The document provides population statistics for Hong Kong and Canada. It then discusses barriers immigrants face in Canada, such as lack of Canadian work experience. It introduces ConnectUs, a company that helps immigrants find jobs. Real stories are shared, such as an engineer from Hong Kong who struggled to find work. Finally, the document offers advice for both before and after moving to Canada.

1. W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M

2. HONG
KONG
W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M

3. HONG KONG POPULATION - 2011
Principal City Population
Kowloon 2,108,419
Victoria 992,221
Tuen Mun 485,898
Sha Tin 433,415
Tseung Kwan O 371,590
Kwai Chung 319,428
Tsuen Wan 290,035
Tin Shui Wai 287,901
Tai Po 264,580
Fanling – Sheung Shui 255,306
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4. W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
CANADA

5. CANADIAN POPULATION 2011
Providence Population
Ontario 12,851,821
Quebec 7,903,001
British Columbia 4,400,057
Alberta 3,645,257
Manitoba 1,208,268
Saskatchewan 1,033,381
Nava Scotia 921,727
New Brunswick 751,171
Newfoundland and Labrador 514,536
Prince Edward Island 140,204
Northwest Territories 41,462
Yukon 33,897
Nunavut 31,906
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Statistics Canada

6. CHINESE SPEAKING POPULATION IN
CANADA 2006
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City Province Chinese Percentage
Toronto Ontario 486,330 9.6%
Vancouver British Columbia 381,535 18.2%
Montreal Quebec 72,015 2.0%
Calgary Alberta 66,375 6.2%
Edmonton Alberta 53,670 4.6%
Ottawa Ontario 36,305 2.9%
Winnipeg Manitoba 16,995 1.9%
Hamilton Ontario 13,600 1.7%
Victoria British Columbia 13,550 3.8%
Kitchener Ontario 10,970 2.0%
Statistics Canada

7. There are 4 barriers we found for
immigrants:
• Lack of Canadian work experience
& Canadian references
• Lack of English proficiency
• Inadequate communication skills
• Non-recognition of foreign
credentials
W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
CONNECTUS
At ConnectUs, we help foreign
professionals from different
countries such as actuaries,
engineers, lawyers, pharmacists,
dentists, architects,
psychologists, chemists, and
professors, who can’t find a job
in Canada.

8. W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
REAL LIFE SITUATION
Nicol, an engineer from Hong Kong,
had experienced a similar situation
before. He came to Canada with his
family over 17 years ago, and hoped
for a better life style. But they ended
up leaving the country because he
couldn’t find the job he needed to
support his family. Here’s what he
suggested:

9. W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
REAL LIFE SITUATION
“For skilled immigrants, these are the
difficulties they commonly have to face:
• English
• No Canadian working experience
• Skills may not credential. Some
type of professional skills cannot
just credent the education, but also
are required to take examination to
registrar.
• Job experience may not relevant
• Difficult to find similar type of job
or post in Canada
• Limited job opportunity
• Not familiar to the Canadian
culture
- Nicol Wu, 2012

10. W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
REAL LIFE SITUATION
“Possible solutions:
• Accreditation of the education and
skills
• Attend necessary courses in order to
obtain the profession accreditation
• Do volunteer to gain working
experience
• Improve English
• Participate in community,
association, forum etc. to expand
the network
- Nicol Wu, 2012

11. SET A BEFORE
DOING ANYTHING
W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
SMART
GOAL

12. W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
WHAT TO CONSIDER
BEFORE COMING TO
CANADA?

13. W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
DO YOUR
HOMEWORK
& RESEARCH
- BEFORE CANADA -
It’s important to do your
research before coming because
you can learn more about the
things, people, and events in
Canada. In doing that, it may
help you to make smarter
decisions such as choosing the
right province/ city to live and
work at.

14. W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
JOB SEARCH ENGINE
- BEFORE CANADA -
• Sites that list available job
positions
• Temporary jobs listed for the
province or city
• It gives an opportunity to
decide where you want to live
and work permanently.
Website Title Link
Jobs in Canada
for Foreign
Workers
www.foreignstaff.ca/
Monster www.monster.ca/
Craigslist www.craiglist.com
Chamber of
Commerce
www.chamber.ca/

15. W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
RESUME & COVER
LETTER
- BEFORE CANADA -
• Send a resume and a cover letter to
the hiring manager, and wait for a
reply
• Show as many skills as possible in
order to compete with local workers
• Make sure all spelling and grammar is
correct
• Write a Curriculum vitae (a overview
of your experience and qualifications)
• Proofread/ edit everything by
someone who is fluent in English
before sending
• Assured the position is solid before
leaving home

16. W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
CANADA
- BEFORE CANADA -
• Plan a trip to here first to scout out the territory and learn more about
Canada
• Plan to come for interviews, or schedule as many meetings as possible
• Do not come in the winter or summer, best time to come is during
September, October, April, May and June
• Look at housing and meet with the Chamber of Commerce or with local
groups in Hong Kong

17. AIM FOR A HIGHER EDUCATION
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-BEFORE CANADA -
Often, education from other countries will not
be accepted in Canada. It’s important to make
sure you have the right education and skills
Canadian employers are looking for.
• Verify what is and what is not recognized
in Canada (ask trade associations for your
field) and research what you have to do to
be recognized
• Join programs or classes in your field
• Research about different colleges and
universities that offer programs you’re
looking for

18. WHAT TO CONSIDER AFTER
COMING TO CANADA?
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19. W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
BECOME A
CANADIAN CITIZEN
If you are planning of staying
in Canada, it will make things
easier if you are a Canadian.
• More rights
• Can work and study
anywhere you choose in
Canada for less money
• Can move freely from
province to province
• Health care
• Free education under 18
• Become involve in political
activities

20. W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
BECOME A
CANADIAN CITIZEN
Here is what you have to do to
become a Canadian citizen:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/
resources/publications/howt
o.asp

21. INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
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There are many schools that offer
international programs in Canada,
for example:
http://oisa.mcmaster.ca/
http://www.students.ubc.ca/inernational/
index/cfm

22. INTERNSHIPS PROGRAMS
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Federal Internship for Newcomers Program
• Provides newcomers with valuable temporary Canadian work experience and
training opportunities with federal government departments and other public
and private sector organizations.
http://www.credentials.gc.ca/jobs/what-you-can-do/internship-program.asp
There are many schools that offer internships programs in Canada, for example:

23. WHAT TO CONSIDER
THROUGHOUT THE
WHOLE PROCESS?
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24. W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
In Canada, knowing how to read, write and speak
English professionally is very important. Also, French is
a must if you’re planning to go to Quebec.
• Read more English/ French books
• Interact with English/French speakers
• Take English classes or programs
o Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada
(LINC)
o English as a Second Language (ESL)
o Free English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes
o Enhanced Language Training (ELT)
o Workplace Language Training (WLT)
IMPROVE ENGLISH

25. W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
• Read Canadian newspaper online
• Review Canadian corporation websites in
English/ French
• Chat room
• Change Facebook, Linkedin or other sites
to English/ French
IMPROVE ENGLISH

26. W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
ENGLISH PROGRAMS
British Council
英國文化協會
The British Council is the United Kingdom's
international cultural relations organisation founded
in 1934. They have offices in 233 towns and cities in
109 countries worldwide.
British Council is the largest provider of English
medium education in Asia, they have the largest
network of English language centers in Hong Kong - a
great program for immigrants to learn English before
coming to Canada.
Telephone (852) 2913 5100
Fax (852) 2913 5102
E-mail enquiries@britishcouncil.org.hk
Office Address
British Council
3 Supreme Court Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong

27. W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
VOLUNTEER
• Join volunteer work to gain as many
experience as possible (events,
fundraisers, etc.)
• It may expand your networks
• Look good on your resume

28. WHAT CAN CONNECTUS DO FOR YOU?
W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
• We work with senior recruiters who provide mock interviews to
help you to learn what will be expected in Canada.
• We offer “audio” interviews (Talk to Donna) on Skype that can be
used to show your level of expertise with English.

29. WHAT CAN CONNECTUS DO FOR YOU?
W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
• We introduce you to associations and organizations that have agreed
to welcome them as guests prior to them choosing to become
affiliated with these Canadian organizations.
• We help set up internships and co-op positions within your area of
expertise, giving you an opportunity to experience a career in Canada.

30. W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M

31. 323 Kerr St. Suite 202
Oakville ON
L6K 3B6
W W W . C O N N E C T U S C A N A D A . C O M
dmesser@connectuscanada.com
www.connectuscanada.com
Phone: 905 337 9578
Fax: 905 337 9320
ConnectUs International Inc.