The Challenges of a Francophone Internationally Trained Lawyer in Canada

My name is Sariette Banyk Kwedja Tanda I am also known as Banyk Chia. I am from Cameroon a country located in Central Africa. I am married and I have a kid. In 2014, I and my husband landed in Canada as immigrants. My husband is an IT Engineer so it was easy for him to find a job. As an Internationally Trained Lawyer it was difficult for me to find a job in the Canadian legal system. I got a loan and enrolled to CDI College for the Legal assistant program. After my enrollment, I sent my application to the Federations of Law Societies of Canada to challenge the NCA exams and get my certificate of Qualification to practice law in Canada. In 2015, I graduated from CDI College and I was not able to find a job as a legal assistant. I do not know if it is because of my francophone accent or because at that time my English was not fluent. I got pregnant in the same year so it was hard to look for a job with my pregnancy. In 2016 I gave birth and at the beginning of 2017 I started job hunting but I did not have a positive result. Around February 2017 I took the decision to volunteer with many legal organizations because I wanted to learn and make sure that my skills and competences are updated. On January 2018, I created my own business of paralegal providers. I created my company to be a voice of voiceless legal assistants who cannot find a job because of their accent or because English is not their first language. Between 2014 and 2018 I do not have a record of a paid job because I refused to give up to my dreams. I came with big dreams and I know with perseverance I will make it happen. My business is providing Non-lawyer legal agents, Family Mediation, Commissioner of Oaths, Assistance in self-representation, Virtual legal assistant services. I am also working on a project of legal technology and I am hoping I will be able to have my first prototype by next year. I wish to have more clients and be known in Alberta so when I become a lawyer I already have a good reputation in the legal system