For a company filled with immigrants, it only made sense Xenon Pharmaceuticals would open its doors to the refugees now coming from Syria.
The Burnaby-based bio-tech company has teamed up with Mosaic, a settlement services organization, in a most unique way.
Besides some financial support, Xenon is also offering to provide employment opportunities for skilled refugees in the health and life sciences sector.
It’s a role for Xenon that comes straight from the top.
Xenon’s president and CEO, Simon Pimstone, is originally from South Africa and came to Canada through the medical system. He’s worked as a doctor in the country for years and pointed out the company’s ties to the issue.
“We do have many other immigrants in the company that come from all over the world,” he told the NOW, adding the company has about 90 employees total at its Burnaby office.
Pimstone explained that once he heard that a number of Syrian refugees were coming this way, the company reached out to Mosaic to see if they could offer support.
He said the goal is to find immigrants with relevant experience, like doctors, nurses, scientists and lab technicians, and if qualified, offer them a job.
“I’m hoping if we can do that we can send a challenge to other companies in our industry to try and open up their hearts and labs to immigrants that may be able… to contribute to the businesses,” he said. “We’re hoping little by little companies in B.C. can take on that responsibility to help integrate these individuals and be that kind of community to them.”
Pimstone noted employees at Xenon have also signed up to take any new employees and their family around the community to help them get settled.
How the partnership will work is Mosaic will provide the referrals to the company.
Pimstone said his company does have positions that need to be filled, but noted it’s going to depend on an applicant’s expertise, experience and whether they are the right fit.
There is no shortage of anecdotal tales of well-educated immigrants coming to Canada unable to find work in their chosen field.
Dianna Lee, with Mosaic, said the issue is a real source of frustration for newcomers, and will likely need to be highlighted as the refugees settle in during the next year.
“The people who have been coming are highly qualified and educated, but their credentials aren’t recognized,” she said,
She noted new immigrants will get a stipend from the government for 12 months, but added most will want to have a job by then.
Which makes what Xenon has offered to do, that much more helpful.
“We think this is a wonderful thing Xenon are doing, and it would be nice to see other employers start stepping up and being able to do something,” Lee said.
In December, the company also made a $3,500 donation to Mosaic, with a portion of the money raised by employees.
For Xenon’s CEO, it’s not an unusual gesture.
“This is exactly the culture of the business,” he said. We try to hire people who have a sense of the community and the commitment to the community.
