A year in Canada

Author
Discussion

Hobojim

Original Poster:

134 posts

126 months

Monday 20th July 2015
quotequote all
Hello everyone,

I'm after a little PH wisdom from our Canadian friends.

I work in oil SHMBO is an A&E doc for the NHS, neither of us are particularly enjoying ourselves atm given the current climate. So we are thinking of hopping over the pond to the land of the Maple leaf while we are still young and free (26 and 29 & no kids yet)

We are both fairly keen on doing some skiing. I would like to learn a bit of french.

Just after some advice on where would be good to live? i.e. Is Edmonton the only 'oil town' like Aberdeen
and how easy it would be for us to get jobs? Visa requirements etc ?

Thanks in advance.

Jim

Edited by Hobojim on Tuesday 21st July 07:05

thegreenhell

15,103 posts

218 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
quotequote all
Most of the oil companies are based in Calgary. However, with the recent slump in the price of oil there have been a lot of layoffs in the last few months, both in the city and up in the oil sands at Fort Mac. The Canadian economy in general is very weak at the moment, so you may not find it easy to find a job here. What's your particular speciality working in 'oil'?

downthepub

1,373 posts

205 months

Tuesday 28th July 2015
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Work Permits can be hard to get as the Canucks are really protective of their internal labour market. Personally, I got an inter-company transfer and my UK head-quartered employer helped for the year I spent in Calgary (O&G too). The other options are DIY or getting sponsored by a Canadian employer. If you or your other half have an occupation listed in the Federal Skilled Workers that can fast track the paperwork, but you will need to meet other eligibility criteria including education and financial backing.

It's hard going, but so worth it. As the other poster mentioned, may be tough in O&G. The main hotspots for employment opportunities are Greater Toronto Area, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

Good luck! It's a fantastic country - on Sunday I got back from a 2 week holiday back over in the western provinces seeing friends.