Immigrants don’t just consume Canadian kindness, they also produce it in great quantities. Even those who may require support at first can become generous, devoted Canadians. 

In this series, we’re highlighting the stories of Canadian immigrants who contribute to Canada with their philanthropy. 

For this first installment, we sat down with Dr. Kabir Jivraj to reflect on his journey to Canada and his journey to philanthropy and what it means to choose Canada not just as a home but as a responsibility. Full disclosure: Dr. Jivraj and his wife, Munira, are generous donors to the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC). 

A trained anaesthetist and critical care specialist, Dr. Jivraj, came to Edmonton from the UK in 1981 for a one-year visit with just a single suitcase and a squash racket. “I came for a North American experience,” he said, reflecting on the early days. “But the rest,” he smiled, “is history.” 

 “What kept me here was the way medicine was practiced,” he explained. “I felt like I was making a real difference, caring for the sick, the elderly, and the vulnerable. In Canada, I could live my values.” 

That deeply rooted sense of purpose has shaped his life’s work. In 1998, Dr. Jivraj co-founded Age Care Ltd. to help address an acute shortage in elder care capacity. Dr. Munira Jivraj is a respected dentist and entrepreneur in her own right and has started and led dental practices in Calgary for over 30 years.  

“If you’re not trying to make a difference in the world, don’t do the business,” Kabir says. “Be purpose-driven. Focus on doing the right thing. If you deliver quality and great outcomes, the success will follow.” 

The Jivraj family has made giving a priority, including generous support to the ICC. They don’t just believe that immigrants bring value to this country – they prove it. 

“When you choose Canada, you have a responsibility to contribute to it. Our children are proud to be Canadian. We are too.” 

Dr. Kabir Jivraj

The Jivrajs are now among Canada’s most thoughtful philanthropists. Their giving focuses on health, education, and supporting vulnerable people – in Canada and globally.  

It’s not about recognition. In fact, they shy away from naming opportunities. “With blessings come responsibility,” Kabir said. “And giving, quietly or publicly, brings joy. It gives us fulfillment.” 

For those who question the value of immigration or who see immigrants as a burden rather than a benefit, Dr. Jivraj offers this gentle correction: “People who’ve gone through crisis come with a kind of resilience and work ethic you don’t get growing up with a silver spoon. They’re here with conviction. They want to build something better because they’ve chosen Canada.” 

I walked away from this conversation feeling exactly how you hope to feel when you speak to someone like Dr. Jivraj: grateful, inspired, and reminded of the power of purpose. It’s not just about what you build. It’s about why you build it and who benefits along the way. 

Thank you, Kabir, for choosing Canada and, through your support of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, showing us what giving back truly looks like. 

By Mojoyin Adigun