Monday, June 13, 2011

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.




Wednesday, June 8, 2011

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!











Monday, June 6, 2011

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.
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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.



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.

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!!