Here we go a fresh new thread. Try saying that after a few to many vinos ;o)
In our relocation intro pack it says that you have 2 weeks vacation time a year, is this true for all Canada of is it regonal?
Reason for asking is that over here we get more.
Steve
Moving to Canada Part Two
Hi Steve - Haven't been watching most of the previous thread, but looked in this morning. The two weeks is, I think, a minimum vacation time. The norm in the US is two weeks but many jobs in Canada have more, generally depending on how long you've held a job or how good your bargaining unit is. The Food Bank where I worked for many years gives 3 weeks. My daughter who works in a support role at BC Intstitute of Technology (BCIT) belongs to the same bargaining unit as the teachers and get 5 weeks each year even though she's only worked there since 2000. Most would be somewhere in between, I think.
Ann
This message was edited Aug 12, 2006 9:51 PM
Steve - Two weeks vacation is the minimum mandated by the government, so it can range anywhere for 2 to 6 weeks typically. Also most areas have 10 statutory holidays over and above the vacation days.
I would also like to add that there is no problem growing Aconitum/Monkshood here on the East Coast but I suppose as with anything else there are some varieties that are less hardy.
Ken
most government and quasi government organizations give 3 weeks to start and 4 after 5 years
many large corporations do the same
most small companies are more like the US and give the minimum 2 and 3 weeks after 5 years.
Thank you.
That is good news. We were hoping it would be more than two weeks.
Will be printing out all the forms this weekend. Once they are filled in and posted then the long wait begins... :o(
Time update: we should know if we have been successful within two years.
In Ontario, labour laws dictate a 4% payment on part-time wages for vacation time. This can be paid per pay period or annually, or accumulated in time.
Were coming to Canada for our vacation next October.
Arriving in Vancouver then going on to Kelowna. Is it better to fly or drive to Kelowna and can anybody recommend a place to stay when we get there?
While we are there we will be checking out housing and the job situation in both Kelowna and Vancouver. Kelowna is our first choice to live and work., but anywhere in that area will be just fine.
Steve
Hi Steve I live in Clearwater, B.C. now, but lived for many years in Kelowna. If your looking for some of the best driving scenery then by all means drive. Kelowna is quite large, so lots of places to stay.Will be the off season so should have no problem with accomodation. Not sure what the job market is like though.
Will give you all the information I can.
Lynn
Steve, please be prepared to be flexible about location. My husband and I fell in love with Vancouver and the mountains after visiting friends there, but waited three years to get a job offer in Canada. When it came, it was from a company in Toronto. It was the only offer, so we took it anyway. Turned out to be the best move we ever made. This was 25 years ago, and I'm a happy Ontario gardener. So I guess what I mean to say is, B.C. is beautiful, but Canada is great all over!
Hear, hear! So true.
Don
Hate to say it but in the US 1 week is standard;+{ Why am I here again?
Another honorary Canuck?
I ain't an expatriot, just alien to this paticular region. My heart is still broken, I hate Hurricanes.
Found out we can fast track the immigration system by having a job that is desperately needed over there. Time to upgrade my shunting unit license to full HGV (articulated lorry). More expense but it will be worth it to get there quicker.
Steve, you do know that in Canada we drive on the right side of the road, I hope? You'll have lots of fun learning not to panic when you are on the correct side, but someone drives towards you on the wrong side of the road and suddenly you can't remember which side you are supposed to be on. Then just as you get used to driving on the right, you go back to the UK for a visit and the same darned thing happens there. Lets see, what else have you got to look forward to....no roundabouts, but we have four-way stops, and in some places you can turn right on a red light. In Ontario, a flashing green traffic light means you have right of way, but does it mean the same in B.C. I wonder. And we have bi-lingual signs on the highways (Exit/Sortie, etc).
Hi June
We have been on holiday to Las Vegas and Florida and I have driven in both places (mad drivers in Vegas. Only drove for a day there) In Florida for 2 weeks, the strangest bit was turning right on a red light. Over here I'm sure half the people who pass their driving test have half their brain removed!! When we have our vacation over there I am going to do as much driving as I can to get used to the different rules you have.
Steve
Steve, after driving in the UK for a couple of weeks, and in NZ for a month, the basics are the same. the driver is always closest to the centre line, and the passenger is always closest to the ditch. Our speed limit signs are in kph. turning right on a red light is OK unless theres a sign that says not to. We use a lot of the international signs, that are just pictures, ie a stop sign in a circle with a line through it means no stopping, but you k.ow that already. I think once you get here, you'll not find driving a problem. Our roads are probably wider than yours too.
Linda
I have always driven where ever we go. Australia, Florida, Las Vegas. Las Vegas was very scary, first time driving on the right and in a left hand drive car. Wasn't a normal car either, was a Plymouth Prowler, bright yellow.
Latest update. Where I work they have sent out a memo about making half the workforce redundant (I think you say laying off) and I might be one of them :o( Good news is I should be starting my HGV (L1 + air brakes) driving lessons soon, and the sooner I pass the tests the sooner we will be over there. Am applying for a job with Kindersley Transport Ltd. Anyone heard if them?
Steve
This is the pile of *@~#£%$ (nearest I can get to cussing and not being kicked) that I drive at work for shunting work.
Don't worry, it is used on a private site not on the open road. I used to be the safety officer in my area and I checked every health and safety book on lorrys and it broke every rule, and we are still using it.
Here is another vehicle I use.
yes i know kindersley i have a buddy who has driven for them for quite a long time. they have routes thruout western canada
in modern terms we are not calling that a RIF (reduction in force) which isn't happening anywhere in western canada other than for people abandoning ship for what they think is a better job
If I get a job with Kindersley, they say they can help get us over and help with getting my license converted to a Canadian one.
Have had my medical and sent of for my license, so should be having lessons soon.
Edited for good news and bad news:
Got made redundant Friday. :o(
Got license back today. :o)
Start lessons today. :oD
This message was edited Oct 2, 2006 9:34 AM
What is the weather like in Edmonton? We might be relocating there because that is where the work is for truck driving.
Steve
Cold winter, warm summer!
I am a former native of Edmonton - this is a city where the residents are encouraging global warming. We could actually build igloos as a kid and have them last all winter long, anything south of Calgary it would not be worth the trouble due to chinooks. Due to oil prices at the moment Calgary is experiencing housing & daycare shortages. Personally I believe that you can find a job in any city in Alberta, I would not go further north then Calgary (however if you like hockey the ONLY team to support are the Oilers) to darn cold too long. With the chinooks (anything south of Calgary) you will have a few days or weeks of spring like weather in the middle of winter. It is a dry climate that some people have trouble getting used to. Hope that helps.
Thank you. That has given us something to think about.
the weather is great if you love sunshine, long summer days, and clear dry air. sure we have it pretty cold for a few stretches in the winter but we dress for it. there are 4 distinct seasons to enjoy.
aside from weather Alberta offers great schools, wonderful recreational opportunities, great arts scene, friendly people, virtually zero unemploymenht, wide open spaces very close to large urban centres, spectacular scenery, great gardening, .....
i love this province and this city wouldn't live anywhere else
oh yes and i should mention the lowest tax rates of anywhere in canada
The big problem in Calgary right now is that there are lots and lots of jobs but the cost of housing is so high that people cant afford to buy homes and rental housing is at an all time low.
Where we are in Kent (50 miles from London) the cost of living is very high and so are the house prices. With our searches on the internet for houses, university (for our daughter) and work, St Albert in Edmonton seems the ideal place to start our new life.
Veshengo
Hi
I have been reading your threads , I too came from England.
I was only 6 when I arrived in 1963 with my parents and two little sisters. My folks wanted a better life and I think we have been very blessed and am proud to say I am Canadian, I too wouldn't live anywhere else. I spent 1 year in California and really missed the snow and change of season.
I love the long summer days when you can be outside gardening from early in the morning till 11 pm at night and still see what you are doing. The cold winter with bright blue skys beat rainy grey days for me!
My Mom Dad and sisters have migrated to Calgary and I am happy to stay here where the gardening is better. The Chinooks wreak havoc on plants.
Edmonton has a fabulous river valley to play in and has excellent theater. We also have a festival of one kind or another all summer.
Anyway there are many other places in Canada that would fit this description you won't be sorry about coming here, I know my folks never thought about going back.
Ann
Start lorry driving on 1st November. Have got a part time doing multi pickup and drop off. Its only part time so I give us time to do all the paperwork for our relocation.
Cant believe it, we may be in Canada in 6 months. Exiting and scary at the same time.
That's good news! Good luck with your new job.
That's great, Veshengo! Will it be St. Albert then?
Sandy
Hi Sandy
Hopefully it will be. This weekend we will be checking out the real estate websites that deal with that area.
Will keep this thread updated as we progress.
Steve
We all look forward to welcoming you to our great Country, Steve. How exciting!
Don
Veshengo
St Albert is a great place and it's growing so fast it's almost at Edmonton already!.
You may find a home in the very north west of Edmonton for less money. Also if you are looking for a trucking job they seem to have a lot in Nisku which is inbetween Edmonton and Leduc. There are some small towns that have great amenities and would be close , Beaumont comes to mind.
For some reason I think you were wanting to be close to the university, is this so?
Ann
Hi Ann
Yes we want to be close to the university for our daughter who will be following us when she finishes her exams. She wants to go into nursing, either midwifery or child care.
Steve
Hi Steve
Have you determined the driving time from St Albert to the University?
I know that Sherwood Park which is east of Edmonton has a bus service directly to the university. I'm not sure what the St Albert city offers. In any case I live minutes from the U of A and houses here have become quite dear. Very small homes (two bedrooms with about 700-900 sq feet) are currently at 300-400 thousand. Most of these have basements. I have been here for over 25 years so got in when things were more reasonable.
Currently the City is expanding their light rail (train) system to go to the South side and that system stops at the U of A and goes up to the north east side . This would give your daughter good access to the University.
I would be happy to answer any question you have and if I don't have the answers direct you to a site that would.
Ann