The dramatic increase in non-British immigrants to Canada each year has led to an overwhelming growth in the number of residents who do not have a perfect command of English. Analyzes of data from the 2006 Census on Immigration and Citizenship, conducted by Statistics Canada, showed that 70% of the foreign-born population does not speak English or French as a first language (Citizen and Immigration Canada, 2007). Most of these immigrants speak a first language other than English, and the majority are not always able to communicate effectively in English. Since English is the most spoken language in Canada, these residents therefore face many difficulties including unemployment, lack of adequate education, poor access to healthcare and integration problems. Despite these challenges, a couple of recommendations can be implemented to help close the gap. There is increasing importance placed on effective communication in the workplace, which presents greater challenges for immigrants seeking work in Canada. The inability to express oneself adequately in English greatly jeopardizes one's chances of finding work, especially in the immigrant field of study. According to the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Center Society (VIRCS), lack of English proficiency is the main barrier to employment for most immigrants. It prevents many professionals from finding a job where they can put their skills to use, and is also an obstacle for skilled immigrants who normally do not have a high level of education from their country of origin (VIRCS, n.d.). A large number of these immigrants, especially refugees, have considerable education and experience in their native country, but because of their l...... middle of paper ...... retrieved December 17, 2011 from http:/ /www.ccsd.ca/subsites/cd/docs/iy/service.htm2) CBC (2011). Immigrant children over age 9 are more likely to drop out - By Louise Elliot. Retrieved December 7, 2011, from http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/10/27/pol-young-immigrant-kids-do-better.html3) Canadian Citizenship and Immigration (2007) . Facts & Figures 2006: Immigration Overview: Permanent and Temporary Residents. Government of Canada. Retrieved December 4, 2011, from http://tinyurl.com/yc3ven84) Statistics Canada (2006). Official language proficiency and self-reported health among immigrants to Canada. Retrieved December 14, 2011, from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-003-x/2011004/article/11559-eng.htm5) Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Center Society. (n.d.). Potential barriers to employment for immigrants seeking work. Retrieved November 29, 2011, from http://www.vircs.bc.ca/barriers.php