Canada aims to welcome a total of 485,000 new permanent residents as part of its 2023-2025 plan.
As the country continues to be recognized as a multicultural hub in the world, it is estimated that 2 in 5 Canadians will represent visible minorities by 2041. Research also indicates that one-fourth of the residents will be 65 years of age or above. To boost future economic growth and meet increasing labour market needs, Canada is expected to continue welcoming more immigrants.
Canadian workplaces set to look different in the coming years
In recent years, organizations around the world including Canadian companies, are witnessing an increased opportunity to shift DEI principles from paper to practice. In 2022, one in four Canadians in the national labour force were racialized. Considering this number is only expected to rise, there is a greater need for diversity programs to be implemented for employees. An article from Canadian Immigrant shows that York University recorded a 200 per cent increase in the year-over-year attendance at Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion workshops.
A significant part of workplaces becoming more culturally diverse and emphasizing diversity and inclusion in their mandates, is their professional communication style.
A term that comes up often in professional and leadership courses today is intercultural or cross-cultural communication.
So, what does it mean and why is it important?
Intercultural communication and its significance in Canada
Intercultural communication or cross-cultural communication can be defined as a series of approaches and tactics for people from different cultural backgrounds to improve communication with each other. This process helps cultural groups recognize differences and similarities between each other and communicate effectively.
In an interview with Canadian Hog Magazine, Tina Varughese, notable speaker on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, expressed that successful organizations understand “cross-cultural communication results in better productivity, performance, and employee engagement.”
Also providing her views on this, Fatemeh Asgari Azad, a public relations professional said, “I studied cross-cultural communication as part of my bachelor’s in social communication. As I was living in Iran at the time, in a culture and environment different from Canada, I did not have a chance to experience this concept.”
Fatemeh arrived in Canada from Iran in 2023. She feels that people who have experienced immigration are more likely to understand different cultural communication techniques and behaviours. Asgari Azad suggests “it would be helpful for Canadian employers to know about the different stages that newcomers may encounter when facing a new culture.” She added, “I see people from all around the world living together here, and communication and collaboration are essential parts of these experiences.”
The efforts that are underway and the work to be done
In 2025, the number of immigrants in Canada is expected to reach 500,000.
Considering this, the words of Michael Bach, Founder and CEO, Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion from his byline article hold true – Diversity is a fact. Inclusion is a choice.
Diversity continues to be a fact, as workplaces in Canada continue to look different – with 28% of executive roles in large organizations like Loblaws represented by visible minorities, up by their goal of 25%. In addition, more than 166,000 employees at Loblaws completed two courses: Building a Culture of Inclusion and Being an Ally.
It is important to recognize that efforts towards building inclusivity and intercultural communication is not limited to the corporate world. Organizations like Global Affairs Canada, responsible for managing the Government of Canada’s diplomatic and consular relations, includes training courses such as Intercultural Learning, Diversity and Inclusion, and Country-Specific Cultural Exploration.
While organizations and institutions in Canada have a long way to go when it comes to intercultural learning and communication, the journey is well on its way.
Sources:
1. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/220908/dq220908a-eng.htm
2. https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/4420-salute-canadian-workers
3. Zhang, Johnny Zhang and Panjwani, Radhika Panjwani, “Diversity and Inclusion in Canadian workplaces,” Canadian Immigrant, August 19, 2021: https://canadianimmigrant.ca/careers-and-education/workplace/diversity-and-inclusion-in-canadian-workplaces
4. How to Improve Cross-Cultural Communication in the Workplace, 2019, Northeastern University Graduate Programs: https://graduate.northeastern.edu/resources/cross-cultural-communication/
5. Marvin Salomons, “Communicating with the cross-cultural advantage,” Canadian Hog Journal, March 10, 2020: https://canadianhogjournal.com/2020/03/10/communicating-with-the-cross-cultural-advantage/
6. Marvin Salomons, “Communicating with the cross-cultural advantage,” Canadian Hog Journal, March 10, 2020: https://canadianhogjournal.com/2020/03/10/communicating-with-the-cross-cultural-advantage/
7. Michael Bach, “Diversity Is a Fact. Inclusion Is a Choice” : https://www.innovatingcanada.ca/diversity-and-inclusion/diversity-is-a-fact-inclusion-is-a-choice/
8. https://www.loblaw.ca/en/dei/
9. https://www.loblaw.ca/en/dei/
10. https://www.international.gc.ca/global-affairs-affaires-mondiales/services/cfsi-icse/programs-programmes/intercultural-interculturelle.aspx?lang=eng
