Where to settle in Canada

[Mariamsh]

Hey everyone,

I recently got my IELTS score, and I am going to start an EE file pretty soon. Although I know I still have to wait for months before even getting my ITA, let alone the visa, I am currently reading about different provinces and cities. Can you please help me ?
My husband and I are pharmacists in our med twenties, without kids. We would like to live in a vibrant city with much to see and do. We'd also prefer warm weather as we come from Egypt, and a diverse culture where immigrants are welcome ! One more thing, we will have to seek casual jobs first until we are able to pass qualifying tests and get our license. In light of that, I felt that BC is awesome for us, but I think the rent in Vancouver is going to be a problem. Oh , I love the climate and the breathtaking nature and beaches. Instead, I am looking at more affordable options like new Westminster and Surrey. If not, London Ontario sounds promising as well. What do you think of this ? In terms of availability of casual jobs and pharmacist vacancies. Also, bear in mind that we'll both be working but perhaps one of us will work part time to be able to study. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I am open to other suggestions and any notes and pieces of advice.

 

[canuck78]

Sure I will get a lot of negative comments but honestly if you are both young I would encourage at least one of you to pursue another profession/career. There is such an oversupply of pharmacists in Canada that salaries have been cut in half in some areas in the past 15 years. If you are determined to pursue pharmacy I would consider more rural underserviced locations like northern Ontario. SW Ontario, Toronto, Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island will be some of the places you will be paid less but some of the most expensive places to live. Sorry to be a bit of a downer but assume you did look into this before applying to immigrate.


https://www.reddit.com/r/pharmacy/comments/83g70s/canadian_pharmacists_how_saturated_is_the_market/

https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com//opinion/correspondence/pharmacists-are-a-dime-a-dozen-in-canada/11132027.fullarticle?firstPass=false (This was written 6 years ago so is significantly worse at this point.

 

[Mariamsh]

Thanks for the input first. No, I am absolutely Ok with your comment. As I said, I have not yet submitted an EE profile, and also both of us have an open mind about shifting our career. It is just, that, until we can actually make an informed decision , it is still the best option for us. I have some background info regarding this issue ( pharmacists never get PN any more, for instance ! ) But, it is too frightening to start from scratch , you know ! Pharmacists also still earn way more than any other profession that I might establish myself into ( not mentioning that I will have to study and perhaps apply for a loan to make this happen) By the way, my husband is a medical representative, but the odds of landing a job in this field are not in his favour , also( correct me if I am mistaken ) .I will go through these links for sure. Please feel free to add any notes.

 

[Mariamsh]

Also, I am curious to find out ur opinion on the cities I mentioned in the post( Surrey and New Westminster ) , regardless of the ability to work as pharmacists .

 

[canuck78]

Also, I am curious to find out ur opinion on the cities I mentioned in the post( Surrey and New Westminster ) , regardless of the ability to work as pharmacists .

Very nice but expensive. You need to make a decent income to live there longterm with a family. Commuting times can be pretty brutal depending on where you work and live.

 

[canuck78]

Thanks for the input first. No, I am absolutely Ok with your comment. As I said, I have not yet submitted an EE profile, and also both of us have an open mind about shifting our career. It is just, that, until we can actually make an informed decision , it is still the best option for us. I have some background info regarding this issue ( pharmacists never get PN any more, for instance ! ) But, it is too frightening to start from scratch , you know ! Pharmacists also still earn way more than any other profession that I might establish myself into ( not mentioning that I will have to study and perhaps apply for a loan to make this happen) By the way, my husband is a medical representative, but the odds of landing a job in this field are not in his favour , also( correct me if I am mistaken ) .I will go through these links for sure. Please feel free to add any notes.

Drug reps likely make more than pharmacists these days but definitely less drug reps around and the job is pretty brutal. You can find a lot of jobs paying $35/hour which is unfortunately the current going rate in greater Toronto and Vancouver. You’ll have to see what salaries are like and whether Canadian pharmacists start protesting but unfortunately IPGs and increased Canadian enrolment have really ruined a long-standing good profession. If you are both in the same industry you become very vulnerable and with the surplus you can’t expect raises throughout your career. Current pharmacist are fearful to leave a job or get let go because they will be offered less at their next job. Have seen many owners get rid of most of their older staff to keep their labour costs low.

 

[Mariamsh]

Drug reps likely make more than pharmacists these days but definitely less drug reps around and the job is pretty brutal. You can find a lot of jobs paying $35/hour which is unfortunately the current going rate in greater Toronto and Vancouver. You’ll have to see what salaries are like and whether Canadian pharmacists start protesting but unfortunately IPGs and increased Canadian enrolment have really ruined a long-standing good profession. If you are both in the same industry you become very vulnerable and with the surplus you can’t expect raises throughout your career. Current pharmacist are fearful to leave a job or get let go because they will be offered less at their next job. Have seen many owners get rid of most of their older staff to keep their labour costs low.

Thanks a lot

 

[Mariamsh]

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