Moving the family to Canada?
 

Hi everyone,

Me and my husband have two young children and have been considering a move to Canada once we are both finished qualifying in our fields next summer. He has discussed both Canada and Australia with his mentor and we are doing some research now.

Just before anyone mentions it, we've heard all of the "why do you want to move to Canada" questions and all of the "same sh*t different bucket" responses as to why we do not want to live in the UK any longer and although many people will say Canada is no better than the UK, I'm not sure they can be certain about that.

The UK government, the weather, the lack of opportunities for both us and our children for the future...etc etc the list goes on. The UK is ridiculously small and with that restricted size, obviously, comes restricted opportunities. The UK does not benefit hard working people as much as many other countries do, comparable wages are terribly low and welfare is a vicious circle. We really don't see a good future for us in the UK. We might be wrong but we would rather not have the regret of never trying something different.

The only issue is our fields of work..or my field of work. I am due to qualify at degree level next summer but my degree is in criminal investigation and intelligence. I would love to work in my field but I am aware that for almost all countries the law enforcement workers MUST be citizens of that country in order to work in those positions, I am guessing Canada is no different despite being in the commonwealth?? Would this cause problems for me gaining employment over there?

My husband, on the other hand, is currently training as a renewable energy engineer and so a visa would probably be more likely to go his way than mine would you say? He is Looking into large energy companies as well at the moment with regard to job opportunities. We don't have family in canada but someone my husband knew a long time ago moved over to work (in recruitment?) and said it was the best decision he ever made....

I guess any info at this stage from anyone who has been in our position would be so really appreciated :-)

Thanks everyone:)

Re: Moving the family to Canada?
 

Your lack of citizenship will, likely, only affect your ability to work in for the Federal Government. Provincial Governments/Municipalities are unlikely to have an expressed issue with employing those with PR. Some Provinces and many Municipalities have their own police forces.

Re: Moving the family to Canada?
 

More certain than most if you have lived in both countries..dont forget it also terms of population the UK is twice the size of Canada..so in that sense it is a big country.

Re: Moving the family to Canada?
 

You need to check if your jobs qualify on the NOC list; http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/...1/Welcome.aspx

Also check here; http://www.cic.gc.ca/lctvac/english/PA0002

Re: Moving the family to Canada?
 

Not sure those are the right links somehow! The first one is just to the HRSDC page for all NOC codes, i.e. thousands of them - did you mean to give 'the list' of jobs eligible for FSW?

And the second one is for settlement i.e. those who already have visas.

Re: Moving the family to Canada?
 

Hi, and welcome back. So you've decided on Canada rather than Oz?

As cheeky_monkey said, if they've lived in both countries then surely their point of view is very relevant to you? As they'll be best placed to advise you of any differences between the two and whether the life you are after is possible in Canada. Out of interest, you say that 'obviously' the UK has restricted opportunities because of it's size - what opportunities do you think are not available that would be in Canada?

It does sound like he'd have more options, yes. What kind of renewable energy engineer is he?

Re: Moving the family to Canada?
 

Yes and therein lies the exact problem. The country is crippled. It has far too many people and not enough opportunities or resources to compensate for it. Jobs (or should I say careers? Both?), public services, affordable housing... There's a huge lack of it all. You've lived in both....so are you in the UK now then since its so good? If you have lived in both then where you currently reside speaks volumes.....

We believe we have a lot to offer a country as we are educated/skilled and are willing to work hard...we just do not think it will be as appreciated or as rewarding to remain in the UK at this moment in time...

We are still looking at both but Canada would likely be the first choice. And I agree and I appreciate their opinions but the majority of them seem to suggest that leaving the UK is not a good idea...yet they have not returned? And so in a way it seems hypocritical. A lot of people who post asking about emigrating to another country seem to get a lot of negative comments dissuading them from doing so and it just doesn't seem very supportive. If they are not happy where they are then surely not making a change to see if it improves their life will be more regrettable in the long run than making a change and deciding its not for them?

Re: Moving the family to Canada?
 

Second one would redirect them to http://www.cic.gc.ca/ctc-vac/getting-started.asp. Maybe I should of linked that first. Spoon feeding people too much in my book makes them lazy.

Re: Moving the family to Canada?
 

With way things are going right now its not moment too soon to get away. If they won’t appreciate your hard work and talents then go somewhere that will. Don‘t listen the negative, naysaying hypocrisy, you just need an chance and space to express it. Go somewhere the government won’t try and keep you down while giving your birthrights away to other people who don’t even want it. Take a risk, grasp the nettle before its too late and the cynicism becomes stifling. You’re not asking for handouts, I can tell you’re the type of people who just need an opportunity.

Re: Moving the family to Canada?
 

Yep, I'm back in the UK. :lol: I love both countries, but for me and my family, the UK is better personally. As a renewable energy engineer, your husband shouldn't have any issues finding work surely? I know my husband's company is desperately recruiting them, and they can earn great money in the UK (not sure about Canada as my husband isn't an engineer), but it will depend on what kind of engineer he is I guess.

Stick around and you'll soon find that a lot of members of the forum would love to return to the UK but can't. There are various reasons for that, such as family (i.e. they moved with younger children who are now grown up and 'Canadianized' and who they don't want to leave, or a Canadian spouse that doesn't want to move to the UK), cost (£25k or so to move countries is often only doable once for many), etc.

I agree, better to try it at least. As a generalisation, you'll find that most on the forum are positive to those that have 'pull' factors for moving (i.e. they have a love of Canada, or are moving to be with family etc) versus those that have 'push' factors as their reasons i.e. they just want to leave the UK. Because often the life they are after could easily be achieved within the UK if they moved areas, saving tens of thousands of pounds! :lol: And the same problems are everywhere unfortunately, lack of jobs isn't specific to the UK, particularly if you don't have the all important 'Canadian experience' (and in your husband's case, if he doesn't have any engineer experience at all, as you say he's only about to qualify?).

Nobody is trying to tell you not to move, if people are negative it's only because they're trying to point out that not all problems are resolved by a move abroad, and often new ones are created.

Best of luck with whichever country you decide to move to.

Re: Moving the family to Canada?
 

:lol: Oink, not fair on the newbie. Not everybody knows your particular brand of sarcasm. ;)

Re: Moving the family to Canada?
 

Hmm, maybe it was the tone? :unsure: But how do you account for the government?

Re: Moving the family to Canada?
 

Nobody accounts for the government do they? Particularly not the government. :lol:

Re: Moving the family to Canada?
 

And cheeky monkey....? Are they back in the Uk too? I personally think it doesn't matter whether its push or pull its about happiness but i also think that if ur not happy and are considering making a change (push) that makes sense more than being happy but having a "pull" like the "grass might be greener". If its not broke don't fix it right?

Moving to another part of the UK wouldn't change the overpopulation, the government, the lack of pretty much everything good and all opportunities. I don't actually have a problem with my part of the UK, just the UK as a whole.

The wage over here for both of our fields is about two thirds less than other countries looking at comparable stuff online. My husband covers everything engineering-wise in his qualifications including fabrication, welding, materials, consulting etc... It's just that they also have a specialist focus upon renewables, mostly wind power with this being the UK but obviously he is interested in other sources of renewable energy such as solar and hydro though there is not as much focus on that here (maybe if there were such a thing as rain power that would be different!)

It sounds ridiculous as well but I'm really starting to get down about the weather...there are no seasons anymore just constant wind rain and chilly temperatures and my children are getting so down about not being able to enjoy themselves outdoors because of it.....the seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel here, no matter what city we would be in...

And what do you mean sarcasm? The whole post was a pisstake or something?

Re: Moving the family to Canada?
 

As Christamoped said, nobody here is trying to suggest you cannot move anywhere you want. That said, give yourself a break and stay away from the cacophony of nihilism that much of the popular UK media is addicted to. Turn off the tv and radio and don't buy a newspaper for a month, you'll feel tons better. :thumbup: