The Hidden Struggles and Triumphs of Immigrant Professionals in Canada | Dapo Bankole | TEDxRRU 

As a Canadian citizen I am disgusted in our terrible immigration system. We shouldn't be stealing the best and brightest from around the world and not have a clear path forward for them. We either need a way to expedite their integration into the Canadian workforce or we need to be honest and let people know that what we are really seeking are people to do labour jobs. We shouldn't have doctors, engineers and other professionals driving taxi cabs for a living. The system needs to be honest and transparent for the people wanting to start a life in Canada.

'When Immigrants succeed, Canadians also succeed.' Thank you so much for sharing your powerful story! All hands need to be involved in creating the future of Canada we hope to see.

Despite having over 7 years of experience as a dental surgeon, I am struggling to find even a minimum wage job. I have been applying to at least 25 jobs a day on various platforms, tailoring my applications to highlight different experiences. It has been three months of continuous effort without success. This struggle is affecting my ability to productively study for certifications and licensing exams, especially with the pressure of the next rent payment looming. I know that things will get better with time, but it is not a good place to be right now.

Very relatable! I immigrated to Canada from South Africa in 2012 and have been struggling since moving here. I miss South Africa so much and haven't been able to go and visit just yet. Thank you for this video

8:14 challenge 8:27 community members 9:03 mentoring 9:17 sponsors 9:26 internships 9:37 conversions 10:01 bring it home 10:58 power of community 11:47 help back 12:00 missing opportunities 13:25 idea 14:06 help them

You have touched my heart. Applied to more than 500 jobs in Sweden and gave up. I now work 17 to 18 hours a day yet I had 7 years of experience in IT field. The work I do barely gives me time to rest. My IT Technician knowledge is starting to fade away. Not easy when people judge and deny you opportunity because of your background country your from or race.

Canada is like a 2 star hotel charging 5 star hotel rates.

I work in Asset protection for a warehouse, and the guy I'm training has a masters in computer science and was a manager at Amazon back in India. He applies to jobs every day, and I've had more interviews than him in the last month when I just casually apply around. There's something seriously wrong with this system because we are sitting on a huge population of highly talented and highly trained individuals, but our system would rather have them bag our groceries and work overnight security shifts, than have them in our hospitals savings lives. We need change on a wide scale.

I’ve been trying to tell my fellow Canadians this for years. We have too many well trained immigrants working as security guards, uber drivers and fast food workers. While we struggle to fill the positions they’re qualified for. It’s craziness.

This topic needs to be discussed and acted on at goverment level, parliment meetings etc. For far too long, the canadian immigration system has been severely flawed and has created a class of highly qualified "labourers" (i.e. highly qualified people/immigrants working in survival/low paying jobs). We need to work actively to fix this at all levels.

Profound insights from Dapo. I have seen this happen firsthand and experienced everything he shared, from working warehouse to Uber Delivery.. that's why I am committed to helping others in their journey and continuing to do my part. The biggest callout is to actively create opportunities for everyone within our capacity and beyond

as a new comer to canada from africa this TED talk hits the nail on the head a system change is needed in canada hitting brick walls left right and center

This deeply resonated with me and touched me on a personal level. It was profoundly moving, highlighting significant work that still lies ahead. Thank you for sharing your story Dapo👏

I read my Canadian immigration Struggles through your story. So heartbreaking!

I have my friends who have years of experience in IT industry and not even able to get a single interview in Canada. Some people are moving back to India or other countries after broken dreams. I personally know and I can relate with him.

I work as a settlement worker in BC and although I have been aware of the ongoing challenges facing immigrant professionals in finding decent work in Canada, this TED talk has really opened my eyes and inspired me to do more to help those in need. Thank you so much Mr. Bankole for this amazing talk and for sharing your story. I believe this is and will continue to help many. God bless you, sir 🙏🏾

This is the story of so many people who come to Canada looking for a better future and be a positive and productive part of this society. I know of so many who end up leaving and remembering Canada as a frustrating experience. Moreover, if this is this challenging for economic immigrants, imaging refugees who come in even worse conditions and with less support. The poverty trap is real in Canada. It takes so much of you to escape that the scars are long lasting

This video needs to go places. I too have seen well qualified professionals from around the world struggle in minimum wage jobs. I, myself applied for 1016 positions online in 10 months to land my first role. Why? How can Canada rectify this? Just bringing more people to Canada is not a job well done. Helping them integrate in the economy and society is also something that the government/people in the country should be equally concerned about.

Very good. Much needed & timely! The disconnect between the need for skilled immigrants and employers that need them needs to be addressed.

Thank you indeed bankole, you captured the entire problem of canada and i hope their thought leaders and politicians will begin to access the qualitative measure of their policies. And if they lack ideas, i believe you and your team are capable to help set a template metrics Im often bewildered, that most immigrants are among the best of their countries, like doctors, engineers, yet moved to canada and would not be integrated because of canada experience. Yet education, knowledge is almost the same. And they can be given job while the companies give them orientation of how organizations run their business perhaps if slightly different from where the immigrants are coming from. I will like to know more about the community you created to help immigrants integrate or guide them. ❤ More grace

Funny story: job requires degree level education & I had masters degree from a top UK university yet I was deemed not qualified because my degree is not Canadian!!

This conversation is one that needs to be had beyond this platform. I have also observed that here in Canada, there is a general assumption that immigrants are supposed to take the low paying job regardless of their educational qualification or experience. Back home, workers from foreign countries are paid a lot more than the locals so... yeah, let's all do better so Canada can be better.

Thank you Dapo for speaking about the pains of professional integration for Canadian Immigrants.

Great story Dapo. We need all hands on deck to address these challenges. Thank you

This is very TRUE in CANADA. Such an amazing story. Am enthralled ❤

Very important that Canadians born and raised here understand what it's like for Economic Immigrants (who have good jobs, salaries and lives in their own countries and who PAY A LOT to come and to be here). Most Immigrants know everything about what you said, but most people born in Canada don't have a clue about it. Great job spreading the word!

My friend graduated from a Canadian college after 3 years of study of nursing. he is now working in a local hospital and he can’t get a PR. Mean while, the system gives PR to people driving Uber and delivering Pizza. The system is wrong.

Absolutely stunning speech. Thank you, Dapo Bankole.

The situation is really worrisome, challenging and frustrating. God bless you for coming out to highlight these societal ills. Thanks for sharing your experience and fighting it out. I hope your presentation will help improve the system and open up better opportunities for immigrants.

My wife was a Radiological Technologist back in my country and has been working for 5+ years National Hospital including the accident ward, COVID ward etc. Has a Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Radiology. Then we noticed that healthcare professionals have better opportunities in Canada. We thought why not. We moved to Canada. Unfortunately, now she is working at a grocery store. To get a Canadian experience from a grocery store to working in a hospital 😂. What kind of system is this? My point is if Canadian health authorities can not allow us to work, why does IRCC assess our education qualifications and years of experience, and then grant a visa for us? The system needs to restructure until then Canadian healthcare system cannot be effective.

What a relatable message, Dapo! Thanks for sharing it so eloquently.

Thanks for sharing our story...see it everyday. The economy of canada will grow when they hire more skilled professionals who are abundant in immigrants.

Dapo, thank you for being a true voice for the frustrated and the deprived. It is a terrible system biase that making all losers - Govt, citizens and immigrants. Collective change is inevitable for our nation to remain great. Hearts and Minds not political. Please, I'd like to link up with your initiative.

Appreciate you spreading awareness about this! I know and have met a lot of Canadians who were born in Canada. But our prime minister cares more about the immigration policy he’s made and approved . It’s hard for everyone. A real shame to our history. But we live and we learn. Doesn’t have to be a life sentence. One love !

Thank you Dapo for sharing your story. I hope this will remind someone to help a new immigrant and influence policies that will make the current situation better.

Everything this man said and share is exactly how it is. As an immigrant myself has the same experience.

Very relatable as someone from South Africa who was looking at immigrating to Canada. Thank you for sharing Dapo :)

As a born citizen, I believe there is an integration problem as well. However, the government refuses to acknowledge this and imports 600,000 people a year. This is completely unsustainable; it’s not fair to qualified immigrants, and it’s completely insane. There must be mentorship and integration programs. But to be honest, it’s important it comes from Private industry more than public.

When immigrants succeed, Canadians succeed! Mic 🎤 drop! Idea worth shearing! 🇳🇬

Thanks for shedding light on our challenges

Amazing 👏 Dapo! Very relatable! Thanks for sharing and educating the world.

Finally, you have spoken my mind. Mismanagement of talent and skills in Canada had gone on for too long. While most non immigrant Canadians think immigrants get all on a platter of gold.....News flash....this is the reality of what we go through....good job brother

Our nurse in the hospital was an immigrant with experience of 20 years as a pediatric doctor. The should be some program to certify people and bring them into the profession. But here you are facing against the gatekeepers and those who made tons of money while training doctors. Let alone the companies that enjoy people working on them for minimum wage, ideal with no overtime, share the remaining hours of their 24-hour day with other companies that will also pay minimum wage and keep them in the survival loop.

I am an admin and immigrated to Canada from Mexico in 2005 and in spite of speaking English, Spanish, French and German and having a very successful career in Mexico, here, I was never able to make it to a government job nor a good one. I was not able to apply as "minority" because I am blond, but I was considered a foreigner as I am Mexican, so I never got the chance! And on the other hand, I often see cases like this young guy that did not finish his career and is working with me at the grocery store and one day decides to apply for a government job and he gets it almost immediately. Same case with my hair dresser... 🤷‍♀️ They are Canadian and though I became one, I never got a chance! 🤷‍♀️ Not even for an interview

This issue runs deeper than we realize, especially from a business perspective. When he mentions the "cost to Canada," it's a serious economic problem. Look at entrepreneurs like Elon Musk. He started in Canada but ultimately built his empire in the U.S. Today's global economy means talent can thrive anywhere. The old idea of needing "Canadian experience" is outdated. While it was crucial in the 19th and 20th centuries, it's irrelevant now. The pandemic accelerated this shift, proving that skilled people can excel from anywhere in the world. Some people stick it out, some get frustrated and leave, taking their talents elsewhere. Countries that quickly integrate and harness foreign talent are the ones truly succeeding. The fact that the world's richest person is an immigrant highlights the global nature of success. It's a clear sign of the times we live in.

So on point, Dapo! While this narrative is based on Canada, this is actually an issue generally faced by economic immigrants around the globe.

I have lived every line of his experience, 6 years in Canada.

Thanks Canada ❤ I came one year ago and now I progress my dream

Dapo Bankole! Well said sir, well said!!!

Hiring discrimination in Canada widely affects many in millions.

My mother came here as an immigrant. Was an engineer previously. Got no support, so she retrained in an in-demand field - registered nurse. I’m all for supporting immigrants, but they should be told the truth about life here before they sign the papers.

you got my heart. I moved in 2018, I am still working in low wage jobs. I cant find an opportunity to work in my profession as a lawyer, I have 5 years experience woking in the judicial system but Canada is not giving me the opportunity to do something related or follow my path. I tried to become a immigration consultant but the University reject my application saying that my bachelor in law and my experience working as a lawyer and legal assitant are not enough no be accepted. I am so dissapointed. Threre many people with similar stories, I am considering go back to my country because Canada makes everything harder, the canadian system dont realize that are many professionals ready to work and do more for the society but the system is pushing us to go back at our countries or stay in low income brakets.

Okay, this was wonderful. I agree with all what you said, except one precision I want to make. I just moved to Canada, its been a month now and cannot complain. Here is why: When getting into Canada, you are supposed to present a Proof of Funds. This is proof that you do have enough funds to cover living expenses for you and your family until you get that job. I want to believe the funds in question got exhausted before you got this kind of experience.

This is 100% true. But I'm not sure how the problem can be easily solved. I'm Canadian, but left Canada for 12 years when I was 19. I got a degree abroad, learned to speak and write in two other languages, and thrived in my profession. Upon returning to Canada, the only experience anyone was interested in was my "Canadian" labour/service experience from my youth. If the problem is systemic, and in-built to the Canadian workplace, I'm not sure how we could easily overcome this mindset. I was forced to re-skill, and fortunately had a bit of savings to do so (my last savings). It worked out for me, but I had support of a family to fall-back on. I can only imagine doing the above in a foreign country, speaking a foreign language. By contrast, as a Canadian abroad, I was given the benefit of the doubt where-ever I went that I was trustworthy and competent. I feel for those new to my home, and wish you luck in your life here. I hope our government finds a better way to help you integrate into our society.

This is a major issue many people are still dealing with.

This is really really true!!! Canada is fast turning into a theatre of dead dreams for many immigrants. It is so bad that a country that needs diverse skilled workers can easily pull as many underemployed Canadian immigrants to build its economy and Canada will not even feel the impact. Canada won't feel the impact because these are under utilized experts anyway. In my frank opinion, immigration should be slowed down because it is currently doing a disservice to economic immigrants. I agree with everything in this video. We must stop the mentality of Canadian experience and do everything we can to make immigrants succeed!

Canadian experience is quite fascinating; it's something you truly appreciate only if you've experienced it firsthand.

Totally agree with you. You speak my mind.

Immigrant life is difficult, even when you get a job you are underpaid - sometimes less than interns in the same department.

Even Canadians find it difficult to find jobs. We apply for hundreds and hundreds of jobs to get first interview, then second, then third interview but still does not guarantee we would get the job. If we don't get it, then we restart the process over and over. That's how difficult an entry office job is. For accountants forget it. You must be super qualified with 10+ years canadian experience.

That's unfortunate truth "Canadian experience" that I and most of my friends went thru, regardless of my experience and knowledge. You start with a position, below your qualification that you had in the home country, and slowly claiming up. This is also a competition race between immigrant and native.

This will only get worse; when Canada is so eager and in fact desperate to push away the international students who graduated there and have that "Canadian experience". If Canadian politicians were smart, they'd recognise the graduates as the best candidates and encourage them to stay as skilled permanent residents if they are working in relevant jobs.

I wholeheartedly agree with you, I am new immigrant and find it difficult to search for information on how to acquire Canadian credentials in my professional field and determine which job to apply for?

❤❤❤ thank you for sharing your story. Well said ! ❤

Well done, Dapo... Keep up the good work...

I can totally relate to this. It's my 4th month in Canada now and with over 10 years experience as a civil engineering professional, I am yet to get a job! Even the minimum wage jobs are not coming by.

Thank you, Dapo for sharing your story. Me too, I came to Canada in 2013 and I'm still struggling until now. I am not yet a PR and this makes my situation worse. I lost my status 3 years ago because I was scammed by an employment agency and an immigration representative and now I'm still waiting for the result of my Humanitarian and Compassionate application. This is really hard and it's affecting my mental and physical health.

Most people who comes here doesn't realize that here in Canada there is a quota system. They want for outsider to pay into the educational system; and that's the beginning of the Canadian work experience, that's all there is to it. Most educational organizations guides you into the working market.

1000% true and relatable.

Powerfully said!

Thank you Dapo. This is indeed true, I believe things are getting better now.

This is the exact tune every immigrants cries out so loud yet not heard .

I wish i could have went to this ted. Its just around the neighborhood. How to even attend these

My life story in short. Ghana - Call Quality Assurance Executive with Vodafone. Norway - Master Student ->Dishwasher -> Lecturer Canada - PhD Student -> Cleaner -> .............. Lesson learnt - It takes time to adjust into a new environment. Have a goal, and work towards it. Your vaue will be noticed..

Greately Described!🎉

Mentorship>sponsorship

There is also a deficit of blue collar workers in Canada. These are necessary job too. IRCC opened the doors so white collar immigrants can pick blue collar jobs instead of tailoring their immigration plans for much needed skills both white and blue! They also have NO concrete plan for integration. Immigrants have to figure this out mostly on their own .

Thanks for this very passionate message

This is an interesting subject to which many immigrants in Canada can relate. I totally agree with everything that was said and I think immigration policies are put in place without immigration programs to facilitate the integration of new comers. However, we also must do our homework before immigrating to a new country. In Canada, it has always been the case that when you first arrive, you will go through a bunch of low paying jobs, studies, etc, before being able to find a sustainable job. And by the way, Canada is not the only case. Many other western countries are just like that.

Well said. Thankyou ❤

Agreed, thank u for saying this.

Even somehow Immigrants succeeded , Canada doesn’t want to go along by not giving PR to temp workers. Being PR is still fine but as FW it’s a whole different level. Do not grind too much that person loose faith and hope.

A free Market perspective: Why would the employer put any premium on "Canadian experience"? Could that be signalling the value of quick effective integration and productivity? How can we help immigrants succeed, we drive integration.

I am still gonna move... see you soon 💪

Well spoken Mr Dapo.

I listen to the whole speech. I can relate to this as I myself am an immigrant in US. I agree Canada should have a way for professionals to get their careers kick started, may be as part time employees. Thanks for sharing. But I also feel it’s not wrong that foreigners need to reevaluate their professional knowledge in western world, spl in Health care. The processes and professional etiquettes are quite different from country to country. A doctor in a third world country may not be at par with doctor in a developed country. You know this when you choose to move.

My story is almost similar, except moving in Calgary in 2019. Tried career pivoting, covid happened. 🤓 I had more than fifteen years international experience when we moved, a masters degree from one of the top universities (non Canadian), and forced to move to the french province and was eventually divorced!! Now back to where I started, only renewed PR and visit Canada four-five times a year to see my child! I failed to integrate in the Canadian society! Cheers! ❤✌🏾

Well said!!

Unfortunately he is right but also a lot of peoples foreign credentials don’t hold water to our standards. We have a high standard that is recognized internationally and if we lower it too much that will disappear.

What this man says is so true. Canada is a tribal society far from what we know as a civilized western nation. What matters in success is not what you know but who you know. It is a hel for professional immigrants who have no connections but heaven for none professional immigrants, because they don't mind living on welfare.

This is amazing story.

Awesome video!

I'm an immigrant, the path to medical practice is to pass an exam. Yes, it's difficult but both of my friends studied and passed their first time. It's similar for engineering. I don't think they should change anything about the process. I don't want to see doctors with quack degrees from unregulated places.

Welcome to the white society my friend!!! I am a graduate from a Canadian university in 1993 (arrived in Canada 1972 with my parents at 15 years of age) and no one would hire me!! Lack of whiteness in my skin color and lack of blue eyes was a problem and will always be!!

I myself am in no place to say this is wrong, but the truth is flaws are not really flaws, it's the nature of things. All of it stems from the beautiful picture painted about Canada and in general how the Western world is depicted in the media. Two things should be understood about Canada. First, it's a capitalist country, and the old thoughts and ways of thinking surrounding it is very much alive in it's systems, and the people that run it, and they are protected. Second, it is duplicitous, and only if one can be duplicitous, cunning, and play to the vain nature of people, then one can survive. If a person understands these as the core of Canadianess, then everything else that seems incomprehensible becomes sensible. Mentorship is not possible anymore for newcomers, maybe it was, but now one has to pay for it. Canadian society doesn't really want people from outside to do jobs that matter, they are willing to take people to do menial work. Still why is Canada bringing in people, two main reasons, politics and income from taxation. Even, people who study in Canadian institutes are not safe, especially if it is not a well reputed University. Most accessible programs are tailored to bring in more business in terms of tuition fees, and those take those programs won't have a working knowledge to proficiently work in any other parts of the world, even Canadian businesses won't take them, cause they don't have matching job skills. Some, get through because of DEI and those who follow the cream level liberal values. Otherwise, be the very thing that Canada really is to succeed here. To find some sort of systemic fairness, Canada should stop immigration, should have stopped at least 3 years ago, because it is unethical. Should stop welcoming international students on false promises, cause many are spending money of at least two generations of their families wealth to rebuild their and their beloved's life believing Canadian systems and it's society are fair. Even many Canadians that have a long heritage here would say, it's not fair by any means.

Canadian dream may not be a dream anymore.

All the problems you said has a common reason: The immigration system exists as a working economic policy, rather than a "immigration" itself. Yes, the Canadian government welcome new immigrators from all over the world, and then milk them.

Very well said❤

I feel there is a lack of community spirit, and even with COVID lockdowns and working from home, social interactions have changed. Inclusion is real problem for immigrant. Financially and policy-wise, I blame the government for not planning things out well. With most of the working class paying 40-45% in taxes, it’s surprising that the economy is down and we have high interest rates. It’s unusual for a first-world country to face such challenges. We are not invested in a wide range of industries like USA. We don’t manufacture much and rely heavily on imports. I think Real estate, insurance, immigration, and oil are major sources of income.

Bro decides to speak truth 🫡