“The immigration sector has been shaken by the abrupt funding cuts and the departure from contracts that ensured the sustainability of the systems and infrastructure that support newcomers across B.C.,” she says. “We can all bicker about how many immigrants we need each year, but the bottom line is that our economy and population growth is heavily dependent on immigration.”

The federal funding cuts will significantly impact the services and programs available to immigrants, most significantly those of higher level language training, with the baseline intention to reduce overall immigration.

Decades of dedication

MOSAIC has been serving Canadian newcomer communities since 1976, establishing themselves as one of the largest, most impactful settlement and employment services organizations in Canada. With a team composed predominantly of immigrants and refugees, the organization offers a wide range of services to clients from over 150 countries, including literacy training, employment counselling and leadership programs.

It also provides specialized support for specific population groups, such as youth, LGBTQI+ newcomers and victims of violence. The heart of MOSAIC is its commitment to inclusivity, economic prosperity and cultivating a sense of belonging for immigrants.

“Our team is deeply committed to seeing newcomers succeed,” says Stachova. “The work that we do is not just a job, but a true passion.”

As an immigrant from Slovakia and former client of MOSAIC herself, Stachova lived the hardships of navigating a new language, culture and environment– all while rebuilding her social and professional networks. Now in her position as CEO, she is honoured to not only be able to make a positive impact on the lives of thousands of newcomers, but better the socio-economic relations and international reputation of Canada.

“Our mission is grounded in services and advocacy to help individuals from diverse backgrounds succeed and thus enrich our communities,” adds Stachova.

Anti-immigration rhetoric

In light of recent federal funding cuts, Stachova and her team at MOSAIC have been actively advocating for positive change – and for the Canada they believe in. Her team is aware of the serious challenges facing the country, including rising cost of living, shortage of affordable housing and concerns about accessible healthcare; they believe that immigration has been unjustly scapegoated as the reason for these challenges.

“Unfortunately, immigrants have been painted in the public discourse as the source of these challenges, which is a sentiment that is very misplaced, and honestly, dangerous and harmful,” she explains. “It goes hand in hand with the steep increase in incidents of racism and hate experienced by newcomers every day and significant change in public sentiment towards immigration.”

This scapegoating of newcomers has instilled a sense of fear within the communities: MOSAIC has been repeatedly hearing from their clients that they no longer feel safe in Canada. This unease has also impacted their team, as most of them are immigrants themselves. Stachova sees the funding cuts as further fueling these anti-immigration sentiments.

“We changed from a country that was proud to broadcast to the world how welcoming and appreciative we are to immigrants, to a country that is actively trying to discourage people from coming here by putting more and more obstacles in their way,” she adds.

It is not only immigrant communities that are impacted. These funding cuts and anti-immigration beliefs also affect vital services in the country. Statistics Canada predicts that the population of those aged 85 and older could triple by 2046. Stachova also references the 2023 BC Labour Market Outlook, which predicts that incoming immigrant workers will account for nearly half of the additional workers the province requires over the next decade.

“However, benefits of immigration extend well beyond the labour market needs and economic growth,” she adds. “Immigration contributes to Canada’s rich tapestry of ethnocultural diversity and enriches the social fabric of our communities, making them more inclusive and adaptable.”

MOSAIC, along with the other organizations that signed “The Canada We Believe In,” urge federal party leaders to acknowledge the Canadian workforce’s dependency on immigrants and adapt their policies accordingly. Stachova advocates for seeing immigration as an “opportunity that could be leveraged,” rather than a “problem that needs to be solved.”

“We need the federal government to create a long-term vision for immigration that recognizes the reciprocal relationship between immigration and a strong economy,” she adds. “To have a robust and dependable immigration vision, you need long-term planning and investments and an all-of-government approach where housing, healthcare and education investments align with the immigration goals to provide better experience when newcomers arrive.”

A nationwide reckoning

Requests made in the campaign to the federal government include: a long-term vision for immigration founded upon mutual respect; a streamlined immigration pathway attracting global talent; increased investment and collaboration with immigrant support services; a more active role in disputing racist and anti-immigration rhetoric; and lastly, a commitment to upholding Canada’s reputation as a humanitarian country.

“Newcomers bring a wealth of experiences, expertise, and knowledge to Canada,” says Stachova. “They also personify resilience, resourcefulness and adaptability – all qualities and transferable skills that are sought after by employers.”

Stachova and her team draw attention to the lack of recognition for international experiences and qualifications – a major barrier to newcomers seeking employment. MOSAIC has recently completed two research studies on this barrier.

The first study, titled Using Disaggregated Data to Address the Systematic Discrimination Experienced by International Medical Graduates (IMG) focuses on systemic barriers in Canada’s healthcare sector. The second report, Beyond the First Job, examines how immigrants advance their careers in the province, focusing on senior leadership roles.

“While our governments are working to make credential recognition more streamlined, it is up to all of us employers to revisit our hiring strategies and ensure that we remove any unintended barriers and biases that may prevent newcomers from accessing employment at our organizations,” says Stachova.

Amidst economic uncertainties, “The Canada We Believe In” initiative advocates for a positive vision of immigration, leading to a creation of a better future – for both newcomers and long-standing Canadians. Other local signatories include Immigrant Services Society of BC, Burnaby Neighbourhood House, Kitsilano Neighbourhood House and REACH Community Health Centre.

“We need an immigration system and an economy that allows all who call Canada home to seize the opportunities this country provides,” Stachova adds. “Canada’s people are its greatest asset; they need to be nurtured and supported to allow them to succeed.”

For more information on “The Canada We Believe In,” see www.mosaicbc.org/news/commitment-to-a-positive-vision-for-immigration-in-canada

For more information on MOSAIC, see www.mosaicbc.org