recently ive been thinking about moving away from britain and have talked with my wife about canada. im a fully skilled sheet metal worker and my wife is a carer, iv tryd in vein to get any reliable info. anyone recomend any web sites or contacts thanks.

I went there as a student with a company called Bunac. I dont know if they can help you but if you do go, vancouver and whistler in british columbia is breathtaking

I can't recommend Canada highly enough.

Your first port of call should be CIC - Citzizen and Immigrationship Canada.

Their address is : http://www.cic.gc.ca/

Its a large comprehensive official govt site that will tell you everything you need to know. Including how to apply to enter Canada as a skilled worker :) Check the points system and skill classifications first.

The next site is one I can't recommend enough - Britishexpats.com.

Address is : http://britishexpats.com/

Run by Brits, check out the forum it has expats from around the globe falling over themselves to help plus natural Aussies, Americans, etc. VERY helpful.

I hope this helps :) I can recommend Toronto and anywhere in Ontario really!

Brooksy. I noticed your email and I've been thinking of Canada as well. I've been looking at the cic websites and printed off the forms to fill in to start the ball rolling..

Where are you wanting to go and why ?

hi there ,
yup the expats site is awsome

it is a long wait though , as you will soon find out , we are in the process at the moment , and have been told to expect , between 14 and 18 months , and it's not cheap either ,

you have to pay to process your aplication up front and still you can be turned away

oh well fingers crossed ........off for a 3 month visit , at xmas , so busy knitted hats and scarves :hihi: as we are expecting around - 30 degrees

canada rocks !!!!!!!!! the best place and the most friendliest people ..........in my opinion

sharon x

Just out of interest, how old are you guys and what profession are you in ? Do you know what the job market is like out there ?

We've sent our docs and now waiting for a ref. no. I heard it could take up to 2yrs !!!

hi trouncer

not really relevant to us , as my hubby has just retired , so not looking to actually work over there , ...... it depends on your circumstances as to where you choose to go ,
but try to make a visit , as you gather more info ,

all i can tell you is that it is taking well over a year , from getting a case no. to a date to go , so not a quick process

do have a look on the expats site , i can't tell you , how good it is , ANY THING you want to ask...just post a thread , and you will get an answer , no question too stupid , all on there are going through or have gone through the move over , so all the answers are there

good luck and best regards sharon

Do you have to be a member to use the ex-pats site ?

Also, how are you arranging your pension to be paid to you in Canada if you have it in the UK ? It's something I've wondered how it can be done when I retire.

its a points system to get into canada...check it out

http://www.workpermit.com/canada/points_calculator.htm

im way off. luks like im stuck here for a good few years


i looked into canada quite a bit so heres some more links

http://www.discovervancouver.com/forum/

http://www.mls.ca/map.aspx

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/cs/sin/030.shtml&hs=sxn

http://www.weatherunderground.com/global/CN_ST_Index.html

http://groups.msn.com/EmigrationTime/_whatsnew.msnw

http://canjobs.com/

hope some can be off help... of course if they are of any help you are legally oblidged to adopt me and take me with you
:clap:

hi I am just leaving Toronto where I have been living for 4 years and I was born in Ontario. for a skilled industrial worker like yourself with english as a first language you will have no problem finding a job, Alberta is the wealthiest province and has the lowest taxes and generally quite high pay. it's got a booming economy... Ontario is very diverse and has a nicer climate and lots of lakes and rivers, also lots of opportunity, depends on what youre looking for...check out www.workopolis.ca or monster.ca or www.hrdc.gc.ca or just google.ca - "sheet metal worker, Help wanted" something should turn up, good luck

Skyler : Are you able to comment on what the job market is like for IT skills, particularly IT Networking ? I know it may not be something you are familiar with but if you know of any IT type jobs papers or if you've noticed the number of IT jobs in the local papers in canada (perticularly in Vancouver B.C or Calgary ?

Your help and comments are appreciated.
Thanks

most info on this thread and the government and expat sites seems to be concerning permanent moves to canada. is a temporary move subject to the same wait times, fees etc? is it easy to get offers from employers for a temporary move (i'm a skilled plumber), rather than the whole hog immigration? Any response would be GREATLY appreciated, as this is all a bit overwhelming just now.

just as a question as another intrested person wishing to move to canada:

do you like bears?

do bears bears like you?

French Canada?

Guns are freely allowed in Canada