Immigrating to Canada is one of the greatest desires of many highly skilled Nigerians and Indians. Over 1 million new immigrants have landed in Canada in the last two years.
For the first time, India took the top spot as the primary place of birth of new immigrants to Canada (18.6% of recent immigrants from 2016 to 2021), followed by the Philippines (11.4%) and China. Nigeria is also in the top 5
However, a growing body of evidence suggests a significant discrepancy between the Eldorado promise and the reality experienced by many highly skilled newcomers, particularly from countries such as India, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Iran.
The dream of green pastures in Canada has not materialized for many.
Why is Canada getting tougher?
Why are many highly skilled Nigerians and Indians finding life tough in Canada? Here are 9 possible reasons:
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Overqualified and underemployed
Despite possessing advanced degrees and substantial professional experience, many Indians and Nigerian immigrants find themselves underemployed or unemployed in Canada. It’s a “brain waste.”
For instance, Niyilola Babaunde, a communications professional with over seven years of experience, faced prolonged unemployment despite his impressive credentials.
Similarly, Jasper Mbappe, an IT professional, found himself in a lower-paying role than expected. Damilola Adelogun, with a closed work permit tied to a low-skilled job, encountered significant barriers in transitioning to a role aligned with her expertise.
Cases like these are in thousands.
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Language and accent
Language is an integral part of the cultural diversity Canada seeks to embrace. However, many Nigerians and Indian immigrants may struggle with communication and nuances.
For instance, a Nigerian might say “restroom, or toilet” while Canadians commonly use “washroom.”
At the core of social interactions, a Nigerian, Indian or Jamaican speaking English with a distinctive accent may be unfairly judged by native speakers from other English-speaking countries. This raises questions about which accent is considered superior or more acceptable.
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Healthcare delay
New immigrants to Ontario and many other provinces, frequently encounter substantial obstacles in accessing healthcare due to the prolonged wait times for obtaining a health card (6 months or thereabout).
Without a health card, they must cover healthcare costs out-of-pocket, which significantly increases their financial burden in an already difficult situation.
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High-rise buildings yet expensive housing
Canada’s housing crisis is hitting new immigrants hardest. Skyrocketing rents, substandard living conditions, and landlords’ demand exploitation are becoming the norm for many newcomers.
The cost of housing in Canada’s major cities, where many job opportunities are concentrated, can be prohibitively high.
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Financial pressure from home
Financial struggles in Canada can be overwhelming, especially when family and friends back home are counting on your support. The pressure to provide can be overwhelming, as Jeems, an Indian man who worked at a popular restaurant for two years, discovered.
Despite his efforts, he couldn’t achieve financial stability and was forced to return to India to personally care for his aging parents when he couldn’t send enough money back home.
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Culture shock and Adjustment
Moving to a new country often means adapting to a different culture, social norms, and ways of life. For highly skilled Nigerians and Indians, the transition to Canadian cultural practices and societal expectations can be daunting, leading to feelings of isolation and disconnection.
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Limited professional networks
Building a professional network is crucial for career advancement, yet highly skilled immigrants may struggle to establish meaningful connections within their industry due to differences in networking practices and limited access to relevant opportunities.
8. Subtle discrimination and bias
Unfortunately, discrimination and bias can impact the experiences of immigrants in any country. Highly skilled Nigerians and Indians may encounter subtle or overt forms of discrimination, which can affect their sense of belonging and well-being
9. Overwork and “under balance”
Balancing professional commitments with personal life is a universal challenge, but immigrants may face additional pressure to prove themselves in their new work environment, potentially leading to heightened stress and burnout.
Success stories
It’s not all gloom and doom for new immigrants to Canada. There are thousands of success stories. Here are a few shining examples:
- Kunle Tauhid: Vice President, BDC- Business Development Bank. He immigrated from Nigeria.
- City Counselor Ayo Owodunni – first ever black city counselor in Kitchener, Ontario. He’s also from Nigeria. “Who says Canada won’t have its first black prime minister sooner than later,” he observed.
- Dr. Srividya Iyer, originally from India, is the director of a Canadian network focused on youth mental health.
- Mike Lazaridis is a Canadian-Greek businessman, investor, social philanthropist and founder of BlackBerry Limited.
- Susur Lee is a Toronto-based celebrity chef who was born in Hong Kong and immigrated to Canada at the age of 20. He started as a dishwasher.
- Stan Bharti is a Canadian businessman, entrepreneur and the founder of Forbes & Manhattan. He was born and raised in Punjab, India.
These individuals demonstrate the diverse range of successful highly skilled immigrants who have made significant contributions to Canadian society.
Success is not mission impossible. Persevere, mind your inner circle and don’t surround yourself with negative people.
By Olatunde Mogaji
