Oh ... Canada ...
 

Unfortunately this is another thread about a frustrating experience in Canada. Make of it as you will.

I am a UK osteopath and was on a work permit in Montreal. I went to Montreal thinking that this was a huge gamble, but the clinic I worked with and the Montrealais were amazing. As long as you know the rules in Quebec (i.e. 'different') and at least make an effort at the language, I would recommend it. Sadly, when I asked about immigrating, the Quebec official told me that I needed to improve my French or not to bother. A setback, but "do-able".

I then moved to Vancouver (also on a work permit) as my partner is a BC girl. Vancouver has been an entirely different story and has been disastrous (although the relationship is still strong!)

- HRDC? I cannot say anything polite about them, sorry.
- The clinic I was working with? I will be charitable and say "amateurish".
- Vancouver? I am reminded of the phrase, "beauty is only skin-deep". Imagine Croydon-on-Sea in a beautiful environment, but with less "depth" of character than Croydon itself. They are hoping to reach the dizzy heights of apathy in time for 2010 ... if there is enough marijuana. More "lazy" than "laid-back" - and I have heard that from a number of "international businessmen" with companies here as well.

Bitter? NO! I just feel let down in thinking that I have been "diddled" by Canada saying one thing and doing another. I feel like a mug.

I came to Canada believing the hype that they wanted professionals with new skills that could readily adapt. Yes, I read about all of the immigration problems that teachers and doctors were having, but I didn't believe them.

I could apply again from UK if I wanted, but why go somewhere to have a poorer standard of living, especially when you are not wanted? (and especially when you have spent so much money in the sodding country and paid all of your taxes and they still make it difficult!)

The irony is that if I want to be with my Canadienne, I may have to take it on the chin and return to pump gas or make an ICBC claim. (Working in a clinic, I have see new immigrants making ridiculous claims from ICBC and WCB!)

Montreal was difficult, but fun. Vancouver made me think that Britain is far more impressive than I realised.

I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be writing that in public!

Re: Oh ... Canada ...
 

Very interesting.

I have a work collegue who moved to Vancouver about four years ago and never looked back. He is in IT so it may be a completely different experience to your line. Is it more than work that has put you off Canada? Please explain.

I must say, you don't seem to be the only one with a similar line to this. There again as I've said many times, only the ones who it hasn't worked out for are possibly the ones with the time to add their unfortunate experiences to this forum.

Good luck with any move back here.

Re: Oh ... Canada ...
 

It is a sad story and I understand the dissapointment..I live in Holland only because Imy boyfriend and I want to be together, but the country..in my eyes, is not a very welcoming country, amongst other things, but that's another story. But the good thing is that we are preparing to go back to my home town soon, Montreal. I can understand that learning a new language is not easy ( like me learning dutch) but it's always do-able like you say and the advantage in Montreal is that you can always switch back to English when in need..bonus for you.
You seem to have liked Montreal and had a great time there, if you want to stay in Canada why aren't you going back there instead of going back home..the language is not that big of a barrier. My boyfriend who is Dutch can manage in French, he is not fluent, but the fact that he knows that English is spoken there is a huge relief for him..he just loves Montreal!

Don't give up now..think about improving your French..if that's all you would have to do to be with your Canadienne and stay in Canada..but maybe there are some other issues at hand that make you not want to go back to Montreal..

I wish you luck,
La Montréalaise!

Re: Oh ... Canada ...
 

Hi
i've been with this site for over two years and to my mind a theme runs through a lot of the 'can't settle ' stories.The vast majority seem to be those who have moved to the 'western' provinces in Canada far more so than the atlantic/eastern ones.
At first sight the western provinces look more beautiful,perhaps more fun,more relaxed etc but it just appears that many people from the British Isles find it harder to adapt to the more 'American' way of life and often seem lonely and frustrated.Obviously there are exceptions (notably Vancouver Island).
Only my thoughts and i know i will probobly get shoot down.
Mike

Re: Oh ... Canada ...
 

I know other Britis who are having a great time, I also know a smaller number who are having a crap time ... it's all down to attitude and expectation.

Undoubtedly expats already in Canada come here looking for something, otherwise why would they make the effort?

If you're in the "Canada is crying out for skilled people" brigade, you'll be disappointed by your experiences here.

Emigrating has its ups and downs and many more surprises than you can plan for ... most wannabe expats are clueless about what they're letting themsleves in for ... that's why this forum is so addictive for the rest of us.

Just think of us as the lemmings who made it to the safety of a nice dry block of ice sheet ... watching the rest of you stream over the cliff edge is a fascinating experience :D

Re: Oh ... Canada ...
 

So reading between the lines you are having work permit problems?

Have you consulted an immigration lawyer?

There seems to be a recurring theme here....happy in job, happy in canada. Unhappy in job, unhappy in canada???

Re: Oh ... Canada ...
 

well you know where to tell that quebec official where to go.

if that is the only thing stopping you that isn`t a problem. my husband applied for pr for the rest of canada....recieved his papers, officially landed in toronto and within 6 hours was across the border in Quebec living a life with quebec medicare, drivers license etc....
the quebec immigration process is just complete bollocks.


hope this helps.

Re: Oh ... Canada ...
 

Didn't you almost lose your footing :rolleyes: ?

Re: Oh ... Canada ...
 

I have to agree with this comment. Canadians seem to pride themselves on their laidbackness (is that a word??) but in may cases it is just an excuse for lazyness!

Re: Oh ... Canada ...
 

I prefer to think of it as a "less stressfull" existence.

Re: Oh ... Canada ...
 

You've seen the Titanic movie ... I was clinging to a lump of wreckage like Leonardo for a while ... almost let go and sunk to the icy depths a couple of times too :eek:

Re: Oh ... Canada ...
 

So far for me the experience is a good if challenging one. I'm enjoying my job and I work with people who are far nicer than the people I worked with in the UK. My job isn't really any different, apart from the fact that I have to deal with Americans from time to time.

For me it's the petty frustrations that are annoying. For example, I've been approved for an unsecured credit card, but I haven't got a bank statement and therefore can't prove my address, so the company won't send one out to me. Because I can't get a credit card, I can't get a cell phone, and because I can't get a cell phone, I feel somewhat isolated.

I don't know how I'll feel about stuff when I move out of my folks place next month, but then again it will give me the impetus I need to get out and meet more people of my own age.

Re: Oh ... Canada ...
 

I so agree with you about Vancouver, I have been here almost five years, and can say Ditto,Ditto, Ditto to all your comments. I loved the Croydon comparision, you are so right. I will miss the stunning beauty of this place, but not the apathy, lazy customer service, greedy restaurant staff, (my friend left a 20% tip in a very high end place, and the waitress actually followed him out and said it was not enough) Why doesn't BC girl try England with you?

Re: Oh ... Canada ...
 

That's what drags most people down ... things just not being as smooth as you would like ... leads to the desire for chocolate, baked beans, Italian loafers, etc :p

We used to complain we didn't have an "Idiot's Guide for how to get things done in Canada" ... life is a bit like a black & white Ealing comedy sometimes .... well missus, until you fill in form B43, I can't let you have a credit card, but you can order your form B43 online and pay with a credit card if you have one, otherwise you have fill in form Z22 and forward that in triplicate to ...

Talk about Passport to Pimlico :eek:

Re: Oh ... Canada ...
 

Please let's keep things in perspective here. You can find that type of behaviour whereever you travel/live in the world - it's not just isolated to BC.

On our last trip to the UK, we met people with some of the rudiest behaviour I have ever encountered- on the other hand for the most part we met and were treated very well by most others........no country is immune to this inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour......and perhaps you might like to consider that perhaps your attitude might have had something to do with the behaviour you received here......

Good luck to you....