Looking into starting a new life in Canada
Feb 8th 2017, 9:08 pm
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2009
Location: Somewhere in Hamilton, ON
Posts: 4,307
Re: Looking into starting a new life in Canada
To me that is one of the biggest keys to a successful story... having an open mind!
Feb 9th 2017, 12:44 pm
#17
limey party pooper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,982
Re: Looking into starting a new life in Canada
Da
It is indeed
I would also caution the OP against long haul work as that would leave his wife at home with the kids maybe finding it hard to make new friends, having adult company, often dealing with all the newness alone.
I would also caution the OP against long haul work as that would leave his wife at home with the kids maybe finding it hard to make new friends, having adult company, often dealing with all the newness alone.
Feb 9th 2017, 4:19 pm
#18
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: High River AB
Posts: 571
Re: Looking into starting a new life in Canada
They are the only ones with LMIA's available.
Sorry, what I meant to say is there were LMIA's available for city driving/shunting etc. But if you want PR then you have to get so much time in on long haul.
Last edited by neilg14; Feb 9th 2017 at 4:26 pm.
Feb 9th 2017, 6:12 pm
#19
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Looking into starting a new life in Canada
You sound absolutely lovely and I wish you the best in your future plans. As you stated, this is a big decision.
After reading another thread, it reminded me that one thing many people seem to omit in their plans to move for quality of life purposes, or perhaps not take seriously, is the culture shock and the differences in culture. You are not moving to another place in the UK. You are moving to a different country with different customs and different ways of living life. Do you want a different life? To immerse yourself in a different culture? This is what a move to Canada will bring you.
On the surface, it may be similar to the UK, but the subtleties of the differences do add up. What I mean is that the small things you take for granted in the UK that will be different in Canada. The infrastructure is different. Canada is the size of a continent, with a population half of the UK. It cannot function like a small, densely-populated country like the UK. Services and prices reflect that. The banking systems are different. The way towns/cities/villages are built is different. The options to interact with the wilderness and countryside is different. The perceptions of history and geographical distance is different. The prices and modes of public transportation are different. The seasons - when they start, how long they last - is different. The way people shop for food is different. The food choices available to you are different. The television shows and radio personalities and all the pop culture references you take for granted that you grew up with in the UK will be foreign in Canadians, and what they reflect on nostalgically will be foreign to you. The way people socialize in public and behind closed doors privately is different. Etc. You will need to adapt your UK habits and transition and adjust into new Canadian habits.
Again, these are subtle differences. A move to Canada is not a move to Mongolia, but these subtle cultural differences will exist.
Let's say you arrive in Canada. You secure your dream job. You secure your dream home. Will you and your family be ready to embrace living immersed in a different society that is quite different from UK society? Are you looking for that kind of cultural change? Those expectations must be there before considering a move to Canada in my opinion.
My ramble there is mainly to play devil's advocate, but to also set expectations. Again, I do emphasize, you sound absolutely lovely and I do believe you are going about your research in the right way. If you're the easy-going sort and move to Canada with an open mind ready for new experiences, you could have a very happy family life in Canada.
After reading another thread, it reminded me that one thing many people seem to omit in their plans to move for quality of life purposes, or perhaps not take seriously, is the culture shock and the differences in culture. You are not moving to another place in the UK. You are moving to a different country with different customs and different ways of living life. Do you want a different life? To immerse yourself in a different culture? This is what a move to Canada will bring you.
On the surface, it may be similar to the UK, but the subtleties of the differences do add up. What I mean is that the small things you take for granted in the UK that will be different in Canada. The infrastructure is different. Canada is the size of a continent, with a population half of the UK. It cannot function like a small, densely-populated country like the UK. Services and prices reflect that. The banking systems are different. The way towns/cities/villages are built is different. The options to interact with the wilderness and countryside is different. The perceptions of history and geographical distance is different. The prices and modes of public transportation are different. The seasons - when they start, how long they last - is different. The way people shop for food is different. The food choices available to you are different. The television shows and radio personalities and all the pop culture references you take for granted that you grew up with in the UK will be foreign in Canadians, and what they reflect on nostalgically will be foreign to you. The way people socialize in public and behind closed doors privately is different. Etc. You will need to adapt your UK habits and transition and adjust into new Canadian habits.
Again, these are subtle differences. A move to Canada is not a move to Mongolia, but these subtle cultural differences will exist.
Let's say you arrive in Canada. You secure your dream job. You secure your dream home. Will you and your family be ready to embrace living immersed in a different society that is quite different from UK society? Are you looking for that kind of cultural change? Those expectations must be there before considering a move to Canada in my opinion.
My ramble there is mainly to play devil's advocate, but to also set expectations. Again, I do emphasize, you sound absolutely lovely and I do believe you are going about your research in the right way. If you're the easy-going sort and move to Canada with an open mind ready for new experiences, you could have a very happy family life in Canada.
This should be in the Wiki!!
Feb 23rd 2017, 2:34 pm
#20
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2013
Location: Merida Mexico and Calgary Canada
Posts: 1,050
Re: Looking into starting a new life in Canada
Not many trucking companies doing LMIA now due to the change in rules a couple of years ago,companies now need to pay $1000 for each applicant.If you do find one that is still hiring foreign drivers its best to come to Canada and meet them face to face.You are also looking at $75 an hour or more for the driving lessons to add on to your list of costs.
Feb 23rd 2017, 4:47 pm
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,113
Re: Looking into starting a new life in Canada
I agree..... it should be in wiki. As all the points raised here are where so many people emigrating will epically fail.
Many people hold on to their old lives, its no good pining for something you will never get again...move on....embrace something new. Stand in a born and bred Canadian's shoes, aim to see it from their perspective, and enjoy what they enjoy.
Consign your UK experiences to the past, they are just nostalgic memories, other than that they are of no use to you, especially in a new country and will only serve to hinder your attempt to settle and integrate in your new home. Simple as that.
Many people hold on to their old lives, its no good pining for something you will never get again...move on....embrace something new. Stand in a born and bred Canadian's shoes, aim to see it from their perspective, and enjoy what they enjoy.
Consign your UK experiences to the past, they are just nostalgic memories, other than that they are of no use to you, especially in a new country and will only serve to hinder your attempt to settle and integrate in your new home. Simple as that.
Last edited by Paul_Shepherd; Feb 23rd 2017 at 4:51 pm.
