Here at the Agenda, we're very interested in what people are saying about our programs and the issues we're examining. Well, when it comes to immigration in Canada there's no shortage of opinion, nor is there a lack of places to express them. Our packaging director spent some time looking at some of the immigration forums around the internet. He posted some of our videos there for the participants to look at.

Here is a sample of their comments, plus a few from our own social media web outposts.

Our interviews with new Canadians were the source of much of the discussion.

Mondoo commented in the CanadianVisa.com thread RE: Is Canada Worth It?

First, I'll tell you, Canada doesn't recognize the degree, profession and years of experience that the landed immigrant has earned in his country of origin. I have come to realize what Canada meant when it says it welcomes skilled workers [is] actually those in the category of labourer, janitors, warehouse men, cabbies, security guards and the like. Immigrants with regulated professions like engineers, foresters, pharmacists, etc. are not needed here because Canada has its own already. I suggest Canada should make it clear that they only need people to fill in the manufacturing or construction industry.

AllisonVSC wrote in the same thread:

I totally agree with the descriptions of the problems/difficulties of finding work in Canada presented in the video. I landed in Nov 2009 (I came through the family class stream, not skilled worker) and have yet to find work. I am not qualified to work in my field, teaching, even though I have nearly 20 years experience in the United States. I am re-training to be a bookkeeper and am currently taking a co-op course in accounting with 25 other adult immigrants (some of whom have been in Canada a long time) who are highly qualified (accounting degrees, MBAs, deep work experiences etc) and are trying to get entry level type positions because they are also unable to find jobs.

Abelkwh wrote:

Excellent video posting! It depicts the true accurate picture of what difficulties new immigrants face in looking for jobs! I guess many of us just have to face the facts of hardship in this new land. Even for me, a qualified finance professional with double masters, and bachelor's degree from US [there are] great difficulties finding jobs here. I have contacted numerous banks and financial institutions and headhunters, yet still find it really hard to land a job. This is discouraging but we just have to ride it out. Perhaps, by re-training or new courses.

 

Just hang in and endure!

There was more discussion on our Facebook page.

Rachel Décoste wrote:

Melting pot is a mindset the immigrant should adopt because it is an outright lie to lull them into thinking they can keep their foreign culture intact to thrive in Canada. At least the Americans tell the truth:

A viewer named Marc asked:

Why should somebody born in Canada be given an artificial advantage? For the sake of argument, let's assume that somebody born here has superior language skills, more Canadian experience, an easily accessible support system of family and friends, and the "right" skin colour and accent. Do those things not give enough of an advantage? If an immigrant can overcome all of those things and still get a job, they probably deserve to have it more than anybody else.

Keep the comments coming.