I want to move to Canada, how?

[Zendalar]

Well. Me and my wife want to change scenery, while it is possible.

Our children are still small, babies actually and now if ever it would be possible to live in another country.

DOes anybody know how I can get more information about moving to canada.

Where do I get a job, how is health insurance handled over there, schooling (does it cost),....

Help me somebody

(will ask more later, now I have to go change a diaper)

[Tim Polzin]

Here is a good place to start.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.html

If you have a trade or profession, there is a real manpower shortage in Canada, especially Alberta.

Although I don't have the details offhand, I know CIC (Canada Citizenship and Immigration) have fast tracked some employment areas. That information should be available in the website.

Health care is funded largely through taxes and available to all legal residents. Primary and secondary schooling is also tax funded.

PM me your e-mail and I can hopefully answer any questions.

As long as you can handle the winters, there are many worse places to live.


Tim

[jdm61]

I'm not sure how unreasonable we are being on visa requirements for Finns nowadays, but i would suggest checking out the Charlotte, NC area if you can stand the weather...lol

[slow&rusty]

Well I lived in Canda for over 15years and worked there as a Professional during that time, by the time I left I had a pretty decent job and home. Why don't you contact your local Canadian Embassy in regards to the criteria required to move there.

Pluses:
1) Very multi-cultural
2) Great diversity in the population
3) Very safe esp. important if you have kids \ family
4) Very clean
5) Good schools and university and health care system
6) Unemployment is relatively low
7) Some neat places to visit and vacation

Cons:
1) The weather, cold, damp and grey most of the year
2) Very high taxes
3) Cost of living is high (reminded me when I lived in England)
4) Economy is dependent on the U.S economy
5) Less availability of high paying jobs (not sure what your profession is)

Having said that I would never trade the years I lived in Canada, I really enjoyed it but I was really ready for a change. The weather really was starting to bum me out as I am a very outdoors person, and the weather there dictates your lifestyle and movements. I guess if you ski, then that makes Winter more "bearable". Spring is simply beautiful.

Taxes \ income tax are large I was paying close to 48cents on the dollar! Property tax was also very high.

Health care is like England, in that your taxes contribute and pay for it (along with the Gov't subsidies) - health care is not "private" like the U.S. If you need an emergency operation, you can join a long waiting list or cough up the $$ and jump to the front of the line like in the U.S

Schooling is free until Grade 12 (age 18) unless you want your kids to go to a high end Private school. Universities are your typical pay for tuition fees.

My recommendations for a location:
1) Toronto area (Ontario is a pretty neat province)
2) Vancouver (BC is also a neat province too)
3) Calgary \ Edmonton

Hope that helps
Yasin

[singpilot]

I hear the border is not very well patrolled. Find a quiet spot to cross, take enough water and food to last a few days.

Once you get to one of the big cities, stop at any ER room for any needed medical care, and then spend some time registering for all possible public assistance. Make sure you visit a Catholic church, they speak your language, and can point out the shortcuts to welfare. Hanging out at any large box store will get you tax free work, all you have to do is remain an 'independant contractor'.

If you feel like having any more children (or want to secure your stay in Canada), have a child, and you and your family are then entitled to stay to support the new little citizen. Make sure you start voting as soon as possible, the church will supply you with a list of amenable candidates to elect.

Enjoy your stay!

[Tobra]

Can you take Pat with you?

[creaturecat]

We'll take Pat - as long as you keep welfare wannabe singpilot.

[techweenie]

I checked into it a couple of years ago: 2-year wait, but they'll make exceptions if you come in with BIG money to invest in local business.

[nostatic]

You can''t just say "eh" alot? I thought that was all you needed.

Hoser...

[Dottore]

Re the weather: the west coast (Vancouver) really is very fine. No snow in the winter, long and balmy summers. You can ski or sail after work (both, I imagine, important to a Finn) - and still live in a very cosmopolitan metropolis.

Indeed global warming has been working in Canada's favour.

And taxes are not as bad as they once were - and there is considerable scope for creativity.

We were both kick-staring new careers a few years ago and decided on Vancouver after also looking closely at France and Italy. Today we believe we made the right choice.

Feel free to PM me for more information on the relative merits of these three places.

[Rick Lee]

My ex's dad from China just bought his way into Canada. I think it ran around $300k USD. I think he did paperwork and waited about a year and he's headed to Vancouver next month to live.

[fintstone]

Pretend that you are a deserter from the US military. They will greet you with open arms.

[Oracle]

Tim,
Amazing picture of Lake Louise!

[Tim Polzin]

Originally posted by Oracle
Tim,
Amazing picture of Lake Louise!

That's cheating, you almost live there.

Tim

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by techweenie
I checked into it a couple of years ago: 2-year wait, but they'll make exceptions if you come in with BIG money to invest in local business.

How short were you? Maybe we can help

[Racerbvd]

Originally posted by techweenie
I checked into it a couple of years ago: 2-year wait, but they'll make exceptions if you come in with BIG money to invest in local business.

You mean taxed

[charleskieffner]

Originally posted by singpilot
I hear the border is not very well patrolled. Find a quiet spot to cross, take enough water and food to last a few days.

Once you get to one of the big cities, stop at any ER room for any needed medical care, and then spend some time registering for all possible public assistance. Make sure you visit a Catholic church, they speak your language, and can point out the shortcuts to welfare. Hanging out at any large box store will get you tax free work, all you have to do is remain an 'independant contractor'.

If you feel like having any more children (or want to secure your stay in Canada), have a child, and you and your family are then entitled to stay to support the new little citizen. Make sure you start voting as soon as possible, the church will supply you with a list of amenable candidates to elect.

Enjoy your stay!

and bring a big handgun!!!!!!! that will surely allow you to meet new and interesting law enforcement!

[Brian 162]

It depends what your profession is. Real estate varies across the country with British Columbia being the most expensive. Maybe fellow canucks can give more insight.

[Dennis Kalma]

I live in Calgary, there are jobs all over the place, if you are a professonal, can speak English OK and are willing to work.....well, it is the place to be.

Downside is that it is a crazy place right now, service sucks as you can't find people, house prices have gotten close to the prices in Vancouver or Toronto (starter/reasonable house about $350k right now)...

PM me for more information.....

Dennis

[imcarthur]

Originally posted by Dennis Kalma
I live in Calgary . . .Downside is that it is a crazy place right now, service sucks as you can't find people, house prices have gotten close to the prices in Vancouver or Toronto (starter/reasonable house about $350k right now

Well, the middle west has always wanted equal footing . . .

Re: immigration

2 - 4 years. Based on a points structure. Going through this with my future daughter-in-law (just fiancee at this point) but we see a trip to Beijing to attend a wedding in our future (big points for marrying a Canadian national). Maybe her parents (Party officials) can arrange that cruise on the Yi River when we go.

Ian