I guess this has been asked before...
I am a psychiatric nurse and my wife a general nurse we are hoping to work in Canada with our 2 boys for a few years in BC .
1. Whats the work opportunities like
2. Timescale for processing work permits(not residency)
3. Housing rental costs
And i know its subjective but we would be looking for a smaller city not more than approx 150,000 population that is pleasing to the eye and half decent schools.
Any answers thankfully received.

Kelowna ? Very pleasing on the eye, abundance of natural delights and outdoor amenities, more than should be listed here else it comes across as brash and gloating.

Huge shortage of RPN's in The Okanagan too.

Rich.

To find a bit more detail, read this previous discussion thread.

Here are the websites for you and your wife to send your transcripts in for
assessment prior to sitting for the exams.
www.crnbc.ca and www.crpnbc.ca
RNs and RPNs are in demand here in BC. Here RNs have the flexibilty
to work in general or psych.Whereas RPNs remain in psych.
Nurses are in demand, just check medhunters.com for jobs.
I heard that Kamloops has a new hospital with both general and psych.
facilities. One of my ex colleagues is a psych CNL there.
Hope that helps.
Yoong

Thunder Bay? It has acute, rehab and psychiatric hospitals. They have difficulty filling positions in the North so would probably be willing and able to go down the work permit route and get you here much quicker. Its a nice city, got access to hills and parks, downhill and XC skiing, waterfront, etc. Population about 150,000 I think.
Contact Keg and Mash - they recently moved to T Bay and can give you more info.

Hey Trish - we could start up our own "Big Up Northwestern Ontario" support group!!!

We moved to Thunder Bay on the shore of Lake Superior about 2 and half months ago - with a work permit for 3 years and our PR (hopefully) coming through later this year. I'm an OT working in community mental health.

Now I'm terrible with timescales but think or work permit took about 2/3 months to come through - might have to double check that.

Theres a big push to recruit health professionals, including an underserviced area grant and some help with relocation costs. Health care is one of the biggest employers here. Big enough city to provide all the services needed - the shopping (obviously a priority) is improving all the time! Has definately got a small town feel, people all seem to know one another, and that so and so's brothers married to what her names sister etc. Big university here also.

Lovely scenery - not so much mountains, more like hills - loads of outdoor activities. Cold in winter ( -15 today) but lovely hot summers, very pretty.

Renting is affordable and house prices are nothing like that of other places in Ontario. All the locals keep telling us its a very affordable place to live and you do get alot for your money!

Feel free to PM us and can give you lots more info! Wouldn't recommed moving here without having secured employment for at least one of you, my partners had problems getting a job, its definately a case of who you know, not what. Can also give you email of the recruitment officers if that would help? They could tell you what job opening there are.

Thanks for the reply's they are all very useful... Keg and Mash please could you forward the contact details of the recruitment officer for the area.
Looks like a good place to be!!!
Will probably pick your brains another time if thats OK

Will PM them on Monday - the details are at work.

That's not cold - it's -35 here today, -43 with the windchill!!!! It's moving your way, so get ready ...

Honestly, you keep it with you if you want to, we don't mind..........!!

Have PM'd the details to you.