The competing interests in the workplace primarily consist of profit and wage conflict among employers and their employees. The employer’s efforts are directed towards minimizing costs while maximizing benefits. This fundamental shift in the business practices of organizations are occurring due to the breakdown of traditional hierarchies (Livingstone 1998). Organizations are shifting to more democratic practices in the workplace due to the mutual dependency on the employer and employee relationship (Livingstone 1998). This is further leading to organizations having highly inclusive environment in all aspects of their operations.
Employers primarily aim to attract and retain highly qualified workers, since they play a key role in adding value
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New immigrants have high formal qualifications, but they often need further training to obtain Canadian equivalencies of their qualifications (Jackson 2010). Immigrants often, start their journey in Canada doing low-status, and low paying jobs. Employers are able to take advantage of this is they provide the organization with a cost-effective workforce. Canada’s primary channel of immigration is the skilled worker class therefore, immigrants provide our labor market with an enriched talent base (Gogia and Slade 2011). These specialized workers are able to reach multiple industries adding additional labor power to our economy (Gogia and Slade 2011). Employers see immigrant workers as a solution to achieve their cost cutting strategies since this work force is far more flexible with accommodating the employers needs (Gogia and Slade 2011). These workers also have low demands and employers have little obligations to their employees, since the workers are not aware of the employer responsibilities and don’t seek additional protection (Gogia and Slade 2011). The diversification of the organization enhances the workplace’s morale since these foreign workers are welcomed into the workforce. Immigrant workers are highly qualified however, due to their economic conditions as immigrants, they often have to settle for entry-level positions until they have been given additional training to gain Canadian credentials (Foster 2012). This provides the local workforce with greater opportunities to fill higher level positons. When employing foreign workers, employers must provide them with the appropriate training necessary to complete their job. Depending on where the worker is originally from, most immigrant workers typically prefer Canadian working conditions, and they are able to generate a greater income here.
Over five years after the 2008 economic crisis, the Canadian economy is still in rough waters. Annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth has been lagging below 2% and falling short of economists’ predictions (Hodgson, 2014), with no small part due to the stunted American and European recoveries. Tied into this is the country’s unemployment rate, which has hovered around 7% for over a year, while the rate for those aged 15-24 is nearly double, at 13.6% (Statistics Canada, 2014). Clearly, there is a need for more jobs in the country. At the same time, however, Canadian companies have been bringing in Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) to fill what they call a “jobs gap”: that there are places in the country where the labour supply is nonexistent, and outside help is needed to fill certain roles. This has set off a firestorm of controversy, both in the commercial and political realms, with accusations of corporate greed and government apathy abounding, as unemployed Canadians are seemingly passed-over for available jobs. This paper will explore how TFWs are filling a necessary role in the economy, and are not “taking jobs” from Canadians, and will then analyze what governments and businesses can do to change the program, how immigration reform can play a role in filling jobs and lowering unemployment, and what risks a focus on a “skills gap” instead of a “jobs gap” can have on the economy.
There are more than 1000 people trying to immigrate to Canada. What if Canada contributed more to help the newcomers to Canada? Most of these newcomers are Muslim, and they are mostly coming from Syria, Iraq, and other countries that are at war. They are forced to leave their homes and can barely survive. These people are very vulnerable to almost anything. If Canada inherits these newcomers, it will gain a greater security and become more diverse. This will also become an advantage in the future. The government should help newcomers to Canada because they are vulnerable. It also gives Canada a chance to improve its diversity and safety, and it will benefit Canada in the later years.
The Indian Residential schools and the assimilating of First Nations people are more than a dark spot in Canada’s history. It was a time of racist leaders, bigoted white men who saw no point in working towards a lasting relationship with ingenious people. Recognition of these past mistakes, denunciation, and prevention steps must be taking intensively. They must be held to the same standard that we hold our current government to today. Without that standard, there is no moving forward. There is no bright future for Canada if we allow these injustices to be swept aside, leaving room for similar mistakes to be made again. We must apply our standards whatever century it was, is, or will be to rebuild trust between peoples, to never allow the abuse to be repeated, and to become the great nation we dream ourselves to be,
Teelucksingh, C., & Edward-Galabuzi, G. (2005). C. Teelucksingh & G. Edward-Galabuzi (Eds.), Working Precariously: The impact of race and immigrants status on employment opportunities and outcomes in CanadaToronto: The Canadian Race Relations Foundation.
Based on the preliminary research I conducted, I have been able to identify two key topic areas that are of interest to me and these include: immigrant women attaining jobs in Ontario and violence experienced by women in Canada. In regard to immigrant women attaining jobs, there are significantly higher unemployment rates and lower wages that they are faced with, in comparison to other immigrant men and Canadian-born men and women. The debate circulating around this issue seeks to answer whether gender, immigrant class, age, ethnicity and sexuality all play a role in an immigrant woman’s ability to be employed (TIEDI, 2010, p.1). Some key questions that have arisen focus on workplace policies and programs that create further disparity within the gender gap, rather than aiding immigrant women who have differing needs in the labour market. Questions posed, seek to find the contributing factors to lower wages and what can be changed in the regulations to create equity (TIEDI, 2010, p.6). As well, a study conducted by Anucha et al. (2006) examines what are the outcomes of immigrant women participating in the economy and how this varies from other males, along with the social impacts of being employed (p.5).
Canada has continuously served as a home to immigrants and refugees from decade to decade harbouring people from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The first set of immigrants to settle in the country came from Britain, the United States and from other nationalities mostly including immigrants from Europe who were either desperate to escape from religious or political turmoil or were simply attracted to Canada’s economic promise. Soon after the Canadian confederation in 1867, immigrants from Irish and Chinese backgrounds who occupied most of the country were used as workers and the demand for labourers to develop the country increased rapidly as more Chinese descents were imported to build the Canadian Pacific Railway. Although, Canada opened its doors to immigrants, but the country also intended to gain human resources for work in the farms, in the forests, factories and mines but not everyone was equally welcomed in Canada.
Every year, over 250,000 people make Canada their new home. Attracted by its education system, economy and universal healthcare system, there are few other places in the world like it. All Canadians are guaranteed equality before the law and equality of opportunity, regardless of where they are from. However, some might argue that Canadian policy has not been put into practice as well as it should be. Is the concept of true equality a far-fetched idea? It seems that Canada has taken great measures to promote the integration of immigrants socially, but can the same be said for their integration economically? Politically? To judge whether or not Canada has been successful at promoting the integration of immigrants in these realms, a deeper understanding of Canadian policy must be considered.
Canada's immigration policy is based upon principles of family reunion, humanitarian concern for refugees, and the promotion of Canada's social, economic, demographic and cultural goals.
Canada, being recognized as one of the best destinations for immigrants, has been and will be attracting more residents through immigration. Meanwhile, with its accelerated development, an increasing number of Chinese residents decide to move to Canada to experience a completely new way of living. Along with these immigrants are the dependent children that are bought Canada by their parents. New immigrants face challenges from all aspects, such as English being the new language, different culture and traditions, and an unfamiliar way of living (Pottie et al., 2008). To help immigrants through this difficult transition period, the government offers free English lessons to adult immigrants and many communities and organizations offer help with administrative tasks such as applying for health care and registering in local clubs and community centre. From the tremendous amount of effort by different organizations and sectors, it is easy to see how difficult it is to face the impact for adult new comers can be.
What impact does immigration have on the economy of Canada? This research points out possible effects on the employment and wages of domestic workers, Canada’s trade with other countries, the size and growth rate of the economy and the prices that Canadians pay for goods and services. Immigration has directly affected the through the addition of workers to the labor force. At the most basic level, immigration increases the supply of labor in the economy. More labor means more goods and services being produced, so that national output (GDP) rises. Immigration also affects the prices of the inputs that are used to produce these goods and services. Those inputs for which immigrant labor substitutes will suffer as the prices of their
Racial discrimination in the workplace has been a persistent theme in Canada’s history as well as present-day times. The occurrence of actions and attitudes that impose a sense of one being less equal than another on the basis of one’s race in Canada’s workplace inhibits both our nation’s ability to move forward as well as strengthen unification within our country. The belief in a more egalitarian society, where one’s race and ethnic background have little to no impact on employees (or potential employees) standings within the job market, would seemingly be reinforced by the majority of Canadians, who consistently show support for Canada’s multicultural identity. Couple that with the noticeable strides Canada has made in the past several decades through legislation, in order to eliminate discriminatory practices and actions within the workplace, and one would likely assume that racial discrimination within the workplace is largely a concern of the past. However, current research supports the argument that the level of which racial discrimination occurs today is increasing, and as such it persists to be a key problem in the current workplace of the nation. In the workplace, racial discrimination is often seen with regard to uneven access to jobs, unfair selection and promotion criteria (as well as access to the means in order to meet this criteria), and workplace harassment. This paper compares similar findings of two articles; the first, Racial inequality in employment in Canada, as was published in the Canadian Public Administration (CPA), and the second, What Are Immigrants’ Experiences of Discrimination in the Workplace?, published by the Toronto Immigrant Employment Data Initiative (TIEDI).
Throughout the last three decades, increasing numbers of Asians have migrated to Canada from all over the Asian continent. Currently, 44% of the Vancouver area population is of Asian descent (Statistics Canada, 2001). Immigrants commonly occupy skilled job positions that the host nation is unable to fill with its own citizens, and thus they offer many advantages to their receiving country. In a nation with a declining birthrate, such as Canada, their contribution can play a major role on multiple levels. The immigrants themselves often enjoy a greater earning potential than they did in their native country, which can be advantageous for those who wish to send money back home to support their families.
Canada's immigration policies changed many times after the end of WWII. Before WWII the immigration policies were "picky" on the people who wanted to come to Canada, but after, it was fair and equal to everyone. Canada's immigration policies changed drastically from being discriminative to being fair and equal to everyone, every country and race after WWII. This act to eliminating discrimination was successful because of; the introduction of the Point System, the introduction of New Immigration acts/policies, and finally the changes made in accepting Refugees. These action completely changed the immigration policies.
Canada is a very big country where many immigrants want to achieve their goals and have a good life. According to government statistics (October 2013) population in Canada is 35,295,770 and is still increasing. Every year more people from every country in the world are moving to Canada to settle down, find new job, and start perfect life. It is very hard to behave like born and raised as Canadians for people from different countries, cultures and with different backgrounds. Canadian government is supporting newcomers trough many trainings and courses, but this is immigrants responsibility to be prepared for new circumstances, they have to do a lot of job themselves just to feel safe and secure in new place and life. Immigrants should considered few very important things before they will make their decision about changing place and life style. While they can be great specialist in their field, emigrants have to learn about Canadian culture, Canadian workplace rules, and what’s most important they have to adopt this knowledge to their new life.
As Canadian's fertility rate fells, baby boomers retires, immigration and foreign workers becomes very important for the increase of labor demands in the Canadian's job market. The government is planning to reduce the application waiting time and therefore there will be more newcomers coming in the next fewer years. Canadian companies will then have many experienced and foreign trained applicants where they can help Canadian companies to increase their foreign trade and to build a better relationship with the other country. However, new comers have difficulties in finding employment because of their unrecognized foreign qualifications, non Canadian work experienced and the lack of support in the settlement programs where they get help to find employment.