Moving Out To Canada? Any info/help from Canadians would be much appreciated!?

Question

Hi there,
First, thanks for taking the time to read this. We (my boyfriend and I) are wanting to move out to Canada at sometime in the next few years (sooner the better) and I was just wanting some general info and advice if anyone has any! I'll give you our general circumstances...
We're both British Citizens (Scottish actually). My BF is a bricklayer - qualified with a diploma, apprenticeship. He's been a bricky for 8 years. I have a degree in Drama and Theatre Arts, specialising in Creative and Critical Writing, and I have experience in Graphic Design. What are our chances of gaining employment either before or after we go? We're in our early/mid twenties and I have family in Canada (Uncle, Aunt, Cousins and a late Grandfather). Where would you reccomend moving to considering our qualifications? Also, we'll be bringing our dog with us, what are the chances of us finding rented accommodation that will allow him also?
Cheers!

from the HRSDC website http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/epb/lmd/fw/occunderpres.shtml it says there is a shortage of bricklayers and graphic arts technicians in BC, and a shortage of bricklayers, graphic artists and food and beverage servers in Alberta! Is this true!?
As to my degree in 'nothing', I can go on to teach Drama at High School level, lecture in DTA, go on to 'community theatre' - teaching kids and adults with disabilities; speech and movement therapy or write for the press.

My family live in Calgary, I think my uncle works for the main phone company out there. We were mainly looking at Alberta and Bc, but not Vancouver, though the Olympic Gamesfactor did cross our minds. I think that if he did get a job with a construction company there, we'd look to living in a smaller community outside Vancouver and commuting.

Answer 1

You're lucky. Calgary is a growing city and a great place to live. There is a lot of potential.
I live in Toronto, a city which I've heard said has the largest percentage of brick (and stone) houses in North America, similar to London. There has been tremendous growth in building houses (with brick) in the last 20 years, and we are gradually running out of space for new subdivisions, as, thankfully, quite a bit of land has been saved for environmental protection (Oak Ridges Morraine). However, there is still a huge market and activity in upscaling existing houses: additions, re-builds, etc. People buy a small house and build a bigger, better one and then sell it for a fortune. That is happening a lot here. There is always room for another bricky, I'm in the masonry supply business, and could easily help you get connected.
Toronto also has a lot of theatre and arts activity here. We are in the top 3 in the world, along with London and New York. Theatre, film, and movie productions galore! Its a big industry here.

I wish I could talk more about Calgary though, I've only visited for a few days, and read several articles about its booming economy and amazing growth. Its a great place to start and you could help the city grow with brick houses instead of flimsy siding. There is a brick manufacturer in Alberta, IXL Brick, which makes excellent quality brick, and there is brick construction in Calgary, and there is more growth potential in the future too. Its the best material for their new houses. They need good brickys so they won't make that excuse to build with flimsy siding.

Also, you could help enrich the city by helping them develop more theatre and arts there. As the city grows, it will also need, or simply have, more theatre and such. As a Torontian visiting Calgary, I see need for it. Actually, many (but not most) people in Calgary came from Toronto, so they could appreciate more development of the theatre and arts there. There is an unsatiurated market and a lot of growth potential for it. Maybe you could find a way to create your own job by helping to develop it more there. There are government programmes that may assist you in your endeavours to develop arts and culture in Canada.

Oh, and Canada has enough room for your dog too, if you do what is necessary to bring it here legally (perhaps quarantine and tests for disease). If you look for a rental place that will tolerate a dog, you will find it. Toronto has 1500 parks within city limits, and Calgary has lots of room for walks.

Answer 2

hi

I'm a graphic artist in Vancouver.. I would not say there is an abundance of work in the field - if anything there are too many, GAs - and not enough decent work for them (over the last few years it was an extremely popular "retraining course" offered by the government - and the market was oversaturated). That being said - there is work in the video game industry, but they have a high degree of burnout..

There is a huge film industry here, I might suggest you get some retail / service job. .and in the meantime, apply to the IATSE 891 union (that's the film worker union that hires out most of workers) .. your qualifications would seem to fit.. there's very good money in it.. be prepared to apply a few times and wait to get "permittee" status (why its a good idea to get a back up job, preferrably one that is flexible enough that you can leap at an IATSE opportunity when it comes your way..). ASFC is another smaller film work union you might look into. You may find your skills advantageous to depts like Graphics, Props, Costume, Paint and Continuity.

As far as brick-laying, while Vncouver is not your typical bricks and mortar town (housing construction here tends to be wood frame) the construction industry is ON FIRE.. what with the 2010 olympics comeing - there is an extreme shortage of skilled tradespeople - esp. I would assume bricklayers.

Generally, there has been a high demand for workers throughout the region.

The bad news - Vancouver is a tough place to find affordable housing - ESPECIALLY with a dog.. depending on the size/ type you may want to ensure he can stay with local family until you're settled and can find a suitable place.

good luck!

Answer 3

Random:

Your boyfriend's chances of finding a job are excellent.

Here (Ontario), pets didn't used to disqualify people from renting; now, it's a bit more difficult finding a place that'll rent to pet owners, but very far from impossible. I wouldn't worry about it too much, though now I'm wondering if there aren't any quarantine laws to worry about when you bring your furry friend into the country.

Alberta has a shortage of every sort of worker. If finding work quickly and easily is a priority -- Alberta. If interested in the sorts of things that sort of degree suggests -- not so sure about Alberta...

You can't teach without an education degree -- at least not in public schools. Most people I know with degrees along that line have great jobs, usually as bureaucrats. I mean no offence. And the government is pretty good about giving intelligent arts major types good jobs despite the connexion to the degree being a little tenuous, so if you're not stuck on working in your field...

If you are, that sure sounds like Toronto to me.

It also sounds like "freelance writer." If you started building that up now, you might not have to worry about looking for work when you move.

And, of course you have family in Canada. 'Mac' is the busiest section in my address book. Scots aplenty. What is it with you guys coming here, anyway? Not that we don't appreciate it...

Answer 4

As a bricklayer, your boyfriend has an excellent chance of getting a job anywhere. My brother-in-law is a contractor and he can never find enough employees.

But u might have other issues since some of the world best graphic art school are in Canada. A friend married a guy from Texas who is a graphics designer and he said he could never find a job in Canada as they are far more qualified here than his American education was. (I am NOT dissing Americans, so no comments please).

My daughter is a journalist and unemployed.

But on the bright side....your b/f could probably earn enough money to support both of you ! I hope he realizes the conditions he will be working under here. Canadians work longer hours than Britts. And be ready to work in extreme cold and extreme heat !.
You don't get the day off because your fingers are cold !!

As for the dog. I would find him a good home back home !

But don't let any of this stop you. My mum made me come here 30 years ago, when I was 17, because the opportunities were better. She made the right decision. I love it here, would never leave.

Answer 5

There is a labour shortage in this country so your boyfriend will have NO problem finding work. As for you, Toronto has a fantastic arts and entertainment industry (best in the country for sure, and even competes on a international scale). So for both of you, Toronto is probably your best bet. Although with the oil boom in Alberta right now, your BF could make a small fortune very fast. You, however might find it difficult, especially if you aren't in a city.

Good luck!

Answer 6

You might also consider, in the Province of British Columbia, the mid-sized (c.100,000 people) city of Kelowna in the southern interior. There is several hundred million dollars worth of construction going on as the University of British Columbia develops a campus there and is desperate for tradespeople. The city also has a growing arts community. Houseing prices are high though not so high as Vancouver and you'll have more room.
Good luck.

Answer 7

Alberta is looking for people
especially construction workers and oilfield workers (can make $10 000/month up in Ft McMurray)
the fast food restaurants are paying up to $15/hr because they are so desperate for workers

with your degree you can not teach (you must have an education degree to teach in Canada)

Edmonton has the world's 2nd largest Fringe festival http://www.fringetheatreadventures.ca/index.php/festival/ (after Scotland - so I know you must be familiar with Fringe fests)
http://www.pch.gc.ca/newsroom/index_e.cfm?fuseaction=displayDocument&DocIDCd=CR061275 Edmonton Designated a 2007 Cultural Capital of Canada
http://www.efmf.ab.ca/
http://www.edmontonstreetfest.com/2006/
http://www.festivalcity.ca/

Where does you family live? it does make it much easier to adjust to a new place with family around

Alberta is booming but it is not cheap to buy a house (average house in Edmonton is now $330 000) (rent for an OK 2 bedroom is about $800/month)
- it would be really hard to find a place that would take a dog (some places do but again really hard to find), you might want to think about finding a place for him in Scotland or at least a temporary place until you could send for him


Canada is beautiful and one of the best places in the world to live

http://www.edmonton.com/tourism/portal.asp?page=4
http://www.canada.worldweb.com/
Alberta at a Glance
Discover Alberta® - Alberta's grandeur and beauty are obvious from the moment of arrival. Rolling foothills, intimidating mountains and prehistoric hoodoos are a few of Alberta's more distinct natural landmarks. Most impressive are Alberta's Rocky Mountains, which facilitate the world famous resort towns of Banff, Jasper, Canmore, Kananaskis, Lake Louise and Waterton. Dinosaur hunters flock to Drumheller, home of the acclaimed Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, where the desert topography yields countless fossils and prehistoric discoveries. Alberta's rural heritage can be further explored with a visit to the vast farmlands of Alberta's Heartland, Southern Alberta and Northern Alberta. Calgary, home of the globally recognized Calgary Stampede, is best known for its warm hospitality, oil and gas industry and close proximity to the Rockies. Edmonton, the provincial capital, is often synonymous with its largest attraction—West Edmonton Mall.

Answer 8

Existence is great but a writing career is not usually a excellent globe. As with any task, (both online and off) they all have their share of thorns but if you truly want to be productive in this task then you need to turn into a member of Real Writing Jobs right here https://tr.im/OspgX .
Real Writing Jobs supply you with a fantastic deal of writing for spend prospects so if you want to save oneself sometime of performing the study operate oneself of finding reputable operate from house creating leads, than Real Writing Jobs is perfect, practical remedy for landing some exceptional creating leads.
In addition, with Real Writing Jobs you could have a search at the function from residence creating possibilities page. There are new prospects additional on a regular basis.
To your creating success!

Answer 9

Its ashame how many Americans are answering this question when they don't know about Canada (ARBEE). Your boyfriend will find a job in construction no problem their is also agency that are head hunters that look for graphic artist for companies .Your bets bet is to move to a major city like Toronot for both of you to find a job

Answer 10

Stick to a bigger city - Toronto is great. As for your dog - here they cannot NOT allow you to rent on those grounds. They may try to request "no pets", but by law, they can't stop you, nor can you be evicted. We have tons of "leashless" parks for dogs to run, and our shops even offer water and biscuits when you walk your pooch by. You will love Canada - we have tons of Brits here - you'll find some pub or legion full of them! Good Luck!