Thursday, January 8, 2026

Diversity in Canada

Embracing diversity helps newcomers and long-time Canadians build workplaces that reflect the country we share

By Karyna Chudesnykova, Health & Safety Team Lead, Saskatchewan

In 2017, I was accepted into George Brown College in Toronto. From what I had heard about Canada while living in Ukraine, I had a very vivid image in mind: I’m going to be living among lumberjacks with beards in plaid shirts somewhere near a forest.

When I finally arrived in Toronto, that image crashed instantly. Instead of lumberjacks, I saw people from all over the world. Different cultures, food, languages but somehow it’s all connected in one place. For someone who moved to a new country alone, it was very inspiring to see how many people were building their new lives here.

When I later moved to Saskatoon, I was shocked to see a completely different Canada. Much quieter, more community based, with a strong “prairie” culture. It showed me that this country can’t be described as one thing—it is many different things. Every province has its own identity shaped by long-time residents and newcomers who chose to call it home.

But is having such diversity in our communities and workplaces truly a strength? Before you answer, let me talk about it from my point of view.

First things first: diversity is not just a buzzword. It is something that we experience daily. We interact with people we are surrounded by, with people we work with, and people we provide service to.

I remember attending a work inclusivity workshop where one video stuck with me: What if everyone on a team came from the same background, same upbringing, and had the same life? There would be a serious lack of creativity and new ideas.

When we have diversity in a team, we become better at understanding the needs of the people we support. And it’s not even about person’s ethnicity. It’s the experiences and culture that brings new energy to the workplace. We start to see problems from different angles. We test our assumptions and have a healthy (most of the time) debate.

Through my life in Canada, I have noticed that diversity isn’t about where someone was born. It is about their perspectives, how they listen, how they react.

A newcomer may see a situation differently because they have lived through a different system. A long-time Canadian will add the historical context and understanding of the processes. Both perspectives matter, and both strengthen the workplace.

Diversity also encourages humility. We realize that we don’t know everything, and there are so many ways to do things that are not wrong, just different. Working with people from various backgrounds makes us open-minded and patient, and the greatest part is this: everyone finds a way to contribute.

For immigrants, this environment creates a sense of belonging. Starting a career in a different country can be quite scary and overwhelming, but when workplaces embrace diversity, newcomers feel appreciated and valued. Their language, skills, resilience, cultural knowledge, and the challenges they overcame all contribute to stronger, more empathetic teams.

At the same time, diversity supports long-time Canadians too. It gives broader understanding of the communities we serve and live in.

Many industries rely on newcomers to fill skills gaps, which helps Canadians build stronger businesses and better their services, which in turn leads to economic growth. Connecting with diverse people can give you understanding of a different country without needing to travel there. This increases cultural confidence.

So, let’s go back to the question: Is Canadian diversity a strength? I truly believe it is. I have seen the workplaces where people learn from each other, support one another, grow, and become better together.

And to any newcomers reading this, don’t be embarrassed or scared to be who you are. You are bringing something valuable to this country, something that shaped its past, present, and future.

At the same time, remember that Canada has systems, laws, and traditions that have been built over many years. Rather than trying to change them, take time to understand and embrace them. Learn how things work here and contribute in ways that strengthen the country we all share.

Enjoy your Canadian experience and help this country grow!

Diversity in Canada

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