By nadirah sukhram and varsha vijayarajah
The annual Canadian Immigrant Fair once again welcomed newcomers looking for information, support, services, and opportunities to build their lives and careers in Canada. Held in downtown Toronto, on June 27, the fair brought together post-secondary institutions, settlement service providers, lawyers, and career advisors — offering a true one-stop hub for newcomers to connect and grow.
For many attendees, this year’s fair was their first visit. For others, it has become a vital part of their settlement journey. Shireen Khan, a 26-year-old who immigrated from India a few years ago, shared how the fair has helped her navigate life in Canada. “This is my second time attending,” she said. “Every time I come, I am able to learn something new. It’s helpful just to know what is out there and what resources are available to me.”
The mood throughout the day was optimistic, lively and focused. Attendees filled the aisles, stopping at each booth to ask questions, gather information, and network. Many sat in on panel discussions about navigating the labour market, credential recognition, and career development strategies. The resume clinic was especially popular, with a steady line of newcomers waiting to have their resumes reviewed and improved.
The fair’s panel sessions were packed with practical advice and encouragement for newcomers building their careers in Canada. One of the most popular talks, “Future-Proofing Your Career,” with international student influencer, Ritika Saraswat and partner at Ernst & Young, Kareem Aboulnaga, drew a large audience eager to learn how to stand out in a competitive market. The discussion covered personal branding, adaptability, and the importance of building social capital.
“You can be qualified and still not land the role because in North America, people are hired based on trust, networks, and how well you communicate your value,” explained Saraswat. Aboulnaga added that newcomers deserve the chance to stand out by going beyond what employers expect. “It’s not about being someone else, it’s about showing up as your full self, strategically,” he said. The session wrapped with a powerful reminder about embracing cultural identity and owning one’s difference in the workplace. As Saraswat put it, “The biggest shift for me was realizing I had more control than I thought.”
COSTI job developer, Gaurav Vaid’s packed session on “Ace Your Canadian Resume” gave newcomers clear, practical strategies to craft ATS-friendly resumes and showcase international experience with confidence.
In the afternoon, a thought-provoking policy panel examined the challenges and contradictions at the heart of Canada’s immigration system. Panelists Wendy Cukier, professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Ted Rogers School of Management, Shamira Madhany, Managing Director, Canada & Deputy Executive Director, World Education Services (WES) and Elizabeth Long, leading immigration lawyer and partner at Long Mangalji LLP, shared insights from their years of work in research, advocacy, and immigration law.
When asked what they would tell the Minister of Immigration, their answers struck a common chord. Madhany stressed the urgent need for a centralized credential assessment body within the federal government. “We can’t keep squandering the potential of immigrants we’ve already invited into the country,” she said. “We need to work together, across government and communities, to ensure people aren’t forced out simply because they can’t ‘Canadianize’ their resumes fast enough.”
Long highlighted flaws in pathways to permanent residency. “Programs aimed at attracting entrepreneurs are deeply flawed,” she said. “We need better systems that not only bring talent in but also allow them to build a future here.” She also raised concerns about Bill C-2, a proposed policy that would give refugee claimants just 14 days to file. “It undermines our humanitarian commitments and the treaties we’ve signed. We’re at risk of losing our global reputation.”
Cukier called for urgent modernization of immigration processing systems, many of which are still paper-based and lack transparency. “People have no idea where their application is or what the next steps are. The system feels dehumanizing.” She emphasized that immigration policy must be grounded in data, not fear. “Blaming immigrants for the housing crisis is not only inaccurate, it distracts from real solutions.”
Despite these challenges, the fair left many attendees with a sense of hope and clear next steps. Whether through the Resume Clinic, networking or insights gained from panels, newcomers walked away with practical tools and the reassurance that change is possible when their voices are heard.
As one panelist summed up, “We have the people, the talent, and the opportunity. Let’s not waste it.”
Mark your calendar — our next Canadian Immigrant Fairs are already scheduled for Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Mississauga. Check all the details HERE.
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