Employer Testimonials

Grace Ogundiwin is an employer at Scotiabank, a Canadian business that has long benefited from including refugees in their workforce—and an immigrant. Her advice? “Canada is a land filled with so much opportunity. Show yourself, don’t hide it, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.” Canadian businesses can benefit greatly from incorporating refugee talent—and it can all start from a simple conversation. 

“I think refugees really understand the people we serve and where they’re coming from and are able to speak to that shared experience together.” Pam Munnik shares how hiring #refugees have not only helped stabilize Epic Opportunities’ workforce, but it’s added a new perspective and approach that helps their clients.  

“There is a level of perseverance that is unique to refugees… I think that that speaks volumes to who they are, not only as individuals but as colleagues when they join our company.” As an employer, Leanna Kendall has seen firsthand what refugees can bring to local businesses in Canada. 

Why is hiring #refugees good for business? “People talk. If you have one person from a community in your employment and you’re supporting their livelihood and building those roots, that word of mouth is going to continue within the community. You’re going to get more people coming to your door… and that’s good for business.” Epic Opportunities is one of the many Canadian businesses benefiting from hiring refugees.  

“We’ve just been very intentional about some of the practices that we’ve incorporated as a part of hiring refugees.” At Sysco Canada, small changes in recruitment have led to a big impact strengthening their business and sharing opportunities with refugee hires.  

Why hire #refugees?  “They bring diversity, they bring understanding, they bring resilience… all of those things make us a better organization.” Learn more from Kristin Knockaert about how hiring refugees strengthened Epic Opportunities and helped them accomplish their business goals.  

“These days, most Canadian employers have difficulties with retention. If this is your case, refugees are a great opportunity for you.” Take it from Daria Pakhomova: hiring refugees brings strength and stability to your workforce, along with a plethora of prior skills that can bolster local businesses. “[Refugees] are resilient, they’re determined, they know how to problem solve—because they solved a lot of problems trying to get to where they are.” 

Hiring Manager Tobore David says it best: “I believe [refugees] are very adaptable, and that is one of the qualities that they bring to the job that helps them excel—being able to adapt to changes and expectations wherever they are at.” 

By hiring refugees, Simaril is building a resilient, robust workforce that strengthens their business and helps their clients.