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| Subject: My Impression about ON Job market |
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I decided to join a company in Toronto with a very good offer and now here for a week to have a brief orientation before final moving.
What I understood about the current job market here isn´t that great either. Lay of fobia is in full effect here too, but not certainly in that extent like the US is suffering. Bad news for the IT folks too, some major IT employers are down sizing.
I´m very fortunate at this time being involved in Govt. funded projects with no near possibility of funding shortage. Our industry in ON is in super boom and desperately seeking for qualified people. BUT for those relying on pvt. fundings must be very careful, and worse of all, we are not at the bottom yet.
[18-03-2009,14:08]
[***.13.12.94]
DC |
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work/salary (in reply to: My Impression about ON Job market)
hi all,can anyone tell me how is the construction industry in canada right now.bricklayer 23 years exp,looking to go.what wage rates apply?best location etc,etc,all help most appreciated
[18-03-2009,17:13]
[***.2.167.113]
Darren |
(in reply to: My Impression about ON Job market)
DC, I thought USA was the place to be for jobs, so am quite surprised at your return. I´m also guessing health coverage (or lack of affordable) was a factor.
What I´m trying to say is that the States can be very enticing and exciting to immigrants in the beginning, since it seems everyone´s wealthy and money´s all over the place. But over the long haul, the boom and bust nature of the economic system without any social safety systems can cause havoc. We now see job losses in every profession and people losing their homes. I think I´ll take the Canadian steady ship approach of controlled economic growth coupled with backup social programs and community involvement in people´s welfare.
In any event, I think a name change from DC to RC is now in order. Welcome back.
[19-03-2009,12:10]
[**.53.226.146]
Richard |
(in reply to: My Impression about ON Job market)
How does the new name sound Richard?
Though I returned, but still I´m in the same ideology. I had to be DC driven by poor job situation onces, now I´m RC due to the same...poor job situation in the US. Just the names replaced each other. By the way, I got job offers in the US too, but in other states and not the quality of jobs to my satisfaction which the Toronto folks are providing. So if I have to leave my home then why would I go for the jobs that I wouldn´t enjoy and eventually put negatives in my resume?
Ofcourse universal health is an extra plus for us now, it was not deciding in anyways. Though not comparable, I would trade of bet´n living standard of Toronto for in lieu of free health. We hate to stay in the high rise.
I agree that US may be a heaven, as long as you can continue your job. Given an unemployed scenario like now (with no certainity), Canada or any social welfare country is definitely a far better choice as at least you´ll get free healthcare. If you have experience then Canadian job market isn´t US roller coaster model.
I earlier witnessed recesssion in the early 2000, and knew 2 years back that it is coming, but never could imagine the extent in my darkest nightmare.
[19-03-2009,14:08]
[***.13.12.94]
DC_RC |
(in reply to: My Impression about ON Job market)
I wouldn´t put too much stock in the "social safety systems" that Canada provides, Richard. The poverty that surrounds us is unbelievable and the medical care is downright frightening. It may be "free" but it comes at a very serious cost. Sorry to be a downer, but we´re getting pretty disillusioned pretty quickly.
Off topic, that was quite a hockey game last night. Seems the CBJ may be joining your Blackhawks in the playoffs! We´re going home in April for a visit and will get to catch the last game of the regular season--we´re so excited! :)
[19-03-2009,17:30]
[**.252.115.196]
wannabecanadian |
(in reply to: My Impression about ON Job market)
I can´t believe your CBJ´s pulled it off last night in overtime. Well, as long as we´re still ahead of Columbus and followed closely by the Canucks (nudge to Sharon), then I´m feeling ok.
Yes, wannabe, we are a bit open eyed about the social systems up there. Maybe too much so. Is the health care system really that bad there?
We ran into some down and out areas in and around Sault, but it was still relatively livable (even though I´m down here now). I´m wondering how different your area is. Half of downtown Sault was boarded up (stores and houses), so a walk to town in the evening meant a walk to see an eeriely dark ghost town.
It´s interesting (and maybe telling) that you mentioned going "home" when returning to see CBJ play. Are you guys thinking about returning?
DC, I think you´re making a good move regarding choosing the best job. Could you clarify a couple things you said regarding high standard of living vs. universal health care. Are you saying you´d prefer one over the other? I´d think they´d go hand-in-hand. Also regarding high rises - not wanting to live there? Toronto has a good variety of detached and semi-detached housing, but maybe you don´t want to make a real estate commitment yet given job uncertainty.
[19-03-2009,19:47]
[**.53.226.146]
Richard |
(in reply to: My Impression about ON Job market)
Yeah, I have no need for CBJ to surpass the "Blackhogs" (as my 6 year old mistakenly calls them :)), but to keep at around 6th place would be amazing. What an unbelievable year so far--and we´re not there to witness it. :(
To answer your first question: I guess I hear so many horror stories about botched surgeries and denied services that it makes me very nervous. I´m not comfortable with the idea of being flown--at anyone´s expense--half way across the country for basic needs like an MRI, or for having to beg for things that back home are commonplace (mostly preventative, but also intuitive needs and things like stitches which here are commonly refused). Having had a couple of odd ball health issues, I´m extremely concerned that no one here would know what to do with them should I have any concerns arise. The wait times are atrocious and cost lives, and no one seems to know how to fix it.
SJ is very down and out, but we live outside town in a relatively affluent community completely removed from the ugliness and industry of the "city". SJ itself is totally unlivable--water that no dog would touch and buildings that are literally falling down on themselves, not to mention the pollution spewing from the refinery and the paper mill. It´s a wreck. But, the community where we are is quite nice, small and completely without what we consider basic services, but tidy and friendly enough and generally okay. We never go to SJ except for work; there is literally no reason to ever go.
As to the second question: yes. Absolutely.
I am also very interested to hear about DC/RC´s new adventure. I hope very much that it works out for him this time. Toronto´s real estate is crazy expensive, so unless you can enter the game with a huge down payment, it´s a pretty tough reach for most people. It was definitely a consideration for us when deciding where to locate.
Technically I agree with you about the high standard of living/universal health care issue, but I know that our area is far from isolated in lacking good care. It´s a huge problem all over the country, outside a few good pockets which also happen to be expensive and enormous cities (ie: Vancouver). Having our names on a wait list AT LEAST 3 YEARS long for a family doctor is not my idea of comforting.
I´m afraid that all this is coming off as more negative than I mean for it to, but I figure I should be honest about our impressions. Would our experience be different if we lived in Toronto? Absolutely. Would it be totally different? No. We´d probably just drive across the border more than we do now.
What are your plans, Richard? Are you required to make the move this year, or do you have a bit more time? Always enjoy hearing from you.
[19-03-2009,20:26]
[**.252.115.196]
wannabecanadian |
(in reply to: My Impression about ON Job market)
RC RETURNED CANADIAN LOL LOL LOL LOL WHAT IS IN A NAME?
Regardless welcome back DC.
Want a good Family Doctor DC? Eglington and Avenue Rd. area.
Roy
www.cvimmigration.com
[20-03-2009,08:50]
[**.55.216.118]
Roy |
(in reply to: My Impression about ON Job market)
Roy,
I posted couple of weeks ago first about my recent and new realization about the Canadian job market. I was dead aganist Canada mostly due to this fact before, but now after gaining some good experience in the US it is clear to me that literally good jobs are running after me in Canada now, this is one of the greatest surprise I ever had in my life.
Richard/Wannabe,
My impression about the Canadian healthcare is very much similar to Wannabe. That´s why I´m not too excited about it. Both of us are in very good shape, don´t need any frequent or extra attention, so in general we are not that worried about it at this age, regardless in the US or in Canada. To me it is more like a less pay cut from salary, however in exchange of higher tax cut. Physicial shortage is very serious here now. When I was here before I had few occassions of visiting family physician, and his rule was very clear, you only can consult one problem at a time. Another problem want to discuss? See you next time if it is not life or death issue. Now it looks even worse. I´ve a friend who is also his patient. He can´t drop me today at the airport because he got his long waited appoinment after a long wait and can´t afford to miss it anyway. Remember, this is not for specialist, story of GP. Wannabe is absolutely correct about the ubelievable poverty around. What shocks me most is many of the poor guys here are highly qualified educated professionals, they are never given any chance to prove just because they have foreign credentials. I may be one of them if I wouldn´t get US experience.
You point is very valid. Usually healthcare is a big part of living standard. True. But for the guys in good shape like us it may not be that important. Especially again living in a high rise again from 2 storied banglo apartments of Florida will be simply horrible, not to mention higher rent even for the high rise here. home rent is too much, especially when you have to add the utilities in the winter. Though my payment is good, but still far from byuing and maintaining own home in Toronto area. I also don´t have intention to settle here too, if in Canada then we would prefer BC for sure in the future.
Anybody has any experience of importing dog from the US?
[20-03-2009,11:53]
[***.13.12.94]
DC_RC |
(in reply to: My Impression about ON Job market)
don´t be to cocky about your health my friend-it can change in an instant.
At 33 years old, the husband of my niece contracted TB while travelling overseas. This guy was a teacher, tennis instructor, healthy, handsome, smart, fit... He had a massive stroke and spent almost 3 years in hospital and rehab. He now requires 24 hour care at home.
He had the same thoughts as you do - I am healthy, I don´t need to worry about medical stuff.
Because he lived in Canada, his medical bills were zero. Last tally he was pushing a million bucks in care expenses.
[20-03-2009,14:13]
[***.20.116.15]
Sharon |
(in reply to: My Impression about ON Job market)
I agree.
You never can tell for sure about your health no matter how good it is now.
Still, unless you are fallen in that condition you don´t feel that as a serious issue to decide US/Canada like job.
Of course it is an added plus for us, no health deduction..and no co-payment or uninsured bill after 3 months.
[20-03-2009,14:58]
[***.13.12.94]
DC_RC |
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