Immigrant Poverty in Canada

First off, I am writing about Immigrant poverty caused by unemployment in Canada by addressing the social policy issue of employment equity and I will be writing through a liberalism ideological point of view. Immigrant poverty is definitely an issue here in Canada, (Hick, 2007). This is a serious issue because immigrant poverty is being caused by unemployment due to discrimination in the workplace, (Hick, 2007). Everybody should have a right to equal opportunities and chances in life, including immigrants. The numbers of immigrants living in poverty is alarming because “poverty among recent immigrants stands at 27 percent, and their annual wages and salaries are one-third less than those of other Canadians,” (Hick, 2007). The government is not doing enough to provide social equality and justice for unemployed immigrants.

The two biggest forms of discrimination that immigrants face in the workplace are discrimination due to language skills, and discrimination due to non-recognition of foreign credentials. Unemployment in the immigrant population creates poverty among them. Discrimination among employers is a huge cause to unemployment among immigrants. Immigrants face discrimination in the workplace that could lead to unemployment and poverty because “it is assumed that if they do not speak English well they will not be able to work effectively,” (Bakan, 2000). This is not at all true, and it should be up to the government to provide sufficient training to these immigrants to increase their chances of obtaining a beneficial job opportunity that could sustain their basic needs and help them to rise out of poverty. There are many causes to immigrant poverty, and “the non-recognition or the undervaluing of foreign education, skills, and credentials are emerging as key factors that help explain why recent immigrants do not do as well in the job market,” (Hick, 2007). Discrimination is the major factor to unemployed immigrants, something that can quickly lead to poverty. Policies needed to prevent discrimination in the workplace that can lead to unemployment and immigrant poverty are, “employment equity, credentials recognition, promotion of the ‘hidden skills’ of new immigrants to prospective employers, and provision of language and skills training to new immigrants,” (Hick, 2007). With these policies in place we can try to eliminate discrimination towards immigrants in the workplace, get many immigrants into the work force, and help develop the prosperity of Canada’s economy. To achieve this, our governments must increase funding to programs and policies that will prevent discrimination towards immigrants, and give them a fair start in Canada.  

The Employment Equity Act in Canada is an act that is enforced to protect workers and prospective workers, including immigrants, from workplace discrimination, (Bakan, 2000). Policies surrounding the workplace were implemented because “as the work force has changed in modern times, especially with larger numbers of women and immigrants becoming a permanent part of the Canadian work force, one form of protecting workers against arbitrary managerial practices is to ensure a system of employment equity in hiring, retention and promotions,” (Bakan, 2000). The Employment Equity Act is a step in the right direction for the Canadian government to help protect immigrants, but it is very abstract and hard to make sure it is being enforced at all times. The Employment Equity act is important to immigrants to prevent unemployment that could lead to poverty because “the purpose of this Act is to achieve equality in the workplace so that no person shall be denied employment opportunities or benefits for reasons unrelated to ability and, in the fulfillment of that goal, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment,” (Department of Justice, 2012). Equality in the workplace is very important to all workers, especially immigrants, because it provides freedom and equal opportunities.

Although Canada has implemented some policies surrounding immigrant unemployment, there are still huge numbers of immigrants who are living in poverty due to unemployment in this country. These immigrants are living in poverty largely due to unemployment that is directly caused by discrimination among employers towards immigrants for several reasons that are unrelated to their abilities in the workplace. The Employment Equity Act in Canada is great, but the government should invest a lot more time and money into Immigration poverty to guarantee them an equal start in our country.

 

References

Bakan, A. Kobayashi, A. (2000). Employment equity policy in Canada: An Interprovincial Comparison. Queen’s University. Abigail Press, p. 47, 55. Retrieved from

http://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection/SW21-46-1999E.pdf

 Department of Justice. (2012). Employment equity act. S.C. 1995, c. 44. Retrieved From

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/e-5.401/page-1.html#h-2

 Hick, S. (2007). Social welfare in Canada: Understanding Income Security. Second Edition. Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc. P. 99-100.

                                                                                                               -Lyndsay