Dec 28, 2009

Finding Accommodation

I think sharing apartment with someone is the best way if you can find one.
Regarding accommodation in toronto, you can check on
http://247apartments.com
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/hhh/
www.gottarent.com
http://www.safehomestay.com
www.sunnynewcomer.com/
www.darryhouse.net/dh/index.htm
www.barryhouse.net

Dec 23, 2009

Very useful website for Toronto Transit System trip Planner

http://myttc.ca/

Employment resource centre

http://www.tcet.com/

Great place to be!!! You can get access to computers, printer, fax machine, phone, lots and lots of study material on how to find a job, dvd's to assist on tip's to write winning resume, facing interviews etc.,etc., All for free!!

Real Experience of Landing in Toronto

This Post is taken from fellow member of Canadavisa forum babutv2000

I landed at pearson international airport toronto on 18th Dec 2009. Here is my experience...
Received customs declaration forms on the plane. Filled it in and remembered to tick the box for "goods to follow". Upon arrival, passed through a counter who checked the declaration form and passport, returned without any stamp. Proceeded to immigration. Few people in the queue. Lady at the counter was very helpful. Gave passport, custom declaration, copr forms. She returned customs declaration forms. Asked when will the rest of the family will join me. Asked how much funds I will be relocating with? Did not ask for proof. Asked for local address, gave her pre printed slip. She made me sign on the copr form and informed me that, it will be the same signature appearing on the PR card when issued. That's it, she welcomed me to Canada and returned the passport and one copy of the copr form. I asked about PR card and I was told it will be sent to mentioned address in 3 to 4 weeks time. If I do not receive by that time, I have to call the service centre. I was then directed to "welcome to canada" counter for new immigrants. I was given some printed material and a bag. Passed through another counter where I was given information on Ontario health card application. I strongly recommend all to read the material as I found them extremely useful. Then proceed to collect the check in baggage. It was a long long wait and queue. First the flight was A380-800 from dubai, lot's of passengers. Then there were many other flights arriving at same time. Almost after an hour , I was with customs official. He took the "Goods to follow" list in duplicate, declaration form. Asked which are the few highest value items in the list. Stamped the list and returned to me along with customs receipt showing the total value of the goods I have declared as "to follow". Next day, it was saturday. Visited city hall centre for sin registration. I was told they work mon to fri. Hence I had to visit another office near my residence on monday for sin registration. Reported at the reception with copr form , passport and duly filled in sin card application. I was given back the documents and was asked to wait. There were many computers, sat and completed three profiles for the job bank. I was called in by another lady. I was then assisted with sin registration. It took about 20 minutes to get letter with my sin number. I was told that the sin card will be sent to the address mentioned in 10 working days. Went back to the terminal to check some job matches. Again I recommend that you try creating profile in the job bank, atleast it was useful for me to get an idea on what skills, the employers in canada looking for in my profession. website link ishttp://seekers.jobbank.gc.ca/common-commun/login-connection.aspx?redirect=true&target=6&lang=en-CA
My next stop was at "Toronto Centre" Employment resource centre. Great place to be!!! You can get access to computers, printer, fax machine, phone, lots and lots of study material on how to find a job, dvd's to assist on tip's to write winning resume, facing interviews etc.,etc., All for free!!
Then proceeded to apply for OHIP (Health card). I could not complete the process as I did not have acceptable address proof ie lease agreement or temporary drivers license or monthly bank statement which would have arrived by post. I will work on possibly getting the temporary driver's license.
This is it for now...........

Dec 21, 2009

Great Site If you are looking for some bridging courses

http://www.ontariocolleges.ca/

If you are moving to Ontario and looking for some bridging courses then this is very useful website which gives all college program information at one place.

Be ready for voluntary work and paid internship

http://www.triec.ca/

When and how to settle ourselves in this new found homeland Canada

This Post is taken from fellow member of Canadavisa forum Qorax

Hi friends,

I had been contemplating to write this for quite sometime. I also think I'll post it as a new thread. But, presently this is in reply to the previous poster; & many more who dwell on it, regularly.

With regards to the job scenario for us (FSW w/out AEO) in Canada, if we plan as per below, we'll sail thru satisfactorily. Our jobs in Canada, post landing, shall come under 3 stages:

Stage-1. Survival Jobs:
The moment we land [whatever city we chose], we must catch-on any opportunity that may arrive. At this stage, we must importantly keep our Ego at home. The idea is to safeguard the 'landing funds' and plan our regular expenses on any vocation based earnings. At this stage, it'll be potent to be frugile. Cut costs at all angles & get our daily meals thru whatever job that we can take. This is the most important phase of our newcomer life in Canada. If we can plan it well, we'll avoid the 'josh story', else depression shall set-in. In this phase, I might be a IT proff, an Engr, a Doctor, whatever, or of any age bracket... I'd do well to take a job as a FedEx Helper, DtoD Salesman, MacDonald Teamer, Night Watchman, Office Boy etc.
Stage Criteria: Whatever our homeland profession be, take any job to start earning.
Remember: Till now No one knows us & No one is bothered abt us.
Job Search: No further search, till we get settled in this present vocation.
Timeframe: 0-3 months.

Stage-2. Tertiary Jobs:
Now we are fairy aware of the city & the Canadian concepts. This is the time to foray into our 2nd job. Start seraching, but remember that it'll not be an actual 'job hunting' yet. In this phase, due to our awarness, we might land into an Ok job, which'll be better than the survival stage. But we are still not into our choice occupation. Again it should be taken as a challenge & pursue a job that will increase our earnings from the previous one. We may not yet be satisfied with what we are doing, but shall start some savings hereon. That'll get reflected in our bank a/cs. We are actually now building our credit history, an important thing that'll hold us in good stead later. Some of the Tertiary Jobs can be Office Assistant, Hypermarket Cashier/Teller, Warehouse Assistant, Industrial Labour Controller, Store Keeper, Security Officer/Supervisor, Courier Deliveryman etc. All of these being higher paid than minimum wages.
Stage Criteria: Try & get a better paid job than the previous. Any field. Complete all PR documentation.
Remember: We are still in our nascent stage. No one yet cares abt us.
Job Search: Yes, keep looking. Classifieds, Online, HR Agents, Networking, Prospective Employer visits etc.
Timeframe: 3-6 months.

Stage-3. Intermediate Jobs:
By now we have smartenned up. We are no more a novice. We have developed our links. Bank position is OK. Probably, the 'landing funds' is still not fiully depleted. Our networking & friend circle has started paying. Thus, hereon we shall, most likely, get our 'first satisfactory job'. Something in our related field. No, not yet what we actually have been doing in our homeland, but in the same department. The idea is to land a job within our specialty field. Eg. if I'm a IT professional, I'll get a job in the IT dept. of a company, as a first-level operator or a team leader (if I'm lucky). If I'm an Engr. I'll be landing the job of a technician in the engineering dept of a company. If I'm an Accountant, I'll catch hold of a Asst. Bookkeeper's task, or a financial data entry operator, or a departmental assistant. The combinations can be many. The requirement is, now start building your career. Opportunities shall commence.
Stage Criteria: Land a job in your related field. The designation be anything, be much lower -but must be taken.
Remember: Ppl will start knowing us in our field & thus professional growth is imminent.
Job Search: Full-fledged 'job hunting'. This hunting now is in our choice occupation.
Timeframe: 6-12 months.

Friends, hereafter we will most likely, be in our selected field of work. And we'll be aware of the job market within our profession. Hereon, we'll know what to look for & where to look for. Thus, can apply for jobs smartly & keep growing satisfactorily. It is expected that after a yr at Canada, we should be able to establish ourselves nicely. Be professionally motivated and quite possibly grow well into our Canadian settlement process.

Job hunting, obviously will continue until we are self-satisfied. But man... we have arrived... & arrived well ! In a couple of yrs we'll be sailing in our Original Position, that we left in our homeland. And remember, we'd be still earning better than before, even if the residential costs are higher in Canada. Our margins will be much higher too. Unless we really goof-up, in 2-3 yrs time we'll be calling the shots.

A thing to remember is that, since our 2nd stage, we should start developing our skills, by way of gaining qualifications/certifications to enhance our selected profession. As most occupations like IT, Accounts, Engineering etc. will not get us a job of that field, unless we have a Canadian Recognized Certificate. The only exception is of Doctors, who might face tremendous difficulty due to the 4 yrs. requirement of Canadian Medical studies.

The above 3 phases is also important to gain a Canadian Experience. Something we cannot do without if we want to succeed in our professions. The previous jobs can be anything, but when we try to apply for a job in our field the employers will always ask/look for a Canadian Experience. They wouldn't bother what we did, but will want an "employer's reference". This is to see our employability & people management skills. And we can't blame them as well, 'coz they need to doubly ensure that who they are employing is of 'good standing', as they have no clue of our occupations/designations in our homeland. It reminds me to advice, to do good in those previous Canadian jobs. 'Coz, we'll need those employer's references, whether in writing (best to take) or telephonically by the next employer.

Plz note that in some cases the 1st & 2nd stages may be interlinked. Some may get promoted within the 1st stage itself & thus avoid/require a seperate 2nd stage. While there are also many situations/actual cases where some PRs have settled-down well in their Tertiary Occupations itself. There is this case of an Electrical Engineer, who carried-on with his Warehouse Supervisor's job and settled down as businessman of 'Custom Bonded Warehouses' forever. There are scores of other examples.

I hope the foregoing shall lead to a proper understanding of our job-worth, vis-a-vis our aspirations in Canada. And help us to get hold of ourselves in a timeframe wise & market scenario wise assimilation of what, when and how to settle ourselves in this new found homeland. (I have deliberately avoided the Credit History & House Building scenarios, 'coz this post is directed to job market only).

Thanks & all the best to everyone !

Capt. Stan Dutta
(Member: Canadian Society of Industrial Security)

Dec 19, 2009

Kijiji Mississauga Classifieds: Free Classified Ads for Mississauga, Ontario

Kijiji Mississauga Classifieds: Free Classified Ads for Mississauga, Ontario: "Visit Kijiji for Canada's largest and most visited free classifieds site with millions of ads. Categories include buy & sell, cars, pets, jobs, homes, and more."

Find a Homestay Family - HomestayFinder.com

Find a Homestay Family - HomestayFinder.com

Welcome to Career Cruising

Welcome to Career Cruising: "Career Cruising is an interactive
career guide featuring multimedia interviews with real people in every
career, in-depth occupational profiles and comprehensive information on
colleges and universities. The inside story on careers is available on
CD-ROM and the Internet."

The Alliance | Home

The Alliance | Home: "The national federation of provincial physiotherapy regulators committed to the development and improvement of regulatory standards of practice for physiotherapists."

Settlement.Org | Information Newcomers Can Trust

Settlement.Org | Information Newcomers Can Trust

Skilled Worker / Professional Immigration

Skilled Worker / Professional Immigration: "Discuss Canadian Permanent Residency for professional and skilled workers."

craigslist classifieds: jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, events, forums

craigslist classifieds: jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, events, forums: "craigslist provides local classifieds and forums for jobs, housing, for sale, personals, services, local community, and events"

Garamchai.Com ... for the desi in pardes - The Best Site for NRI, Indians, Immigrants and others interested in South Asian lifestyle the US and North

Garamchai.Com ... for the desi in pardes - The Best Site for NRI, Indians, Immigrants and others interested in South Asian lifestyle the US and North America

Canadian Relocation Systems - The National Guide for People Relocating Across Canada

Canadian Relocation Systems - The National Guide for People Relocating Across Canada: "The National comprehensive guide for people moving across Canada. Everything you wanted to ask before you moved, but never found out who to ask."

Canadian Immigration, Life, society, culture and living for Indians, South Asians and other immigrants from Garamchai.Com

Canadian Immigration, Life, society, culture and living for Indians, South Asians and other immigrants from Garamchai.Com: "FAQ, Life in the US, Garamchai.Com, the hottest Desi web portal caters to the interests of the vast number of Indians residing in the US"

CIIP - Immigrant Section

CIIP - Immigrant Section

Costco.ca: Offering thousands of items you won’t find in your local Costco.

Costco.ca: Offering thousands of items you won’t find in your local Costco.: "Costco Wholesale operates an international chain of membership warehouses, carrying brand name merchandise at substantially lower prices than typical retail."
"Dear,

Firstly, Many many Good Wishes on your success !!!

No, actually there won't be any 'interview' upon landing. U'll be asked some basic questions by the CBSA/IO, all regarding your 'landing', 'PR Card', 'PofA' & 'place/duration of stay' etc. only. All simple & generic. U may need the following:

1. Passport with Visa. -off course.
2. COPR
3. PofA. -for cases 'without' AEO & family class. (Cash, B/Draft, TCs, latest Bank Statement, Wire Tfr Record)
4. Passport size photos. -qty 2-3 each, for PR Card. (it may not be needed, but good to carry)
5. PR Card Application (IMM 5444E). -this u can do it there, Or carry it before hand (filled) for ease.
6. Goods to follow List (Form B4E). -this u can do it there, Or carry it before hand (filled) for ease.
7. SIN Card Application (Form NAS 2120). -NOT NEEDED at the a/port. But needed later.
8. Kids Immunization Record. -NOT NEEDED at the a/port. But needed later for School Admission.
9. If u r driving, remember to take ur veh docs. If u r keeping the veh at Canada, 'export' it from US first (carry the docs) and perform 'import' documentations, as well in Canada.

Hope that helps."
"When you come to Canada, you must show your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) to a Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) officer at the Port of Entry. The officer will make sure your travel and immigration documents are correct.

The CIC officer will check that your visa has not expired. You cannot use a permanent residence visa after it expires. The expiration date is shown on the visa. Permanent residence visas cannot be extended, so make sure you use your visa in the proper time.

You must bring a valid passport with you. Your passport must be a regular, private passport. You cannot immigrate to Canada with a diplomatic, government service or public affairs passport.

You will have to answer questions like the ones you answered on your Application for Permanent Residence in Canada. The CIC officer asks these questions to make sure you are of good character and are in good health.

You must also show proof of your funds at this time.

The above list of items is the minimum of what you will bring with you. Below is a list of documents that you will want to make sure you have with you. These will be useful and helpful for you and your family in the areas of employment, health, education and finding housing.
Make sure that you have the following documents:

-Landing Record, of Permanent Residence (COPR) (visa issued by the Canadian authorities)

-Passport or other travel documents. You cannot immigrate to Canada with a diplomatic, government service or public affairs passport.

-Birth certificate

-Marriage certificate (if you are married)

-Family records

-Valid driver's licence: You need to bring a Driving Experience Letter from your country to avoid starting from Scratch in getting your Driver's licence in Canada (G1 and G).

-Medical records

-Dental records

-Vaccination booklet, specially for your kids (if any)

-Official school records for school age children

-Diplomas, degrees and other proofs of education

-Academic credentials evaluation report (if you have had your education assessed before coming to Canada - a good idea!)

-Academic transcripts: very important if you are an engineer or a doctor, because you will need to work on your Professional License before you can are ALLOWED to work in Canada.

-Course and internship descriptions

-Proof of work experience: reference letters from previous and current employers

-Proof of continuing education

-Professional qualification certificates: specially for IT Professionals, Project Managers (PMP), and Accountants!

-Up-to-date resume or summary of work experience, with any letters or recommendation from former employers

-Proof of funds available

If you are interested in continuing your Education in Canada and take either Online Degree or in Campus Degree, then you need to make sure to bring the above related documents, as going back to school is one of the best options to advance your career and get a job easily, as a Degree from a Canadian University is considered a 'Canadian Experience' and highly recognized in the Canadian Job Market.

by this post, you are ready fr your landing journey. Next posts will be focused on what to do after landing ."

HealthForceOntario / ProfessionsSantéOntario

HealthForceOntario / ProfessionsSantéOntario

Canadian Desi A better place to live - our CANADA!

Canadian Desi A better place to live - our CANADA!: "Gives information about Canadian Immigration and Settlement. Have discussion forum, classifieds, business directory, events, bollywood, jobs, news and other sections"
"First, allow me to say: WELCOME TO CANADA .

Now after you have arrived to Canada, you need to know what to do next.
So I will write a separate detailed post about every action item.

Here is your list:

Find a place to live (Housing): I hope you have at least a temporary a place to stay by now. However, I will talk about Housing in details in later post including all the housing options (Apartment Rental, Condo rental ...etc) you have and your rights as a tenant.

2. Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
3. Apply for a Health Card (OHIP)
4. Apply for the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) if you have kids
5. Open a Bank Account: I recommend RBC Royal Bank as it is the biggest bank in Canada. I will elaborate more about Financial issues in later post.
6. Apply for a Driver's Licence
7. Job Search: Get information about finding a job by finding an Employment Resource Centre (ERC) close to your home, where you can learn about your rights as an employee and lots of useful information about how to 'job search'.
8. Find a Settlement Agency close to your home
9. Find a Community Health Centre close to your home
10. Find a Public Library close to your home
11. Find out how to register your children in school
12. Get maps of streets and bus routes
13. Find English Classes for you and your family
14. Find out where to shop: Food, Clothes, etc ...

You have a lot to do, be prepared ... you need to work hard Good luck."

Canada Immigration, esl, find a home, find a job, networking, resources | Canadian Immigrant

Canada Immigration, esl, find a home, find a job, networking, resources | Canadian Immigrant: "Canada's portal for new immigrants. Learn how to successfully immigrate to Canada - 3esl, immigration law, job listings, career advice, ask the experts, guides to canadian cities, how to be a healthy immigrant | Canadian Immigrant"

Bridging Business Careers Program for Internationally Trained Individuals | ayce.on.ca

Bridging Business Careers Program for Internationally Trained Individuals | ayce.on.ca: "Short description for search engines"