Moving to Canada

[Kriz1]

I know a few people are thinking of moving to Canada...
I've asked if someone who has just done that would come here to answer some questions and tell his story...
I hope along with input from Britcan this topic could be helpful...

I will make this topic sticky so easy to find...
I hope to do the same thing for OZ...
Please keep this on topic....:)

[britcan]

Sure Kriz- will be delighted to input.
May I suggest that anyone thinking about it seriously visits

[url]www.notcanada.com

I have a lot of contacts up in Canada so any help/info I can provide, no problem.

When we applied to come to Canada from the UK under the skilled immigrant program, we used Global Visa's, a company based in London, and they were very good. I had some prior health issues and they were very good in helping me overcome this and get a successful application with my husband as the main applicant.

Our application at that time (2001) took 1 year from start to finish.

We moved to Ottawa, just at the time that the High Tech bubble burst! So hubby could'nt get into his field as there were 20,000 high techies out of work. However, we struggled on and I worked for 3 different companies, in the space of 6 months before finally getting back into my professional field of banking .

Hubby then started his own handyman business.

Canada is a nice mixture of the best of the British Culture and the US way of life.

You can buy Bounty bars, Smarties, etc...there is a really bad healthcare system, its not all covered, hence employers offer additional cover through benefits,they have Walmart, Home Depot, Sears.

The price of things is more expensive generally, although I have to say that electricity, or hydro as we call it in Canada, is cheaper than here in RI and Connecticut.

[reecey]

what a good idea, my nephew is moving to Austrailia from here so it should be interesting to hear other stories

[britcan]

Here are some links to useful websites

http://www.cic.gc.ca/EnGLIsh/ (Canadian Immigration Service)

www.mls.ca (properties for sale across Canada- the main site for property purchase in Canada)

www.workopolis.com (One of the main job search sites for Canada)

www.monster.ca

www.jobbank.gc.ca (Government sponsored job finding site)

www.accuweather.ca (get the weather forecast for the area you are interested in)

www.cfra.com (this is the talk radio for Ottawa and there is an option where you can listen live, the best time to listen is at 9-00 to 12-00 daytime, as you will get to hear all of the issues near the Capital of Canada)

[jay]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?xml=/global/2007/08/09/excanada.xml

[britcan]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?xml=/global/2007/08/09/excanada.xml

Sorry to disappoint you, Doctors from outside of Canada cannot now just move and practise, they have to basically go back to school for 4 years and get an internship. You can read stories such as these on www.notcanada.com.

Doctors are driving taxi cabs in Ottawa and Toronto, things have changed since 1978 when the guy who was interviewed by the newspaper.

Watch the W5 tv show links on their page and you will see a story about 2 pharmacists from the UK who are suing the Canadian Fed Gov for getting them into canada under false pretences that hey would be able to get work in their field.

[jay]

Sorry to disappoint you, Doctors from outside of Canada cannot now just move and practise, they have to basically go back to school for 4 years and get an internship. You can read stories such as these on www.notcanada.com.

Doctors are driving taxi cabs in Ottawa and Toronto, things have changed since 1978 when the guy who was interviewed by the newspaper.

Watch the W5 tv show links on their page and you will see a story about 2 pharmacists from the UK who are suing the Canadian Fed Gov for getting them into canada under false pretences that hey would be able to get work in their field.


Oh sorry, as it was updated 9/8/2007 I thought this would of been some help.
jayne

[InnVic]

check out the provincial nominee programs for the area your interested in - they can sometimes "fast track" your application (current processing times are circa 4 years regular route but as little as 6 month via PNP)

[britcan]

check out the provincial nominee programs for the area your interested in - they can sometimes "fast track" your application (current processing times are circa 4 years regular route but as little as 6 month via PNP)

Wow 4 years now, is that how long its taking. now is that from the UK?

[Kriz1]

Remember also kids can time out for a visa at 18...our daughter did....

[britcan]

Remember also kids can time out for a visa at 18...our daughter did....


You mean in the USA right? Because once you are a permanent resident in Canada and have been there for 3 year you can all apply for Citizenship, you all remain permanent residents up ntil that point.

[Kriz1]

No Canada...in the USA its 21...hubby was offered a job...but he could not take it because my daughter would or could be over 18 when the paper work was done...

We needed the job offer for points...but the job offer could make it a longer wait...up to 18 months...we could not put the money into the move...and then not go because my daughter was too old to get a visa with us...
We put off moving out off the UK thinking the USA would be the same...but here its 21...
That was a long time ago is it different now...

[britcan]

No Canada...in the USA its 21...hubby was offered a job...but he could not take it because my daughter would or could be over 18 when the paper work was done...

We needed the job offer for points...but the job offer could make it a longer wait...up to 18 months...we could not put the money into the move...and then not go because my daughter was too old to get a visa with us...
We put off moving out off the UK thinking the USA would be the same...but here its 21...
That was a long time ago is it different now...

Yes it is different now. When you apply under the skilled immigrants program and under the investors/entrepreneurs program, you automatically become perm residents and in fact when you land in Canda, they take your picture(all the family individually, regardless of age) and each family member is sent their perm res card in the mail.

[Kriz1]

Yes it is different now. When you apply under the skilled immigrants program and under the investors/entrepreneurs program, you automatically become perm residents and in fact when you land in Canda, they take your picture(all the family individually, regardless of age) and each family member is sent their perm res card in the mail.


It was OK once you landed back then..you timed out before you landed or left the UK.....tons of stories about it in Outward bound at the time..because many people did not know kids could not get a visa to go with you after 18....if she had landed before 18 she would of been fine...but they could not say how long we would be waiting for the paperwork...
Glad now looking back... they say all things happen for a reason...:)

[Kriz1]

All the info I can find now says 22..if in full time school....
Its not very clear about kids...it was not back when we were looking...we would of sent off the paperwork and my daughter would not of got a visa at that time...
If anyone finds any info out I would be very interested....

[cilon]

whoaaa wait a minute , that whole notcanada website is so onesided its not even funny. for the most part its best attributes would be some sort of entertainment value for a bored web surfer!!!!!

i am canadian, and yes i moved to the U.S. but just for a change not because things were bad.

[jay]

whoaaa wait a minute , that whole notcanada website is so onesided its not even funny. for the most part its best attributes would be some sort of entertainment value for a bored web surfer!!!!!

i am canadian, and yes i moved to the U.S. but just for a change not because things were bad.


I looked at that notcanada and it was full of youtube stuff, a load of crap really. my friends have moved to Canada from the uk, they have gone to a place called martensville saskatoon. they are really happy and the kids have settled and happy.
jayne

[source]

We are hoping to use the PNP system to enter Canada but are just in the very first stages at the moment

[InnVic]

Hi Source
We're in the process of selling up here and want to move to Nova Scotia under the PNP scheme. Where are you looking at and what do you hope to do there?

[britcan]

I looked at that notcanada and it was full of youtube stuff, a load of crap really. my friends have moved to Canada from the uk, they have gone to a place called martensville saskatoon. they are really happy and the kids have settled and happy.
jayne

Disagree- not a load of old crap! We were there for 5 years in Ottawa- they really discriminate against the English and yes there are Doctors driving taxi cabs.So its not all bunkum! It took me 2 years to find a job in my field. If you want the real truth- it depends where you live in Canada!

[Paul Elliott]

Did you meet any of that host of American pop stars and celebrities who swore they would move to Canada if Bush got re-elected? Just asking.

[Sharon]

whoaaa wait a minute , that whole notcanada website is so onesided its not even funny. for the most part its best attributes would be some sort of entertainment value for a bored web surfer!!!!!

i am canadian, and yes i moved to the U.S. but just for a change not because things were bad.

I am surprised you say things were bad in Canada, can you explain why?

[britcan]

read it again, he says not because things were bad- I think from where he came from things were different than on the East Coast. If you would like to view the website- admittedly there are a lot of ethnic folk on it, but on the forum page there are differing views.

www.notcanada.com

[InnVic]

But Britcan we could do a NOTUSA website......think of all the people who have been screwed by the system here!!! There is good and bad everywhere and lifes not always fair.

[Kriz1]

Canada was not for us...but I know a lot of people that are happy they moved there....and many who hate every day they live there like our Bryan who only stays for his grandkids....

I love and hate the USA at times....I'm just the same with the old man...:rofl:

[britcan]

But Britcan we could do a NOTUSA website......think of all the people who have been screwed by the system here!!! There is good and bad everywhere and lifes not always fair.

InnVic- what a billiant idea. My husband was going to start one 20 years ago called www.doublestandards.com!

[ihateuk]

HMMM i was thinking of doing a elctrical course over here them getting a job in canada working there for a few years then moving to florida but i just watched the notcanada.com video and i dnt think ll get a job there

[britcan]

You have to pretty much be in the Union to train to be an electrician , and its hard to get in unless you know someone.

[ihateuk]

nothing in life is easy is it

[britcan]

Now you could make some enquiries of the local IBEW where you were thinking of moving to, the further towards Quebec you get, and Northern Ontario, the harder it is. Canada is also in the process of debating its point system, not for the benefit of those wishing to come, so you may want to think about coming on a investment visa which will give you Permanent residency(unlike USA). Go to the site www.cic.gc.ca for more information.

[MrsP]

We moved here (Ontario) in 1976, and can honestly say, we have never thought of returning to the UK, except for a holiday.
My husband was a bricklayer (Mason here) and we applied in December 1975, a friend put us in touch with a building contractor ( visiting in the UK , where he originally lived) and he was looking for a qualified bricklayer. and as they say " the rest is history". We got our "landed immigrant" papers by March ,and he was in Canada in April 1976. I and our son followed in June.
In order to apply for a government job(local/provisional/federal) he had to take a exam, which he passed without a problem.
Our health care here in Ontario is free, except for prescriptions and dental.
Having just visited the UK (June) and find the cost of living here in Ontario much cheaper.
Can't comment on the other parts of Canada.

[britcan]

We moved here (Ontario) in 1976, and can honestly say, we have never thought of returning to the UK, except for a holiday.
My husband was a bricklayer (Mason here) and we applied in December 1975, a friend put us in touch with a building contractor ( visiting in the UK , where he originally lived) and he was looking for a qualified bricklayer. and as they say " the rest is history". We got our "landed immigrant" papers by March ,and he was in Canada in April 1976. I and our son followed in June.
In order to apply for a government job(local/provisional/federal) he had to take a exam, which he passed without a problem.
Our health care here in Ontario is free, except for prescriptions and dental.
Having just visited the UK (June) and find the cost of living here in Ontario much cheaper.
Can't comment on the other parts of Canada.

Hi there

We noticed you are near Kingston- we are near Brockville or will be when we return mid August! Nice to know another Brit family!!

[byjove]

Hi Britcan,

I have just been asked to send my CV to a company in Alberta! Do you know anything about Alberta? I would like to pick your brains if I may later.

[InnVic]

Alberta is beautiful...and a wealthy province so I've heard taxes are lower and quality of life is great.
P.S Hubby is in Quebec at the mo and phoned waxing lyrical....hmmmm perhaps Canada is not off the agenda for us quite yet!

[Kriz1]

Hi Britcan,

I have just been asked to send my CV to a company in Alberta! Do you know anything about Alberta? I would like to pick your brains if I may later.

I have family in Alberta....they have been there forever....both have a love hate thing with Canada....wife would of gone home the day after she got there..hubby is always in and out of work but will not leave the Grandkids...two kids are still there two have gone home...funny enough it was the younger kids that left...

They have had some lovely homes...I have to be honest and say the homes are very cookie cutter for the most part...everything in their area looked the same....but they have their best homes on the main road and they can be huge...
They did in a way talk us out of moving there and to stick it out for the USA...but I know many people that are happy there ....

Down side is the weather...jobs...I have friends and family that are in and out of work like yo yo's....
Upside...it is a lovely country I've traveled over a lot of it......the inside of homes are very well thought out for family living...the people are nice...I don't think the cost of living is so high...it does seem easier to get credit jobs etc...and to put down roots..we looked into Canada for a lot longer than the USA...

I think a place is what you make it...how old you are...and money....

[byjove]

Thanks for the info guys!

[McSporran]

Good luck with the application Byjove...it's been a few years since I was in Alberta area - but I loved the place...althoguh BC has my heart...all this talk of Canada, is giveing me itchy feet....or maybe thats just the humidity :D

[chris]

Kriz,
The USA has weather too you know and as for in and out of jobs like yo-yo's ...check out the state of the US economy these days.
I know you are an expat in the US, but the US seems to have a thing about knocking Canada and the Canadians. In some instances they appear to regard Canadians as some form of less educated, lesser being.
I visited Canada about 20 years ago, albeit for a short time, but in that time found the Canadians to be a warmer bunch than the Americans.
The Americans try to run the Canadian healthcare system down as being 2nd grade (compared of course to the magnificant US model???). Having watched Michael Moore's 'Sicko' and how several health care systems compare to the US, the Canadian one is excellent. I

[Kriz1]

Kriz,
The USA has weather too you know and as for in and out of jobs like yo-yo's ...check out the state of the US economy these days.
I know you are an expat in the US, but the US seems to have a thing about knocking Canada and the Canadians. In some instances they appear to regard Canadians as some form of less educated, lesser being.
I visited Canada about 20 years ago, albeit for a short time, but in that time found the Canadians to be a warmer bunch than the Americans.
The Americans try to run the Canadian healthcare system down as being 2nd grade (compared of course to the magnificant US model???). Having watched Michael Moore's 'Sicko' and how several health care systems compare to the US, the Canadian one is excellent. I

I'm talking about snow weather...which I know a little about...and its not as much fun as it seems...and we don't have a lot of it...being stuck in doors for months on end looking forward to summer...then being stuck indoors all summer because its too hot humid or to many bugs.. makes your life feel very short...I know a lot of Canada is the same...
I was not knocking it ...just saying what I know about it...my family have lived there since the 60s...we visit them when we can...we travel across country when we visit...and we stayed there for a time to see if it was the place we wanted to live...it was not...the UK was then better for us...and I raced huskies at the time...so I thought the place was right for me...
The yo yo job thing seems to have always been a problem in Canada...we have friends there who have had 5 jobs to my husband one...not saying it does not happen in the US too...but I hear about it more from people living in Canada...its something worth looking into before taking a job there...
I never said anything about healthcare...I have no idea what its like anywhere....I never use it unless I really have too...not seen a doc in over 9 years in any country...
Canada after many years of travel and research was not for us...I would of been unhappy there so would my kids....no sure about hubby...but he loves the US...
The little I know about healthcare in the US from my local area its very good...first class...and in a lot of cases free...I've yet to meet any American I don't like....and to top it all my son is dating a Canadian...and she lives with us...I never knock a country...I just say what I know about it...
Most people here know how I feel about US schools and the cost of living...so its not like I've saying the US is any better than anywhere else...every place has its good and bad points...

[InnVic]

Snow can be a plus OR minus depending upon your point of view. If you had a ski resort or made snow ploughs I'd say it was a positive :-)
Like Kriz said though it does however wear you down and it is that - and only that - that sort of made us think twice about canada.

[Kriz1]

Snow can be a plus OR minus depending upon your point of view. If you had a ski resort or made snow ploughs I'd say it was a positive :-)
Like Kriz said though it does however wear you down and it is that - and only that - that sort of made us think twice about Canada.


If you are young with kids...I think snow is a plus...I would say to anyone live in a place with seasons...Northern USA or Canada...
But as you get older...even 50 plus...it does wear you down...

In FL its hot or hotter...you get used to it...but snow and the cold...can give you cabin fever...and unless you have had that you'll never understand how it can bring a whole family down...I got cabin fever a few years ago after a bad fall in the snow and I was in pain on and off for nearly 2 years...and after a fall you worry about it happening again...I've lost a few neighbours to heart attacks clearing snow...I hate seeing hubby do it now...he is getting to that age...its just one more worry....

There is a reason Northerners go South when they are old...I have no idea why so many people retire to the Cape....but then again they nearly all have second homes in the sun...the few who don't regret moving here full time...and like I said...we don't have that bad winters...nothing like most of Canada...

[britcan]

Hi Britcan,

I have just been asked to send my CV to a company in Alberta! Do you know anything about Alberta? I would like to pick your brains if I may later.

Alberta is booming- its certainly a place we are considering for the future....housing is very expensive though, the burger flippers get paid $30 per hour. Go to
www.mls.ca

to search for houses and
www.workopolis.com

for Canadian jobs, that'll help!

[britcan]

as far as job stability comments from previous posters, its the same the world over...Alberta is actually actively looking for people to move from the UK as they are short of skilled people. If I had the time to research the best are to live, I would move there now rather than having to move back to Ontario. Weather is not an issue, you dress accordingly and you get used to it. You get more snow the further north you go, Calgary hardly has snow that lasts that long...Alberta has no Provincial Sales tax. If you wanna know hoe much $ you will end up with after taxes check out this website

http://www.ey.com/global/Content.nsf/Canada/Tax_-_Calculators_-_2008_Personal_Tax

I much prefer Canadians to Americans- they are more polite for one thing. Trouble with Americans is that they are too insular and think nothing exists up North.!

[chris]

What you really need by way of weather is balance. Not too much snow that you get cabin fever, not too much sun that you also have to stay indoors and periods where it's in-between. My God, that's the UK!!!!!!!

[Kriz1]

What you really need by way of weather is balance. Not too much snow that you get cabin fever, not too much sun that you also have to stay indoors and periods where it's in-between. My God, that's the UK!!!!!!!

I know...I miss the UK weather big time...I really do...but then I never moved here here for good weather which was lucky...just work a roof over our heads and food....:)..I never knew weather could be such a big factor to how you enjoy life...but we live and learn...the UK really has just right weather...not much good to me learning that so late in the game......but could help others...

When I was in my early 20s..I wanted to move to the USA...my parents had the chance when I was 13 and 17...and never did...so I wanted to see if I was missing anything...we were told we had no chance of moving so we made a life in the UK a great life for both us and our kids..I love the UK...it give my family a safe home when they left France and South American....do not regret one sec of living there it will always be home....then we spent many years on and off looking into Canada...mostly because by then I was really into sled dog racing...wanted a place to breed and train dogs and keep the Brit sled dog team this side of the pond...hubby had a job offer ...we had family nearby...but there was just something no right about living there...no matter how long I stayed not matter how much I love Canada to visit..it was never going to be home....we made up our minds to stay in the UK...then hubby got a job offer here in the USA...and here we are...we would not of taken the job if the job in the UK was safe...but it was moving to London and may not last many more years...so we thought if we had to move lets make it a big one...
We did not leave England for any reason but to follow work and because we had to make some kind of change to keep a job...now I love the USA just as much as I love the UK...it is home ...home can be 2 or more places...

I miss a lot about England...warts and all...I would miss just as much about the Cape and Orlando...its one of the joys of moving around...I'm very lucky not to have to pick between the Cape and FL...missing something does not mean I want to go back...because the USA is a big place...and next stop is the mountains...

[InnVic]

My friend lives in AZ and she gets 'cabin fever" there in the summer - its too damn hot!

[Kriz1]

My friend lives in AZ and she gets 'cabin fever" there in the summer - its too damn hot!

A friend wanting us to move there with them about 5 years ago...but it seems just like here but in reverse....

Is it very humid in Vermont....its a killer here...we have about 8 usable weeks a year to work on the house and garden...in FL i can work outside in summer for about half an hour or so...here its less then 10 mins..this weekend was wicked...

[anniefromessex]

Chris, you hit the nail on the head when you talked about the weather ha ha!! We have had some good weather the last 2 weeks or so and because we live on the coast, whereas some people are complaining (nobody is ever happy) that it is hot and sticky we actually don't feel that way - especially after the humidity in Florida!!!

I think that wherever you are you will always find fault tbh, which is a shame really but the nature of the beast I am afraid. Last night we had thunder, lightning and rain but who cares in the middle of the night, which actually made things a little fresher for a lot of people today.

Just found out tonight that my son, partner and granddaughter who were meant to be going to Australia in December just to validate their Visas have now decided to make it a one way ticket!!! To say I am gobsmacked is an understatement - sorry didn't mean to hijack the thread but just wondering what their weather will be like in Adelaide, will let y'all know!!!

Love Anniexxx

[MrsP]

We are in Ontario, yes, we have cold winters and sometimes lots of snow, 2007-08 was a good example. More snow than I can remember since we first came here, but we also have all the seasons. Spring, summer, autumn, are all good seasons, so 3 out of 4 can't be bad. The winters don't keep people in, they dress for the weather, and enjoy the snow.The roads are usually cleaned within a few hours. I drove 20 miles from the country into the city (Kingston) every work day for 24 years and don't think I missed more than a couple of days, and those were because of "freezing rain", which believe me is the worst.
Wherever you live it can have it pluses and minuses, think of earthquakes, forest fires etc. So it is a case of whatever suits you.

[britcan]

Agree Mrs P- freezing rain is far worse than anythig I have ever encountered!

[peter gold]

Annie
Just been with a client from Adelaide who raves over the place. Great weather slow pace of life, jobs and cheap housing.

[Kriz1]

We have only had the roads blocked here after 8ft of snow....mostly because being an Island there was no where to put it...
But snow is not the only thing that gives you cabin fever..I would not of said anything if I were along in thinking this...but it the biggest reason people move from here...

No matter what people think...the weather is a big factor in your life...maybe because it keeps you indoors...makes your sick...gives you pains in places you never knew you had..costs you an arm and a leg in heating and cooling bills...I never give a thought to it moving over to MA..I don't think it would of put me off moving here...but I would of looked for different housing...so it a real big thing to think about...not to be dismissed lightly...next to money...the weather can make or break the fun you have living in a country...

[britcan]

us Canadians kow how to deal with weather- does'nt phase us much!

[Kriz1]

us Canadians kow how to deal with weather- does'nt phase us much!

I love the snow...I don't feel the cold one bit once outside ......but the cost of heating and the worry about falling dead in your own diveway with a snow shovel in your hand is something completely different......:rofl: :rofl:

[britcan]

the cost of electricity in Ontario is half what it is here in Connecticut- we froze this last winter cos we could'nt afford to heat the house we are renting..I am so looking forward to going back to my woodburning stove and less electricity bills.
As far as dropping dead in the driveway with a snow shovel, thats why God invented a snowblower- our last house had a driveway 90 feet long and 20 feet wide- we had a snowblower and even when we had 12 inches in one hit, hubby cleared it without any issues.

You just have to be sensible about stuff....

[Kriz1]

I do think it is important that people know how much weather can make a difference to how they like a place...because really no matter how much you have moaned about the UK...you don't know what weather is till you move to the USA Canada or Oz..
In fact when you go to the Canadian Embassy if you are lucky enough to get an invite to one of their shows about moving there...it is a big part of their talk...and they advised us to visit in winter...which I did twice..if only at the start of winter..

If I'd known more the area I was going to be living in.. weather wise...I would of gone for a different house a different style car...lived nearer a job and shopping...its not a case of saying don't move to a place ..because I would recommend the Cape or anywhere with different kinds of weather to people with young kids and who are young themselves over FL everytime...but it can be a shock living with real weather...and you are more likely to leave if you know nothing about it then if you go thinking the wost..

[InnVic]

A friend wanting us to move there with them about 5 years ago...but it seems just like here but in reverse....

Is it very humid in Vermont....its a killer here...we have about 8 usable weeks a year to work on the house and garden...in FL i can work outside in summer for about half an hour or so...here its less then 10 mins..this weekend was wicked...

The weather is pretty good here. Cooler than the city and we only really have four or five days a year when you HAVE to have the AC on coz its sticky. Temps are high 60s from April up to 90 July Aug - but the evenings are cool. We get thunderstorms. Autum is fab, high 70's sept- mid 60's-70's Oct with a light chill in the evening. Snow can start mid november and often you don't see the ground till April. Its long and gets to you after a while. We do go out and enjoy it when we can. last year we had alot of ice storms though....its trecherous - I spent more time on my arse - good job its well padded!

[Kriz1]

The weather is pretty good here. Cooler than the city and we only really have four or five days a year when you HAVE to have the AC on coz its sticky. Temps are high 60s from April up to 90 July Aug - but the evenings are cool. We get thunderstorms. Autum is fab, high 70's sept- mid 60's-70's Oct with a light chill in the evening. Snow can start mid november and often you don't see the ground till April. Its long and gets to you after a while. We do go out and enjoy it when we can. last year we had alot of ice storms though....its trecherous - I spent more time on my arse - good job its well padded!


I just want it to stop being so humid...my garden is a mess...my plants are rotting in the ground...every bit of wooden furniture in the house feels wet...
I have none stop big hair...and I'm fed up of sweating..its so unlady like.:rofl: :rofl:

[anniefromessex]

Thanks for that Peter, I too have heard some good things about it. They are now going 17th November!!!!

Love Anniexxx

[Kriz1]

My best mate is now a member of this group...he is a Brit and moved to Oz years and years ago...they have just had a baby...so he is busy..but maybe he'll come on and talk about living there...
I've never given the place a thought...but if you go on British Expats...there is tons of info...

[britcan]

ok to now bring the topic back on track!!! Apparently where the US GM is posting record losses- the Canadian GM has just increased sales of its cars as has Toyota, so it would appear that things are not quite so bad north of the border....I did notice that grocery prices had not gone up as much as in the USA when I went back end of May.

[Allan Oakley]

We fled Canada in 1996 to move to Florida and have never looked back.
What did we give up? I can tell you weather was the least of our problems.
Born and raised in a very anglo-waspish portion of Quebec.That is rare I can assure you.For many years life was idyllic .That was till the speratists moved in during the 80's and literally over night my wife went front being welcomed at the Wal-mart to being denied service.She was even spit on when she spoke English.Her shame? She was born and raised in English Ontario and spoke no French.I had our house vandalized , car tires slashed and dog poisoned.Within one year we and over 150,000 english speaking Quebecois fled to other parts of Canada.

Once in Ontario work and life settled down greatly and life was pleasant. By then the early issues of socialised medecin started revealing their problems.Our family doctor was obliged to have a case load of 5000 patients.When we went to visit we were the " who " family. You could never switch doctors unless a new one came to town. My elderly mother was told at 80 years of age she was no longer allowed to travel outside Quebec and use her provincial healthcare.Even to visit us in neighboring Ontario. The last blow was my income tax.I'll never forget the day.I recieved a job promotion that raised my salary by 20 %.We were thrilled till I discovered over 50 % was eaten up in taxes.

When we had the chance to move to the USA we siezed it and have never looked back.My boys recieved a far better education, wei can afford to buy the healthcare we want and best of all our canadian relatives ALL visit so often we never have the need to head north.

Don't get me wrong.Canada is visually stunning.Much of it is very wealthy and there are loads of jobs for all. Scatch the surface a little and you will see why Canadians in general would flood over the border if they had a chance.

What's that old saying: "great place to visit but you'd never want to live there"

[britcan]

Sorry Allan but thats Quebec for you- its not part of Canada to most Canadians........

[Kriz1]

My son's girlfriends family are French Canadian...they would never go back...never got round to asking why...


I also have a very good online Canadian friend moving to FL to get what he calls a life...LOL!

Can't wait to meet him we have been friends online for about 11 years..

[InnVic]

I confess I have never lived in Canada but if I had to chose between Florida and Canada I'd choose Canada (I couldn't imagine no seasons). No disrespect to folk in Florida but its horses for courses and "viva le difference" (as they probably say in Quebec!)

[Kriz1]

I confess I have never lived in Canada but if I had to chose between Florida and Canada I'd choose Canada (I couldn't imagine no seasons). No disrespect to folk in Florida but its horses for courses and "viva le difference" (as they probably say in Quebec!)


Phil says his part of Canada has 3 kinds of weather..lots and lots of snow....lots of snow...very very hot....LOL!

Living part of the time in both FL and New England...once you live in FL more you do notice seasons of a sort...some of my neighbours trees are bare in winter..and it can get cold and have a frost..
I like seasons too...but you can have to much of a good thing..:)

[Allan Oakley]

Florida has four seasons.They are just a little more subtle.We still favor the warm side.I'd much rather have 40f in January of -40f we dealt with in northern Ontario. I can assure to it is much more pleasant to remove extra clothing in November as opposed to putting on three layers of protection Canada's early frosts.

Parts of Canada are idyllic.British Columbia and southern Ontarios Niagara areas are downright pleasant.Even Quebec can be gorgeous.It is the relentless medical issues, extreme unemployment levels in several major cities and that continuing anti-English sentiment in much Quebec that turned us off. I still remember the "Regie de la langue Francais" ( french language police ) and my seperatists neighbors that spit in my English wifes face as visuals locked in to our family psyche.Tell my boys their being deprived enough schools supplies in Montreal as being the fair price for attending an English language school I suppose Canada is much like many nations including the USA.There will always be black marks. For us moving to the USA was liberating and we will always be thankfull for that.

[britcan]

well I am back now in Sunny Ontario and enjoying it!

[anniefromessex]

Britcan, Good luck to you and Adrian in your life back in Canada. Keep posting and let us know how things progress for you.

Love Anniexxx

[Kriz1]

Glad to hear it...proves whats not right for some turns out to be right for others...

:)

People have to take what is said here about a place ..not as off putting...but just as a point of view...

[peter gold]

Britcan please keep posting as there is a strong interest in Canada by many members of this forum . Remember it is an Expats site not a US site.

[britcan]

sure will do guys, anyway we still have our business in the USA and are going to try and continue running from Canada....thanks for your good wishes.

[kirtida8]

Best wishes Britcan. Hope everything works out for you.

[JulieC]

Do you miss America at all, Britcan, or just glad to get away from the doom and gloom here business wise?? It will help in continuing tio run a business here to be in the same time zone. Some Brits who had the same fracnhise as me just swapped for one in Canada ( my franchise has a big Canadian presence and they are all doing better than those here at the mo) I looked at the website and could not see how they had done it immigration wise as teh business visas were all about investment not swapping from a US one to a Canadian one?

[britcan]

Hi Jules

We only moved back August 15th. I am glad to get away from the doom and gloom, things seem to be busier up here. The Walmart here people were actually buying stuff other than cheap groceries for example! The franchise we have does not have a organisation in Canada, so we are just trying to keep in going long enough to sell it next spring or at least get some $ back by improving the bank balance..you can get a visa to come to Canada for investment purposes which gives you green card equivalent straight away, afriend of mine from the UK did that, you might want to check that out...
www.cic.gc.ca

would be the place to look first...if you want to PM me I can give you the name of the Immigration lawyer we used to get from Canada to USA, he is very familiar with cross border migrations!

[britcan]

Best wishes Britcan. Hope everything works out for you.


Thanks Kay and congrats on the marriage!

[Allan Oakley]

Another year passed in Canada
Enjoying the double taxes and government run healthcare?
Any regrets so far ?

[britcan]

Another year passed in Canada
Enjoying the double taxes and government run healthcare?
Any regrets so far ?

Hi Allan- no none-no double taxes- you have to be earning money to pay tax!! LOL

Have not had any issues with the Healthcare thanks.

Are you looking forward to Gov control of the internet and your healthcare?

Hows Obama's pet peacock getting on? God bless Fox News for unbiased reporting- Glen Beck for President!!

Good Luck with the amnesty bill too- MexiUSA will be the new country, and hope and change working ok?

[BeachLover]

why move to Canada? Its cold and the US is so much better

[britcan]

Reasonable healthcare for everyone- at least we have some coverage here. I have had 2 trips this year to the hospital, one under emergency situation, the other not quite so bad, and both times the care has been excellent. I did not have to wait for anything.

The economy up here seems better than USA.

UK chocolate like Crunchies, Bounty etc sold here as a matter of course..

Less crowded than most of USA

Happy New Year