Back from India

Just back from a five week trip to India which was strange because my trip was initially supposed to be only three weeks. What happened?

Well, my PR card as well as the kids PR cards had expired in October 2011. We applied for new ones saying that we were travelling to India mid December. Our new cards arrived with dates to pick them up in January and February of 2012!! So we left for India, without our PR cards, thinking we would just apply for one way re-entry visas to come back into Canada.

Once in India, we applied for our visas, but because of the Christmas holidays, they told us that it would take instead of the usual five days, anywhere from ten to fifteen days. We were booked to leave India on the 9th of January and thought we would get our visas in time. Well, the day after we applied, a huge cyclone hit Chennai city which shut down offices across the city. Not sure if this had anything to do with our visas, but we never got them in time and had to change our tickets from the 9th to the 17th. Then...................

On the 14th of January, we get a message saying our passports have come to the nearby VFS office and that we could go and have them picked up. We go to the office and sign that we have received the passports and immediately scan through them to take a look at the visas. Guess what...none of our passports had visas in them.

Panic sets in......what on earth is going on! Then we see a letter underneath the passports that says they need a letter from my husband authorizing my travel with the kids to Canada as he was not one of the applicants for a visa. (His PR card was still valid and therefore he didn't have to ask for a visa)

So he makes a letter, sends that in to the embassy along with all our passports, change our tickets to the 26th of January...and wait.

January 23rd we get our passports....look inside....they have the visas...........yea!!!

Can't tell you how relieved we were. In the meanwhile, our kids had missed two weeks of school. I had emailed and telephoned both schools from India to tell them about the delay. Our sons high school was so accommodating  and allowed him to write his missed exams after coming back to Canada and our daughters middle school eased in her with a little extra work everyday to catch up on everything she missed.

All is well that ends well as they say! Of course our family back in India were happy we were there those extra weeks. Now........back to work, school and of course winter! So far it has been really mild though, with hardly any snow and many days with above zero temperatures which is not normal for this time of the year.

Give me a week to get back to routine, clean the house, get some cooking done etc and I'll start blogging regularly again.

Thanks to all my readers who emailed me...sorry if I have not replied yet. Have a safe winter everyone!!

Will start updating

Have been so busy with moving house, changing both kids schools and getting used to a new part of the GTA. Moving from Brampton to Mississauga has been a great move as far as High School is concerned. More about that in another post. Keep checking this blog...will have some new updates by Dec 12th.

What a wonderful Summer...and now back to school......

Can't believe that it is already September and tomorrow is the first day of the new school year. The kids spent the last two months playing with friends, watching a lot of t.v, extra trips to the library for summer reading, swam at the community pool and rode their bikes to the park. We also spent a week in Brechin, near Lake Simcoe for a mini vacation where we rode horses, went boating, fishing and got time to just relax!

Oh, in the middle of all this, we also shifted houses!! We had to, because our son was moving from 8th grade (last year of Middle School) to 9th grade (First year of High School) and we were not happy with the High School that was in our zone. So with the help of the Frasers Report, that ranks the schools in Ontario, we were able to find another house in a bettter school zone and moved in August. The last month we have been settling down in the new house, registering the kids in both their schools (our daughter is in the 6th grade which is the first year of Middle School), getting used to the new area and enjoying the last of the summer vacation.

In my next post I'll write about the High School orientation and what to get for school so your child goes prepared.

My email id is on top of the blog so please write to me if you have any questions.

Thanks for reading!

School re-opening and what to do if you are new to Canada

Immigrating to a new country can be quite exciting and stressful at the same time. Families immigrating with children often have double the hurdles and red tape to get through, regarding immunizations, school registrations and getting the little ones used to a completely different culture.

Here are some tips for you:

1. Make sure you bring a completed immunization card with you for each child. This card is compulsory for registering your child in school.

2. To register in school, you need three things: PR Card, immunization card and proof of residence. (Whether rental or owned)

3. Proof of residence includes your rental agreement or ownership papers, a utility bill or anything from the federal government or anything sent from your bank with your name on it and sent by post to your address. You have to bring at least 2 of these things to the school office. If you have just moved to Canada, remember to get these things done quickly if you want your child to start school when it re-opens. (September  6th, 2011 for most schools in Canada)

4. Again, if you are brand new, go to one of the Welcome Centres first. They will give you all the information you need.  Their website is: http://www.welcomecentre.ca/

5.Most stores have their 'Back to School' sales from the month of August till the mid of September. Pick up what you need for the year as you won't get better prices later in the year. Talk to a neighbour or someone from the school or welcome centre on things you should buy if you get confused.

6. Once you rent or buy a home, check and see which school comes within the home boundary. Remember your child has to go to the school that falls within the specific school boundary lines. If you have a school in mind (looking at the ranking and the fraser report) then you have to find a home within the boundary lines of that school.

The Fraser Report is one of the ways of finding out the top schools in each area. Normally the top 100 is considered to be in the 'good' bracket. Remember, the better the school zone, normally the higher the rents and prices of homes.

http://www.compareschoolrankings.org/Index.aspx

7. Overall, children love the schooling system here where they learn through creativity and play. They are not burdened with too much homework or studying until High School and College. Get your children to join clubs, take part in the activities of your community centre, learn how to swim, ice skate etc and enjoy being in Canada!!

The Walk-in Clinic experience

I know, I know..........it has been far too long between my posts! We just shifted and moved from Brampton to Mississauga. Our new home is still full of boxes and things all over the place. Hopefully can wake up to a neat and organized home by this weekend. The main reason we shifted is because our son is just starting grade 9, which is the first year of High School. This means, moving to the High School from the Middle School that is within the boundaries of your home. The problem was that, even though we were happy with the middle school, the High School was way below on the ranks. The only way to switch schools was to switch homes!! So after looking for nearly 6 weeks we finally found a home in our budget and within the boundaries of the High School we liked.

So come September, our son starts grade 9 and our daughter moving from Elementary to Middle school, starts grade 6.

The label of this post about the Walk In.................let me explain:

Yesterday, we went to the Walk-In Clinic (which is what they call the clinics here that you go to with your Health Card) to see a Doctor about a skin cream for an infection. The nurse immediately took us to one of the examination rooms...so we thought, 'Wow, that was fast!'. But then we ended up waiting for about half an hour before the Doctor finally came to see us. Anyway, he writes the prescription which we take to the pharmacy next door. The attendant looks at the prescription and says, 'I can't read this. I'm going to fax this back to the Doctor, and he'll have to fax me the prescription again so that I can read it. Can you come back after 20 minutes?'

A lot of people ask how the Health Care system is here...well, most immigrants will tell you that it is slow, painfully slow...............the ambulance will take you in an emergency to the Hospital in five minutes flat, but then once there, chances are you will see a Doctor only after three or four hours......sometimes five or six! It just doesn't make any sense!

Anyway.......back to my unpacking...........will check around and post new happenings in and around the GTA soon. We took a trip to the Niagara Falls a couple of weeks ago with a guest who was visiting from the U.K, and the 'Maid of the Mist' ride to the edge of the falls just never ceases to amaze us. If you visit Canada or come here to live or study, one of your very first sight seeing trips should be the Falls.

Have a good weekend!!

IIFA AWARDS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NORTH AMERICA..RIGHT HERE IN TORONTO!!!

Yes.........the IIFA (International Indian Films Academy) of 2011 is in Toronto this year!! Major excitement and hype has been building up the last couple of months here in Toronto, with visits from Anil Kapoor and Bipasha Basu and various song and dance shows spread across Canada. Coinciding with the Year of India in Canada, the IIFA awards committee couldn't have picked a better venue than the Rogers Centre.

The 2011 IIFA Awards, officially the 12th International Indian Film Academy Awards ceremony, will be held June 23-25th with Canadians being trained in Bollywood dancing to take part in the show too.


The Awards will take place at the Rogers Centre and the Music & Fashion Extravaganza at the Ricoh Coliseum.

For tickets please go here:

http://www.ticketscanada.com/IIFA-Tickets?gclid=CNOhl5C6s6kCFUMUKgodiWCMMg

Ontario Universities Fair 2011

If you have a child or know anyone who is going to University next year, this may be of interest to you:

Check out this link:


http://www.ouf.ca/

Be sure to check the links on the website as well as keep an eye on the dates in October for the fair in the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto.

Latest job rates in Toronto for Immigrants - report from the Globe and Mail

Please check this link (cut and paste) for details on the article about the latest job rates in Toronto for immigrants:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/jobless-rate-up-for-toronto-immigrants/article1825182/

 Taken from the above article:

"Nearly one in five recent immigrants in Toronto is jobless – the highest November since Statistics Canada started collecting the data in 2006.
The labour force survey results paint a worsening unemployment picture for the city’s newcomers that stands in sharp contrast to that of Canadian-born residents, whose jobless rate dropped this month."

There are also 3 video links to watch and articles relating to the Citizenship test.

Latest news on OHIP - Canadian Health board to Immigrants

Just read this article this morning and thought I'd share it with you:

From the CBS News website:

Toronto's board of health is calling on the province to give landed immigrants health coverage as soon as they arrive.
Currently, there is a three-month waiting period before newly arrived landed immigrants can get coverage under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan.
The board says eliminating the waiting period would allow timely diagnosis and treatment of communicable diseases.
Toronto health officials say they see about 300 cases of tuberculosis a year, many of them in individuals who come from countries where the illness is widespread.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care notes that since 2004, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis is available to all people in the province, regardless of medical insurance coverage.
The ministry says others exempted from the three-month waiting period include newborns born in Ontario, certain adopted children under 16 and some refugees.
New Brunswick recently eliminated its waiting period, leaving Ontario and B.C. as the only provinces that have a comprehensive waiting period for newly arrived landed immigrants.
Quebec recently introduced a waiting period, but has a number of exemptions, including the diagnosis and treatment of communicable diseases.
"Newcomers to Ontario who have already spent time and money securing landed immigrant status should not have to wait three months for OHIP — especially when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of communicable diseases," said Dr. David McKeown, medical officer of health for Toronto.
"Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial," McKeown said Wednesday. "We know that newcomers without coverage are hesitant to see a doctor, which puts their health and the health of others at risk."
Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal attract the most immigrants to Canada every year, according to Statistics Canada.


Keep in mind though that all immigrants have to go through the health examination and testing process before landing in Canada.

In case you are wondering what that 3 month difference makes:  We had to take our son for an immunization shot after we got a notice from the health board. Not taking your child for the immunization shot will mean reminder notices and or eventually the school having to stop your child from attending classes. So we took our son to the clinic and as we had our health cards, both the Doctors visit and the injection were free. But another family, who had arrived from the Middle East with three children, had to give each child 3 shots (to catch up with the Canadian immunization calendar) and didn't have their health cards yet. The father listened in shock as he was told that he would have to pay $150 per child for their shots. Not sure what he decided to do, as we were called in to see the Doctor at that time.

Some people do take private insurance to cover those 3 months. Do all your homework before you land and be safe!

Spring is here!!

After a very long winter, spring finally arrived in Canada! The weather is just perfect for boating, hiking, going on picnics, fishing, camping and touring different attractions.

Boating at Lake Kelso

Leaves back on the trees.....Canada is an absolutely beautiful country!

Sign at the Hilton Falls conservation park

Hilton Falls in the Milton area

Swampy area on the trail to the falls...one of my favourite places!

Amazing walking trails........

These are just a few of the places that you can visit when you visit or live here. More to come! So keep reading my blog and I'll let you know more places that you can see.

Thanks to all my readers and your emails plus Spring Events

The past couple of months, I have been receiving on an average about 10 emails daily from all around the world, of people immigrating or thinking about immigrating to Canada. Keeping up with the emails and replying to each and every one of them has been a learning experience for me as well, trying to get the right  information out and answering questions as honestly as possible.

Spring has officially started and you see kids and adults of all ages out trying to enjoy the sun while it lasts.


There are TONS of events going on in and around the GTA. Yesterday we drove through Streetsville in Mississauga where the 'Bread and Honey' festival was going on. In Mississauga, the Carasauga festival is also going on (June 3, 4 and 5th), with 160 nationalites taking part in the cultural and food events organized for the public to enjoy. The carnival atmosphere and wonderful weather gets people out in droves to enjoy the experience.

http://www.carassauga.com is the website to check for next years dates and events.

Other events coming up are:

Canada Day Canada Day Events in Toronto, Ontario. Of course you have to wear something red and white to celebrate the 144th Canada day! Canada Day Concert and Fireworks Held at Mel Lastman Square, with a live musical concert starting at 8pm and spectacular fireworks for a fun Canada Day family party. Also check out Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square for another good fireworks display. World’s Fare: Celebration of Food and Culture Venue: York Quay Centre. Enjoy global food and culture from five continents and an Eastern European experience!

Beaches International Jazz Festival The Beaches Jazz Festival has been running for many years, and it's a great place to relax and enjoy a nice evening by Lake Ontario. Some of the finest jazz musicians in the world gather here. A great mix of other types of music can he heard during the Beaches Jazz Festival, including jazz, blues, world beat, Cuban, Latin music and dance. This jazz fest is one of the largest of its kind in Canada and should not be missed if you are in Toronto. Almost one million people will be entertained this year, and you could be one of them. Beaches International Jazz Festival Week Check their web site for schedule information

Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) Toronto's largest annual fair with a great concert lineup and big ticket performers and bands. Tons of amusement rides, Ferris wheels, roller coasters and candy cotton , the CNE (known simply as the 'Ex" to Torontonians) is an annual tradition for locals and tourists alike. Tip: Combine your trip to the CNE fair with a visit to Ontario Place, which is located directly beside the CNE fairgrounds. Ontario Place is open all summer and has indoor and outdoor activities geared towards kids. Get wet with a wild water coaster, bumperboats, or stay dry and check out indoor exhibitions and events. Also, keep an eye to the sky for the Canadian International Air Show on Sept 4,5,6. The Canadian National Exhibition is located near the heart of downtown Toronto on the shore of Lake Ontario. Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) Please check the website for dates of events. www.theex.com

Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival North America's largest Ukrainian street party is held every summer in Toronto's Bloor West Village. Enjoy fabulous Ukrainian food, traditional music, dance and crafts. A parade makes its way through the streets with colourful floats, marching bands and costumes. The festival showcases Ukrainian culture and shows how it has become part of the fabric that is Toronto. The Bloor Street West Ukrainian Festival takes place right on (you guessed it!) Bloor Street West, between Jane and Runnymede. If you're taking the TTC, travel to either Jane or Runnymede subway stations on the Bloor-Danforth line. Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival Check the web site for more info

Events planned by the TSE ( Toronto Special Events :is a full-service Section of the City of Toronto's Economic Development & Culture division.)

Samsāra

Toronto welcomes the International Indian Film Academy with a celebration of South Asian music, dance and fashion.
Saturday, June 25, 2011

Canada Day

Live musical performances and fireworks at Mel Lastman Square
Friday, July 1, 2011

Summerlicious

Prix Fixe restaurant promotion
July 8-24, 2011

Fresh Wednesdays

Live music and fresh food at Nathan Phillips Square
July 13 - August 31, 2011

Tasty Thursdays

Live music and food hot off the grill at Nathan Phillips Square
July 14 - September 1, 2011

Sunday Serenades

Dance to live music at Mel Lastman Square
July 10 - August 21, 2011

Scotiabank Nuit Blanche

Toronto's free all-night contemporary art event
Saturday, October 1, 2011

Cavalcade of Lights

First Lighting Celebration at Nathan Phillips Square
Saturday, November 26, 2011

Just do a google search for any of the above and you will find more details.  Have a great Spring everyone!!

Trees in Winter

Taken last month...................

Same trees after a windstorm............

First week of Spring..and we have a snowstorm here in Toronto!

Launch of fantastic website and blog for visitors to India!!

Coinciding with the 'Year of India in Canada', the ministry of tourism Canada - Govt of India and Indigo Marketing Solutions launched the, 'Travel Companion India' guidebook on January 24th in a glittering ceremony in Toronto.

This wonderful, colourful, informative book covers everything from the types of tourism, cuisine, culture and tourist attractions in every state and union territory. If you are planning a visit to India or are just curious to know what India is all about, check this link:


www.travelcompanionindia.com

and the blog that goes with this site is:

www.travelcompaionindia.blogspot.com


I'll keep you informed of the other activities this year for the year of India in Canada and links to the events as well.

Monthly living expenses in Canada

Was looking at the RBC website today, where they have listed average monthly expenses in Canada. Many potential immigrants have asked my recently about the monthly expenses and so I thought I'd put it here for everyone to get some idea. Remember, the amount you finally spend or save, depends on your lifestyle.


Expenses in Canada: What to Expect

Canadians overall enjoy a relatively low cost of living with a high standard of living. Inflation in Canada has averaged less than 3% a year for the past 10 years. Canadian cities have been ranked as some of the most desirable places in the world to live.
When you move to Canada, your expenses may be different from those you are accustomed to. This section lists some of the common expenses that Canadians budget for. Keep in mind that Canada is a very large country, and costs can vary significantly depending on where you live.

Housing
Paying for a place to live is likely to be your biggest expense. Accommodation and related expenses may account for one-fifth to one-half of your total income.
Many people rent their home for their first few years in Canada, which usually costs less than buying a home. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Canada in 2005 was $731 per month. This ranged from a low of $472 in Saguenay, Quebec, to a high of $1,052 in Toronto, Ontario.
The average cost of buying a residential home in Canada, as of March 2007, was $299,998. Prices ranged from a low of $140,549 in Regina, Saskatchewan, to a high of $554,941 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Generally speaking, housing is less expensive outside of cities, whether you rent or buy.

Utilities
If you rent your home, the cost of some or all utilities may be included in the amount you pay every month. If it’s not, or if you own your home, you will need to set aside money in your budget to cover these essential services.
• Heat — Most homes in Canada are heated by natural gas, oil or electricity. Household heating costs for a family of four in Canada in 2005 averaged $142 per month. (Less in the summer more in the winter)
• Electricity — Your home will also require electricity to power lights, electronic equipment, appliances and air conditioning units. Average monthly household spending on electricity was $92.00. (More in the summer due to the airconditioning.)
• Water — If you live in or near a city, the municipality will charge a fee for providing water and sewage services.

Communications
Telephones — Land-line telephone service for Canadian homes is supplied by one of several communications networks. The most basic service starts at around $20 a month, and includes unlimited local calls. You can buy your own telephone, or rent one from the telephone company.
Average monthly household spending on telephone services was $57.00.
Cellular phones — Many Canadians have a cellular (cell), or mobile, phone instead of or in addition to a land-line. Cellular service (also known as wireless service) is available from several providers and you can choose from a wide range of plans. You will need to purchase a phone and pay for the monthly phone service.
While prices can start as low as $10 a month for a basic prepaid plan, the average monthly household spending on cell phones was $34.00.
Cable or satellite television — There is no charge to own and use a television if you are picking up a signal with an aerial antenna. If reception is poor in your area, you may need to purchase cable or satellite service, which will provide better picture quality and a much wider range of channels. There is a monthly fee for such service, and it usually varies depending on the provider, the scope of the package and the options you choose.
Some companies offer basic cable TV packages starting at just under $30 a month. A package that has movie channels, childrens channels and sports channels is normally about 50 to 60$ a month.
Radio — There is no charge to own and operate a radio. However, some cable and satellite services may offer more radio stations and a clearer signal.
Internet — Many Canadians subscribe to an Internet service, which allows them to surf the web or send emails from their home computer. You can purchase Internet service from most cable or telephone companies. Computers with Internet access may be used for free at many public libraries. Some cafes and restaurants provide free wireless Internet access as a service to patrons who bring laptop computers.
The average monthly household spending on Internet services was $20.00. From personal experience, a family that has two or more people spending time on the internet at home, spends much more than this. 20$ to me sounds very conservative.

Education
Education is important to Canadians, and attendance is mandatory for children between the ages of six and 16. All children are eligible to receive free elementary and high school education through the government-funded public education system.
Alternatively, you may choose to send your child to a private school. These schools charge tuition and often require that students wear uniforms, which must also be purchased. Most public schools do not require a uniform. However, you should check with the school.
You may also need to budget for additional expenses such as school supplies, some books, sports equipment and musical instruments.
If anyone in your family is attending post-secondary school (college or university), budgetable expenses also include books and supplies, and possibly residence and meals, in addition to tuition.
Canadian university students enrolled in undergraduate programs paid an average of $4,347 in annual tuition fees for the 2006/07 academic year. International students paid an average of $13,205.

Medical Expenses
Canadian residents enjoy a healthcare system that is publicly funded. That means that many health services are paid for from taxes and are free to all residents of Canada who hold a provincial health card.
However, not all medical expenses are covered. Depending on the province in which you live, you may have to pay for services such as:
• Dental care
• Eye examinations and prescription eye wear
• Treatment provided by psychologists, chiropractors, physiotherapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, dietitians and naturopaths
• Cosmetic or elective surgery
Average monthly household spending on healthcare expenses in 2005 was $150. We personally have spend money on all medications. The Doctor's visit may be free...but you still have to pay for medicines. So keep this in mind when budgeting for misc expenses that could crop up. If you take any regular medications, it is better to bring a few months supply along with a prescription from your Doctor abroad. The same medications may not be available here in Canada under the same names, and you will have to come here and see what replacements they have, after consulting a Doctor here.

Shopping
You will need to budget for necessities like groceries and household cleaning products. Government statistics show that Canadian consumers spend just over 10% of their personal disposable income on food.
Remember to account for personal-care items and clothing. The Canadian climate ranges from very hot in the summer to extremely cold in winter. To be comfortable year-round, you will need several wardrobes. (Heavy coats, thermals,mittens, mufflers, capsand boots in the Winter, lighter jackets, shoes and long sleeve shirts during Spring, short sleeves, sandals and shorts or lighter clothing in the Summer and back to light coats and thicker shoes/light weight boots for Fall)
Average monthly household spending on food in 2005 was $594 and on personal care was $91. Spending on clothing averaged $215 per month.

Transportation
If you plan to live in a city and will not have a car, you should budget for public transportation. Public transportation in Canada is reliable and safe, and very reasonably priced. You can usually purchase individual fares or a monthly pass. The average price of a monthly transit pass (based on fares in Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Halifax) was $80.
If you will be buying a motor vehicle, you will need to budget for gasoline, maintenance, and repairs and automobile insurance, as well as the cost of the vehicle itself.
You must have a valid driver’s license to drive a motor vehicle. There is usually a fee to take the driving test to qualify for a Canadian driver’s license.
You do not need a license to own or ride a bicycle, but in many areas wearing a helmet is mandatory.
Overall transportation spending for Canadian households averaged $756 a month in 2005. The cost of gasoline alone accounted for just over $167 of the average monthly household budget.

Insurance
Canadians purchase a number of different types of insurance. Some are required by law and some are purchased to provide financial security. Some of the most common types are
• Automobile insurance (required to drive a vehicle)
• Property insurance (to protect your home and your belongings from theft or damage)
• Medical insurance (to supplement provincial health coverage)
• Life insurance (to protect your family if anything should happen to you)
• Creditor’s insurance (to cover outstanding debts if you are unable to work)

Discretionary Spending
Many Canadians also include a certain amount in their budget for discretionary spending. This includes entertainment, such as going to a movie theatre or a concert, as well as dining out at restaurants. You should also consider whether you wish to allocate funds for reading materials (newspapers, magazines and books), DVD rentals, club or gym memberships and school expenses such as school supplies, field trips etc (public schools are free but you still pay for misc things in the school, such as pizza day ($2), socials (2 to 6$), etc).

Hope this gives you some idea of what your expenses will be like in Canada. Thanks to RBC where I got this data from.

Blizzard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woke up this morning to what looked like a foot of snow on our front door step. We had to get our high winter boots out to shovel the snow off of the driveway and sidewalk. Snow looks so pretty and light as it falls to the ground...but believe me...it can be really heavy!!

My kids are happy since there is no school today, the first 'snow holiday' that we have seen in the two and a half years we have been here. The great thing is that the Canadian Government and the City Councils are so organized that the highways were already clear by the morning rush hour traffic and most of the main roads already salted and shovelled. As I am writing this blog, I'm looking out of my backdoor and watching the snow come down again. More shovelling later!!

The temperature is -10 and wearing my thinner leather gloves were not enough to warm my hands. So half frozen I came back into the house to change into my heavy winter gloves. All this makes such a difference here, which is hard to imagine when you lived in an Asian country all your life.

Have been getting so many letters recently from families around the world, all waiting to land here in Canada. We recently went for the Panorama India show for India's republic day celebrations. There were thousands of people there, with the different State associations performing dances and songs. There was also Indian food and a great chai stand, with wonderful masala tea for sale. If you are in the Toronto area, look out for the Panorama show next year.

Coming up is also the IAFA awards, this year being held at the Rogers Centre here in Toronto. That should be fun! This year is also the Year of India in Canada. Will give you a link in a couple of weeks for the website which will give you more details on the different celebrations slated for the year.

Incredible India has also come out with a fantastic book, (in which I was one of the editors!!), which is in print now. Anyone wants a copy...please let me know....$25/- with postage for the hardcopy, or you can look at the pdf on www.indigomarketingsolutions.com. You'll see a blue box with Incredible India, just click on that and take a look at the book! Let us know what you think.

Advertisers for the book can contact www.indigomarketingsolutions.com
........they are looking at anyone in the travel, hotel or airline industry. The french version of the book is coming out as well. The book and CD version of the entire book with ads is going to be given out to thousands of Canadians this year.

Waiting for spring....and getting out of wearing all these layers!!
We were in India for a month in December and the weather was just so perfect! The kids are back to school and enjoying it. My ten year old is going on a school ski trip next week and both the kids (13 and 10) had a rock climbing activity in school for two weeks. Besides learning math, english and science, I love the fun they have doing so many other things too.

Will blog on High School options in my next post. Let me know what else you would like me to blog about.......anything about Canada you would like to know??

Have a great day wherever you are!!!

Nal

A reminder of what Summer looks like.....pictures taken at Halton, of the Hilton Falls, Ontario

Snow and what you need to know :)

Happy New Year to all my readers ..old and new! Hope that 2011 is a good year for all of you.

Been away for a month, and now am back in good old Canada.......surprised when I landed yesterday to wonderful weather, no trace of snow anywhere and no need of thermals!!

Just went through all my mail and got a nice letter to all residents of Brampton from the Works and Transportation department. Thought I'd share the info with you so that if you are in Canada, or planning on coming here during the winter months, you may find this helpful.

Snow and what you need to know:

A heavy or continuous snowfall may extend to 48 hours or more. The City uses detailed weather reports and 24 hour road patrols to quickly respond to winter weather conditions.

Before a storm, a liquid salt brine mix is put on primary roads to prevent the snow from sticking to the surface of the road to make it easier to plow.

Local residential streets and courts are cleared after primary roads are complete. They are treated with sand/salt mix and plowed only when there is more than 7.5 cm of snow.

Streets with schools are cleared continuously.

You can help by:

Not parking on the street during or immediately after a snow storm. This is in fact prohibited by law.

Clear snow from fire hydrants in front of your property. Owners of homes are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks in from of or beside their property by 11am the day after the end of a snowfall.

Shovelling snow onto the road from private property poses a driving hazard and is prohibited.

Qualified seniors and physically challenged homeowners can ask for Financial Assistance for hiring someone to remove the snow for them.

Did you know?

The City is not responsible for damage to plants, driveway curbs or other items that property owners have placed within the City's right of way.

Recreation facilities are designated as safe haven locations. In case of a declared emergency, City residents can seek shelter or visit the facility when in need of assistance.

State of the art, environment friendly equipment and technology is used by the City to manage snow removal.



Allow work crews sufficient time to remove ice and snow.


Check www.cp24.com for the latest updates on the weather, school closures and school bus services.

Have a safe winter and let me know if there is any other information you would like me to write about.

Thanks and have a wonderful year!

Nal

Letter from Sam and the job market

I received a post from Sam who wanted to know about the job market in Canada.

Sam, I'm copying your post here so that my readers know what this is in regard to,

"Hello Nalini,

I was just curious to ask that is there anyway to arrange for employment before coming to Canada. I mean me and my husband both are software professionals are thinking of relocating there. But without a job is a little scary. Also what what kinds of job do software professionals get there when they come and search for employment. Is there any website there where you can search for a job? like in india we have monster, Naukri etc to apply for. A little information would be of great help.

Thanks and Regards,
Sam"

Sam, sorry I don't have your email id, or else I would have replied to you directly, but anyway......your post is something a lot of readers ask me about, so I'm replying to it here :)

1. Yes, you can try to secure a job before landing, but I'm telling you straight that this is a very one out of ten thousand kind of chance as 99.999% employers want some Canadian experience.

2. The first couple of years, unless you are again one of the .00001% who gets a good job faster, you must be willing to take any job, nothing to do with your qualification or experience, just to get that 'Canadian Experience'. From working at McDonalds, to a gas station or as a store clerk........you may have to take what you can get. Remember that for every job available, there are 100's of people applying...so even those kinds of jobs may not be as easy to get as you think. On an average, many new immigrants don't get a job for the first six months. You should bring in enough money to get you through at least nine months to be on the safe side.

3. Websites here that you can look at for jobs are:

monster.ca
jobsincanada.com
bestjobsca.com
allstarjobs.ca
jobbank.gc.ca
mycanadajobs.com

You can also try www.immigration.ca

Basically, I don't want to paint a rosy picture about the job market here. We know MBA's from the IIM's who are looking for jobs even six months after landing. Most do find jobs eventually, especially after working in some 'low level' job to get the Canadian experience first. I said, low level, meaning what you would call certain jobs in India.....but by NO WAY am I inferring that these jobs are Low Level here in Canada. All jobs here are done with dignity and integrity, no matter what it is. So don't think that by working in a Tim Hortons or McDonalds that you are doing something beneath your qualifications. You will learn so much about Canadian culture just working even for a month in one of those places. This kind of experience will carry you a long way!

Hope this helps!

Toronto News Headlines - CanUs News

Toronto News Headlines - CanUs News

For the latest on what is happening in Toronto, check this out!

Santa Claus is here!!

Santa is making his first stop before Christmas in Ontario!! Saturday evening he will be a part of the Brampton Santa Parade down Main St, and then on Sunday he will be in Toronto as part of the Toronto Santa parade!!!

Here is a write up on the Brampton Parade from the Brampton Board of Trade :)

Join in and celebrate 25 consecutive years of the Brampton Board of Trade Santa Claus Parade!

Date: Saturday, November 20, 2010
Start time: 5:00 pm
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: Free
Location: Downtown Brampton, ON (Sproule Drive and Main Street North, heading south on Main Street to Elgin Drive)

The Brampton Board of Trade Santa Claus Parade lights up downtown Brampton on Saturday, November 20, 2010. The parade is the largest single day event in Peel Region and Ontario’s grandest nighttime parade.

Giant inflatable floats will help mark the 25th Anniversary of the parade in celebration of the major sponsors: Rotary, the Brampton Downtown Development Corporation and 407 ETR, as well as, the Brampton Board of Trade – event host organization.

This not-to-miss holiday treat features unique floats decorated with thousands of lights, a record number of bands and performing groups, over 200 costumed characters, and, of course, Santa Claus and his elves.

So grab a chair and a thermos of hot chocolate and come enjoy a special evening for all ages. Don’t forget – along the route, letters to Santa will be collected by the Brampton Guardian Elves and non-perishable food items will be collected by the Progress Club for their food drive.
The Toronto Santa Parade:

Toronto tradition for more than 100 years, the Santa Claus Parade returns to put smiles on the faces of families all across the city. The parade has come a long way since it first began in 1905, when Santa first walked down the streets from Union Station to the Eaton Centre, waving to chidren along the way. Today the elaborate celebration consists of more than 25 different-themed floats, 22 bands, 100 celebrity clowns, more than 1,500 volunteers, and the big man himself, Santa.

The parade route starts at Bloor Street West and Christie Street, moves East to Avenue Road, south to Queen's Park, and along University Avenue, east on Dundas to Yonge Street, and continues south to Front Street. From Front Street it turns east and ends at Front and Church streets. For information about where to park, check the official Santa Claus Parade website

http://www.thesantaclausparade.ca/

Taking place at Yonge Dundas Square as a prelude to the parade is the President's Choice Financial Santa Claus Parade Breakfast, with complimentary breakfast and coffee. The breakfast includes a pre-parade show with jugglers, balloon artists, face painting, and celebrity clowns.

Many of the jugglers and clowns will start their morning with a visit to Sick Kids, Toronto to put a smile on the faces of all those little children.


I'll be going for the Brampton Santa Parade myself with my family. I'll put pictures up next week.

Have a wonderful weekend where ever you are!

Long time!

Wow...I know it's been a long time since I updated my blog....but I've been crazy busy with work and it has been hard squeezing in the time.

Summer and Autumn feel long gone, with temperatures already hitting the minus. So far we've reached -2 degrees here in the Toronto area. So boots, coats, gloves and hats are already out...and some people love it while others don't!

Kids are trying to play outside when they can, Tuesday is supposed to be a sunny 11 degrees, so I'm sure a lot of people will be out for that 'one more day of warmish sun'. Work goes on as usual. We've met quite a lot of people who have come in from India recently, all highly educated but still finding it hard to get good jobs. The main catch is not having any Canadian work experience. So many of them are finding themselves in restaurants and gas stations, working those night hours and weekends to get some 'Canadian Experience', that will pave the way for better jobs.

The joke here is that the best place to have a heart attack is in a taxi cab, because there is a very high chance that the driver had been a Doctor in another Country until recently!

Diwali was great! We saw the Indian stores full of people buying sweets and crackers. The night sky was full of colour and the temples were thronged with families celebrating the festival of lights.

Housing prices are still sky high here, and there have been recent articles in the newspapers about the ridiculously high prices and why this is not good for the economy. We have a friend who bought a home in the U.S, on a one acre plot with a 4000sq.ft house, and paid 275000/- US dollars. In the GTA region, that same house would be easily 800,000 to a million dollars! There is just NO comparison. In the 340,000 region, you are looking at a 1800sq.ft plus home, three bedroom with one or two garage parking in Brampton. This will give you some idea of prices here. Of course you get 30 year loans and pay installments of about 1300/- a month with a minimum down payment (you'll have to check different banks for exact numbers) and of course everything depends on your credit history. Hopefully this story changes soon, and housing becomes more affordable.

New Immigration Reforms

In the Globe and Mail today, page A12, there is an interesting article about new immigration reforms taking place, and how some changes may be made soon regarding the kinds of immigrants being allowed to come in so easily into Canada.

For example: A person may go through the immigration process and get through the interview. When he gets his PR visa, he also applies for his aging set of parents. Now, for the one eligible working immigrant coming in to Canada, he is bringing two non-working immigrants who will live on the contributions to the Government coffers. (Not having previously contributing anything to the Canadian system this does not seem right.)

The website that you can go to for more information on this is:

http://immigrationreform.ca/

If you are Canadian and reading this, please do write to me with your views on what you think. With immigration offices in other countries calling out to immigrants to immigrate to Canada to increase the number of the labour force here, it would be interesting to know what 'Canadians' think of this and how it affects them in everyday life.

Dressing up for Winter

One of the best ways of learning how to dress for Winter is to watch and learn from seasoned Canadians who through the years have learned to wear layer upon layer and still look great!



Here is some advice on what to buy in the next month or so before Winter starts. Waiting till the last minute can mean getting stuck with left over stock and not getting the right size. Ask the store clerks to help you out. Once they know that you are new, they will give you all the relevant advice and help you need in putting together your first Winter outfit.

Stores like Zellers and Walmart are great for the budget conscious, and for those who are looking for more upmarket brands try Sears and The Bay. You also have stores like Winners, Old Navy, Suzy Shier, Le Chateau and Fairweather. The Childrens Place and Siblings are great for kids.

Invest in a good coat and pair of boots. This can mean the difference between being comfortable in Winter ...and getting seriously sick!!

Here is a cute image from the International Students Ambassadors blog about dressing up in layers.



Probably the one question I get most often this time of the year from new immigrants and visitors coming to Canada in the near future is....what kind of clothing should they buy for Winter?

First of all, check the weather history of the place in Canada that you are visiting. Up North you will have weather extremes that you won't have further South. With temperatures going down sometimes to -30 and -40 (in Ontario) with wind chills added to it....you are talking mighty COLD temperatures.

The first time those - 20 winds hit you, it takes you by surprise. I never knew that 'cold' could really hurt. Wearing the wrong boots to pick up my daughter one day, I came back home with nearly frozen feet and I had to stand over our heating vent for twenty minutes or so, until my feet stopped hurting!

To start out with:

1. Get some thermal underwear (men, women and kids), leggings / stockings (women and girls) and long socks.

2. Wear the thermals or long underwear under your pants or jeans. Wear the long socks and overlap the bottom of your thermals. On top, you can wear thermals, a tank top, sleeve less vest or sleeved vest under your t-shirt or shirt.

3. Wear a sweater over your shirt, or a sweat shirt. Then when going out, wear a heavy coat that is padded enough to keep the wind from hitting you.

4. Don't forget....you also need a good pair of boots, gloves, scarf and or muffler, winter hat and even ear muffs.

5. Put chap stick on your lips and moisturize your skin. Dry skin is very common in Winter and you'll end up with cracked lips and itchy skin if you are not careful.

The colder it is..the more layers you need. Once you get to where you are going, you can remove the layers depending on how cold it is. It is better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. Don't take a risk, especially with children.

Once Winter gets on its way and you go through a couple of weeks..you will start to notice how other dress up and put outfits together. You will see amazing styles and fashions in and around Canada. Putting together fashionable Winter outfits can be fun!

For those moving to Edmonton, here is a link to how to dress there:

http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/uai_current/winter.cfm

Let me know if you have any questions or comments to add to this post!

Starting to get cold ~ brrrrrrrrrrr !!

Was really hoping that Summer would drag itself out longer...but looks like Autumn decided to sneak in early! Even our tree in the front yard is already changing colour and is starting to look like a combination of light green and yellow.

This past week it has been rainy and temperatures down to 22C on average. This coming week, Thursday is going to be 16C. Somehow when you think of how long Winter is, you try to really enjoy Summer and try to be outdoors as much as possible.

Stores: Already out with Halloween costumes and candy!! Marketing at its best I guess. Crazy when you think that Halloween is on October 31st and we still have so many days to go. Back to school sales are over with a blink of an eye and now they target your wallet with the next seasonal holiday.

Will update you later today on more of what is going on in Canada..............until then..have a great week!!

Answer to Carlos from Equador

This past week I received many emails to which I've replied personally. A reader from Ecuador, by the name of Carlos (I'm not mentioning his last name for privacy reasons) commented on one of my posts and asked me a few questions. Since I don't have his email id, I'm replying to his questions here since they are relevant to anyone moving to Canada.

"I want to ask you if you remember the time when you landed; what did they ask you for? Was it difficult? How did you feel? Did they ask you for the proof of funds in cash? And also would like to know more about the schools." ~ Carlos


When we landed the first time in September 2006 (if you read my first posts, you'll see that we landed and went back to India after a month and then moved later), at the airport immigration centre they ask you how much money you are bringing in and in what form.


This information is from the settlement.org website regarding everything to do with bringing in funds at the time of landing.

You can bring money into Canada in different forms. When you arrive in Canada, if you are carrying more than C$10,000, you must tell a Canadian border official when you arrive in Canada.

If you do not tell a border official, you may have to pay a fine and/or face other penalties.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is responsible for border services (port-of-entry services), customs and enforcement of some immigration laws in Canada. You can find detailed information about importing goods and funds on the CBSA website.

You can also speak with your bank or financial institution for information about laws and regulations in Canada and in the country you are leaving.

Bringing Money Into Canada

Declaring Funds

There is no restriction on the amount of money that you can bring into Canada. However, if you bring more than C$10,000 (or the equivalent in another currency) into Canada when you arrive, you need to declare this. If you do not, you may need to pay a fine and/or face other penalties. Find more information about crossing the border with C$10,000 or more on the CBSA website.

To declare your funds of C$10,000 or more, you can fill out this form: Cross-Border Currency or Monetary Instruments Report — Individual (E677).

You are not taxed on the money you bring with you when you land.

How to Bring Money into Canada

You can bring money into Canada in the form of:

• Cash
• Securities in bearer form (for example, stocks, bonds, debentures, treasury bills)
• Negotiable instruments in bearer form (for example, bank drafts, cheques, travellers' cheques, money orders)

Here are some other ideas about how to bring or transfer money into Canada:

• Find out if your current bank has a "correspondence" or relationship with a Canadian bank and set up an account to transfer your money between banks. Your own bank might even have a branch office in Canada, which can help to transfer or access funds once you are here. Ask your bank if they have offices in Canada. Find information about Canadian banks and foreign banks with offices in Canada.
  
  Industrial Credit and Investment Corp. of India (ICICI) has a "Hello Canada" account for people moving to Canada from India, Dubai, Bahrain or the United Kingdom. The account allows you to open a Canadian bank account from overseas and transfer funds to Canada before you land.
• Arrange with your bank to transfer your funds to a Canadian bank once you have arrived here. You might have to maintain your current bank account in your country of origin for a short time and then transfer the funds to your new account in Canada.
  
  You can get a bank draft from your current bank. A bank draft is a cheque drawn on the bank itself against a cash deposit. Confirm with your local bank what their requirements are for such transactions prior to your departure. You could then bring enough money with you to get started (in the form of cash or travellers' cheques). Once you are here, open a Canadian account and have the rest of your money transferred from your country into your new account. You should tell your current bank about your plans now, and find out what all the necessary procedures are. You can also bring the money in securities in bearer forms (for example: stocks, bonds, debentures, treasury bills).
• It is possible that a Canadian bank might have a branch office in your country. Some major Canadian banks are: Royal Bank of Canada, TD Canada Trust (TD Bank), Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) or Bank of Montreal. Once located, they might be able to help you set up a Canadian account and transfer your money.

When you arrive in Canada to become a permanent resident, prepare to tell the border services officer about funds that you have to settle in Canada. The border services officer may ask you about your funds, or ask you to show documents that prove you have enough money available to settle in Canada.

You can find detailed information about bringing money and goods into Canada on the CBSA website: Settling in Canada: Information on importing goods for people intending to settle in Canada.

It is important to get professional advice about financial laws and regulations. Please contact your bank or financial institution for detailed information and advice. Or, contact the CBSA for more information about bringing money into Canada.

Exporting Money From the Country You Are Leaving

It is important check if exporting money from the country you are leaving is restricted. You need to find out about the financial and banking laws in the country you are moving from. Please get professional advice from your bank or financial institution.

According to the CBSA, "Some countries limit the amount of money you can take out of the country. You should check with your banker, lawyer, or financial adviser. If you can prove that the money you wish to take out of that country has been restricted, you can claim a special provision that gives you up to three years to purchase household goods in the country from which you emigrated and to ship them to Canada duty and tax free. This provision waives the usual rule on previous ownership, possession, and use of your goods."

If you are not sure about what your local regulations are, you need to speak with a representative of your bank of financial institution before you come to Canada.

Carlos, as long as you have all your papers in order and are able to answer all the immigration officers questions clearly, you will not have a problem with your landing. As for your question on schools, take a look at my posts just before this one.

Hope this answers your questions :)

We Welcome the World Centres

'We Welcome the World Centres'

This year, you can visit one of three locations of the 'We Welcome the World Centres'. These centres help families settle their children in schools and get help with any other 'new immigrant' issues they may have.

From their website:

The Peel District School Board's We Welcome the World Centres, are making it easier for newcomer families to register their children for school and access a variety of supports for a smooth transition to life in Canada. There are two welcome centres in Mississauga, and one in Brampton.

At the welcome centres, staff provide assistance and information about free services in many languages. In addition to school registration, the welcome centres offer wrap-around services for the entire family. Some key services include:

• childminding (while parents/guardians use services at the centre)
• computer access to Peel resources
• connections to community services
• information about employment, housing, and health care
• Internet access
• interpreters (available upon request)
• links to adult education and English classes
• information about Ontario's education system

We Welcome the World Centres are located at 25 Kings Cross Road in Brampton, 100 Elm Street in Mississauga, and 3131 Morning Star Drive in Mississauga. The centres are open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round. To book an appointment, call the We Welcome the World Centre at 905-366-8791 or toll free 1-800-668-1146.

In addition to the new welcome centres, the Peel board's multilingual website has been expanded to include 40 languages spoken by families in Peel. The expanded website will be ready just in time for the new school year.

We Welcome the World Centres are located at 25 Kings Cross Road in Brampton, 100 Elm Street in Mississauga, and 3131 Morning Star Drive in Mississauga. The centres are open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round. To book an appointment, call the We Welcome the World Centre at 905-366-8791 or toll free 1-800-668-1146.

We Welcome the World Centres are funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

The link to the above website is:

http://www.peel.edu.on.ca/media/news2002/090825a.htm

There are so many centres and help and information places available to new immigrants. Most of them have someone there who will speak your language and help you to settle down in your new home.

If this post has been of any help to you, please let me know.

Thanks,
Nal