58-year-old Gian Singh Sangha, resident of the British Columbia who was denied a job in Northwest Territories, is asking the federal court to award him back pay or employment in his field after he was turned down in 2001 for a job with the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board because officials decided he was overqualified.

A hearing in the matter is scheduled for April 12 in downtown Vancouver. Bhandal's society as well as the Akali Singh and Guru Nanak Sikh temples support his petition. Sangha earned a PhD in environmental science in Germany.

With 15 years' experience in the environmental field, he scored among the highest of applicants for a job as a regulatory officer with the Mackenzie board. However, he was not offered a position. The hearing later this month is the one many in the Indo-Canadian community believe will be precedent setting for highly qualified immigrants who find it difficult to employ their skills in Canada.

Sangha won a human rights commission decision a year ago saying he was discriminated against, but was not offered a job or compensation. "We realise that the talent of the people coming here are underutilized," Sangha said.

"Whoever comes here, their credentials should be recognised and there should not be any discrimination." Sangha, who has not been able to get a job in his field, said many have been affected in a similar way in trying to gain employment in Canada.

"It does not make any sense that a PhD or an engineer or a medical doctor should drive a taxi or do a security job for 10 or 12 dollars," Sangha said. His lawyer David Perry said Canada is operating under "false pretences," bringing in immigrants because of their qualifications and then making it hard for them to find work.