Looking Back: 10 Key Studies on Immigration, Employment and Inclusion – 2018

We wish everyone a happy holiday season! In 2018, TRIEC has been focusing on research curation, and in the run-up to holidays, we would like to  share some of the reports and research that have provided us with new perspectives on immigrant employment and inclusion. These publications have offered thought-provoking insights on how to best nurture immigrant talent. And the year end is a good time to reflect on them.

Here are our top ten picks (in alphabetical order):

Canada 2040: No Immigration Versus More Immigration – Conference Board of Canada

What are the economic and fiscal impacts of increasing immigration levels? And what would be the implications of no immigration? The report runs different forecasts to respond to these questions.

Closed Shops: Making Canada’s engineering profession more inclusive of international engineers – 6 Degrees

Internationally educated engineers represent a key economic opportunity for Canada. But how do we ensure their professional and economic inclusion? The study highlights the existing barriers and potential ways to overcome them.

Delivering through Diversity – McKinsey

Does diversity pay off, and if yes, to what extent? This report shows how diversity in the executive leadership of large companies drives profitability and value creation – through analyzing 1,000 companies from 12 countries.

Getting Left Behind – United Way Greater Toronto, PEPSO, McMaster University

Precarious employment is on the rise – more than 37% of workers in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area have worked in such conditions in 2017. Workers are often more vulnerable to lagging behind based on differences in sex, race and education – immigrants included.

Labour Shortage: Here to Stay – Worker Scarcity in Canada and What Businesses Can Do to Respond – Business Development Bank of Canada

40% of small and medium enterprises in Canada are encountering challenges in finding skilled workers. Yet interestingly, immigrant professionals are not seen as a strategic source of talent. The study offers key insights on existing worker shortages and how to address them.

State of the Art in Research on, and Services for, Immigrant Women, Youth and Seniors – CERIS

This research examines the existing services for immigrant women, youth and seniors in Canada. Targeted interventions are required to support these groups to overcome challenges of unemployment and underemployment – and the report offers insights on how to achieve this.

Tech for All: Breaking Barriers in Toronto’s Innovation Community – Mars

What are the challenges companies face in attracting, hiring and retaining diverse talent in Toronto’s tech sector? Do workers in the sector feel accepted and valued? The study seeks the answers and guides employers on how to link inclusion initiatives to their overall strategy.

The Costs and Impacts of Unemployment and Underemployment in Peel and Halton – Peel-Halton Local Employment Planning Council

The report quantifies the cost of unemployment – Peel and Halton lose over $1 billion every year due to public expenditures and potential loss of public revenue associated with unemployment. Underemployment also leads to chronically low income and poor mental health.

The Intelligence Revolution – Future-proofing Canada’s workforce – Deloitte, HRPA

New technologies are revolutionizing the way we work and the Canadian workforce is already feeling the changes. The report elaborates on how Canada could emerge as a winner in the new world of work – including tapping the true potential of skilled immigration.

Unfinished Business: Ontario since the Great Recession – Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity

The report looks at how Ontario’s economy has progressed since 2000, including the impact of the 2008-09 financial crises. Ontario’s age profile has been worsening over time – and immigration is acknowledged as a way to counter this trend.

These studies have inspired us at TRIEC to think more creatively about immigrant inclusion. We look forward to reading more of such reports in 2019!