In its Immigration Levels Plan 2023–2025, Canada’s IRCC has laid out an ambitious plan that aims to bring in an unprecedented 460,000 new immigrants yearly. The current wave of immigration is expected to reach its highest point in Canadian history. The adjustment to life in Canada can bring its own set of difficulties for new arrivals. As immigrants settle into their new homes, they may find it challenging to adjust to a new environment, culture, and way of life. Overcoming these obstacles is an essential part of the immigration procedure. Exploring the way to tackle difficulties as a newcomer in Canada.
Upon settling into their new lives in Canada, immigrants may face a number of challenges. Moving to a new society can be very difficult due to governmental processes and cultural differences. The requirement to locate appropriate work and create a social support network also adds another level of difficulty to the settlement process.
The Immigration Levels Plan reflects Canada’s dedication to diversity and inclusivity, aiming to establish a friendly environment for people from different origins. That said, acknowledging and resolving the obstacles faced by newcomers is essential to support successful integration and ensure a great experience as they start this new chapter of their lives in Canada.
Ways to tackle difficulties as a newcomer in Canada
In addition to outlining the common challenges that many immigrants face upon settling in Canada, this article will provide advice on how to overcome them.
Communication Obstacle
French and English are recognized as official languages of Canada. Newcomers to the nation could find it challenging to communicate successfully in either of these languages. Furthermore, it is common for job descriptions in Canada to state that fluency in either English or French is a condition for a great deal of career prospects.
To improve proficiency in either English or French, immigrants are encouraged to take advantage of the offered language training programs. These services, which include basic language instruction, assistance with studying language examinations needed for immigration, specialized language instruction catered to particular professions, and more, are intended to meet the diverse linguistic demands of recent immigrants. Through the use of these materials, immigrants can actively try to increase their language skills, which will increase their prospects of assimilating into Canadian society and the labor market.
You can take advantage of the financial assistance provided by the Canadian government by enrolling in language programs as a protected person or permanent residence. These courses are referred to as:
- Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC)
- Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)
Finding affordable housing
Finding a place for you and your family to live will be one of your first priorities as a new immigrant in Canada. According to a Statistics Canada survey from 2018, a sizable portion of immigrants prefer to begin their Canadian journey by renting a house.
Many newcomers find it difficult to find suitable homes because of the strong demand for rental properties around the nation.
However, a plethora of websites and tools are accessible to investigate housing possibilities, including:
- Utilize websites such as Zumper, PadMapper, and Realtor.ca.
- Check the classified section of the local newspaper or browse online classified listings.
- Explore bulletin boards in various locations like grocery stores, libraries, laundromats, community centers, etc.
Additionally, it’s a good idea for newcomers to ask for help from their local immigrant settlement organization. Many immigrant settlement agencies offer helpful housing-related services. Such as assisting in the search for appropriate housing and providing advice on rights and obligations as a renter.
You can quickly gain an understanding of the range of services available to you by conducting an internet search tailored to your city, district, or province. Compass to Connect and other government-funded platforms are especially helpful because they streamline and make it easier to look for settlement services across the country.
Overcoming Isolation as a Newcomer in Canada
Adjusting to a new culture takes time when separated from one’s home, family, and friends. This might cause feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Thankfully, most major Canadian cities showcase the country’s tremendous diversity by housing communities from other nations. These communities help immigrants overcome isolation and ease the transition to their new surroundings by acting as important support systems.
Furthermore, settlement services are essential for establishing a connection between new immigrants and the community. According to the first study on newcomer outcomes through settlement programs done by the IRCC in 2021, 61% of people who used community connection services said that these services assisted them in forming lasting friendships. Furthermore, a noteworthy 92% of immigrants recognized the friendly atmosphere in their localities, and 90% conveyed a strong feeling of being a part of Canada.
Securing employment
Starting a job hunt as a foreigner in Canada has its share of difficulties, most notably in getting past obstacles regarding the recognition of credentials and landing a relevant position.
In spite of these obstacles, Canada employs more than 20 million people, with an increasing percentage of recent immigrants. Specifically, landed immigrants make up over 25% of the labor force in the nation.
In Canada, developing a strong network is crucial to accessing job openings that might not be made public. For those who are just starting out, creating a professional online profile on popular networks like LinkedIn can be quite helpful. Moreover, users can explore possible job openings, network with new people, and highlight their professional experience and skills on this platform.
Making contact with experts in one’s industry early on in the job search process might be a useful tactic. Having conversations and getting advice from seasoned professionals can yield insightful information, open doors for future employment, and success strategies in the field.
Many settlement programs in Canada include employment-related services. These services mostly consist of help with job searches, but they also include resume writing, mock interviews, and networking opportunities. Remarkably, of individuals who received employment-related services, 78% credited the contacts, expertise, and information they gained from settlement services for their success in the Canadian labor market.
Adjusting to the cold, snowy, and icy conditions
When compared to many other countries, Canada has a very varied climate. Canada’s winters can be bitterly cold, with significant snowfall in some areas of the nation.
Investing in proper winter apparel, such as hats, gloves, scarves, thermal layers (socks, shirts), insulated coats, and waterproof boots, is a wise tip for newcomers to Canada.
Furthermore, it might be difficult to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle during Canada’s winter months due to the low temperatures and shortened days. Take proactive steps, including getting a flu shot, to prevent illness. Recommend the flu vaccination as the best line of defense against influenza for almost everyone six months of age and older.
Conclusion
In conclusion, navigating challenges as a newcomer in Canada demands resilience and resourcefulness. By tapping into settlement services, building a local network, and adapting to the climate, newcomers can ease their transition. Embracing diverse communities and accessing available resources positions individuals for success in their Canadian journey. Patience and proactive engagement empower newcomers to turn challenges into opportunities for growth and integration.
Begin your journey to Canada with Immigtoronto, offering expert guidance and dedicated for a seamless immigration process. Contact us for any queries at [email protected]
