Things to do once we land
 

So apart from finding nice restaurants and good wine bars, here's what I have:
- scan documents received at the airport
- get SIM card for phone
- open bank account
- apply for SIN number
- register for national health insurance
- find long-term accommodation
- get contents insurance

What else?

Re: Things to do once we land
 

all in the wiki, here is one article:thumbup:

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Arrival_To_Do_List-Canada

Re: Things to do once we land
 

Wait until you get outside of the Customs controlled area before swearing at us :lol:
You then find the nearest Tim Hortons and ask for a double double and a ham and swiss sandwich with honey mustard dressing and a donut of your choice. Now you are in Canada :rofl:

Re: Things to do once we land
 

Rent a car &
Sleep

Re: Things to do once we land
 

We found it hard without a car took 8 months to get 1 could not get credit even though we had good credit in Uk,
Get the PR sorted ASAP if you are on TWP

Re: Things to do once we land
 

Where and when are you landing?
Will you be requiring that winter parka to protect you from the minus 30C temp outside.
Will you need a taxi or sled dog team if not hiring a vehicle or catching a hotel shuttle bus.
Pick up an extortinate priced bottle of wine or Rum from a Govt run liquor store. No offys over here unless in Quebec.
Seek out the nearest Brit store selling UK products if you are pining for a chocolate bar or glass of Robinsons squash.
If you brought over a block of cheese then savour evey last crumb of it until you buy some from a very reasonable priced grocery or speciality store.
Introduce yourself to the delightful Canadian produced blockbuster TV shows shown on most Canadian cable or satellite TV channels.
Find a VPN so you can watch UK shows on a laptop you might miss.
Tune into to a local radio station and listen to the latest piece of crap being sung by Katy Perry and Niki Minaj and a host of others.
Be prepared to be looked at strangely when asking for directions or information especially if you have some sort of accent.

Re: Things to do once we land
 

If you do get a rental car, that's presuming the OP can drive, then a GPS would be a good buy. Canadian tire or any large lekie store will have them in for bout 100 bucks.

Re: Things to do once we land
 

Get your SIN first, you cannot open a bank account as a resident without one.
You will also be asked for it when registering for the provincial medical plan (there is not a national one).
You will only be able to arrange renters insurance once you have found permanent accommodation. You won't be able to get it if you are in a motel.
You may not want to bother with getting a sim card for the phone unless you have PAYG. Most plans come with free phones. Look at Koodo Mobile and their 'Tab'.

Why would you scan the documents? I never bothered and it was never a problem. So long as you have your PR card and SIN, everything else can be found. Copies are of no value than for personal record.

Re: Things to do once we land
 

swap driving licence (within 90 days)

obtain canadian credit card (to start building credit history asap) - bonus may be that it will give you free car rental insurance if you choose the right card

mail redirection from UK once you have long-term acc

Re: Things to do once we land
 

Why? In all the Canadian cities and towns I've visited or lived in, a GPS is utterly unnecessary. It's all tedious right angles.

For longer distance driving, well, there isn't a lot of choice. It's my way or the highway.

Re: Things to do once we land
 

GPS gives daft instructions. We always end up arguing when we used it. Better to used maps even crappy Canadian ones.

Re: Things to do once we land
 

Oh, where are you heading to and hoping for good wine bars and restaurants??

Otherwise on your list get your SIN sorted out first.

Re: Things to do once we land
 

I've got a good satnav app for my iPad that does decent routes and the lady doesn't have an American or Canadian accent. :thumbup:

Re: Things to do once we land
 

Actually to clarify - you cannot open an interest bearing bank account without one, the normal accounts you are under no obligation whatsoever to supply your sin. The banks will ask for your sin so they can run a credit check which will enable them to try and "offer" (read - sell) credit cards loans lines of credit etc. To open a bank account all you need is 2 pieces of id, one of which must be like a passport (can be foreign) drivers license etc - as long as one has your pic on it.

Re: Things to do once we land
 

My Garmin has Australian Karen who sounds quite sexy but seems to have problems pronouncing recalculating and some of the French named streets:lol:
There are actual software programmes that let you use your own voice or download actors voices done by a poor impersonator. You can also change the commands or add your own phrases. Ive often thought of changing mine when the OH is driving and hearing "Wrong turn again you stupid cow