Immigrants Need Not Apply

This paper is the first in a series of Caledon/Maytree papers on immigrant access to the professions and trades in Canada. The paper describes the difficulties facing immigrant professionals and tradespeople seeking employment in their fields of expertise. It outlines the immigrant selection process, the social and economic costs of nonrecognition of foreign qualifications, the barriers faced by immigrants seeking licensure in their occupations and the roles of each of the stakeholders in the accreditation process. This paper is intended to set the stage for informed discussion of possible solutions. Future papers will focus on specific stakeholders and approaches to the issue, and will put forward practical policy options.

ISBN – 1-894159-69-1