lindamchugh

sorry if stupid question but can I volunteer whilst awaiting PR/LMO ( I am in Canada now)

PMM

Hi


Only if it is a true Volunteer job, in that no one else is being paid for the same work.

Siouxie

It depends what it is!

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resourc...w/fw01-eng.pdf

Section 5:1

An activity which does not really ‘take away’ from opportunities for Canadians or permanent residents to gain employment or experience in the workplace is not “work” for the purposes ofthe definition.

Examples of activities for which a person would not normally be remunerated or which would not compete directly with Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents in the Canadian labour market and which would normally be part-time or incidental to the reason that the person is in Canada include, but are not limited to:

• volunteer work for which a person would not normally be remunerated, such as sitting on the board of a charity or religious institution; being a ‘big brother’ or ‘big sister’ to a child; being on the telephone line at a rape crisis centre. (Normally this activity would be part time and incidental to the main reason that a person is in Canada);
• unremunerated help by a friend or family member during a visit, such as a mother assisting a daughter with childcare, or an uncle helping his nephew build his own cottage;
• long distance (by telephone or internet) work done by a temporary resident whose employer is outside Canada and who is remunerated from outside Canada;

There may be other types of unpaid short-term work where the work is really incidental to the main reason that a person is visiting Canada and is not a competitive activity, even though nonmonetary valuable consideration is received.

lindamchugh

thanks ! it is in a school who i am advised rely on volunteers. not sure about the " taking away from paid work to canadians"?? i am assuming the non paid aspect makes it volunteer per se ?

Siouxie

You also have to take into consideration whether the volunteer work would be taking away the opportunity from a Canadian or PR to gain experience. It's not cut and dried, unfortunately, and not just about being paid.

I would suggest asking PMM as he is much more 'up' on the regulations than I.

lindamchugh

oh bejesus everything is such a drama to add to this drama siouxie! why cant we all just live happy in harmony together without so many rules..............

Siouxie

Patience my dear, lol.

No drama, you just have to keep within the regulations or else risk being removed from Canada for 'working' without a permit.

As I said, wait for PMM to respond (or send him a pm and ask) as he knows more about the regulations regarding this than I do.

Former Lancastrian

Also to bear in mind that if the volunteer work involves working with children could even require a medical to be taken dependent on number of hours etc.

lindamchugh

oh right ? so if I did need a medical could that then be used as my medical whenever Ottawa get round to requesting ?

Dorothy

And a vulnerable sector check.

lindamchugh

Will the school/ charity whoever know what they need rather than me having to prompt them ?

YoshiPal2010

What kind of school positions rely on "volunteers"? Secretaries, EAs, even janitorial are all jobs which are remunerated. Also, depending on the school, these positions also require certain certifications to be held.

lindamchugh

I dont know I am thinking school trips, playground monitors etc ??

Siouxie

They may not be aware of the need for you to undergo a medical.

Most School Boards have official Volunteer Practices in place - if you look at their website they should have details and pdf's/brochures and possibly forms.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=volun...=ctr:countryCA

lindamchugh

Ps it will probably be very ad hoc