6 months in Canadaland
Dec 18th 2009 | 10:46 am
#1
Thread Starter
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,016
From: Langley, BC
6 months in Canadaland
Hey all,
Well I've managed to live here for 6 months! This will be my first birthday and Christmas away from family. It's sad, but it's one of the many sacrifices I've had to make in pursuing my dream to live here.
Now however, I'm settling into the Canadian lifestyle. Probably one of big cultural differences that struck me recently was the whole, pay-a-lot-at-once-but-it-lasts-longer issue, clearly visible at places like CostCo, or when you buy a monthly transit pass. It's funny that something as small as that does actually effect you mentally, I was finding myself thinking "in the future" a bit too much if that makes any sense, and recently I've been making an effort to get my mindset back on the present, so I can enjoy what I have.
When I arrived here, my friend had hired me. We were going to work together on web development, but sadly we made each other laugh way too much to actually do anything productive over the summer! I've now ended up "working" at another company, but contractually it's my friends company that is hired by my "boss", since he doesn't pay enough to get me another TWP. Legal? Yes, but I do feel it's hardly the spirit of the TWP, especially as my friend put that he would be paying me double what I'm getting paid now. At least the work I do is the same as on the permit. Hopefully this won't cause problems down the road, but the sooner I'm off the TWP and a Permanent Resident the better (to get enough points I have to work for another 6months). Has anyone ever used a friend's company as a TWP "proxy" before?
I feel very privileged to have been able to come to Canada and start my life here. It's a great country with a progressive culture and nice people. Yes it's not the warmest place on the planet, but that's a small price to pay. My standard of living is very good and my apartment is a brand new building. Not to sound smug or anything, but I feel like I've done a lot better than my fellow university graduates who opted to stay in the recession-struck UK.
Now to find some devonshire cream and bake mince pies. Huzzah!
Well I've managed to live here for 6 months! This will be my first birthday and Christmas away from family. It's sad, but it's one of the many sacrifices I've had to make in pursuing my dream to live here.
Now however, I'm settling into the Canadian lifestyle. Probably one of big cultural differences that struck me recently was the whole, pay-a-lot-at-once-but-it-lasts-longer issue, clearly visible at places like CostCo, or when you buy a monthly transit pass. It's funny that something as small as that does actually effect you mentally, I was finding myself thinking "in the future" a bit too much if that makes any sense, and recently I've been making an effort to get my mindset back on the present, so I can enjoy what I have.
When I arrived here, my friend had hired me. We were going to work together on web development, but sadly we made each other laugh way too much to actually do anything productive over the summer! I've now ended up "working" at another company, but contractually it's my friends company that is hired by my "boss", since he doesn't pay enough to get me another TWP. Legal? Yes, but I do feel it's hardly the spirit of the TWP, especially as my friend put that he would be paying me double what I'm getting paid now. At least the work I do is the same as on the permit. Hopefully this won't cause problems down the road, but the sooner I'm off the TWP and a Permanent Resident the better (to get enough points I have to work for another 6months). Has anyone ever used a friend's company as a TWP "proxy" before?
I feel very privileged to have been able to come to Canada and start my life here. It's a great country with a progressive culture and nice people. Yes it's not the warmest place on the planet, but that's a small price to pay. My standard of living is very good and my apartment is a brand new building. Not to sound smug or anything, but I feel like I've done a lot better than my fellow university graduates who opted to stay in the recession-struck UK.
Now to find some devonshire cream and bake mince pies. Huzzah!
Last edited by CanadaJimmy; Dec 18th 2009 at 10:59 am.
Dec 18th 2009 | 10:48 am
#2
.........................
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,615
Re: 6 months in Canadaland
Hi
Happy Birthday & Merry Christmas - which ever comes first.
Can't help you on the TWP front (applied for PR), but glad you are working & settling in.
Bali
Happy Birthday & Merry Christmas - which ever comes first.
Can't help you on the TWP front (applied for PR), but glad you are working & settling in.
Bali
Dec 18th 2009 | 11:16 am
#3
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,054
Re: 6 months in Canadaland
Hey all,
Well I've managed to live here for 6 months! This will be my first birthday and Christmas away from family. It's sad, but it's one of the many sacrifices I've had to make in pursuing my dream to live here.
Now however, I'm settling into the Canadian lifestyle. Probably one of big cultural differences that struck me recently was the whole, pay-a-lot-at-once-but-it-lasts-longer issue, clearly visible at places like CostCo, or when you buy a monthly transit pass. It's funny that something as small as that does actually effect you mentally, I was finding myself thinking "in the future" a bit too much if that makes any sense, and recently I've been making an effort to get my mindset back on the present, so I can enjoy what I have.
When I arrived here, my friend had hired me. We were going to work together on web development, but sadly we made each other laugh way too much to actually do anything productive over the summer! I've now ended up "working" at another company, but contractually it's my friends company that is hired by my "boss", since he doesn't pay enough to get me another TWP. Legal? Yes, but I do feel it's hardly the spirit of the TWP, especially as my friend put that he would be paying me double what I'm getting paid now. At least the work I do is the same as on the permit. Hopefully this won't cause problems down the road, but the sooner I'm off the TWP and a Permanent Resident the better (to get enough points I have to work for another 6months). Has anyone ever used a friend's company as a TWP "proxy" before?
I feel very privileged to have been able to come to Canada and start my life here. It's a great country with a progressive culture and nice people. Yes it's not the warmest place on the planet, but that's a small price to pay. My standard of living is very good and my apartment is a brand new building. Not to sound smug or anything, but I feel like I've done a lot better than my fellow university graduates who opted to stay in the recession-struck UK.
Now to find some devonshire cream and bake mince pies. Huzzah!
Well I've managed to live here for 6 months! This will be my first birthday and Christmas away from family. It's sad, but it's one of the many sacrifices I've had to make in pursuing my dream to live here.
Now however, I'm settling into the Canadian lifestyle. Probably one of big cultural differences that struck me recently was the whole, pay-a-lot-at-once-but-it-lasts-longer issue, clearly visible at places like CostCo, or when you buy a monthly transit pass. It's funny that something as small as that does actually effect you mentally, I was finding myself thinking "in the future" a bit too much if that makes any sense, and recently I've been making an effort to get my mindset back on the present, so I can enjoy what I have.
When I arrived here, my friend had hired me. We were going to work together on web development, but sadly we made each other laugh way too much to actually do anything productive over the summer! I've now ended up "working" at another company, but contractually it's my friends company that is hired by my "boss", since he doesn't pay enough to get me another TWP. Legal? Yes, but I do feel it's hardly the spirit of the TWP, especially as my friend put that he would be paying me double what I'm getting paid now. At least the work I do is the same as on the permit. Hopefully this won't cause problems down the road, but the sooner I'm off the TWP and a Permanent Resident the better (to get enough points I have to work for another 6months). Has anyone ever used a friend's company as a TWP "proxy" before?
I feel very privileged to have been able to come to Canada and start my life here. It's a great country with a progressive culture and nice people. Yes it's not the warmest place on the planet, but that's a small price to pay. My standard of living is very good and my apartment is a brand new building. Not to sound smug or anything, but I feel like I've done a lot better than my fellow university graduates who opted to stay in the recession-struck UK.
Now to find some devonshire cream and bake mince pies. Huzzah!
Dec 18th 2009 | 11:20 am
#4
Thread Starter
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,016
From: Langley, BC
Re: 6 months in Canadaland
I'm living in Central Surrey at the moment. A bit rough but the rent is cheaper and I'm a 5 minute walk from the skytrain. The police are actually making a real effort to deal with the problems too. I do hope to move to south-east Van eventually, there's something special about that whole main street area. Coquitlam seems pretty nice as well.
Dec 18th 2009 | 12:14 pm
#5
Sawdust making harpy
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 11,291
From: Alberta
Re: 6 months in Canadaland
really glad you're settled - just be careful as on your tax returns etc it will say who's employing you and how much you have earned. I'm not sure who / what / when people can find out - but if it goes against the terms of your LMO - TWP then you may want to be careful. 
Dec 19th 2009 | 6:03 am
#6
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,054
Re: 6 months in Canadaland
I'm living in Central Surrey at the moment. A bit rough but the rent is cheaper and I'm a 5 minute walk from the skytrain. The police are actually making a real effort to deal with the problems too. I do hope to move to south-east Van eventually, there's something special about that whole main street area. Coquitlam seems pretty nice as well.
In Burnaby at the mo, but will be working out of headquarters in Surrey come the new year. Welcome to BC!
Dec 19th 2009 | 6:18 am
#7
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: 6 months in Canadaland
Hopefully your friend does not need to apply for future LMOs if he has not complied with the terms of the one you came on. Proof of compliance is required for future applications.
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplace...ewextlmo.shtml
The 'once I'm in, what they don't know won't hurt' approach can come back and bite, even years down the road.
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplace...ewextlmo.shtml
The 'once I'm in, what they don't know won't hurt' approach can come back and bite, even years down the road.
Last edited by Aviator; Dec 19th 2009 at 6:22 am.
