The cons of Canada??!!
Jul 15th 2008, 7:52 pm
#16
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,682
Re: The cons of Canada??!!
We are looking to move to Canada soon, and are concerned that you are saying there aren't a lot of doctors willing to take on new patients. We have a daughter that is diabetic and needs insulin injections and it is the thing that is worrying us the most about leaving the UK.
Has anyone found it difficult to transfer medical records to Canada so that they can get prescription medication over there?
Has anyone found it difficult to transfer medical records to Canada so that they can get prescription medication over there?
In BC there is Pharmacare. This is a means tested benefit that helps families that have high drug expenses, but you will still have to pay quite a bit. Not all provinces have similar schemes.
Jul 15th 2008, 8:08 pm
#17
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
Re: The cons of Canada??!!
Thanks for your reply, it is something that we are trying to find out about, because like I said its our main worry. We are looking at moving to the east coast (NB) but we are going to have to look at the medical expenses side of stuff to see if it's better to move to a different area.
I am a Paramedic in the Uk, and I have heard that a Paramedic gets free medical care for the family in Canada, but this is something that I need to find out also.
Thanks again
I am a Paramedic in the Uk, and I have heard that a Paramedic gets free medical care for the family in Canada, but this is something that I need to find out also.
Thanks again
Jul 15th 2008, 8:16 pm
#18
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,682
Re: The cons of Canada??!!
Thanks for your reply, it is something that we are trying to find out about, because like I said its our main worry. We are looking at moving to the east coast (NB) but we are going to have to look at the medical expenses side of stuff to see if it's better to move to a different area.
I am a Paramedic in the Uk, and I have heard that a Paramedic gets free medical care for the family in Canada, but this is something that I need to find out also.
Thanks again
I am a Paramedic in the Uk, and I have heard that a Paramedic gets free medical care for the family in Canada, but this is something that I need to find out also.
Thanks again
Jul 15th 2008, 8:21 pm
#19
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
Re: The cons of Canada??!!
Thank you.
Jul 15th 2008, 8:40 pm
#20
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: vancouver island! BC Canada~ Lovin it!
Posts: 1,883
Re: The cons of Canada??!!
Well we have been here over 3 months already and although we really like the place and have made some great friends we have encountered some major issues already that it is making us question our decision about moving here.
First of all jobs - although I have a job (came on a TWP) and I love my job my husband has really struggled to find decent work. It's not like there are no jobs but it seems to be more "who you know" here rather than can u do the job. Anyway he finally got a job although it is very heavy lifting and pretty sh*t work so he is still looking out for something else
.
Also having a major problem with finding doctors and the health care. There is a huge waiting list for doctors here and although there are walk in clinics for after hours they are unpredictable (one was shut last night at 8 and the other was full, despite there being 1 person in waiting room). We tried taking our 2 yr old to one last night as we really wanted a second opinion from a doctor and ended up going to the emergency room at the hospital, where we waited and waited and finally gave up as not one person had moved (one guy had been there 4 hrs already)!!!
So I was just wondering if these are common problems that people have encountered all across Canada or is it just here (Fredericton NB) ?
First of all jobs - although I have a job (came on a TWP) and I love my job my husband has really struggled to find decent work. It's not like there are no jobs but it seems to be more "who you know" here rather than can u do the job. Anyway he finally got a job although it is very heavy lifting and pretty sh*t work so he is still looking out for something else
.Also having a major problem with finding doctors and the health care. There is a huge waiting list for doctors here and although there are walk in clinics for after hours they are unpredictable (one was shut last night at 8 and the other was full, despite there being 1 person in waiting room). We tried taking our 2 yr old to one last night as we really wanted a second opinion from a doctor and ended up going to the emergency room at the hospital, where we waited and waited and finally gave up as not one person had moved (one guy had been there 4 hrs already)!!!
So I was just wondering if these are common problems that people have encountered all across Canada or is it just here (Fredericton NB) ?
i also got a dr within a few days of being here. rang one place they werent taking new patients but referred me to one that was. i couldnt' be happier. she is an excellent GP.
tho mind you..with a lot of health cuts happening here on the island at the moment..my job is vulnerable. if that happens and i lose it
..i could be looking at working for less than half of what i earn now. so ..yeah low wages can be a problem for some. seems either you earn great money..or you don't. the prospect of earning 9-10$ on a permanent basis....makes me cringe.
Jul 15th 2008, 9:35 pm
#21
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Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Canmore, AB
Posts: 345
Re: The cons of Canada??!!
No problems with doctors or hospital waiting times here, possibly because they are geared up for large volumes of tourists but have a relatively small full time population? Whatever the reason we found doctor and dentist very easily and when we took son to A+E for something minor we were the only people there and seen within minutes.
I was sponsored to work at home by my existing employer, so didn't have to look for a job. My wife, an accountant, secured a good job very quickly but I think that was very lucky. She was expecting to have to settle for a far more junior job.
As for the months and months of winter dbd33, that is precisely the reason we came here. I skied/boarded on the 18th November and the 17th May (as well as numerous days in between).
I was sponsored to work at home by my existing employer, so didn't have to look for a job. My wife, an accountant, secured a good job very quickly but I think that was very lucky. She was expecting to have to settle for a far more junior job.
As for the months and months of winter dbd33, that is precisely the reason we came here. I skied/boarded on the 18th November and the 17th May (as well as numerous days in between).
Jul 15th 2008, 9:36 pm
#22
Elusive dreamer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 425
Re: The cons of Canada??!!
So sorry to hear of your problems - and you are not alone and it's not just where you are. The work situation sounds familiar. Hubby did find a job within 6 weeks, but I am still looking and really frustrated! In my case even the "who you know" has not helped and things are at a standstill.
We are not yet eligible for healthcare, so cannot comment on finding doctors, etc.
But we are seriously considering moving back to the UK - although Toronto is not bad, it's certainly no better than London. Each place has it's own problems and highlights.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
We are not yet eligible for healthcare, so cannot comment on finding doctors, etc.
But we are seriously considering moving back to the UK - although Toronto is not bad, it's certainly no better than London. Each place has it's own problems and highlights.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
Jul 15th 2008, 9:40 pm
#23
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 288
Re: The cons of Canada??!!
We walked in to a docs here and got in straight away, not that we've ever needed him. The main serious con for me is still the paltry three weeks holiday.
Jul 15th 2008, 9:44 pm
#24
talking Ter Sami
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: hybrid territory
Posts: 1,107
Re: The cons of Canada??!!
Also as far as jobs go my OH is networking and talking to everyone and I am doing the same asking people in work if they know anyone looking for staff. I just hope now that he has some "local" experience this might help him as well. I know 3 months isn't a long time, I think we are just finding it tougher as we are still trying to sell our house back in the uk which doesn't help things financially, it is currently rented though but still the money would help a lot!!
Good luck.
Jul 16th 2008, 12:12 am
#25
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Location: Eastern Ontario, Canada
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Jul 16th 2008, 12:53 am
#26
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: The cons of Canada??!!
OK, more of a serious issue is that it's not a great place to be outdoors. Firstly, there's not a lot of the outdoors that's accessible by the public, there's no "right to roam". Secondly, it's often too cold to do anything outside unless you're skiing - something you can only really do in three provinces. Thirdly, if it's not snowing there are too many bugs - tonight I saw a woman tending to her vegetables in a beekeeper's outfit. Houses are big so I suppose one can say that Canada offers "The Great Indoors".
Jul 16th 2008, 1:13 am
#27
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Joined: Nov 2002
Location: Eastern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,062
Re: The cons of Canada??!!
OK, more of a serious issue is that it's not a great place to be outdoors. Firstly, there's not a lot of the outdoors that's accessible by the public, there's no "right to roam". Secondly, it's often too cold to do anything outside unless you're skiing - something you can only really do in three provinces. Thirdly, if it's not snowing there are too many bugs - tonight I saw a woman tending to her vegetables in a beekeeper's outfit. Houses are big so I suppose one can say that Canada offers "The Great Indoors".
Jul 16th 2008, 1:57 am
#28
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Halifax. Nova Scotia
Posts: 177
Re: The cons of Canada??!!
I wouldnt worry too much about the doctor issue as previous posts suggest .
Ask everyone you meet when networking with new friends or at school who is accepting new patients, the walk in clinics here in Halifax pick up the overflow from the emergency room , we still have notices at clinics advising families that they are taking on new patients.
If anyone coming to Halifax NS needs help finding a Dr please let me know and I'll put the word out to the several families that have arrived recently.
By the way dont forget to find a dentist too as we found out that there in no emergency dentist on call at the hospital emercency dept...
JS
Ask everyone you meet when networking with new friends or at school who is accepting new patients, the walk in clinics here in Halifax pick up the overflow from the emergency room , we still have notices at clinics advising families that they are taking on new patients.
If anyone coming to Halifax NS needs help finding a Dr please let me know and I'll put the word out to the several families that have arrived recently.
By the way dont forget to find a dentist too as we found out that there in no emergency dentist on call at the hospital emercency dept...
JS
Jul 16th 2008, 2:31 am
#29
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,851
Re: The cons of Canada??!!
It's worth googling certain 'words within' like "doctor" "new patients" (your city) etc.
Their may be other resources revealed such as a university helping new students. Unfortunately the Uni here was saying they know of no doctors taking new patients in Moncton but if there were some, no doubt they'd have been listed.
Last edited by BristolUK; Jul 16th 2008 at 2:38 am.
Jul 16th 2008, 2:38 am
#30
No time for muppets!
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: Alliston, ON
Posts: 585
Re: The cons of Canada??!!
Come on Winter's only bad for the folk who dont embrace it - if you stay indoors all winter watching TV its gonna be shite!!
Get amongst some good old fashioned Canadian winter activities like driving in white out conditions, doing dougnuts in your mustang on a parking lot and my fave trying to slide the car into the ditch at a funny angle!
Theres also something called skiing, sledding, skating and snow shoeing if the above dont tickle yer fancy.
Get amongst some good old fashioned Canadian winter activities like driving in white out conditions, doing dougnuts in your mustang on a parking lot and my fave trying to slide the car into the ditch at a funny angle!
Theres also something called skiing, sledding, skating and snow shoeing if the above dont tickle yer fancy.