Hi,
We`re looking for some guidance. My wife, daughter and I are going to Nova Scotia for a holiday at the beginning of August 2008 for two weeks and are in the early stages of researching emmigration.

Now the CIS - Community Identified Stream, looks like a viable option and I suppose what I am getting at is, do you think it would be prudent to call on the Regional Development Agency whilst we are in NS.
We would at the very least gain some valuable information as well as introducing ourselves to the Community - so to speak.

My wife, who would be the principle applicant is a Post - Anasthesia (Recovery) Sister and I work in Construction as Building Control Surveyor (Home Inspector).

Thanks for taking the time to read what is probably waffle but any information you could depart would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, definitely contact the RDA - I'll send emails in a Private Message

I've only ever read the wiki on this, don't know anything else about it, but is it not aimed at those who don't qualify for TWP/PR in the conventional way? Surely your wife, being a nurse, could get a TWP? You wouldn't have the risk of buying property in a place you might not like to show commitment to the community that way.

You do not have to buy a property for some RDA's.

I guess it depends on where you want to live and work. Each County of Nova Scotia has there own regional Development Agency. I would think all counties in Nova Scotia would be looking for people in the medical field. Check out the Capital Health Website

I agree. If you are over here why not try and find a job? If you get a job offer (and as I understand it that isnt difficult in the healthcare field) you can apply through the Provincial Nominee program - skilled worker stream. Really the Community Identified stream is meant to be for people who can demonstrate "long standing ties to Nova Scotia". If you havent been here before I would think that would be hard. Some RDAs will bend the rules a bit as there are areas that are very keen for new immigrants to combat net out-migration but it's by no means guaranteed. But if you have a job offer its pretty much a done deal and you can even get a temporary work permit to tied you over until permanent residency comes through without all the LMO bit.

I totally agree and the RDA's will point you in this direction first. You can find a NSNP skilled worker stream application guide here
http://www.novascotiaimmigration.com/en-page1078.aspx

As an aside, do health care workers not need to do an exam in the main before they can work in Canada?

I ask because a friend of mine wants to come, he is a physio of 20+ years, but his research seems to indicate he couldn't just go knocking on doors looking for a job until he had passed a difficult exam?

Please correct me if I am wrong as he is gutted about it!

Rachel

Morwenna, who is a physiotherapist in Calgary, was allowed to start working before she'd passed her exam. She had X amount of time in which to pass the exam (I forget the exact length of time).

Normally I'd let Morwenna speak for herself, but it occurs to me that she may not find your question in a thread entitled Nova Scotia-Community Identified Stream.
x

Thanks Judy, I will pass that on straight away

Rachel

Nor would I have, if Rach had not taken your advice an pm'd me!

Well, as people have already commented, lots of advice and guidance. Thanks very much. Off now to do even more research.