Hi Everyone,
Someone has already asked a similar question to the one that I am about to ask but everyone’s circumstances are a little different so I thought I would state mine and see how your answers differ, if at all.
My husband and I are just at the start of our application process for Permanent Residence to Canada. We also have an 18-month son and are trying for a second child.
We’ve been trying to look at where we should be aiming for. Which Province.
We have been leaning towards Alberta (Calgary or thereabouts) but we’re wondering how we would cope with the cold weather.

We are not sun worshippers. Far from it but how can we even begin to understand what it would be like to have snow for 7 months per year as well as such cold temperatures.
My husband is 33 years old and I and 28. My Husband is an Industrial Electrician and that is how we hope to qualify to get in.
We cannot afford to fly over and check out each province first, and even if we could, how would we know when would be the best time of year to fact find.
So, what are we looking for ?
We both like the outdoor life and so living quite close to forests, hills (National Parks) would be a bonus. Somewhere we could go camping when the kids are older.
Obviously there’s no point finding a great place to live if my husband cannot find work close by. He is used to working as a shift Electrician in a large Glass Making Factory. If he could find some type of Manufacturing Plant over there then that would be great but he would be prepared to try anything to pay the way – He isn’t proud.
We have one child and hope to have had another by the time we emigrate so they need to be considered too.

There are so many places to consider, I’m sure they all have their pros and cons.
I had heard that we must stipulate a province on our application but to be perfectly honest we’re struggling to decide which one might suit us better.
We’d hate to pick Alberta only to find later that another province may contain more employment opportunities for my husband given his experience.

Is there anyone out there who has tried a few different provinces and, given our particular requirements, can recommend one province over another.
At least we could then go away and look into that province in greater detail.

Sorry to ask such a silly question as where should we live but perhaps there is someone out there who can offer some advise that can help us.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Trying to suggest where someone should live is a very difficult thing to do, but I'll try to be of some help.

The critical element that appears to largely determine whether or not an immigrant finds their experience in Canada to be positive or not regards employment. That is what you mainly have to be concerned about in my view.

Don't worry about being close to National Parks or places to go when you have time off because you can go pretty much anywhere in Canada and the great outdoors beckon. Whereas, factory jobs for an industrial electrician might be much harder to get in some regions of the country than in others. Although that doesn't mean he can only get such a job in one region of the country.

Alberta has a very healthy economy, but it isn't noted for its manufacturing might. However, southern Ontario is one of North America's most heavily industrialized regions. Most of the industry in southern Ontario is concentrated in an area known as the extended "golden horseshoe". This area starts near Oshawa and wraps around Lake Ontario and ends at Niagara Falls. It also includes Barrie to the north and Kitchener to the west. So that's where most of the jobs for tradesmen should be found. Car manufacturing and related manufacturing is particularly important there.

Understand that the occupation of “industrial electrician� is not a regulated trade in Ontario. “To work as an industrial electrician in Ontario, you are not required to be certified. However, most employers require their industrial electricians to hold a certificate of Qualification or to register in the Ontario apprenticeship program.� That means although there is no legal requirement to be certified, you pretty much have to be if you want to get a job.

Remember, it is the provinces that have jurisdiction over the regulation of occupations and professions (as in nursing), so the rules can vary from province to province.

By the way, I was born and raised in Canada, and lived in Ontario, Newfoundland, Alberta and now B.C.

Here's a link for information on the largest regions in Ontario:
http://www.ontario-canada.com/ontcan...d_waterloo.jsp

Regarding more on certification of the trades:
http://www.destinationstravail.ca/cg...3D%26prov%3Dca

Select "trades" and go from there on the above link.

Regarding industrial electrician in Ontario (in case you didn't find it):

If you are requesting recognition of qualifications obtained outside Canada, you must present relevant documentation, such as, certificates, diplomas and records of work experience to a local Apprentice Client Services Office for an assessment. Your documents may have to be translated into one of the official languages of Canada, English or French. Following an assessment, you may be:

a) permitted to write the examination for Certificate of Qualification;
b) required to enrol in the apprenticeship program, with appropriate credit granted for previous trade related work experience and technical training;
c) denied recognition of your qualifications.
If required, you may be permitted the services of a translator or reader when writing provincial examinations. You will be required to pay all fees associated with the assessment and examinations.
Contact for Information on Certification and Assessment

Ministry of Education and Training
Workplace Support Services Branch
625 Church Street - 5th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2B5

Tel: 1-800-387-5656 (Training Hotline)
Fax: (416) 325-5606



E-Mail: [email protected]


This information was last updated April 1998. It is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Information should be verified

In Alberta:

1. Eligibility to work

The trade of Industrial Electrician is not designated for training or certification in Alberta. The tasks associated with the Industrial Electrician trade are contained in the Construction Electrician trade. The Construction Electrician trade is designated as compulsory certified, therefore, you are required to hold a Trade Certificate or register as an apprentice in Construction Electrician trade.

For more information see the profile for the Construction Electrician.

Contact for Information on Certification and Assessment

Qualification Centre - Calgary
Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Advanced Education and Career Development
7th Floor, Century Park Place
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 3P1

Tel: (403) 297-5028
Fax: (403) 297-4492


Qualification Centre - Edmonton
Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Advanced Education and Career Development
7th Floor, Seventh Street Plaza, South Tower
Edmonton, Alberta
T5J 4X7

Tel: (403) 422-6959
Fax: (403) 422-3734




E-Mail: [email protected]
Web Site: www.tradesecrets.org

Thanks for the info.
I was hoping to hear from someone who had lived in a few different provinces.
I will now go away and look more closely at Ontario.
Many thanks.