Any IEC experience in Montreal or Canmore AB??
#1
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 11
Any IEC experience in Montreal or Canmore AB??
Hi all, hope you are well.
Me and my partner are hoping to aquire an IEC next year and move over to Canada. So far we have been dabbling with the idea of spending our first year in Montreal and our second in Canmore, Alberta. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience in living and working in either city and what it's like? More specifically if anyone has experience being there on an IEC, I have heard jobs for IEC holders can be sparce.
We have been considering Montreal as we would like to experience a big city and Montreal sounds like a place of fun and culture. We have never visited so it would be a bit of a shot in the dark. We would try and learn as much French as possible before arriving, but I have heard Qubec can be very particular about you speaking 'their' kind of French. Most jobs we have looked at require you to be bilingual, so a big question I have is, would we struggle to find work due to language? Away from this I have been told people in Montreal are not always very welcoming, anyone else experienced this? We wouldn't want to go anywhere we were not welcome.
Our second choice Canmore is a little safer, we have visited Canmore and loved the area. We have read the reports about the weather and how expensive it is so we are prepared for all that. One question I do have tho is does Canmore see much rain? The snow excites us but being from England the rain does not! I know Canmore can be a popular IEC destination so I would assume work would be available, but we would hope to get professional jobs that may lead to a career and us being able to stay in Canada longer.
Thanks for all you help!
Jake.
Me and my partner are hoping to aquire an IEC next year and move over to Canada. So far we have been dabbling with the idea of spending our first year in Montreal and our second in Canmore, Alberta. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience in living and working in either city and what it's like? More specifically if anyone has experience being there on an IEC, I have heard jobs for IEC holders can be sparce.
We have been considering Montreal as we would like to experience a big city and Montreal sounds like a place of fun and culture. We have never visited so it would be a bit of a shot in the dark. We would try and learn as much French as possible before arriving, but I have heard Qubec can be very particular about you speaking 'their' kind of French. Most jobs we have looked at require you to be bilingual, so a big question I have is, would we struggle to find work due to language? Away from this I have been told people in Montreal are not always very welcoming, anyone else experienced this? We wouldn't want to go anywhere we were not welcome.
Our second choice Canmore is a little safer, we have visited Canmore and loved the area. We have read the reports about the weather and how expensive it is so we are prepared for all that. One question I do have tho is does Canmore see much rain? The snow excites us but being from England the rain does not! I know Canmore can be a popular IEC destination so I would assume work would be available, but we would hope to get professional jobs that may lead to a career and us being able to stay in Canada longer.
Thanks for all you help!
Jake.
#2
Re: Any IEC experience in Montreal or Canmore AB??
Might also be worth giving details of the kind of job you'll be after so people can let you know if Canmore or Montreal are the best places for that.
Can't help with Montreal or Canmore as haven't been to either place, but good luck!
#3
Re: Any IEC experience in Montreal or Canmore AB??
Hi all, hope you are well.
Me and my partner are hoping to aquire an IEC next year and move over to Canada. So far we have been dabbling with the idea of spending our first year in Montreal and our second in Canmore, Alberta. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience in living and working in either city and what it's like? More specifically if anyone has experience being there on an IEC, I have heard jobs for IEC holders can be sparce.
We have been considering Montreal as we would like to experience a big city and Montreal sounds like a place of fun and culture. We have never visited so it would be a bit of a shot in the dark. We would try and learn as much French as possible before arriving, but I have heard Qubec can be very particular about you speaking 'their' kind of French. Most jobs we have looked at require you to be bilingual, so a big question I have is, would we struggle to find work due to language? Away from this I have been told people in Montreal are not always very welcoming, anyone else experienced this? We wouldn't want to go anywhere we were not welcome.
Our second choice Canmore is a little safer, we have visited Canmore and loved the area. We have read the reports about the weather and how expensive it is so we are prepared for all that. One question I do have tho is does Canmore see much rain? The snow excites us but being from England the rain does not! I know Canmore can be a popular IEC destination so I would assume work would be available, but we would hope to get professional jobs that may lead to a career and us being able to stay in Canada longer.
Thanks for all you help!
Jake.
Me and my partner are hoping to aquire an IEC next year and move over to Canada. So far we have been dabbling with the idea of spending our first year in Montreal and our second in Canmore, Alberta. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience in living and working in either city and what it's like? More specifically if anyone has experience being there on an IEC, I have heard jobs for IEC holders can be sparce.
We have been considering Montreal as we would like to experience a big city and Montreal sounds like a place of fun and culture. We have never visited so it would be a bit of a shot in the dark. We would try and learn as much French as possible before arriving, but I have heard Qubec can be very particular about you speaking 'their' kind of French. Most jobs we have looked at require you to be bilingual, so a big question I have is, would we struggle to find work due to language? Away from this I have been told people in Montreal are not always very welcoming, anyone else experienced this? We wouldn't want to go anywhere we were not welcome.
Our second choice Canmore is a little safer, we have visited Canmore and loved the area. We have read the reports about the weather and how expensive it is so we are prepared for all that. One question I do have tho is does Canmore see much rain? The snow excites us but being from England the rain does not! I know Canmore can be a popular IEC destination so I would assume work would be available, but we would hope to get professional jobs that may lead to a career and us being able to stay in Canada longer.
Thanks for all you help!
Jake.
Completely different experiences, the snag with Canada being that they're unaffordably far apart; if you're in one and want to see the other, you have to hitch.
#4
Re: Any IEC experience in Montreal or Canmore AB??
Hi all, hope you are well.
We have been considering Montreal as we would like to experience a big city and Montreal sounds like a place of fun and culture. We have never visited so it would be a bit of a shot in the dark. We would try and learn as much French as possible before arriving, but I have heard Qubec can be very particular about you speaking 'their' kind of French. Most jobs we have looked at require you to be bilingual, so a big question I have is, would we struggle to find work due to language? Away from this I have been told people in Montreal are not always very welcoming, anyone else experienced this? We wouldn't want to go anywhere we were not welcome.
We have been considering Montreal as we would like to experience a big city and Montreal sounds like a place of fun and culture. We have never visited so it would be a bit of a shot in the dark. We would try and learn as much French as possible before arriving, but I have heard Qubec can be very particular about you speaking 'their' kind of French. Most jobs we have looked at require you to be bilingual, so a big question I have is, would we struggle to find work due to language? Away from this I have been told people in Montreal are not always very welcoming, anyone else experienced this? We wouldn't want to go anywhere we were not welcome.
#5
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Joined: Jul 2020
Location: nw calgary
Posts: 21
Re: Any IEC experience in Montreal or Canmore AB??
Canmore doesn't get a lot or rain probably 12-15 inches a year but does get a ton of snow! Its only a small town with 15,000 residents. Essentially a tourist town/bedroom community. A good hours drive with no traffic to Calgary downtown.
#7
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Joined: Aug 2021
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Re: Any IEC experience in Montreal or Canmore AB??
In which case, can I suggest you do that in your first year? You won't leave yourself enough time to get PR if you wait until your second year to get professional jobs, if you do think you'll want to stay you'll need to find eligible jobs fairly soon after arriving, don't leave it until your second year.
Might also be worth giving details of the kind of job you'll be after so people can let you know if Canmore or Montreal are the best places for that.
Can't help with Montreal or Canmore as haven't been to either place, but good luck!
Might also be worth giving details of the kind of job you'll be after so people can let you know if Canmore or Montreal are the best places for that.
Can't help with Montreal or Canmore as haven't been to either place, but good luck!
My partner was a policewoman for around 8 years, and has since worked for the Police but in a staff role and not as an officer, I think she would ideally like something similar. I'm not picky in terms of work, I'd happily do anything that increases our chances at PR or even sponsorship.
Thanks again.
#8
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Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Any IEC experience in Montreal or Canmore AB??
Thanks for your reply! Yes we had thought a solid 2 years in one location with one job would increase our chances of making Canada a permanent home.
My partner was a policewoman for around 8 years, and has since worked for the Police but in a staff role and not as an officer, I think she would ideally like something similar. I'm not picky in terms of work, I'd happily do anything that increases our chances at PR or even sponsorship.
Thanks again.
My partner was a policewoman for around 8 years, and has since worked for the Police but in a staff role and not as an officer, I think she would ideally like something similar. I'm not picky in terms of work, I'd happily do anything that increases our chances at PR or even sponsorship.
Thanks again.
Your partner is unlikely to be able to get a job working for the police as a civilian nor as an officer without being a Citizen (or Permanent Resident for a minimum of 3 years).
What is it you do?
#9
Re: Any IEC experience in Montreal or Canmore AB??
My sister went to Canmore for her IEC. Didn’t enjoy it and ended up leaving early. From what I gather, as has been mentioned here it’s studenty, very much geared to “passers through” those who want to earn a little pocket money to offset some of the expense while they hit the slopes.
#11
Re: Any IEC experience in Montreal or Canmore AB??
I've been there many times as a tourist, seen the falls and the old city, ridden that crazy ice slide, it's been great. Recently I went for work, to an area like Mississauga. That would have just been dull in most cities but it seemed a terrible cheat to be in Quebec but in an office park.
#12
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 11
Re: Any IEC experience in Montreal or Canmore AB??
If you wanted to remain in Canada you would need to apply as soon as the 1st year is over.. (you need 1 year working in Canada for Canadian Experience Class, but that's only 1 route of many)... because it can take a year for you to be picked from the Express Entry pool and then you have processing time on top. Perhaps take a quick look at our Wiki for information https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Quick...an_Immigration
Your partner is unlikely to be able to get a job working for the police as a civilian nor as an officer without being a Citizen (or Permanent Resident for a minimum of 3 years).
What is it you do?
Your partner is unlikely to be able to get a job working for the police as a civilian nor as an officer without being a Citizen (or Permanent Resident for a minimum of 3 years).
What is it you do?
Thanks for your reply.
#13
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Joined: Aug 2021
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Re: Any IEC experience in Montreal or Canmore AB??
My sister went to Canmore for her IEC. Didn’t enjoy it and ended up leaving early. From what I gather, as has been mentioned here it’s studenty, very much geared to “passers through” those who want to earn a little pocket money to offset some of the expense while they hit the slopes.
Have to say we are a little dissapointed in what we are hearing of Canmore, we loved our visit and expected a nice mountain town. From the research we have done we have heard nothing but good things, other then the cost and weather.
That being said we really appreciate everyone's feedback and honesty.
#14
Re: Any IEC experience in Montreal or Canmore AB??
Just out of curiosity why did not enjoy it? Was the cost of living or more the lifestyle of the area?
Have to say we are a little dissapointed in what we are hearing of Canmore, we loved our visit and expected a nice mountain town. From the research we have done we have heard nothing but good things, other then the cost and weather.
That being said we really appreciate everyone's feedback and honesty.
Have to say we are a little dissapointed in what we are hearing of Canmore, we loved our visit and expected a nice mountain town. From the research we have done we have heard nothing but good things, other then the cost and weather.
That being said we really appreciate everyone's feedback and honesty.
#15
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Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Any IEC experience in Montreal or Canmore AB??
Yes we have heard she wouldn't be able to get any kind of police work. I am currently a team leader in a warehouse with a Ministry of Defence contract so I can't talk about the work too much but we are a logistics warehouse. We would both be keen to take on work that would increase our chances to stay in Canada permanently.
Thanks for your reply.
Thanks for your reply.
There are other options - see our wiki: https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Quick...an_Immigration
Some of the temp jobs (fast food / ski resorts etc.,) have staff accommodation to alleviate the high costs and low wages, but that wouldn't work for the 2 of you as they are usually shared rooms.
https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/jobsearch/jobsearch?mid=22489
https://www.jobresourcecentre.com/job-listings
https://goskialberta.com/jobs (just for an example of different types of work available in the ski industry - not suggesting using this company)