I really

believe that framing volunteering as a way of gaining Canadian work experience is problematic.

It absolutely undervalues not only the experience, the expertise that newcomer brings, but also the soft skills that the newcomers have demonstrated.

When you look at the soft skills that employers demand these days, a lot of it is around adaptability, about problem solving.

Well, if you move half the world away and manage to build a life in a new country and in the language that you haven't quite mastered, that shows resilience, that shows ability to adapt and problem-solve.

And while these are highly sought-after soft skills, somehow the proven track record of establishing yourself in a new country is not seen as sufficient proof.

And the other view that I find a bit problematic is our fascination with Canadian work experience.

What I