By Terence Ho | Foundation of HKPLTW
Terence is a Research Coordinator for the Foundation of HKPLTW with interests in history & traditions, social organization & inter-group relations, culture & religion, and economics & politics of Canadian Indigenous People and Visible Minorities. Follow him on Twitter: @hkpltw
In this article series, our objective is to introduce the white paper “Adjustments of Canadian Immigration Policies – Chances, Preferential policies and Benefits for New Immigrants to live and work in First Nations Communities – Developments of First Nations Communities and land resources,” researching, discussing and analyzing further in the field of
Politics (Federal & Provincial Immigration Policies, Truth and Reconciliation with First Nations, First nations Treaty, etc.)
Laws (Immigration Acts and Regulations, First Nations Treaty process, Autonomous of First Nations Community Nominee for New Immigrants, etc.)
Economics (City Planning, Basic Infrastructure Facilities Supporting, Industrial Reconstructing, Preferential policies for New Immigrant Investors & professional and skilled workers, etc.)
Introduction: Barriers to Economic Development and Job Opportunities
Economic development is essential for the First Nation people of Canada. It is a major concern when First Nation people continue to have small land base, with limited commercial and residential use, far from urban centres and with limited ability to expand. Security of tenure is associated with improved economic outcomes. Development opportunities vary according to the land base and the defined land rights regime, as well as by location, proximity to service centres, population size, resource endowment and institutional capacity.
Meanwhile, the new immigrants to Canada face high rates of both unemployment and underemployment. Statistics Canada shows that immigrants with university degrees and professional backgrounds remain in low-skilled and low educational requirements jobs because employers do not recognize foreign credentials and experience. The arbitrary requirements for “Working Experiences in Canada” are the barriers that newcomers potentially face when trying to access the job market.
Both groups are suffering in Canada — A place of opportunity. Things need to be fixed. I recommend making sure that barriers to economic development for First Nation communities and employment for highly-skilled newcomers are removed. In my recommendations, there is a range of “tools and practices” that policymakers can implement to empower both First Nation people and highly-skilled newcomers. The advice in this white paper aim to create a climate of mutual respect and understanding, so there are opportunities for each person to feel that they belong in Canada and can contribute to it.
Best Practices: Policy to Remove the Barriers
I understand that economic conditions and developments may depend on the location and resource endowment. For example, the First Nation communities close to cities may have a more significant developmental impact than communities where resources are absent. Similarly, the barriers to finding jobs may correspond to how valuable their previous professions and skills are to the current job market and policies. For instance, the present Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Express Entry system may favour nurse immigrants more due to the massive healthcare labour shortages and COVID-19. These factors are not controlled by them; that is, it something they either have or not. Yet, it is public policy to identify and remove the barriers to economic development and employment, so both groups are in a position to derive benefits and feel that they belong in the community.
My advice bases on the main point, “Involve new, highly-skilled immigrants in the economic developments on First Nation lands.” In the modern global economy, highly-skilled immigrants with foreign experiences and credentials can increase economic outcomes (like land use planning and leasing) and improve living conditions (like medical care and financial services). In return, there are opportunities to create jobs for newcomers and build the capacity of First Nation groups to utilize them. The addition of new immigrants can add economic values and diversification and develop and attract the necessary skills to support business growth and shape economic opportunities while putting First Nation peoples in a position to derive benefits and influence the direction of development.
Recommendations
Many First Nation communities cannot retain younger people. Therefore, the shortages of human resources and professionals mean opportunities for new immigrants. For instance, the lack of healthcare labour in recent years grows the need to recruit more internationally-trained nurses. The high demand causes the Provincial Nominee Program and Express Entry system to target nursing professionals to fill vacant positions. In other words, Provincial Nominee Program and Express Entry system nominate for immigration to Canada with the specific skills required by their local economies and situations. I believe that the Canadian government should create a new policy which permits the First Nation communities to target and nominate potential new immigrants with the specific skills required for economic development.
Through the expansion of the PNP and Express Entry system, the policy will create a platform for internationally educated professionals to work in First Nation communities. By nominating the potential immigrants who meet their specific criteria, it will be a starting point for developing and increasing human capital. In return, the selected immigrants can have foreign experience and credentials be recognized and work within their qualifications rather than in jobs with low educational requirements. With the benefits of enhanced PNP and Express Entry System, the immigrants can guarantee they will receive a permanent residence invitation, while the First Nations get the professionals needed for development.
Bibliography
OECD. “The Importance of Land for Indigenous Economic Development.” Linking Indigenous Communities with Regional Development in Canada. OECD Publishing, Paris, 2020.
Larose, Gail, and George Tillman. Valorizing Immigrants’ Non-Canadian Work Experience. Canadian Council on Learning, Work and Learning Knowledge Centre, 2009.
Weiner, Nan, et al. Breaking Down Barriers to Labour Market Integration of Newcomers in Toronto. vol. 14, no. 10, Sept 2008;14, no. 10.;, Institute for Research on Public Policy, Montreal, Que, 2008.
This is an opinion article; the views expressed by me. Follow Me on Twitter: @hkpltw And @Terry_Terence97
Foundation of HKPLTW (Canada) 