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:
  • 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.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

April 22 - Earth Day!!

It is earth day today..and the schools have 'walk to school Wednesdays', the government has 'clean your park weekends' and the television programs are all aimed at educating everyone to keep their environment clean.

My daughters school started a 'Walk to School Wednesdays', encouraging kids on that day to walk to school instead of being dropped off by car. Many kids live withing walking distance of the school, but come by car anyway. So this is a good idea to introduce the art...of using ones legs!

In Toronto, many of the spring and summer places are opening up; Wonderland Theme Park, The Maid of the Mist at Niagara and Water Parks.

Go to www.toronto.com for more info on what is happening here.

Happy Earth Day!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Agent who can help you find a place

So many readers have emailed me in the past couple of weeks, asking if I could name someone who could help them find a home or apartment in Toronto.

A good friend of mine, suggested a person who helped her find a nice apartment in a good area for their budget. He was very professional and knew the areas well.

Please email me if you would like his contact information. I didn't want to give it here on the blog before getting his permission! So until then, you can always write to me.

Seems to be re-roofing season. Everywhere I go, I see work men on top of roof's, putting up new tiles or shingles. Scary! Some of them don't seem to be using safety cords.

Lots of immigrants moving to Canada in the next couple of months. Many writing to me from India and the Gulf. Many in the IT industry and hoping for a change of life here in Canada. All the best to all of you!!

Regards,
Nal

Thursday, April 15, 2010

April and everbody's enjoying the start of Spring

If you are already in Canada, you will know what I'm talking about when I say, "Yea, Spring is finally here!!!"

After months of snow, early sunsets and wearing layers and layers of clothes and carrying around gloves, hats and scarves.......it is time to put all of that away and take out shorts and t-shirts. You can see the general up swing in the mood of everyone around you, bikers and cyclists are out on the streets and the stores are full of swim wear and lighter clothing.

With the start of Spring and Summer, we as a family look forward to receiving our copy of the 'Recreation Program Guide' for our area. This booklet gives us all the information on the activities in Brampton (you can get this for any area that you live in). From lessons for Ice skating, tennis, swimming, roller skating, musical instruments and dance to hiking trips, adventure camps, rock climbing and clubs, you can sign up your kids or your selves for various activities. Some of them are free, but most have a nominal fee that you pay at your local Community Centre. We have signed up our kids for Ice Skating, In Line roller skating classes and tennis. If you live in Ontario, go to your local Community Centre and get the guide. You can also get their schedule for using the Swimming pool (if you already know how to swim), using the Ice Arena or the library.

Kids in school are also happy to be out playing and learning field sports. My son has been playing badminton this month and my daughter is learning how to play soccer. Both are going on field trips this month and working on projects in Science.

This is a wonderful time to go on drives, to check out the new leaves and the budding flowers all around Toronto. Stunning colours of green everywhere! Horse riding is available at local stables for those who are interested as well as Motor Cycle lessons for those who want their two wheeler license.

For those of you planning a trip to Canada, this is a great time to visit. Good weather and you can actually get to see places without worrying about snow or ice on the roads!

Lots of emails coming in from people all around the world planning on moving to Canada. The job front is looking up.

For those who are here: Look in the local newspapers for Job Fairs. Also, register yourselves at the Community Centre near your home, with the settlement worker. They will help all newcomers with their resume, getting starting jobs and learning new skills.

For now.......I'm clearing out our closet of jackets and coats and shopping for Spring!

Keep writing :)