In partnership with
Please forward this to ONE Canadian immigrant today and tell them to subscribe here.
Hi, it’s Dozie,
Welcome to today’s From the Editor.
In today’s newsletter: Kumaran Nadesan & Kizito Okorowu talk about the Canadian dream and what it costs immigrants.
Also in the news: Edmonton Mayor calls Alberta referendum questions racist; Immigrants close Canada’s wealth gap after 10 years; Canada plans faster foreign credential recognition.
See past issues here.
The Canadian dream is costing some immigrants their boldness
Kumaran Nadesan had 15 years of public service experience before moving into the private sector. And that transition opened his eyes to something he couldn’t fully see from inside. The way the rest of the world sees Canada is not the way Canada sees itself.
As he puts it, “I’ve sat in rooms with international stakeholders across industries and governments, and I kept watching a country with real capability choose restraint at the moments that called for presence. Canadian counterparts hedged while their foreign peers made declarative statements. Real contributions went unnamed because nobody pushed to claim them. The problem was never capacity. Canadian culture has confused politeness with virtue for so long that deference has gone structural, baked into how the country negotiates and how it shows up in the world.”
As for Kizito Okorowu, who left Nigeria with two suitcases and an appetite for scale, there was the unwritten contract. The one you barely sense in the immigration paperwork or the settlement sessions.
But you eventually start to see them as the signs pile up. It’s in the hiring conversations, the networking sessions, or the way people smile warmly at you when you speak and then move on as if what you said never mattered.
In some way, the message is to be grateful, be patient, be quiet. You have to prove that you belong before you claim a seat at the table.
P.S. Kumaran’s The Impolite Canadian is such a great read on how you can play a role in redefining what it means to be Canadian in the new world we all seem to be careening into.
Read the full piece, including why the answer is some form of impoliteness ⬇️
How can AI power your income?
Ready to transform artificial intelligence from a buzzword into your personal revenue generator
HubSpot’s groundbreaking guide "200+ AI-Powered Income Ideas" is your gateway to financial innovation in the digital age.
Inside you'll discover:
A curated collection of 200+ profitable opportunities spanning content creation, e-commerce, gaming, and emerging digital markets—each vetted for real-world potential
Step-by-step implementation guides designed for beginners, making AI accessible regardless of your technical background
Cutting-edge strategies aligned with current market trends, ensuring your ventures stay ahead of the curve
Download your guide today and unlock a future where artificial intelligence powers your success. Your next income stream is waiting.
From our newsroom
Edmonton Mayor calls questions in Alberta referendum racist. Andrew Knack says Alberta’s proposed questions are encouraging xenophobic behavior. The premier’s office rejects his claim as voters prepare to receive 10 separate ballots. — Full article here
Immigrants close Canada’s wealth gap after 10 years. Established immigrant families can reach wealth levels comparable to Canadian-born families, but their assets remain more concentrated in real estate and less in pensions and RRSPs. — Full article here
Canada plans faster foreign credential recognition. A federal-provincial working group will recommend new labour mobility measures this fall, while separate agreements aim to expand apprenticeship training and reduce certification delays. — Full article here
The Newcomers resources
You might find these useful…
A choose-your-own-adventure guide to Canada’s financial system: Ready to test your financial might in this gamified article? Click through.
Do you know what it takes to buy a home in Canada? 20 practical tips from fellow immigrants, finance experts, and realtors.
Want to work with us? Check out The Newcomers Media Kit.
Want more immigrant interviews? Listen to The Newcomers Podcast.
Looking to find out which Canadian immigration program you’re eligible for? Check out our Who’s Eligible For series.
Do you know anyone who would find this information useful? Please forward it.
Was this email forwarded to you? Join our mailing list.