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| Subject: Results of Immigrant survey after 4 years . |
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The following survey results were printed in the Toronto Sun newspaper today, July 15th , 2007.
The survey was conducted by Statistics Canada, and the intent was to find out what barriers Immigrants faced when they came to Canada.
After fours years in Canada, 84 pecent of those surveyed said that they were positive that coming to Canada was the right thing for them to have done.
When asked why they came to Canada, 32 percent said that the quality of life in Canada was the most important factor, while 20 percent said that they wanted to be closer to family and friends, while 18 pecent cited future prospects for their children, and 19 percent said that the peaceful nature of Canada was most important to them.
In terms of the hardest part about settling into Canadian society/culture, the respondents said that "finding a good job " was the hardest thing they experienced, while "learning English or French " was the second hardest thing that they had to overcome when they arrived in Canada.
In answer to the survey question " What has been the hardest part of finding a good job in Canada " the survey showed that " A lack of Canadian work experience and " a lack of a understanding of how Canadians do their work work " was the top problem, acording to a full 50 percent of the persons surveyed. Second problem, reported by 37 percent of the resondents was " Not having any personal contacts in the Canadian job market".
Foreign work experience was cited by 37 percent as a factor in not getting a "good job in Canada ". This was due to the Immigrants not having taken the time to have their qualifications assesed before coming to Canada. Assuming that their education and degrees will be automatically accepted was a common surprise among those surveyed.
Fully a third ( 33 percent ) of the surveyed person said they had very significant difficulties with their ability to work and live in a English speaking society. Not being able to understand their supervisors, clients and their peers at work was very streesful for many of the Immigrants. Many spoke of their need to learn "specific langauge for their working environment ", such as in banking or accounting employment situations.
A further common report in the survey was that newcomers had seriously mis-judged the culture shock factor when coming to Canada. Coming from a country where women are treated as property, and are not allowed to have any rights was very hard for many men. Many Immigrant men had serious problems working with women in Canada, who are educated and independant people. Conflicts about the treatment of women by men from other cultures was a prominent factor of the in-ability of some men to assimilate in Canada.
I present this as a point of dicussion here, to get the readers to examine their own reasons for trying to immigrate to Canada. The most important point that the survey brings out is this......
It is up to the individual immigrant to become as educated about Canadian life and culture as they can possibly be, before they arrive in Canada. Add to that the need to be open-minded re the freedom that we enjoy in Canada. If you expect the life style here to be "just like at home " you will be sorely disapointed when you arrive.
Look beyond the "Immigration process " and learn about life in Canada.
Your comments are welocme here.
Jim B. Toronto.
[15-07-2007,19:11]
[**.99.152.2]
Canadian Citizen |
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(in reply to: Results of Immigrant survey after 4 years .)
from my personal experience I would say that the survey results hit the issues exactly as I see them.
culture and langugage adaptation are far more important than educational.
[15-07-2007,20:14]
[***.121.220.199]
sharon |
(in reply to: Results of Immigrant survey after 4 years .)
As an American coming to Canada last year, I would say finding a job in my profession was the hardest thing. Even though it would have been relatively easy in the States, not so easy in Canada. The next shock to me was the high cost of living and everyday expenses compared to the States. Yet I don´t regret coming for a second.
[16-07-2007,00:57]
[**.47.174.241]
Richard |
(in reply to: Results of Immigrant survey after 4 years .)
Richard
In which place do you live ? is high cost of living everywhere in Canada ?
Thanks
(Have not moved yet)
[16-07-2007,14:52]
[***.207.36.26]
CBV333 |
(in reply to: Results of Immigrant survey after 4 years .)
CBV333,
Sault Ste. Marie, ON. And yes, the cost of living is high everywhere in Canada (in my opinion compared to States), with housing skyrocketing around the bigger cities such Toronto and Vancouver. Housing was the only cost that was low in my city. But that´s because of declining economy, limited job opportunities, and not much in the way of culture and activities, other than hockey (they live and breathe it here). On the other hand, beautiful scenery, wildlife, and outdoor activities all around as it´s located on the wild and rugged shores of Lake Superior.
But I have to say I´m picking up and moving elsewhere for reasons mentioned. I have a couple destinations in mind which I´m planning on visiting soon to take a look and check out.
Where are you going to locate? And how is your PR progress?
[16-07-2007,17:06]
[**.47.174.241]
Richard |
(in reply to: Results of Immigrant survey after 4 years .)
Richard,
It may be in Ontario ... I should know about this by next week, maybe in London but I am not sure yet.
I thought that only big cities are expensive. I did not know about small ones. May I assume that salary is relative to cost of living ??? I am concerned now.
I think USA is expensive ... you get me worried now.
I have a long way before getting my PR (AOR-April 07) so I have time but I am planning ahead and may (or may not) get a job before my PR is approved, which would result in me moving much sooner !!
[16-07-2007,18:38]
[***.207.36.26]
CBV333 |
(in reply to: Results of Immigrant survey after 4 years .)
Good luck to you CBV333, I´m sure you´ll get your PR fairly soon. Canada is expensive from an American point of view. But then Americans pay through the noses for their mediocre medical care which in Canada is free, high quality, and available to all. I prefer the latter model. Every country has it´s pluses and minuses, and it´s which pluses are most important to you that count.
[16-07-2007,23:18]
[**.47.174.241]
Richard |
Its NOT free, but it is universal. (in reply to: Results of Immigrant survey after 4 years .)
Richard:
I have to correct you on the Canadian health care system. It is NOT free, as we all pay into it, both directly, thru the OHIP monthly premiums that are deducted from the paycheques by our employers, and indirectly thru taxation on many things, such as the Provincial Sales Tax and Provincial taxes on alcohol ( at the LCBO ) and tobacco.
Just because you don´t get a invoice from your Doctor, after an office visit doesn´t mean he didn´t bill OHIP for his services.
And, about the cost of living in SSM, would it be much different across the bridge in SSM Michigan? I don´t think so. Both are northern industrial towns that are far from most big cities, and both are limited in their "cultural " life.
But of course you knew that before you went there, right ?
Jim B. Toronto.
[17-07-2007,08:59]
[**.99.152.2]
Canadian Citizen |
(in reply to: Results of Immigrant survey after 4 years .)
Jim,
Thanks for the update. Technically, you´re correct. Health care is not completely "free" in Canada, as everyone pays for it through their taxes. However it´s free from the American sense that you don´t get billed, invoiced, and nickeled and dimed for every visit or medical need. Nor get denied coverage. To me it´s free when you don´t have to check your wallet and worry about expenses every time you visit the doctor.
I have to correct you on your impressions of SSM, as I lived there. Yes, SSM Ontario and Michigan are small towns with limited employment bases. However SSM Michigan was much cheaper in terms of the cost of goods and services. At the SSM Michigan service stations there were always Ontarians there constantly filling up their cars to take advantage of the cheap gas. I chatted with them often.
SSM Ontarians frequently make the trek across the bridge to SSM Michigan and stock up on groceries and various items at Walmart and Kmart before heading back in the evening.
As far as what I did or did not know before moving there?
I saw that many Torontonians were leaving Toronto´s congestion, exorbitant huousing costs, and rising crime seeking solice and refuge in SSM, albeit an economically depressed town with limited culture. Nevertheless, many went there to start their own businesses and enjoy the natural scenery SSM has to offer.
It´s easy to make generalizations about living someplace, but then actually live there to find out how it really is.
I´m talking about myself here. Many would never venture to take such a risk. One can only understand how a place is by actually living there and trying it.
[17-07-2007,13:56]
[**.47.174.241]
Richard |
I have family in Spanish. (in reply to: Results of Immigrant survey after 4 years .)
With the CDN dollar approaching a par level with the US dollar, are people still shopping in SSM Michigan?
I all ways point out the fact that the US population is 90 percent LARGER than that of Canada as a way to explain the cost of living being higher here. Obviously WE have fewer people to pay the cost of our "social services " programs here, so the individual has to pay more to support them. That population difference also comes into play when you look at consumer prices in Canada, compared to the USA, where they have a MUCH bigger consumer base to sell to.
I have family who live in the Algoma region so I understand the idea that some people like the north and others don´t like it, but I have to wonder about the idea of someone moving from Toronto, to SSM to start a business. It is much more likely, in my opinion, that they would re-locate to a smalller city in southern Ontario like Barrie or Kingston, where the economy is more robust.
Jim B.
[18-07-2007,15:29]
[**.99.152.2]
Canadian Citizen |
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