Voyager970

dbd33

Well said, straight to the point

Eddie

Judy in Calgary

I reckon there's only one way for you to find out.

And welcome to the forum. When you posted in the food thread it escaped my attention that that was your first post here.

JAJ

In Australia, professional bodies have been an integral part of the immigration process for many years.

In general (there are a few exceptions) it's not possible to migrate as a skilled person without having your skills accepted 'in principle' (ie subject to some minor conversion/upgrading after arrival) by the relevant Australian professional or trade body.

And in Australia, professional regulation is nationally led. Some professions, like accountancy and engineering are controlled entirely at the national level. In others, like nursing, there are state/territory regulatory bodies but they usually try to take their cue from the national body and have consistent policies and mutual recognition for interstate professionals.

There is an entire government office in Australia, that co-ordinates the process and regularly publishes comparative studies of overseas countries education systems versus the Australian standard.
http://aei.dest.gov.au/AEI/Qualifica...on/Default.htm

This process doesn't apply to every migrant - dependents of skilled migrants, family based migrants (such as spouses), and humanitarian migrants are not expected to show compliance with these standards. They have to take their chances with skill recognition after they arrive.

Many Australian citizens who have been educated overseas also benefit from the overseas skill recognition programs.

There are still some 'gaps' in the Australian processes for recognising overseas skills but in general these seem to be a lot less than those in Canada. It seems to be that while it's 'harder' to get into Australia (on a skilled basis) compared to Canada, the prospects on average for those who do make it through are somewhat better.

Jeremy

CalgaryBlade

Sheila,

Different circumstances but my wife left Canada 15 years ago to do an MBA in Europe and then had a great career in London. We had a great time in London when we first got married, a flat in Notting Hill and weekend trips to European cities etc.

However, she has always felt a pull towards Canada and was often upset when we had to fly back to the UK after vacations.

We'd looked at moving to T.O. in 1994 (as we were both working in banking and finance) but didn't. A very fortuitous decision financially as it turned out.

Life in London got increasingly difficult with two children and two jobs, hiring nannies etc and my wife says that even though she had friends she never really felt connected.

Eventually we did the sums and decided to go for it out west.

My wife is very happy to be "back home" and we live a much more relaxed, happier and easy life. We both work now because we want to not because we have to and our children get to do so much more because of that.

Purley

I heard that doctor on talk radio - the one who started this thread presumably. I would guess that there are always more applicants than places for doctors, lawyers, vets, optometrists etc. etc. etc. It seems to me that he was blaming Canada for his failure to get into med school. Seems to me there are lots like him - but they have got on with their lives instead of whining about it on the radio and forums like these.

I worked for lawyers all my life and I have heard stories about people who did not make it into law school. It wasn't because they didn't have good marks - I think maybe they just didn't come across as well in the interview or whatever its called.

gtrvox1

Can't comment on #7 and #6 should not be too steep a learning curve but otherwise spot on! I'd add two of my own: mullet haircuts (related to your #5) and "awsome!!!" (related to your #3). And boy, how right you are about the tomatoes!

GTR

buzz365

Im beginning to believe the whole immigrate to Canada isn’t as easy as its being sold by Canada and purely for government profit. For years there have been the same problems about qualifications and `Canadian experience`, and yet nothing has been don’t to solve the problem. Either you give someone the points for being a doctor, dentist and so on or you don’t. If you do then surely you must let them ply there trade or at least make it easier for then to work at the expected Canadian standard. Only a fool would read an application from a doctor or dentist and not imagine that the individual would want to carry on in that profession on arrival in Canada. The post at the beginning of this thread is just giving everyone a heads up as to the worst-case scenario.

jabber

Hi Sheila and welcome.

As I am currently living in Ottawa I thought I would make myself known to you - if I can help in any way. First I'm not sure what you mean by the complicated process of coming over for 5 months. If you could be a bit more specific. I recognize it is complicated, but which bit in particular?

I am actually considering doing the reverse of you. I am mulling over various areas in the UK - Scotland, Durham, and Cambridge. It is very daunting when you get to really thinking about it, but I am in the unenviable position of not being bilingual and I work on contract, so the contracts are shrinking all the time as more and more jobs want French speakers.

I do understand about your nostalgia for Canada. There are things about this place that I would miss also. But bear in mind that Canada has changed alot in 30 years. We have become more crowded in the cities, more traffic jams, and much more pollution in the cities which now is creeping into the countryside. The summers are getting hotter, where air conditioning is not a luxury anymore. As for Ottawa winters, well, as you know they are rather long, and the freezing rain is more common now throughout the winter, which makes for treacherous travelling. But, as you say, I think yes, the pace of life is still slower than the UK, and especially London. It is cheaper to live, obviously housing cost is much cheaper in Canada. The small towns around Ottawa are becoming more popular to live in and retire like Almonte, Merrickville, and Perth.

Anyway, a few things for you to think about. I hope I haven't put you off by some of the negatives.

Cheers!

wcitizen

Thanks Jeremy for the reply. Seems Australia is more though on the qualifications issue, and that might be the reason why they are getting fewer immigrants than Canada (one fifth I guess!)

Anyway, if you ask me the number one reason NOT to immigrate to Canada (which could apply to the US as well!) is crappy TV: they broadcast commercials all the time with short breaks of programming! Even public broadcasters like TVO or CBC have 5 minutes of commercials for every 15 minutes of broadcast time!

CalgaryBlade

You are joking aren't you?

Didn't you know about north american TV beforehand?

I agree the TV is crappy (I only watch the footy and BBC World News) but to cite that as NUMBER ONE reason not to immigrate is odd to say the least. There are loads of things in life that are more interesting and useful than sitting in front of the TV.

Since moving here I've read more books, rediscovered BBC radio over the web and do more exercise and sports.

Oh, and we had friends over from the UK and they complained that "there's nothing good on the TV these days, just property make-over and reality television". I don't doubt that they were being harsh but that was their view.

seacreature

Unfortunately a lot in the original article is true.
Oportunities in Canada are extremely limited,
I cannot find a good job here despite having
applied for several hundred positions. I've even lied and fabricated
entire resumes as an experiment, still nothing.
My case isn't unique either, I've met countless numbers of people
who were flipping burgers and sweeping floors who are better
qualified than me. In fact most of my colleagues at work hold degrees,
MA's and one even has a PhD!

I also agree that Canada is exceptionally overrated. It's supposedly the
best country in the world in which to live and has several of the best
cities in the world. I simply don't see it.
It's boring, has very few job oportunities, the weather is harsh, it's
uncultured and has no history. The best that can be said about it is
mediocre. ...and if you live in Ontario even the scenery isn't up to much.
England has far better scenery than most of Canada.

seacreature

Are you denying that the employment situation in Canada is attrocious?
Why do so many Canadians move to the US to find work?
Everyone here complains about the crappy job prospects.

JAJ

Just over 100,000 people migrate to Australia this year (all categories). The total is about half of Canada's, while Canada's population is about 1.5 times that of Australia.

So yes - it does appear overall that Australia is 'tougher' to get into. And it is - skilled migration is much more targeted at specific professions (with skill assessment criteria to meet). And unlike Canada, there's a whole section of the program which gives priority processing and an exemption from the points test for those sponsored by employers.



Jeremy

Yasmina2005

Finding a job is not easy in any country..but why does it seem difficult in Canada that has a skilled worker category for immigration.

One would think Canada has a shortage of skilled workers and that they want people to come to make up for this shortage..I guess it is not fair to open doors for immigration while there is no potential job market for people...And please do not tell me no one told you to immigrate to Canada and that one has to do her research before thinking to immigrate..

Bottom line: What is the idea behind having an immigration category for skilled people while Canada knows that the job market does not have potential opportunities. Why accept a certain quota for skilled workers more than the job market can take. I am confused

wcitizen

Ofcourse I was joking! I'm just missing my Pace twin freeview PVR which I had paid GBP350, and sold for half that price, and now have to pay $400 to Rogers to get their PVR and skip over the commercials here!