We will be moving to Toronto in May next year. We don’t have any major problems here apart from severe Asthma, which is the main reason to move. Last year in Nov, 2005 we had validated our visas and received PR cards. I will be grateful if any one can provide the following information:

1. Will there be any problems when we re-enter Canada in May, 2007 after approximately one year and six months?
2. Can you compare Australia with Canada in general?
3. Does it get very hot in summers in Toronto? Is it hotter than our summers in Sydney?

Thanks

Don't think so, not once you have your cards.

Yes you can. Go right ahead.

Yes, it does get very hot. Don't know what Sydney is like, but it's been bloody hot in Toronto (and Montréal) in summer (or, at least, recently that's been the case). It's also horribly humid. Still, it only lasts for a few weeks. This summer in Montréal it was glorious apart from a week or so of +40.

K.

Severe asthma and you're moving to Toronto?

Seriously, if I'm understanding your post correctly, I suggest you research the air quality in Toronto, and Southern Ontario in general. It's bad and if you already have respiratory problems it's very, very bad . http://www.on.lung.ca/air_quality/index.asp

Asthma sufferers tend to moan about the GTA air quality, so look into that.

Summer is hot and humid here. Dont know how it compares directly to Sydney, but it can get pretty oppressive for a month or two. Still, thats what A/C and the pool and the beach is for.

Wont be any cricket / rugby fanaticism here...you would never know the ashes is happening and rugby internationals pass us by. Probably the main difference for a brit in canada vs Oz is the total lack of intercountry sporting rivalry here...and the climate I suppose.

We don't do humidity in Alberta!

People who find hot humid summers aggravate their asthma often do better in Alberta.

People whose problem is pollen allergy however may find the grass and tree pollen here a problem at times.

What about the other side of this. The poster has asked about summer but surely winter in Ontario or Alberta will be a real culture shock compared to winter in Sydney.
Does severe cold affect asthma too?

I've lived in both countries, and my feeling is that they are relatively similar.

Well obviously there are differences. Australians drive on the left, and Canadians drive on the right. The two countries play different sports. Canada gets much colder winters than Australia does. The flora and fauna are different. The list goes on.

But there also are many similarities. For a start, they are English-speaking countries (except for Quebec in Canada). There is a shared history as British dominions. I would say that the overall tone of the two countries is similar.

As other posters have already responded, yes.

When Toronto gets hot and humid, it's at least as uncomfortable as Sydney, and perhaps it's even worse. From my recollection of summer visits to both cities, I think Toronto's humidity was worse than Sydney's. Well at a minimum I can say that I did not find Toronto any better in summer than Sydney. (But most of my Australian experience was gained in Melbourne.)

Anyway, all the best with your move.

Good point. Sorry, I don't know the answer.

Yes, I can. It's a common trigger.

So there could be a potential problem with Toronto as a destination for an acute asthma sufferer. Very hot humid summers, poor air quality and severe winters.
Still late spring and early autumn might be ok!!

Well, the bugs will drive you nuts in the spring!

The winter in Ontario along the lake is far from severe by Canadian standards. Last few years its barely even snowed that much, and there was only one cold spell I remember.

Why would anyone want to live in Toronto anyway??

Lots to do......Erm, thats all I can think of.

I guess if you are a business type, accountant or IT bod its where all the "top jobs" are

Oh yes, its the "center of the universe" too innit

I had bad asthma in the UK but since moving to Vancouver it has all but gone. Have you looked at Vancouver as an option?

Hot humid summers shouldn't aggravate asthma, but the polluted, pollen laden air that goes with it in southern Ontario most certainly can. Southern Ontario has some of the highest pollen counts in North America during the summer.