Essential reading for potential immigrants to Canada

[britcan]

Hi there
As well as being a member of this great website- I feel its my duty to let you guys know that there is other research you should do before considering coming to Canada.

Please read the postings on
www.notcanada.com

and save yourself a whole load of heartache. We have been here 4.5 years and we have had enough. We are ( fingers crossed) leaving in 2007, either for the USA if our E2 visa comes in , if not, then heading back to the UK before we lose anymore precious time trying to build up our retirement fund. We would strongly recommend that you pass this on to any one you know. The situation here in Canada is as bad as those postings are. Canada is in dire need of Doctors, residents in Ontario cannot find a family doctor in some towns.Yet Doctors have to complete a 6 month internship and then get a 4 year residency before they can practice....please I urge you- read well... and pay close attention.

[Susie]

Thanks for sharing

I am truely surprised, thought it would be much less stress than immigration to the usa

[InnVic]

You must have been in Canada a while then:-) If you go to the UK you'll find Doctors (and Nurses) that are practicing with little if any grasp of the English language. They are unfamiliar with the protocols and equiptment. I for one would feel more comfortable if a doctor from say a third world country (as seem to be on the link) spend a probationary period before being let loose on patients. I do remember that you said you could not find work in Canada but are legal citizens (or LPR?) Had you not considered starting up/buying a business in Canada rather than subject yourself to E2 heartache?

[britcan]

You must have been in Canada a while then:-) If you go to the UK you'll find Doctors (and Nurses) that are practicing with little if any grasp of the English language. They are unfamiliar with the protocols and equiptment. I for one would feel more comfortable if a doctor from say a third world country (as seem to be on the link) spend a probationary period before being let loose on patients. I do remember that you said you could not find work in Canada but are legal citizens (or LPR?) Had you not considered starting up/buying a business in Canada rather than subject yourself to E2 heartache?
Not really because in Canada you have to have everything in 2 languages( French and English) and there are language police to make sure you do!!! Its just not worth the hassle.. the taxes are far too high here to make it worthwhile..

[punky]

Thanks for sharing

I am truely surprised, thought it would be much less stress than immigration to the usa

Any country that's normally worth emmigrating to (normally the big three, USA, Canada & Australia, excluding the EU), its nigh on impossible to move to.

Normally because they are in the position to pick and choose the cream of the crop.

I do hear Dubai is very up and coming for emmigration. Its supposedly a great place to be/live (money goes very far, loads of citizenship benefits from the government because its so oil-rich), and supposedly not very difficult to accomplish.

[InnVic]

I've found that in the US you have to have two languages also - English and Spanish. Taxes here are also high. Combined with the additional hassle of visa renewal every two years I would imagine its on a par.

Regarding Dubai - I have a good friend who lives there and has a great life - hovever they have to live in walled compounds (very nice ones but segregated nonetheless) I found the poverty and abuse of the local people offensive though. Whilst rich westerners sit on their marble porch sipping iced tea native boys and girls work for pennies an hour in the fierce heat. When I was there (at the house of a friend of my friend if you follow) one of the workers asked for a drink. I went to the fridge and got a can of soda..I was stopped by the woman who owned the house who said - " Don't give then cold drinks - they can drink the water from the garden sprinkler tap (faucet!) I'm afraid i could live in a country where such obvious abuse of the only people who have a real right to be there occurs.

[Kriz1]

As yet the need for Spanish is not as great in the US as the need for French is in Canada.. I grow up with both languages..one side of my family are French...the other South American....I remember French more...but what they speak in Canada...is different in a lot of ways...I thought it was just me...but my sons girlfriend is French Canadian.....and agrees with me....

[Emmalee25]

I've found that in the US you have to have two languages also - English and Spanish. Taxes here are also high. Combined with the additional hassle of visa renewal every two years I would imagine its on a par.

Regarding Dubai - I have a good friend who lives there and has a great life - hovever they have to live in walled compounds (very nice ones but segregated nonetheless) I found the poverty and abuse of the local people offensive though. Whilst rich westerners sit on their marble porch sipping iced tea native boys and girls work for pennies an hour in the fierce heat. When I was there (at the house of a friend of my friend if you follow) one of the workers asked for a drink. I went to the fridge and got a can of soda..I was stopped by the woman who owned the house who said - " Don't give then cold drinks - they can drink the water from the garden sprinkler tap (faucet!) I'm afraid i could live in a country where such obvious abuse of the only people who have a real right to be there occurs.

you beat me to it!
I was about to say that the need to be knowledgable of Spanish in the USA (especially Florida/california) is definiately on the rise.
Em x

[Kriz1]

Wish my spanish was better....teaching my grandson it....so maybe it'll remind me...I could only read and understand spanish....I could not put to words together if you paid me....

[Emmalee25]

You can do more than me then Kriz! I took French for 9 years, but havent a clue when it comes to Spanish.....my knowledge spans to :
No hable Espanol!

Em x :p

[InnVic]

Emm the essentials are
"dos cerveza (or vino tinto) por favor" and "dos mas" :-)

[InnVic]

Seriously though as a Citizen you would be paying a whole load less tax and other costs than by being on an E2 visa. We have to be squeeky clean in order to ensure our visa is renewed. So whilst other B&B owners pay no tax (almost EVERYTHING is tax deductible) claim hometead allowance based on low income (cash in pocket) pay cash to housekeeping staff and no workers comp. We have to put everything through the book, we have to be seen to make a profit we have to have all the insurances in place and even though our housekkper only works 5 hours a week we have to pay $800 a year just in Workers comp. From where I'm standing Canada looks attractive. Britcan do be careful you haven't fallen for the grass being greener spin....I honestly think it doesn't really matter where you are that effects your success in business/career as all locations have their plus's and minus's. Most of us have moved for the difference to your quality of life or just satisfy your sense of adventure - I know personally moving to Vt to operate a B&B is hardly a career move , but we couldn't be happier.

[britcan]

Seriously though as a Citizen you would be paying a whole load less tax and other costs than by being on an E2 visa. We have to be squeeky clean in order to ensure our visa is renewed. So whilst other B&B owners pay no tax (almost EVERYTHING is tax deductible) claim hometead allowance based on low income (cash in pocket) pay cash to housekeeping staff and no workers comp. We have to put everything through the book, we have to be seen to make a profit we have to have all the insurances in place and even though our housekkper only works 5 hours a week we have to pay $800 a year just in Workers comp. From where I'm standing Canada looks attractive. Britcan do be careful you haven't fallen for the grass being greener spin....I honestly think it doesn't really matter where you are that effects your success in business/career as all locations have their plus's and minus's. Most of us have moved for the difference to your quality of life or just satisfy your sense of adventure - I know personally moving to Vt to operate a B&B is hardly a career move , but we couldn't be happier.
Vermont is a very pretty place..no we are long time fans of R.I, we have been going back and forward since 1988 and have really done our homework.

[SarahG]

Hi InnVic

Sorry, nothing to do with Canada but I am wondering about your Dubai comment.

We have not been to Dubai but it is on our list of places we wish to see.

You say that your friends have to live in a walled compound. Are they in a bad part of the city? The reason I ask is that all the real estate websites say nothing about walled compounds and even promote how safe it is. The pictures look fabulous with no walls in sight. I am curious because the real estate and future plans of Dubai (and the Dubai Sports City) make it very appealing once the USA forces us all to leave :) :)

Also, not to be argumentative ;) :p the children begging is not unique to Dubai. Whilst in Nassau, Bahamas we were approached by dozens of children begging, saying they would sing a song for some dollars and even trying to sell a wild flower they had picked out the ground. Probably a ruse but still it wasn't what we expected.

Just curious...

Sarah

[Susie]

Hi

Doreen came to drop off a raffle prize today and said Dubai was very nice. I would like to find out a bit more if anyone can share

[Kriz1]

My dad hated going to Ireland because of all the kids begging...

[haytonmac]

Hi been to Dubai and Innvic is quite correct in what he says,nice place to holiday but wouldnt want to live there ,makes South Africa look appealing again !was brought up out there and wouldnt want to go back to live there left there 16 nearly 17 years ago still have family there.

[Jax]

Hi
We have been to Dubai many times for holidays starting many years ago, starting before the new hotels were all built, Dubai is a great place for a holiday we found it safe, weather was good and shopping was great. We worked for an airline that had a hub in Dubai so we have seen it grow over many years.I am not sure about living there.

[britcan]

Seriously though as a Citizen you would be paying a whole load less tax and other costs than by being on an E2 visa. We have to be squeeky clean in order to ensure our visa is renewed. So whilst other B&B owners pay no tax (almost EVERYTHING is tax deductible) claim hometead allowance based on low income (cash in pocket) pay cash to housekeeping staff and no workers comp. We have to put everything through the book, we have to be seen to make a profit we have to have all the insurances in place and even though our housekkper only works 5 hours a week we have to pay $800 a year just in Workers comp. From where I'm standing Canada looks attractive. Britcan do be careful you haven't fallen for the grass being greener spin....I honestly think it doesn't really matter where you are that effects your success in business/career as all locations have their plus's and minus's. Most of us have moved for the difference to your quality of life or just satisfy your sense of adventure - I know personally moving to Vt to operate a B&B is hardly a career move , but we couldn't be happier.
Innvic-- sounds like you should get a 2nd opinion from a different accountant... does'nt seem right that you cannot make deductions because you are not a citizen... if you reside in the USA for 183 days of the year... I was under the impression that you get treated no differently..

[Emmalee25]

I must admit, i was suprised to hear that Innvic paid so much in workers comp per year, my business (which is now my mums before anyone jumps on me :) ) employs 4 people and we pay very little in workers comp ($240 per year).

Emx

[InnVic]

Who do you get your workers comp through Em - I tried three or four brokers each one quotes $800 approx - any tips would greatly help.
Britcan - its not that the US discriminates - but its like paying taxes in the UK...there are little things you can get away with - like paying your cleaner in cash. Here I have to be seen to be employing someone so I have to pay unemployment workers comp etc.. With regard to Homestead our "home" is also our business - as its a business we are not entitled to a rebate. Other B&Bs in the area are NOT run as Llc's so we are at a disadvantage.

[Emmalee25]

Innvic,
Ill dig the paperwork out and Pm you :)

Em x

[InnVic]

Innvic,
Ill dig the paperwork out and Pm you :)

Em x

Thank you :notworthy: