I dont live in a large city, and no, I dont hear swearing or see hookers, and all my runs in with officialdom have been very smooth, professional and polite.

I have not been a victim or even a witness to a crime in 6 years here, which is about 5 and a half years longer than I can say for living in Leeds.

Nearly all the canadians I work with and socialise with are nice and polite to the point that sometimes my englishness is embarrasing to my wife.

I cant speak for the education system, but my taxes, direct and indirect are a lot lower than the UK, where I paid 17.5% VAT (15% sales tax) and my income was taxed at 40%, rather than 33% overall here.

Maybe I am just lucky I ended up where I am, or you were unlucky to end up where you are, sometimes things work out and sometimes they dont, it is certainly no reflection on an individual.

Good luck

Iain

I really would do anything to move to Europe (I am happy with a lot of countries there).

I moved here 3 years ago and never have been used to it for a variety of reasons, and hopefully can move out of here this year.

Good Luck to whoever wants to move back, I hope to be one of you this year.

Maybe that's right. But I am happy for you. I don't get to hear many success stories, so it's nice to know that you are happy. Stay that way.

sorry, but I thought it was funny that you really thought London had 3 murders... enough to repeat it even..unless it was London, Ontario?

I dont worry about crime.. most murders are committed by someone you know.. so unless you are hangin' with the wrong people.. there's always the risk I guess that we will be the victim of some crime.. anyway..

bad luck for you.. sorry.. change is tough thats for sure.. its like, just how much can you handle? sometimes its easier to just go back to what you know and love I guess.. but at least you tried.. and I mean that.. there are soo many people out there dreaming of a change.. for what ever reason.. they just dont have the get up and go to try it.

I know it's hysterical. But the link even said home office something. How funny. Anyway....

We gained a lot from this immigration. Firstly, we firmly know where the home is now, and it's in London, no doubt. So, we went to Canada to find our sense of belonging. And found it.

One more thing for others to considder is that the vast majority of jobs in canada are never advertised, so you have to network network network, cold call employers, send resumes (remember a resume and a CV are not the same thing) to people you think might employ you and follow up with a call. It seems pushy to someone from the UK, but you really have to sell yourself.

All the best

Iain [/QUOTE]

Can anyone tell me how a resume is Different from a CV.

All the best Alexandra on your return.

This kind of explains, resume is more of a sales pitch, CV is more of a list of qualifications/ work experience.

http://www.gatewaymanagement1.com/Ca...ume_vs_cv.php3

Hope it helps.

Iain

I dont mind sharing my resume with others if they want a rough idea of the lay of the land, send me a PM or email, and promise not to laugh!

I only just found this thread but have followed it with interest, and some dismay. Much of the bad experience seems to be from western Canada - I don't know if that's relevant but having lived six years in Montreal all I can say is that none of the thngs that have been complained about have happened to us. Great people, great place - wouldn't contemplate going back to the UK ever, positively shudder at the thought.

When you move to a new country you must look forward, not back. The few people we have met who have returned all had one thing in common - they went "home" at least once a year and never really cut their emotional ties.

Canada and Quebec are wonderful but they are quite different and you cannot expect things to be conducted as they would be in Britain. Local experience in any profession is very important and if those are the local rules then go with it. Meet the world as it is rather than as you think it should be and life works out fine.

I'm sorry, I disagree. When something is plain unfair and discriminative, I am not going to put up with this. And I am looking forward. Forward to moving home.

Sorry - you've had a bad experience it seems but this isn't discrimination, it's what's normal in most countries. Back in the UK I have been involved in hiring highly qualified professionals from outside the EU and it's damned hard to get them into the country on a work permit, believe me. Most professionsal bodies protect thier turf, it's normal, frustrating but normal. Let's take an example - medics coming to Canada usually have to resit some exams and do an interneship period - just the same in the UK. My wife is a UK accountant - to work here requalification is needed. Why? because the rules and laws are different and you have to prove you can handle them. Not discrimination, common sense to protect the clients.

Obviously you still think UK is "home" instead of your new country - so maybe you should cut and run but please don't slag off Canada/Quebec .... millions of people have made a great life for themselves here

I am not slagging anything off. I am talking about my experience and experience of people I know. And yes, it is a discrimination. The UK example you referring to involves getting a work permit for prospective employee, it's a hassle and no-one wants to do it. I am talking about permanent residents of the country, not needing a work permit.

I have a right to my opinion too, you know. And what I am saying are facts and not a figment of my imagination. And I am yet to see those 'millions of people who made it here'. Canadian immigration program is a project to get cheap labour and suck even more money out of new immigrants.

Oh boy, I sort of wish I had not read this thread. We are coming out to BC at the end of May for three weeks for a holiday and to look around to see if we might like to live there. Some of the things I have read are putting me off somewhat. We had hoped that my husband could get a job first and we could come out there temporarily on a work permit to see how it goes (not sell our house but rent it out for a while). Maybe we are being rather niaive?

My husband is in the medical profession in mental health and we had thought that he might have to retrain. I am a JP in this country (we don't get paid) and having investigated I find that JPs are paid over there (wow) and I had hoped that I might be able to find part time work after arrival as a JP(the duties are virtually the same as over here). I also have alot of experience working voluntarily as a branch administrator for the RSPCA and may could get work with an animal organisation as well as being a Legal Secretary. I have a friend who emigrated from the UK to Calgary and got work straight away as a Legal Sec.


We do have a reasonably comfortable lifestyle in this country. We live in a lovely part of the UK near to the coast (we moved from London BECAUSE of the crime etc and nothign on earth would induce me to go back not even to Leafy Hampstead!). I don't really want to move out to Canada and struggle to survive even though I am sure that the lifestyle out there would suit us and our two dogs.

I am really now wondering if we are considering doing the right thing.
Bren

I can't say anything to that, sorry. It's your decision. Apparently, there are 'millions of people who make it here'. I am just not one of them. And I don't know any of them.

You need to be sure why you want to do this, and you are right to visit for as long as you can first. Only you can decide if Canada is how you think it is, and if that is what you want.

You need to contact the BC medical body and find out exactly what qualifications hubby will need to take, how much it will cost, and how long it will take, and see how long you he will have to be an intern for before he can start to get a decent wage.

Realistically I think he is unlikely to get a work permit to practice medicine as he will probably not be qualified to BC standards initially, and will not get one for anything else as he has not been working at anything else recently, but as a PR there is no reason to have to sell everything in the UK, just appoint someone there you trust with power of attorny so they can tidy up your affairs for you if you do decide Canada is for you. Of course this is only practical if you have some savings to live off without "selling the farm"

Work out what the potential benefits are, and how much shit you will put up with for how long to make that happen. It is not easy at first, and i am talking years not months, but in my opinion, and that of several others I know it is possible to reach a point where wild horses would not drag me back to the UK for more than two weeks in any five years.

For most new immigrant it is not easy, but then it is an old cliche that most things worth having do not come easy.

I hope you make the right decision

Iain

I think it is primarily coming from one person in Calgary who has had some very bad luck.