Montreal mayor Valérie Plante has launched an awareness campaign about the struggles faced by newcomers in Canada’s job market.
Shahir Guindi, Chair of the Montreal Board of the Chamber of Commerce will accompany Plante on the month-long campaign.
The campaign includes an installation at the Complexe Desjardins in Montreal. Life-size doors will be installed and inscribed with messages such as “We can all play a role” and “We hold all the keys.” The installation urges employers and workers to be more inclusive toward immigrants.
Although 40% of immigrants have higher education, newcomers in Montreal had an unemployment rate of 9.8% in 2016. This is in contrast to 5.9% for Canadian-born residents.
According to Canadian and U.S. immigration statistics, Montreal ranks fifth among cities that attract the most newcomers. However, Montreal does less than other Canadian cities to help them integrate.
Jack Jedwab, president of the Association for Canadian Studies said the campaign didn’t do enough to address the government reducing immigration despite a labour shortage. He noted that Toronto has benefitted from immigration and that immigration “is the single source of growth for our population.”
Souce: montrealgazette.com, January 15, 2020