A lady posted a video of her experience with a doctor driving a cab in Canada, which has led to a wide-ranging conversation about the real costs and problems that skilled immigrants confront when they move to a new country.
Meghana Srinivas, a realtor from Bengaluru who now lives in Canada, posted the viral video after meeting the man on a trip from Mississauga to Toronto.
Srinivas said that the driver was a former military doctor from Afghanistan who had worked for both the US and Canada. He is now a permanent resident (PR) and is working on getting his Canadian medical license so he can go back to work. In the meantime, he drives a cab to pay for his living costs.
Toronto’s Economic Reality
The talk between Srinivas and the driver brought up a harsh economic truth that many new people in big Canadian cities face:
Earnings: The driver told Srinivas that he made about $4,000 a month driving a cab.
Cost of Living: He was paying an unbelievable $3,000 for a one-bedroom condo, which left him with very little money for other things, like school or saving.
When someone on social media asked why they had to spend $3,000 for a condo, Srinivas verified the high price: “Unfortunately, condos are that expensive in Toronto, and that is basic.”
Important Advice for Future Immigrants: Do Your Research
Srinivas, who is now a realtor, told those who wanted to relocate to Canada to plan carefully before doing so by telling them the story of the doctor.
Srinivas told media, “I would tell all future students and newcomers to Canada to do a lot of research before moving. This includes not just the schools and cities, but also the realities of life here.”
She told individuals to properly “understand the job market, the cost of living, and what it takes to start over in a new country.”
Srinivas said that Canada offered a lot of great opportunities, but that success “requires preparation, adaptability, and patience.” She told immigrants to come with talents that are in demand and a desire to learn and grow so that their “hard work and resilience” will be rewarded.
People on social media are reacting to the problems with re-licensing.
The movie got a lot of attention on social media, with many people focusing on the almost impossible problems that International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and other skilled workers confront.
Someone submitted a serious warning: “The best advice I can provide is to not come here if you are 35-40 years old, especially if you are a doctor in your native country… International medical graduates in Canada now have to follow different norms and laws, making it almost impossible to get a residency.
Other comments underlined how hard it is to get a job that pays well and fits your skills: “You are lucky if you get a job that fits your skills and pays what you’re worth.” “It takes years to get there,” and “Foreign doctors have a hard time finding work here.”
Most people agree that Canada is still a good place to go for opportunities, but people who want to move there frequently don’t realize how much money and time it will take to get back on their feet professionally.