The Myth and Merit of
Canadian Experience
DEMANDING CANADIAN EXPERIENCE CAN MEAN
DISCRIMINATING AGAINST SKILLED IMMIGRANTS
What is “Canadian experience”? When searched online,
there is no actual definition, yet there are many
discussions about the necessity for it. Many HR
professionals in Canada believe that demonstrating
previous work experience within Canada is a requirement for
someone to be a serious candidate or to be successful in their jobs
in Canada. However, many have begun to question the merit and
fairness of that assumption.
For example, the Canadian Experience Project, led by Professor
Izumi Sakamoto, is questioning the motives behind the requirement
for Canadian experience. According to Professor Sakamoto,
Canadian experience is considered “tacit knowledge” by Canadian
employers. The issue at stake is that even asking for Canadian experience,
in many cases, seems like a euphemism for lack of trust
in skilled immigrants.
DISCRIMINATION?
The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has declared
that requiring Canadian experience is “prima facie discrimination”
and can only be used in very limited circumstances, such as the legal
and medical fields. Therefore, in 2013, a report was published
by OHRC advocating a policy removing Canadian experience,
highlighting the aim of the Ontario Human Rights Code, “to recognize
the inherent dignity and worth of every person and to provide
for equal rights and opportunities without discrimination.”
Regardless of the OHRC ruling, discrimination based on
Canadian experience remains pervasive in Ontario. Professor
Sakamoto’s team at the Canadian Experience Project has
made it clear that skilled immigrants to Canada continue to
experience high rates of not only unemployment, but also
underemployment.
By Jinnie Ng, Jiwon Chun and Cathy Gallagher-Louisy
28 ❚ OCTOBER 2015 ❚ HR PROFESSIONAL