Living in Canada - Any ideas?

[jensequitur]

Well, the weather here in Texas is just dreadful.  We have all these fires, which isn't doing anything for the air quality.  The heat is intolerable.  And there's no water - we barely have enough to keep the power plants running.

Texas is a joke when it comes to health insurance - if you don't have a job with benefits, forget it.  Disability and Medicaid/Medicare is the absolute worst in the country.  So if I had to go on disability, I'd be really SOL.  I'd rather not move to another country to get the care I need, and I don't want to move to another country just so I can go on disability!  I'd rather move to another country and work for a living.

I've been thinking about Canada more and more.  The weather is cold in the winter, but summertime is great, and with the climate change, it'll probably become more livable, not less.  

My main concerns are a) I have a mortgage and b) I would have to look for a job in Canada, which requires all sorts of things, which I'm confused about.  Work permit vs. just moving to Canada?  Emigrating to Canada?  I just don't know enough.

So here's a question for you Canadians, what do you know about the process?  Is it difficult?  Are there resources (aside from WorkinginCanada.org) that will help you headhunt for a job?

[doublevision1]

As my status said, this morning the windshield was frosty, and it was minus 2 degrees celsius, which I think is about 26 degrees F?  

Yes with the exception of a few very hot weeks in the summer, it ranges from pleasantly cool to unfathomably, bitterly cold (minus 40 celsius or so).  Being so far north we tend to get extreme temps on both ends of the scale.  We do get snow, though not a lot.  Mostly in winter it is bittely cold but the sky is blue and cloudless and the sun is shining, though the days are really short in winter, and can get depressing.  We make up for it in summer when it stays light all night.  Land of the midnight sun.  

Jen, I don't blame you for being interested in moving here, it is a wonderful, diverse, beautiful country.  Though I am puzzled when I hear people say they are 'proud' of being Canadian (or American or whatever for that matter).  The country in which we're born is an accident of birth, not an achievement.  I don't say I'm proud to be Canadian, but I do say I feel extremely lucky to be Canadian.  :)

[Lulu54]

Wow, DV you sure did out do yourself with the resources and ideas.  Maybe I'll join jensequitur in the move north.  Not sure what unique skill I might have.  

J - it would be great to get you out of TX..  Good luck with figuring this out.

[jensequitur]

Thanks so much!  I'll check it out and see what I can find.

[doublevision1]

An expat site with links to resources on Amazon. com about relocating to Canada:

http://www.liveabroad.com/articles/canada.html

[doublevision1]

Jen, there is a "Come to Canada" online quiz on the website of Canadian Citizenship and Immigration (fed govt dept).  Answer the quesions and you will get a response of whether you are eligible to apply to immigrate under a federal program.  Certain criteria must be met which includes meeting certain work experience requirements, being a professional or skilled tradesperson or possibly an entrepreneur, having a certain amount of net worth.  

Some who are ineligible to apply under federal programs may be eligible under provincial programs and the above website provides links to those sites, however much of the same criteria applies.  

Generally unless you have professional or certified skilled trade credentials in occupational fields in which there are labour shortages, and and employer has already offered you a job after being unable to fill it with a Canadian worker, or are granted refugee status, or marry a Canadian citizen, it is very difficult to emigrate or even to obtain a work visa.  

There is excellent support for MS patients in all provinces and territories via drug programs for the DMDs, plus the guaranteed medical care that all Canadians enjoy.  However you need permanent residence status to be eligible for a provicinial health card.  In some cases those with a work visa may also be eligible.

In addition to the CIC, you could try googling forums for US expats living and working in Canada; someone who has been through the process might be able to offer you some useful advice.  

[jensequitur]

Thanks, cutie!  I don't necessarily want to leave the US, but I'm not sure I have a choice!