Canada needs young and well-educated skilled people to sustain its economic growth. With a large number of baby boomers ready to retire, the birth rate alone will not be able sustain the population growth, relying heavily on immigration to address this gap. “Immigrants account for more than half of Canada’s total population growth, and for 70% of the net growth in the labour market” (Wayland 2006: 1). Reitz (2005) projects that all labour force growth in Canada will stem from immigration in the near future, hence, the necessity and importance to sustain immigrant influx.

Currently, economic immigrants are chosen on the basis of a point system. Canada’s immigration system gives a great deal of importance to education and training by awarding high points for qualifications during the immigration selection process. At the moment of applying for immigration, potential immigrants sign a declaration acknowledging their responsibility of seeking recognition of their credentials, but not enough is done to alert them of the challenges they may face upon their arrival in Canada. Immigrants are given the impression that their qualifications – which have been recognized by the government of Canada for immigration purposes – will have a similar standing when it comes to finding employment in their own profession. However, their qualifications are often insufficient to gain appropriate employment, leaving many new immigrants disappointed and frustrated.

This research offers first-hand insight into what some immigrant professionals endure in order to make a living in a profession other than the one for which they were trained. The study draws attention to the lived experiences of professionally trained immigrants who are driving taxis and identifies barriers they faced in their pursuit for employment. Finally, it provides solutions to overcome these barriers as suggested by those affected.