tid bits
Been browsing the web a lot lately to find out what is up in Canada and immigration and skilled workers entering the work force - have found a LOT of this kinda thing (see next paragraph). Hmmmmm very interesting
( Read more... )
In the time that I've been at my job, I've seen a few things. First of all, I'm white, so I get to hear alot of what the locals say behind other people's backs. I'm also Anglophone, so that sort of classifies me as an "immigrant by default". Here's a few things I've noticed thus far:
French Quebecers (generally) have very poor relations with Native Americans (if you're curious as to why this is, ask Irks. I'm sure he'll provide you with a colourful and detailed history as to why this is the case).
Many immigrants who come to Quebec speak English as a second language, and are frequently seen as a threat to the soverignty issue among those who support the PQ. Hence - immigrants are the "oppressors".
Those immigrants who DO speak French as a second language (for instance, my colleague Tien who is Vietnamese) are often accused of being "immigrants" all the same (she's often called "le P'tit Chinoise" = "The little Chineese"), and as such are accused of stealing jobs, even if their French language skills are flawless. You see, it's this flawlessness in their language skills which make them ideal candidates for jobs otherwise occupied by local French Canadians.
Other things I've noticed, among both French AND English coworkers who are "local" :
Comments like, "Fuck those Chineese, they always want a damn discount. The Pakis too." are pretty common place.
It's called being a first generation immigrant where - in one's home country - bartering is an everyday normal part of one's purchasing. You can't expect them to come here, accept the price we offer (after having been raised to believe that only IDIOTS take the first price offered to them), and be satisfied. This is life. I've tried to explain this to my frustrated colleagues, but for some reason, they don't get it.
I don't think Canada so much lacks opportunity for immigrants, but rather we're alot more racist and narrow minded than we'd like to believe. My company has some REALLY strict policies about racism and discrimination, yet when Fariha made her complaint, my boss offered to make some abstract blanket announcement, and told her to talk to the racist bitch herself - that she didn't want to get involved. So yeah, we have some nifty policies written down, we just don't implement them very well. Frankly I think many immigrants are unemployed or underpaid because there's a hell of alot of jackasses in positions who hire people and who decided how much people get paid. Jackasses who think they're not racist because they use the word "Chineese" instead of "chink" when complaining about the Vietnamese woman who supposedly "stole" their job.
Quebec seems to be probably the most Anti-American province here, which is unfortunate. However, I'm sure if you stick with it, and maybe show off your knowledge of Canadian culture and history (as you already know, the belief here tends to be that Americans are ignorant jackasses so absorbed in their own grand history that they don't know sweet fuck all about what goes on outside their own borders), you might just be able to knock some reality into those thick heads.
We're not all like this, however. It's unfortunate that many of us are, but I'm certain several places would be pleased to have someone with your skills and experience.
Anyway, I don't know if thise clears anything up for you, but it's just some stuff I've noticed during my time back in the workforce.
Best of luck.
Reply
Leave a comment