For sure, I need not say much about the situation in Zambia regarding the general political and economic environment. Despite being called one of the most peaceful countries in Africa and the world, Zambia has failed to create opportunities for citizens to thrive and prosper. The education system produces graduates that for the most part go for much of their lives without being gainfully employed. And the environment is not very supportive of individual entrepreneurship.
If you cannot be productive in the environment where you were born and grew up, it is not a bad idea to look elsewhere to try to rediscover yourself and your purpose in life. It does not hurt to pursue some dream for yourself elsewhere and no one should blame you.
TwCN offers Canada to prospective Zambians looking for opportunities to be productive and much useful in this life. If you are a Zambian and you hear about Canada, what comes to mind? For the longest time Canadians have done their best to sell the world their image of peace keeping and international development. So often, when Zambians hear about Canada what comes to mind is peacekeeping and international development aid.
Generally speaking, Canada is one of the finest countries to live in. At TwCN we simply say, “It is good to live in Canada.”
Administratively Canada has three levels of government. First, being the federal government, which administers such functions as defense, immigration and foreign affairs over and throughout the whole jurisdiction of Canada. The head of the federal government is the prime minister. Elected representatives of Canadians are called members of parliament (MPs). The capital city of Canada is Ottawa located in the province of Ontario.
Second, being provincial or territorial governments, which administer such functions as education, health, transportation, family services and housing. The head of the provincial government is the premier. Elected representatives of the people at provincial level are called members of the legislative assembly (MLAs). Canada has ten provincial governments and three territorial governments. The ten provinces are British Columbia (BC), Alberta (AB), Saskatchewan (SK), Manitoba (MB), Ontario (ON), Quebec (QC), New Brunswick (NB), Nova Scotia (NS), Prince Edward Island (PE), New Foundland and Labrado (NL). And the three territories are Yukon (YT), Northwest Territories (NT) and Nunavut (NU).
Third, being municipal government, which administers such functions as water and waste, streets, fire and paramedic, transit, parks and recreation, property, planning and development and police. The head of the municipal government politically is the mayor. Elected representatives of the people are called councilors and meet as council to develop and direct the affairs of the city, town or municipality. In Canada, every inch of land is accounted for and is developed or earmarked for development. The main city governments are Victoria (BC), Edmonton (AB), Regina (SK), Toronto (ON), Quebec City (QC), Fredricton (NB), Halifax (NS), Charlottetown (PE), St. Johns (NL), Whitehorse (YT), Yellowknife (NT) and Iqaluit (NU). Communities outside these main cities are organized as municipalities each politically headed by a mayor and administratively headed by a chief administrative officer (CAO).
Government is very particular about the welfare of all Canadians from children to great grandparents. The government is particularly concerned about the literacy of its citizens. Every Canadian must be educated and be able to read and write. The government is also very particular about the employment of all its citizens. Under normal circumstance every citizen is expected to be gainfully employed. For this reason, when citizens face circumstances beyond their control that make them not able to work, the government has safety nets to help struggling citizens until such a time they are able to be gainfully employed again.
Through its policies, the government of Canada has deliberately created an environment where each and every one of its hardworking and law-abiding citizens can thrive, and thrives. Every sector of the economy performs at, or near to, its peak. A performing economy is one that continuously takes in resource inputs and converts them into useful outputs and includes both physical products and services. Such sectors as Health, Education, Construction, Technology, Transportation, Manufacturing, etc. are constantly looking for human resources to fill the much-needed positions to ensure these sectors perform at their peak.
In Canada the high standard of living means that people don’t want to have many children. As a result, the rate of economic development surpasses that of population growth. To fill the gap Canada always looks to outside its borders to find people to fill the much-needed positions to ensure sustained economic development. Therefore, Canada depends of immigration to meet its human resource needs.
What you want to do when you get to Canada will determine how fast you can get here. As a developed country, Canada prefers to welcome people that would work in the health sector, construction industry, technology and entrepreneurial businesses. Nurses and health care aids are at the top of the list. Trades people such as carpenters, plumbers, electricians, masons, landscapers, etc. are next in the list. Child care workers needed to take care of children when parents go to work are also in high demand. And people with money to invest in businesses that can create employment for Canadians are equally most welcome to Canada.
If you don’t fall in any of these categories, you should not be turned off just yet. You can still come to Canada if you are willing to retrain in these fields where Canada needs people. At least after retraining you are assured of gainful employment. Immigrating to Canada is a process, and it can be a long process for some. Should you make it your goal, you need to budget your time from three to seven years. Don’t stop what you do just because you plan to immigrate to Canada. Keep doing what you do. Canada loves busy people.
In Canada, we cherish the values of work and independence. Every Canadian is encouraged and expected to be educated and trained in the field of their choice. After that every Canadian is expected to work and contribute to the economic development and prosperity of the country. Unless you are an aged parent or grandparent who has gone past retirement age, it is expected that as soon as you land in Canada, and as soon as you adapt to Canadian life, you will be able to be gainfully employed.
There are several streams the Canadian government has created to help people, including Zambians, immigrate to Canada. TwCN advises that you first review all the streams before you decide on the one best stream that will effectively work for you. In the immigration process you should strive to do everything right the first time. That means provide accurate and complete information and all required documentation.
The following are the available immigration streams for Zambians and other Africans:
1. Express Entry You can immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker For more information visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/works.html. Accessed June 24, 2024.
2. Family sponsorship If you have a relative in Canada, they can sponsor you to immigrate to Canada. Your relative in Canada can sponsor you if you are a spouse, partner, children, parents, grandparents, and few other categories. For more information visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship.html. Accessed June 24, 2024.
3. Provincial nominees You can immigrate to Canada by being nominated by a Canadian province or territory. For more information visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/provincial-nominees.html. Accessed June 24, 2024.
4. Quebec-selected skilled workers If you speak French you can immigrate as a skilled worker in the province of Quebec. For more information visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/quebec-skilled-workers.html. Accessed June 24, 2024.
5. Atlantic Immigration Program You can immigrate by graduating from a school or working in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, or Newfoundland and Labrador. For more information visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/atlantic-immigration.html. Accessed June 24, 2024.
6. Caregivers You can immigrate to Canada by providing care for children, the elderly or those with medical needs, or work as a live-in caregiver. For more information visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/caregivers.html. Accessed June 24, 2024.
7. Start-up visa If you are entrepreneurial, you can immigrate to Canada by starting a business and creating jobs. For more information visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/start-visa.html. Accessed June 24, 2024.
8. Self-employed You can immigrate to Canada as a self-employed person in cultural or athletic activities. For more information visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/self-employed.html. Accessed June 24, 2024.
9. Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot In Canada smaller Canadian communities support their local economy through immigration. For smaller communities to thrive they need people. So, if you wish to live in a rural setting and support the local economy there, you can immigrate to Canada using this stream. For more information visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/rural-northern-immigration-pilot.html. Accessed June 24, 2024.
10. Agri-Food Pilot You can immigrate to Canada by working in specific agri-food industries and occupations. For more information visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/agri-food-pilot.html. Accessed June 24, 2024.
11. Temporary resident to permanent resident pathway The temporary resident to permanent resident pathway is a limited-time pathway to permanent residence. It is for certain temporary residents who are currently working in Canada and their families. For more information visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/tr-pr-pathway.html. Accessed June 24, 2024.
12. Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot Immigrate through economic permanent residence pathways as an eligible skilled refugee. For more information visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/economic-mobility-pathways-pilot.html. Accessed June 24, 2024.
13. Refugees Immigrate as a refugee or become a sponsor. For more information visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees.html. Accessed June 24, 2024.
14. Francophone immigration Live, work or study in French in a Francophone community outside Quebec For more information visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/campaigns/francophone-immigration-outside-quebec.html. Accessed June 24, 2024.
If you are Zambian you have the option of immigrating to Canada and landing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, home of TwCN. The TwCN team will be glad to welcome you!!! TwCN
