Facilitating integration of newcomer youth
Credit to Author: Canadian Immigrant| Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2024 15:07:55 +0000
Canada has far to go in providing adequate support to newcomer youth to ensure their success in the country.
Ethiopian-born Abbas Kidane was mindful of the linguistic constraints and cultural challenges he would face when he landed in Canadas a refugee three years ago. The 26-year-old focused on the improved quality of life that awaited him, and diligently sought opportunities to pursue post-secondary education in business administration.
“I had some concerns before making the move, especially regarding language barriers. However, I was cognizant of Canada’s reputation as an immigrant-friendly nation with a commitment to addressing the needs of newcomers,” Kidane says.
Obtaining permanent residence status in Canada was a journey that spanned more than a year for him. Currently enrolled as a business administration student at the University of Toronto, Kidane credits the assistance and guidance he received from friends within his community for leading him to settlement agencies.
“I learned that settlement agencies offer language classes and leadership training, so I enrolled in one,” he says. “Not only did that give me confidence, but I also gained a clear understanding of the cultural aspects of Canadian society. It was under their guidance that I embarked on my pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in business administration.”
Proactive initiatives and measures Newcomer youth like Kidane play a vital role in bolstering Canada’s economy, given the country’s aging workforce. According to the annual immigration report by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), international migration remains the primary source of Canada’s population growth. Out of the 371,299 immigrants Canada welcomed in the first three quarters of 2023, 40 per cent fell within the newcomer youth category. As the country continues to welcome individuals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring the seamless integration of these young newcomers becomes imperative.
Canada’s immigrant settlement program is one such proactive measure, tailored to facilitate the swift integration of newcomers into the economic and social structure of Canadian society. This initiative is instrumental in overcoming specific challenges faced by immigrant youth, such as insufficient language proficiency and limited familiarity with Canada. Under this program, various settlement agencies provide diverse support services, including guidance on essential government services, training in pre-employment skills, mentorship, and assistance with food and housing for refugees.
Another key initiative is Canada’s Youth Policy, implemented in 2019, to ensure that the voices of young people are incorporated into federal decision-making processes. A flagship program under this policy is the Canada Service Corps program for youth. It allocates funding to national and regional organizations, enabling them to recruit young volunteers aged 15 to 30, and training them to acquire valuable skills and leadership experience for community services.
However, Kidane, who is also part of the program, expresses his concerns while assessing its progress. “The policy in my view has fallen short of its intended objectives. While it initially pledged to offer up to 15,000 service placements for youth annually by 2024, the current progress indicates a substantial lag. Many participants are not happy with the placements.”
Key challenges
A notable increase in emigration adds a layer of concern to the integration process. Despite Canada’s continued openness to international students, refugees and asylum seekers, research by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship and the Conference Board of Canada finds that reverse immigration has emerged as a significant hurdle for individuals aspiring to establish themselves in Canada. Official data reveals that in the first six months of 2023 alone, approximately 42,000 individuals left Canada and 20 per cent of them were youth. The study finds that integration challenges faced by newcomers are multifaceted, ranging from workplace discrimination, the non-recognition of foreign education and work experience, the housing crisis, and predominantly, financial constraints.
Monika Sveryte
Monika Sveryte, a 24-year-old marketing and communications specialist from Lithuania encountered limited job opportunities in her field.
“I’m on a one-year work permit. I have diligently applied for numerous jobs in my field of expertise,” she says. “Unfortunately, my efforts have been in vain, as the employers seem to prioritize candidates with Canadian experience. I find myself compelled to take up a cashier position in a restaurant. This is more of a survival strategy for me than a career choice.”
Based on research by various Canadian universities, the devaluation of immigrants’ prior education and work experience from their home countries is a pervasive issue. Highly qualified visible minority immigrants, possessing graduate and master’s degrees comparable to those from Canadian universities, find themselves relegated to menial jobs. This challenge disproportionately affects newcomer youth hailing from low-income or marginalized communities.
Another formidable challenge encountered by newcomers is the economic hurdle. The unfavourable economic policies related to immigration further exacerbate their difficulties. The recent increase in the minimum cost of living financial requirement for international students from $10,000 to $20,635 intensifies the financial pressure on students, potentially leading to a decline in student immigration and consequently impacting the entry of newcomer youth to Canada.
Kristin Schwartz
“Most settlement agencies would be more equipped to assist international students if they received increased funding from the federal government,” says Kristin Schwartz, manager with CultureLink Settlement and Community Services, Toronto. “The federal government expects international students to contribute financially to the country through fees and GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate). However, in return, the government invests very little in above Monika Sveryte their support. This paradigm needs to change.”
Furthermore, the skyrocketing rental rates and the housing affordability crisis also act as adversity against the integration process. Despite the government’s assurances of addressing the housing crisis, a sizable cohort of youth tussle with securing suitable accommodation. The weakened job market is also a contributing factor to this crisis, as youth struggle to secure part-time or full-time employment even after months of searching.
According to Statistics Canada, a mere 100 jobs were added in December 2023, capping off a year in which unemployment rates rose from five per cent last January to 5.8 per cent.
Jithu Joseph
Jithu Joseph, a social media influencer based in London, Ontario, who came to Canada as an international student in 2018 says that his journey in Canada was far from exhilarating.
“One of the most significant challenges I encountered in the integration process was my lack of awareness regarding the lifestyle, college education and part-time opportunities available here,” he says.
Joseph secured his Canadian student visa through an immigration firm. “My college admission and visa procedures were managed through an immigration consultancy in India. However, these consultancies often fail to provide an accurate portrayal of Canada. They tend to exaggerate and misrepresent the opportunities available here,” he says.
The 29-year-old considers himself fortunate to have connected with senior students from his community already in Canada. They addressed his concerns by offering a realistic depiction of life here.
“Many newcomers arriving in Canada come with lofty expectations of swiftly attaining lucrative jobs and accumulating substantial savings within months. Such high expectations can lead them to disappointment and even depression when reality diverges from their anticipated path,” he says.
His advice to newcomers is to “temper their expectations. Anyone arriving here should understand that life in Canada is not akin to a fairy tale; it doesn’t mirror what is often depicted on social media.”
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