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!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
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!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
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.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
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!
Monday, September 13, 2010
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!!
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!!
Monday, September 6, 2010
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.
"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:
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
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:
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
Here is an updated school calendar for schools in Ontario. If you are planning on moving to Canada with school age kids, it is a good idea to move during the holidays, so that your children attend the first day of the school year, or the first day of a term.
Ontario Schools Calendar Year with Holidays 2010 / 2011 / 2012
| School Year | 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Total number of school days available (Sept. 1 - June 30) | 196 | 196 |
| Minimum number of school days required by regulation | 194 | 194 |
Ontario Schools Holidays 2010 / 2011 / 2012
| School Holidays | 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Labour Day | Sept. 6 | Sept. 5 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Oct. 11 | Oct. 10 |
| Christmas break (inclusive) | Dec. 20-31 | Dec. 19-30 |
| Family Day | Feb. 21 | Feb. 20 |
| Mid-Winter break (inclusive) | March 14-18 | March 12-16 |
| Good Friday | April 22 | April 6 |
| Easter Monday | April 25 | April 9 |
| Victoria Day | May 23 | May 21 |
Note: A School Board may modify school calendar dates with prior approval of the Ministry. Please contact your board to see if their School Holidays have been modified.
Schools also have PD (professional development) holidays which will be given to the kids during the first week of school. Normally the first PD day is within the first two to three weeks of the school opening date. The teachers may re-arrange the classrooms during this time.
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to email or leave a comment.
Have a great new school year!!!!
New School Year
Today is Labour Day in Canada, a public holiday. All banks, most malls and other services are closed. For something to do, consider going to the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition). Today is the last day and they are ending the show with a spectacular Air Show.
For more details, check their website www.theex.com
Today is also a nice day to go for a movie, out for a meal or just to stay at home and get ready for the first day of school, which is tomorrow!!
Sept 7th is the first day of the new year of school here in Canada.
I have received several emails regarding the school system here. So for those of you who asked, and those of you who want to know..........here is the information.
There are three kinds of schools:
Private - These are privately run and are very expensive. Many work out to fees of between 8000 to over 10,000/- dollars a year.
Catholic - If at least one parent is a baptized Catholic, your child can go to a Catholic school for Elementary school. In high school, you can be of any denomination. You can approach Catholic schools and talk to them about admission in lower grades even if both parents are not Catholic. Some schools do give admission, but this is purely on a case to case basis.
Public - The majority of students go to school in the public school system. These are government funded and not to be compared or confused with the corporation schools in India! These schools have excellent infrastructure, syllabus and well trained teachers. The curriculum is a mix of American and European.
Within these schooling systems, you also have the French immersion students. These students learn all their subjects and have their education in French. Some people opt for this so their kids finish school bi-lingual.
Your child’s age at the end of the year (December 31st) determines the grade that they will normally go into, though this may be adjusted somewhat if your child's circumstances require it. Children begin school in the year they become five. Use the table below as a starting point for determining which grade your child will be in.
| Age at Dec 31st | Grade |
| 5 | Kindergarten |
| 6 | 1 |
| 7 | 2 |
| 8 | 3 |
| 9 | 4 |
| 10 | 5 |
| 11 | 6 |
| 12 | 7 |
| 13 | 8 |
| 14 | 9 |
| 15 | 10 |
| 16 | 11 |
| 17 | 12 |
These schools normally go by grades:
- Kindergarten to Grade 3
Ages 5-8 - Elementary School
Grade 4 to 7 (ages 9-12) - Secondary (High) School
Grade 8 to 12 (ages 13-17)
Some areas have Middle Schools for Grades 6-8. In these areas the students transition between Elementary and Secondary school via the Middle school.
If you are coming in to Canada, look at www.fraserinstitute.org/reportcards
This site has listings of most of the schools and their ranking. Also the area the school is in. The schools not mentioned here are either new or not open for the number of years required to get on the fraser report. You can also look at:
www.tdsb.on.ca
This is the Toronto School Board site.
For schools in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon check this site:
www.peel.edu.on.ca
Remember: The school your child goes to depends on WHERE YOU LIVE. So if you want your child to go to a particular school, you can find a home in that zone and then get admission. Call the transportation department of the board and tell them the home address. They will confirm the school names to you.
If you live nearby, you will have to drop your kids. If you live a certain distance away, your child will be 'bussed'' to school. To know if your child is eligible for the bus this year, and what school your child is supposed to go to in the Peel Region, check this website:
https://businfo.stopr.ca/
Bus delays and cancellations can also be checked on the same link.
The 2010-2011 Peel board school calendar link:
http://www.peel.edu.on.ca/documents/HolyDaysHolidayscalendar2010.pdf
For other regions and areas, do a google search for the name of that area and school busing. You should be able to find some information.
If you have any questions....please feel free to ask.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Job Opportunities for South Asians!!
Was just browsing through the Toronto International Center website and came across an interesting show coming up on September 8th, 2010.
It is the South Asian Job Fair. The website for this show is:
http://www.southasianjobfair.com/
This will be at Hall #5, from 11am to 7pm at the International Centre in Mississauga.
If you are looking for a job I would strongly suggest going for this Job Fair and checking out what they have to offer. Please pass the word around to anyone you might know who would be interested!
If this is of any help to anyone, please let me know!!
Thanks,
Nal
It is the South Asian Job Fair. The website for this show is:
http://www.southasianjobfair.com/
This will be at Hall #5, from 11am to 7pm at the International Centre in Mississauga.
If you are looking for a job I would strongly suggest going for this Job Fair and checking out what they have to offer. Please pass the word around to anyone you might know who would be interested!
If this is of any help to anyone, please let me know!!
Thanks,
Nal
Friday, August 20, 2010
Ottawa and Kingston
This summer we decided to take a trip to Ottawa, Canada's capital city. It is a four hour drive from downtown Toronto. Half way there, we stopped at a place called Kingston for lunch, which is a nice stop on its own.
Click on the picture, to take you to the album. Ottawa is a beautiful city and is definitely worth seeing. We also drove into Quebec which borders Ontario. You know you've crossed the border when all the signs suddenly turn into French from English!
In Ottawa you can see the Parliament buildings, the Canadian Royal mint, vaious museums like the museum of civilization, museum of nature and the army museum.
In Kingston you can visit the 1000 islands, Smiths Falls and Fort Henry.
Hope you enjoy the pictures!!
Hilton Falls
Take a look at the pictures that we took at the Hilton Falls in Milton. Worth a trip and make sure to pack a picnic lunch!
Punjabi couples first months in Canada
Been some time since I updated this blog. With the kids at home for their summer holidays, we have been busy with trips to the library, swimming pool, day trips to visit new places and a week trip to the capital of Canada, Ottawa. (pictures and details about Ottawa to come soon!)
About a month ago, I met a young Punjabi couple who have just moved into the basement of the house next door. They have a four year old daughter, and immigrated to Canada just three months ago.
The Lady speaks decent enough English, but her husband doesn't speak at all. So the Lady got a job first at an Indian accounts office and is quite happy there, while the husband was at home initially to take care of the daughter and look for other opportunities.
This is when we met them and advised the husband to first go for English classes as this was the only way he was going to be able to do anything here. He joined a night class for adults, went the first day and then his job agent called to tell him about a job opening at a factory. He took the job, which was a 11pm to 11am job, and had to quit his language classes. Now he is in a dilemma. He sleeps all day, works all night and has no time for anything else. This is just one story out of thousands.
Now they have to get their drivers licenses, get a car, put their child in school (schools reopen in September) and try to learn English in the process. Not easy!! Their little daughter of course speaks only Punjabi as well and gets so annoyed because the other kids don't understand her and vice-versa.
All the best to them and to all the others like them who have landed in Canada!
India just celebrated its Independence day here in Canada, and had a huge parade of floats in Toronto. The float from 'Goa' came in first place and 'Kerala' second. With Indian music blasting from Dundas square with sweet stalls and Indian dancers....it was wonderful to watch.
Will post the pictures of Ottawa and Kingston soon.
About a month ago, I met a young Punjabi couple who have just moved into the basement of the house next door. They have a four year old daughter, and immigrated to Canada just three months ago.
The Lady speaks decent enough English, but her husband doesn't speak at all. So the Lady got a job first at an Indian accounts office and is quite happy there, while the husband was at home initially to take care of the daughter and look for other opportunities.
This is when we met them and advised the husband to first go for English classes as this was the only way he was going to be able to do anything here. He joined a night class for adults, went the first day and then his job agent called to tell him about a job opening at a factory. He took the job, which was a 11pm to 11am job, and had to quit his language classes. Now he is in a dilemma. He sleeps all day, works all night and has no time for anything else. This is just one story out of thousands.
Now they have to get their drivers licenses, get a car, put their child in school (schools reopen in September) and try to learn English in the process. Not easy!! Their little daughter of course speaks only Punjabi as well and gets so annoyed because the other kids don't understand her and vice-versa.
All the best to them and to all the others like them who have landed in Canada!
India just celebrated its Independence day here in Canada, and had a huge parade of floats in Toronto. The float from 'Goa' came in first place and 'Kerala' second. With Indian music blasting from Dundas square with sweet stalls and Indian dancers....it was wonderful to watch.
Will post the pictures of Ottawa and Kingston soon.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Working in Canada with foreign qualifications
This is a question I am asked everyday by many readers. 'I have a degree from India/Pakistan/Srilanka/etc , is it valid in Canada?
For the most part, the answer, I am sorry to say is, 'No'. You will probably have to get your credentials assessed and see how it meets the Canadian standard. Then you will have to either get extra training, education or Canadian work experience.
The Government of Canada's new Foreign Credentials Referral Office provides helpful information to immigrants coming in from overseas.
In Canada, there are two kinds of professions:
1. Regulated Occupations
The regulated occupations are those that have a set standard of practice. These include health care, financial services and engineering. The set standard is to ensure that immigrants have had sufficient amount of practice and have the competence to handle the jobs in these fields.
If you want to work in a regulated occupation you MUST HAVE a license or a certificate or be registered with the regulatory body for your occupation IN THE province or territory where you plan to work.
2. Non-regulated Occupatioins
These are jobs where you don't need a license, certificate or registration to work. But the requirements for employment can depend greatly on your employer. He may ask for specific experience or references from previous employers.
TO FIND OUT WHETHER YOUR PROFESSION IF REGULATED AND TO GET MORE INFORMATION ON THE SAME:
VISIT
www.workingincanada.gc.ca
In some professions you may have to have advanced knowledge of French or English:
www.cic.gc.ca for more information on that
or
www.credentials.gc.ca
for information on finding jobs, education and academic credentials, work related documents, information on job descriptions, wages, skills etc.
I got all the above information from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada brochure on 'Want to work in your profession in Canada'.
Hope this helps!!
Monday, July 19, 2010
The Conservation Parks at Milton (Halton Region)
On our way to the conservation park - Kelso.
Wow, what an amazing weekend! When you think of Canada and the beauty of its natural landscapes...you should not miss out on the conservation parks in Milton. About a half hour drive from where we live, is the Kelso conservation park at Milton. Totally there are six areas that you can visit. They are:
Crawford Lake, Mountsberg, Rattlesnake Point, Hilton Falls, Kelso and Mount Nemo.
Their website is:
http://conservationhalton.on.ca/index.cfm
When you take an annual membership, you can visit any of the six places whenever you like! If you like cycling, camping, going on picnics, rock climbing,
boating or just a park atmosphere to trek or read a book...the membership is worth it. You can even fish here! For fishing you have to get a permit. The form is available for downloading right from their website.
If you don't want an annual membership, you can buy a day ticket.
The place is huge!! They have a number of picnic sites, each with its own tables and bathroom. You have to book the tables in advance for parties.
For reserving a picnic table, cut and paste this link:
http://conservationhalton.on.ca/ShowCategory.cfm?subCatID=1075
The rates are:
2010 daily park entrance fees
| Kelso, Hilton Falls, Rattlesnake Point (Recreational Parks) | ||
| Daily Entrance (includes mountain biking at Kelso & Hilton Falls) | 2010 Fees | 2010 Fees Effective July 1st 2010 Including 13% HST |
| Adult (15-64) | $5.50 | $6.25 |
| Senior (65 & over) | $4.75 | $5.25 |
| Child (5-14) | $4.00 | $4.50 |
| Child (4yrs & under) | Free | Free |
2010 Annual Pass Rates
| Annual membership (Valid at CH Parks for one year from date of purchase) | ||||
|
Memberships
| 2010 Fees | 2010 Fees Effective July 1st 2010 Including 13% HST | ||
| Annual Family Membership | $115.00 | $129.95 | ||
| Annual Individual Membership | $90.00 | $101.70 | ||
| Corporate Annual Family Membership | $100.00 | $113.00 | ||
| Corporate Annual Individual Membership | $80.00 | $90.40 | ||
| Senior Membership (65 and older) | 15% discount | 15% discount | ||
| Replacement Membership | $10.00 | $11.30 | ||
Picnics
Picnic Booking (Excludes park entrance fee) Picnic Site 2010 Fees 2010 Fees Effective July 1st 2010 Including 13% HST No service $40.00 $45.20 Shelter only $100.00 $113.00 Shelter, water, electricity and washroom $200.00 $226.00 Administration fee for cancellation* or booking changes $10.00 $11.30 *Three (3) weeks notice is required to be eligible for a refund less administration fee
Camping
| Camping | ||||
|
Camp Site
| 2010 Fees | 2010 Fees Effective July 1st 2010 Including 13% HST | ||
| Small (price includes five (5) campers) - Accomodates up to 20 campers | $40.00 | $45.20 | ||
| Medium (price includes 12 campers) - Accomodates up to 50 campers | $100.00 | $113.00 | ||
| Large (price includes 18 campers) - Accomodates 50+ campers | $150.00 | $169.50 | ||
| Each additional camper | $8.00 | $9.04 | ||
| Administration fee for cancellation* or booking changes | $10.00 | $11.30 | ||
The pictures of Kelso park where we went just does not do justice to the beauty and magnificance of the place. You have to make a visit to see why thousands of Canadians make it a point to go there every summer.
If you do visit any of these places, please let me know and write about your experience! Would love to hear from you!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
New Visa Laws for Immigrants
A lot of immigrants in Canada who have left everything in their home country after all the paper work, English tests, medical exams, huge fees to consultants etc - have come here and found it very difficult to get any kind of work. Forget work in the field of education or interest. I'm talking any kind of work!
Now it looks like there are some changes being made to the kinds of job categories being given PR visas. There are many cuts in the list, including jobs like IT managers, head nurses, univ Profs etc.
Here is a link where you can get more information on this:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/so-the-new-noc-list-is-out-here-is-a-list-of-whats-in-and-whats-out-t45691.0.html
Before you give any money to consultants, please make sure that you are in an eligible category. Or else you may not get your money back after they tell you later on that your job category is now knocked out of the list.
In case you get more information on the above subject, please let me know...especially if you are in India. There may be more news about this there than here.
Now it looks like there are some changes being made to the kinds of job categories being given PR visas. There are many cuts in the list, including jobs like IT managers, head nurses, univ Profs etc.
Here is a link where you can get more information on this:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/so-the-new-noc-list-is-out-here-is-a-list-of-whats-in-and-whats-out-t45691.0.html
Before you give any money to consultants, please make sure that you are in an eligible category. Or else you may not get your money back after they tell you later on that your job category is now knocked out of the list.
In case you get more information on the above subject, please let me know...especially if you are in India. There may be more news about this there than here.
Organizing School Supplies / Homework Area
You can pick up these shelves from most box stores or home stores. Everything stays neat and in one place for your child/children to do their homework, school projects and art work. This helps your child to be more independent, instead of asking you every five minutes for a pencil! This will also give you more time to do other things, then helping them to look for paper or markers.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Kids and summer time in Canada
Summer Vacation is Here!!!!!
Trips to the park can be fun. Take frisbees, balls, bikes, skates and maybe even a kite.
Take trips to the beach. Nothing like family time during the summer. Let the kids play and learn around their natural environment. Take lots of sun block, water and toys to play with.
Take your kids to the library. Reading is one of the best hobbies that they can pick up. Your local library may also have a reading club for the summer.
Tennis coaching is available at different courts. There are classes for different skill levels, and age groups. Tournaments for beginners are available, and during the winter months some courts have the bubble tops and are heated.
Soccer, or football as it is called in other parts of the world is very common here. Many children learn the sport and participate in matches.
There are classes for different levels of swimming. So even if your child knows how to swim, see if they can learn more skills in the advanced classes.
The bike that is used for BMX, or extreme stunt riding is small and light weight.
This is a bmx rider going through the paces. The classes teach students using low ramps, gradually moving them to higher ones.
Roller skates are skates with two wheels in front and two in the back.
Inline skates - have the four wheels in line with each other.
For newcomers - In Canada there are many organized classes from sports to different dances to activities like swimming and inline skating, that continue all through the Summer.
Just go to your local community centre and they will give you a booklet that has all the activity timings, prices and dates. You can sign up for the activities at the centre and ask questions if you have any.
Most classes are once a week for half an hour or one hour, depending on what the lesson is for. The classes start and end on the dot, so be on time!
If your children are going to be outdoors, make sure they wear a lot of sun lotion to protect their skin from the high UV rays. Also, to educate them on drinking lots of liquid and wearing caps or hats.
You can also take your children to the Science Centre, Museums, Art Galleries, beaches, parks and picnic areas. This blog has many other places that I've visited and talked about, like the Scarborough Bluffs and the Lion Safari.
Then there is the Niagara Falls, Theme parks and even bowling.
You can also use the long summer vacation to learn multiplication tables, practice handwriting, reading and other academic skills. This will help them when they go back to school in September.
Happy Holidays!!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Back to School .....in July??
'Back to School' sales are in most stores already. Save money by doing your 'homework' before you leave the house!!
Summer Vacation and Back to School already!!
Wow...just walking around the shopping malls or big box stores makes you feel like going back to school again.
Even though it is still Summer vacation, you can see all the stores completely stocked with backpacks, pencils, erasers, crayons, paper, calculators etc etc..the list goes on and on. Kids just walking by, do a double take and scream...'I want that!'
What do you do as a parent? School supplies are not cheap and they add up with every single addition.
Some advice:
Before leaving your home with the school supply list:
1. Check and see if the old backpack can still be used. You don't HAVE to run out and buy a new bag just because it is something you have always done. If your child wants a new bag and you would rather use the old one...go to the Michaels Art and Craft store and pick up some fabric paints, or iron ons (for cloth bags). You can re-design the old bag..for the fraction of the price of a new one.
2. Collect all pencils, paper, rulers and colouring materials from around the house and put them all in one place. Make a list of what you have already. If you still have a dozen pencils from last year, buy one box less this year. Rulers, working calculators and markers can be used again.
3. Buy things in bulk only if you KNOW that it will be used. I saw a Lady picking up at least 10 huge packs of paper for her two kids in elementary school. You don't need that much!!! I picked up three packs last year for two kids and we still have a whole pack left. So this year, I'm buying just one more pack.
4. The best advice: Shop without the kids! Go to the store by yourself......with kids, you will be picking up the pink, sparkly Hannah Montana $30 pencil case, when you could have just picked up the $2/- one that does the same job!!
5. Have a place at home for all your homework supplies. If your kids have seperate study desks, divide the supplies so that they are reponsible for what is theirs. If you have a common area, like a kitchen table, put all the supplies in a drawer set or shelves with everything in seperate containers. It makes things easier to find. I have all our supplies (will post a picture) in a roller set of drawers from Walmart. Cheap and does the job!
6. School lists tend to have more than you really use. You know your kids best! Look at prices in different stores or check online before you leave home. Crayons might be cheaper at one store, but have more expensive pencils. You have six more weeks to shop......and the chance of you going to the different stores at least once is high.....so write down the prices and compare.
Happy Shopping!
Even though it is still Summer vacation, you can see all the stores completely stocked with backpacks, pencils, erasers, crayons, paper, calculators etc etc..the list goes on and on. Kids just walking by, do a double take and scream...'I want that!'
What do you do as a parent? School supplies are not cheap and they add up with every single addition.
Some advice:
Before leaving your home with the school supply list:
1. Check and see if the old backpack can still be used. You don't HAVE to run out and buy a new bag just because it is something you have always done. If your child wants a new bag and you would rather use the old one...go to the Michaels Art and Craft store and pick up some fabric paints, or iron ons (for cloth bags). You can re-design the old bag..for the fraction of the price of a new one.
2. Collect all pencils, paper, rulers and colouring materials from around the house and put them all in one place. Make a list of what you have already. If you still have a dozen pencils from last year, buy one box less this year. Rulers, working calculators and markers can be used again.
3. Buy things in bulk only if you KNOW that it will be used. I saw a Lady picking up at least 10 huge packs of paper for her two kids in elementary school. You don't need that much!!! I picked up three packs last year for two kids and we still have a whole pack left. So this year, I'm buying just one more pack.
4. The best advice: Shop without the kids! Go to the store by yourself......with kids, you will be picking up the pink, sparkly Hannah Montana $30 pencil case, when you could have just picked up the $2/- one that does the same job!!
5. Have a place at home for all your homework supplies. If your kids have seperate study desks, divide the supplies so that they are reponsible for what is theirs. If you have a common area, like a kitchen table, put all the supplies in a drawer set or shelves with everything in seperate containers. It makes things easier to find. I have all our supplies (will post a picture) in a roller set of drawers from Walmart. Cheap and does the job!
6. School lists tend to have more than you really use. You know your kids best! Look at prices in different stores or check online before you leave home. Crayons might be cheaper at one store, but have more expensive pencils. You have six more weeks to shop......and the chance of you going to the different stores at least once is high.....so write down the prices and compare.
Happy Shopping!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Summer time!! List of things to do and see in Toronto!
Here are links to posts of places that we have visited and think that you will enjoy seeing this Summer. All are about a two hour drive or less from Brampton.
Tottenham - Oldest train ride
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/search?q=tottenham
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html
Gravenhurst and Lake Muskoka- Oldest steamship, The Segwun.
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/search?q=gravenhurst
African Safari - in Sheffield
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/search?q=safari
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html
Toronto Zoo
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/search?q=toronto+zoo
Ontario Science Centre
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/search?q=ontario+science+centre
Sauble beach
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/search?q=sauble+beach
The Scarborough Bluffs
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/search/label/Scarborough
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=50
Hope this is of some help to you. Please let me know if you visit any of these places and what your experience was like.
Have a great Summer!!
Tottenham - Oldest train ride
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/search?q=tottenham
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html
Gravenhurst and Lake Muskoka- Oldest steamship, The Segwun.
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/search?q=gravenhurst
African Safari - in Sheffield
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/search?q=safari
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html
Toronto Zoo
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/search?q=toronto+zoo
Ontario Science Centre
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/search?q=ontario+science+centre
Sauble beach
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/search?q=sauble+beach
The Scarborough Bluffs
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/search/label/Scarborough
http://chennai2canada.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=50
Hope this is of some help to you. Please let me know if you visit any of these places and what your experience was like.
Have a great Summer!!
The Ontario Science Centre
It is 31 degrees Celcius today......the hottest in history for this day in Toronto! With the humidity and the high level of UV rays......it can feel like you are literally baking in the sun. Not a good feeling!!
Going outside, you see the differences in how people deal with the sun. Asian woman like me....covered up with hat, sun glasses and a shawl...trying to retain our 'colour'. Canadians (meaning Whites) - out with spaghetti tops, shorts and the men with no shirt at all...........trying to get sun tanned. We stare at them, and they stare at us :) both thinking the other is nuts!
It was the long Victoria Day weekend on May 24th and we decided to visit the Ontario Science Centre, something we had been meaning to do for some time now. The kids are a great age....13 and 9, and we also had a good deal for a year family membership discount.
Where is it?
The science centre is located at 770 Don Mills Road in Toronto.
The website:
http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/
We opted for the family one year membership and payed for it online. Then taking the print out of the authentication number with us, we drove to the centre which took us about 40 minutes from Brampton.
Because we were members, parking was only $4, as against $8 for non-members. Members get 50% off of parking and 20% off of the food court inside the centre.
We entered the building and got in after showing our membership proof. If you are just visiting for the day, you can buy day tickets at the entrance. The first thing that strikes you when you enter is that the place is HUGE!! Six floors of fascinating aspects of anything to do with Science.
We just managed to see the 6th and 5th floors............and that too after we walked past half the exhibits rushing to see the ones we thought looked interesting. (Most of them were!!) They had the Human Body section, Harry Potter exhibition going on right now, and the IMAX showing interesting movies on space and the Hubble. Now that we have the year membership, we can go anytime we want and as often as we want without paying for entrance tickets again. The IMAX and the special temporary exhibits will be 50% off for members.
We saw a man made Rain Forest, a tornado that you could put your hand through and tons of fun hands on experiments and explanations. From a real Elephants heart to an ancient Chinese compass.....you can see things you never would have imagined........and learn in five minutes what you could not have learned in five months sitting in a classroom.
Was it worth it?
Yes! Take your kids, get membership if you live in the GTA area and enjoy learning, exploring and experiementing!!
Going outside, you see the differences in how people deal with the sun. Asian woman like me....covered up with hat, sun glasses and a shawl...trying to retain our 'colour'. Canadians (meaning Whites) - out with spaghetti tops, shorts and the men with no shirt at all...........trying to get sun tanned. We stare at them, and they stare at us :) both thinking the other is nuts!
It was the long Victoria Day weekend on May 24th and we decided to visit the Ontario Science Centre, something we had been meaning to do for some time now. The kids are a great age....13 and 9, and we also had a good deal for a year family membership discount.
Where is it?
The science centre is located at 770 Don Mills Road in Toronto.The website:
http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/
We opted for the family one year membership and payed for it online. Then taking the print out of the authentication number with us, we drove to the centre which took us about 40 minutes from Brampton.
Because we were members, parking was only $4, as against $8 for non-members. Members get 50% off of parking and 20% off of the food court inside the centre.
We entered the building and got in after showing our membership proof. If you are just visiting for the day, you can buy day tickets at the entrance. The first thing that strikes you when you enter is that the place is HUGE!! Six floors of fascinating aspects of anything to do with Science.
We just managed to see the 6th and 5th floors............and that too after we walked past half the exhibits rushing to see the ones we thought looked interesting. (Most of them were!!) They had the Human Body section, Harry Potter exhibition going on right now, and the IMAX showing interesting movies on space and the Hubble. Now that we have the year membership, we can go anytime we want and as often as we want without paying for entrance tickets again. The IMAX and the special temporary exhibits will be 50% off for members.
We saw a man made Rain Forest, a tornado that you could put your hand through and tons of fun hands on experiments and explanations. From a real Elephants heart to an ancient Chinese compass.....you can see things you never would have imagined........and learn in five minutes what you could not have learned in five months sitting in a classroom.
Was it worth it?
Yes! Take your kids, get membership if you live in the GTA area and enjoy learning, exploring and experiementing!!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Moving to Canada Essentials
You got your PR card and you're moving to Canada. Congratulations!! Here are some things you should know before you leave your present country of residence.
When you travel to Canada, you will need to have the following documents with you:
Some provinces give you the health card right away...but the province of Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick and Quebec take three months. It is a good idea to take private insurance for these three months in case of any health emergencies. You can find many insurance companies listed in the yellow pages, or ask your friends or neighbors.
SIN card or SIN number
To work in Canada, you must have a Social Insurance Number. This is a nine-digit number that you will need to look for a job and to receive government benefits. Sometimes, you will hear people call it the SIN number. You can get a SIN application form through the Human Resources Centre near you. These centres are run by the federal government. You can also get a form through your local immigrant-serving organization or from the post office, or on the Internet at www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/sc/sin/index.shtml. The SIN card will be sent to you in the mail. There is a small fee for processing the application.
You can find all this information and more at this website:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp
*Also remember:
Your life in Canada will be different than in your home country. You may have to take a job with lower pay while you upgrade your skills or get experience working here. That means your financial status could change. Even if you earn a higher salary in Canada than you were earning in your home country, the cost of living here may be higher than you are used to.
When you travel to Canada, you will need to have the following documents with you:
- a Canadian immigrant visa and Confirmation of Permanent Residence for each family member traveling with you;
- a valid passport or other travel document for each family member traveling with you;
- two copies of a detailed list of all the personal or household items you are bringing with you; and
- two copies of a list of items that are arriving later.
- Prescription for all the medication you are carrying.
Note: The lists should state how much your personal and household items are worth.
- You must also bring with you enough money to cover living expenses such as rent, food, clothing and transportation for a six-month period. You may be asked to show proof of your funds.
Do not pack your documents in a suitcase. You will need to have them available to show to immigration and customs officials.
Once you land in Canada, within the first three days of landing..you must apply for your Health card and your SIN card:
Health Card:
Health-care services covered by medicare include:
- examination and treatment by family doctors;
- many types of surgery;
- most treatment by specialists;
- hospital care;
- X-rays;
- many laboratory tests; and
- most immunizations.
Health-care services not covered by medicare, and for which you will have to pay, include:
- ambulance services;
- prescription drugs;
- dental care; and
- glasses and contact lenses.
These services are sometimes covered by workplace benefit packages.
Your health insurance card is mainly for use in the province where you live. If you are visiting another province and have a medical emergency, you can use your card. However, if you move to another province, you will need to apply for a new card.
All members of your family, even newborn babies, must have their own card. You can get an application form from the provincial ministry of health office, any doctor’s office, a hospital or a pharmacy. The immigrant-serving organization in your area can help you fill out the form. To apply for a health card, you will need your birth certificate, passport and PR card. (They may ask for one or all of these depending on the person)Some provinces give you the health card right away...but the province of Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick and Quebec take three months. It is a good idea to take private insurance for these three months in case of any health emergencies. You can find many insurance companies listed in the yellow pages, or ask your friends or neighbors.
SIN card or SIN number
To work in Canada, you must have a Social Insurance Number. This is a nine-digit number that you will need to look for a job and to receive government benefits. Sometimes, you will hear people call it the SIN number. You can get a SIN application form through the Human Resources Centre near you. These centres are run by the federal government. You can also get a form through your local immigrant-serving organization or from the post office, or on the Internet at www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/sc/sin/index.shtml. The SIN card will be sent to you in the mail. There is a small fee for processing the application.
You can find all this information and more at this website:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp
*Also remember:
Your life in Canada will be different than in your home country. You may have to take a job with lower pay while you upgrade your skills or get experience working here. That means your financial status could change. Even if you earn a higher salary in Canada than you were earning in your home country, the cost of living here may be higher than you are used to.
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