Immigrants are more than just a means to an end

There’s something about being labeled an immigrant. A certain weight to it. The label has its own stereotypes and expectations. I would know, being an immigrant to this country. As Canada gears up to welcome 500,000 immigrants per year by 2025, there is something that Canada needs to face, and that’s how we view migrants. Migrants don’t just work minimum wage jobs or drive Ubers. The Canadian government has long recognized the value of scientific research, and has made significant investments in this area, noting that one of the sectors facing labour shortages is Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM). But more needs to be done to support immigrants who are looking to establish themselves as researchers in Canada. It’s time to face the truth: Canada’s commitment to science is faltering. It has been for years and shows no sign of ending anytime soon. Ernest Ng has witnessed first-hand the obstacles that come with pursuing a career in academia as a foreign national. Photograph provided by Ernest Ng Canada's investment in the sciences has not kept pace with the rest of its spending in the slightest. Spending for the Tri-Agency funding programs has been stagnant, and in some cases, it's gotten smaller in terms of its proportion relative to Canada’s GDP. This year’s budget is no different, and shows a lack of political will to make meaningful improvements to an ever-worsening issue. The problem at hand is one that has far-reaching consequences. Our failure to commit to science is more than just a simple austerity measure. Doing so jeopardizes key sectors of the Canadian economy that are reliant on science to push progress, including natural resources, agriculture, and information and technology. Our failure to support science is a failure to support Canadians who work day after day driving a key part of Canada’s economic growth. Truth be told, we are in some ways failing Canada and our people. This issue is only aggravated when you consider all of these challenges on top of the challenges surrounding immigration. I have witnessed first-hand the obstacles that come with pursuing a career in academia as a foreign national. Despite a genuine interest in making a meaningful contribution to Canadian research, I have found that access to funding and resources is next to impossible, making it difficult to pursue the kind of research that I believe is necessary for the benefit of Canadian society. What we, as immigrants, are made to feel is that we are Canadian enough to be here, to give up our time and energy to Canada, but somehow not Canadian enough to receive the same kinds of supports that Canadians do. Of all the benefits that migrating to Canada is supposed to have, this is not one of them. Trying to succeed and achieve my dreams here in Canada has been difficult. I am forced to either forgo my current pursuits in favour of more “desirable” immigrant occupation fields, or forced to forge ahead with no support despite a rising cost of living that shows no signs of stopping. Supporting immigrants should be more than just allowing them to be here. It should be tearing down bureaucratic barriers that prevent their success here in Canada. An investment in funding for immigrants is more than just about ticking boxes, or about a political promise. Investing in newcomers is investing in the many unique perspectives and experiences that people bring with them, perspectives that can enrich Canada’s scientific community and community at large. Immigrants who have settled in Canada are eager to contribute to their new home, and want to help make Canada a leader in scientific research. An investment in science, and the people behind the science—whether Canadian or new to Canada—is an investment in Canada. It is an investment in a stronger economy, one whose key sectors rely on science to drive growth. If immigrants are vital to Canada, is it not about time that immigrants in this role feel supported? When will we be shown that our goals as immigrants matter, and are not limited to the preconceived notion that defines us from the moment we land in Canada? Ernest Ng is a researcher in neurorehabilitation, a recent immigrant to Canada, and the most recent winner of the David and Ruth Hubel Neuroscience Award. The Hill Times