Question about relocationg to Canada

[jtfrogger]

Originally Posted by Drunk Skunk

Well, it turns out that I may be moving to Canada a lot earlier then I had thought ... as in the second quarter of '09, or even earlier.

From the sounds of it, the unemployment rate in Calgary is very low. Tonight, I heard that they're paying upwards of $15 for fast food places, and that if I had a year's experience as a machinist, I could find a job very easily. I'm actually getting really excited about this - I would be moving up there with my father, after he retires, and he was offered a post-retirement job tonight as well.

If you are thinking about coming to Calgary, make sure you examine the housing situation in addition to the job situation. The cost of living is much higher than many other places. $15/hour is not something that you would want to live off here.

Based on your skills, I think you will be just fine. I just figured I would warn you about housing, and general cost of living first. That is something that you would want to be informed about before your move.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by jtfrogger

$15/hour is not something that you would want to live off here.

Agreed. I remember seeing a news report around the turn of the new year that placed the poverty line as it relates to wages in Calgary at $14/hr with full benefits or $22/hr with no benefits.

[OilersBaby]

hey i have a question. im born in canada, but got my US citizenship. The US wont allow dual unless you have a parent who has one of each citizenship (I dont..my parents are both Canadian).

So even though I dont have Canadian citizen, because I was born and raised there (lived there for about 18 years)...they would take me back whenever, right? Not that I want to move back, Im in love with CALIFORNIA even though the gas prices/economy suck right now.....haha. I was just curious.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by OilersBaby

hey i have a question. im born in canada, but got my US citizenship. The US wont allow dual unless you have a parent who has one of each citizenship (I dont..my parents are both Canadian).

So even though I dont have Canadian citizen, because I was born and raised there (lived there for about 18 years)...they would take me back whenever, right? Not that I want to move back, Im in love with CALIFORNIA even though the gas prices/economy suck right now.....haha. I was just curious.

Have you formally renounced Canadian citizenship in some way? My guess is you're still on the books as a Canadian citizen.

[killer_carlson]

\i spend a good part of each day helping foreign workers get their documents into the country.

While it will be easy to get you in the country now, in three years it may not be. To come in as a foreign worker you have to find an employer who can demonstrate to the Federal Government that they tried to find a Canadian to do your job but were unable to do so. This then allows them to hire a foreign person (i.e. you). You then have to satisfy immigration that: you're qualified, you're not here to milk the health care system, and you're not a threat to security.

My concern for you would be a change in the labour market or an increase in unemployment so that there are Canadians available to do your job.

Another option would be if you have family in Alberta or potentiall some other provinces (Manitoba), which I'm guessing that you do not from your post.

PM me if you have more questions.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

\i spend a good part of each day helping foreign workers get their documents into the country.

While it will be easy to get you in the country now, in three years it may not be. To come in as a foreign worker you have to find an employer who can demonstrate to the Federal Government that they tried to find a Canadian to do your job but were unable to do so. This then allows them to hire a foreign person (i.e. you). You then have to satisfy immigration that: you're qualified, you're not here to milk the health care system, and you're not a threat to security.

My concern for you would be a change in the labour market or an increase in unemployment so that there are Canadians available to do your job.

Another option would be if you have family in Alberta or potentiall some other provinces (Manitoba), which I'm guessing that you do not from your post.

PM me if you have more questions.

Doesn't Canada have a visiting worker arrangement under NAFTA of some kind? For instance, I know it's a simple matter for me to reside in the U.S. as a college teacher. Would any of those situations apply in DS' case?

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

Doesn't Canada have a visiting worker arrangement under NAFTA of some kind? For instance, I know it's a simple matter for me to reside in the U.S. as a college teacher. Would any of those situations apply in DS' case?

He would have to fall within the professional category under NAFTA, which is usually (but not always) a profession that requires a 4 year degree.

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by OilersBaby

hey i have a question. im born in canada, but got my US citizenship. The US wont allow dual unless you have a parent who has one of each citizenship (I dont..my parents are both Canadian).

So even though I dont have Canadian citizen, because I was born and raised there (lived there for about 18 years)...they would take me back whenever, right? Not that I want to move back, Im in love with CALIFORNIA even though the gas prices/economy suck right now.....haha. I was just curious.

Yep, you are also a Canadian Citizen. You can apply for Canadian citizenship and they will issue you a S.I.N. To come live here you then apply for your Canadian passport and come on up! That's how I did it but in reverse. I was born in Canada to American parents and hold dual citizenship.

The U.S. can't NOT allow dual citizenship because except for the formality of paperwork you already are. When I got mine I was always told the U.S. doesn't "recognize" dual citizenship. That doesn't matter anyway because when I live in the U.S. I am a U.S. citizen and when I live in Canada I'm a Canadian. That's how the governments like to look at it as well.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Yep, you are also a Canadian Citizen. You can apply for Canadian citizenship and they will issue you a S.I.N. To come live here you then apply for your Canadian passport and come on up! That's how I did it but in reverse. I was born in Canada to American parents and hold dual citizenship.

He doesn't apply for Canadian Citizenship because he is already a Canadian. He may apply for a citizenship document. A SIN is not proof of citizenship.

[SportsJunky]

What is a citizenship document? The only thing I was given was my passport once I was issued a S.S. card. Are you saying Canada has a separate document?

[jtfrogger]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

What is a citizenship document? The only thing I was given was my passport once I was issued a S.S. card. Are you saying Canada has a separate document?

My father had one, since he was born in Europe. It looks similar to a birth certificate in size and basic purpose. It is the equivalent of a birth certificate for proof that you are a Canadian citizen.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

I think immigrants are welcomed here for the most part. Being an American brings a whole other dynamic to the situation. I'm a dual citizen who has lived in both countries and I'm still taken aback at times by the anti-U.S. sentiment I encounter in Canada.

Don't wanna derail the thread but just had to comment on this. I agree. I remember travelling to the States when I was fresh out of HS back in '01 and '02 and having this somewhat built in anti-Americanism when I was going there. But after visiting a bunch of places(I've been to nearly half the states in the US), it quickly vanished, and I actually felt embarassed about previously feeling that way. When I watch those old Molson Canadian commercials now(featuring the same theme of the ignorant American getting schooled by the Canadian) they actually embarass me. I hate Canadians who hate the States but can't even tell you why.

/back on topic...

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

What is a citizenship document? The only thing I was given was my passport once I was issued a S.S. card. Are you saying Canada has a separate document?

http://www.cic.gc.ca/EnGLIsh/citizen...s/cit-card.jpg

A passport is also a citizenship document as it provides proof of citizenship.

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

http://www.cic.gc.ca/EnGLIsh/citizen...s/cit-card.jpg

A passport is also a citizenship document as it provides proof of citizenship.

So then you were just confirming what I already said. Thanks man!

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

So then you were just confirming what I already said. Thanks man!

Not really, you said that he needed to apply for citizenship. He does not as he is a citizen. He just needs to obtain citizenship documents. I know what you mean tho, not trying to bust your balls.

[Phanuthier]

It was mentioned here briefly, but if you are a professional, you can work under the NAFTA agreement with a TN Visa. I'm hoping to make use of that in the near future, but to work in the USA.

Originally Posted by Sainters7

When I watch those old Molson Canadian commercials now(featuring the same theme of the ignorant American getting schooled by the Canadian) they actually embarass me. I hate Canadians who hate the States but can't even tell you why...

I was recently travelling with a cousins family friend from Texas and had some fun quizzing a high school Texan about Canada. She could name 1 city in Canada (Vancouver), thought Vancouver was the capital of Canada, thought Canada got their independence around 1800, and there were 5 billion people in Canada. Not saying all Americans are like that, just found her responses pretty funny.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

It was mentioned here briefly, but if you are a professional, you can work under the NAFTA agreement with a TN Visa. I'm hoping to make use of that in the near future, but to work in the USA.

TN Visa is only for the US not Canada. More of a terminology difference. Professionals that fall under the NAFTA category can apply for a work permit with the appropriate documents.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

TN Visa is only for the US not Canada. More of a terminology difference. Professionals that fall under the NAFTA category can apply for a work permit with the appropriate documents.

Is it the same list of professions? Not that it matters to me, just curious.

Also, my daughter, as I understand it, is a Canadian citizen by virtue of being the daughter of two Canadian citizens, but an American citizen by virtue of being born in the U.S. Anybody know what the process is for getting her a Canadian passport? We expect to move back home in a few years, and though we don't anticipate any problems, we want to make sure we have all of our (her) ducks in a row.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

Is it the same list of professions? Not that it matters to me, just curious.

I can't say for 100% sure but most likely yes. Chapter 16 of NAFTA outlines this intent and Appendix 1603.D.1 has the list of professions and I believe the academic requirements.

http://www.international.gc.ca/trade.../chap16-en.asp

Also, my daughter, as I understand it, is a Canadian citizen by virtue of being the daughter of two Canadian citizens, but an American citizen by virtue of being born in the U.S. Anybody know what the process is for getting her a Canadian passport? We expect to move back home in a few years, and though we don't anticipate any problems, we want to make sure we have all of our (her) ducks in a row.

You will just apply for the passport. You will submit your and/ or your wifes birth certificate along with the application showing that you are Canadian.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

I was recently travelling with a cousins family friend from Texas and had some fun quizzing a high school Texan about Canada. She could name 1 city in Canada (Vancouver), thought Vancouver was the capital of Canada, thought Canada got their independence around 1800, and there were 5 billion people in Canada. Not saying all Americans are like that, just found her responses pretty funny.

I would torrent every episode of Rick Mercer's "Talking With Americans", burn it, and send it to her for her birthday along with a map and a 6-pack of Molson.