Public Library. What brought you to Canada? I was a ..read more

All Canadians are invited to discover the shortlist of 75 Canadian Immigrant Award finalists from across Canada, read their profiles and cast your vote for their top three favourites at canadianimmigrant.ca/top25. Now in its 16th year, this prestigious award has been recognizing and celebrating the stories of Canadian immigrants who have achieved great things while inspiring others and making an impact in their adopted country. “With 1.5 million immigrants set to arrive in Canada over the next three years, it’s important to be welcoming and supportive as they build their new lives in Canada. W ..read more

Every spring, in recognition of International Women’s Day, March 8, Canadian Immigrant spotlights women of inspiration in different fields. Our 2024 Immigrant Women of Inspiration special shines the spotlight on passionate storytellers – women behind the camera who share authentic experiences and powerful perspectives through film. Their passion and dedication have brought real life stories to the screen, despite limited financial resources. These committed, creative filmmakers have made storytelling a personal and professional quest, carving out a space for narratives that resonate deeply wit ..read more

Only 14 per cent of Canadians are very confident in their understanding of tax-related terminology finds a poll conducted by TurboTax Canada. According to the survey findings, 27 per cent of Canadians have never heard of the term NETFILE. This lack of clarity can lead to confusion and increased stress during filing season. More so for those who are new to Canada or with English as a secondary language. Here is a list some of the key Canadian terms compiled by TurboTax Canada to help navigate the complexities of the tax season. Balance Owing: The remainder when your payable amounts ar ..read more