Finding Work in Canada

		Links to Top Canadian Job Sites
For most newcomers, finding employment is a top priority. It will probably be the most chal-lenging task you face while starting a new life in Canada. This section will hopefully help you to set realistic short and longterm employment objectives. It will tell you how to look for work in Canada, how to start practicing your profession or trade or start your own business and what your rights on the job are. Working Legally in Canada In order to start working in Canada, you must be legally permitted to do so. People who work without a valid employment authorization could be removed from Canada. If you are a permanent resident, you need a Social Insurance Number (S.I.N.) in order to be eligible for employment. If you are a refugee claimant, a refugee or a Minister's Permit holder, you must apply for employment authorization. Visitors can only work legally in Canada as temporary workers if they have obtained employment authorization before coming to Canada. Looking for a Job While most Can-adians find looking for a job challen-ging, newcomers may discover they face additional bar-riers when looking for employment. It is important to be aware of these barriers and how to overcome them. These barriers might include: Lack of English language skills. Difficulty with English will greatly limit your job opportunities in Canada, and may force you to accept lower-level work than you had in your native country. English as a Second Language (ESL) programs will help improve your job opportunities. Lack of Canadian experience. Some employers may use a lack of Canadian experience as a reason not to hire otherwise qualified newcomers. According to the Canada Human Rights Commission, it is discriminatory for employers not to consider applicants because their work experience was not obtained in Canada. However, employers can require that applicants possess specific job related skills and technical knowledge. Volunteer work is one way to gain Canadian experience and Canadian references. Culture Shock. As a newcomer you may encounter a work environment and attitudes very different from what you are used to. Culture shock may be an obstacle to finding work and feeling comfortable in the workplace. Discrimination. Though it is against the law, some newcomers may be refused work, fair pay, promo-tions or raises for discriminatory reasons. You need to know about your rights and where to go for help. While looking for work in Ontario you may not be able to find a so called job of choice that uses your skills, interests and previous experience right away.		Jobs of choice are the long term goal and may require a few years to find. Meanwhile you may have to make do with transitional jobs - unskilled or entry level jobs. In order to continue practicing in their field, foreign-trained professionals should have their educational qualifications and work experience assessed by the association that oversees that profession. For instance, in Ontario the College of Physicians and Surgeons regulates doctors and the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario regulates engineers. A number of occupations are regulated within Ontario by provincial public and private legislation for the purposes of ensuring competence and protecting the public interest with respect to health, safety and welfare. Finding a job is a complex and time-consuming process and usually involves the following steps: 1. Locate a job. 2. Apply for a job - prepare a resume and a cover letter. 3. Survive an interview. If you believe you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you may consider starting your own business. This could be a very risky, but very rewarding undertaking. Canadian Workplace It is important to understand the rights of the worker within the workplace. All workplaces are regulated either by federal or provincial labour legislation. The Employment Standards Act sets the employment standards for minimum wages, hours of work, vacation pay and other terms of employment. Also, the Canada Human Rights Code provides that every person has the right to freedom from discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Workplace equity legislation supports the goal of workplace diversity and benefits many newcomers to Canada.