Hi,

I'm new here.

Me and my family are looking at moving to Canada, its only a recent decision so it's in early stages.

Im after some advice on life out there, jobs, schools, tax, lifestyle in general. Anything for someone wanting to settle in Canada

Thanks in advance

Hi, and welcome to BE.

The Wiki covers most of your questions (certainly taxes/schooling etc), and a search of the forum will help with the rest.

Best of luck with it all.

Will have a read through the wiki when I get home, thanks.

I was after a first hand perspective from a family that has already made the move to see how they found the whole process and what life in Canada is like.

I have a friend who already lives there and says he can find me work. But he has no kids so is looking at it from a different angle

That's why I suggested you search the forum - there's lots of personal accounts (particularly in the Canniversary forum), so you should find some good perspectives to keep you going until the folks in AB wake up!

HTH.

Just be aware that the Temporary Work Permit program is in a state of chaos at the moment. Your mate may have a job for you, but the Government may not let him offer it to you.

Can you elaborate a bit more?

Jings is probably alluding to the fact that LMO's are tougher than ever to get, so it may not be as easy as having a mate with a potential job for you.

Having said that though, that's only applicable if you're planning on going over on a TWP, but perhaps you intend to apply for PR and move out once you've got it?

Yes, that's right. Your mate can't just offer you a job. In order for you to be legally employed you'd need to be a Permanent Resident of Canada (PR) or the employer would need to demonstrate via a document called a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) that he has tried and failed to find a Canadian to fill the position.

Once the Government is satisfied that there are no locals suitable, they will give what's called a 'positive LMO' which allows the employer to recruit a foreigner on a Temporary Work Permit (TWP). But this is the system which in a state of some chaos due to lots of abuse. It is now, rightly or wrongly, very hard to get LMOs, and I understand the Government wants to cut the number of TWPs issued by 50%.

Sorry if you already knew all this, but I'm afraid it isn't as easy as your mate having a job and you coming over.

Thats very helpful to know. My mate doesn't have a job for me, but said he could help me find one. He says there is a shortage of skilled labour atm

Ah, OK. Yes, there probably is a shortage of skilled labour, but the real hurdles will be the paperwork to allow you to take one of those jobs.

It's not a closed door though; just a bit harder to open than it has been for the past few years when it was wedged open.

Thanks fro the info. Its early doors yet, but its a move we definitely want to make.

Can anyone give me some info on education and healthcare?

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Medical_Insurance-Canada

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Health_Care-Alberta

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Category:Education-Canada

HTH.

Thanks