Thinking of moving to Canada?

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Imaka

You have been given quite a few good ideas here. What I would add, is that it depends very much on your own skills, and where you did your training and what training you did. For example, IT is in very great demand in Canada right now and if you have the right skills getting your work permit would be a much easier process.

I don't necessarily agree with everything others have said about the different regions, and the best places to go. Yes, there are many jobs in alberta, but there are many vacancies all over Canada now in certain sectors. The baby boomers are retiring and there aren't enough skilled workers to take their places. I am a retired person who has gone back to work in a professional job that was advertised twice before I applied for it - there had been no qulaified applicants on the first two rounds.

You can work in New Brunswick without speaking French, by the way, but you would have far more opportunities in New Brunswick if you speak French.

The cost of living in Canada is higher in the cities and in the far north, and more reasonable in the more rural areas. Gas and fuel in general are more expensive than in the US, but not as expensive as in Europe. Health care is covered in your taxes once you become a permanent resident. Our social programs here in Canada are very good. Cost of housing is reasonable in most parts of the country.

Canadians in general are relaxed about life, and are welcoming and accepting. We have a diverse society, multi-cultural and multi-lingual, and officially bilingual. If you are fluent in more than one langauge your opportunites will be greater.

Here is the link to the Canadian immigration site, which is really where you need to start. Best of luck with your plans.

flashbakx

the health care is pretty good, its universal like australia. way better than the US health care system

doodlesnicker

bring lots of jackets and learn to say eh and aboot..lol

JD's mommy

Canada is a great place to live. If you speak some French, I definitely recommend Montreal. Its the best! If not, Toronto has lots of jobs. The major companies are all based there, especially if your field is administration. BC is beautiful but super expensive!

Leano-B

Canada is very open to different cutlures, it's multi-cultural. I live in Montreal and I know many people from so many different backrounds and places. Canada is a great place to live. If you speak some French, I Montreal is awesome. It's the best! I live in a more English section, and I don't speak French as much in my area. There are many Enlish people as well. Don't eliminate Montreal from yor list just becasue there are many French people. The French are very nice, and most of them speak English. French helps anywhere though. Happy house hunting and welcome to Canada :D

CanProf

You might look at my reply to "Nell" your countrywoman's question a few days ago.
What I might add to that is that Canada is really two country's. One is "MTV" (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver) and the other is everything else. Now I'm not going to suggest that Toronto is Jo'burg with snow but I will suggest that you might very well find yourself most comfortable moving to a smaller city, especially in a conservative part of the country. I am thinking of places like Woodstock and Peterborough in Ontario, Lethbridge in Alberta or Kelowna in British Columbia.
Good luck.

3Dboi

Most newly arrived immigrants go to either Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver. Although tempting, the cities are a big mistake as many immigrants in Canada earn less than Canadian-born citizens, even though they have the same or equivalent credentials. If you are unskilled, you will likely find very low-paid work in either customer service, fast food, or similar dirty and low-paid jobs. Alberta is a good bet but the high cost of living and scarce housing makes finding a place competetive. I suggest trying out Ontario as housing there is (except for Toronto) for the most part, cheaper than in western Canada. British Columbia has very low wages if you are unskilled and one's entire salary won't cover the rent, particularly in Vancouver, Victoria, and Kelowna. Montreal is cheaper but jobs are hard to come by there, especially if you do not speak French. Unless you are a skilled professional, I suggest going somewhere else just for the sake of living. If you are a student, then Canada is a great place to learn and then earn, especially for foreigners.

John A

I was born and raised and currently operate a business in Ontario. Just thought I'd mention my biases first!

PROS

I feel it is the most physically diverse and beautiful country in the world. I don't feel any country or island holds a candle to it.

It is the most harmonious multi-cultural society in the world and I will accept no debate on that.

The social programs are strong and healthcare is for the most part very good. Government is not invasive and not as corrupt as most.

Very safe and clean.

CONS

Taxes are higher than any other G7 country and the future holds many more increases. If you are an entrepreneur in manufacturing or resource/minerals go for it, otherwise look elsewhere.

Weather is mostly awful. Freezing dry winters and humid disgusting summers.

Employment prospects for immigrants are limited as you have to be retrained in almost every field to meet Canadian standards. This really isn't a con but it is something you better think about before you leap.

me-wa

I am not sure what you are looking for. Alberta has all the jobs right now, and is also pretty expensive to live in. Quebec and New Brunswick are French and you can't get a job there unless you know French (New Brunswick is both English and French, Quebec is totally French).

British Columbia is very expensive to live and no jobs.

I would think that if you have a job that is low in demand, Alberta is the place for you. If you are a nurse or social worker, doctor, that kind of thing.. you can go anywhere. We are extremely short on nurses right now. Some are giving you an 'incentive' money just for taking the job. Some hospitals are even paying for your university if you sign a contract to work for them.

Northern Canada, like the territories (there are 10 provinces and 3 territories) are very sparcy populated and isolated. I love it up there. It is also VERY expensive to live up there.. but the jobs pay well and at income tax time, you get a northern living reinbursment. It is very very cold up there in winter and many communities are not accessable by road for the full year.

The maritime provinces are on the eastern side and are pretty cheap to live. They are all around the ocean and Newfoundland is an island were many people live and is one half of a province. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world in my opinion. Most people that live there work in mines in the territories or in Alberta. They fly up for jobs for 3 months and than come home for a few months. Many are fishermen, which is only seasonal work and they fly out to work the rest of the year. There is a very high welfare rate here, which is a shame, when companies will pay for you to fly home and back from work out of province.

Ontario is mining area.

Manitoba and Saskatchewan are farming places.

It is a beautiful place to live and the people are known to be more laid back that the rest of America. Although you will find different cultural influences in different areas.. such as Alberta being having the economic boom right now, you find people that are more driven and on the go, whereas in Newfoudnland, you will find people that are very friendly and easy going... not so driven and serious about things. They also tend to speak there mind there and are a 'tough' people. So where ever you go... you will find a different accent or cultural influence... especially from the main part of Canada, the maratimes and the terriotries. The 3 are very different.

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