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.)
In my previous articles, my main discussion was on creating an immigration policy that inputs foreign-trained immigrants into the economic development of First Nation communities. Also, I discussed the “adverse impacts” and “unfair discrimination” perpetuate the trauma suffered by both groups. Furthermore, I mentioned a new immigration policy needed to be made so that compensation for the systemic bias against both groups would end and cease discriminatory practices. Last, I briefly concluded how there were a range of practices that policymakers could implement to empower both groups. In the fifth and final article, I want to conclude and explain in detail on how there are opportunities to create jobs for newcomers and build the capacity of First Nation groups to utilize them.
The Barriers
The significance of all the barriers new immigrants potentially face when trying to access the job market is discriminatory. The employment or accreditation requirement for “Canadian experience” for immigrant job applicants can be only used in limited circumstances. In other words, “Canadian experience” should not be a bona-fide requirement. New immigrants are in a difficult position: they cannot get a job without Canadian experience and they cannot get Canadian experience without a job”. Everyone has a story about a qualified foreign nurses or lawyers who has to work in a convenience store or serve in restaurants, and my articles are aimed at trying to do something about this issue.
While I am looking at the problems faced by the new immigrants, I also think that The Government of Canada could assist the acquisition of land by Indigenous peoples outside the context of treaty making. To satisfy both groups, I think of solution that may provide benefits to both the First Nation and new immigrant communities. Since the First Nation communities want economic development, I think that it is a feasible idea for new immigrants to work closely with First Nations to assist them in their efforts to resolve third-party interests. This allows the flow of skilled workers and professionals to First Nation lands, helping to development a land acquisition strategy and align it with the community comprehensive plan that enhance the collective well-being.
Two is Stronger than One
Through involving new, highly-skilled immigrants in First Nation land, Indigenous groups can purse their own path of development. It may include developing infrastructure or energy projects, creating economic zones, investing in residential property or establishing nature conservation areas. This provides greater certainty for individuals to invest in productive activities on land themselves. It is thus a stimulus for community-led investment as well as private investment. Furthermore, the introduction of potential new immigrants is fitting for the modern global economy. The 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 that will attract the necessary skills to support business growth and shape economic opportunities.
How to Work Together?
Although economic conditions and developments may depend on the location and resource endowment, it is understandable that lang management issues could affect economic development. I think that First Nation communities could be strengthened by providing legal templates for opting First Nations to start building their land codes and associated regulations in order to facilitate the law enactment. This could reduce the need to resort to external consulting, and avoid the proliferation of unique property rights regimes.
Similarly, new immigrants face the 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. I suggest that First Nation employers and regulatory bodies should make sure that barriers to employment are identified and removed. To attract immigrant professionals, they should overlook “Canadian experiences” and choose a more “friendly approach” when advertising or interviewing immigrant applicants. 1) Do not discount an applicant’s foreign work experience or assign it less weight than Canadian work experience 2) Do not include a requirement for Canadian experience in postings 3) Do not include a requirement for qualifications that can only be obtained by working in Canada. This checklist is useful in building bridges between job aspirations of new immigrant and the development concerns of First Nation communities.
All levels of the Canadian government can consider the regulatory framework above because it can benefit both the First Nation communities and new immigrants. An improved regulatory framework of land use would generate investment incentives and attract talents. For skilled immigrants, such as engineers and medical professionals, would mean more clarity and certainty.
For First Nation communities, it would facilitate forming partnerships to invest in infrastructure projects that cut across the reserve but extend to the surrounding territory. For governments, it brings forth a more cohesive view of the territory and welcomes First Nation groups into consultation procedures, fulfilling their duty to consult, as well as strengthens existing legislative tools.
My Point
Last, I want to strengthen my main point: “Involve new, highly-skilled immigrants in the economic developments on First Nation lands.” Both groups are suffering in Canada — A place of opportunity. Things need to be fixed.
Bibliography
Board, National Aboriginal Economic Development, and desLibris – Documents. Improving the Economic Success of Urban Additions to Reserves Achieving Benefits for First Nations and Local Governments – Stage II: Economic and Fiscal Benefits Generated in Urban ATRs. National Aboriginal Economic Development Board, Place of publication not identified, 2015.
Economists, Fiscal R., and desLibris – Documents. Improving the Economic Success of Urban Additions to Reserves – Stage 1: Identifying Success Factors in Urban First Nations. National Aboriginal Economic Development Board, Place of publication not identified, 2014.
McGregor, Deborah. “Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal Relations and Sustainable Forest Management in Canada: The Influence of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.” Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 92, no. 2, 2011, pp. 300-310.
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) 