First Generation

For skilled immigrants in the Express Entry pool without French, a job offer or a Canadian degree, the path to permanent residence can feel uncertain. With recent changes to Express Entry and Ontario's immigration programs, what should candidates do next?   In the third episode of the collaboration between The Newcomers and Canadian Immigrant, Canadian Immigrant Editor Baisakhi Roy and The Newcomers host Dozie speak with Veronica Sepehr, an RCIC and founder of Westdale Immigration Consulting Inc., about navigating the changing immigration landscape.   They discuss Ontario's Workforce Stream, common misconceptions about the program, and what a Plan C can look like when a work permit is nearing expiry. Sepehr also explains why applicants may need to provide more evidence of foreign work experience and why having a few trusted sources of immigration information matters.   The conversation also explores a practical approach to immigration planning: understanding what candidates can control — such as improving language scores — and what they cannot, such as age-related CRS points, while being realistic about the financial and emotional costs of keeping multiple options open.

Canada has long been one of the world's most sought-after destinations for immigrants. But the landscape is changing. Immigration targets are coming down, temporary-resident caps are in place, Express Entry is evolving and international student policies have been tightened. So, if you're considering making the move to Canada today, should you still come? In this episode of The Canada Conversation, Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, takes a closer look at what's happening beneath the individual policy announcements. From Canada's changing approach to immigration and the experience of newcomers already here to the country's ability to attract and retain immigrant talent, we ask what the new immigration reality means for people considering Canada. Is Canada becoming less welcoming — or simply more intentional about who it wants to attract? And is the Canadian promise still strong enough to make starting over in Canada worthwhile?

Canadian Immigrant is collaborating with The Newcomers to launch The Canada Conversation, a new series as part of Canadian Immigrant's First Generation podcast. Joining the conversation is Dozie Anyaegbunam, managing editor of The Newcomers, a media publication exploring the Canadian immigrant experience. A creative director and amateur filmmaker based in Calgary, Dozie brings a storyteller's perspective to conversations about immigration, identity, opportunity and belonging in Canada. The Canada Conversation will go beyond policies and headlines to ask the questions newcomers are really grappling with: Is Canada still worth immigrating to? What has changed? Where are the opportunities — and where are the challenges?

In this episode, we'll explore the common financial challenges faced by newcomers to Canada and offer effective strategies to navigate them. Discover opportunities for financial growth, budget management tips and essential tools for your financial journey. Join us as we welcome Idriss Bouhmouch from National Bank of Canada, who will share valuable insights on preparing for both short-term and long-term financial success. Tune in for expert advice and inspiration!

Summer is the perfect season to enjoy the sunshine, prioritize your well-being, and make lasting memories in Canada. It's an excellent time to plan your getaways and enjoy abundant outdoor activities. This episode is for you if you are looking to explore Canada. Join Canadian Immigrant editor Ramya Ramanathan as she speaks with Maya Lange from Destination British Columbia and Tanya Berkers from Ontario Parks. They share insights into the wonders of British Columbia and Ontario, providing valuable information and tips for discovering these beautiful regions and connecting with nature.

It's that time of the year again! As we enter 2024, we have opened the call for nominations for the 16th annual Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards. As we embark on our journey, we've invited three of our top 25 award winners from 2023, Hénoc Muamba, Sobhana Jaya-Madhavan and Winston Sayson, with different backgrounds and experiences, to share their inspirational journeys and most importantly their winning advice for 2024! Their valuable tips and advice is sure to resonate with newcomers and immigrants alike. 

One of the biggest challenges many newcomers to Canada face is finding a job that utilizes their professional skills and work experience. How can they best equip themselves to break into the Canadian job market? What are some programs that can facilitate their path to career growth and success?  

Interested in visiting over 1,400 of Canada's most exciting cultural and outdoor experiences from coast to coast for free?  Want to get travel discounts on VIA Rail and Air Canada tickets? In this conversation with Tarun Tripathi, learn how new citizens and permanent residents can access all this and more with the free downloadable app Canoo, a project of the Institute of Canadian Citizenship. 

In the process of making Canada home? Seeking a little inspiration for your journey? As we embark on the 15th year of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards, four of our past award winners share their lived experiences and perspectives and, most importantly, their inspirational advice for 2023! This episode is sure to resonate with newcomers and immigrants alike. 

The financial system in Canada is obviously very different from your home countries. What are concrete steps you can take to understand this new financial landscape?  Where do you set up your first bank account? Is it easy to get your first credit card? Where do you start building your credit history and how do keep track of your credit score? That seems crucial, right? How can you make the money you bring with you last? Or wait: Should you invest in property at this time or is renting a better option? Or, perhaps, if you're just heading here, how can you prepare yourself financially for this transition?   In this conversation with Canadian Immigrant editor Ramya Ramanathan, personal finance expert and founder of savvynewcanadians.com Enoch Omololu shares his personal experiences as an immigrant and offers valuable advice and tips to newcomers.  Information, resources, helpful tips and inspiration – find all this and more at Canadianimmigrant.ca/podcast. *This is a bonus episode of the First Generation podcast