Any Expat Pher's in Canada?

[Oily Nails]

Hi folks,
Just need a raise of hands of any Ex-pats over in Canada. Pondering emigrating from this dismal isle since current workplace is looking rather shaky and I really like Canada.
Need some help in looking for Employment opportunities, or at least some usable websites.

I've been onto the Canada Gov. website and after taking the Qualification/points test I qualify for the 'Federal Skilled Workers Program'

I'm 24 with 4 years as a Production/Quality Engineer and a BEng(hons)Engineering Degree.

So, anyone know some places to look? Also any general information about emigrating there would be handy (tips, best areas,and so on)

Cheers

[Oily Nails]

Bump....

Or any Canadians?

[MartinQ]

I'm considering a similar move myself. I easily have enough points to qualify but as I don't have a job offer it doesn't matter whether I have 100 points or 1. If you have 1 year's experience in one of their 'required' occupations listed here you have a much better chance of being accepted
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/app...

for jobs, take a look at-
http://www.workopolis.com/
http://www.canadajobs.com
http://www.monster.ca

etc, etc

To get an idea of house prices,
http://www.mls.ca

The best areas really down to personal choice. The most jobs, entertainment, shopping [and people] are found around 'the golden horse-shoe' around Toronto, Hamilton. Also Montreal [if you're handy with your French], and Vancouver.

If you fancy a quiet life, pick anywhere else from the vast interior.

Hope that's of some help.

Edited by MartinQ on Sunday 14th June 17:19

[sawman]

I've been here for a couple of years.

I'm coming back to the UK next week, initially for a year.

the big scoop is that life in canada is much like that in the UK. Depending on what you do the government can be very intrusive. The general cost of living is the same or higher in canada, non canadians can be disadvantaged in the workplace



You need to have a good idea of what you are trying to achieve with your move, also there are huge differences between provinces

Ive got to go out now, but pm me if you like

[sawman]

Oily Nails said:

Hi folks,
Just need a raise of hands of any Ex-pats over in Canada. Pondering emigrating from this dismal isle since current workplace is looking rather shaky and I really like Canada.
Need some help in looking for Employment opportunities, or at least some usable websites.

I've been onto the Canada Gov. website and after taking the Qualification/points test I qualify for the 'Federal Skilled Workers Program'

I'm 24 with 4 years as a Production/Quality Engineer and a BEng(hons)Engineering Degree.

So, anyone know some places to look? Also any general information about emigrating there would be handy (tips, best areas,and so on)

Cheers

So I am back now! I'm taking to the cool of indoors for the rest of the day as its 27 outside!


You should check in the province that you are looking at to determin if your UK qualifiation/education is suitable or whether you need to do some bridging - eg I think that engineers in Manitoba have to go back to Uni for a while, and dentists have to for 2 years!

In terms of the process, you either need to get permanent residency granted prior to arriving - vis a vie the application process you saw on the CIC website. this means tou can apply for any jobs in Canada, and pretty much anything else a canadian can do except vote. Alternatively you can come over on a work permit, which is tied to a particular job for up to 3 years - if you loose your job you have to return the UK or get another quickly. If a company offers a position this basis the post has to be validated by the government to make sure that a canadian has had ample opportunity to take the position before it was offered to you. they need to do some paperwork for this process.

In the current climate with heavy layoffs in the production industry you may find that companies would rather save a load of paperwork and time and employ a local.

I believe that as you are under 30 you may be able to get an open work permit for 12 months - which allows you to take any job, providing it has been validated as above.

Canadians do not tend to make the same salary as their UK counterpart,

As for the lifestyle, Canada is complex, there is a lot of outdoors stuff to do, if you like mountains you need to head west, the climate can be quite harsh, but it;s liveable if you are properly equipped,

Property can be cheaper than the UK, but running costs higher, taxation is variable between provinces, but in the main the overall burden is similar.

You will probably need a dollop of cash to get you started (variable depending on whether you have dependants.

so there are some good bits and some bad bits, but overall I suspect that the reality of canadian life is not as brill as a lot of folks think, and probably not as good as it was a few years ago.

[Simpo Two]

sawman said:

non canadians can be disadvantaged in the workplace

Disgraceful racism! Where's my MP?

[Oily Nails]

Thank you Sirs! (possibly Madames, never can tell by a user name )

This is the kind of stuff I was looking for, its all very well 'reading' from the Government sponsored websites, I wanted some real folks opinions.

[sawman]

Simpo Two said:

sawman said:

non canadians can be disadvantaged in the workplace

Disgraceful racism! Where's my MP?

It may not be due to different race, but more to do with the fact that employers have to jump through some paperwork hoops to employ a foreigner.

[The Skunk]

I've been living and working in Toronto for 2 years now. I'm moving back to the UK at the end of August. If you have any questions about living in Canada, I'd be happy to answer any. I'm afraid I'm not too up on the technical side of coming here - Sawman's comments seem to have covered those off. I came over on a 2 year work permit with the missus - incidentally, it was very difficult finding her work, took about 3 months.

Canada is a great place. The people are exceptionally friendly. However, be prepared to experience some serious cold (I even wear ear warmers in the Winter!!!) and don't believe it's as cheap as everyone makes out - heed Sawman's words.

Good luck with your investigating.

Cheers

Ben