I've been recruiting here in Canada for a number of years and the only time I have ever come across the "Canadian Experience" request from Clients is either in Accounting when they need to know Canadian accounting rules (the exception to this was the new IFRS rules that came in and the only people that had that experience were the Brits!) and HR when the applicants need to have experience with Canadian employment law.

Bit like the public appraisals - e.g. I worked for R, who works for J. J asks me if I think R is doing a good job because J thinks R is doing a lousy job - this is asked in front of R!!!

That is appalling management. I would be looking to sack people like that.

It's interesting to hear all the replies. I think most of it confirms many of my friends experiences in Canada. I hold a TWP but yet to activate it (It expires in March 2014). I currently work in HR-Recruitment sector but I also possess experience in Administration. Unfortunately jobs in these sectors appear to be scarce in Canada but I'm willing to take the dive and re-train. My fear is not finding a job because I don't hold 'Canadian' experience. It's sad to hear that in many cases this has stopped many expats from progressing in their careers.

HR is a notoriously difficult one. I personally think it is one of those areas where it is reasonable to want Canadian experience. The workplace culture is very different over here as well as the obvious differences in HR law.

Ironically I now consider myself totally initiated into the Canadian way when I used my connections to get a friend a job.

No one seems to complain about the " it isn't what you know but who" when it works in their favour.

Ah the Canadian experience discussion.
Im guessing there are certain jobs that require this thing called Canadian experience as a few things are done differently over here.
My job no Canadian experience is or was required as everything is taught be the person being a Canadian, Brit or other nationality. Im pretty sure searching a suitcase, vehicle or plane is the same anywhere in the world.
As for trades people there will be nuances but really are the differences that great that they cant be taught or easily learned such as an electrician, plumber or painter and decorator.
Retail sales should be easy as you just have to fathom what type of till and software they use. Punch in the sku number and voila sale completed.
Is removing a gall bladder that different?

My guess is that they get numerous people applying for jobs and if its someone they know applying for it they can say to the others "Ah you dont have the Canadian experience" so the others dont get the job.

that is just wrong

One of the hardest things for me , when I first moved here, was dealing with money. The coins were totally unfamiliar. It took me a long time before I could glance at my hand and instantly tell how much money I was looking at.

I'd imagine that operating a cash register would be problematic for a while

Look at it from a employer's point of view. They hire people to:

a) solve their problems or
b) make them money.

In commercial organizations, both.

They are concerned that someone FOB is going to take time to integrate and during this time they will not be able to do a) or b), and may hinder their colleagues ability to do a) or b) as well.

As a new job seeker you can choose to be passive and say, "woe is me" or you can concentrate on making sure you show the potential employer how you will do either/both a) and b) from day one.

I left soon after despite never being on the receiving end, but it wasn't an isolated incident. In fact it was a daily occurrence and no one else seemed too worried by it - some seemed to positively relish the opportunity to make their thoughts known. I've heard of other places where public appraisals are the norm, but this place was the worst.

Positive public appraisal has its place. If X has done a great job then telling them they have done a great job in public is good. If you have even the slightest criticism then that has to discussed in private.

I kept telling people to take their trousers off and keep their pants on. A Canadian wouldn't have made that mistake.

I am surprised there are companies who still use an HR person, haven't worked for one in years...lol..Usually the manager of each department just handles basic HR functions, haven't seen an actual HR office or person anywhere I've worked since the mid 90's...lol

I think it depends on the industry.

In mine, HR is v. v. important and they have actual professional HR people doing it. Industry war for talent = strong HR in my experience.

Probably right. In my field there is no shortage of applicants, we posted a craigslist ad Monday, and as of yesterday the stack of resumes was pushing 350...

Luckily for the manager she just hired a friend of a current employee, and doesn't actually have to sift through all the resumes.