Imagine moving to a new country
Imagine moving to a new country with years of strong work experience, only to be told it doesn’t count because you didn’t get it here. For many immigrants in Canada, this is a real problem they face every day. The need for “Canadian experience” has become an old and harmful rule in job market.
A Wall That Blocks Good People
Let’s be clear: asking for Canadian experience isn’t about keeping high standards; it’s about keeping people out. It traps skilled newcomers in a difficult situation: you can’t get a job without Canadian experience, and you can’t get Canadian experience without a job. This isn’t fair; it’s a broken system.
Think about how silly this is: an engineer who built bridges in another country, a doctor who saved lives elsewhere, or a tech expert who led big projects around the world is suddenly seen as “new” or “unskilled” in Canada. Their abilities haven’t disappeared; Canada is simply ignoring them.
Canada Is Hurting Itself
This rule isn’t just unfair to individuals; it also harms Canada’s economy. Canada needs more workers in healthcare, technology, and skilled trades. But thousands of capable professionals are working in low-paying jobs or not working at all because employers insist on this limiting rule.
Every time Canada turns away global skills, it loses. It loses how much it can produce, new ideas, and its ability to compete globally. Canada relies on immigrants to grow, so pushing aside skilled workers is not just short-sighted – it’s like shooting itself in the foot.
What Employers Should Really Look For
Skills that can be used anywhere matter more than where they were learned. Things like solving problems, leading others, being flexible, and knowing how to do technical tasks don’t become less valuable because they were learned in another country. In fact, immigrants often bring new ideas from around the world that can help Canadian companies succeed even more internationally.
Smart employers already understand this. Teams with different backgrounds lead to more creativity, strength, and growth. It’s time for more companies – and the government – to catch up.
It’s Time to Act
The province of Ontario’s decision to waive the requirement for Canada-specific professional experience in designated regulated roles represents a constructive preliminary action. Nevertheless, more comprehensive national reforms are still imperative. This practice should be fully understood for what it is – and then completely removed.
Instead of asking, “Do you have Canadian experience?” employers should ask:
- Can this person do the work?
- Can they bring new ideas?
- Can they help our organization get better?
Most of the time, the answer to these better questions will be yes.
Canada Must Live Up to Its Promise
Canada promotes itself as offering great opportunities. But when “Canadian experience” is a hurdle, this country wastes good talent. If Canada really cares about different people and global skills, it must prove it by welcoming them, rather than making it hard. In short: The “Canadian experience” rule should help skilled people from other lands come in, not act as a wall keeping them out.
