Canadian Experience

Canadian Experience

Mar 31

One of the lasting legacies of Arturo Brion before he left the Department of Labor and Employment to assume the august position of Supreme Court Justice was opening the Canadian job market to Filipino workers. It was because of then Secretary Brion’s tenacity and good connections to the federal and provincial governments of Canada that thousands of Filipinos are now dreaming of making it their second and perhaps, permanent, home.

I joined Director Baby Mendoza of the DOLE’s Canada Desk in observing the pre-departure orientation seminar that the International Organization on Migration offers to Canada-bound workers and emigrants. The IOM has done a marvelous job of putting together all relevant information for newcomers, from cultural aspects to Canada’s taxation program. In one morning, the participant is able to absorb the size of the country (thirty Philippines can fit in one Canada) with the distance from eastern to western Canada the same as the distance from the Philippines to the Middle East.

As big as Canada is, its population is amazingly small with 33 million people as against our staggering population size of 90 million. Over 13,000 Filipinos migrate to Canada every year, making us the third biggest source of Canadian immigrants next to India and China, which holds the title as its number one source. Because of its strong economy, huge land mass, and small population, the federal and provincial governments of Canada recognize the need for more hands to keep productivity high.

One must understand that a job hunt whether here at home or in any part of the world is always difficult. It’s not like there are employers waiting in a queue to pull you by the sleeve once you arrive at any of Canada’s international airports. Even professionals realize, once they arrive, that despite all the degrees and wonderful resumes, they have to start at the bottom, accepting entry jobs as waiters or waitresses or housekeepers. As our lecturer at the IOM orientation seminar said, gaining the Canadian experience even through survival jobs is essential because the work ethic and values are much different there than in the Philippines.

Why Canada? It’s a country where taxes pay for universal health care and education. The system works well, corruption is unheard of, crime is nearly nil, and pension funds really do mean something. Even the children of wealthy families are encouraged to work in order to gain the right values.

There is also another more obvious reason. Canada is an amazingly beautiful country, blessed with mountains and lakes, and the remarkable experience of ever-changing seasons.

It also has a terrific state welfare program. Employment insurance is available to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Canada also has a child tax benefit where a tax-free monthly payment is made by the government to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. There is even a new initiative known as the Unviersal Child Care benefit where a flat payment of $100 per month for each child under 6 years of age is given out to enable Canadian families to balance work and family life.

How to apply? Deal only with POEA- accredited licensed recruitment agencies particularly those belonging to the Philippine Association of Manpower Agencies for Northern America (PAMANA). This is an association of accredited agencies that have job orders for the US and Canada. For example, PAMANA official Bambi Mendoza, of Becmen Service Exporters, Inc. is looking for crane operators, welders, foremen, iron workers, and other specialized skills for Canada. Her office numbers are 525-3636 and 526-0373. To make sure that you are not being scammed by your recruiter, write immediately to dolecanada@yahoo.com. Be alert for those charging placement fees – this practice is not allowed by the Canadian government or its employers.