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Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 - Travel (149) - Nairaland

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Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by salford: 5:47pm On May 29, 2019
enquirer123:


quick update, I went to the office there are no issues, cos it only affects driving record if there is a fine to pay and u dont pay it

everyday a new lessonsmiley
Parking fines do not affect your driving record except maybe you parked in a way such that it could potentially violate traffic laws. In that case, it's the police that will be issuing the ticket. However unpaid parking fines can lead to debt collections which can damage one's credit record.

It's a good thing you cleared your mind though.

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Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by GozyNA: 5:48pm On May 29, 2019
Long-time no landing gist. Let me drop mine for the culture.

14 Likes

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by enemyofprogress: 6:14pm On May 29, 2019
guzenaira:


Cold never catch you?
Blood never comot for your nose?
Anyway it depends on your location in Canada.
Enjoy the summer!!!
i came with plenty aboniki and grinded pepper, dem no born cold to come near me,i go chop am raw.

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Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by canadaman18: 6:16pm On May 29, 2019
Not sure if this has already been posted but Authorities are seriously cracking down on distracted driving. Things like eating while driving , using your phone(even for navigation) can land you a hefty fine.

Actually they have started employing this method of hiding in yellow school buses so they can easily spot unsuspecting violators (heard of someone who fell victim this week) . Apparently there is a 69% increase in tickets since they started employing this method so its very effective. The penalty in ontario is $490 and 3 demerit points so lets all be careful so POF is not spent on fines grin

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Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by enquirer123: 6:52pm On May 29, 2019
salford:

Parking fines do not affect your driving record except maybe you parked in a way such that it could potentially violate traffic laws. In that case, it's the police that will be issuing the ticket. However unpaid parking fines can lead to debt collections which can damage one's credit record.

It's a good thing you cleared your mind though.

yes thanks
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by finishedworks: 7:10pm On May 29, 2019
Long post alert
Landing story (pardon any mistakes)
I didn't start packing early as advised, I thought I was super woman multitasker hmmmm ... Let's leave that story for another day; if you know, you know. On the D day my parents and half of my clans people came to see us off to the airport, na so we carry convoy enter airport o, am sure some people thought we were VIP until they saw all the Ghana must go we were dragging around. It was really an emotional farewell especially with my mom �� she started crying o na so I join her and I think I saw my dad wiping his eyes too, as we no wan finish again, na so one of my cousins come say " this kind cry were you the cry, e be like say you go just cancel this journey remain with us abi" na so I say get behind me Satan o, I clean my eye, about turn face immigration.
We got there, on searching, this wicked evil people collected all my palm oil and still took 2500 for 3 bags containing food stuff, no wahala I leave them for my God.
Got to check in. I thought I had read on their site that we could pack with excess luggage of up to 39kg and pay $60, so I and my husband decided to pack two bags to 39 kg willing to part with $120. Na so we put first bag, the guy say " we can't take this, the maximum allowed is 32kg", ehn!!! Na so I confuse this was already about 11am and our flight was for 1:30. I thought we had time to spare because we had checked in online. The airport was full Soo we were running out of time. Nobody tell me to commot my wrapper tie my daughter for back, na so we start to rearrange o. In the end we now had Four bags we had to pay for. Long story short we finally boarded about 15 minutes to take off.
Journey to Addis Ababa was so smooth, my daughter loved the way the toilets on the plane flushed so she asked to wee like 7 times before we landed, I was forced to put a diaper on her.
At Addis during lay over na so my pikin go catch friend with one pikin na so them begin the run around. Before I know my pikin don vomit. Which kind wahala be dis one now, well cleaned her up and we boarded the plane to Toronto. Also very smooth flight, my madam slept almost through out.
We had just abt 2 hr to catch our connecting flight to Edmonton, so was quite happy when we got to Toronto earlier than expected, na so oga hurry us up finished our landing formalities in less than 20 minutes, did not have time to savour the experience sef. Oga did muscle work got our bags, we rushed to check in at air Canada still had an hour to go, flight was to be by 10 am. Na so we reach wia oyibo lady say our flight has been cancelled and we had been rescheduled for 6:55 pm. As I no cry for here, I no sure say I go cry again. I was so frustrated, we had to wait for close to 10 hrs , air Canada say no be their issue say them inform Ethiopian airline since about the change. After going back and forth I just told oga I am tired let's just wait we go mail them later.
Met up with a very nice Nigerian that kept us company, his gist made time fly a bit.
Time reached, we got on the 4 hours flight to Edmonton and this flight was not smooth unlike the first two.
Got to Edmonton on the 21st in one piece, took a taxi to our hosts place arrived at about 10:30pm, ate better rice took our bath and slept only for sun to start shining by 5am. Which kin wahala be dis.
So far so good, finished all our documentations and job hunt is on. So any referral will be appreciated.

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Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by gbemmydap: 7:15pm On May 29, 2019
Anyone planning to soft land in Toronto Canada and coming back to Nigeria between June and July? Kindly contact me.
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by RallyF1: 7:51pm On May 29, 2019
gbemmydap:
Anyone planning to soft land in Toronto Canada and coming back to Nigeria between June and July? Kindly contact me.

Softlanding in June, leaving July. ONTARIO.
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Mimi1999: 10:32pm On May 29, 2019
GozyNA:
Long-time no landing gist. Let me drop mine for the culture.

Pleaseeeee do
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by iaatmguy(m): 10:38pm On May 29, 2019
SixSigma1:


When it comes to RRSP and TFSA, there are so much to talk about that it will take too much time and effort to do.

As a summary, your RRSP contribution limit is the lesser of:

• 18% of your earned income in the previous year, and
• Dollar limit that the government determines and publishes every year.

See the link here for the limit up to 2019: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/registered-plans-administrators/pspa/mp-rrsp-dpsp-tfsa-limits-ympe.html

As, for TFSA, the current annual limit for 2019 is $6000. See this link for the limit for previous years: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/tax-free-savings-account/contributions.html

Like I mentioned earlier, there is so much to know about RRSP and TFSA than what can be put here. So, my recommendation to you is just to google RRSP and also TFSA to read and familiarize yourself with what they are and how they work.

Hope this helps.
thanks a lot
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Natalie27: 10:42pm On May 29, 2019
Pleaseeee


Natalie27:
Please is there a Calgary watsapp group ... my friend is Landing in July and he would love to be added please ... thank you
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Licious07(f): 11:03pm On May 29, 2019
finishedworks:
Long post alert
Landing story.
Landing Gist!! Long-time no read. Lol.....Thank God for journey mercies. May your family find favour in Canny.

6 Likes

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Stencil: 12:35am On May 30, 2019
Much needed landing gist!
May the Maple Land favour you!

finishedworks:
Long post alert
Landing story

6 Likes

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by subuolaba: 5:12am On May 30, 2019
[quote author=finishedworks post=78836635]Long post alert
Landing story (pardon any mistakes)
I didn't start packing early as advised......

@ finished works thank God for safe trip, just wanted some clarification so on your baggage payment; so you paid 60$ each for 4 extra bags of 32kg. Would appreciate your reaponse. Thanks
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Chirolechick: 7:00am On May 30, 2019
There is telegram group



Natalie27:
Pleaseeee


Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Dame91: 12:30pm On May 30, 2019
Please when is the safest latest time to fly for a pregnant woman?
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by damilola1978: 12:54pm On May 30, 2019
Please does anyone have a room for rent at markham...please urgent
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by finishedworks: 1:12pm On May 30, 2019
[quote author=subuolaba post=78846050][/quote]
Yes, but they collected the naira equivalent. We paid about 86k something.

1 Like

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by finishedworks: 1:31pm On May 30, 2019
Amen to everyone's prayers. Have learnt so much from you all. Thank you

1 Like

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by bozz007(m): 1:44pm On May 30, 2019
finishedworks:
Long post alert
Landing story (pardon any mistakes)
I didn't start packing early as advised, I thought I was super woman multitasker hmmmm ... Let's leave that story for another day; if you know, you know. On the D day my parents and half of my clans people came to see us off to the airport, na so we carry convoy enter airport o, am sure some people thought we were VIP until they saw all the Ghana must go we were dragging around. It was really an emotional farewell especially with my mom �� she started crying o na so I join her and I think I saw my dad wiping his eyes too, as we no wan finish again, na so one of my cousins come say " this kind cry were you the cry, e be like say you go just cancel this journey remain with us abi" na so I say get behind me Satan o, I clean my eye, about turn face immigration.
We got there, on searching, this wicked evil people collected all my palm oil and still took 2500 for 3 bags containing food stuff, no wahala I leave them for my God.


Very funny. Thanks for sharing
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by GozyNA: 2:03pm On May 30, 2019
As earlier promised,

Landing Gist!!! grin

So two weeks after sending passport to Accra, I saw on my profile that counterfoil had been issued, so I went ahead to book Ethiopian Airlines because compared to other offers I was seeing, money cannot waste abeg. Departure date was Saturday the 25th of May. Spent my last two weeks in Nigeria with my parents, so they drove me to MMIA. A friend also met up with us and became our photographer. Flight was for 1:40 pm, got there at about 10:30 am. I had some foodstuff that my host in Canada requested for; dried fish, oha leaves and washed bitterleaf. For myself I had a paint bucket of Ijebu Garri, a paint bucket of brown beans, four bottles of groundnuts and a pack each of Maggi and Knorr cubes.
So the agric guys abi wetin thought they had seen market. Made me open my beans and they started checking for weevils. Wetin be their own? No be Canada suppose dey worry? Anyway from my countenance they could already tell that I was ready to dash them the beans and go so they let me to go. Dropped 1k to wrap the Ghana must go bag with food stuff. Checked in my two bags, each was less than 23kg. Took pictures with my parents and friend then had to beg them to go as there was no seat. I was able to get away without shaking body as I kept telling anyone that asked that I just gave out my last Naira.

Boarded, took off and landed at Bole in Addis, see airport na, immediately felt bad for Nigeria and our bad leadership. Boarded a smaller plane to Toronto Pearson with a one hour stop for fueling in Dublin. About the food served on board, I literally ate everything that was served. I am generally super picky with food but we are foreign now, so I decided that the earlier I start embracing these new things, the better for me. Filled the declaration card on the plane and ticked that I had foodstuff.

Arrived Pearson at past 8 am on Sunday the 26th of May, was asked by the guy who collected the declaration card if i had dairy products or meat, I said no but told him I had dried fish and processed leaves. I joined the landing queue, lots of counters were not occupied and the CBSA officers working at the time were just slow. By 9:15 am I had concluded that I would miss my 10 am connecting flight to Calgary as it was not even my turn yet and I still had to go find my luggage afterwards and then go check them in before going to board.

The CBSA officer asked me how much funds I had in cash, gave her the figure in USD and she converted to CAD, she did not even ask to see neither did she ask to see proof of the balance of my POF. At some point she stood up and I figured we were done so I asked and she said yes that we were. Rather than leave, I waited for her to get back and then I told her that she has not welcomed me to Canada. With a straight face she said she was just about to do that (story story). Well she she said the magic words and I left her counter at about 9:34 am a Canadian PR. Some guy at the door gave me a newcomers book and told me to go pick up additional materials from a female colleague down the hall. Explained to the lady that I was sure I had missed my flight and she was so apologetic and told me to go talk to Air Canada and I would be put on the next flight (I already knew this anyway).

Went downstairs to get my bags and it was just mine left there. Got to Air Canada and the first lady I met outside said it seems they have a couple of flights for later in the evening and that I would be put on one but that I need to go in to confirm from her colleague, imagine the heartbreak cry Apparently God did not want me to suffer much as the lady inside told me the flight I was meant to be on was delayed for an hour so now rather than fly by 10 am it was to fly for 11 am, imagine the joy grin I checked in my luggage and took some minutes (since I had time to burn) to walk around and enjoy the sights before I went in search of my gate.

I was not sure about getting picked up at Calgary so I had a $50 bill that I took to the BDC at Pearson to change to CAD. The lady told me I would get 52 CAD shocked I wan run mad. I just thanked her and walked away. I decided that if the guy does not pick me up, I go carry my bag for head trek go house. Anyway we talked over Wi-Fi and he told me not to even try getting a cab as he was definitely coming to get me.

Finally boarded the smaller Air Canada plane and left Toronto at a few minutes past 11 am. The captain apologized for the delay and said that when they flew in earlier they noticed the brakes were bad so they had to tow the plane away and change it. Me I just thanked Jehova for those bad brakes. I had no plans of buying anything to eat on that flight so I had the Jacob crackers, Cranberry bar, sandwich, bread roll and butter from the Ethiopian flight from Addis. Na so I chow, watch series for phone, next thing we were landing Calgary grin

All in all I think the flight with Ethiopian Airlines was good. You get value for the amount you pay. Did not bother with in-flight entertainment but i guess it was not so bad as people were chilling with it. I did not sleep all through which is typical as I never sleep en route anywhere. About the food, I do not think it is as bad as people make It out to be, I mean you are moving to Canada, it is never too early to start learning to eat different stuff from what you are used to.

Life After the Long Flights
As I landed on a weekend I could not do my SIN registration at the airport. Had to find a Service Canada office on Monday to do it. Changed some USD to CAD at the mall, rate was good. Went to RBC and Scotia bank, both of them had to schedule appointments for me to open accounts. Went with RBC because their appointment was closer. It is like I did not shine my eyes with that account I opened but there is God. Anyway, I got a C$2,000 credit card. Converted the rest of the USD I had in cash to CAD at the bank and dumped into the account. Did my Alberta health registration, card comes in two weeks With the letter attached to the health card I can then go get a provincial ID. Got a shiny new iPhone on a 2year contract with Bell. Got a shared apartment that I will be moving into on Saturday the 1st of June.

My host and his mum have been wonderful. There seems to be an unlimited supply of jollof rice in the fridge along with chicken drumsticks. The oha I brought from Naija has been converted into soup but I do not like swallow that much so yet to eat that.

For Jobs: Honestly have not started applying, just been looking at what is available. Maybe POF is deceiving me but really, I just got here on Sunday na, make I chill plus my body clock just finally adjusted. Taking Thursday to sight-see small, Friday is my birthday so chills. Saturday I move into my place and try to set up. From Sunday na application galore wink wink

Impression So Far
Calgary is a really nice place. Calgarians are nice, helpful and polite. They seem hardworking and serious with their lives. Pedestrians are king, cars stop for you here. Even when your Naija head tells you to stop for the car, they still stop and signal you to pass. I love the fact that I landed in summer so it does not get dark till about 10 pm but I hate it that as early as 5 am everywhere is bright as noon. Days are very sunny but it gets really really cold at night. Also you absolutely need a car, me i'm doing public transport till next year sha.


I will probably put up interesting pictures as they come and as I see fit. Also if there is a whatsapp group for Calgary, please I would like to be added to it.

Forgot to add earlier that I had to explain the Express Entry process in summary twice to different officials at the airport.

I pray this land favors us all. Amen!!!

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Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by XX01(f): 2:05pm On May 30, 2019
snoop4dem:
Well whether you are new or not,By law no landlord has the right to ask you for rent more than a month at a time. He can ask for those other documents you requested (Guaranto, Ref, Proof of Employment, Run a credit check, etc) and the best you should do is give him a post dated cheque for those future dates. You are not legally bound to pay him for more than a month's rent in advance documentation or not.

By law yes. They can also choose not to rent out to you and you will spend a few months more looking for accommodation while paying for Airbnb.

4 Likes

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by jjohndoe83: 2:26pm On May 30, 2019
@gozyna and finishedworks

Thank you for sharing yout landing stories. It feels good to read landing stories again on this thread. It was almost going extinct!

Calgary is a favourite destination for Nigerians. It might have been said over and over, but is there any reason for this?

7 Likes

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by mydeporch(f): 3:48pm On May 30, 2019
Congrats bro....happy for you...this time next year, would be sharing my story too because i see a trend of 1yr for d processing...God is involved and he will perfect everything a am following his leading. God help us excel in ielts....

[qquote author=GozyNA post=78860477]As earlier promised,

Landing Gist!!! grin



I will probably put up interesting pictures as they come and as I see fit. Also if there is a whatsapp group for Calgary, please I would like to be added to it.

Forgot to add earlier that I had to explain the Express Entry process in summary twice to different officials at the airport.

I pray this land favors us all. Amen!!![/quote]

1 Like

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by GozyNA: 3:55pm On May 30, 2019
jjohndoe83:
@gozy.na and finished.works

Thank you for sharing yout landing stories. It feels good to read landing stories again on this thread. It was almost going extinct!

Calgary is a favourite destination for Nigerians. It might have been said over and over, but is there any reason for this?

I personally don't have grand reasons for coming here but I have read great reviews of the city. I have a bit of a support system here and finally tax is low.

11 Likes

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by GozyNA: 3:58pm On May 30, 2019
mydeporch:
Congrats bro....happy for you...this time next year, would be sharing my story too because i see a trend of 1yr for d processing...God is involved and he will perfect everything a am following his leading. God help us excel in ielts....

[qquote author=Gozy.NA post=78860477]As earlier promised,

Landing Gist!!! grin



I will probably put up interesting pictures as they come and as I see fit. Also if there is a whatsapp group for Calgary, please I would like to be added to it.

Forgot to add earlier that I had to explain the Express Entry process in summary twice to different officials at the airport.

I pray this land favors us all. Amen!!!

It can happen much faster so I pray it all works out for you and that you have a shorter processing time than most people.

3 Likes

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by sats: 4:50pm On May 30, 2019
canadaman18:
Not sure if this has already been posted but Authorities are seriously cracking down on distracted driving. Things like eating while driving , using your phone(even for navigation) can land you a hefty fine.

Actually they have started employing this method of hiding in yellow school buses so they can easily spot unsuspecting violators (heard of someone who fell victim this week) . Apparently there is a 69% increase in tickets since they started employing this method so its very effective. The penalty in ontario is $490 and 3 demerit points so lets all be careful so POF is not spent on fines grin

They hide over there too to catch you
Interesting
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Debsify: 5:13pm On May 30, 2019
GozyNA:
As earlier promised,

Landing Gist!!! grin



I will probably put up interesting pictures as they come and as I see fit. Also if there is a whatsapp group for Calgary, please I would like to be added to it.

Forgot to add earlier that I had to explain the Express Entry process in summary twice to different officials at the airport.

I pray this land favors us all. Amen!!!
Nice gist. I wish you prosperity and progress in Canada and bless us planning and hoping to move over to Canada soon.

3 Likes

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by Mimi1999: 5:19pm On May 30, 2019
GozyNA:
As earlier promised,

Landing Gist!!! grin



I will probably put up interesting pictures as they come and as I see fit. Also if there is a whatsapp group for Calgary, please I would like to be added to it.

Forgot to add earlier that I had to explain the Express Entry process in summary twice to different officials at the airport.

I pray this land favors us all. Amen!!!

Thanks for this. You too much
Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by canadaman18: 6:13pm On May 30, 2019
sats:


They hide over there too to catch you
Interesting

Yes they've always done that. They used to use undercover cars mostly but I guess they realized that the undercover cars are not so undercover and people notice them. They are usually fancy looking Ford / Dodge blacked out so they decided to switch up their approach and its been working for them.

If you are ever driving on highway sometimes they're hiding by the side of the road or under a bridge with their speed guns on to catch people speeding. By time you see them its already too late

6 Likes

Re: Living In Canada/Life As A Canadian Immigrant Part 2 by MummyJaygirls: 6:38pm On May 30, 2019
The way Edmonton looks right now, thanks to the wild fires in Highlevel, Alberta.

Edmonton is about 7hr away from Highlevel, so imagine as the place is.

Kudos to the firefighters and others combating the fires

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