Ray of Hope - 70th Draw!

[PixelDust]

I usually am not on this part of the forum but since I spend many days on the couch or in bed figured it would be good to be useful and answer some general question. Also I used to travel a lot so I find this interesting

Should mention that it is not uncommon for many Canadian lawyers, financial services professionals, others prof. to move to NYC or other other large US cities work very hard and make good money but then return to Canada when they have kids and want a larger house and good public elementary schooling. Even if they go for private schooling they have a decent nest egg, more reasonable housing costs and better work/life balance in their late 30s/40s.

Hi, How common (or practical )is it to live in Canada and work in US( Detroit area)?
My company is located just near US-Canada Border, i always wonder if i should try for intra company transfer rather than searching for a new job in Canada.
I know it may be common but the border transit might take very long every day.
Also i think Canada authorities wont encourage this as i would be their PR (if ever) and suppose to work for their economy
Could you share any thoughts about this?

 

[canuck78]

From what I have heard, people don't do long commutes in Canada. A couple months ago I watched this webinar featuring job search advice from an immigrant from Barbados who said that many employers won't even consider you if you live more than a hour or so away because people in Canada value work life balance and won't put up with 2 hour commutes.
http://jobcentre.accesemployment.org/youtube-all-videos/webinar-job-search-advice-for-it-professionals

Not true at all. I would guess that most people in Toronto have a commute over 1 hour. People live in Hamilton and Barrie (which are at least an hour without traffic from downtown Toronto without any traffic) but work in Toronto. Lots of people who commute 2 hours each way. We have a commuter rail and bus system on top of a subway system, streetcar and bus routes. Unless you live in a small city expect some form of commute. The more expensive the city the longer the commute unless you have unlimited funds. Canadian cities are spread over lots of space and are primarily houses not apartments so there isn't much density unless in the central areas. I would guess the average Canadian commute is between 30min-1hr. Greater Toronto has the longest commutes. Canadians are nice but employers definitely don't care how long your commute is. They only care whether you can show up on time.

 

[canuck78]

Hi, How common (or practical )is it to live in Canada and work in US( Detroit area)?
My company is located just near US-Canada Border, i always wonder if i should try for intra company transfer rather than searching for a new job in Canada.
I know it may be common but the border transit might take very long every day.
Also i think Canada authorities wont encourage this as i would be their PR (if ever) and suppose to work for their economy
Could you share any thoughts about this?

Actually quite common. You still have to file taxes in Canada after the US. You will have to see the outcome of the NAFTA discussions because in the past 1 or 2 years there was a bit of a pushback at the border for daily commuters. Then the US realized there were needed health care workers crossing the border and the argument stopped for a while. People usually apply for Nexxus cards but your commute will still take a while. I would search the forum. Mostly IT workers wanting to work in the US while living in Canada.

 

[cp30985]

Guess who's back, back again
Wednesday's back, tell a friend

yeah Its Wednesday againnnn...

So let the F5 game being and lets start the countdown for the draw...

All the best aspiring Canadians.....

 

[srvsh.pawar]

Hopefully we should have a draw today....

 

[andieangel]

You are in great company. There are some exceptional people in that sub 410 group... and @andieangel is here as well!

 

[PixelDust]

Actually quite common. You still have to file taxes in Canada after the US. You will have to see the outcome of the NAFTA discussions because in the past 1 or 2 years there was a bit of a pushback at the border for daily commuters. Then the US realized there were needed health care workers crossing the border and the argument stopped for a while. People usually apply for Nexxus cards but your commute will still take a while. I would search the forum. Mostly IT workers wanting to work in the US while living in Canada.

Thank you!

 

[andieangel]

I certainly will. Only you guys can relate to what I'm going through with this immigration process and how much I want Canada to be my future home. Even some of my friends think I'm crazy, although with the latest events in the US, they are thinking I'm less crazy.

Also, I have heard that Canada has good resources for working parents, including generous maternity leave policies. I don't know any of the details as I am not planning to have kids (I think I will still be a kid myself even when I am 80+ years old!) and haven't researched, but from what I have heard, it's at least much better than what we have here in the US, where many working parents struggle to balance work and family. So that could be another benefit to all you parents out there who want to try something new and would like more flexibility.

Canada will benefit from having citizen like yourself!

And yes, I've read about work-life balance also and really looking forward to that. Here in Croatia, both my husband and I are working full time (8-9 hours a day) with around hour and a half of commuting. We hope that in Canada one of us could work full time and the other one part time. We have small kids, so having as much time with them as possible is crucial to us.

And regarding you not having kids, never say never!

 

[andieangel]

I'm not a great example because I currently have a degenerative muscle disorder but was a pharmacist. Am Canadian. Work life balance is better than in NYC for sure but as I said we are not dealing with the same level of compensation. There is an expectation of longer hours/work at home when in middle/upper level jobs. The work/life balance is the worst in the larger cities partially due to commute times and presence of private companies vs government jobs and cost of living. Compensation is often better at some of the larger private companies or highly specialized professional companies who often provide good benefits including maternity top-up packages, some form of retirement contributions, pensions, generous health benefits. Many people will feel reluctant to branch out or take a risk especially if they have a family. Many government jobs do/used to provide a generous pension which give employees peace of mind and often better work/life balance. Toronto, KW and Vancouver have only had a decent start-up community for 5+ years where the hours are long but may be more exciting and challenging. These companies are mostly small and pre/just post cash injection so compensation is smaller and but the eventual return may be bigger. People are definitely friendlier, violent crime is much lower and there is less inequality than in the US which probably makes for a happier population. Also a more welcoming when it comes to diversity although we have our problems. Think I answered your question but in the end it is dependent on the job. More compensation usually leads to less work life/balance but also to a better quality of life!

Welcome and thanks for sharing, really appreciate it!

 

[andieangel]

Not true at all. I would guess that most people in Toronto have a commute over 1 hour. People live in Hamilton and Barrie (which are at least an hour without traffic from downtown Toronto without any traffic) but work in Toronto. Lots of people who commute 2 hours each way. We have a commuter rail and bus system on top of a subway system, streetcar and bus routes. Unless you live in a small city expect some form of commute. The more expensive the city the longer the commute unless you have unlimited funds. Canadian cities are spread over lots of space and are primarily houses not apartments so there isn't much density unless in the central areas. I would guess the average Canadian commute is between 30min-1hr. Greater Toronto has the longest commutes. Canadians are nice but employers definitely don't care how long your commute is. They only care whether you can show up on time.

Do you know anything about life in Alberta? My family and me are planning to settle in Calgary and I heard that there is a economic crisis out there due to oil prices. What's your point of view?

 

[baka]

My lawyer told saskatchewan is closed and wait 3months till open. is it true

 

[mqamar1994]

@mqamar1994 @other seniors.
mqamar1994 you have been very helpful before.I need your further advice urgently. I posted this in other forum to day. Repeating it again and hoping an early reply.

After getting my ITA while completing my application, I have noticed the following paragraphs at ? HELP at two places in application section regarding eligibility of obtaining 15 CRS Score for sibling living in canada on both dates. Could you please throw some clarity on this.
You can be awarded points if you or your spouse or common-law partner (if they will come with you to Canada) has:
a brother or sister who is (on both the date you submit your profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence)

• 18 years of age or older
• a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• living in Canada

Brother or sister relationships include:

• biological (this means you are related by blood)
  • brother or sister
  • half-brother or sister
• adopted brother or sister
• step-brother or step-sister (this means you are not related by blood or adoption, but your parents are married or in a common law relationship on both the date you submit your profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence)

CRS - Additional - PR or Canadian Sibling

Points can be awarded if the principal applicant or accompanying spouse or common-law partner has a sibling who is 18 years of age or older as of the date of application and who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident residing in Canada.

Sibling relationships include the following:

• Biological brother or sister
• Adopted brother or sister
• Half-brother or half-sister
• Step-brother or step-sister.

My question is,

1. Is this condition of sibling being in canada on both dates i.e date of submission of profile as well as date of application applicable to all applicants
   
   
2. Is it that this condition only pertains to step brothers / sisters only.
   
   
3. I created submitted my EE profile on 25th June, 2017 and my elder brother having permanent resident status went to canada to settle there permanently on 12th july, 2017. Next day on 13th July 2017 , I updated my profile and increased my score from 419 to 434. Considering this condition of sibling being in canada on date of submitting profile, I wish to know whether in my case claiming sibling points was right and as per IRCC guidelines.

I wish to be sure about it before, I withdraw my OINP application which is in ASSESSMENT stage and proceed towards arranging pcc etc.
Thanks.

I dont think that will be an issue as long as he is present. Others please correct me If I am wrong. You claimed your points only after your sibling landed there.

 

[trumprefugee]

Hi, How common (or practical )is it to live in Canada and work in US( Detroit area)?
My company is located just near US-Canada Border, i always wonder if i should try for intra company transfer rather than searching for a new job in Canada.
I know it may be common but the border transit might take very long every day.
Also i think Canada authorities wont encourage this as i would be their PR (if ever) and suppose to work for their economy
Could you share any thoughts about this?

When I worked in Buffalo, New York, a town in western upstate New York that is pretty close to the Canadian border near Niagara Falls, we had a Canadian IT guy who lived in Canada and crossed the border every day to come to work. That's the only case I have personally seen.

 

[Er.manoj]

Hi All,
I need little help here. I have a total of 6 years of work experience, but my previous employer is not willing to give any reference letter. I will get everything from my current employer. But I have been working in my current organisation from the last 2 years. So that leaves me only with 2 years of experience out of 6. And if I enter into the pool with only 2 years it drops my CRS to 415. I am OK with that. But my concern is about the 4 years long gap. I am not claiming any points for those 4 years though. What should I say about that in my application and will that be any problem.

 

[jackdawn]

384. Hence the Canadian Master's and french study. We're old.

Ah! thats modest @tjsecondtry. U guys are experienced, mature and weathered for anything ahead. Ur conviction is a direction for many here.

Im one