Why the use of the pronoun "he" for the role of the employer?.... sounds like Stolte should look at his own deeply entrenched beliefs a little closer...

Is the author sure that the research conducted by the Trinity Western Master's student was conducted in Vancouver? I am fairly certain that I know few qualified "foreigners" who have been left out of the academic loop - in fact, there has been suggestions that there was reverse "racism" when it came to academic circles. I wager there would be significant differences between hiring practices across sectors - tourism and hospitality industries may hire more extroverted people based more on features such as accents and appearance as opposed to accounting firms and science labs. Interestingly enough, the only qualified people I have seen that remain the longest outside of the employment loop are the substantially overweight - or obese - regardless of industry. Jay made a very valid - although subtle - point - there is much greater incidence of people of certain ethnic backgrounds to hire those of similar heritage. But then, that would not be a very PC thing to make a fuss about.

Interesting article and feedback comments, it would be interesting also to read, as Jay & Shirin noted, the project itself and its parameters. It seems to me that, for a number of immigrants, regardless of whether their qualifications are completed in Canada or elsewhere, the interview may only be part of the issue. The entire job search process may be quite different and expectations of outcomes may be quite different in different parts of the world based not only on cultural factors as is noted in the article but also on common business and social practices in other regions and perhaps a less competitive (at the employment stage) job market for well qualified people qualified. The competition for jobs, and the processes and mechanisms involved would be something that Canadians (regardless of ethnic origin or race) would be familiar with and immigrants tend not to be.

May I, with all due respect, ask: if immigrants -- *from* any society *to* any society -- are having difficulties fitting in to their new surroundings, just how much responsibility is the "host society" (deporable term!) supposed to take for that? Exactly how much accomodation, research, enforced open-mindedness, relaxation of standards, and general *cost* is to be imposed upon Canadians because our government has decided that we are not to practice our own culture, but instead act as some kind of hotel-state for millions from around the globe? -- whose own chances for happiness and prosperity, btw, are circumscribed because learning the social norms of even *slightly* foreign cultures is exceedingly difficult?// Look, there ought to be only one test for immigration, large-scale or small-scale, Western or non: does it benefit Canada? The economic answer is, to say the least, muddled and contradictory, but we ought to be able to make some headway on other fronts. Is this latest generation of immigrants (say, post-1970) adapting well to Canadian society and its norms? That is, does the grinder of daily life in Canada make the Other socially part of the Us over time, maximizing happiness and the potential for it among old-stock and newcomers alike?// Well, Stolte's findings suggest not -- though of course they're not the whole story. I doubt I'm the only left-wing Canuck who feels some unease with immigration as currently practiced. The lofty vagueness of "multicultural" theory as promulgated by Ottawa seems designed to promote misery and divisiveness. Multiculturalism indicates to newcomers that there is *no* Canadian culture, just a collection of extrinsic ones imported from abroad -- so you don't need to adapt at all, friends. It also seems aimed at imposing unwanted burdens on we "host" or old-stock Canucks: like an obligation to learn about foreign cultures or, more unpleasantly, as McClintock and Stolte imply here, to immediately and consciously change the way *we* do things. Canadian culture must change, for the good of immigrants? I mean, doesn't this ring any alarm bells for anyone else?// Look. Canada is not a tabula rasa. It's a very old, stable democracy that was "multi" in practice long before Trudeaucrats decided to open up the gates. And it will change over time, of course. But that change should be organic and self-directed, if I may put it that way. More importantly, Canada ought to be a cultural space wherein you can be wholly Canadian -- *if that's what you want.* No Canadian ought to have to make allowances in hiring policies or social life for, say, Japanese deference or American brashness. No Canadian *has* to be educated in the lore of the Punjab or German hand-shaking protocols as part of the societal contract that makes you a good citizen. No Canadian has to be anything but Canadian, in short. Being all cosmopolitan and polyglot is nice, I'm sure, and everyone has the freedom to do that. But it's not the basic requirement some on the left seem to think.// Whoa, this has turned into quite an essay. Sigh. I hope I don't need to make a big statement about how I'm not a xenophobe. I just want to point out that, while many on the right would happily morph us into Americans, it makes me anxious that some on the left seem to want us to become something else: no one at all. Comments?

Although he speaks in Earnest, he speaks askew. Canada's (as well as the US's) might has grown as a direct result of imported genius - not domestic. That is an established fact - and it was recently published in Scientific American that the US is going to continue its downward spiral if it did not ease up on its discriminatory ways that was driving such genius away. That is why "Canadians" - lock, stock, and barrel of us - in all our colours and ways - be more conscious of those who will make our breadbasket so much more nutrious to munch from. The greatest Canadian characteristic is its identification as being a mosaic and not a melting-pot of culture - as you must know being the earnest of all canucks. In addition to these obvious observances, Canada's domestic population is regressing and growth is solely reliant upon future immigrants. To attract those who would surely contribute the greatest to our great country, we have to ensure that they will be treated like the treasure they are and recognize their potential as great citizens if given the fairest of chances.

Earnest, part of me sympathizes with your argument because few of us like change. We , however, are deluding ourselves....change is a constant.The status quo is change.The most succesful individuals and societies have learned to adapt to and utilize change to their advantage.Canada's having a fair whack at doing a credible job all things considered...the rest of the world seems to think that we have it right so that means you and I(and shirin)must be helping eh?Maybe another way to look at it is this........immigrants are on OUR side helping Canada keep its place of respect as well aseconomic strength in the world.I keep telling myself that "the good ol days" were never really all that good anyway!

My cable guy--from Shanghai--has a masters degree in electrical engineering. The last cabbie I chatted with got his PhD in Calcutta. His brother is a computer scientist. Scratch that, he *was* a computer scientist. Now he delivers pizzas in Surrey. Granted this isn't a very scientific survey, but something tells me that there's something more than humbleness at job interviews is keeping these folks in low-paid jobs...

san san - there is something other than interviews for these folks humble start - its vacancies in BC where the rate of underemployment is rampant. The fact is - a master's degree in virtually any science field just doesn't cut more than a tech job or sales rep for a company in your respective field nowadays; every other unemployed person is a "computer scientist" thanks to the dot.com implosion, and PhD's essentially have to be self-starters since a doctorate degree is not career training in itself - it's an academic pursuit, followed by post-doc training - and then grant writing for gov't funds to set up your own university affiliated research lab (if you're a doctorate in the life sciences - a doctorate in English lands you in the driver's seat... of a cab apparently).

The international academic world has a history of handing out degrees in some countries that are of dubious worthand that's the reason we have screening processes and standards to sort the wheat from the chaff.Until we attain some sort of internationally accepted standard of education I for one, will prefer to prefer to, or be treated by someone who has had their education/skill levels found acceptable by our standards.It is here that I think we could expedite these issues to allow truly qualified people topractise their skills in Canada.In truth, there are many cases of education in a particular field in foreign countries being superior to our own.As for hiring policies or trends I too believe that cultural differences account for most of the discrepancys...that said racism stll rears its ugly head

On credentials: there is a difference between the unwillingness - somethimes for good reason - not to accept foreign credentials at face value and discrimination. In many cases employers are missing a good bet by disregarding what may very well be excellent degrees from other countires.

Earnest Canuck expresses an unease with the present multiculutral and immigration policies of the Canadian government which is both legitimate and widespread. It is in no way racist; rather it asks reasonable questions about how far Canadians are to be expected to go in welcoming immigrants. Learning the cultural byways of a dozen different nations seems a little further than most Canadians are willing to go.

George makes the great point that it would be wonderful to know what the study's parameters are. This being the internet would it be possible to link to the study??

Nice to have the Tyee back!!

>Jay Currie, writes: >Just out of interest, did Stolte by any chance >look at the hiring practices of Chinese or >other non-Western owned businesses? I think this is quite an important question to ask. With such a large Chinese (Taiwanese, Cantonese, etc) culture as Vancouver, one ought to be aware of the weight of the axiom of "Going by the back door, using connections" (zou hou men, yong gao guanxi). I was even taught this phrase at UVic in my Chinese class by my prof who said that we would just have to simply accept (and further?) corruption in China. Usually one of the first Mandarin words a person learns is "guanxi" (connections): so much of the business world and the job market is simply dependent upon who you know rather than being competent. Of course "networking" is also important in Canada, and so that is why a look at the hiring practices of Chinese or other non-Western owned businesses would be useful. But whatever, mei guanxi.

What alarms me slightly is our tendency to view the topic discussed as a situation of us vs. them, with "us" meaning supposedly official Canadians, and "them" being the newbies. I think that anyone who wants to live and work in this country and is legally entitled to do so is Canadian enough for me. With that in mind, I feel that it is "our" responsibility to ensure that every Canadian, no matter how new they are to this country, has the best opportunity possible to obtain employment. Are lessons in cultural awareness for employers the answer? Perhaps not, but I object to brushing the notion aside merely because "we" don't feel it necessary to go out of our way to help "them". My apologies for the quotation marks.

Everybody's discriminated against. Eastern cultures are almost xenophobic compared to Western cultures. I'm dealing with ageism in the job market right now. At 53 with good qualifications and experience, I am still, a year and a half since layoff, unemployed. Is it the gray hair at the temples? Is it the assumption that I don't need a job at this age? Is it that I have too much experience? Discrimination lives. It's human.

In conclusion: just scrap the whole thing and have a thesis topic worthy of debate such as why David Anderson was dropped as Environment Minister. Some may hire only Canadians of WASP descent, some may hire only Canadians of non-WASP descent - some may hire only athesists some may hire only those with God fearing reverence - some may hire only young cheap labour - and some may hire only from the extended family. We can't control and there is no real rule as to who can or should hire whom. Just consider it "their" loss if they end up losing out on a great employee as a result of their close mindedness. In all honesty, if English was my second language and I was a recent immigrant with a self-start up business, I'd feel a lot more comfortable hiring someone with my cultural background for the mere ease in communication and cultural idiosyncracies.

I'm surprised at the response to this article. While McLintock advances a very smart and nuanced analysis of intercultural experiences of a prefabricated experience (the job interview), most of the respondents have replied with great defensiveness. When Europeans (the interviewers in this study) arrived here 150 years ago, only a few actually respected the "way things are" to accomodate the nations of the Pacific northwest. Had we done so and actually integrated into contemporary culture, the world around would look quite different (fewer latte's, more trees). The reality is that there is a definitive cultural bias in the interview process itself, and McLintock has only described that. Rather than attacking the argument, I would think that forward-thinking folks would be able to go beyond defensiveness to realize that we all benefit from an integrated work force. Heck, we may even make better hiring decisions without the "job interview" as we know it. If we really feel that European immigration made this place better, maybe it 's time to listen to the signals of our cultural interaction with the new waves of immigrants. Who knows, we all might be better off!

Kyle - I think it is not so much an attack on the concept - but more of a negation of its reality. In all honesty, less than half of the people I know who are in the hiring position are of European/WASP descent - which is why I wondered if the study was done in Vancouver and in which sector. Immigrants coming to Canada have an incredible work ethic and quickly move into ownership positions or attain higher degrees (these are likely to get citizenship without any trouble). As a child of immigrant parents who came to Vancouver in the late '60's early 70's and were immediately employed and quickly moved up the scales - I have not born witness to that which is described in the above article, although it would make a nice story. I can perhaps see it more in certain sectors or areas such as Langley. The cultural community of my ethnic roots have an incredibly strong social, intellectual, and economic base - and they take care of those within the community by giving training for employment, take care of our elderly, tutor the would-be university kids, provide a scholarship search database, provide links to jobs, provide a help-line, and legal counsel to boot - among other things. Virtually 80% of the immigrants that came along with my parents have kids who got advanced degrees (and we now have our network of "healthcare professionals", business advisors, and the like). I am aware, however, there is a flip side of the coin and that there are many disconnected immigrants who come to Canada and may have trouble landing a desirable job - but it has to be recognized that when Canadians say "our culture" - it is no longer one that has its roots in European or WASP community; and starting out a thesis with that assumption starts it off as inevitably flawed - or severely limits its applicability at the very least.

Many of us newcomers understand the fact that our credentials from non-western universities will simply be dismissed. That most of our goals of getting good stable jobs will first start at the fast food counter or at the retail chains...It's a fact of life... many came prepared..others were lucky.. .but others were not. If the hiring proces is simply based on ceredntials, oh boy, a lot of immigrants will easily get good jobs. But its not..should we balme the system..well an improvment must surely be done....However, when we decided to come here, there was no promise of a silver platter. In fact we even paid thousands of dollars for the "right of landing".. rather, new immigrants should take this as an opportunity to create a new life...If it doesn't work for me personally...well goodbye Canada...I'd rather live rich in my poor country than poor in the this wealthy land. P.S. but only after I get my Canadian citizenship. That in itself, I believe, is a great gift!

Okay a few words, maybe allot of words. I have experience in this issue. I am a white Immigrant from England and my wife is from Central America. She has a BA from a Canadian University and speaks 4 languages Including perfect English and has years of experience in her field. She is better educated than Myself and most people I know. I will start by saying Canada Is a very multi cultural and wonderful place to live, much better than the US. But racism does Certainly exists in Canada more so in rural areas than big centers like Vancouver and Toronto. I think the articles point of saying that gee, I think its just a cultural thing with the interview process is quite a simple way to look at a complicated issue. There is allot of racism Just under the surface, even in the response to the article, why are so many getting their back up And defensive with this topic. Some common responses from People who stifle debate, Well this is Canada and if the Newbie's don't like it try somewhere else , Well I hate to break the news folks but we Are all immigrants to this county and no one of us has more entitlement than the other. Stop being afraid that a minority having more rights will take away from yours. Or the chase to the bottom folks--Hey what about reverse discrimination-- People find the Worst examples of discrimination against white Anglos and tell the world. In other words why Should we address this issue because its worst somewhere else. Hey if a few newbie's become The victim of discrimination who cares their race does it to. Most folks who try to stifle debate are not a member of an minority group and either cannot Relate in anyway or are afraid because the media fills us with nonsense and fear. Most people in minority groups are more polically active and aware of changes in the law, these folks pay attention and are very scary for the main stream hence all the fear. The reason being they Have seen the power the state can hold over its people and do not take for granted The benefits we have Like the majority . Yes the media is very racist and allot of history and foreign policy is based on racism. How many of us learning Canadian history read and wrote reports on the genocide of 12 million plus Natives that were living here. When we do body counts on the news, we all know when each and every US soldier gets killed. How many know over 15,000 innocent Iraqi's have been killed in the cross Fire. Why is this not a issue, I feel its because deep within us we feel that they don't count As much, and that these backward non white places in the mid east , Africa etc need our help To bring then prosperity. My teacher in economics at Douglas college told the class not to worry because even though their Are more minorities in executive positions that white Anglo's in general make more, So what to do, 1) Hold people and media accountable for what they say. 2) bring raciest People into the light(fungus cannot survive daylight) 3) Educate yourself on the issues, 4) enjoy each others cultures 5) Praise and encourage brave people 6) get active Just my 2 cents

The best I can make of this story is that foreign born-candidates haven't prepared themselves for interviews properly: they are unable to speak to the equivalencies of their credentials, and seem to misunderstand the hiring process. Maybe the headline should be "Foreign-born show little understanding of job search realities"?

The article itself shows the undercurrents of racism in society. The last Stats Canada report shows Vancouver being 49% non white with the largest populations of minorities being Asian. So ask yourself why is it that CEO's and managers have not educated themselves on other cultures Customs and behaviors, would that not be a logical thing to do when running a company in such A diverse area ? Well you may find out that allot of us feel that you must adapt to our culture as we are superior and that nothing can be learned from other cultures. ( a kind of arrogance That holds us back) The article should be titled, how managers cannot and will not adapt To the new the cultural mosaic.

Is not a blanket term such as "non-white" a rather discriminatory classification in itself? Also the assumption that all - if not the majority of CEO's and managers are "white". This is simply not the case - at least in my environment. There is far more gender discrimination when one looks at pay, promotions, workload, and respect at the workplace then there is discrimination due to cultural/rascist biases. In fact, it is desirable for most jobs to be able to speak more than one language nowadays. At the same time, you are only going to find what you are looking for - which is why the study parameters are so critical and we lack this information when passing comment. I am a "non-white" - and a female to boot - however, I see both as advantages and they have been thus far. I also know that were I to apply for a position in which an equally accomplished young white man also applied, I'd likely get the job to ensure the quota for "equal opportunity employers". The reason I don't think that race discrimination is to have much of an impact in the future in Vancouver is because I think the phenomenon of defined "races" is likely to become extinct.

To clarify I do not like the term non white, but when referring to stats can they use the term White vs non white so it fits for my example. And of course not all ceo's and managers are white but you will find most of the company owners and wealthiest people in society are old rich white guys. Go Check out Van Golf clubs, West Vancouverites, Westwood plateau etc. What I am saying from previous Comments is that this article dismisses racism and blames cultural misunderstanding which I feel is very naive. Anyway to say you will get the job because of equal opportunity programs is such a farce and selling Yourself short. In many parts of Canada and the US huge minority populations have had little to no representation in certain fields ex Law , policing, education etc, and are overrepresented in other areas in usually very low paying service jobs etc. These programs have opened the doors to many minorities which have been discriminated . Up until the last 10 yrs certain fields have been dominated by Anglo's , the whole thing touting reverse discrimination and creating an unfair environment is a symptom of the white media. Things have not been fair for a long time , be afraid of the winning white guy.

Alrighty, I'll take your word for it, Stuart - but please don't make me go to a Golf club! I admit to being blissfully ignorant of bieng discriminated against (either because of my ethnic background or gender) until my family went on vacation in the southern US. Growing up in south-east Vancouver I hardly came around the supreme high fiving white guys. My parents never told me that I would have a different set of rules for being born a gal or not being white. My father "looks white" and my mother's appearance is definitely more exotic - but she was and still is the brains and braun of the household. In all honesty, being thus ignorant actually helped me as I have managed to whiz through life at least believing I was at the very least equal to all - and had my ego stroked often enough to think myself rather grand, indeed. Not identifying with the "victim" identity - or at least not acknowledging it - boosted my self-confidence to a level that people have taken me for what I project myself to be. Despite the great assistance that equal opportunity employment has been to the progression of discriminated groups, I almost resent some dillusional "winning white guy" thinking that the only reason I one-upped him was because of such an employment rule and not because I am the better "man" for the job. Do you think, at least, that having a PC society tellig me that I am and deserve to be treated as an equal in theory - but will be taken as subservent in reality would help or hinder my self-confidence and the way I guide my way through life? In psych there is a phenomenon called the "learned helplessness theory" - and it is what many disenchanted new-comers who are underemployed come to identify with since they are told by such studies that that is how they are to be perceived. As Americans know - ignorance is bliss - and a happier nation I have not seen.

Shirin,,, You have a very healthy attitude towards life. My wife is similar, no one Can get her down or tell her she's not the best for the job. There are two kinds of people In her view, the ones that like her and the ones with bad taste. My comments are not Made to depress or bring people down, just to make us aware that some groups have been And are still very marginalized and need our attention. I understand ignorance is bliss And has its benefits but Ignorance is not bliss if you live in a ghetto with extreme poverty And hardly able to meet your basic needs. What I'm saying is that without light put on these Issues things like racism , poverty , social injustice with thrive. Fungus cannot grow in the light, Its ignorance that empowers us to use 85% of the worlds resources being only 6% of the Global population, this means mass exploitation and war in most other parts of the world. Just look At where and why war has taken place over the last 25 yrs. Things don't just happen because people Are evil as the politicians would have you believe. As a society we need to be happy and live life To its fullest but be aware of our habits and how they effect others. Remember more for the Many means much less for the few, and the few just won't tolerate such insanity. Thanks for letting me rant. I love Tyee

I wonder if Stolte differentiated between applicants who are recent immigrants and applicants who are Canadian-born and raised who happen to be of a non-European ethnicity?

Stuart - I share your angst - and your love of the Tyee. There are so many streams of consciousness here that we have a great flowing river running wild. I know how easy it is to be flippant and face the world with Bravado when all is going your way, and the real strength is when you take your environment and - instead of being shaped by it - you shape the way it forms. It is so much easier looking at the daunting uphill battle of things to set aright - but most people don't realize they embody the tools. Your example of the environmental raping we humans thrive on is a good example of something most have woes about but look over their shoulder to find the repairman. I had gotten tired of waiting for someone to take the initiative, so - like the annoying person I am - I went straight to those who could manipulate at least the local environment - and now sit on the environmental committee of the GVRD and have the opportunity to put my two cents in - as well as at UBC and I organize "green teams" for local organizations holding events. Anyhow, the point is that I am not going to hold my breath for some "high fiving white guy" to learn how to be more cultural sensitive or give me a fair shot - if someone is not going to give me the opportunity, then I'll give it to myself. That is possible only in a country Canada - we can make ourselves and we can break ourselves. We just first have to realize that we can. Bizow - your query is exactly what I had a problem with. Stolte's view is undeniably from the white "Canadian" boss's vantage - implicity (and erronously) assuming it to be the way the world is run. Someone is still in denial that is a fading reality.

In many parts of Asia photos are required with applications. Young, beautiful women are chosen over older, "not so beautiful"- whatever that means- women. Can you IMAGINE if that practice occurred here??!! People- we would have reason to bitch! I liked Shirin's comment about defined races becoming extinct. I love the fact that I can walk through downtown Vancouver and see Asian men with women of European background, or Asian women and East Indian men, or Asian women and non-white men,...(or two men, or two women...) or whatever terms you give them... the more immigrants that come from diverse backgrounds, the more "mixed race" children that are born, the richer Canada will be (not to mention how incredibly good-looking children of mixed races usually are). P.S. I'm curious, Shirin, what is your ethnic background?

FiMaxwell, If I had a quarter everytime I heard that question regarding my "ancestorial" roots - I'd have a lot of quarters. My father was born in Zanzibar (an island in the Indian Ocean on the east coast of Africa - just south of Egypt) and my mother from Dar-es-salaam (the mainland). I was born here - and most think I am Persian due to my name - though they would not be entirely wrong in thinking so. We are Shia Ismailis - often regarded as an esoteric bunch that have moved around and are spread out from Afghanistan to russia to syria to africa (I can lay claim to having been descendent of the Fatimid empire of Egypt - if I were inclined to do so - but I too much enjoy the fact that I have avoided persecution up to this point.) I don't know whether that sheds any light on the matter for you - as you can see, defined races is a happenstance I've never had the opportunity to happen upon. cheers.

FiMaxwell - your comment about the pic required prior to employment in some asian countries reminded me of the young korean woman who lost her leg when visiting canada (due to reckless driving by her boyfriend) - and she appealed to let her stay in Canada because no one would hire a "cripple" in her homeland - and all thoughts of marriage can be now banished. That is an interesting situation, Canada's rep as being discriminatory cannot be too far-reaching if "foreigners" feel they have a better shot in being treated fairly here then they do at home, eh?

Shirin your right , we do have the tools and the power. Most people do not realize this like You. Governments will be forced to act if the vast population takes their power. Hence the women's Movement and advances in the environment and race relations. If the populace takes action we take Control. I tell people at work how much power they have and they laugh, for example. We stopped Canada's participation in Iraq, we stopped the privatization of the Coquihalla and made the BC Libs slow down on many other schemes. But the first step is for folks like us to define the Problems and then encourage others to take on the challenge with us. Keep the heat on and Protect the things that have been fought for, it is worse in other places but that should not Deter us from acting here. Sorry got to go, have to respond to a letter from the CBC (wild These folks get scared when you pay attention) Cheers P.S ---FIMAXWELL I have 2 kids , I'm English and my wife is from Central America, best looking kids in the family.

That's a very interesting background, Shirin.

I have a Japanese friend who just turned 40 and is desperate to stay here. Because of her "age"-Wow!! She's 40!!- her prospects for employment or marriage are dim in Japan. She has few friends here and her english is very basic- she is always saying how lonely she is- yet she would rather live here...

FiMaxwell - while we are discussing cultural insights, I would find an article investigating the life prospects of females from places such as Korea and Japan in terms of what they feel sets their worth there. I have been absolutely amazed at the amount of import placed on youth, looks, and physicality for prospects of marriage which is deemed extremely important for future success. The thought that they know it would be impossible to get either husband or a job if they are disabled, scarred, or past a certain age - and thus doomed for life seems a rather harsh outlook. Despite the fact we oft denounce such circumstances here, that reality is something I haven't given any thought. Stuart is a partner in power - if only all who thought as clearly felt as motivated to actually do something about the source of their angst. Apathy is a crime I admit I have little tolerance for. Kudos to you - might as well maximize the potential of our CBC while we still have it!

Shirin, check this out: "Plastic surgery tours"... http://www.taiwanheadlines.gov.tw/20030219/20030219s4.html and: "Parents make their kids get plastic surgery" is one line in this Time story... http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/1101020805/plastics.html WHAT is going on????

All those high sounding mambo-jambo self-serving comments mean absolutely nothing. High standards my foot!!!! You can deny it to high heavens and until you turn blue but Racism does exist in British Columbia, in many hidden and subtle forms. I have witnessed it and experienced it so many times. In many companies, "non-white" employees have to work extra hard and especially harder than co-employees to prove themselves equal to white employees and often are paid much less even if they are better qualified.

FMax (or Max Factor as I've come to regard you) - I saw a whole documentary on the "double lid" surgery for young asian girls (I didn't even know I have a desirable "double lid" that costs in the excess of a small hybrid car to get thanks to the genetics of race). To be fair - we have our own load of ridiculous beauty standards with young girls getting breast augmentations and taking fat from their rears and sticking it in their lips. And don't even get me started on those ridiculous "botox parties" for the middle age 20-somethings. Rascism is a matter of fact all around the world - but gender discrimination knows no boundaries. Women here are not taken seriously - they in fact work twice hard - get less pay and are hired on assets other then their stellar work qualifications. It is interesting to note that women have managed to get into major power positions in countries we see as being "archaic" in terms of gender equity. Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia - have each had women serving the position of Prime Minister - imagine that....

Oh no kidding... the good ol' US of A (and Canada is no better) has had how many female Presidents?? What a joke... maybe this is partly why I can't seem to take the world very seriously... haha

I have canadian degree(s), I speak 5 idioms, I have many skills and experiences, to find a job is a struggle. I am discriminated, by whites, asians (chinese,filipino, japanese, hindus, sikhs, thais, chinese and koreans), I am discriminated by Arabs (egyptian, iranians and iraqs) and even Native people...who am I? Racism is alive and well in the lower mainland... An african female...

I suspect the real reason that there is discrimination is the practice of having a man in charge of hiring. Women may be more likely to disregard horn blowing and check credentials.