Hi all,

I found this information that I think could be useful for people that could not make it in Canada after years trying to overcome discriminative barriers in Canada.

Good luck,

Deepak


A "class action" is a collective lawsuit where one party consists of a group of people
sharing a common legal position or suffering a common problem with respect to the
opposing party. Legal expenses are shared by the group. It will help no only to compensate
the damage caused to many immigrants, but to help to FORCE A CHANGE in the immigration
policy and to OBTAIN MORE EQUAL CONDITIONS in the job market and make Canada a more
productive, efficient and competitive country.

SKILLED IMMIGRANTS DEMAND COMPENSATION

The Canadian government persists in giving away millions of dollars to bureaucrats, subcontractors, and “non-profit” agencies that have only done one thing right; being government-friendly beneficiaries of this lavish cronyism.

The government’s lack of leadership is solved by keeping its thick bureaucracy happy - just to lessen the public outcry. And of course, by being nice to their close friends who plunder the treasury, declare bankruptcy, or otherwise benefit from rich government contracts that pay well.

But in terms of immigration policy, taxation and the economy, who pays for this lack of vision? The ones who bring billions of dollars, not only in cash, but also in skills to Canada; independent/skilled immigrants. The government is directly responsible of this multibillion dollar fiasco, and so it has to be accountable for the de-skilling process and decapitalization that each foreign professional suffers as soon as he arrives here.

Just think about it for a second… Aren’t skilled/independent immigrants entitled to be retroactively compensated for this mismanagement? For example, if you (as a family doctor) had worked in your field of expertise, you would have made x amount of money every year, wouldn’t you? But because you were working as a taxi driver, caregiver, or something similar, your income was significatively lower. And for the "privilege" of working in a Brown Collar Ghetto, you get to pay taxes, GST, PST, health care premiums etc. Just like the well off Canadians do here in Canada; except they can afford it, you can't.

At the same time the rest of your hard earned money has been feeding the Canadian economy because you buy products and services in the Canadian market and that creates directly and indirectly jobs for Canadians. How many job counsellors, landlords, business owners, and political parties have benefited from immigrants? And what do we get in return?

Nothing.

We have to live in “bad” neighborhoods, not because we want to be in the midst of drug dealers, crowded, stinky, cockroach infested buildings, greasy spoon restaurants, liquor stores, pawn and pot shops, but because we can’t afford a house in a “good” neighborhood where many “Canadian professionals” live, where one can see trees, flowers, rivers instead.

Yes, we live in impoverished neighborhoods where we are condemned to remain silent, surrounded by marginalized Canadians with whom you can only talk about the weather because they never finished even basic schooling, or because they are on drugs, or simply for your own safety.

Maybe living in “good” neighborhoods doesn’t mean we are going to have interesting conversations with Canadian professionals, but at least we will have the chance to invite some educated people from other countries and guarantee them a minimum level of public safety.

Even the basics of food, and clothing are limited by our meager incomes. We have to buy our clothes in second hand stores or out of season, when they are on sale. We have to eat lots of industrialized food because the “organic” one is way more expensive. Look at who shops in fancy boutique grocery stores in trendy areas. Then look at who goes to the big box discount stores.

Many of the basic services are out of our reach: dentists, cars, car insurance, family vacations, cultural events, professional treatment by a family physician, good education for our kids.

Most of our kids go to schools where the grade 8 English teacher will be the Grade 9, 10, 11 English teacher. That same teacher will also teach Physical Education, give counseling, and if needed he teaches Social Studies too. Oh, don't forget how low the Canadian childcare services were rated by the OECD in 2004, nor how expensive postsecondary education is.

As you may see, we are paying way too much for the standard of living that this “strong” economy is giving us in return. And you know why? We, as foreign and visible minority professionals, along with our kids, have been marginalized from the mainstream society while this country shamelessly wastes our resources and compromises our kids’ future.

Therefore, if you think you deserve to be compensated for all the time you were unemployed or underemployed in Canada; we invite you to sign this letter by sending us a message to with your name, surname, email address, profession, the province where you live in, and write "Professional Compensation" at the beginning of your message.

P.S. To all skilled immigrants who are about to leave this country, or those who have already left: You should be compensated too. Don't leave this country quietly and empty handed.

Sincerely,

Canada Immigrant Job Issues
PS Labour discrimination is not only arousing righteous indignation, but it's also boosting the number of skilled immigrants looking for compensation.


A "class action" is a collective lawsuit where one party consists of a group of people
sharing a common legal position or suffering a common problem with respect to the opposing
party. It will help no only to compensate the damage caused to many immigrants, but to
help to FORCE A CHANGE in the immigration policy and to OBTAIN MORE EQUAL CONDITIONS in
the job market. It will lead to benefit immigrant community with more doors open and more opportunities in the job market. It will help to force the government to change immigration policies in order to bring to Canada the right number of immigrants with the right skills
so they have real opportunities. It will help to reduce bureaucracy and its useless
"settlement programs", which costs MILLIONS, all paid by our hard earned tax-payer money.
It will finally make Canada a more productive, efficient and competitive country in the new world. The benefits are for all Canadians.

http://www.canadaimmigrants.com/Compensation.asp



IMMIGRANTS EXPERIENCES

http://www.canadaimmigrants.com/forum.asp

May 18 - 2005
There seems to be a smug and common misconception that all immigrants flood to Canada "because it is better here than it is back home," perpetuating the myth of the benevolent white benefactor and the foreign ingrates. Positive versus negative. Don't you just love that good-bad dichotomy? Just don't forget that women of colour are imported every year against their will. Institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have granted "conditional" loans to developing worlds. What sort of conditions? Slashed social programs and wages, privatizing state enterprises, and basically opening up their markets to foreign investment. As their living standards turn to living hell, women of colour have no choice but to migrate in search of higher waged work and send remittances back home to support their families. They become our homemakers, domestic workers, strippers, and prostitutes, oftentimes told they will receive a drastically different job before they come here than the one they actually end up receiving. What does this have to do with "our" racism? By feigning innocence of globalization and practicing polite racism in the workforce, covert racists are damning these women of colour to an existence in poverty. If I'm Canadian-born, university educated from a top-ranking institution, and I still find myself smirking right and left to blatantly obvious workplace racism delicately veneered under half-baked excuses, I can only just imagine what these women have to put up with every day, despite a friend in my circle who's been raped, and another friend dead from suicide in 1999 (who attended the same highly-reputed gifted high school where employees have had a history of accusing students of faking serious illnesses, bringing a Catholic priest into a secular high school despite student objections, and discriminating against visible minority employees). Some immigrants exchanged exploitation at home for exploitation in Canada. For migrant women of colour, there are two invisible gates of white privilege and male privilege barring their way of a decent life, as ignorance, indifference, and complacent attitudes choke all channels of communication and aid. Watch the film "Brown Women, Blonde Babies" by Marie Boti to see the true story behind that subservient Asian woman stereotype circulated by white media. By the way, some strip clubs in Ottawa don't ask for ID, and they smoke in the filthy locker rooms despite the bylaw. (I didn't strip; I did some undercover work at clubs within walking distance of my old high school.) And unless the girl makes it absolutely clear she won't be pushed around (ahem), a club manger may try to intimidate her into removing her clothes against her will even if she decides she's snooped within the establishment long enough and has "changed her mind about it." Despite the stereotypes, I have never encountered a real-life Asian stripper in Ottawa. The fact that they're so concentrated in certain cities implies a lack of voluntary supply to the demand and a presence of forced participation where trafficking thrives the most. I often hear of white strippers describing their profession as "empowerment." White immigrant strippers can assimilate into Canadian society once they get out of the industry with loads of cash, whereas a brown woman may be pushed back into the sex ghetto because of her skin colour when she tries to climb out. Privilege? Privilege. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Hey, didn't they just use the terms "whore" and "prostitute" as derogative slurs toward a certain MP? Way to damn the modern-day slaves. I'll say it again. Privilege. Some people just hate that word. It's a fair reply to "negative," isn't it? Bonnie. Ottawa, Canada.

May 23 - 2005
Last year I published comments on how immigrants are discriminated in Canada, but no one opposed. A month ago I published positive comments about Canada and appreciate the way two of my friends reacted. Actually, I wanted to test the two hypothesis. Canada must do something significant for highly professional immigrants and remove the purposely created barrier of Canadian Experience. False promises on mere papers cannot be a solution to this grave problem. I saw somewhere on the Canadian Immigration site that "our goal is to make a country of brain gain; not brain drain". This statement has proved to be the most naked lie by the Canadian Immigration Department. When I say anything against immigration to Canada some Canadian friends of mine ask me why don't I go back? How can one go back by spending years and years of hard earned money on Canadian Immigration. Canada is like a trap. You have no choice, but to rust away in ugly warehouses with no concern for human rights. Employers treat you like slaves and the poor immigrants stay quiet due to fear of job loss. Ehsan Ullah. Mississauga, Canada.

May 25 - 2005
Do we need more reasons to ask for professional compensation? Check this out ... Strong ties bind Liberals to U.N. corruption scandal http://www.asianpacificpost.com/news/article/420.html Canada Immigrant Job Issues

May 29 - 2005
I just like to introduce myself. I have my own company in Ecuador, working in the import, design and repairing of medical equipment. I graduate in June 1996 in Germany as biomedical engineer and emigrated to Ecuador. The problem for me here is the security. There is always danger of robbery and other violent crimes, that's why I would like to emigrate to Canada if possible. I have worked a lot with imaging equipment and I am a teacherin a local university. I speak English very well, Spanish and German perfect. Best regards, Franz

May 30 - 2005
This site is one of the good ones, which I have come across and doing free service for most of the unemployed who are in the list. GOOD JOB Prabhu. Toronto, Ontario.

May 30 - 2005
I came across your website and I think it's very interesting the work you are doing. It's very important to immigrants to fight for their rights as humans and citizens. More power. Cristina. Cali, Colombia.

May 30 - 2005
I would like to be able to speak and reach out to as many Filipinos being victimized by so-called "recruitment Agencies." The trouble is these "recruiters" are Filipinos themselves who know how desperate many Filipinos are to come and work here in Canada that they will "pay" horrendous amount to these recruiters. They pay as much as US$5000.00 and these so-called agencies do require them to at least pay half of that amount. The Philippine and Canadian Government are not helping to stop these unspeakable acts of fraud and scams. They do not have any control at all. I would really suggest that POEA and the Canadian Immigration should have the amount limited to a more reasonable size of payment. I would like to see this program stop rather than have it continue with this mess. many families have gone very poor, poorer than they were because of the exorbitant placement fee charged. I run a program here in Red Deer "Nannies know Your Rights!" that helps foreign workers to know their basic rights under the Canadian Immigration and the Labor Standards. Sincerely yours, Rosalinda. Alberta, Canada.

May 31 - 2005
Rosalinda, What you write is not only true among Philippinos, I know cases from Russians etc. were former immigrants try to take advantage and robe the savings of other newcomers. As far as I know it is according to law forbidden to charge recruitment fees from job seekers. The employer has to pay these fees. For other labour issues have a look at the Ontario Website, or accordingly to the one in the province you are residing. Take care, Doris. Ottawa.

June 1 - 2005
I came to Canada almost 4 years ago. I 'm working in super-store as a Stocker clerk. I worked for BP exploration and Occidental Colombia as a Geotechnical. I have 11 years experience in oil companies. I don't understand because this province don't believe in the experience of the immigrants. I feel sad because it's so hard get a good job. I think that Canada welcomes immigrants only for doing jobs that Canadians don't like. Patricia R. Calgary, Alberta.

June 3 - 2005
I am searching for a job before I move from Egypt to Canada. Mahmoud A. Egypt.

June 3 - 2005
I studied chemistry in Germany and worked for several years as a Chemist and a Technical Marketing Manager in the bauxite industry in Guyana and Belgium before moving to Canada (BC) 10 years ago. I moved to BC because in my research I discovered that BC had a resource based economy and the economy was growing better than some provinces in Canada. I tried everything to get an appropriate job in BC but it never happened. Eventually I landed a job with an American company looking for Reps on the west coast to supervise sampling and testing of ores an concentrates. After four years there was major consolidation in the copper industry which resulted in a major loss of contracts for the company and consequently my release. I moved to Toronto in 2001 and tried again to get a proper job. I started to temp in a warehouse of a sticker manufacturer who eventually hired me as a supervisor in their fulfillment department. So I am employed albeit underemployed and strongly believe that I could/should be doing a lot better than I am right now. Roger. Ontario, Canada.

June 4 - 2005
The site has clear, uncluttered graphical interface. Nice work! Sachin. UAE.

June 5 - 2005
Four years in Canada without a full-time job. I came to Canada 4 years ago, spent all my savings 23.000,00 U.S. dollars, went through re-training and still can't find a Job. I have suffered all types of discrimination and racial profiling in this country. It is the most racist place I ever lived. We must tell the world what a SHAM Canada really is. Angry Brazilian. Fabio. Toronto, Ontario.

June 6 - 2005
I immigrated to Canada in March, 2001 and immediately applied to register with APEGGA (Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta), I was told that my almost 12 years experience does not qualify for an Engineering experience that I will need to write some technical exams to be admitted into the Association. I agreed on writng these exams, these are the same courses I took in the University over 15 years ago. I want to know any Canadian trained Engineer that will be willing to write exams on courses taken 15 years ago. I studied very hard, combining it with my work, wrote and passed these technical exams, scoring 85%, 80% and 50% on the courses I took. I also passed the professional ethics exams and APEGGA enrolled my as an Engineer-In-Training (EIT) Electrical Engineering. This was in May, 2003. I was told that I need two more years of experience to become a professional engineer. Since then I have applied to more than 500 companies, talked to professional engineers, employers and even APEGGA executive about getting an entry level engineering position, but all to no avail. It looks I am at my own mercy. It is like the engineering companies and employer does not even recognize an EIT from APEGGA, because this class of people are immigrants. Almost all Canadian trained EIT fresh from the University get jobs within the first six months of graduation. The APEGGA exams are not easy, very few people agree to write these exams, and the failure rates is very high and they are expensive too, especially when you are accessed many. How does the Association expect me to get the required experience for the professional Engineering status. If the Canadian Government reads the comment on the web site, they should find solutions to people with my experience. Thanks Peter. Alberta, Canada.

Are you spamming the forum?

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HOPE

Hi Hope,

Some people could be see this as spam. It's not spam. It's very serious matter. Some immigrants in this site(canadaimmigrants.com) are going to start a collective action soon and more people is starting to join to this lawsuit. I consider this a very important subject and honestly, I found their arguments valid and justified.

Thanks,

Deepak

Quote:

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Orginally posted by deepakkumar

Hi Hope,

Some people could be see this as spam. It's not spam. It's very serious matter. Some immigrants in this site(canadaimmigrants.com) are going to start a collective action soon and more people is starting to join to this lawsuit. I consider this a very important subject and honestly, I found their arguments valid and justified.

Thanks,

Deepak

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Are you there?

i dont understand why such venom is unleased at this site . this site is a platform where prospective immigrants are raising their queries and confusions and settled immigrants try to solve those problems.offcourse different issued are shared here.
moving to a new country is not a cakewalk and entails lot of struggle and hard work. everyone has his own reasons to immigrate.one should not expect people there will entertain newcomers with garlands in hand.
immigration is a opportunity to settle in a new country and it is not the end of the process. real test starts after landing there and takes 3-5 years to settle down.
if any body dont like canada ,he is free to come back. immediately after landing there one not become citizen there. and i am sure most of immigrants are well aware about the ensuing struggle there. even then they are going . then why should they blame canadian immigration .
i know lot of successful and happy immigrants there .
i also tried as a immigrant in canada . however i came back . but that does not means i should spread venom about canada. even today when one enquires to me about immigration to canada ., i simply say that it need lot of struggle ,hard work and patience to settle there. and eventually one who have sustained efforts will definately succeed and happy. i have no hesitation i still love canada.

LD,might be right in saying -i might have some preveious life link with canada.

i hope some seneior members of CD will come up with more positive and encouraging thoughts.

ptm

I am here.

Well, I am sorry, but I am expressing myself and I think that many are agree with the points shown in this letter. You don't have to agree with them. The website is there and you have my name. I supposed the purpose of this forum is to provide useful information to people and I believe this is important to share. If you don’t agree with these people because you are lucky and have some success in Canada, I understand. But those who don't, who are MANY, some who left Canada already, have the right to have an option to defend their rights in this “free country”. Many lawyers and other entities encourage people to come to Canada, selling a false image and creating innocent victims: I could call that “venom” too.

I hope to have some freedom of speech here and I hope I am not going to be censured. If you don’t agree just ignore it as I just ignore and tolerate the opinions from others.

Thanks,

Deepak

hi Deepak,
i am sorry if i hurt you.
i understand your feelings and pain for the hardships new immigrants facing in canada. definately there should be some solid efforts from the govt. there to develop some system so that the foreign qualifications and credintial can be given due credit.
but i will again say that even if things are such ,immigrants are still going there gladly.and after moving there they are sticking there and not coming back. they are willingly accepting such struggle in consideration of clean water and air and also other world class amenities available comparing to third class facilities available in third world countries like india.
here in india when one face huge ques, suffocating pollution and unhygenic conditions and rampent corruption everywhere, he thinks it is better to do a 8$ job in canada. atleast one is getting the good life there.he have not to get up early in the morning to store water.
there is outbreak of encephlites in gorakhpur. more than 100 persons died. no body bothrs. i remember when there was SARS in canada and around 30 persons died , government there tackled that on war footing.
yesterday one of my client here in india was showing me applications he got for the electrical engineer job , he advertised in newpaper. he got more than 200 applications of degree holders engineers , mostly B.E., offcourse some are even B.Tech.
whom those highly qualified person sue for their plight.
it is same everywhere. in canada where more than 2.5 lacs immigrants landing every year, how they will get the jobs in their related fields. everyone knows these hard facts and still they are moving there.offcourse those who continue their studies are getting jobs there.
so far jobs are concerned things are more or less same everywhere.
i can bet that even if you give articles in newspapers and organise seminars daily here in india about the problems in canada ,not a single persons will listen to you and they will continue to apply for canadian immigratin in plenty.
so it is my sincere advice to you to abondon the idea of educating immigrants about problems there and instead concentrate on your own success . i am sure then you will contribute another success story to CD.
there is another way if you are not liking the canada get the next flight to india and come back here in india . then we will make a CANADA RETURNED club. here you will be able to contribute for your noble and selfess cause.
another thing i am sure , when you will be back in india you will contribute more postively to struggling immirants fraternity .
hope you will not take anything personally.it is a sincere MASHWARA from a CANADA RETURNED DESI.

ptm