NDP Leader Jack Layton has called on the federal government to do more to recognize the foreign credentials of immigrants to Canada.
"The tragic fact is that we lure people to come here, we give them points for their experience, and their professional credentials," Layton, speaking in front of Toronto's Union Station, said Sunday.
"They tell their families that Canada wants us as doctors, accountants, engineers, experts ... they come here and the doors are simply closed.
"It's one of the great tragedies we see in all of our immigrant communities," he said.
Layton said his party will release a seven-point plan to assist immigrants.
Among those points:
- Creating an agency for the recognition of foreign credentials,
- The establishment of uniform recognition practices across the country,
- Websites to publicize accreditation processes, and
- More mentorship and training programs for newcomers.
The NDP argues that a discrepancy exists between the immigration application process and how immigrants are treated once they arrive.
A potential immigrant's skills and professional background count towards the "points" necessary to be accepted as an immigrant.
For example, Mozgha Nuviue came to Canada from Iran. She told The Canadian Press that she got extra points because she holds a masters degree in pharmacy.
"During these nine months, I looked for a job related to my field, but I wasn't able to find one," Nuviue told The Canadian Press. "So, I took a job as a cashier at a grocery store."
"But I really need to find the right job, because I am an educated person and I came to this country with hope," she said.
Studies have found that underutilizing the skills of immigrants represent an "earning deficit" totally billions of dollars.
While one in four Canadians can't find a family doctor, there are 4,000 foreign-trained doctors in Ontario alone who can't get a license to practice medicine.
"We ask them to go and drive cabs for 10 years and the come back and do your residency and practice your medicine. It's a very, very painful situation," said immigrant Abdul Khan.
Even in job-rich Alberta, immigrants find it tough to get work in their fields.
"We haven't change our mentality to support the professional integration of highly skilled immigrants. That's a fundamental change we need to make as a society," said the University of Calgary's David Watt.
Federal action
There has been some action. Last year's federal budget allocated $18 million for consultation on the creation of a foreign credentials recognition program.
Layton said his party will push to make sure the issue is on the agenda for the forthcoming federal budget, expected on March 20.
"It's the federal government that has to act and we have not seen action by either the Liberals or the Conservatives," he said.
In a statement issued Sunday, Immigration Minister Diane Finley said the federal government is committed to improving the credentials process.
"Canada's new government, through Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Human Resources and Social Development Canada, is committed to establishing an office that will help qualified foreign-trained professionals become accredited so they can practice in their chosen fields in Canada,'' she said.
Finley also stressed that there must be co-operation at all levels of government in order to better help new immigrants land better jobs.
"Improved labour market integration is critical so that Canada can continue attracting and retaining the skilled immigrants it needs,'' she said. "All levels of government have a role to play in integrating immigrants into Canadian society and the economy."
With a report from CTV's David Akin and files from The Canadian Press
