Nurse and GP (and a puppy) looking to move to Nova Scotia/Ontario
Jul 2nd 2019, 10:44 pm
#16
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 62
Re: Nurse and GP (and a puppy) looking to move to Nova Scotia/Ontario
Menena_alice
Welcome to BE and hopefully to Canada.
We have been in Canada ten years and in NS three and really enjoy it. We live in rural NS about an hour and a bit north of Halifax and my wife works at Dartmouth Crossing. I have to say we have had none of the issues expressed, even though we live in a very small community which other than us a South African family, South Korean and German is all generational Nova Scotians (think the Clampits and Duck Dynasty). I am a Yorkshire man so am not really susceptible to fitting in or bullying, so cannot really comment but my wife is a very well spoken/polite/sensitive Surrey girl and they love her. Her only complaint is as raindropsandroses said "nothing stays secret in NS. Its like living in a goldfish bowl". That is certainly the case in rural NS but its the same for everyone not just People From Away.
My wife's car broke down today on her way to work. She was at the side of the 102 the NS equivalent of the M1 (ish). Department of Transport workers on the opposite carriage way ran over and coned off her car, helping her move it fully over. They asked if she wanted them to wait with her until the tow truck came. Our plumber (lives in our village) was driving on the opposite carriageway, stopped and ran over all the lanes of traffic to see if she was OK. Two RCMP cars and twelve random vehicles from cars to trucks all stopped to see if she needed anything. I got there before the tow truck and waited with her about 30 minutes, in which time the RCMP went past on either carriageway 4 times, looking for a thumbs up each time. We have also lived in many places and cannot think where she would feel so safe.
I feel for raindropsandroses but again do not recognize the reaction to success. We live in a very poor demographic and I own an international business. Every year after I complete my company and personal census Statistics Canada phone me back to go over it, because I throw the financial demographic out for the whole area. We bought one of the largest houses in the area which the locals refer to as the "big white house on the bay" or the O'Brian house (used to be owned by the largest wooden ship building family in NS during the 1600-1800's the O'Brian ship yards. Other than the locals seeing us as the source of excessive donations to the fire station or some other community project and local tradesmen (including the plumber) trying to find things to do at my house, we have had no problems.
We also lost GP's x3 in the last year. Two were of East Indian origin and all three were loved by the local population. Two come back part time to cover the surgeries until replacements are found and Doctor Vohra was the head of the NS doctors association for many years. All three stayed in NS but took salaried jobs with Federal agencies as they did not get on with the funding structure. Many of the issues were caused when Federally they changed the tax rules for incorporated companies, which applies across Canada.
If you have not already seen it, check out the thread by Poundlanddoc, he asks many of the same questions. I had two of our former GP's and my accountant E mail him with a no holds idea of what the issues are for GP's in NS and the tax implications of the changes. If you message him I am sure he will share what they told him.
Weather here in NS is not as bad in winter as out west. There are several micro climates so it can vary from one end of a road to the other but here we had very little snow but it was colder this year. My wife travels 90 km to work and has only ever taken one "snow day" in 3 years
We have two dogs, the basset is a wus and has a "Chillie dog coat" think North face for dogs and the beagle cross will not wear one.
Hope this helps
Welcome to BE and hopefully to Canada.
We have been in Canada ten years and in NS three and really enjoy it. We live in rural NS about an hour and a bit north of Halifax and my wife works at Dartmouth Crossing. I have to say we have had none of the issues expressed, even though we live in a very small community which other than us a South African family, South Korean and German is all generational Nova Scotians (think the Clampits and Duck Dynasty). I am a Yorkshire man so am not really susceptible to fitting in or bullying, so cannot really comment but my wife is a very well spoken/polite/sensitive Surrey girl and they love her. Her only complaint is as raindropsandroses said "nothing stays secret in NS. Its like living in a goldfish bowl". That is certainly the case in rural NS but its the same for everyone not just People From Away.
My wife's car broke down today on her way to work. She was at the side of the 102 the NS equivalent of the M1 (ish). Department of Transport workers on the opposite carriage way ran over and coned off her car, helping her move it fully over. They asked if she wanted them to wait with her until the tow truck came. Our plumber (lives in our village) was driving on the opposite carriageway, stopped and ran over all the lanes of traffic to see if she was OK. Two RCMP cars and twelve random vehicles from cars to trucks all stopped to see if she needed anything. I got there before the tow truck and waited with her about 30 minutes, in which time the RCMP went past on either carriageway 4 times, looking for a thumbs up each time. We have also lived in many places and cannot think where she would feel so safe.
I feel for raindropsandroses but again do not recognize the reaction to success. We live in a very poor demographic and I own an international business. Every year after I complete my company and personal census Statistics Canada phone me back to go over it, because I throw the financial demographic out for the whole area. We bought one of the largest houses in the area which the locals refer to as the "big white house on the bay" or the O'Brian house (used to be owned by the largest wooden ship building family in NS during the 1600-1800's the O'Brian ship yards. Other than the locals seeing us as the source of excessive donations to the fire station or some other community project and local tradesmen (including the plumber) trying to find things to do at my house, we have had no problems.
We also lost GP's x3 in the last year. Two were of East Indian origin and all three were loved by the local population. Two come back part time to cover the surgeries until replacements are found and Doctor Vohra was the head of the NS doctors association for many years. All three stayed in NS but took salaried jobs with Federal agencies as they did not get on with the funding structure. Many of the issues were caused when Federally they changed the tax rules for incorporated companies, which applies across Canada.
If you have not already seen it, check out the thread by Poundlanddoc, he asks many of the same questions. I had two of our former GP's and my accountant E mail him with a no holds idea of what the issues are for GP's in NS and the tax implications of the changes. If you message him I am sure he will share what they told him.
Weather here in NS is not as bad in winter as out west. There are several micro climates so it can vary from one end of a road to the other but here we had very little snow but it was colder this year. My wife travels 90 km to work and has only ever taken one "snow day" in 3 years
We have two dogs, the basset is a wus and has a "Chillie dog coat" think North face for dogs and the beagle cross will not wear one.
Hope this helps
Jul 2nd 2019, 10:57 pm
#17
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,810
Re: Nurse and GP (and a puppy) looking to move to Nova Scotia/Ontario
You just reminded me of a letter I read in today's paper denying there was any problem with climate change. Here's a snippet.
I could not help but chuckle at how the experts are trying to deceive mankind. But I am not deceived. Jesus is coming back to earth to reign for 1000 years.
Jul 2nd 2019, 11:26 pm
#18
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,874
Re: Nurse and GP (and a puppy) looking to move to Nova Scotia/Ontario
Oh my! 
Jul 2nd 2019, 11:37 pm
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,874
Re: Nurse and GP (and a puppy) looking to move to Nova Scotia/Ontario
Menena_alice
My wife's car broke down today on her way to work. She was at the side of the 102 the NS equivalent of the M1 (ish). Department of Transport workers on the opposite carriage way ran over and coned off her car, helping her move it fully over. They asked if she wanted them to wait with her until the tow truck came. Our plumber (lives in our village) was driving on the opposite carriageway, stopped and ran over all the lanes of traffic to see if she was OK. Two RCMP cars and twelve random vehicles from cars to trucks all stopped to see if she needed anything. I got there before the tow truck and waited with her about 30 minutes, in which time the RCMP went past on either carriageway 4 times, looking for a thumbs up each time. We have also lived in many places and cannot think where she would feel so safe.
My wife's car broke down today on her way to work. She was at the side of the 102 the NS equivalent of the M1 (ish). Department of Transport workers on the opposite carriage way ran over and coned off her car, helping her move it fully over. They asked if she wanted them to wait with her until the tow truck came. Our plumber (lives in our village) was driving on the opposite carriageway, stopped and ran over all the lanes of traffic to see if she was OK. Two RCMP cars and twelve random vehicles from cars to trucks all stopped to see if she needed anything. I got there before the tow truck and waited with her about 30 minutes, in which time the RCMP went past on either carriageway 4 times, looking for a thumbs up each time. We have also lived in many places and cannot think where she would feel so safe.
Years ago, my daughter used to drive to and from Halifax area to Wolfsville on the 101 twice a week, in an older car. It broke down one day, she had barely stopped before another car stopped and a guy got out to see what was wrong. She didn't have a cell phone at that time, so he called a tow truck and stayed with her. Other cars slowed to check that no more help was needed.
We paid for a cell phone for her after that ............... but not from any worries that no-one would stop to help but so that she could take the first step in calling for help.
Jul 2nd 2019, 11:38 pm
#20
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Nurse and GP (and a puppy) looking to move to Nova Scotia/Ontario
Apparently there's more of a team approach to care in hospitals in the UK but I don't think medical jobs can be wildly different between the countries, similar bureaucracy, similar patients. What can be different is the open commercialism here and the circumstances of life outside work.
Jul 3rd 2019, 4:21 pm
#21
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 22
Re: Nurse and GP (and a puppy) looking to move to Nova Scotia/Ontario
Last edited by Poundlanddoc; Jul 3rd 2019 at 4:27 pm. Reason: Error
Jul 3rd 2019, 5:23 pm
#22
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 22
Re: Nurse and GP (and a puppy) looking to move to Nova Scotia/Ontario
Something to be aware of, Nova Scotia is beautiful, it's a tourist destination for a reason and at face value people are friendly, it seems like a nice place, good facilities etc.
How are you going to make sure you see beyond that to know if it really is somewhere you'd like to live? A short visit to see isn't going to give you that insight.
As a serial expat I'd go so far as to say short visits are close to pointless, as there's no real way of knowing without living in a place, sort of a catch 22 really. At first we loved Nova Scotia, I thought I'd finally found the place where we happily live out our days.
Then I started what for me was life saving treatment, and seeing our "friends" start voicing their attitudes, seeing it all come out in the wash was devastating, and so hurtful. That our young child had to repeatedly hear why mummy wasn't worth the cash it cost to save her when that money could have been spent on Canadians was even worse. These were the same friends who threw us a surprise party to celebrate my birthday, who we though genuinely liked us, who we were close to.
I'll spare you my harping on about it again, as I feel I've done that enough on here as late. I will say that it wasn't just that though, as soon as we started to become successful in a major way (rather than just doing well, or not as was first the case!), that brought on the backlash too. Not that we have ever advertised it, but nothing stays secret in NS. Its like living in a goldfish bowl.
There is a reason NS can't keep its doctors, and struggles to recruit them without them hotfooting it to other provinces. When they are leaving in their droves, you have to ask yourself why. Why are the province prepared to spend so much money and resort to immigration to attract Doctors? Why don't any of the existing Doctors in Canada want those jobs?
Generally speaking, if a country or an area is making immigration easy, or much easier than the norm, you have to question why. As ever in life the easiest/cheapest route is rarely the best.
How are you going to make sure you see beyond that to know if it really is somewhere you'd like to live? A short visit to see isn't going to give you that insight.
As a serial expat I'd go so far as to say short visits are close to pointless, as there's no real way of knowing without living in a place, sort of a catch 22 really. At first we loved Nova Scotia, I thought I'd finally found the place where we happily live out our days.
Then I started what for me was life saving treatment, and seeing our "friends" start voicing their attitudes, seeing it all come out in the wash was devastating, and so hurtful. That our young child had to repeatedly hear why mummy wasn't worth the cash it cost to save her when that money could have been spent on Canadians was even worse. These were the same friends who threw us a surprise party to celebrate my birthday, who we though genuinely liked us, who we were close to.
I'll spare you my harping on about it again, as I feel I've done that enough on here as late. I will say that it wasn't just that though, as soon as we started to become successful in a major way (rather than just doing well, or not as was first the case!), that brought on the backlash too. Not that we have ever advertised it, but nothing stays secret in NS. Its like living in a goldfish bowl.
There is a reason NS can't keep its doctors, and struggles to recruit them without them hotfooting it to other provinces. When they are leaving in their droves, you have to ask yourself why. Why are the province prepared to spend so much money and resort to immigration to attract Doctors? Why don't any of the existing Doctors in Canada want those jobs?
Generally speaking, if a country or an area is making immigration easy, or much easier than the norm, you have to question why. As ever in life the easiest/cheapest route is rarely the best.
Jul 3rd 2019, 6:49 pm
#23
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 62
Re: Nurse and GP (and a puppy) looking to move to Nova Scotia/Ontario
not the first time I have done this and I am sure not the last.I should have listened to Instruction I received many many years ago Always ask--Believe nothing--Confirm everything and assumption has an ass in it for a reason.
Jul 5th 2019, 4:22 pm
#24
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2017
Location: Halifax, NS
Posts: 345
Re: Nurse and GP (and a puppy) looking to move to Nova Scotia/Ontario
Dear all,
I've spent hours on this forum looking at the information written by all of you. Thank you so much to everybody who contributes, very very helpful to newbies to this, like us.
I thought I would ask a few specific questions - I am so sorry if I am repeating previous questions!
We are a nurse (myself) and a GP (my husband) in our mid/late 30s, looking to move to Canada. We are sadly disillusioned with the NHS where both worked for over 10 years and need a challenge/change. We are attracted to Nova Scotia as undeniably the conditions offered to GPs seem good and certification/immigration seems more straight forward. We are keen to go for a site visit, which has been offered to us. We have read at length about people's experiences of this province and are obviously a little disappointed, I do think however that it's important that we go and see things for ourselves and speak to those working there. If we were to go and absolutely not like living in Nova Scotia after a while, and we wanted to move to another province, would we have to apply for GP/nurse certification again? I think the answer is yes, but I wonder if anyone can offer further advice on the process... I imagine we would have our permanent residency by then as we would want to give it a good go and stay for at least 2 years as we would want to gain experience in Canada and "pay back" the investment they've made in us. The other option would be to apply directly to Ontario as this is our 1st choice province, even though we know it would take longer. We are just worried that it will be more difficult to get professional certification/find a job in general practice. In Ontario, do you normally first start the process of professional certification and then start looking for a GP job? Where do you look for a job? Can anyone recommend any agencies? Would they look at your CV if you don't have yet a licence to practice?
I am aware that getting nurse certification in Ontario is lengthy process as my UK training is unlikely to be a match to Canada training so I am really dreading it, but if my husband had a job and I had a work permit we should be able to manage, until I get certified! I haven't looked yet at certification in Nova Scotia but think it will be similar.
The other question is, we have a puppy who would be coming over with us - Would we have trouble finding accommodation in Nova Scotia/Ontario that allows pets? We would be looking to live in Halifax/Toronto respectively.
Thank you so much in advance. We would be very keen to speak to GPs/nurses who moved to either Nova Scotia or Ontario for a little more advice on your journey.
I've spent hours on this forum looking at the information written by all of you. Thank you so much to everybody who contributes, very very helpful to newbies to this, like us.
I thought I would ask a few specific questions - I am so sorry if I am repeating previous questions!
We are a nurse (myself) and a GP (my husband) in our mid/late 30s, looking to move to Canada. We are sadly disillusioned with the NHS where both worked for over 10 years and need a challenge/change. We are attracted to Nova Scotia as undeniably the conditions offered to GPs seem good and certification/immigration seems more straight forward. We are keen to go for a site visit, which has been offered to us. We have read at length about people's experiences of this province and are obviously a little disappointed, I do think however that it's important that we go and see things for ourselves and speak to those working there. If we were to go and absolutely not like living in Nova Scotia after a while, and we wanted to move to another province, would we have to apply for GP/nurse certification again? I think the answer is yes, but I wonder if anyone can offer further advice on the process... I imagine we would have our permanent residency by then as we would want to give it a good go and stay for at least 2 years as we would want to gain experience in Canada and "pay back" the investment they've made in us. The other option would be to apply directly to Ontario as this is our 1st choice province, even though we know it would take longer. We are just worried that it will be more difficult to get professional certification/find a job in general practice. In Ontario, do you normally first start the process of professional certification and then start looking for a GP job? Where do you look for a job? Can anyone recommend any agencies? Would they look at your CV if you don't have yet a licence to practice?
I am aware that getting nurse certification in Ontario is lengthy process as my UK training is unlikely to be a match to Canada training so I am really dreading it, but if my husband had a job and I had a work permit we should be able to manage, until I get certified! I haven't looked yet at certification in Nova Scotia but think it will be similar.
The other question is, we have a puppy who would be coming over with us - Would we have trouble finding accommodation in Nova Scotia/Ontario that allows pets? We would be looking to live in Halifax/Toronto respectively.
Thank you so much in advance. We would be very keen to speak to GPs/nurses who moved to either Nova Scotia or Ontario for a little more advice on your journey.
As for Nova Scotia itself, and Halifax area in particular, should you visit between late June and late September, you are likely to think it fabulous.In these months, it is. It truly is hard to whack. However, I would look to visit at other times of the year when things are not so lively. I remember being very impressed visting in the middle of May one year to find the buds were only starting to appear, whereas in sunny Geordieland, everything was in full bloom so to speak, and had been for well over a month.
Halifax is quite a nice city and there seems to be a slight head of steam building up economically. More migrants and young people are staying here, the population is growing, there is definitely some momentum in certain sectors of the economy, and buildings are springing up all over the place (whatever that might mean). Dartmouth used to be adump, frankly, but has real momentum behind it too. I am looking forward to a bit of a pub crawl over there this summer to sample the new breweries and cidery. I would echo some of the sentiments about looking more carefully at Dartmouth should you wish to buy a place. If we decide we are staying here, Dartmouth will be on the list long before Bedford or Sackville.
I am not a doctor but through my work I have met plenty of health professionals, from nurses to family doctors, and they all say the same thing - the health system, since it was amalgamated, is a mess. Many are retiring, not because they want to, but because they can no longer take it. I imagine most health care systems, mind you are, similar.You will clearly get better information from Poundlandoc so I will not talk about something I only have a surface knowledge on. However, if you do set up in Halifax, can you take me on please :-) I miss having a doctor!!!!
I have my own personal issues to resolve re Nova Scotia but, objectively, if you can get a good job here (which I think you have covered) it is a great place to live. I hope that helps and, if you want to ask any questions, please do so. Best of luck with your deliberations - very exciting thing to be considering.
Jul 6th 2019, 1:01 am
#25
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2014
Location: Toronto
Posts: 262
Re: Nurse and GP (and a puppy) looking to move to Nova Scotia/Ontario
Dear all,
The other option would be to apply directly to Ontario as this is our 1st choice province, even though we know it would take longer. We are just worried that it will be more difficult to get professional certification/find a job in general practice. In Ontario, do you normally first start the process of professional certification and then start looking for a GP job? Where do you look for a job? Can anyone recommend any agencies? Would they look at your CV if you don't have yet a licence to practice?
.
The other option would be to apply directly to Ontario as this is our 1st choice province, even though we know it would take longer. We are just worried that it will be more difficult to get professional certification/find a job in general practice. In Ontario, do you normally first start the process of professional certification and then start looking for a GP job? Where do you look for a job? Can anyone recommend any agencies? Would they look at your CV if you don't have yet a licence to practice?
.
regarding Ontario you are right it is much harder compare to other provinces. but you can always transfer from other province to Ontario. Yes! you do need to reply to Ontario college again. Usually it should be easy if you have the full license in NS. You can always apply to Ontario and come under supervision license and then do your exams while working in Canada in order to get your license. you can apply to college and try to find job simultaneously. don't worry about job in Ontario! there are plenty of it especially if you go further from main cities. there are shortage and you can find it easily. If you find it directly then most of these clinic won't request any CV but most agency will do. however you do need CV when you apply for college registration. You can find job on HFO website - Health Force Ontario. Good luck with your adventure.....
