Migrating to Canada - Things to think about?

Hi All,

Myself and my husband have started to think whether migrating to Canada would be a good decision for us. His field has a lot of job openings in Canada and he believes that he can earn good amounts of money in Canada. His friend (who is in Canada) tells us that because of so many Indians, we won't feel that we are in a completely alien country. Looks like healthcase is also free.

Wanted to ask this group as to the things that we need to think through before making the decision to migrate to Canada. Since you would have all gone through the same decision before, I would like to tap into your experience if possible. Look forward to hearing from you all.

Thank you.

Lahari

Are you planning to come to Canada as Independent Immigrants ( points system)?

If so, be aware there are not many jobs in Canada. Canada has just over 30 million people. There are a few trades that are in demand. There is a storage of highly skilled people, with Canadian qualifications, and lots of Canadian experience. There is no shortage of people with poor, or alien qualificatons, and no Canadian experience. If you have British Standards, then you are in a much better possition. However, even Britian is advertizing for Canadian English teachers. Even China wants Canadian English Teachers. If you are a woodworker, can you pass an examination of the Canadian Building Code? Do you have 5 year Canadian experience after your have passed all the examinations? There is a shortage of Construction workers with high end skills. There is a sortage of people who know how to build high rise building to level 9 earthquake code, by Canadian Code, and standards. Even a British Lawyer would take at least two years to upgrade to Canadian Standards. Even then, he would only be a beginning lawyer. This means the lawyer would have enter a Canadian university to study Canadian Law. Canada's Constitution is much different that Britian's. So is our case law since 1949. We have our own statutes. The Statutes of British Colubia is different that the Statutes of Alberta. I would have to take an examination to do real estate in Alberta, or any other province. For me, a Real Estate Law examination is not much of a problem. Alberta would accept all my education. However, I would have to pass examinations in Alberta Law, and Planning.

There is no shortage of low skilled people.

The problem is that very likely your education will not met Canadian Standards. There are lots of Indian MD's driving taxis. Please remember all education is by Canadian standards Even to drive a taxi, you must pass seveal exams. Most people who drive Taxis are from India, or Pakistan.

If you sign a false, or misleading statement you can be deported. If you do not understand either English, or French, other than Criminal issues, is tough beans. If you sign a statement that you are single, and then marry before you enter Canada, that is a deportable offence. You must disclose " All Material Information". English and French are the Offical Languages of Canada.

The value of a woman coming to Canada as my wife, is that she gets to live in my house, while she up grades her education to Canadian Standards. Many degrees will not be accepted.

The second issue that many immigrants cluster with their own people and learn almost nothing in Canada. That is why interracial marriages work much better that clustering with your own kind. The new wife is given Canadian Immersion in a loving and natural way. Babies don't have trouble learn a language. They have family Immersion In this way a woman with no English often will learn English better than a woman who has gone to univesity to study English. She is forced to learn like a baby. In fact the new baby will learn English before she will. If the father is Canadian by birth, the child will a Canadian accent. We have many familes from other countries where their children start school with no English. Consider two children. One state grade one with only Punjabi. The other child enters school with perfect English, and a strong understand of Canadian culture. Punjabi has no legal standing in Canada.

It is not easy to Immigrate to Canada. There learning curve can be many years.

Respectfully,

Indrabolt

1. LIVING IN CANADA: It doesn't matter where you are in Toronto or
Calgary, if you are coming from Asia or Africa, please be prepare to endure
the winter weather ( -30 C with wind chill factor or constant rain, dark at
0700 am and 0400 pm ), foods ( better variety of foods than 20 years ago ),
transportation ( digging out your car from the snow pile or walking to the
crowded bus shelter in the blowing snow or umbrella wherever you goes ),
clothing ( wear buggy heavy coat and boots for 4~5 months ) and your well
being due to unfamiliar environment ( physical and mental states ).
2. GOING TO SCHOOL: If you graduate from foreign countries ( especially
Asian & Europe degrees are good for high school diploma level ) other than
Canadian Universities, please be prepare to get your degree evaluate for job
application only. Most of degree certificates outside of US & Canada aren't
recognized in Canada for further master degree program. In you have young
kid(s), you must arrange an adult or 12 years old kid to look after them
before and after the school when you're away at work. It's against the law
to leave the kid(s) without adult supervision.
3. WORKING IN CANADA: If you are professional such as doctor, engineer,
executive in your old countries, please consider to take whatever job that
you can find. Due to the reason is that your degree isn't from Canada, hence you wouldn't get license to practice in any province in Canada. The mandated governing professional associations responsibilities are to their members NOT to you. Please read Toronto Sun front page article( August 11, 2002 ) where professionals from other countries are employed in other fields than
their own.
4. INCOME TAXES IN CANADA: If you're employed, please be prepare to let the provincial and federal governments take 30%~40% out of pay check every week. That's the law in Canada. Even though there are some loop holes ( RRSP ) not much to reduce the tax burden.
5. VISITING TO USA: Landed immigrant from commonwealth countries even Canadian citizen could be turned away from the US border or airport check point.

These are the realities that you should be prepared for before you step off
your plane to Canada.
Have a good day.

PS-For more info go to canadiandesi.com