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Planning a New Life in Canada

The Big Mistake

Q. What is the most common mistake in planning a new life in Canada?

A. Spending too much time looking at Canadian real estate websites - spending too little time making sure you will survive financially.

To move to another country, you need strong motivation. Motivation for Canada is easy. Canada simply offers a better quality of life - whether you're moving from a developed country like Britain, or a developing country like India.

Canada offers fantastic houses at affordable prices. It does no harm to look at a few houses in Canada - it's great fun, it keeps your Canadian dreams alive, and it gives you some idea of where you might like to live in Canada.

But
Too many people have come to Canada and eaten into their savings, unable to find work. Unless you have an income from investments, your NUMBER 1 priority in planning your move should be to focus on making a living in Canada. More specifically, make sure Canadian employers will accept your qualifications and work experience. More specifically still, ensure you will be able to find work - any kind of work - until your ideal job comes up.

Some migrants, even from developed countries such as the USA and UK have been shocked to discover they need to take extra exams to work in Canada. A further blow many newcomers face is to be offered a job at the bottom of the career ladder, after leaving more senior positions in their home countries. It happens this way for many immigrants. The consolation is that, if you are truly capable in your job, once you have a little Canadian experience, career advancement can be rapid.

The following Canadian employment statistics are sobering:

One quarter of recent degree-qualified migrants are working in jobs that people without tertiary qualifications can do.
After three years in Canada, only one half of degree-qualified migrants get jobs relevant to their degrees.
Average earnings in Y2K for degree qualified male migrants, aged 25 to 54, who arrived in Canada during the 1990's, were $42,000. Average earnings for male Canadians were $66,000.

You should be focused on moving somewhere in Canada where your skills are needed. As far as climate goes, many of us would prefer to move to British Columbia's dry valleys, such as the Okanagan Valley. But will you be able to get a job there? If not, then your "ideal location" is less than ideal. Your truly ideal location is somewhere you will be able to get your first Canadian job and that all-important Canadian work experience to add to your resume.

Only when you have satisfactory answers to the following questions should you even think about applying for Permanent Residence in Canada. Do not assume anything. Check everything. It's your future that's at stake.

Are my qualifications sufficient for me to practise my profession / trade in Canada?
Is there a Canadian licencing authority for my profession / trade? Can I meet their requirements? If not, what will I need to do?
Is there any demand in Cananda for my particular skills? Where?

If you already have the right answers to these questions, congratulations, a better life in Canada awaits you.

If you don't, it's encouraging to note that in the Manpower Report for early 2007, a seasonally adjusted net 18 percent of Canadian employers state they are seeking to expand their workforce.

A Final Word
I feel a little guilty for writing somewhat negatively. I hope I have not shattered your dreams. By all means, keep looking at houses for sale in Canada. Just make sure you'll be able to earn money in Canada when you get here. Then your Canadian dream may really come true.