I know we have some Canuckians who post here, I wondered how hard is it for someone to move to Canada and find decent employment?

 

My girlfriend and I have visitied Canada several times and we'd both like to live there. I took the little test thing they have on the goverment website and we'd both qualify (we both have college degrees, and she's about to finish her Master's).

 

I don't want to move there and end up flipping some Le Big Macs, so what's the scoop? I always hear jokes about the largest industry in Canada being the government, so would that be the best bet?

I can't speak for every city in Canada, but I'll tell you about Ottawa:

 

Not only is this town the hotbed as far as government employment goes, but there's plenty of private sector options as well. I'm not sure what your strengths are (i.e. your studies) but both areas can cover you well here. The private sector here hit a downward spiral some 4 or 5 years ago after hitting a peak in the mid-90s when every graduate and his brother graduated and got to make $50,000 Cdn on a starting salary, which hurt the government's chances of hiring people straight out of school (since most start in the $30,000-$40,000 range). The private sector has since leveled out a bit and I'd say the starting comparable salaries are relatively equal. If you want to go this route, you're best to maybe look for a company that's small and would like to stay relatively small. My ex-roommate has done that and has not only received a couple promotions, but is in no danger of getting laid off, as far as I know, because the company chooses to not get too big for its britches.

 

As for the public sector, I'll give my own personal experience: I began in May 2001 as a student, and stayed as a student until December of that year, when I graduated. The agency I was at (and still am) abridged me to a temporary worker under contract in January 2002. I signed a number of those contracts, moved around different branches until February of 2004, when I got an acting position which, through competition, wound up getting permanent in September of last year. That's where I am now. That's the short version of it and I'll get into the long version some other time. However, the big reason to get into the government is this: Sek, you're about the same age as me, so someone like you is needed, for the simple reason that the baby boomer generation group is retiring and retiring fast. I got lucky, because for that reason, and the fact that I got a good rapport with many people, they made a point of getting me locked in asap. Seriously, I've been to more retirement parties within the last calendar year than I care to remember, so that's how badly replacements are needed. I'm guessing it's the same thing in the U.S., but that's just a presumption. If you're that willing to come here, find a way to get in (unfortunately, I wish I could help you more, but since the route you'd be taking is different from mine (since I was a student)) and develop a good reputation with who you're with. It's pretty hard not to do that, though, as everyone I've worked with here has been fairly easygoing, but again, I can't speak for everyone. But if you can do that, you have a shot at getting locked in, which is all you need anyway.

 

(Hope that wasn't too much rambling. Any questions, feel free to hollar.)

If you know the first thing about petroleum, Calgary is your place. If not, Toronto or Ottawa is your best bet.

I'd rather avoid Alberta if at all possible. I hear that's where you all keep your right wing nutcases.

 

Part of the reason I'm eager to move is that I'm tiring of living in a country where the biggest political debates center around bible thumpery and buttsex.

And the horror of pharmacists filling prescriptions. Don't forget that either.

 

I'd rather avoid Alberta if at all possible. I hear that's where you all keep your right wing nutcases.

 

Part of the reason I'm eager to move is that I'm tiring of living in a country where the biggest political debates center around bible thumpery and buttsex.

'Tis true about Alberta. In spite of that, I think they do have same sex marriage legislated. Jack can confirm that, prolly. I know Saskatchewan has it. I think I read somewhere how our right wing fanatics are actually a little less right than the Bush administration or others in the U.S., which I can believe.

I'd believe that. I try to remind some of my liberal whacko friends here, who I love dearly, that a Southern Democrat is probably more conservative than a Republican from Seattle. That took a while to sink in with me as well.

And the horror of pharmacists filling prescriptions. Don't forget that either.

 

Well it depends. Birth control pills are the spawn of Satan, but Viagra and Cialis is every man's BAH GAWD given right.

 

Which leads me to another reason Canada is going to be my new home: Health Care.

 

How dare they, don't they know that health care is a privledge for the rich?

The only problem I have with government-regulated health care is the quality of it. Doesn't England have a government dental plan? And look at their teeth! I've also heard about 12-month waiting lists to see physicians and other such bureaucratic nonsense.

 

I think Kerry had the right idea in his campaign, which was to have an optional plan that people could buy into if they chose to do so.

Which leads me to another reason Canada is going to be my new home: Health Care.

 

How dare they, don't they know that health care is a privledge for the rich?

What's funny is not enough people take advantage of it, from what I've seen. Every year in December, the most popular questions are:

 

"Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?"

"Did you get a flu shot this year?"

 

Seriously, some people pass on that second question, which baffles me.

The only problem I have with government-regulated health care is the quality of it. Doesn't England have a government dental plan? And look at their teeth! I've also heard about 12-month waiting lists to see physicians and other such bureaucratic nonsense.

 

I think Kerry had the right idea in his campaign, which was to have an optional plan that people could buy into if they chose to do so.

We have better dentists than the English, Loss. I know I have a good dentist. My teeth are sexier than Trish's, but that's only because she suffered a broken one.

I was about to mention Benoit, but I forgot that Lillian Garcia told me he's originally from Edmonton, but now resides in Atlanta.

I had a go-round with Dave The Thread Kiiler Dy(ia)mond about Canadian health care, he was saying how terrible it was to have to wait.

 

To which I said "at least they eventually get it. Most people here can't afford to even see their primary care doctor without insurance".

 

That pretty much ended the debate.

Benoit's not a good example as a Canadian representation. I don't know about his dental routine, but my dentist isn't my pet dog.

I'm asking this because I honestly don't know the answer.

 

Can't the people who need it qualify for Medicaid anyway?

I'm asking this because I honestly don't know the answer.

 

Can't the people who need it qualify for Medicaid anyway?

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/whoiseligible.asp

That actually seems like all of the most needy groups, doesn't it? It doesn't get everyone admittedly, because there are always exceptions. Single males between 20 and 50, on average, have more disposable income and are in better shape than their counterparts.

 

That said, it's still a little classist, because there are probably people who qualify on that system that don't need it at all, and there are people who do need it that don't come close to qualifying. Perhaps a better barometer would be that if less than x% of your income was free after your bills were obligated, and you didn't make over "x" amount of dollars per year (this needs to be decided on a state level since the economy is different everywhere), then you'd qualify for Medicaid.

Even if you have Medicaid/Medical Card, it is harder then hell to find a doctor that will take it...especially in the dental area.

 

Same goes with insurance. Having it isn't enough. Finding a provider that will take it is a pain in the ass.

Even if you have Medicaid/Medical Card, it is harder then hell to find a doctor that will take it...especially in the dental area.

 

Same goes with insurance. Having it isn't enough. Finding a provider that will take it is a pain in the ass.

Right, which is why government-regulated health care just seems so arbitrary and political. I'm pretty liberal on almost everything, but it's the one issue I can't get behind.

 

If what Marty says is true, it makes me wonder who's healthier on average -- the average American or the average Canadian? Even I'm thinking that Canadians are probably healthier on average, but I don't know that this is the right way to address the problem.

 

I will admit, though, that having a healthier society has many benefits, economically and socially. Medical expenses are certainly less for healthy people in the long run, which is the biggest argument for government health care.

 

All said, if doing so increases the average physician's workload so much that the quality of care goes down, this is all pretty defeatist.

Back to the main issue, if/when I make the move I'd like it to be in Ontario. Since Toronto and Ottawa are the best chances for employment, that shouldn't be a problem.

 

I just have to get used to being a manic Leafs fan, which was a scary sight when I was up there for NHL playoff time.

The only problem I have with government-regulated health care is the quality of it. Doesn't England have a government dental plan? And look at their teeth! I've also heard about 12-month waiting lists to see physicians and other such bureaucratic nonsense.

 

I think Kerry had the right idea in his campaign, which was to have an optional plan that people could buy into if they chose to do so.

Dude, that's so fucking stereotypical. You don't see me me labelling all of you nigger hating or wigga loving gun loving bible thumpers who put their political beliefs over logic, I'd appreciate if you didn't go back to an Austin Powers and Simpsons joke to suggest we all look like piranhas. I personally saw more fucked up maws when I went through Minnesota, Chicago and Dakota than I have seen over here.

 

There has been a movement to cut government waiting lists and the longest anyone has to wait to see a dentist is usually 3 weeks, assuming the case is not drastic eg someone has had their teeth knocked out but they are intact, in which case emergency dentistry is usually available within 24 hours.

 

And the waiting lists are generally for major operations such as transplants. We still have the option of private health care over here as well for as little as ?8 a month so it's not like people do not have the choice of fast tracked privatised health care.

Back to the main issue, if/when I make the move I'd like it to be in Ontario. Since Toronto and Ottawa are the best chances for employment, that shouldn't be a problem.

 

I just have to get used to being a manic Leafs fan, which was a scary sight when I was up there for NHL playoff time.

I forgot to tell you something really important: Contrary to popular belief, you do NOT need to be bilingual necessarily to get into the government. I'm not, and I'm in, via an English Essential position. You will need to be bilingual if and when you want a manager's position. I'm pretty sure that's the case for a lower-level manager, and not just a senior manager. There's of course lower positions where bilingualism is a necessity, but unless you're not fluent in French, don't bother and just go for the English Essential stuff for now. The government will set you up with French training if you'd like that option, as they did for me. I'm happy I'm doing it now, rather than when I'm in my 40s and completely unmotivated not to.

If what Marty says is true...

Just wondering, but what quote of mine are you referring to?

I had a go-round with Dave The Thread Kiiler Dy(ia)mond about Canadian health care, he was saying how terrible it was to have to wait.

 

To which I said "at least they eventually get it. Most people here can't afford to even see their primary care doctor without insurance".

 

That pretty much ended the debate.

Wha?

 

I think not.

 

My biggest complaints with Canada's much overhyped Health Care System, are that you get taxed like mad for it, there are STILL "user fees" which means it's not REALLY free, and all the best doctors are in the U.S. because they make more money there.

 

AND I don't like waiting forever in Emergency Rooms.

 

But if you remember this debate ending with you talking about the poor folks who can't afford insurance, and then me feeling all beated and defeated...then good on ya, sporto.

 

=- Dave

Oh, and living in Toronto sucks balls...I don't think it's quite the utopia that the Bush Hatin Hippies have made it out to be. Bad Weather, High Taxes, Rising Crime...if I was going to move somewhere it would not be Toronto. I'd go to Alberta (I got accepted to go to Law School there, but didn't end up going) or out east is pretty damn nice, like New Brunswick or the like. Montreal is one of the most beautiful cities in the world too, and you don't need to speak French to live there...there's a big Anglo Population.