Canadian references in general

[canspire]

I actually feel sad for you. What a waste of being here in Canada with no friends, contacts or acquaintances for all these years. It does not seem natural to me, sorry. And there is no one to blame but you. I encourage you to do more.. embrace your life, do things, go places, meet people. Even if it scares the hell out of you. You want to be a part of Canada? Eventually Canada will become a part of you. Now being a citizen for many years, I appreciate and love my home. Sing the anthem at every hockey game, fly the Maple Leaf in my garden and vote for the Conservatives. I volunteer at several institutions and work part time to have more time for my wife. We explore our province every possible moment and know a lot of people by now.
Just start somewhere and you will be surprised where it will lead you to..

Thank you for your kind words. Every person has a story, and it is very easy to judge someone based on some "assumptions" which apply in your own life story. I like coffee and frequent the Tim Hortons (not everyday, but mostly). Sometimes, someone comes across and begs for coffee by saying "could you spare some change for coffee?". I immediately jump at that opportunity.
Yes, I am glad to be here in this beautiful country and still manage to buy my own coffee, knowing very well that I could easily be begging for a cup someday. I am happy for you. Thanks again.

 

[armoured]

Thank you for your kind words. Every person has a story, and it is very easy to judge someone based on some "assumptions" which apply in your own life story. I like coffee and frequent the Tim Hortons (not everyday, but mostly). Sometimes, someone comes across and begs for coffee by saying "could you spare some change for coffee?". I immediately jump at that opportunity.

If you're the type that is happy to chat with someone a few minutes, there can be lots of opportunities - get out and learn to skate, try a sport, again, volunteer a bit somewhere.

And stranger things have happened than someone asking staff at Tim Horton's that they frequent to be a reference for a passport.

Good luck.

 

[canspire]

I believe @saou17 's point was that even if it is a cash job, if you know the people at all and they know your name (and you probably were showing ID or something), that's enough. The requirements really are very minimal.

Not really. The way it works is, you look up a work (mostly on Kijiji). Call the employer up, and they tell you the address of the job-site. You work the whole day, get paid at the end of the day and wait for their call for any assignments for the next day. Mostly, you may never be called back the next day. They usually ask for a name (only when you meet at the job-site), give you instructions and pay by cash in the evening. You never get to know the employer much, and she/he would probably forget you the next day. Can I use such employers as my referee?

Another example I should have said: your landlord and/or roommates. Unless you are literally living on the street, you have had relationships with someone who knows you.

I live in an AirBnB dorm. This is basically a bunk bed in a large room shared with other random travelers. I pay $250 a month for a bed, shared washroom and a small boxed sized locker where I stash my wallet, passport and phone. I know the landlord's name, but haven't interacted with him much as he doesn't live in the same building.

Now for some of the other stuff:
-go get a health card and go see a doctor. It's important. Take care of yourself. Regardless of the passport and citizenship. Visits like this are covered by provincial health care, everywhere in Canada.

-I echo the other suggestions, and it's equally important - just for life. Even if you're not a believer, go to a community organisation, church, temple, whatever you might be comfortable with, and ask around. Go to the library and get a library card. There is stuff happening where there are people.

Oh, I do have a library card yes. That's where I go if I ever need to use a computer.
And yes, I will surely try to get the health card and build more connections as suggested.

Thanks a lot.

 

[armoured]

Can I use such employers as my referee?
...
I know the landlord's name, but haven't interacted with him much as he doesn't live in the same building.

Yes, you can.

The formal requirements are they must be over 18; have known you for two years; and agree to you using their name and contact information. They are basically only confirming that they know you, that you're a real person, and that's basically it. (They're not 'guaranteeing' or vouching for you in any other legally demanding way).

Sorry to hear about your living and work circumstances. It sounds to me like you do need to get off whatever cycle you are in - as eg it doesn't sound like the cash employment is good for you in the longer term.

You deserve better.

 

[canspire]

Sorry to hear about your living and work circumstances. It sounds to me like you do need to get off whatever cycle you are in - as eg it doesn't sound like the cash employment is good for you in the longer term.

You deserve better.

I know, and I have been asked before by some (random strangers in the workplace mostly during lunch breaks), as to how I ended up the way I did.
I call this a vicious cycle, as if one is trapped in quicksand. A series of events occurred in my life which left me with no option but to survive the way I do now. If there had been an alternative, I would have taken it but I have none so far. It so happens, though, that a lot many other people survive like I do. I meet people like me sometimes, in my workplace.

Few people that I met (the ones that cared to talk during lunch), work a full time minimum wage job. Then they work part-time jobs on weekends, which is when I meet them. One guy, whose situation was way better than mine, was even more frustrated than myself. I remember him saying that he would be working his butt his whole life, and still would never qualify for a mortgage.

It's a vicious cycle, and everyone has one - except on different levels I suppose.

 

[saou17]

I went to the YES (Youth Employment Services). This one is just like YMCA, etc. They asked me to enroll for their month long English improvement, job search and resume building course, etc. I couldn't join such courses because I had no savings (even to sustain myself for a week) and needed to work immediately. It's a long story if you ask me further (as to how come I landed as a PR without any funds).


This is a good suggestion, never thought of this. I will find time and volunteer. Thanks.



The thing with cash jobs is, it isn't permanent. I find myself looking for a new job every week, and even every day on certain occasions.


Yes, I have a G1 driver's license. It is almost due for renewal though. I never took the driving test because I knew I could never afford a car.




Exactly, and that's the very point of my initial post in this thread. Thank you for your kind words.

Although you are still far off the passport step, considering the current delays, you'll need at least a few months before you hear any news about your application. If you can't find a sponsor for passport you could do Affidavit in lieu of sponsorship, but you will still 2 or 3 contacts of people/references that would just give their contact (name + Canadian phone number) who will assert that they know you. It's mostly an administrative step.

"If you can’t find a guarantor
You must

• complete the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form
• find someone who can administer an oath to swear to and sign the form
  • This person doesn’t need to know you personally.
  • If you’re in Canada,this can be a
    • notary public
    • justice of the peace
    • commissioner for oaths
  • If you’re outside Canada, this can be a
    • Canadian or British diplomatic or consular representative
    • Qualified local official, such as a civil servant or member of Parliament"

I am curious what 2 pieces of ID you used to apply for citizenship considering that Canada requires at least Passport + another piece of ID (since you don't have health card, did you use G1 as a piece of ID)? Also I recommend you continue and obtain your drivers' licence regardless of whether you plan on owning a car or not. Once you have it and hopefully by that time you would build your network and get a job that pays you well, you won't find yourself in this limited circle. Also you don't need to be stuck with one settlement agency. Try others. There are plenty. Here is a link to locate the organizations based on your postal code: https://ircc.canada.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp

 

[canspire]

Although you are still far off the passport step, considering the current delays, you'll need at least a few months before you hear any news about your application. If you can't find a sponsor for passport you could do Affidavit in lieu of sponsorship, but you will still 2 or 3 contacts of people/references that would just give their contact (name + Canadian phone number) who will assert that they know you. It's mostly an administrative step.

"If you can’t find a guarantor
You must

• complete the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form
• find someone who can administer an oath to swear to and sign the form
  • This person doesn’t need to know you personally.
  • If you’re in Canada,this can be a
    • notary public
    • justice of the peace
    • commissioner for oaths
  • If you’re outside Canada, this can be a
    • Canadian or British diplomatic or consular representative
    • Qualified local official, such as a civil servant or member of Parliament"

I am curious what 2 pieces of ID you used to apply for citizenship considering that Canada requires at least Passport + another piece of ID (since you don't have health card, did you use G1 as a piece of ID)? Also I recommend you continue and obtain your drivers' licence regardless of whether you plan on owning a car or not. Once you have it and hopefully by that time you would build your network and get a job that pays you well, you won't find yourself in this limited circle. Also you don't need to be stuck with one settlement agency. Try others. There are plenty. Here is a link to locate the organizations based on your postal code: https://ircc.canada.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp

Yes, I hold a G1 license (set to expire in 2023 but still valid). The other ID I used was my passport.
I read about the guarantor alternative, and that's the reason I stated that I actually required 4 referees not just 2.

 

[saou17]

Thank you for your kind words. Every person has a story, and it is very easy to judge someone based on some "assumptions" which apply in your own life story. I like coffee and frequent the Tim Hortons (not everyday, but mostly). Sometimes, someone comes across and begs for coffee by saying "could you spare some change for coffee?". I immediately jump at that opportunity.
Yes, I am glad to be here in this beautiful country and still manage to buy my own coffee, knowing very well that I could easily be begging for a cup someday. I am happy for you. Thanks again.

If you look deeper I am sure there are so many people who know you and who will be happy to be your references for passport (could be your landlord, or your boss or colleagues at work who know you and worked with you, or even the manager of the Tim Hortons who get to see you pass by for coffee.