Living and working in Canada

LinkedIn: Nadean Ollech

Welcome to Canada

Croatian Canadian Cultural Centre

What can I expect when I arrive in

Canada?

First impressions: Language: English unless in Quebec (French). Weather: depends on the time of year but plan to be cold Culture: multicultural. People will look, act and be different, that is ok Work life balance: Monday to Friday is work days (unless shift work or site rotations) Saturday and

Sunday fun/family days Everything is structured People are friendly and helpful ˝I believe that if you are prepared to work hard, give up few years off your life for hard work you can achieve anything that you want in this country. The younger you are the easier it is to adapt.˝

˝I have to say that it is easier for woman than man to adapt here. I have lots of friends that the husbands couldn't take it and returned back home.˝

Language: English and French and Slang

- Play it by ear- Doesn’t ring any bells- Loonie- Toonie- Washrooms- Queue

Politeness / Crime

Toronto, Vancouver, Quebec…Where to go?.....Alberta or Saskatchewan.

How and where to find Accommodations

• Apartment - $800 - ????• Look online

• Rental sites• Kijiji – for the young• Craigslist – no good

• Don’t go without pictures on the website

• Ask at the cultural center• If in the summer check university dorms• Hostels, hotels• In Canada – can’t afford place so rent out room, basement, etc…• Vancouver/Toronto/Quebec (outside city),

• Alberta/Saskatchewan (in city)

Working conditions, Jobs

Employment Standards - http://www.workingincanada.gc.ca/home-eng.do – Canada government website

8 hours a day. More = over time Breaks/lunch/vacations/sick days

Minimum wage = $9.95 – 11/hour Temp agencies – Randstad, Blue Collar Temps, Finney Taylor Consulting Group Ltd

Non professional jobs / professional jobs Contract / Employee

Laws to protect you SIN

Work BC, Alberta Works, Ontario works… Networking

Health care (Insurance) Cost: $0 - ???Percentage of income

How much am I going to be paid Pay will range per job you do: Minimum wage = $9.95 – 11/hour

and how much will I need to spend?

• Rent = $800 ^ - Rental insurance = $100• Utilities = $200 • Health care = $0 ^ ……. $66• Phone = $50 ^• Food and personal items = $500• Car = $350 ^ - Car insurance = $300 /// Bus pass = $100• Entertainment = $100• Total ~= $ 1900 - 2450 ^• Pack of cigarettes = $13 – 20• Medications = ????• Savings

Authentically Canadian

• Canadian bacon = Ham• Northern lights• Toque• Curling• Canada day = July 1• EH?• Hockey• Maple leaf• Natives Americans• Whistler

Decisions

Questions

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