By Gerald V. Paul

Despite two reports revealing that immigrants are being shafted when it comes to the job market, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) told the Ethic Media last week, “Ontario is a magnate for the world.”

Not so, according to the report funded by Citizenship Canada, in which only 30 per cent of skilled immigrants said they feel their jobs are fitting to their qualifications and the Peel Immigration Market Survey which revealed that immigrants are still behind their Canadian counterparts in the job market.

It was reported that two-thirds of skilled immigrants say they have been asked to get further education in Canada to obtain professional jobs here.

Meanwhile, the Peel Region has been working with community partners and local employers in Peel to help bridge the divide between unemployment and putting those skills to use in the labour market.

The OCC acknowledged the gap in the economic system but noted that it is improving.

“We need to have more businesses on board to help with this matter,” Amy Terril, Vice President, Communications and Marketing, OCC, said.

Meanwhile, the OCC’s Integration of Foreign Trained Professional’s Global Experience programme is helping local employers find, attract and retain foreign trained workers.

The second phase of the Global Experience at Work programme will include mentorship and job fairs.

OCC plays a pivotal role in engaging government on opportunities to improve Ontario’s competitiveness.

“We are committed to sustaining economic growth as ‘Ontario’s Business Advocate’ through informed policy development, targeted advocacy, quality service, sustained communications and meaningful renewal of business practices that allow for the OCC to remain current with the needs of Ontario’s Businesses,” the group said.