Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

In my opinion if it's because of family or you've landed a great job then yes, come to Canada.
However if it's because you think Britain is going down the pan or you imagine you'll get a dream job here, think again.
Too many Brits have a 'grass is greener' mentality which is largely nonsense. True, crime and anti-social behavior isn't as bad as in Britain, but Canada has other problems which are far worse, like next to zero work prospects.
Personally I'd prefer to put up with drunks and chavs and have money in the bank.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

Alternatively, yes UK plc is getting nastier, larier, more intolerant, more racist/divided, chav culture/couture is prevalent and times are bad in many ways. Dirty streets, pathetic public transport, violent lager scum, urban no-go zones, etc. Take your pick of it all. Personally speaking, we get to feel that our particular set of social and domestic values are moving away from the average Brit by the day/hour/minute. Call be a snob, whatever, I am personally at the middle stage of hating what UK plc stands for these days. Part of me is ashamed of the culture, values, etc and that doesn't even start at the tale/myth of WMD / Iraq war, President B.Liar, etc.

So, maybe one has no family in Canada but new friends are an option if you are open minded, want to listen to people, learn from them and help others out as well as hoping for some of that back in return.

And you/one of you/both of you land a job[s] which puts food on the table, gas in the car, pays for the home and a little left over for treats. Maybe the emigrant is fortunate to move with good money in the bank, a small or zero mortgage option, and even with one party out there picking fruit, or whatever entry level job is available, can live a good life. Or both get lucky and get decent jobs, or one has a great job. Best of luck, whetever the scenario.

If you are patient, considerate, fair minded, try to adapt and above all don't make a bloody great big fuss because you miss [insert favourite UK thing here such as warm Tetley bitter, Cadburys' choccy, some blood sucking Premiership football club, Eastenders, The Sun, Bovril, Chat magazine TV gossip columns, Trevor McDoughnut, staff saying 'love, duck, pet, bairn, sweet, my lover' in shops, blah blah blah].

Emigration = respect, adapt, learn, listen, think, be sensitive to others, put brain in gear before opening gob, think loudly/speak quietly, etc.

It will either work, not work or land somewhere in between the spectrum.

Oh and if anyone thinks I have rose tinted glasses, my pet 'Canadian' rants are beggers/homeless in Vancouver and the horrible, socially damaging, meth culture. So my eyes are open wide, I have been accosted by beggars and am angered by the problem on public display in one of the most beautiful, stunning, cosmopolitan, diverse cities in the entire world. Oh, and of course bank charges and auto insurance premiums ;)

Rich.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

Rich, face facts.
Finding a job and having an income is a pretty fundamental requirement. You can live in the most beautiful, friendly city in the world, but what use is that if you can't afford to put food on the table?
I'm not talking about 'Tetley's and Eastenders' I'm refering to earning a living which isn't easy in Canada. Britain may have hoardes of scumbags, but at least you can earn a crust, jet off abroad for 4 or 5 weeks a year and enjoy a reasonable lifestyle. These people who have rosy visions of life in Canada need to get real.
First, try and a get a job here. Then see how rosy it is.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

Agreed, our spec was this: as two professionals with a good standard of living in the UK, comfort, security etc, we researched and then knew there was a good chance of arranged employment from the UK pre PR.

Therefore our expectations were that one of us had employment before landing.

As that is the case then it has worked out for us.

BUT

We would never have considered emigrating without that position of strength and knowing full well that Canada wanted what we had - not just soundbites, words etc but actual 100% proof of a job offer and opening. It was always 100% conditional for us that we had a job offer on arrival. No ifs, buts , maybes. Canada wants skills ? Prove it to us. End of story. It comes from having clearly thought out expectations and from negotiation skills, knowing what 'minimum price' to settle for.

So, yes you are absolutely right, anyone without any profession which is qualified/certified to Canadian standards, with minimal or borderline finances, would be quite raving mad to give everything up with absolutely nothing stacked in their favour. We wouldn't, so therefore we wouldn't expect anyone else to.

The way PR works fairly well, despite the time delay and frustrations, is that usually (I say usually) professionals with clear demand for them in Canada and able to certify, will work their way through the system. Others are borderline and fate awaits them. Then others simply aim for the dream and get through or fail badly, either before or after arrival.

My heart goes out to anyone who falls for the (UK) immigration consultants spin, because so often they sell the dream not the reality, playing on peoples hopes and not being totally honest and realistic with them. I watched a TV programme once where a UK couple went to Florida, bought a house, put kids in school, bought a truck, and then sat on edge waiting to see if they could get a working visa. Sheer madness !

If you said to person x, give up your secure job, pension, NHS health care, 4/5 weeks hols, etc, risk selling your house below market value, spend £20k on research trips, time on the internet checking stuff out, add in total stress, worry and other factors, put your life on hold for 2-3 years, pay up to £5k to ship your goods 6000 miles away, and [major factor coming up right here] have some % chance of an entry job/profession/survival job, most would heartily tell you where to go. Others, driven by the dream and some real, idealistic, value based factor, would risk all that to achieve a move with some small chance of success.

It's all very strange, highly personal to each migrant and sometimes fate, not cash, has a hand in all this. But I will freely admit this: there is also an emotional, idealistic, wish/dream factor in our emigration plans as well !!

Rich.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

I would STRONGLY disagree with that assesment. There are job prospects, but you have to pay your dues in canada first in some cases. In other cases people get straight of the plane and get lucky. The job market here is very different, and not as strong as the UK at the moment, so you have to know the rules and play the game rather than feel sorry for yourself that no one will hire you. If no one is hiring you after a loooong time, then maybe you arent going about it in quite the right way. I think most (but not all) of the expats on this forum who are in canada have a reasonable job.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

The biggest employer since New Labour took office is in the civil servants quarter. Over half a million in seven years. Under labour over 1 million manufacturing jobs have been lost. Thats more than double under the last tory leadership. Many under old schemes that used to be listed as unemeployed are now 'economically inactive' (to the man on the street unemployed). Suddenly the economists at the top of the chain in the UK say all this employment as paid out of taxpayers revunue is unsustainable. No....what a surprise. 7 years ago just prior to New Labour taking hold there was a small year on year budjet surplus. Now we have record budjet deficits running into nearly 60 billion in 2004. Is that sustainable.

Yes you may get a job. But the real question is for how long?

You can only spend your way out of a problem for so long.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

The job opportunities depend on location in both countries. So if you are in an area of the UK with high unemployment then you can either move to another area in the UK with better prospects or try Canada. On the other hand if you have a good job in the UK then moving to Canada may be a higher risk.

You can't assume that because you're in a high demand job in the UK you will also be in demand in Canada.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

get a grip.......China is manufacturing EVERYTHING.....you want to make money in England then buy china stocks and sit on em

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

????? I can't afford to jet off abroad for 4-5 weeks a year! That sweeping statement is so ludicrous I don't know whether to laugh or throw something at you!

Good Grief! It's time I was in bed anyway..... what am I doing reading this drivel?
:rolleyes:

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

I'm sure you have heard about: lies, damn lies, and stats...
Here in Ontario 1 million people don't have GPs, and there is great demand for nurses, but recently they fired hundreds of nurses because of lack of money and at the same time donated millions of dollars of lottary money to a casino! I don't follow Canadian news, but another scandal (corruption and stealing of public funds) is Sponsorship program. Martin called an inquiry into it, and now they are going to do an audit on the inquiry, because the inquiry is costing more than the scandal itself!

Check out this for the scandal:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/gr...icinquiry.html

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

With what - thats the point. You need to get a grip on reality.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

I've followed this thread and now I'm going to comment. We're moving to Canada because we want a better life for our kids. I personally dislike the town I live in (but like the surroundings and prefer it to London if that makes sense). We moved here 10 years ago (from SE to West country) and I did all the usual things to try and make friends when you have young kids, go to Mother & Toddlers, library, park etc. but most down here don't want to know :confused: I've asked others is it me? They've told me no, they're just odd here and they've had trouble making friends too. We have a handful of good friends which we will miss when we go to Canada. We're not going with "Rose coloured glasses", and think life is going to be all wonderful as soon as we step off the plane. I know we could have trouble getting jobs and may have to have a re-think on our careers. If my husband walks into a good job, that'll be a bonus. We're both fed up with working to pay for lazy arses who won't work, paying more council tax and seeing no improvements etc.... you know how it is. People here are jealous if you have got anything and don't even start about the drink culture in this country! I'm scared stiff about what we're about to undertake, but at least we're going to try and if it doesn't work out, that'll be down to us and no-one else. I like to read people's opinions on here but some come across as typical British whingers. Canada isn't going to hand you anything on a plate, you have to adjust when you go there. I think their supposed 'Canadian job experience' is dumb too, but this is a new country sorting themselves out - not the UK, which has thousands of years of history.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

Here's a different perspective. I have lived in some of the beautiful, friendly places in Canada. I had a few years of being dirt poor in those places and when I was in this period of my life I always thought to myself, "hey, here I am I'm dirt poor picking daffodils for a living, but people are forking out a lot of cash just to experience a beautiful, friendly place for a few days that I get to experience everyday for free."

Here's a question for you. If earning a living is so hard in Canada, as you claim, how come I'm not dirt poor anymore?

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

It is your right to not read, listen, and compare what is actually happening in each respective country. But if you don't you need to take the consequenses. But I also realise it might be difficult to get decent data when you are out of a country.

I look at some aspects of Canada and its taxes and its system with caution so I read as much as I can from as many sources as I can and you are then able to make a fair judgment as far as it goes.

IMF (International Monetory Fund) said in a recent report that the UK needs to have taxes raised by £12 billion or so each year. Also the huge budget deficits are having a major upward pressure on interest rates. This will mean a greater slowdown in the economy already on a brink and then higher repossession rates in property, then a property crash and with personal and governemental debt at an all time high is does not look rosy through my specticles this side of the pond.

Its not my data. I just try to keep in touch with it.

I really hope it gets better for you.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

:rolleyes:

Does anyone else ever have the feeling certain posts are written specifically just to irritate you.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

There's no need to be sarcastic! I did not write the above to 'irritate' anyone and I'm aware (though I will make it clear for you) that the First Nations were in Canada well before Europeans began to colonise the country. If you want to be picky and split hairs, then do so, but you will just piss me off in the process hot wasabi peas. I'm feeling stressed enough at the moment waiting to hear about our medicals and family stuff going on. I know my stress levels are'nt even peaking yet. I come on this forum for support and to offer it where I can, not for nasty little comments from people like you (supposed senior member) to try and make me look dumb, rather than be supportive because I'm new! I'm not sure if I'll bother posting again if this is what crap I'll get. I really don't need it.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

[Yeehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Are you sure we are not living next door. 8 years down the line and my neigbours hardly ever poke their head out the door. I agree with everything you say.


QUOTE=Craftybanshee]I've followed this thread and now I'm going to comment. We're moving to Canada because we want a better life for our kids. I personally dislike the town I live in (but like the surroundings and prefer it to London if that makes sense). We moved here 10 years ago (from SE to West country) and I did all the usual things to try and make friends when you have young kids, go to Mother & Toddlers, library, park etc. but most down here don't want to know :confused: I've asked others is it me? They've told me no, they're just odd here and they've had trouble making friends too. We have a handful of good friends which we will miss when we go to Canada. We're not going with "Rose coloured glasses", and think life is going to be all wonderful as soon as we step off the plane. I know we could have trouble getting jobs and may have to have a re-think on our careers. If my husband walks into a good job, that'll be a bonus. We're both fed up with working to pay for lazy arses who won't work, paying more council tax and seeing no improvements etc.... you know how it is. People here are jealous if you have got anything and don't even start about the drink culture in this country! I'm scared stiff about what we're about to undertake, but at least we're going to try and if it doesn't work out, that'll be down to us and no-one else. I like to read people's opinions on here but some come across as typical British whingers. Canada isn't going to hand you anything on a plate, you have to adjust when you go there. I think their supposed 'Canadian job experience' is dumb too, but this is a new country sorting themselves out - not the UK, which has thousands of years of history.[/QUOTE]

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

Gooding - I've been told by a friend who grew up in the west country that people here are known for not being very friendly. She has lived happily in Edmonton for the past 2.5 years, and her DH got a job when they landed. They are very happy in Canada.

I'm sorry that some peeps on here have had trouble with jobs and are coming home but I don't want to be one of those that says when their older "What if?" We've both said that we have to at least get our citizenship, but if I thought for a moment that we would come back to the UK I wouldn't consider going. We're 99.9% sure of what we're doing.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

:scared:

Hey, chill-out man.

Sorry you're having a rough time but I stand by by comments.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

No country in the world can afford to keep giving hand outs. Eventually there has to be a time to stop.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

Call it 'drivel' if you wish. Seems the people in the UK know far more about living in Canada than us Brits who live here.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

There's three problems with that post....
1) Not all of Canada is beautiful, certainly I wouldn't call Toronto a conventionally attractive city. Clean and safe yes, beautiful no.
2) Canadians are not all friendly and polite. You get rude, ignorant and even downright nasty ones just like any other nationality.
3) You might like being dirt poor, however I'd guess the majority of people wouldn't, particularly if they have children.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

Well Craftbanshee, I bow to your superior knowledge. You obviously know far more than I do about living in Canada. Next time I get refused a job sweeping floors for a living because I lack Canadian experience/Canadian Qualifications, I'll remember that it's just a new country sorting itself out, then perhaps I won't feel so bad. :rolleyes:

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

Good attitude, but sometimes it is easily said than done! When you are really in that situation it seems to be unbearable!
So as somebody here said: Be prepared for THE WORST, but hope for THE BEST!


Good luck!

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

I agree but I was responding to your post in which you said, "You can live in the most beautiful, friendly city in the world, but what use is that if you can't afford to put food on the table?" so I think my reference to living in a beautiful, friendly city are valid and further, they were part of the point I was trying to make but ... swooosh! :D

Really? I had no idea. :rolleyes:

Did I say I liked being poor? No. Again, swooosh. :D

BTW, I'm not poor anymore, which reminds me, you didn't answer my question; If earning a living is so hard in Canada, as you claim, how come I'm not dirt poor anymore?

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

This unfortunately this is far too true….

Was going to say more but I just be repeating what I have said many time before

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

Well maybe you should've checked out the validity of your qualifications before you went to Canada! :rolleyes:

Just because you're ticked off and feeling sorry for yourself, don't come on here moaning at me. I never said I was an expert regarding living in Canada.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

:D No comments Craftybanshee!!!! They even don't recognize BC qualifications here in Ontario!

I cannot wait to see some people in this forum to arrive here!

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

I did 'check the validity of my qualifications', that's the reason I have been applying for jobs at GAP etc. :rolleyes:

You know, I really can't wait to see some of these people arrive, all expecting to get jobs and a nice cosy house in the suburbs.
Are they in for a shock.
:scared:

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

There is a LOT more to this than validity of qualifications, as you would know if you had lived in canada and tried to get a job here :rolleyes: The nature of this forum is that people do come here to moan, often with good reason as its not a terribly just situation to be in.

On the other hand if you have been here a while and are getting nowhere on the job front, then either you are very unlucky, or you need to change your approach and strategies, and there are many local groups and organisations that can help you in that respect. Carrying on in the same rut is not going to help, and neither is complaining that its all canadas fault.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

My sentiments exactly.
Even people from the Maritimes are used as 'cheap labour' here in Toronto.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

Canadian jobs go to Canadian citizens, it's as simple as that.
Even job agencies have admitted it.
The only way you're gonna get a job here is by knowing/sleeping with the manager etc. or having such a rare, specialist occupation that they can't
refuse.
Come to Canada by all means, it's worth it just for the hot summers, but
make sure you have a job before you arrive. Otherwise you'll be up sh*t creek without a paddle. Guaranteed.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

I know from personal experience that that is simply not the case. I completely changed careers here at one point and the job was unadvertised, I had been laid off, applied for everything even remotely related to my field, but nothing. I was in Sears and bumped into a guy I worked with for less than 6 months , he was a "nodding aquaintence"...not close at all. He suggested I had nothing to lose in applying as a quality engineer at the place he now works (I had zero specific quality experience, although as a general engineer it had come up occasionaly), and after I got the job ($55k) he said that it was nothing to do with him, they had basically asked him about 2 questions about me, and he didnt even get the customary "finders fee". Your in canada now and have to play by the canadian rules.

Sure its easier to come here with a job lined up, but I know plenty of brits who came with nothing and are perfectly happy here now.

Can do attitude is everything here, you go in expecting to lose, and you will. Stop feeling so goddamn sorry for yourself and get out there and chase those jobs. Its not completely canadas fault, hell, your posting here is dragging me down and I wouldnt hire you!

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

Utter Bollocks..........

The jobs just like anywhere go to those best qualified to do them, the fact most immigrants make is not realising they have little of no knowledge of the local working methods, unions issues, expected standards, or even supplier base…etc..etc..
So unfortunately you’ll need to be higher up the skill ladder to compensate for the lack of inside working knowledge…. Once you have this then you can become more competitive in the job market. But until then you lack one basic skill set and will have to deal with it..

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

Oh please!
It's got nothing to do with feeling sorry for myself. What tripe.
I chase jobs, ring agencies everyday, follow up etc. Still nothing.
I never had problems finding work in the UK, so I find it difficult to believe the fact I'm an immigrant has got no bearing on the fact I cannot find work. :rolleyes:
If you hadn't noticed there are plenty of other people in the same boat as me.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

Maybe you need to take a look at what is preventing you from getting a job.

I'd concede that to get ahead you probably have to be better than your Canadian counterparts, but one thing I've noticed is that a good attitude goes a long way in promoting job success.

What you should do is take a long hard look at what you have to offer in the jobs you are applying to. Are you tailoring your application to each job you apply for, or are you just applying with little thought. In my experience recruiting, none tailored applications end up right at the bottom of the pile.

Have you made contact with any of the organisations that could help you with your resume and letter of applications. IIRC the HRDC provides assistance in this area?

Take all the help you can find in landing that job offer...

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

Sea Creature your experiences are exactly that YOURS. in the office I work in there are more immigrants that 2nd generation Canadians.

The problem I have found is that you can't always tell "Canadians" from Immigrants. I have met people who you ask when did you arrive in Canada and it turns out their great-Grandparents where the first in their family.

Because of the cultural gathering, for want of a better example "China Townism" you may in certain areas of the largest country in the world find your the wrong local culture to get contacts/foot in the door.


First thing we admitted on arriving in Canada was how the hell are we going to pick the right area to live from England. So we better be prepared to move again and again. So far we haven't my job pays the bills I don't have a great one and haven't applied for anywhere else in 5 years. So my fault not a great job. But guess what I happier at home and the kids are happy at school.

So don't like the few square miles of your part of a canada. then move somewhere else.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

Seacreature - Okay, some people have difficulties getting jobs in Canada but that can happen over here too. My DH doesn't have a degree but 20+ years of experience in I.T. and has been turned down by employers in the past because he doesn't have a degree. When I went back to work after 9 years at home with 2 kids, it took me a year to get a simple office job (doing inputting) and only then I suspect because my friend knew my boss. I also went back to college to update my computer skills, which enable me to move up and get the better job I'm in at the moment, but even that is funded on a yearly contract basis.

My DH would obviously much rather have a job to go to when we arrive but it might not turn out like that. I do agree with you though about the networking and that we're working on.

I hope things get better for you over there :)

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

Thank you.
I've given up on trying to get a job in IT.
I have a degree and 10 years experience in IT support, but it seems to be completely worthless over here, no Canadian Experience again.
Incidentally in Britain I got every job I ever applied for.

I'm now looking for a job in retail, hopefully I'll have more luck in that department. I'm rather annoid at having to search for a minimum wage post
having previously earned over 30K in Leeds, but needs must.
At least it'll get me out of the house.

Re: Ask yourself why you're moving here!!
 

Sorry... this has little or nothing to do with "Canadian experience” and a lot to do with I.T. jobs in Canada being heavily over subscribed …. relatively few jobs.. with thousands of applicants…

You have to remember the US has being offering a green card bribe for years to attract thousands of the best third world IT techies to work in their software houses.. then just casting them aside once their work visas are up….. well Canada welcomes these people with open arms… so in terms of competition your not just up against Canadians but also the pick of the crop from around the world all fired up with fresh US experiance, thus making this one extremely tough job market to get into