An Open Letter to Newcomers in Canada

 An Open Letter to Newcomers in Canada

To those who have recently arrived,

Welcome.

I know this country can be a difficult place. I’ve worked beside you. I’ve seen the struggles firsthand—long hours, hard labour, unfair wages, and employers who take advantage. I know what it’s like to start at the bottom, to be rejected, to feel like you don’t belong.

But today, I need to speak honestly.

I was born and raised here. I am Indigenous but also have European ancestry, which means my roots on this land go back forever. The whole idea of “Canadian identity” is complicated for me, and I know it can be confusing for many people who come here, too.

Canada is changing, and not always for the better. The cost of living is out of control, housing is impossible, and many of us—especially Indigenous people and long-time residents—are struggling just as much as you. I can’t even find a job or a home in the city I grew up in.

And yet, I see something that worries me deeply.

Racism, discrimination, and unethical practices are spreading—sometimes from the very people who once faced discrimination themselves.

We Need Accountability

Canada is meant to be a place of fairness, equality, and respect. But that only works if everyone upholds those values. We cannot build a better future if:

Some businesses only hire their own people and exclude others.

Workers exploit or mistreat employees from different backgrounds.

Security guards abuse their power and mistreat vulnerable people.

People look the other way when Indigenous communities—who have been here since time immemorial—are ignored, disrespected, or displaced once again.

I know it’s hard to speak out against injustice, especially when you’re just trying to survive. But survival cannot come at the cost of ethics, fairness, and dignity.

What Can You Do?

1. Be Accountable for Your Actions – If you see discrimination, call it out. If your workplace is unfair, don’t participate in the cycle.

2. Have Ethics – No job, no amount of money, is worth losing your integrity.

3. Talk to Your Family – If they hold prejudices, challenge them. Canada is not a country built on caste systems or divisions—it’s meant to be different.

4. Respect Indigenous Peoples – This land is our home first. Learn our history, respect our rights, and support Indigenous businesses and communities.

5. Understand That Everyone is Struggling – Many of us who have been here our whole lives are also suffering. The system is failing all of us—let’s not make it worse by turning against one another.

Many newcomers I’ve met love Canada and want to make it a better place. But others don’t like it here, feel frustrated, and are only here temporarily. If that’s the case, please don’t contribute to making things worse for the people who will always be here.

A Final Thought

I am not your enemy. I have worked beside you, lived alongside you, and I know the hardships you face. But I also know that Canada’s future depends on all of us—newcomers and long-time residents alike—choosing fairness, respect, and accountability.

If we don’t, then the struggles we face today will only get worse.

Tina Winterlik (Zipolita)

A lifelong Indigenous Canadian, worker, and advocate for justice