We left in 2009, after 33 years in Canada, and we've decided it's time to move back -- specifically to Victoria, which is where we were last.

I wondered if anyone here had moved back, and if there were any hints and wrinkles. We're both Canadian citizens.

You're citizens. You can come back anytime.

Obviously it's a bit of a hassle to relocate, but you must realise that already.

Definitely. We just walked back into the UK, but we'll have to answer questions at immigration in Canada. Also, we just signed up with the NHS in the UK, but in most provinces, we'll have a 3 month waiting period, I believe.

I gather our drivers' licences are just swappable in BC, but I'm wondering if there are any other little quirks.

Firstly, you can just walk back into Canada too (assuming your Canadian passports are not of out date). Secondly, I was in ON not BC, but from reading on here I think it's 2 complete months after the month you arrive back in BC for provincial healthcare.

Driving licence is a straight swap in BC as in ON.

Car insurance no claims may or may not be an issue in BC but it was for us in ON. Luckily, using a broker, I found an insurer who recognised our NCB from Germany but most companies refused to do it.

HTH but someone in BC would be a better mentor than me...

To me it's a bit strange how this varies from province to province - you would think it would be standard across the country.
We were eligible immediately on arrival in MB as our work permit was valid for 12 months or longer, no waiting period at all.

Oh, I agree. One of my oft used acronyms is YPMV = Your Province May Vary.

It's all embedded in what counts for history in Canada, as it is in a similar manner in Germany.

Es ist was es ist.

Sometimes it's easier to think of Canada in terms of the EU or something like.

It's like each province is a separate country, your acronym is extremely appropriate.

And therefore easier to think of the UK as Quebec?

I think that works at least these days.

That would be nice.

Not quite. In the UK they look at the passport and wave you through and then you can walk through the Nothing to Declare lane. In Canada, they always ask questions. On one trip we had a very suspicious immigration inspector. I'm not sure what she thought we two old geezers might be up to!

Anyway, don't we have to have our shipping manifest in hand? I read that somewhere. And then there's the agricultural inspection, or have they ceased that? Asking about garden tools and such?

Well as long as you're not 'up to anything' can't see what you have to fear from the CBSA.
Check out the WIKI on here - in Canada under Moving Logistics there is a section on Goods accompanying and Goods to follow that should answer your questions about manifests.

Agreed! They search my luggage and dirty gruds in Canada all the time. I have smuggler written on my forehead amongst the many other things.

Are you Bev from Dawlish? If so, I remember you. Good luck on return to Canada!

Yes, that's me. It's nice here, but we've realized we want to be back in Canada -- Victoria in particular.

Not that strange when you consider that most government funding for healthcare comes from the provincial government.