Hi I am a civil engineer from Ireland and have been considering making the move for a while now, the only problem being where.
I am married with 5 children and am the sole provider, as every one knows Ireland is in the dog house and will be for a long time so emigration is a not really a lifestyle choice.
Over the last few years many of my friends and family have gone to Australia but for me its to far and all the jobs seem to be fifo.
So can any one tell me whats the story in Canada.

Take a look at the 'working in Canada' website for some ideas as to the where. By clicking on any of the Provinces or cities you will get further links to what jobs are available, what qualifications are required etc.

Getting PR or a TWP is another problem altogether.

http://www.workingincanada.gc.ca/LMI...Option=outlook

Start with 'A Short History of Canada' by Desmond Morton

Slightly patronizing but I guess I deserve it. In the English speaking part of western Europe we use the phrase whats the story in terms of whats the situation, the low down etc etc.
Jobs, housing, taxation, lifestyle.
I am hoping some well established Irish in Canada read my post.

I think you get the patronizing responses as Canada is a pretty big place so if you narrow it down a little bit like what province you are considering.

Each province is almost like a mini country they all have slightly different taxes, prospects etc.

You might want to start by looking at the website siouxie mentioned and check that you qualify, before you go any further.

Can't see that any response has been patronising at all?

But all of the above will depend on the province - as said above, each has different rules, tax rates, climate etc from the others. So it's just too general a question I'm afraid.

Start with the Wiki, which has loads of info in, and as you'll no doubt need a job offer to get a visa, have a look at where your job will be in demand for starters.

HTH, good luck.

Sorry wasn't meant to be patronising, I'd had a few jars before posting always a bad idea
In all honesty though when I knew I wanted to try a life in Canada after several visits over several years I realised it was a good idea to learn more about the history of the country I was going to make my home. The book I mentioned above is as good a place to start as any in my opinion.
You will find masses of info in this site too, in wiki etc. plus there'll be plenty folk to help you too ( usually sober ones)
Best of luck

Ok thanks for all the advice, i have looked at the aforementioned website and found it quite useful, like you say the country is huge compared to Ireland so I am going to have to narrow it down to a province, decisions decisions.
Thanks again to you all and happy Christmas and a merry new year

Would not say where is your only problem. How is a bigger issue. Finding a job and getting a residency/work permit is more of an issue perhaps than where. Go where the work is.

I would disagree on comment re not being a lifestyle choice, unless you are coming from a third world country, which Ireland is not. Some of my family life in the SW and are doing OK, there have been changes, but then there have been changes in Canada too, it is no utopia here. Sometimes if you find yourself out of work or on your uppers, it can be a lot worse here than Eire or the UK.

The employment culture in Canada is no different to Australia, first in first out. Employment Insurance requires minimum hours for qualification, about 900 insurable hours worked to qualify, then 65% of pay up to a maximum amount for limited period, usually no longer than 52 weeks, it is not limitless like the UK and the EI rules are changing here to push claimants to take lower paid jobs, even move to other areas to find work.

Visit a few times and decide from there. Look up govt. websites re employment regulations, Employment Insurance Canada, medical plans in each province as this seems to be a concern.

Those who emigrate to anywhere seem to do OK when they are just looking for a change of lifestyle for the sake of it. Many who are looking to get away from something in their homeland, often find it is not that different wherever they go. Same shit, different bucket.

Depends what you are giving up and your risk threshold, which with 5 kids should be pretty low.

aviator thanks for your reply, I understand that no country is a utopia, and yes some people are doing ok in Ireland, how ever there are no prospects in this country and its getting worse, construction/infrastructure is dead in the water. Government figures point to unemployment being at 14% but that is at least 50% below the real figure.
One reason we want to leave is the fact that our kids will prob have to leave anyway and we would rather be set up in a country that has better long term prospects, we are not looking to go somewhere and strike gold, we just want to work, pay our way and enjoy life.

The East Coast provinces might be easier to settle in.... Newfoundland, Nova Scotia... they feel very Irish to me... in fact Newfoundlanders sound Irish to me sometimes too! Good luck and Merry Christmas.

Here's a semi useful article from Workopolis on where the jobs are compared to the number of people interested in those jobs.

http://www.workopolis.com/content/ad...=721:19L:14946

I understand that the Eastern Provinces are easier to get into than Ontario. Alternatively, Alberta has good opportunities for employment - depends on which trade you are in.
Good luck!