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

Volunteering can be a win-win for immigrants and for Canada. Stepping into a new country can be daunting but volunteering can offer newcomers a unique pathway to integration, empowerment and a sense of belonging. Masooma Raza Ask Pakistani-born Masooma Raza. “I felt disconnected when I relocated to Canada a year ago. However, I discovered the opportunity to volunteer, which provided me with a means to connect,” says Raza, a communications specialist at Unity Health Toronto. Raza credits volunteering as a vital tool in establishing her Canadian network. Volunteering, she says, provided her a ..read more

Excitement is building as the date approaches for 4th annual edition of Threads: Cultural Conversations, a cornerstone event in our community’s calendar. Set to take place on May 22 and 23, 2024, this year’s virtual conference promises to be a transformative experience for attendees of all backgrounds, as it continues to be for the organizers and speakers. Hosted by the Saskatoon Open Door Society (SODS), Threads promotes equity, diversity and inclusion, through an impressive lineup of speakers and artists. “Threads opens a window on other cultures. It provides a powerful space for p ..read more

As businesses increasingly embrace AI technologies to enhance efficiency, automate processes and drive innovation, the demand for professionals with expertise in AI is surging, finds research from the Conference Board of Canada.  The publication, Code to Career: Artificial Intelligence Skill Trends, looks at the demand for AI skills across occupations, sectors and geography in Canada, current trends and highlights the role of post-secondary institutions in developing programs to meet this demand. The study finds that the demand for Artificial Intelligence skills in Canada has tripled from ..read more

Sponsored Content Lighthouse Labs is a leading tech education company that empowers individuals to transform their lives through hard work and dedication. With a supportive and collaborative environment, Lighthouse Labs addresses the digital skills gap and ensures that technological change is an opportunity for all. To date, it has equipped over 40,000 students with the competencies needed to drive innovation in cyber security, data science, data analytics, web development, and more. Through a purpose-driven approach to learning and a team of passionate instructors and mentors, Lighthouse Labs ..read more