City Alderman? (lots of holidays and the taxpayer funds it)

Ice hockeyist in Toronto.

Whilst I'd agree with the general sentiment on posts of the repetitive "OMG! Only 2 weeks! That's rubbish!" ilk, I don't think that should extend to threads about what you can do about it.

Because it's not just "nothing, like it or lump it" (although if that suits you, fine). There have been lots of interesting posts here on negotiation with employers over extended leave vs salary / compressed weeks / unpaid holiday / salary vs contract / different career paths etc. and these things are useful to a prospective migrant as time off is a genuine concern to many.

You don't have to short-change yourself without assessing the options just because herd mentality tells you to; some people seem to get decent enough compromises and that's worth hearing about!

Just my tuppence

Cheers, Iain

If a person could get to be a Senator - now that would be a job to have. 52 weeks holidays and I forget how much you get paid. You can even move to Mexico - not show up for any Senate meetings and STILL get paid!!

I thought that senator was doing the right thing. Life in Canada would be much improved if all the members of government moved to Mexico and didn't show up for any meetings. Except for the blessed Belinda that is.

I see the blessed Belinda is leaving politics to return to the family business. I wonder whether that means that Magna is going to buy Chrysler after all then. Amusingly one of her stated reasons for the move is to spend more time with her kids. Because being the Vice Chairperson of a multimillion dollar company is definately less time consuming that being an MP?! Presumably if it's Daddies business no-ones going to complain if you work a bit of flexi time.

Do you think she'll start of with only two weeks vacation?

You really don't keep up with current affairs, do you? Belinda quit yesterday.

Actually, I did know that. American Idol was interrupted for that news flash and since in our house Ms. Stronach's every move is greeted by cooing of "mmmmm, she's *so* hot" I missed the rest of the Idol show.

I do think she'll start with two weeks and whatever child seeing she does she'll do in the office.

Ya I concur & responses indicating **it's so easy for rich people** imply typical British resentment and jealousy. Life is so easy for everyone else, eh ?

Rich.

I don't know that the stereotype of British people holds but life is certainly easier for everyone else than it is for me. (Except for Belinda who has suffered so much, and some starving people in Africa, and some bombed people in Algeria, and Alan Johnson in Gaza, and the people of the former Rhodesia, and the Hutus and the Tutsis and anyone who has laboured through Romeo Dallaire's awful prose and people who have to listen to Cancon).

See thing is I get that where I am now. I'm in a specialized service, granted which helps make it possible but I've been able to take 3+ weeks when I was in retail too. I've never had problems with my employers for getting extra time off, just asked nicely and said please(helps if you have a good boss and you're a good worker, obviously). 2 weeks is not iron clad across the board, and I've seen people saying that but it doesn't seem to stick.

Hi,
As a Canada wannabe, potential moaner etc...
I think you have to remember that people are just shocked by the 2 weeks thing. I think it's typical of us pompous brits to presume that everything will be similar to the UK.

British people are not flexible and we tend to suffer from an inferiority complex, tiny country, big world.

Personally I don't understand why people do complain, I have trawled the BE site for info, explained the two week thing to OH, but I also said to him that he might be able to negotiate higher with new employer, so we will be combining politeness with begging.....

I know for all you expats the situation is different, you have been there, seen it, done that, live in Canada and have the T-shirt to prove it.

We're all just wannabee's.....Please bear with us, as we really need your advice.

A big thanks to all for your help, this site is fantastic!

Charlie
(Slinks away, hoping not to be shot at...)

Hi Charlie

What I think is annoying to most people that when some newbie comes onto our forum and starts asking about holidays , then moans and says "right am going to Oz".

It is sometimes as though they are going to go somewhere else based on the annual leave given with some jobs and that is the end of them considering Canada.

Gaynor

LOL. Succinctly put.

LB.

Hi Gaynor,
Yes, I think you are probably right, narrow minded people, it's just so frustrating.
Most of us want to leave this country because we don't like the way it's heading, but they expect everything to be the same....duh???

Charlie