BlueScottyGirl

Hi again, some folks here might remember me from about 18 months ago. We were actively pursuing a move to Canada, specifically the Toronto area. We came to realise however that at our age it just wouldn't happen. At the time we were living in Asia and getting to Canada seemed like a race against time (our age). So here we are, living in Spain for the last 18 months and we thought that would be forever....

We can't shake the Canada dream though, our 21 year old is studying with a university in the UK but wants to complete the last year or two of her studies in Brock University (assuming she can get a place) and her plan then would be to live and work in or near Toronto. I have fallen in love with Burlington without ever setting foot there. My husband has over 20 years experience as a contractor in IT (Business Analyst, Banking and Insurance). What we don't have though is age..or we have rather too much of it. Our points are less than 350 for EE and I know the only route in for us is job offer but he's not even getting replies to his applications. I have no skills or work experience. We've been gathering up some paperwork we may need at some point, Police reports and ensuring we have all our relevant certificates, we haven't done the english language test as this won't have any bearing on our points for EE.

Has anyone made the move around the age of 50? is it even possible to get a job offer when you have to then apply for a visa? I did do an assessment with an Immigration agent, they said we had no chance and politely declined to take us any further..but invited us to get back in touch if we got a job offer. I take it our views about not applying for EE are correct as we have no hope of Province Nomination or being selected with such low points?

Any pointers or advice or even just an encouraging story from someone who's "made it" in similar circumstances would be great.

Siouxie

There are many routes - not just a job offer, although that would be a quicker way. Have you explored the Atlantic Provinces for work opportunities though? They have a pilot project which includes some IT workers - as does BC. The Atlantic Provinces have lists of designated employees who are actively seeking workers - so that would be a good place to start. I realise that ultimately you would like to be in Burlington (it's a lovely place) but needs must - and perhaps that could be a longer term plan First thing is to get into Canada - and you go where the work is or where you can find a route.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...ion-pilot.html
https://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate-t...PNP-Tech-Pilot

It's not going to be the easiest thing to do, I won't sugar coat it! Please don't waste your money on an Immigration Consultant - they can't magic up points you don't have nor can they qualify you for routes you can't apply for. Save the money for the proof of funds requirements! Do also have a good read of our Wiki on job hunting... https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ...Hunting-Canada

I'm going to move your thread to our Immigration forum, that way you will get more relevant responses.

BlueScottyGirl

Thanks Siouxie,

I remember you from the last time I was posting here, you were very helpful then as well.

My hubby and I would also love to live in Halifax, for us that would be a very happy destination and if we moved there, we probably wouldn't move away. Our daughter is dead set on Toronto or at least the GTA which is why we focused on there. We did look at the Pilot Project last time but haven't looked too closely this time around. I wasn't aware of anything like that in BC, I'll take a look there.

I'm a musician (bagpipes) and I would love to be near the action for that, Burlington would place me right in the heart of the Ontario scene, BC would be good and Halifax not so much. The biggest consideration though is my husbands ability to get continuous employment.

Thanks again, maybe I'll see you in Burlington at some point, fingers crossed.

Siouxie

You are very welcome!

The Eastern Provinces has the Piping College of Canada - https://collegeofpiping.com/ and there's lots of highland games events too.
Pipers Club

Have another look at the Atlantic Provinces Pilot - the different Provinces now list the designated employers, so a little easier to find that all important sponsor and job!

BlueScottyGirl

Thanks, I've spent so much time plotting out the competitions I'll play in around Ontario but I haven't yet done the same in the Atlantic Provinces.

For now though, I'll have a look at those employer lists. :-)

Reidies

BlueScottyGirl

Yah!!! thank you. I said to my hubby the other day that I wish I had studied nursing. I was an EMT once upon a time but my registration lapsed when I moved country and couldn't renew it.

MillieF

Hurlabrick

Believe me, it isn't called 'Nova Scotia' and the provincial flag doesn't have a saltire on it for nothing!

BlueScottyGirl

MilliF and Hurlabrick, thank you so much for your responses. I was actually up until after 2am last night researching the area, particularly Halifax, Fredericton, Moncton (as it would be somewhat easy to get to the piping school on PEI on occasion) and Saint John. I am completely taken by the area and the ability to buy a house for less than half of what one would cost in the GTA, settle down and maybe, just maybe, we won't ever have to move again. I need to have my hubby take a look at the availabilty of employment in his field in each of those but at the moment I would be happy in any of this. I love the idea of living on PEI but I doubt my husband could find work there.

We were so caught up in looking where my daughter wants to be that we lost sight of what we, the older members of the family, really love.

BristolUK

I think just about everywhere has them. I had assumed it was something that moved around NB but it seems everywhere just has their own version.

BlueScottyGirl

BristolUK

That does seem to be the case. The NB Highland Games appear to take place in Fredericton but that name makes it sound like the highland games of the province, official ones and in the Capital too. But then there's Moncton Highland Games as a separate event and also Miramichi up the coast a bit.

There was some railway journey series presented by Michael Portillo on BBC2 and one of them featured this area and the games.

Dorothy

My husband and I have a game we play where we bet on what horror show outfit he's going to be wearing each episode

Siouxie

Let's try and keep to Immigration matters please - other chit chat can go in the main Canada forum