Luce:
Landing Gist closely mirrors amdman’s (same flight, same day,etc...)
Opened an account with RBC the next day and got a 2k credit limit, got a prepaid freedom line with unlimited Canada wide calling and global texting plus 10gb, it was expensive af though but will get cheaper from next month and once I switch to postpaid. Moved my money using my friend’s PayPal account (charges were very annoying but I felt safer with the process)

Welcome boss. a lil money saving tip, go for a plan with less data if you have wifi at home, it would be cheaper by a lot. I am on freedom too, my plan is 5gb, monthly bill + tax is $45(I'm assuming yours cost more). I mainly use phone data for whatsapp, browsing and google maps(I do everyother thing only when I am connected to wifi), my max data usage has never crossed 2gb in a month. To cut cost on google map, download offline map of canada using wifi, that way all google map would use your data for is to get your gps co-ordinates and transit info.

Lastly, you really get mind o! your POF really large for fear to gree you to wage paypal bills. Everyone else I know did it the other way round.

Luce:


To the best of my knowledge, if you purchase the monthly 150 dollars plan using this option on the presto site instead of selecting a specific transit pass, then you can use your presto card anywhere in the GTA but once you cross over to a new city from Toronto e.g. Brampton, etc, you have to pay a new 3 dollar value.(also valid for 2 hours as in Toronto, I believe)

What you are doing is loading your presto with funds, not same as purchasing a pass. In this case, the fund is debited as you use and each transit agency would charge their own fee when you transfer on a trip, in the end it is way more expensive than a pass if you move around at least once every day. I had actually written a tutorial covering the use of google map for public transit and all one needs to know about transit system & fares(plus few tips), I even had picture aids from actual trips I took. unfortunately, just when I was done, I lost a friend and was disoriented for days so was in no state of mind to post. The next day Dec 29, the phone the whole stuff is in suffered an RPM Crash and I havent gained access to it since then.

Maybe I'd start afresh and write the much I can manage to, it may make people's integration quite easier.

.

Glowingx:

Lol @ purge. Don’t know if Brampton requests for that . Check, u might have for North York , I think Ottawa has the scheme too

North york falls under Toronto, so no show as the only discount in Toronto is for person's with disabilities.

After wetin bus use my eye see today, I am beginning to consider getting a car sef.

Glowingx:

62.50 monthly, not as subsidized as Alberta shaa but �. Yeah, I had to show proof of residence plus other requirements. Shaa look it up.
You welcome

Kai na that residence go purge me because I dont live in Brampton.

Chriswazo:


What of Environment and Resource Management degreess? Do they have prospect there?

Cc: einsteino

I dont know much about that field but I would say since there are lots of city councils in the GTA, they should have something for you. Best way to find out is to seek someone who is in your field here.

joo2018:
It looks like getting a car in the GTA is mandatory. Wouldn't it be cheaper ultimately?

Depends. For families, I would say for most it would be a necessity to have at least one car, especially if you have kids and your activities are spread around the GTA. For a single person like me, you would have to do some cost-benefit to see if its worth it in your situation.

The main point for having a car would be convenience in winter and access to jobs that are inaccessible or takes too long to get to via public transit. It took 2hrs to get to work by bus, by car it took about 30mins; time is literally money here.

Glowingx:


Missasuaga , Oakville, Brampton have subsidized bus pass to the best of my knowledge. I paid $125 for monthly pass before I found out about it(called SPLIT in Oakville)now I pay 62.50. Valid for a year . U are legible as a newly landed immigrant even though u have not filed for tax , also open to low income earners. Do check out ur city transit for the subsidized pass

Wow! Do I need to be resident in Brampton to qualify? Also, do you mean 62.5 is the charge for a year or is it a month? I would go check out if TTC has one. Thanks so much, thats a whole lot of savings you have helped me with. I appreciate it.

WoodcrestMayor:
Na wa!...Mega city things.
$63 weekly for one month brings spending to $252 on transit alone

hehe thats still alot lower than monthly cost of car insurance here
The speed I go take run comot for here once I achieve wetin carry me come eh

WoodcrestMayor:
Hey guys!!!


Summarily, research is key and there’s really no midway here. One has to be really deliberate about everything here and I tell you one thing-it is easier to chart ones course here. I wouldn’t deny the fact that it’s easier with age on your side though. People get depressed here too; especially the guys who earned big bucks in naija only to get here to crumbs. Mental strength is key and it is your strongest ally when trying to integrate into the system because everything will try to beat you down and you’ll almost question your competence.
I don’t think we have any under-18 on this thread so nightlife and fine buildings shouldn’t be a reason to choose a province. I met a Nigerian at the Millwoods gym and he told me he has been in Canada for 10yrs. He landed in Quebec because many of his friends chose there but he and many of them had find their levels after 3 years-he’s doing fine now. Another one I heard of in church came from Toronto and got a job in her 2nd week in Edmonton. I met a Somali girl who left Toronto for Edmonton because she wasn’t cut out for the petty jobs that were available to her there. She said some of her friends are still there doing call centre jobs because they like the big city feel.

Thank you so much for sharing, made a great read. I have said to so many before, city life is nothing if you can't find a good job with which to pay its bills. However, opportunities for certain careers are much more in certain cities. These things depends on individual profile and goals, so we cant give a general advice.

Case in point: in the last two weeks, 3 of my friends landed jobs in their field here in Toronto. One actually relocated from Alberta where he was doing survival jobs, this would be his second professional job since coming to Toronto that's because Toronto is a hotbed for his field. One of us, a nairalander, has now got her second professional job in Ontario, she is with the CRA now. On the other hand, someone who is in the Oil and gas sector would have no business chasing his career goals in Eastern Canada as a whole. So people need to sit down and figure out where their goals would be easier to achieve while keeping cost of living in mind.

WoodcrestMayor:
No be small luck bros
Ontario is freaking expensive

Not everyone spends that much on passes in the GTA though, most people's expense would be around $140. The thing is I live in NorthYork, which is a part of Toronto but so far work and classes takes me to Mississauga and Brampton; occasionally I go to York Region(Not the same as Toronto's North York). though Toronto, Mississauga, York Region and Brampton are all parts of the GTA, they each have their own transit agency. Toronto's TTC monthly pass cost about $147, Brampton $124, Mississauga's Miway $130, York Region's YRT $150... So rather than buy multiple bus passes or pay multiple fares while connecting trips, I just purchase the weekly GTA pass for $63, that way I get to use all these GTA transit service at no extra charge and save a lil.

I wish TTC has such discounts for low income earners or newly landed immigrants. The one wey dey pain me for GTA na car insurance cost

Beauideal:
Good day everyone. Please I'll like opinion on this. I just got married to my husband here in Nigeria. My husband is Canadian and I am Nigerian. He is planning to sponsor me to Canada as his wife (spousal sponsorship). I just want to know if anyone had a successful application and how long exactly before cic gave them visa? Did anyone had to wait for a year? And also I would like to know what documents were required exactly. I have done change of name and looking forward to getting a new international passport. 
And also I've been denied visiting him before we got married I will therefore like to know if I can apply for visit while the application for spousal sponsorship is ongoing?

a friend of mine got married to a Nigerian - Canadian, he applied for spousal sponsorship months ago. Last I heard, his file has been moved to Accra, though he resides in Japan. I could find out from him what docs he sent and the latest update.

I think your marriage gives you a better shot for a visiting visa now, and the two applications can run concurrently.

MissEmmy:
Thanks a bunch for suggesting this app. I've been able to get a valid Canada number. Getting credits is a bit cumbersome, but hey, I can't complain coz it works. Cheers

With dingtone its best you just buy credits..

smslive2:
I welcome myself officially to this thread!
PPR - Jan 3rd
COPR Issued - Jan 4th
Application Approved - Jan 5th
COPR Delivered - Jan 8th

Landing - LOADING

Congrats boss

WoodcrestMayor:
Hmmm...this was the letter I got sha

Mehn I spend a minimum of $240 a month on bus passes in the GTA. Y'all are lucky

jelmusboy:
I believe that this trying time will pass ❄❄❄. Imagine -28°C

Toronto today was no different from my AC in naija!

Newmum0615:
In a few days.

Journey mercies

MissEmmy:
Yeah I was equally surprise as I had previously been using TextNow for free in the UK, however when I recently tried to acquire a Canadian number, it requested I pay N3000. I tried to make the payment but it wouldn't recognize my GTBank Master card. Kinda frustrating as I need a valid Canada number on my CV before submiting it for a job position. Have you been able to obtain a Canada Number for free on your TextNow app?

Yes I obtained one for free last week. my phone plan is only canada wide, so I resorted to TextNow for my U.S calls.

amdman:


I just started a WhatsApp Group for Nigerians in GTA. Text me on +1 647-952-3780 to join. Members should already be in the GTA or will be in GTA within the next 3 months max.

Thats nice. I sent you a msg

MissEmmy:
Happy Sunday every one. Please does anyone know a good app for getting a Canadian number; Freetone and text now is not accepting my debit card, thank you.

I am surprised textnow is asking you for a debit card.
Unlike textme, TextNow is free, at least in my experience. I make free canada & U. S calls using it. Maybe it would prompt me to pay after a while

Inception12:
Hello all, is there any whatsup group for people living in Brampton/Mississauga? I would like to be added to one if it exists. If there isn't, i can form one and invite people to join.
Our Indian friends are doing much better in Canada than most because of the way they help each other.

Yes there is one for the GTA at large, but its full, I have been waiting for months now to be added. Maybe you should just create another one and add folks who are interested. Welcome to the GTA

CanadianNaija:
These resources will help women considering going into trades especially, but it can be beneficial to the male folks too.


Most of the information are targeted at the women in Ontario, but the bolded provides resources on other provinces as well for women interested in construction.


http://www.careersinconstruction.ca/en/why-construction/opportunities-women/organizations-help-women-get-started-construction-trades

http://www.earnwhileyoulearn.ca

http://www.careersinconstruction.ca/en/careers/career-finder

https://www.ontario.ca/page/start-apprenticeship

https://www.collegeoftrades.ca/resources-for-women

https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/apply/skilled-trades/women

Thanks

greyham:


Oh really! Read Mr. Einsteino's post you quoted, I am sure you skipped the part he wrote "Inshort in some parts of the GTA, if you no be indian to see house rent go hard you small."

Does that strike you as equal rights?

I have been away for a while and I hate to drag us back to this, but I feel it is important to clarify some things. The way I see it, you only take what supports your position rather than evaluate an opposing argument in its entirety and see if it indeed invalidates yours. Your original argument had quite some fallacies but I didn't want to dwell on that, I just felt it was better we both reason out the details and see what we both can learn. Now, your new position is very reasonable but my comment upon which it is premised on doesn't give you the support you assumed.

Maybe you don't have sufficient knowledge about the exact context in which you'd have difficulty getting a place to rent if you arent Indian. Well, it only plays out that way if you need a house-share/shared apartment or room share. Indians have all manner of group biases, true but on this one we no get talk. Indians are very communal, so most times they lease 3 bedroom apartments and then go on to rent out the other rooms and atimes they even share a room with one or two other people! On top of that, they are mostly vegetarians and in almost an evangelical way, they also have a thing for curry and garlic much to the point that it wears on them like a deodorant... Thus, they seem to feel only an Indian or someone familiar with their culture would be able to tolerate and live with them amicably.

Now, if you take sometime to think about it, you'd find that it would be hard to call what Indians do in that situation as trampling on your right because they also have a right to live with someone that they feel they would easily get along with. It would have made more sense if you said it is discriminatory rather than talk about rights... but if you did that, you still wouldn't be looking deep enough into the matter. This is because there are discrimination that are well within the ambit of reason and are allowed for even in law. When there is a conflict of rights, rights become hierarchically organised and a displacement occurs, in this case our right not to be discriminated against is featherweight compared to the right of someone to choose who they live with.

lets forget about indians, would you say it isn't reasonable as a female to say you only want a female as your apartment/room mate? Does this invade the right of males who are excluded in such a case? What about pet owners who have a hard time finding a shared rental because "no pets" is even more common on kijiji than "indian preferred".. You may be tempted to say it is because I haven't felt the pain of losing a room due to these that's why I am arguing in favour... but firstly, I am not arguing in favour or against, I am just reasoning, and I have lost two rentals: One because they wanted a female, and the other because I am not in anyway a pet lover and the landlady insisted on having someone who could get along with her "reactive" dog because her dog was family to her.

@TheCongo2 spoke of the OHRC, the thing is the OHRC understands and allows for this sort of discrimination in a shared housing with the landlord residing in it, so for now it is very much legal. On the other hand, if I wanted to lease a full apartment rather than share with other humans who I'd have to get along with, none of the above issues would kick in, capitalism would have to reign supreme and my ability to pay would be the core interest of the landlord or else the landlord could face the wrath of the law.

Don't confuse equal rights with freedom to express your culture, some cultures don't permit equal rights and that's where the problems arise.

I completely agree with you on this, but I dont agree that you have to trash a culture in its entirety for its flaws, I'd rather pick out its good and criticize its shortcomings. Moreso, culture is dynamic, with time it could get better or worse. Western culture had its fair history of rights abuse, but it evolved...heck even rights itself evolves, how much more culture(these things aren't cast in stone). Ours has been evolving too, the culture in Nigeria right now is very different from what it was when I was a kid.

You are already saying a Canadian culture does not exist which is not fair to the native Canadians. I hope you know that country has natives? Would you be happy if a foreigner claims your culture does not exist? No? You just did it to Canadians.

I like that you said this. You know why? because it shows you are not as extricated from Nigerian culture and its resulting biases in judgement as you think(all humans have biases). The thing is you are assuming indigeneship makes mockery of naturalized citizenship and residency in Canada, as much as it does in Nigeria. You know how I who only go to my village once in a while would always have a greater participatory opportunity in dictating its culture over a non indigent person who was born there and have lived in my village all their life. While aboriginal culture is very well a part of canadian historical culture, it isnt the present day mainstream Canadian culture nor was it the culture you were defending and derisively saying go back to Nigeria for... What is largely known as Canadian culture today is mix of several immigrant cultures, with the general western culture dominating... This is why we cant even point to a national cuisine that is peculiar to Canada.

To wrap it up you said freedom of speech and opinion is a fundamental right... and some of your fellow posters here have ticked me off as rude and opinionated

Wonderful.

I agree we mustn't hush people because you can only correct what is expressed, there is no way to invalidate silence... but free speech isn't really as free as we assume cos there are laws that forbid and punishes people from expressing racial or discriminatory comments, and recently in Canada, laws have been enacted to even compel certain speech.

Anyways, I am all for free speech so long as it isn't inciting violence, free speech is not a cursory matter of rights to me, even though that makes sense too. What makes free speech much more important is that it is a mechanism by which we express and regulate ideals and ideas, a way laws come to being and all rights as we know it. Rights do not exist by itself, we often bring it to being by reasoning together/debating and coming to accord on a particular matter and proceeding to formulate laws that guarantee it. Much so that if you can bring enough people or the right people to see reason with you why people must not be allowed to discriminate in shared rental, it could become a legal right tomorrow. Without allowing dialogue and free speech, we deteriorate to "You can say what you want, only if it's consistent with my views". This is why my focus is on the rationality of what you said, rather than pandering to how I feel about it which is an inconsequential emotional response in the bigger scheme of things.

iaatmguy:
einsteino, hope you are doing good ? happy new year to you. you are in my thought, i pray your good heart desires come to pass soon enough.

kwado87, how is edmonton? may grace continue to be with you
keep enjoying our new country

Thank you so much. Happy new year to all.

TheCongo2:


I have been saying this for ages.
When people say if you don't like something about Canada you are free to leave, this is pure racism given that it only applies to visible minorities.
Some people expect minorities to integrate or adjust into the "Canadian culture" which to my opinion doesn't exist given that Canada is a melting pot of different cultures.
However, when it comes to white people, when they don't like something they have the right to voice their opinion and seek change so that the system can fit into their way of life.
The most tragic thing is that some minority like @Greyam are buying this microaggression suggesting Canada is for white only and any non-white is a second class citizen

@Greyman, Canada is a country that prones for equal rights. I believe telling someone to return to Nigeria for voicing is opinion is discrimination given that you will never say the same thing to a caucasian. You are the one who is not abiding by the Canadian way by discriminating against a group of people that is protected by the Canadian constitution.
Freedom of speech and opinion is a fundamental right of every Canadian and not just for white people.
If you don't like it, there's nothing you can do.

Well said! you summarised it aptly, it is racism. And it is so far reaching to the point that even some of those who seem so passionate about our culture and pass of as Afrocentric, are unknowingly guilty of it. You'd see our men stand their ground on gender roles and ready to pull the heavens down for it because according to them it is our culture, but when they date or marry a Caucasian they suddenly no longer mind who does what in the house. When it comes to african women, we have a long list of checkbox and highest standards of physical appearance they must meet but once na oyibo, the skin alone checks all the box. What is interesting is that in the same breath, we would nag about how Europe underdeveloped Africa and how slavery was an irreparable sin... See, na we be our own slave master cos e clear say by default we no dey consistent in our judgement.

greyham:


I separated a portion of your text. That is their way of life (and they have laws guiding such) So when in Rome do like the Romans.

Stop being pained Sir, you can always move back to Nigeria PERMANENTLY if you want.

Like he said, indians here are fast turning into one of the most successful immigrant group and walahi them no send that when in rome talk. Inshort in some parts of the GTA, if you no be indian to see house rent go hard you small. Even for my work, remain small make i dey learn punjabi because those guys no just send, to them na colony dem come form here not the other way round. They are quietly dominating and still keeping their culture. Heck check the federal cabinet sef, they are there, even wearing their turban despite the fact that some were born and raised in Canada!

It's not in my place to dictate what culture to retain or adopt; who to associate with, and I am not even saying if its right or wrong to... But one thing I have come to notice and I am very certain of is that Nigerians generally have an inferiority complex, one that is unrivaled by other nationalities. To most of us, anything white is right and everything african is dumb... We dont even bother to evaluate it based on its merits and demerits. Its much like how in Nigeria once you are white skinned, you are automatically an expatriate and an authority in whatever field you fancy, even if you are the dumbest being that ever walked the earth.

Canada is a developed country, true but it has a plethora of issues too, every country does... And I have met Caucasians here that even the teenage me had more sense than. But y'all fancy arguments based on authority rather than merits.

Its a personal choice what culture to uphold, heck one can choose to even renounce their nigerian citizenship too... but do not make it seem like one can not retain his culture(at least the good part or what seems more reasonable than the canadian and isnt in conflict with the law) and at the same time enjoy the best Canada has to offer, and still go on to offer your best to Canada too. It is not wise to argue or suggest that. Waves of immigration has occurred in different parts of the world in past centuries and there are an abundance of examples were the immigrants didnt "do like the romans" or had to return home as a result. when the immigrants were Caucasians the reverse was often the case. Heck till date white south africans have done almost nothing to integrate!

Guitarlife:

Thats the problem here, she is a fighter. Me I dont want a fighter .

baba tire

This is why I miss being around Nigerians, the way wey we dey epp people judge their matter and seem to know what is best for them, its a very interesting trait we have. Reminds me of when my Uncle was admonishing my cousin and I to marry early else we would regret. Only for my cousin to reply "Eh Uncle that's the thing, I want to regret!" na crime to regret ?

JennyKadry2:


The exact same thing I told a Kenyan colleague last month. So anti LGBTQIA. I advised her to go back to Kenya and practice holiness with the rest of her holy Kenyans.

I will never get it. Leave the damn country. Many Africans have asked me why I have "forgotten" my values because I refuse to join "teamholierthanthou". So shallow minded. I swear I learn more when I am not surrounded by my own people. The stupid Kenyan girl was busy preaching holiness meanwhile she is shacking up with a man that hasn't paid her bride price. I asked her how she was better than them in the eyes of God. It's annoying because it is the so called Christians that are anti LGBTQIA but are busy "commiting" their own "small" sin left right and centre.

You live in their country. Accept them or GTFO of their country

Hypocrites

Everything you said was okay except the part of talking as though Africans are a dumber set of people. I would have said a thing or two to debate the validity of that, but mehn that kind argument fa... make we just chop christmas rice and chicken.

titiclassy:


Thanks @rainazoe and @Tojued.
I have made up my mind to do Lufthansa with the feedbacks. However I still got some choose:
1. Layover in FRA for 3 hrs.50 and use Air Canada (smaller) to Toronto OR
2. Layover in FRA for 7 hrs and use same Lufthansa (big plabne) to Toronto. Can 7hrs layover be a nightmare with kids

Consider I have 2 hyper actives (toddler and.baby) . I need d comfort..

I went with the first option, had under 4hrs layover at Frankfurt. In my case, the air canada flight from Frankfurt to Toronto was okay but not as nice as the Lufthansa leg to Frankfurt. The plane wasn't small though.

ottawasenators:
Though cant say anything about this, but it reminds me of those people on Quora who respond to questions with a high dose of sarcasm

Quora people be crase aswear

salford:

I would chip in my experience on this.
Availability of family doctors and emergency services varies from towns to towns, city to city and province to province...

Thank you so much for sharing with us.

Crescentd:


Hi @einsteino. Can you please provide more information on the bolded? Like the name of the programme and requirements. Thank you.

Sure! I have always wanted to. I was waiting to finish it, so I could say if it is actually worth the while, before I make recommendations.

Anyways, since you asked. There are several of these programs and it depends on where you live and your profession, I can only speak of Toronto as that's where I am and have knowledge of. There is:

Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
Dufferin Peel Catholic School Board(DPCDSB)

Their program is broken into two parts: In class training and a work placement. for TDSB, it's usually 8wk in class training and 6wk work placement. While, DPCDSB is 8wk in class and 14wk work placement. The in class triaining focuses on enhancing soft skills.


Requirements:
You are a recent newcomer, you are internationally-trained, you have professional experience in your home country related to your education, but not in Canada
English Language Assessment Certificate (CLB level 6 or higher is mandatory)
You are competent with a computer

Note: IELTS isn't acceptable proof of English skills for the program. You would need to sit for an English test with YMCA, I wasn't charged for it.