[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/jain_harish02.jpg” caption=”DeGroote professor emeritus Harish Jain. File photo.”]

As many as 140,000 new immigrants arrive in Ontario each year. According to the Government of Ontario, within five years, newcomers will account for all of the province's net labour force growth. However, many immigrants who want to work in their fields of expertise are unable to do so as their foreign credentials
are not recognized in Canada.

The McGuinty government this summer introduced the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, which will allow more internationally trained professionals to work in their chosen fields.

DeGroote professor emeritus Harish Jain recently testified for the Ontario Legislative Assembly on this act, Bill 124.

“Immigrants to Canada face a number of barriers to access professions for which they are qualified, including discriminatory hiring practices, a lack of familiarity among Canadian employers with foreign acquired education, differences in skills represented by overseas qualifications, and a lack of Canadian work experience,” explains Jain.

Jain has long been a champion of human rights and diversity. This past February, he received the Order of Canada for his work with racial minorities and immigrants.

Through his more than 30 years at McMaster, he worked with a number of groups locally, nationally and internationally to advocate for racial and other minority rights. His research and professional interests include diversity management, employment equity, affirmative action, human rights in employment and multiculturalism. In April 2005, he was appointed a commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

“Bill 124 will provide an important breakthrough and should be passed immediately by the Ontario Government,” says Jain. “It is important that we break down the barriers immigrants face as they try to become a productive part of Ontario's workforce.”