Finding Canadian differences very frustrating - How do I fix this?
Feb 8th 2017, 11:29 pm
#91
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Re: Finding Canadian differences very frustrating - How do I fix this?
What bank do you use in Canada?
Aside from PC financial and some credit unions, hard to find a totally free banking account unless you either keep fairly large sums of money to meet the minimum daily balance, or other things like mortgages or something and get a multi-product discount/fee waiver.
I know with our credit union the only way to avoid fees is to keep 1,000 minimum in the account at all times, drop 1 cent below $1,000 anytime during the month, and they add on the 7/month fee.
Aside from PC financial and some credit unions, hard to find a totally free banking account unless you either keep fairly large sums of money to meet the minimum daily balance, or other things like mortgages or something and get a multi-product discount/fee waiver.
I know with our credit union the only way to avoid fees is to keep 1,000 minimum in the account at all times, drop 1 cent below $1,000 anytime during the month, and they add on the 7/month fee.
Some years back I was assigned to my American employer's Sydney office. I assumed that banking was the same in Oz as in Canada and the U.S. I tried to buy an airline ticket to Auckland with a credit card. A credit card! They were hardly known and treated with suspicion. Then there was the 6 pm chucking out time in the pubs. So 19th century.
I lived in Canada since I was 12-nearly 50 years, and I never encountered any charges for banking services. BACs payments-I first used them in the early '80s. Transfers via Pre-authorized Checks-since the '70s.
Here in England every one and his brother wants to be paid via direct debit. D.D.s are the number one source of complaints to personal money columns in the financial press.
The last two years in Canada I rented a condo, and paid by D.D.-no problem.
The last certified check I got in Canada-2016-cost me $12.00. Try getting one in the U.K.-about £35.00. How about having to pay huge sums of money, non-refundable, to get a mortgage, or the fees charged by grubby rental agencies in the U.K. I never had to pay any of that in Canada.
Back in the 70s an international call from Canada to the U.K. had to be made via the operator so out of date was the UK phone system.
I would agree about the public transport system outside major cities in Canada. Before the Crow Rate was abolished there still existed a passenger rail service-not quite SNCF standard-but fairly reliable. I clearly remember my first ski trip to Banff, from Calgary-by train. Or the day-liner rail cars running around Alberta-sadly all gone now.
It was an eye-opener for me, coming to live in England.
Swings and roundabouts-just different.
I lived in Canada since I was 12-nearly 50 years, and I never encountered any charges for banking services. BACs payments-I first used them in the early '80s. Transfers via Pre-authorized Checks-since the '70s.
Here in England every one and his brother wants to be paid via direct debit. D.D.s are the number one source of complaints to personal money columns in the financial press.
The last two years in Canada I rented a condo, and paid by D.D.-no problem.
The last certified check I got in Canada-2016-cost me $12.00. Try getting one in the U.K.-about £35.00. How about having to pay huge sums of money, non-refundable, to get a mortgage, or the fees charged by grubby rental agencies in the U.K. I never had to pay any of that in Canada.
Back in the 70s an international call from Canada to the U.K. had to be made via the operator so out of date was the UK phone system.
I would agree about the public transport system outside major cities in Canada. Before the Crow Rate was abolished there still existed a passenger rail service-not quite SNCF standard-but fairly reliable. I clearly remember my first ski trip to Banff, from Calgary-by train. Or the day-liner rail cars running around Alberta-sadly all gone now.
It was an eye-opener for me, coming to live in England.
Swings and roundabouts-just different.
Last edited by scrubbedexpat091; Feb 8th 2017 at 11:31 pm.
Feb 8th 2017, 11:47 pm
#92
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Joined: Mar 2016
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 474
Re: Finding Canadian differences very frustrating - How do I fix this?
What bank do you use in Canada?
Aside from PC financial and some credit unions, hard to find a totally free banking account unless you either keep fairly large sums of money to meet the minimum daily balance, or other things like mortgages or something and get a multi-product discount/fee waiver.
I know with our credit union the only way to avoid fees is to keep 1,000 minimum in the account at all times, drop 1 cent below $1,000 anytime during the month, and they add on the 7/month fee.
Aside from PC financial and some credit unions, hard to find a totally free banking account unless you either keep fairly large sums of money to meet the minimum daily balance, or other things like mortgages or something and get a multi-product discount/fee waiver.
I know with our credit union the only way to avoid fees is to keep 1,000 minimum in the account at all times, drop 1 cent below $1,000 anytime during the month, and they add on the 7/month fee.
My rental application, had a form for the bank to complete and stamp. One section was what was my average balance. Hard to calculate since only been in the country for 2 weeks, so needed to be sent off to head office, a $20 fee and a 5-7 business day processing time.
This I found odd, as I completed the rental application that evening, around 5pm, and around 9am the next day they called to say I had been approved. Not sure how they managed to get this completed form!!! Magic possibly...
And the references I provided did not get a call. Same standards exist worldwide!!!
EDIT:
Should add I also joined TD Trust as they had a new comers account, so I could get a CC. PCF would only give me a CC once I had a CA Driving License. Then TD would only give me a pre-paid CC, but I am stuck with limits on my daily withdrawals on PCF and then trying to link my PCF account to my TD trust account, is around 7-10 business days.
Sheesh they do not make it easy or quick. It is like they do not want your business quickly.
Last edited by evets; Feb 8th 2017 at 11:51 pm.
Feb 8th 2017, 11:55 pm
#93
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Re: Finding Canadian differences very frustrating - How do I fix this?
Can't say I have ever had a landlord ask me to provide banking info, how odd.
Some have asked to do credit checks, but never a form asking for average balances, only time I have had to do that was for the BC Government.
Some have asked to do credit checks, but never a form asking for average balances, only time I have had to do that was for the BC Government.
Feb 8th 2017, 11:59 pm
#94
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Re: Finding Canadian differences very frustrating - How do I fix this?
Yeah I agree, the form was a first to me. Asking to much personal information, as everyone runs the main bank account different. I would also transfer everything to my savings account and keep the bare minimum I needed in my chequing account.
Feb 9th 2017, 1:58 am
#95
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Re: Finding Canadian differences very frustrating - How do I fix this?
My earlier point is that public transit varies from city to city in Canada. There is no Canada-wide standard to make judgments. It is a country the size of a continent with a population size half of the UK. Rapid transit like subways can only function when a city has a population of high density in small spaces, which rarely exists in Canada, with exception of... Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Last edited by Lychee; Feb 9th 2017 at 2:02 am.
Feb 9th 2017, 10:34 am
#96
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,504
Re: Finding Canadian differences very frustrating - How do I fix this?
They keep their poutines to themselves though, I want nothing to do with that.
Feb 10th 2017, 12:37 am
#97
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Re: Finding Canadian differences very frustrating - How do I fix this?
If I could speak French then I would consider Montreal in a heart beat. Flexible booze regulations (by Canadian standards), a reasonable cost of living, a decent commuter system as you say and plenty of jobs available in the tech sector and the games industry. Plus some rather notoriously attractive ladies around as well.
They keep their poutines to themselves though, I want nothing to do with that.
They keep their poutines to themselves though, I want nothing to do with that.
Feb 10th 2017, 12:57 am
#98
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Re: Finding Canadian differences very frustrating - How do I fix this?
I'd give Montreal a try if I spoke French, but considering how difficult it is for me to master English, doubtful I could learn French..
Feb 10th 2017, 1:01 am
#99
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Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
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Re: Finding Canadian differences very frustrating - How do I fix this?
Canada is thinking it is a 21st century country but in reality it does not come close. I am in Mississauga outside Toronto. They have a train system which runs in the GTA at a few select points, BUT only runs during rush hour week days. Nothing runs on the weekend or during the day on weekdays, crazy.
I know many people who live in Toronto who do not have cars and several who do not have driving licenses. Transit is fine if you stay within Toronto, it only falls apart if you go beyond the end of the TTC.
Last edited by dbd33; Feb 10th 2017 at 1:07 am.
Feb 10th 2017, 1:14 am
#100
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Re: Finding Canadian differences very frustrating - How do I fix this?
You can't say you weren't warned. I distinctly recall suggesting that, rather than move to central Mississauga, you should consider joining the Foreign Legion.
I know many people who live in Toronto who do not have cars and several who do not have driving licenses. Transit is fine if you stay within Toronto, it only falls apart if you go beyond the end of the TTC.
I know many people who live in Toronto who do not have cars and several who do not have driving licenses. Transit is fine if you stay within Toronto, it only falls apart if you go beyond the end of the TTC.
haha you are funny, and yes agreed. It is only when you actually move you get to grips with it and truly understand it.
And yes Mississauga is NOT T.O and public transport here is an after thought. May have worked 40 years ago when Mississauga was being developed, but population increase and government immigration did not match up.
Life goes on!!!
Feb 10th 2017, 1:15 am
#101
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Re: Finding Canadian differences very frustrating - How do I fix this?
Feb 10th 2017, 11:11 am
#102
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Re: Finding Canadian differences very frustrating - How do I fix this?
If I could speak French then I would consider Montreal in a heart beat. Flexible booze regulations (by Canadian standards), a reasonable cost of living, a decent commuter system as you say and plenty of jobs available in the tech sector and the games industry. Plus some rather notoriously attractive ladies around as well.
They keep their poutines to themselves though, I want nothing to do with that.
They keep their poutines to themselves though, I want nothing to do with that.
Interesting you mention Montreal, a colleague(immigrant but speaks French) in my office has her heart set on moving there and has told me how different it is from T.O and Mississauga. It does sound very appealing if you speak Canadian French, which I do not. I still struggle with English
. However, language differences aside, it's still very much "same s**t", different bucket as far as Canadian cities go. Large numbers of immigrants (& potential immigrants) *there* see it as a stepping stone/stop on the way to (mainly) Toronto or Vancouver.
Feb 10th 2017, 11:17 am
#103
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Re: Finding Canadian differences very frustrating - How do I fix this?
Montreal is a fine city . However, language differences aside, it's still very much "same s**t", different bucket as far as Canadian cities go. Large numbers of immigrants (& potential immigrants) *there* see it as a stepping stone/stop on the way to (mainly) Toronto or Vancouver.
. However, language differences aside, it's still very much "same s**t", different bucket as far as Canadian cities go. Large numbers of immigrants (& potential immigrants) *there* see it as a stepping stone/stop on the way to (mainly) Toronto or Vancouver.A few have since left now that the conditions aren't quite as favourable as they were back then but even now, Montreal probably has the largest concentration of games development and related businesses of anywhere in the world apart from California, Tokyo and London.
Feb 10th 2017, 11:33 am
#104
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Re: Finding Canadian differences very frustrating - How do I fix this?
I think what probably attracts me to Montreal personally is the huge presence of the games industry there. Back when Canada offered huge tax breaks to the creative media sector and offered special simplified work permits for game developers (craftily masked an IT specialist program), a lot of game publishers from Europe, Japan and the US flocked there.
A few have since left now that the conditions aren't quite as favourable as they were back then but even now, Montreal probably has the largest concentration of games development and related businesses of anywhere in the world apart from California, Tokyo and London.
A few have since left now that the conditions aren't quite as favourable as they were back then but even now, Montreal probably has the largest concentration of games development and related businesses of anywhere in the world apart from California, Tokyo and London.
.Even today, it's probably one of the few sectors left here where a) French is not a requirement, b) it's possible to get a job with no French. What does seem to be frequently required these days in that field is fluency in another language (in addition to French/English/both).
Feb 10th 2017, 11:36 am
#105
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Re: Finding Canadian differences very frustrating - How do I fix this?
Ah yes, I remember that "initiative" .
Even today, it's probably one of the few sectors left here where a) French is not a requirement, b) it's possible to get a job with no French. What does seem to be frequently required these days in that field is fluency in another language (in addition to French/English/both).
.Even today, it's probably one of the few sectors left here where a) French is not a requirement, b) it's possible to get a job with no French. What does seem to be frequently required these days in that field is fluency in another language (in addition to French/English/both).
To be fair, that initiative worked massively in Canada's favour as well. Within the space of a couple of years, Canada went from being virtually a non-existent source in the games industry to being the world's fourth largest producer of them, after the US, Japan and the UK. At this point it is pretty much Ubisoft's main base of operations even though officially they are still HQ'd in France.
Last edited by DigitalGhost; Feb 10th 2017 at 11:39 am.