Working In Canada’s blog

There is so much to consider when you are emigrating to Canada.  You have to find a job, then a house, schools for the kids and precious belongings, like the dog, need to be carefully packed up and entrusted to relocation firms.  One thing that is often overlooked is driving licence requirements. 

Depending on which province you are moving to, immigrants are allowed to drive in Canada on their foreign driving licence for between 6 and 12 months, as long as it is accompanied by an International Driving Permit (which you can obtain in your home country).  However, after this time immigrants are required to apply for a Canadian Licence and to forfeit their foreign one. 

To avoid having to work your way through the Canadian graduated licence programme, which is extensive and includes restrictions and tests, it is really  advisable to bring a letter from the licence issuer from your home country, showing your driving history, including prosecutions and accidents.

For much much more information on relocating to Canada, visit www.workingin-canada.com.

Today is one of Canada’s most important statutory holidays, Canada Day, marking the country’s formation as a dominion. 

On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty’s loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1^st.  It is a celebration that is still held today.

As such a pivotal part of Canada’s history, Canada Day is celebrated widely with activities such as parades, carnivals, festivals, barbecues, air and maritime shows, fireworks, and free musical concerts and is particularly memorable for many new migrants as it is often the day when Citizenship ceremonies are held.

You could be celebrating Canada Day in Canada this time next year!  Canada is actively looking for skilled migrants to fill it’s labour shortfalls.  www.workingin-canada.com has answers to all your migration questions, including information on where to live, how to find a home and all those niggly visa queries.

According to Cricket Canada, the game of cricket is receiving unprecedented support and interest in Canada, thanks to immigration.  Migrants from the Caribbean, UK, Australia and New Zealand have brought with them a passion for the game which is catching the attention of the nation.  The Federal Government has just announced plans to pour an un-capped $77,000 into Cricket Canada to help support the growth and management of the sport. 

There are 40,000 registered players of cricket in Canada and potentially another 50,000 who are not registered in a league but are playing more casually.

You don’t have to leave you passions behind when you emigrate.  There are many sporting organisations in Canada who can point you in the right direction to continue your interests in your new home or you could take up a new hobby, like the Canadian national obsession, ice hockey!

This weekend sees the inspiring Opportunities Canada Expo ‘08, at London’s Olympia, opening it’s doors to hopeful migrants looking for new life in Canada.  The Expo showcases Canada’s job market, bringing together many of it’s top employers, recruitment companies, migration consultants and even shipping contractors, all under one roof. 

It is expected that hundreds of positions will be offered to people attending the Expo right there and then, as well as in the weeks that follow. 

If you are interested in migrating to Canada, why not grab your CV and head down to the Expo?  You never know what doors it may open for you. 

Visit www.workingin-canada.com for tickets or click here to see what people thought of last years event.

The Canadian department for Citizenship and Immigration has announced two changes to its Permanent Residency Card application process.  The card is used to confirm a person’s status in Canada and is used by Permanent Residents to board transport and to re-enter the country after trips overseas.

The first of the changes mean that applicants applying for renewal of PR cards no longer have to submit their old cards while the application is being processed.  This change frees up Permanent Residents to be able to continue to travel whilst their application is in process. 

The second change states that applicants applying for a new or replacement PR card no longer have to have their application signed by a guarantor.  This change will simplify the process “without compromising security as CIC can confirm their residence and identity with other documents.”

For all visa queries and information visit www.workingin-canada.com.

The provincial government of Alberta has announced that it is going to allow its Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents to sponsor the immigration of close relatives to the Province under a new section of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP). 

“Adding this family stream to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program will help us meet our workforce needs while creating more diverse and welcoming communities for all our families,” explained Alberta’s Minister of Employment and Immigration, Hector Goudreau.

Canada is experiencing an increasing labour shortage which is expected to need 110,000 skilled workers within the next ten years.  Perhaps you have skills that are in demand and are considering making a new life in Canada?  Check out www.workingin-canada.com.

Canada’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, the Honourable Diane Finley, has announced changes to the immigration system which will speed the visa application process for highly skilled workers, to get them into the country and working in high demand areas faster.

It is estimated that there are currently around 950,000 applications backlogged in the Canadian immigration system and this number was expected to reach 1.5 million by 2012 if the announced changes had not been implemented. 

The skills shortage is rapidly increasing in Canada.  If you have high demand skills and are interested in migrating, things are just about to become easier.  Go to www.workingin-canada.com and see whether migration to Canada might be right for you.

Canada continues to be a sought after destination for migrants, and it is understandable when looking at its ranking as a country in several lifestyle and economic measures.

When looking at the economic growth of G7 industrialised nations, Canada boasts the strongest economic growth. It also ranks in the top ten countries as gauged by the Organisation for Economic Development. It also topped the 2006 Human Development Report released by the UN Develop Programme, as the best country to live in.

Migrants to Canada are happy with their move, with 84% of newcomers having no regrets on their move.

If you want to move to Canada, Working In Canada has information to help you with the full planning process.

Last year forty thousand immigrants and temporary workers relocated to Alberta, Canada to help with energy rich industries. Immigration and Industry minister Alex Evans has said even these numbers are not enough to keep up with the growth of the province. With predictions that oil sands productions could triple by 2020, the stress of managing this production will lie mainly on imported talent.

If you have had a yen to relocate to Canada, and think your skills would be required to meet the Canada’s skilled crisis, search our Canadian jobs section at Working In Canada

If you are interested in fitting into Canadian culture, there may be nothing better to whet your appetite than listening to some Canadian music. If you are around Trafalgar Square on June 29th you might like to listen to a range of Canadian acts marking Canada Day.

For more information visit www.canadadaylondon.com

If you want to find out more about living in Canada we have included information on lifestyle and Canadian culture in New Zealand.