b'IMMIGRATIONTo date, TBB has helped 50 candidates and their families relocate to Canada, and EASING BARRIERS IN ONTARIO over 320 candidates and their families find employment worldwide. While settling candidates into their new homes The Ontario government has renewed its commitment to helping immigrantscomes with some challenges, OLeary connect with employers within the province. This October, Labour Ministerreports that the program is changing Monte McNaughton announced the government will be seeking to removelives: The feedback from employers several barriers to immigration.has been excellent. The employers weve worked with really like our candidates This includes eliminating the requirement for Canadian work experienceand many are coming back to recruit in regulated professions, reducing burdensome duplications for officialthrough us for a second time.language proficiency testing, accelerating the registration process for appli- Many of TBBs candidates are happy and cants seeking employment in high-demand fields (e.g., healthcare, trades), anddoing well: Some of them have been speeding up the licensing process.(Regulated professions are also prohibitedpromoted, found love, had kids, and are from including Canadian experience requirements as qualifications for regis- really contributing to their communities, tration unless an exemption from the prohibition is granted.) says OLeary. Its been wonderful"The reason why we need to do thisits about treating our immigrantsto watch.better. We want them earning bigger pay cheques, having more workerTalentLift is another non-profit dedicated protections for themselves. It\'s going to strengthen their families and provideto supporting Canadian employers a better standard of living for them," said McNaughton, stressing the changesefforts to recruit and relocate talent would have no negative impact on health and safety standards. from within global refugee populations. Launched in February 2021, it has supported more than 45 candidates from Turkey, Lebanon, Libya and India to for example, is an organization that wasespecially for employers in a country likeconnect with employers across Canada formed in 2016 with a mission to changeCanada where we hold these values and is in the process of doing the same the narrative around refugees whilequite close. for several dozen more. connecting employers with individualsHiring from within refugee populations who can meet their growing Through TBB, employers can search ais a brilliant way to find talent while labour needs. growing talent catalog of more thanhelping candidates and their families We are facing one of the worst skill30,000 refugees from Jordan, Turkeyrelocate out of displacement to a new shortages in Canada that we\'ve seen inand Lebanon for the skills they needhome community, says Dana Wagner, a very long time, so there is a real need(e.g., engineers, welders, bakers, IT, etc.).co-founder and managing director with to make those connections with refugeesOnce individuals have been identified,TalentLift. Employers recruiting with us who are ready and willing to work,TBB helps make the connection andhave found extremely talented candidates says Patrick OLeary, TBB\'s Canadianfacilitate the hiring process. If its a match,from diverse backgrounds who are eager director and former CERC boardTBB then works with its internationalto contribute and grow their careers,member. By employing these highlymobility partners at Fragomen to navigate skilled individuals, employers can createthe immigration process and help the a pathway for a refugee and their familyCanadian newcomer and their family to come to a safer country. So it\'s a smartsettle into their new home, be it within thing to do for the business, but it\'s alsoCanada, the U.K., Australia, or other a compassionate and right thing to do,TBB destination countries.20PERSPECTIVES Winter 2021'