Canada: Going it alone

maximum payne · 07-03-2012 11:41am #1

hi, after visiting the expo at the RDS last weekend i have finally decided that i want to relocate to canada as i have just lost my job as an alarm and cctv technician and cannot find more full time employment.. so provisionally i have thought about moving to the saskatchewan area as there is ample work advertised on there job sites..
what i would like to know is, are there any other people who are going alone to canada and if so how do i go about sorting out accomodation etc before i arrive..

Princess Peach · 07-03-2012 11:58am

I moved alone but for college not work. I didn't have a place to live before I got here. Canadian rental websites are different, majority of them don't have pictures and most were asking for leases of at least 4 months so didn't want to get a bad place. Stayed in a hostel for a few nights when I got here and looked for a place.

If you email the person who put up the listing they might send you pictures though. And lease terms might be different in Saskatchewan.

Don't be worried about going alone, people are so friendly here! I was on Skype to my dad back home the other night and he was saying he read in the paper about all the opportunities for work in Saskatchewan too!

Elena Martin · 07-03-2012 5:11pm

I was at the working abroad expo on sat too and Im heading over alone. Im an electrician and have been out of work for 3 years so im dying to get over and start working. There is a website called craiglist canada that I was looking on that gives you an idea of the price of rentals over there

retalivity · 07-03-2012 6:50pm

maximum payne wrote: »

hi, after visiting the expo at the RDS last weekend i have finally decided that i want to relocate to canada as i have just lost my job as an alarm and cctv technician and cannot find more full time employment.. so provisionally i have thought about moving to the saskatchewan area as there is ample work advertised on there job sites..
what i would like to know is, are there any other people who are going alone to canada and if so how do i go about sorting out accomodation etc before i arrive..

I think going on your own can actually be a benefit when it comes to accomodation. Most Canadian apartments/houses to rent are not furnished, so if theres a group of people, you'd probably be getting your own place and would have to kit it out from top to bottom. At least if you're on your own, you can look for a room sharing with someone who will (probably) already have all the mod cons, and all that you need to buy is stuff for the bedroom.

As far as looking for places, use kijiji or craigslist. I wouldnt sort out anything long-term before I arrive, at least until i see the place. Stay in a hostel, or better yet, look up couch surfing.

gingersnap79 · 09-03-2012 12:30am

hi there did u get a job offer from the expo in the rds i was in the queue for it but want able to get in due to bein full

i also am a electrician and would like to know if there were many companies hiring electricians , and what is the time scale to get there , would appreciate your help thanks

Elena Martin · 09-03-2012 12:39am

gingersnap79 wrote: »

hi there did u get a job offer from the expo in the rds i was in the queue for it but want able to get in due to bein full i also am a electrician and would like to know if there were many companies hiring electricians , and what is the time scale to get there , would appreciate your help thanks

Hiya, no I didn't get an offer, it was just manic inside. I just got the name of a few websites to go on with electricians job vacancies, they are Teck Canada , acryl and british Columbia construction association. By time scale do u mean the visa? If so its 8-10 wks

infowars.com · 12-03-2012 12:57pm

try the job bank canada site, i sent 100s a cvs to employers and low and behold one replied back, since then he has been to the LMO and hopes to get me there for may, get your garda cert sorted first mines took two weeks to get,
the employer even asked me if i knew any other guys that would be interested in going over,so there is lots a work out there,

ibh · 12-03-2012 2:48pm

maximum payne wrote: »

hi, after visiting the expo at the RDS last weekend i have finally decided that i want to relocate to canada as i have just lost my job as an alarm and cctv technician and cannot find more full time employment.. so provisionally i have thought about moving to the saskatchewan area as there is ample work advertised on there job sites..
what i would like to know is, are there any other people who are going alone to canada and if so how do i go about sorting out accomodation etc before i arrive..

All you really need is to find a Hostel or Motel for first couple of nights. You are better to be in the city when your househunting rather than doing it from Ireland.

Going on your own I would suggest just renting a room. As someone else said the apartment should have all the essentials that way. You may have to just buy a bed.

If you rent your own place it will more than likely be completely unfurnished. You will spend time and money kitting it out. It will be easier to do this after you have been in the city for a while and know where to shop as well as where you really want to live.

Generally all lease will start on 1st of the month (some on 15th as well). This won't be as important if you just rent a room, but it really is the time that every moves so try and arrive the last few days of a month and that will give you a chance to find a place.

You should try and narrow down where in Saskatchewan you want to go. It's a huge province with a couple of major(ish) cities and some large towns. Find out where the work is and then research if thats somewhere you would like to live.
Shoot me a PM if you want. I'm not in SK but i'm in Alberta.
Downside to living there is that its cold in winter but it's a flat as anyplace on earth so you won't be going skiing there. Lots of snowmobiling though if that interested you.

You should try and get a lead on a few jobs before you make the move. At least apply to a few place or even phone them up. The first couple of weeks are a bitch cause you are looking for a job, a place to stay and maybe even a car.

JONJO THE MISER · 12-03-2012 4:38pm

Lived in Saskatchewan before, very cold in winter and Regina and Saskatoon has a very high crime rate, having said that the people were lovely and i enjoyed living there.
The only city in Sk that has a hostel is Regina and quiet a nice hostel at that, if you go there its cheap and you should get a place to rent in no time, i was only there 2 days and found myself a house.
There is a great Irish pub there called O Hanlons in Victoria square also.
Food and the cost of living is actually cheaper in Sk than the rest of Canada, people told me that was because its in the middle of the country and all the trucks have to travel through it.

johnkerry · 13-03-2012 2:03am

Hi,
I'm 28, Irish, living in Saskatoon since October, working in construction industry. If you have any questions about the place just ask and I'll help as much as I can.

ciaran67 · 13-03-2012 6:38am

Just keep your wits about you. There's loads of people who like to make a bit of money out of new immigrants. If it sounds to good, it usually is.

JONJO THE MISER · 13-03-2012 8:38am

johnkerry wrote: »

Hi,
I'm 28, Irish, living in Saskatoon since October, working in construction industry. If you have any questions about the place just ask and I'll help as much as I can.

Never been to Saskatoon, whats it like?
People down in Regina used always give out about it:D.

retalivity · 13-03-2012 2:44pm

London, Ontario?

johnkerry · 14-03-2012 2:31am

I've never been to Regina so I cant really compare the two places. Its prob just a local rivalry thing. I'd imagine the two towns are pretty similar. Both towns are supposed to have a high crime rate but in Saskatoon I can say that most crime happens in a small ten block area on the west side. People are really friendly here, they go out of there way to help....they're all amazed all these international people are now moving to their town. Just glad Winters over now , it was a freakishly warm one we just had......I keep getting told

johnkerry · 14-03-2012 2:38am

I've never been to Regina so I cant really compare the two places. Its prob just a local rivalry thing. I'd imagine the two towns are pretty similar. Both towns are supposed to have a high crime rate but in Saskatoon I can say that most crime happens in a small ten block area on the west side. People are really friendly here, they go out of there way to help....they're all amazed all these international people are now moving to their town. Just glad Winters over now , it was a freakishly warm one we just had......I keep getting told

stoeger · 14-03-2012 9:30am

johnkerry wrote: »

Hi,
I'm 28, Irish, living in Saskatoon since October, working in construction industry. If you have any questions about the place just ask and I'll help as much as I can.

I'm thinking of moving over for a year or so is there much work for truck drivers in the construction industry

johnkerry · 15-03-2012 12:36am

stoeger wrote: »

I'm thinking of moving over for a year or so is there much work for truck drivers in the construction industry

Absolutely heaps of work here in Saskatoon .....trucks everywhere. Well long haul truck drivers anyway. Have a look at this
http://www.saskimmigrationcanada.ca/trucker

ger b · 15-03-2012 12:53am

good man John kerry i was thinking[in a big way] of heading out that way.Is there many excavator /machine drivers needed out that way and was there much downtime due to the winter?

johnkerry · 15-03-2012 4:03am

A friend of mine here from Ireland too brought over a few machines....he's been flat out since he came I think. I hear they usually shut down for 2 - 3 months but this year it was 3rd mildest in recorded history so i don't think they shut down for long at all.

shannon guy · 18-03-2012 1:33pm

We are moving in October hopefully.

I got a job at the expo.

Was wondering if anyone bought a car over there? Is the insurance cheap or dear. I have been on alot of dealer sites and the price of cars is not to bad.

Any other metal workers get job offers over there?

ciaran67 · 18-03-2012 5:17pm

shannon guy wrote: »

We are moving in October hopefully.

I got a job at the expo.

Was wondering if anyone bought a car over there? Is the insurance cheap or dear. I have been on alot of dealer sites and the price of cars is not to bad.

Any other metal workers get job offers over there?

Cars arent too bad but insurance is v expensive. If you come to BC its government run. Just bring as much from your insurance there showing no claims. If you're over 5 years you get 40% in BC. I think I used to pay around 1200 a year with the 40% off.

tonysea · 21-03-2012 1:11am

johnkerry wrote: »

Hi,
I'm 28, Irish, living in Saskatoon since October, working in construction industry. If you have any questions about the place just ask and I'll help as much as I can.

Hi john, are you working on the vault project in vanscoy by any chance?

johnkerry · 21-03-2012 2:12am

No, not working there. I have got some private messages from other people who will be working there asking about Vascoy.

JONJO THE MISER · 21-03-2012 6:23am

Is there many Irish people in Saskatoon out of curiosity?

taraxxxxx · 21-03-2012 4:12pm

Hi my name is tara , my partner and I are hoping to get work in saskatchwan and we have a 2 year old son , my partner is a carpenter and i like the idea of that province as i dont want to move our son to a big city in canada as were used to rural towns in ireland any help on how my partner can get carpentry work would really be appreciated!!! also which is nicer regina or saskatoon ???

johnkerry · 21-03-2012 11:37pm

I think I know of twenty or so that have arrived in the last year or so...not inc. their kids! It's a big enough place (260,000 people), i'm sure there's plenty i haven't met

johnkerry · 22-03-2012 12:25am

taraxxxxx wrote: »

Hi my name is tara , my partner and I are hoping to get work in saskatchwan and we have a 2 year old son , my partner is a carpenter and i like the idea of that province as i dont want to move our son to a big city in canada as were used to rural towns in ireland any help on how my partner can get carpentry work would really be appreciated!!! also which is nicer regina or saskatoon ???

what exactly do u want to know?

Mr. Loverman · 22-03-2012 5:11pm

I travel a lot (frequently on my own) and I've found couchsurfing.org an invaluable resource for a) meeting people and b) getting free emergency accommodation.

I can see Saskatchewan have a group on couchsurfing. You should join it as a way to get some contacts who can help you out and also meet you for beers, etc.

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=291 (you might need to be logged in to couchsurfing to access the link).

taraxxxxx · 22-03-2012 5:40pm

johnkerry wrote: »

what exactly do u want to know?

ok basically i just want to no is there a demend for carpentry workers there and do you think its the right atmosphere for kids , do you just survive over there or do tou think immigrants are making money im a hairdresser , my partners a carpenter and were only surviving in ireland if were gonna go we need to be sure we wont just be surviving there too , were thinkin of going through an agent as by bringin a child theirs lots of paper work has anyone else done this??

johnkerry · 24-03-2012 3:01am

taraxxxxx wrote: »

ok basically i just want to no is there a demend for carpentry workers there and do you think its the right atmosphere for kids , do you just survive over there or do tou think immigrants are making money im a hairdresser , my partners a carpenter and were only surviving in ireland if were gonna go we need to be sure we wont just be surviving there too , were thinkin of going through an agent as by bringin a child theirs lots of paper work has anyone else done this??

You will do more than survive. Especially if you both work. With kids , all schools have after care for a minimal fee. I was talking to a Canadian carpenter today.The company he works for , PCL are currently trying to recruit Irish people. Google them. They're a huge company all over Canada. Any one i know who came with kids has had the company they work for do all the paper work and pay for it. It's a huge step to take, I know. I'll ask around for you if you're serious.

SEEMagazine · 24-03-2012 9:01am

Where I am now there are very few Irish (likely less than a dozen), and all my Anglophile contacts here are of a business nature.

Since I was moving with a job already lined up and support in my OH it wasn't too hard, but you have an advantage in being able to speak the local lingo already. I wouldn't recommend necessarily jumping into the nearest enclave of Irish abroad, but it does help to have a support structure in place to help, even if that help is only a chat and a nice mug of Barry's...

Radio stations in Ireland tend to have contacts with the Irish diaspora so why not contact Hooky or Ivan on Newstalk?

Also, for your long term mental wellbeing... if you think that the move abroad is necessary, that you will never be happy unemployed, or working bit part then fine... But don't automatically consider it as emigrating; we're in a global village these days. It often only takes a matter of hours to go back home, and only a matter of seconds via the internet to see the family/cat/dog.

Personally I think I'd like to go back to Ireland some day... But I certainly don't consider my current situation as emigration - I was offered a job, I took it, and while it's tough, it's also satisfying.

I admit my post is a touch waffly, and meanders a wee bit... But sure, isn't that the Irish way...

JONJO THE MISER · 25-03-2012 4:24am

Yes you speak the truth, to be honest with you i have lived in Canada before and the last thing i want to do is go with the Irish enclave, i prefer not to mingle with too many Irish abroad to be honest and certainly not to join any clubs or ex pat societys with them, no problem meeting 1 or 2 Irish people here and there and trying to help them out but this big Irish community thing in a foreign country is not for me.

taraxxxxx · 27-03-2012 11:16am

johnkerry wrote: »

You will do more than survive. Especially if you both work. With kids , all schools have after care for a minimal fee. I was talking to a Canadian carpenter today.The company he works for , PCL are currently trying to recruit Irish people. Google them. They're a huge company all over Canada. Any one i know who came with kids has had the company they work for do all the paper work and pay for it. It's a huge step to take, I know. I'll ask around for you if you're serious.

we have contacted an immigration lawyer and they have sent us the contract but we havent signed yet!!! stephen is fully qualified with fas and has all his papers he,s 25 with 6 years experience , i will look up pcl thanks for that any other info you mite have would be really appreciated its hard finding people who are there and no what way to go about doing things

ibh · 27-03-2012 3:32pm

taraxxxxx wrote: »

we have contacted an immigration lawyer and they have sent us the contract but we havent signed yet!!! stephen is fully qualified with fas and has all his papers he,s 25 with 6 years experience , i will look up pcl thanks for that any other info you mite have would be really appreciated its hard finding people who are there and no what way to go about doing things

I think if you can hold off for a little bit you might find that a construction company is Saskatchewan might actually arrange your visa for you.
Try contacting PCL and I would also try Graham Construction and Stuart Olsen. These are all big players in Western Canada Construction.

If you are getting the IEC working holiday visa then you will have NO problem whatsoever in finding work as a carpenter in Saskatchewan. The rate of pay is decent and the living expenses are manageable.

Guzz · 27-03-2012 10:30pm

Hi there,

Hoping to move to Lloydminster in the summer. Got a job offer, and have submitted my sinp. Anyone know how long waiting times are?? Also my wife and 3 children are moving with me, would you recommend the Lloydminster area for families?

Anyone else heading there with families from Ireland??

johnkerry · 27-03-2012 11:04pm

taraxxxxx wrote: »

we have contacted an immigration lawyer and they have sent us the contract but we havent signed yet!!! stephen is fully qualified with fas and has all his papers he,s 25 with 6 years experience , i will look up pcl thanks for that any other info you mite have would be really appreciated its hard finding people who are there and no what way to go about doing things

IBH has given you some good advice. You shouldn't need a lawyer if you're doing the IEC program though. I would recommend doing the IEC program before going for all out migration. Less info required, less expense, less hassle amd less of a commitment if you don't like it here.

Sparklebutt · 01-04-2012 5:55am

I've lived in Saskatchewan all my life. If anyone has questions, feel free to send me a pm and I'll do my best to answer.

JONJO THE MISER · 02-04-2012 3:39am

Sparklebutt wrote: »

I've lived in Saskatchewan all my life. If anyone has questions, feel free to send me a pm and I'll do my best to answer.

Welcome to boards, lived in SK for a while a few years back, loved it.

Sparklebutt · 02-04-2012 3:40am

Thanks!

coolikerane · 20-04-2012 2:59pm

johnkerry wrote: »

Hi,
I'm 28, Irish, living in Saskatoon since October, working in construction industry. If you have any questions about the place just ask and I'll help as much as I can.

hey whats the carpentry work like out there? all shuttering or domsestic housing work?do you have to get a canadian licence to drive or will the irish 1 do? international licence maybe? gonna head out there on the IEC first before commiting to anything? u reckon no problem with work so for carpenters

coolikerane · 20-04-2012 3:03pm

Sparklebutt wrote: »

I've lived in Saskatchewan all my life. If anyone has questions, feel free to send me a pm and I'll do my best to answer.

hey where abouts did you live? what happens say during winters for people who work outside? do they just wrap up well or something

infowars.com · 20-04-2012 6:30pm

anyone know what the rate of income tax is on your wages there in canada?

retalivity · 20-04-2012 6:54pm

varies between provinces.
Im in Ontario, and its broken down into CIT, CPP, and EI.
Altogether, im paying about 22-23% in tax.

infowars.com · 20-04-2012 8:13pm

cheers mate 23 percent not too bad

infowars.com · 20-04-2012 8:14pm

thats not too bad

johnkerry · 20-04-2012 11:13pm

coolikerane wrote: »

hey whats the carpentry work like out there? all shuttering or domsestic housing work?do you have to get a canadian licence to drive or will the irish 1 do? international licence maybe? gonna head out there on the IEC first before commiting to anything? u reckon no problem with work so for carpenters

I'm not a carpenter but its all timber frame housing here, but I haven't seen much shuttering work. You can use ur irish license for 3 months but will have to do a test over here after that regardless of international license. There is a lot of work going on here. Should be no problem getting work for carpenters. get the IEC if you can, but they're running out fast I believe.

rockonollie · 21-04-2012 4:12pm

Elena Martin wrote: »

I was at the working abroad expo on sat too and Im heading over alone. Im an electrician and have been out of work for 3 years so im dying to get over and start working. There is a website called craiglist canada that I was looking on that gives you an idea of the price of rentals over there

They give you an idea of rental prices and provide serial killers the means to lure victims to their deaths

andy carroll 9 · 01-05-2012 4:08pm

johnkerry wrote: »

Hi,
I'm 28, Irish, living in Saskatoon since October, working in construction industry. If you have any questions about the place just ask and I'll help as much as I can.

hi john i hope you can advise me im an electrician and thinking of relocating with my wife and three year old daughter do you think its a good place for a family ive seen ads proposing wages of 35 to 45 dollars an hour does this mean the cost of living is high thanks a mill

andy carroll 9 · 01-05-2012 4:21pm

sorry again john i have applied to the bcca for info but not heard back yet is there any electrical companies you could suggest thanks again

johnkerry · 01-05-2012 11:24pm

Hi,

Cost of living is pretty similar to home I think. To get those wages you have to have a Canadian journey man ticket. You will have to register as a fourth year apprentice here, work for a year before you sit the exam to become a journey man. http://www.saskapprenticeship.ca/WORKING_IN_SASKATCHEWAN/

I think it would be a good place for a family,as long as you can adapt to the cold in the Winter.

Have a look at Alliance Energy, I think they may have been trying to recruit Irish people. Other than that you could have a look at saskjobs.ca to see all the companies that are hiring.

The bcca is for British Columbia, Saskatoon is in Saskatchewan. Different provinces have different rules.

Aisling Dublin · 22-05-2012 9:43pm

Hi all I'm just wondering if anyone could give some insight to moving to Saskatchewan, we're from Dublin my partner has his job lined up as a pipe fitter in vanscoy vault project I'm a hairdresser and we have a 6 year old son, we're in the middle of of our visa so in the next couple of weeks we hope to be there, we're just looking for tips or/and views on the place itself,

Thanks

Canada: Going it alone

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