Tag Archives: Immigrants in Vancouver

Community

Immigration in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Discovery Islands

On the surface, one might ask how relevant an article about immigration is to people living in the Discovery Islands. The vast majority of us either came from more urban parts of British Columbia, and/or are the descendants of an earlier wave of immigrants. Many non-Indigenous Cortesians trace their roots back to the era when most immigrants were ‘British,’ European or from the United States. There are undoubtedly many reasons why this predominantly ‘white’ population is now found in more rural areas. Some of us are the descendants of the first settlers in this area, others sought a more rural lifestyle and many moved here because of real estate values. 

According to Statistics Canada, a new wave of immigration has become the principal driver of our nation’s population growth. 

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Housing

BC’s new Canadians at higher risk for eviction from rentals

Editor’s Note: An excellent overview of BC’s eviction problem, told from the perspective of immigrants.

By  Diary Marif, New Canadian Media, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Rising eviction rates in B.C. and tenant-landlord disputes are causing stress and insecurity for tenants, especially immigrants.

At the Dispute Resolution Office in Burnaby, Borhan Moradi waited in line to challenge his landlord’s one-month eviction notice. Holding his file in one hand and ticket Number 31 in the other, he was among 30 tenants waiting to file disputes with their landlords.

Moradi was stressed; he spoke to NCM briefly because he had taken time off work to dispute and needed to return. He said he couldn’t believe his landlord’s “strange behaviour.”

“I have nowhere to go. It’s not easy to find a house,” Moradi said. “I am looking for justice.” 

According to a new report, renters in B.C. have the highest eviction rates in Canada. The University of B.C. report used the 2021 Canadian Housing Survey — the most recent statistics available — to estimate eviction rates across Canada. 

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Communications, Community, Jobs

Angst in America as Canada launches new plan to poach foreign tech workers

By Fabian Dawson, New Canadian Media, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Canada’s newly unveiled approach to attract foreign tech talent is being met with angst in America while being heralded as a game changer for the country’s emerging technologies, according to experts.

But for the multi-pronged Tech Talent Strategy to work, Canada needs to ensure that there is a clear and predictable pathway toward obtaining permanent residency, said immigration experts and IT consultants.

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Jobs

Canada desperate for construction workers

By Fabian Dawson, New Canadian Media, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Desperate for workers, Canada is implementing several immediate measures to bolster its skills and trades sectors including allowing successful candidates to bring their family members to the country.

In addition, several provinces are opening their doors wider to ease crippling labour shortages while creating pathways for out-of-status migrants to help Canadian employers.

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Community

B.C. unprepared to house immigrants Canada is welcoming, experts say

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Editor’s not: Very few of the people moving into our area appear to come from directly from overseas. According to  State of Campbell River 18 of the 4,029 people (i.e. about ½%) that moved to Campbell River between 2015 and 2019 came from outside of Canada.  Quadra Island’s Community profile states 12 of the 470 people (2.55%) that moved to Area C between 2011 and 2016 were immigrants. The Cortes Island Profile does not differentiate between people from ‘another province or another country,’ but states 27.7% of the household moves between 2011 and 2016 were made by people from outside of B.C. The vast majority were most likely Canadians.

By Shalu Mehta,  New Canadian Media, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Simran Sahani took a leap of faith in October, 2022 and moved from Mumbai, India to Victoria with her husband and six-year-old daughter. The couple left their long-standing jobs, family and home behind in the hopes of forging a brighter future for their daughter. While they knew it wouldn’t be easy, Sahani says it’s been harder than anticipated to find housing and jobs that match the education and experience she and her husband have.

Continue reading B.C. unprepared to house immigrants Canada is welcoming, experts say →