There could be no greater testament to Toronto's pride in its status as a magnet for immigration than
its motto: "Diversity Our Strength." The question is, are we using that diversity to our full advantage?
In a recent
essay for The Mark, former
Gordon Foundation President Patrick Johnson suggested the answer is no. Noting that 46 per cent of the city's population was born abroad -- and that the diversity of countries in which those immigrants originate is world-leading -- Johnson concluded we're not capitalizing on this great source of strength. "There is scant evidence that key decision makers � whether in
government, the corporate sector or NGOs � are attempting to take
advantage of that advantage," he writes.
And a
recent survey of the Toronto Region by the
Progress Career Planning Institute seemed to underscore that conclusion, noting in particular that small businesses are less likely than large ones to recognize the value of newcomers to building a global brand. But a new initiative by the non-profit
Information and Communications Technology Council, funded by the federal government, could help to close the gap between the potential and actual value of immigrants to Toronto (and of our city to them).
The
Canada Readiness Tool is an online assessment for newcomers and potential newcomers that will help them learn about the culture-specific skills needed to succeed in Canada. According to the ICTC, the key is in the "three C's": Culture, Communication and Competencies.
In a
press release announcing the initiative, Minister of Human Resources Diane Finley said it would "facilitate the integration of newcomers into the work force so that
they can put their skills to work sooner, helping to strengthen the
labour market and improve the standard of living of all Canadians. Attracting and retaining the best
international talent to address existing and future labour market
challenges is critical to Canada's long-term economic success."
Writer: Edward Keenan
Sources: The Mark, Progress Career Planning Institute, Information and Communications Technology Council