In 2008, he came to Canada from Iran, where he had a practice as a family physician.

Nine years later, he is still trying to become a doctor in this country.

A report last year from the Conference Board of Canada found nearly 850,000 Canadians were unemployed or underemployed with more than 60 per cent being immigrants because their credentials were not being fully recognized.

The recommendations in the report included modifying the immigrant selection process so that learning credentials are recognized and exporting Canadian post-secondary education curriculum and programs into other countries.

Jabbar Pourbahman, however, is not complaining about his Canadian livelihood.

Pourbahman, 45, of Charlottetown owned a construction business in Iran, putting up apartment buildings. His wife Farah, 42, was a chef in their homeland.

The pair has combined their talents to own and operate Café Thomas-Martin since purchasing the business in December 2015 and moving it from the Homburg Financial Tower to the Confederation Court mall in October 2016.

Jabbar says the biggest challenge is learning English, not managing all the details of running a café.

“It is not so tough for them but it’s not easy either,’’ says Safar, serving as interpreter for her boss.

“It’s so-so.’’