This makes a lot of sense. I've been thinking about Mississauga and the GTA for my landing spot as well but every passing day Alberta seems to make more sense. I guess the best option is to land in the GTA and experience it yourself firsthand for a month or so and if the situation doesn't seem like you'll get the job, you can always just pack your bags and head west.

Rebarobyn:


Association of recently landed tourists....una wehdone o ..eku enjoyment...chairman association/tour guide ballerz pls put me on waiting list

On a different note you guys should pls share job search experiences in the GTA..I was planning on landing in GTA but the cost of living especially rent is scary....I hear that 80% of migrants land in GTA so the number of newly landed job seekers out-numbers the "plenty job opportunities". I also hear the growing asian community have mastered the art of networking and have driven wage levels to the barest minimum because they use lower wages as a bait for employers...so someone in alberta or sask on the same job will probably earn more than you do even though they have a lower minimum wage.

Landed seniors please share your Toronto experiences.

Thank you

Blessedluvdfavd:


Hi TheCongo2! Anything above $2000 is high I think. I've read the cost of houses is not too different from Calgary and in Calgary I can get those specs for less than $2k.

Yes but when I am checking on Kijiji, there are houses listed for less than 2K in Mississauga.

https://www.kijiji.ca/b-house-rental/mississauga-peel-region/3+bedrooms/c43l1700276a15

.

TheCongo2:


Yes but when I am checking on Kijiji, there are houses listed for less than 2K in Mississauga.

https://www.kijiji.ca/b-house-rental/mississauga-peel-region/3+bedrooms/c43l1700276a15

OK thank you will check kijiji!

Blessedluvdfavd:


OK thank you will check kijiji!

On a different note, RBC has a program that assists new immigrants getting their first mortgage.
You have be living in Canada for less than 2 years to qualify for this program.
If I were you I would truly look into this RBC program.
You can buy a house and then set the basement up for rent. In that case, your tenant will pay part of your mortgage.
In the event you decide not to buy a house and choose to rent instead, your rent money will end up paying someone else mortgage

Anyway, we have debated over this issues many pages back ... exposing the pros and cons of buying vs renting

http://www.rbc.com/newcomers/

[quote author=TheCongo2 post=64252710]

On a different note, RBC has a program that assists new immigrants getting their first mortgage.
You have be living in Canada for less than 2 years to qualify for this program.

Thanks this is worth looking into! Just wanted to get a feel of the place first before committing to purchasing a home. And I think I'm suffering from info overload already so might just get there and stay in a vacation rental first.. Or not

kazchick:
Hello My peoples,
Please which province would be great for product managers in digital banking / fintech? what are the career options there? Any training to be done? I have an open mind though.

No response to this till now. Gurus assist

vcole:
you got the wrong message from my post. It'll be ridiculous for me to view this issue from a racist perspective. It is not about being white or black. It is about competence. On a global playing field, where does a Nigerian educational qualification rank and how does it compete with a Canadian or European qualification?
In professional fields, how do Nigerian certifications rank on a global scale? How many countries have a reciprocal agreement with Nigerian professional organizations? What is the work culture in Nigeria and how similar or divergent is it from that of Canada? Is the European work culture more similar to that of Canada? And how do these factors affect the job seeking Nigerian on a global scale?
As a hiring manager, it is imperative to choose a candidate who is best qualified and skilled for the job.

If things are viewed from this perspective then I believe it is in the best interest of a landed immigrant looking to build a rewarding career to explore opportunities that would enhance his/her qualifications or gain relevant experience that would open doors for advancement.

In regard with the bolded, who does the ranking of the different countries education system on the global scale?

My parents brought me here 28 years ago.
When I graduated from High school, I went to University in New York State on an athletic scholarship.
During my University years, I come across a good number of international students.
Most of the students who did their high school in Africa (Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya ...) were well advanced in terms of Science and Technology comparing to their North American counterparts.
Those African students were for the most part the go-to people whenever anyone had issues with anything related to Math, Physics, Chemistry, Programming ...
This is because the education system in their respective African countries were very strong ... much more advanced than the one in North America. Thus, I realized that this global ranking of different country education system is a complete BS.

The same goes here in Canada, when High School students arrived in Quebec from Haiti even from French African countries, they always seem to be performing better than the local students. But, On a global playing field, where does Haiti educational qualification rank? Haiti stands nowhere because this ranking on the global field is a BS made up by some redneck who seems to undervalue the education system of third world countries. Once again, we are letting the white man define who we are by accepting his so called global ranking BS. I know what is the worth of people from third world country, so I can't accept anyone to tell me they don't qualify for jobs in Canada just because they lack the Canadian experience or because the education system in their country is ranking low on the global scale.

Adding to that, when I came out of University, most of the things I have learned in school were forgotten. I remember my first programming job back in 2005-2006 involved the use of Visual Basic. Though I took Visual Basic in College, I had to learn everything back again on the job.
Then, in 2011, I got my present job in Networking. I took Computer Network in College 9 to 10 years earlier but I couldn't even remember what was a Network topology ... my employer needed a French Speaking person with technical background to supervise, monitor , troubleshoot (Using Linux) the installations of Network systems for some major clients across Quebec. Bingo, French was the only thing that made me Qualify for the job. And everything else in regard to Networking I learned them on the job. It was on the job that I learned Linux for the first time.

This is to show you that not many people truly qualify for a new job they get hired for. Therefore, the Canadian experience prerequisite is discriminatory given new immigrants from third world country are the most affected by that.

If the Canadian Human Rights commission had identified the requirement for Canadian Experience as an unnecessary barrier immigrants face to enter the Canadian work force, why trying to justify it? As Canadians of African descent, it should be our duty to help eradicate this form of discrimination and not condone or trying to justify it. We are all in the same boat.

Good evening all. For those who recently landed in Toronto, can you kindly give an estimate of the time it took you to complete landing formalities? Including getting through immigration and getting your SIN number.

Also, would you happen to know if there’s a Freedom Mobile stall/store at Toronto Pearson? Would appreciate a response please. Thank you.

Blessedluvdfavd:
@ Blackbuddy

Hi Blackbuddy! I'm recently considering settling in the GTA specifically Mississauga (I think) but the cost of renting a 3bed house/apartment with a basement/a fenced yard is really high. What is the average price for such please? Also which areas are family friendly with good elementary schools?

Hi, you can actually check rents for different spec of accommodation on kijiji.ca, viewit.ca, rentfaster.ca, 4rent.ca to mention a few. Just enter the details of what you want and what is available will be provided to you for review.

Most of Mississauga is safe to live in as crazy as that might sound but I never heard a bad story while I lived there. This is not to say that is absolutely no bad area but as with any major city, there are good and bad sides. For me, it actually turned out to be a great place for the year I resided there. I lived in Erindale very close to a shopping mall, opposite a bank branch with a barber and doctor's clinic next door. My kids' school was a walkable distance with the library close by (the neighborhood high school shares property with the library). 2 major bustops outside my apartment building made my commuting life easy as a job hunter then and my wife got her job opposite my kids school! That was a big plus and a remarkable coincidence. So she could drive to the kids school, drop them off and cross down the road to her office. I would catch a ride with her and walk across the street to Erindale GO Station for my train ride to Toronto to get to work, very nice arrangement at the time.

Other nice neighborhoods include Erin Mills, Churchil Meadows, City Centre, Creditview, Meadowvale and Dixie off the top of my head. I have friends living in these areas who have had no cause to complain. Once you find an accommodation you like, just Google about the property and the neighborhood to find out if there are any averse issues. You'll do fine though, Mississaug is a great place to live.

RahmaMohammed:
Hello @Blackbuddy,

I am reaching out to you based on one of your old posts here where you spoke about understudying the canadian job market and how you have a career in AML. I would like to chat with you about the job market in this field and your experience. I just concluded a masters degree in law in Canada and I am considering transiting to a career in AML with plans of writing the ACAMS certification. I sent you an email earlier. Hope to hear from you. Thank you

Hi, I just replied your PM. We can move from there.

Muchaio:
Hello @Blackbuddy,

Sent you a PM request. Please I'd like to pick your brains small on alternative career paths for Internal Auditors and other industry specifics.

Please oblige.

Hi, I've replied your PM and I'm willing to share what I know with you.

[quote author=Blackbuddy post=64260524]

Hi, you can actually check rents for different spec of accommodation on kijiji.ca, viewit.ca, rentfaster.ca, 4rent.ca to mention a few. Just enter the details of what you want and what is available will be provided to you for review.

THANK YOU! what you said correlates with most of my research so far- Erins something, meadowvale etc. Wow you guys got a great spot back then, nice! Please permit me to pick your brain whenever the need arises, thank you in advance

pauloverdi:
Anytime I read though he comments hear I'm always pleasantly amazed at the depth o knowledge and insight we have access to for free here. God bless all of you who share your experience freely here. It really helps a lot of people around the world. Pls I need advice on an issue. I just got a new job offer that's in my field (technical maintenance and repairs) and I like the learning opportunity it offers and also the Canadian experience in my field. But I'm having second tots about taking it for the following reasons: 1. It's 3 hrs away from the city where I currently reside with my family so I will have to commute daily, weekly, or move there. 2. I already have a customer service job that pays like $7 less but my present job has opportunities for bonuses from sales which can be more than your salary in a good month. My wife works at same job and if we move together for d New job she will have to stop work. That means temporary loss of second income. 3. The new job is a one man business but my present job is with a national organization so the medical and other plans are better than with the new offer and I'm considering this cos I have kids. 4. If I move alone temporarily I will have to incure additional rent expenses and other costs that would've been shared if I dey with family. 5. Because the loction of the new job offer is in a bigger city, expenses there are a bit higher ( cost of renting, childcare, future house purchase etc) than where I am now. But there are also more job opportunities in a bigger city with higher salaries.

The main reason I'm still considering the new offer is because it's in my field and the few days I spent trying it out showed there is a lot to learn from the job. I'm just scared of jumping from a tree I am familiar with to an unknown, smaller, but promising tree. The bills are already lined up and there is no room for error (lol) but my heart really wants the new job cos it's in my field and I will derive joy from doing it. But is joy all that matters? Please advice

Scenarios like yours are very common in Canada. The country is widespread, so it's not usually easy getting your choice of job in the city you want. Some would drive several hours or take flights to interview for a job in a city and company they like. Alot of Canadians are affected by this and not just recently landed immigrants. If I had my way, i would be living in a different city too.

No one can really answer this question satisfactorily except yourself Write out a list of benefts of your current jobs and the new offer. Weight your options with an unbiased mind. Take your family i.e wife and kids into consideration. Is the risk worth taking? do you already have a property in your current city? Which job offers the best security? e.t.c. The decision ultimately lies in your hands.

Amititi:
@freeradical congrats bro! It's a good thing you made the decision you thought best in the beginning.

I'm new here(Nairaland) and would like to seek candid advice from the elders of this thread and those who have experienced what I am going through or have the knowledge of it.
I moved to Canada with my family 6 months ago and landed softly, thanks to family members here. Landing and settling down here was easy and stress free. We currently receive child support, tax refund on climate and consumable goods tax and also, our kids have health insurance (100%) card from the government. This has made life so much easy. Rent here is reasonably affordable, feeding is relatively affordable as well. I have been busy lately with vocational work just for the income which is not steady.

My experience from Nigeria is supply chain management (I specialised in procurement and logistics) within the oil and gas industry. I noticed SCM is a growing career here in Alberta, Calgary to be precise. But I keep applying for vacancies and I am yet to get any tangible response. Though I have done a little research but I need an experienced guide to be on the right track. Seriously, right now I am confused.

MAIN QUESTION
Please anyone with honest opinion, experience or knowledge about supply chain management and how I can go about it should reply me. Are there job fairs in calgary(or Alberta at large) that could give me a better exposure? Also, what courses, training or certifications do I need to take to have an edge?
Please this is a SOS and really need help fast. Thank you so much. I await responses from all you kind people of this platform.
@ssemire @oohunty @Blackbuddy @zandora @olajide @justwise @maternal please help or can tag anyone that can be of help? God bless you all.

It's the state of the economy. Recovery is slow.
There are probably alot of people applying for the same job as you; therefore, the competition is tough. In previous years even when the economy was booming and jobs were easy to come by, alot of new immigrants in your career path often take a particular scm program at sait. Not sure the peogram is still being offered. You would have to carry out a research on that.
Also, do you have an open mind with regards to moving? Maybe if you do not limit your search to Alberta, you could get something in your field in the next province, but if you are not flexible, just keep applying within your province or city, and you hopefully you will get your desired job soon.

Good evening,

please i will like to find out how easy it has been for any pharmacist to integrate into the system and other career opportunities.

thanks.

mamacajah:


Hello@Amititi,
Yeah.. finally I meet someone from the same field as me....although I am not yet in canada, but I have done some preliminary searches.
Have you registered with the SCMA body as an international professional? I have been told that most logistics jobs are easy to get for people in SCM, however, these jobs are mainly warehouse roles for starters, then once you get in, and showcase your expertise, you are assured of upward progression. Also, have you reached out to the new comer service for briding programs and network opportunities? I have talked with ACCESS in Ontario on this but I am not sure of Alberta yet. But an SCM colleague in Winnipeg assured me that if one decides to do the school route, a program in commerce is a solid starting point. SAIT has a diploma in Bus Admin that meets this criteria. Check the ALIS site for more information on logistics prospects and relevant education programs.

Hope this helps.

@mamacajah thanks, I'm also aware of the SCMAP but yet to register. Just looking for those that have gone through the process and put me on the right track about which is faster for a start. Thank you for the details, very helpful indeed. I will surely do some research as well.

Though, I would still like the help of those that are working in this field here already to shed more light.

Please do and come fast as people like me dey wait you o. Hoping to share ideas in the future with you, since we now share a common interest.

salford1:

It's the state of the economy. Recovery is slow.
There are probably alot of people applying for the same job as you; therefore, the competition is tough. In previous years even when the economy was booming and jobs were easy to come by, alot of new immigrants in your career path often take a particular scm program at sait. Not sure the peogram is still being offered. You would have to carry out a research on that.
Also, do you have an open mind with regards to moving? Maybe if you do not limit your search to Alberta, you could get something in your field in the next province, but if you are not flexible, just keep applying within your province or city, and you hopefully you will get your desired job soon.

@salford1 thank you. I am open minded. I will do more research. God bless you

Bsbabe:
Good evening all. For those who recently landed in Toronto, can you kindly give an estimate of the time it took you to complete landing formalities? Including getting through immigration and getting your SIN number.

Also, would you happen to know if there’s a Freedom Mobile stall/store at Toronto Pearson? Would appreciate a response please. Thank you.

Toronto landed people, kindly help with this question.

Blackbuddy:


Hi, I've replied your PM and I'm sharing to share what I know with you.

Could you share this with all of us. Thanks

Hi Bsbabe,

I landed at the Toronto Pearson airport less than a month ago. It took about two hours to get through immigration; if you land on a weekday before 5pm, you can get your S.I.N at the airport. Timing really depends on the number of immigrants and students landing on the same day as you.

In respect of Freedom stalls, I am not certain about that, however there is a bureau de change where you can change some USD and there are pay-phones available as well.

I went for short landing, so basically all I got done was my S.I.N and drivers license exam.

Have a safe trip and successful landing.

Cheers!

Bsbabe:


Toronto landed people, kindly help with this question.

JESUnifemi4eva:
Hi Bsbabe,

I landed at the Toronto Pearson airport less than a month ago. It took about two hours to get through immigration; if you land on a weekday before 5pm, you can get your S.I.N at the airport. Timing really depends on the number of immigrants and students landing on the same day as you.

In respect of Freedom stalls, I am not certain about that, however there is a bureau de change where you can change some USD and there are pay-phones available as well.

I went for short landing, so basically all I got done was my S.I.N and drivers license exam.

Have a safe trip and successful landing.

Cheers!

Thank you very much. This is very helpful.

@thecongo2, I really wonder how this conversation has turned into a racial discrimination issue. Please do not turn my words around to make me into a "black racist" mbok. Your opinion is yours and mine is mine. I don't even have energy to start going back and forth over quality of education. To each his own please. We cannot all toe the same line.

Hello everyone.

salford1:

It's the state of the economy. Recovery is slow.
There are probably alot of people applying for the same job as you; therefore, the competition is tough. In previous years even when the economy was booming and jobs were easy to come by, alot of new immigrants in your career path often take a particular scm program at sait. Not sure the peogram is still being offered. You would have to carry out a research on that.
Also, do you have an open mind with regards to moving? Maybe if you do not limit your search to Alberta, you could get something in your field in the next province, but if you are not flexible, just keep applying within your province or city, and you hopefully you will get your desired job soon.

mount royal offers a scm program

Warm greetings to everyone in here. I will be concluding my graduate program in the United States next year and I am planning to immigrate to Canada with my family who are on F2 Visa.The procedures for the Express Entry program and Comprehensive Ranking System are well understood, as I already know my approximate point( 443- with spouse).My inquiry bothers on being able to use the Retirement Savings Account (Pension) as Proof of Funds(POF). Yes, I understand that answers might have been provided to this similar question before now, but I want to if one can still use it even if the twenty-five percent benefit had already been applied for and received by the account holder. I have received mine already; so , I want to know if it is still possible to use it as a POF notwithstanding the nonavailability of the twenty-five percent any longer.

Again, is there any advantage of being a U.S resident(non-immigrant F1 visa holder) in the whole application process? Also, does having a graduate degree from the United States have any 'influence' in job search?

jbadmus:
Warm greetings to everyone in here. I will be concluding my graduate program in the United States next year and I am planning to immigrate to Canada with my family who are on F2 Visa.The procedures for the Express Entry program and Comprehensive Ranking System are well understood, as I already know my approximate point( 443- with spouse).My inquiry bothers on being able to use the Retirement Savings Account (Pension) as Proof of Funds(POF). Yes, I understand that answers might have been provided to this similar question before now, but I want to if one can still use it even if the twenty-five percent benefit had already been applied for and received by the account holder. I have received mine already; so , I want to know if it is still possible to use it as a POF notwithstanding the nonavailability of the twenty-five percent any longer.

Again, is there any advantage of being a U.S resident(non-immigrant F1 visa holder) in the whole application process? Also, does having a graduate degree from the United States have any 'influence' in job search?

One major advantage you have is that you don't reside in a "shithole" country.

Hello everyone.

Hey guys. I have a question.

Can someone adopt a child after receiving their PR cards?

jbadmus:
My inquiry bothers on being able to use the Retirement Savings Account (Pension) as Proof of Funds(POF). Yes, I understand that answers might have been provided to this similar question before now, but I want to if one can still use it even if the twenty-five percent benefit had already been applied for and received by the account holder. I have received mine already; so , I want to know if it is still possible to use it as a POF notwithstanding the nonavailability of the twenty-five percent any longer.

On your POF, if you've collected and spent it then how is it available to you to use? Will your PFA give you a letter stating that it is available to you after 4 months of resignation? Please don't bring mago mago into this pension as POF before others will bear the brunt.

I don't have a response for the other items of your query as I have no idea.

jbadmus:


Again, is there any advantage of being a U.S resident(non-immigrant F1 visa holder) in the whole application process? Also, does having a graduate degree from the United States have any 'influence' in job search?

There is no advantage. Your application would be treated just as everyone else.
A US grad degree as no influence on job search. It is still from outside the country and no difference from a post grad from UK or anywhere else.
A US first degree in a regulated profession (e.g healthcare) would have made it abit easy in passing qualifying exams (e.g OSCE) due to similar learning standards.

XX01:


On your POF, if you've collected and spent it then how is it available to you to use? Will your PFA give you a letter stating that it is available to you after 4 months of resignation? Please don't bring mago mago into this pension as POF before others will bear the brunt.

I don't have a response for the items of your query as I have no idea.

I do appreciate your response. At the embolden, I don't think it is necessary.This is an online forum,where the real personality of people is difficult to measure. Not everyone gets involved in any act of dishonesty or criminal act: I am not one! I was only asking if it could be used; considering the fact that one can still have access to this pension account again( having withdrawn the first 25%) when one clocks 50 years. Your insinuation was highly unfounded and lacks substance.Once again,I do sincerely appreciate the time used to respond to my inquiries.

salford1:

There is no advantage. Your application would be treated just as everyone else.
A US grad degree as no influence on job search. It is still from outside the country and no difference from a post grad from UK or anywhere else.
A US first degree in a regulated profession would have made it abit easy in passing qualifying exams due to similar curriculum and learning standards.

Thanks for your response.