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Hi!
And welcome to today’s From the Editor.
In today’s newsletter: John Edward McGraw and I talk about the topics that always work in Canadian small talk.
Also: If you missed out on listening to my episode with Victor Neagu, I do think you should give it a listen, or a watch. Whichever works for you.
The topics that are safe in almost any setting
When it comes to small talk, not all topics are created equal. Some are safe with just about anyone. Others need a bit of care. And some should be avoided entirely, at least until you've built a real relationship with someone.
The green zone is where you want to start. These are topics that work with strangers, coworkers, neighbours, and anyone you're just getting to know. What all green zone topics have in common is that they establish a sense of shared experience.
They're not controversial, you don’t need to share anything personal, and they give you and the other person something easy to respond to. Plus, it’s a great way to find common ground. They are:
The weather: The weather is the easiest way to start a conversation in Canada. It's not political. It's a shared daily experience. Everyone has something to say about it.
Weekend plans and what you did last weekend: This is one of the most common topics in Canadian workplaces. You don't have to give detailed schedules of what you're doing. Just keep your answers simple.
Sports: Hockey off course. But mind you, not everyone necessarily cares about it.
Travel and vacation stories: Sharing a little about places you've been or places you'd like to go, and asking questions about places other people have been, can be great.
Read the full list of topics including prompts to help you practise next time you are on your work commute or at the coffee shop ⬇️
Protect online privacy from the very first click
Your digital footprint starts before you can even walk.
In today’s data economy, “free” inboxes from Google and Microsoft, like Gmail and Outlook, are funded by data collection. Emails can be analyzed to personalize ads, train algorithms, and build long-term behavioral profiles to sell to third-party data brokers.
From family updates, school registrations, medical reports, to financial service emails, social media accounts, job applications, a digital identity can take shape long before someone understands what privacy means.
Privacy shouldn’t begin when you’re old enough to manage your settings. It should be the default from the start.
Proton Mail takes a different approach: no ads, no tracking, no data profiling — just private communication by default. Because the next generation deserves technology that protects them, not profiles them.
Victor Neagu on why Canada can’t afford to normalize underachievement
Victor Neagu is seasoned government relations and communications professional with two decades of global leadership experience in strategic communications, project management, public diplomacy and government relations in the public, private and non-profit sectors.
Throughout his career, he has engaged governments, private sector companies, civil society organizations, academia and media to catalyze partnerships, investments and research in support of economic, social and environmental reforms, in more than 30 countries across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe and Latin America.
In this episode, Victor and I chat about the following and more:
How the dominance of networks in hiring puts newcomers at a structural disadvantage
How eliminating barriers to labor mobility between provinces could create more competition and opportunity
Why more newcomer voices in politics at every level, city, provincial, federal, is essential to changing policy
Why we need to move the immigration debate from quantity to quality of integration
Listen to the full episode here ⬇️
Good finds
Lessons From 20 Years in Toronto by Seun Obikoya. This is a great read. Seun talks about why Toronto needs to be learned and discovered, building community, mentorship, and more.
The Newcomers resources & guides
Start Here is a directory to help you find your way around the publication
The Newcomers archetype quiz helps you discover their unique strengths and provides insights and actionable steps for settling into Canada and pitching in to make it a better place for yourself and everyone.
Want to work with us? Check out The Newcomers Media Kit.
Want more immigrant interviews? Listen to The Newcomers Podcast.
Looking to find out what Canadian immigration program you’re eligible for? Check out our Who’s Eligible For series.
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