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Proof of Relatives in Canada

WHO ARE THE ACCEPTABLE RELATIVES?
Proof of relationship showing u, or your accompanying spouse/common-law partner has a close relative who lives in Canada and is a Canadian Citizen or PR. This close relative can be:
• parent, grandparent,
• child, grandchild,
• brother, sister,
• aunt, uncle, or
• niece, nephew.

PROOF OF “RELATIONSHIP” IN CANADA:
But, now u must show the ‘proof of relative’ if u want to survive on this stage. This ‘Proof’ is required in Three (3) Steps. Here’s how u go about it:

1. BASIC EVIDENCE OF RELATIONSHIP:
Proof of relationship to your close relative in Canada can be evident by docs, such as (A)birth, (B)marriage or (C)adoption certificates. For eg, to prove that your relative in Canada is your paternal aunt, it would be necessary to submit copies of birth certificates for her and for your father showing they have at least one common parent.

2. WHAT DOCUMENTS NEEDED AS PROOF?
• If s/he is a PR: provide a copy of Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or CPR [COPR] or PR Card.
• If s/he is a Citizen: provide Citizenship proof, such as a copy of Canadian passport or Citizenship card.

3. HOW TO PROVE RELATIVE IS ‘CURRENTLY INSIDE’ CANADA?
Provide evidence to show that your relative is currently residing inside Canada. This may include copies of:
• Lease agreements [Rental Contracts],
• A current Notice of Assessment from Revenue Canada,
• An Employer’s Letter confirming employment,
• Monthly Utility Bills [Telephone, Mobile, Cable, Gas etc.].

Note: The evidence should show the relative’s “name” and “full address” in Canada.

Source: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides…

I hope that helps.
Qorax

Ps: U can show the High School Certificate in lieu of Birth Certificate [usually the 10th Grade Certificate].

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For who had Just Landed – What to do next?

Here is your list:

Find a place to live (Housing): I hope you have at least a temporary a place to stay by now.

2. Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
3. Apply for a Health Card (OHIP)
4. Apply for the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) if you have kids
5. Open a Bank Account: I recommend RBC Royal Bank as it is the biggest bank in Canada. I will elaborate more about Financial issues in later post.
6. Apply for a Driver’s Licence
7. Job Search: Get information about finding a job by finding an Employment Resource Centre (ERC) close to your home, where you can learn about your rights as an employee and lots of useful information about how to “job search”.
8. Find a Settlement Agency close to your home
9. Find a Community Health Centre close to your home
10. Find a Public Library close to your home
11. Find out how to register your children in school
12. Get maps of streets and bus routes
13. Find English Classes for you and your family
14. Find out where to shop: Food, Clothes, etc …

You have a lot to do, be prepared … you need to work hard Smiley Good luck.

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Canada Public Holidays in 2010

New Year’s Day January 1
Bank Holiday (Quebec only) January 2
Family Day (Alberta Only) Third Monday in February
Good Friday Friday before Easter
Easter Monday Monday following Easter
Victoria Day (Patriots Day in QC) Monday before May 24
St Jean-Baptiste Day (Québec Only) June 24
Canada Day July 1
Nunavut Day (Nunavut only July 9
Civic Holiday (Except Quebec and Yukon) First Monday in August
Discovery Day (Yukon Only) Third Monday in August
Labour Day First Monday in September
Thanksgiving Day Second Monday in October
Remembrance Day (Except Quebec) November 11
Christmas Day December 25
Boxing Day December 26
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Canadian Health Care System (Just a brief overview of things to expect at our new Homeland)

This is another excellent post from fellow member Qorax from Canadavisa.

Is our Health Care Free in Canada?
In a non-technical sense [generally speaking], yes -it is “Free”. However, technically it is indirectly charged to us vide the various forms of taxes that we pay against almost everything in Canada. But, overall it is fairly a good system, well managed and an envious one to many nations.

How the Health Care is Delivered?
Though governed under the ‘Canada Health Act’ & Publicly Funded, the healthcare is not Federal but a provincial matter. Canada’s health care system is actually an interlocking set of 10 provincial and 3 territorial health insurance plans. Known to Canadians as “medicare,” the system provides access to universal, comprehensive coverage for medically necessary hospital and physician services. These services are administered and delivered by the provincial & territorial governments, and are provided free of charge. The provincial and territorial governments fund health care services with assistance from the federal government. *More details given at the end.

What Medical Benefits we get for Free?
The medical benefits, called by any name [eg. the Medical Services Plan (MSP)-in BC] provides the following benefits:
• Medically required services provided by a physician;
• Maternity care provided by a physician or a midwife;
• Medically required eye examinations provided by an ophthalmologist or optometrist;
• Diagnostic services, including x-rays and laboratory services, when ordered by a registered physician or surgeon;
• Dental and oral surgery, when medically required to be performed in hospital;
• Orthodontic services related to severe congenital facial abnormalities;
• Complete Emergency Treatment.

Which Services are Not Covered?
The Medicare does not cover for the following:
• Over-the-Counter Drugs/Medicines;
• Prescription drugs (eg. PharmaCare http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/index.html);
• Services that are deemed not medically required, such as Cosmetic Surgery;
• Dental services, except as outlined under benefits;
• Routine eye examinations for persons 19 to 64 years of age;
• Eyeglasses, hearing aids, and other equipment or appliances;
• Massage therapy, naturopathy, physical therapy etc.;
• Preventive services and screening tests (eg. routine annual physical exams);
• Services of counsellors or psychologists;
• Medical examinations, certificates or tests required for:
–◦ Driving a motor vehicle
–◦ Employment
–◦ Life Insurance
–◦ School or University
–◦ Recreational and Sporting activities
–◦ Immigration purposes

How to Access the Medicare?
The health care is provided in 2 stages [generally speaking -though other complex issues are involved]. First, we head to the Family Physician, Then we may be referred for a Hospital care.

What Happens First (Primary Health Care Services)?
When Canadians need health care, they generally contact a primary health care professional, who could be a family doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, physiotherapist, pharmacist, etc. Services provided at the first point of contact form the foundation of the health care system.

Primary health care services often include prevention and treatment of common diseases and injuries; basic emergency services; referrals to and coordination with other levels of care, such as hospital and specialist care; health promotion; primary maternity care etc.

What Happens Next (Secondary Services)?
A patient may be referred for specialized care at a hospital or at a long-term care facility. The majority of Canadian hospitals are operated by community boards of trustees, voluntary organizations or municipalities. Hospitals are paid through annual budgets negotiated with the provincial and territorial ministries of health.

*FUNDING FOR THE MEDICARE:
Each province administers a health care insurance plan for residents. These plans provide coverage from Primary medical care to Hospitalization to Emergency Response; and is available to all Canadian residents (including Permanent Residents).
· The method of paying for health care costs vary by province. In some areas, you are required to pay a monthly premium for coverage (i.e. Alberta). In other provinces, the cost is incorporated into the provincial tax system.
· Additional medical insurance for services not covered by provincial health care is also available through programs such as Blue Cross. These supplemental extended plans only cover over and above the basic coverage the provincial plans provide. (See http://www.bluecross.ca)

SOURCE & FURTHER READING:
1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_Canada
2) http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php
3) http://users.eastlink.ca/~dhh/index_files/page0004.html
4) http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/benefits.html

Hope that helped.
Qorax

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All You Need to Know About Landing…

This is another excellent post from fellow member Qorax from Canadavisa.

Hi friends,

As these queries keep coming repeatedly in this forum (& I get many PMs as well), I thought to summarize all into one thread. This post shall quench most of our doubts. I hope it helps…

REFERENCE THREADS:
Can we Land in Any City:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t35499.0.html
Which City to Land for Jobs:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t31291.0.html
Landing Forms:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t30178.0.html
Job’s In Perspective:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t31106.0.html

WHEN SHOULD WE ‘LAND’:
After getting the PR visa, we are supposed to complete our ‘record of landing’, on or before the Visa Expiry Date [mentioned on the visa]. The visa Expiry Date is related to EITHER*:
a) 1yr. from the meds, or
b) Passport expiry date of the PA or anyone of his/her accompanying Dependents
*Whichever of the above 2 is earlier.

WHO SHOULD LAND FIRST:
It is the obligation of the PA to ‘land’ first. Which can be ‘alongwith’ one or more or all the accompanying family members. Let it be clear that the PA’s dependents CANNOT land first.

PROCEDURE AT THE POE:
Irrespective of which city we chose to land, the ‘landing’ per se, is a simple process. Before debarking the a/craft we’ll be provided with a ‘Disembarkation Card/Form’. We take that form & first go to the ‘Passport Control’.

At the Passport Control:
Here we need to inform the IO that we have come to do our ‘landing’. The IO will check our Disembarkation Card and our passport/s & visa. S/he will then direct us to “Newly Landed Immigrants’ Counter”.

At the Immigration Counter:
The IO here will scrutinize our Passport/s & COPRs. He would [sometimes may not] ask to see our POF. Most of the times the officer will not count the ‘actual’ money & accept what we say. But, no false pretensions there. S/he will then fill some portions of the COPR & ask us to sign it, wherein it’ll be attached on our passport. We’ll be asked to fill-in the ‘PR Card Application Form’ & give an address where our PR cards will be forwarded within 3-6 weeks. Thereby, s/he would ‘Welcome us to Canada’ and direct us to another office.

At the Services Canada Office:
The Services Canada section is for assisting the Newcomers’ settlement moves. Here we’ll get lots of books/pamphlets, that’ll provide all the crucial info on Canada and our Settlement plan here. From here will be directed to the CBSA counter.

At the CBSA [Customs] Office:
This is an important location. We are required to present (1) List of Items Accompanying; (2) List of Goods to Follow; (3) Currency Declaration [We’d have to ‘declare’ any amount of $10K or more]. Lists-1 & 2 must be brought in 2 copies, one would be retained by CBSA and the 2nd copy will be returned back to us. We’ll need the 2nd copy when our shipments come-in.

Note: [1] If we are not bringing-in any goods later, we don’t need the ‘goods to follow list’. [2] At a random the CBSA might ‘actually’ check the POF here. Thus, no complacency is acceptable. [3] If there are ‘jewelry’ involved, do not forget to bring ‘Printed Photographs’ of the same (details later).

BTW: All the officers are extremely friendly, very understanding, cheerful and helpful. We’ll encounter ‘Welcome to Canada’ many a times. If all the docs are pre-printed & available with us; and there is not much of a queue, we will be out of the a/port in 40mins-1hr. flat. Which includes the walk-distance, baggage collection etc.

FORMS REQUIRED FOR THE ‘LANDING’:
Even if you stay ONLY for a day at Canada, you will need the following:

1. Passport with stamped Visa. -off course
2. COPR (IMM 5292B)
3. POF. [for cases “without” AEO & family class] (details below)
4. Passport size photos. -2 or 3 for PRC (may not be needed, but good to have)
5. PR Card Application (IMM 5444E). -carry it filled pre-printed, for ease
6. Goods to Follow List (Form B4 / B4A). -carry it filled pre-printed, for ease
7. Goods Accompanying List. -as above, a table of things u r carrying on person (value & Totaled)
Forms required later
8. SIN Card Apps Form (NAS 2120). -Not Needed at the A/port [later at Services Canada]
9. Kids Immunization Record. -Not Needed at the A/port [later for School Admission]
10. If you are Driving your Car. -read below

NOTE: The more you are organized before hand, the better 1st impression you deliver and the IO/CBSA officer shall be happier. (BTW: smooth & fast processing). U’ll be out faster. Go to your accom & relax for the day, you had a long journey, haven’t you?

SHORT STAY ACCOMMODATION:
For sure you must arrange a ‘short-stay’ accommodation prior to your landing. The necessity of which cannot be overemphasized more. If you have friends/relatives, they can be approached for the same, if you do not have anyone, the following is recommended:

Toronto:
1) http://www.safehomestay.com/
2) http://www.staystudio6.com/
*Both provide a/port pick-up services. The places are used by many satisfactorily.

Calgary:
Not much such places are available. However, this ad by a service-provider caught my eye…
“Furnished rooms with high speed internet are available for newcomers & immigrants. Close to all aminities. Pick up & drop off services also available. Call Girish # 403-255-8582 [or email: taradale @ live.ca] for more info”.
Source: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/shared-accomodation-in-calgary-ne-t31430.0.html

Vancouver:
a) http://www.budgetpathotel.bc.ca/
b) http://www.ywcahotel.com/

Some other important sites on Vancouver are:
1) http://www.welcomebc.ca
2) http://www.rentbc.com

NOTE: Except for ppl with enough $$$ to spend, avoid Hotels & Motels. They are far costlier. Also, if you must take a hotel, avoid the ones close to the A/port -for obvious reasons.

HOUSE RENTAL:
The best way to do house hunting [long-term accom.] is to land at Canada & then start searching. Word of mouth & Bulletin Boards are a great ‘real-time’ source. However, we cannot condone the importance of the web. Some of the good sites [there are many] could be:
a) http://www.hometrader.ca (Good site)
b) http://www.capreit.com (Property Management Services)
c) http://www.kjiji.ca/ (Good Classifieds site)
d) http://www.mls.ca (Mother of all)

MONEY: PROOF OF LANDING FUNDS:
What Proofs Are Acceptable?
If you are carrying more than C$10,000, tell a Canadian official when you arrive in Canada. If you do not tell an official, you may be fined or put in prison. These funds could be in the form of:
• Cash
• Securities in bearer form (for eg, stocks, bonds, debentures, treasury bills) or
• Negotiable instruments in bearer form (for eg, B/drafts, Cheques, TCs or MOs).
Source: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/funds.asp

How Much Funds Can I Carry?
There is no Max limit… we can take Millions, if we can prove its legitimate source & declare anything at/or more than $10,000 [that’s the CBSA regulation]. There is a Minimum limit though… we must carry at least or more than what CIC requirement states, vis-a-vis for the no. of pax in the family [accompanying].

Tax & Duties Component:
The funds we bring inside Canada are Non-Taxable. It is only the ‘interest’ earned on that which is taxed. The moment our funds start accruing interest [while lying in a Canadian Bank a/c] the bank will start deducting tax ‘on source’. The same applies for any ‘investment’ in Canada that we make with these funds.

BANKING:
Though most international banks operate in Canada, the 3 main Canadian Banks are presumably the best, in terms of their presence, availability & location of ATM machines, branches etc.:
1) Scotiabank,
2) TD Bank, &
3) CIBC

Besides, you can also pre-open a Canadian Bank a/c from your home country [not all, Dubai, India etc.] thru Scotiabank, SBI & *ICICI Bank. I have posted details about it earlier here:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t34013.0.html

*ICICI Bank offers one of the cheapest a/c charges. But unfortunately, both ICICI & SBI have very limited presence in Canada.

AIRLINE RECOMMENDATIONS:
Usually BA & KLM change places frequently for their “lowest fares” to Canada. More often it’d be BA [especially from the UK, Dubai, Europe & the Gulf sector]. U can also ask your travel agent to select between multiple carriers to provide multiple-halt choices. But, from the UK actually that might not be required. Check BA today, it’ll do the trick… Dubai-Heathrow-Toronto : AED 3,860/pp return.

However, personal choise prevails. Sometimes other carriers place envious promotions too. Emirates has recently commenced the A380 [Dreamliner] service. And their all flights are ‘long-haul’ -Non Stop.

NOTE: If our $$$ are a consideration, avoid ‘non-stop’ flights. They obviously are costlier. A single-stop flight is highly recommended. Also, we might avoid travel agents as well, the ‘online’ reservation of all the prominent carriers are absolutelt good. I did mine thru BA & it was fantastic. Paid, printed and became an ‘Executive Club’ -all thru the net. The e-ticket shall be delivered, on-the-spot, in your email in-box.

PR CARDS (PRC):
Your PR Card application (IMM 5444E) shall be done at the POE itself. It is part of the PR package [free] and the photos & details will be the same as you supplied for the PPR. Our PR Card/s come back to us via regular post mail, in 3-6 weeks, avg. 4 weeks. It is ‘advisable’ to stay in Canada for at least 45 days, collect our PRC and then return back [if you must].

If you leave the country before it arrives, u’ll have to make arrangements for its collection & forward delivery to you, overseas, thru a friend/relative [Not a Recommended Action], however, done all the time by ppl. But there is a danger of losing it in transit. And if that happens, we’ll have a tedious process to get new ones made.

How To Enter Canada W/Out A PR Card:
As per IATA & CBSA regulations, we cannot enter Canada w/out a PRC. However, if we are entering thru a Border Post by road, it doesn’t matter -our COPR is enough for entry/exit. But, if we are travelling by an airline & boarding/entering thru an a/port we will Not be Permitted. At the embarkation port itself we will be Stopped by the airline staff.

The process in such cases is to apply for a ‘PRTD-A31 (3)’ [Temporary ‘PR Travel Document’] at the local CHC [abroad]. It costs Ca$50. Details of it is provided at the ‘Manual for Permanent Resident Card’ (ENF 27).

Procedure Of PR Card Application:

Click to access 5445E.PDF

NOTE: The PRC is probably the ‘most important’ document after we are thru with our PR application process. This is valid for 5 yrs. First time: Free; Renewals cost $50/card.

SIN CARDS:
After ‘landing’ we’ll have to visit the nearest Services Canada Office for the SIN Card. We get the SIN No. immediately as a ‘print-out’ -signed & stamped upon applying, the same day, the same time. That’d suffice for all our further actions in Canada, viz Job Search, Bank a/c, House Hunting etc. The card shall come to us in approx 3 weeks. For its collection -ditto applies as above, for the PR Cards.

NOTE: Remember, we don’t need the SIN Card for anything. Only the SIN No. Which we’ll get the same time as we apply for it. It’d be wise to visit Services Canada Office the very next day upon arrival.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Both PR Card & SIN Cards are Federal documents. Meaning? One card for the entire nation -Canada.

HEALTH CARDS:
Health is a provincial matter. It is NOT FEDERAL. Thus, if you change provinces, u’ll have to AGAIN get that province’s Health Card. And again the waiting period* shall apply. Off course, a previous province’s health card remains valid for few days/months in another province, but not all benifits could be availed.

*The Waiting Period:
As I know, Alberta [eg. Calgary, Edmonton etc] & Manitoba [eg. Winnipeg] are the Only provinces where there is NO WAITING period for the Health Insurance. Rest in all provinces there is some waiting time to get the Health Benifits. In Ontario [eg. Toronto, Ottawa etc.] it is 3 months.

Eg.: If Calgary Is My Destination Should I Get The H/Card In Toronto?
If Calgary is your Final Destination, but you are ‘initially’ landing in Toronto for a few days stay [Permitted action], I suggest you should first land in Calgary [get the health card] and then visit Toronto. Why? Mainly ‘coz, you can get the Calgary health card immediately, but in Toronto you’ll not. That Calgary health card will be valid in Toronto for a few days. Not the vice-versa. Secondly, if you land first in Toronto, you’ll be staying w/out any health coverage.

Temp. Health Coverage:
It’s wise to obtain a ‘temporary’ health coverage before you fly. Off course not required if you are going to Alberta or Manitoba. That temp. coverage shall come in the way of “Travel Insurance”, which you can obtain from ANY insurance company in your homeland. The costs depands on the length of coverage. Usually we should take it for 3-4 months, as that is the waiting time in all provinces.

NOTE: It’ll be a good idea to obtain the Travel Insurance from home country. For 2 reasons: [1] You are covered from day-1 even before landing. [2] In Canada it will be costlier & you’ll be covered only from the day you apply. What if you get to do it later, as you’ll be busy in the initial days? What if something goes wrong in between?

DRIVING LICENSE:
There is a way to obtain at least the Ontario G2 Driving Lincense immediately, if not the G1. For that some pre-arranged actions are needed, before you fly. I’ve written in detail on it. Check out this link:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/issue-with-ontario-drivers-licence-strike-t30236.0.html

HOW TO BRING CARS INTO CANADA:
Firstly, it is Not wise to bring-in Cars from any other country into Canada. Why? Cars are quite compititively priced in Canada. It’s only its maintenance & the cost of Gas that’ll kill you. Secondly, Canadian models are made specifically to withstand the ‘extreme’ cold conditions there. Our imported cars might not [less the ones from Europian or similar countries].

Thirdly, there are laws for Tire, Radiator etc. modifications, before we can register it in Canada. Why would we like to take that trouble? Fourthly, the transportation costs? It might just not be worth to bring-in cars from far-flung countries.

Import Cars From The Us:
Yes, be free to bring your car/s from the US by all means. But ‘remember’, we need to first ‘export’ the car from the US and again ‘import’ it into Canada, after we get-in. Documentations… documentations… However, quite a good detail about it is provided in this website:
http://www.auto-broker-magic.com/Canada_Import.html

ITEMS TO CARRY FROM HOMELAND:
Very debatable… I would say, do your maths first. Is the extra baggage costs worth the effort? Most items are readily available in Canada, also at very reasonable price.

Ditto for Indian Food & Spices [Rice, Dal, Pickles, Papad (?) etc.] And ditto for Italian [Pasta, Lasagna etc.], Japanese [Sushi, Tapanyaki, Teriyaki etc.], Tex-Mex, you name it.

Besides, many items are also not permitted entry. And there is otherwise a quality restriction as well. Check the CBSA website for those. Moreover, hiring a container full of goods? I’d say No… No. It may not be worthwhile at all.

What To Take? [Purely My Advise]:
1. Personal effects [for imdt use, large quantities… No]
2. General clothing [some warm ones also]
3. Laptop [no desk top, printer etc.]
4. Digicam / Camcorder
5. Heirlooms [heritage collections, murals, artifacts etc.] -Check CBSA rules.
6. Original Certificates / Documents
7. Prescription Medicines
8. Books & DVDs
9. Mobile Phone* [non CDMA] -a NA charger will be needed
*Only GSM850-1900MHz models [that’s the Canadian frequency -not all countries have that]

What “Not” To Take? [Purely My Advise]
1. Furniture [whatever, small or big]
2. TV [even if it’s an LCD], Fridge, Washing machine etc.
3. Curtains, Bedspreads, Pillows & linens
4. Cars, Bikes etc.
5. Large-sized Toys of kids
6. Food [Perishable or Non-perishable] items
7. Over-the-Counter Medicines
8. Meat or Meat products [including Fowl, Fish etc.]

NOTE: Asian make electronic/electrical items won’t work in Canada. [read 230 vs 110 Volts]

GOODS LISTS [FORM B4 / B4A]:
All goods that we carry, either ‘on person’ or ‘following’ needs to be ‘listed’ in form B4 / B4A, separately. These forms are available in the CBSA website, link given below:

Click to access b4-eng.pdf

It is the same form for ‘Goods Accompanying’ & ‘Goods to follow’. We should club similar items in groups [eg. DVDs: Qty-98, Books: Qty-42 etc.].

The entire list should be priced against each group & totalled in the end. We should carry ‘original’ invoices for high-end items [Diamonds -MUST]. Others can be broadly/generally priced, but appropriate.

Jewelry items MUST be listed [each item wise]; and should carry their “photographs”. We should print-out the pics under similar groups [eg. Rings -all in one or more pages, Necklaces -in another page etc.]

We’ll need 2 copies of each form, as one would be kept by the CBSA & one would be returned to us, for ‘customs’ clearance. This 2nd copy will be signed & stamped by the CBSA at the POE.

NOTE: All goods brought for ‘landing’ are non-taxed. If we were to bring-in goods ‘later’, either by personal carriage or thru a transporter, this list MUST be stamped on the 1st Landing. Else, they will be ‘dutiable’. No compromise on that is possible. That’s the law.

ABOUT KID’s SCHOOLING:
Canada has 2 types of schools -the ‘Public Schools’ & the ‘Catholic Schools’. There are some ‘ethnic’ schools as well, but not for regular education. Most of our kids [say 70%] go to the Public Schools -this education is FREE. The Catholic Schools are Fee-Paid [payable by us].

Usually, our kids will be accepted imdtly into the *neighborhood school, whether we arrive mid-term or during a new session. Their can be an ‘entry test’, but that’s not for rejection -but for assessment of the extra care that the school need to provide to a kid.

Even if our kids are not very good in either of the 2 Canadian official languages -English &/or French, by law a school is required to provide admission to our kids.

*Each neighborhood will have their own Public School/s; and our kids are required to ONLY be admitted there. We have no choice on that. The only way out [if we think that a particular school is better] is to move our residence to that area [neighborhood]. We have to provide our ‘residency contract’ for this purpose.

School Websites:
Each province [& some cities] has its own ‘school District Board’. All information can be viewed in those websites.
1) An example is the ‘Toronto Dist. School Board’, check this link:
http://www.tdsb.on.ca/
2) For a ‘ranking’ overview of Canadian schools, you may like to check the following link:
http://www.fraserinstitute.org/reportcards/schoolperformance/

NOTE: Do not be hooked by the thought that the Catholic Schools are better than the Public Schools. Both are equally compititive in Edu-care. In fact some of the Public Schools are ‘excellent’ & remember, 70% Canadian kids study in them.

***
I hope I’ve addressed most issues, if not all… to ease the process of our landing. If I missed out anything or if something is wrongly put, plz notify. Also other members who have more info to add may kindly post theirs under this thread, for the benefit of everyone.

All the best, buddies !
QORAX

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What to Buy When

Don’t you just love it when you see that $10 Christmas wrap you bought in December is selling for $1.50 in January? And doesn’t it give you a warm, fuzzy feeling when a friend tells you she bought the exact same sweater/refrigerator/car as you at a much lower price than you paid? Probably not. So why does this keep happening? It isn’t that the universe is against you, necessarily, it may just be that you’re shopping for the right thing at the wrong time.

Like fashion, sports, and the weather, shopping is also affected by the seasons. So, to assist you in becoming the best shopper that you can be, we at RedFlagDeals.com have compiled this handy shopping calendar to help you maximize your annual savings. Of course, there will always be those impromptu sales and amazing deals you can’t plan for, but this guide, along with some planning, may help you save enough throughout the year to hit those surprise sales guilt free!

What To Buy In The Spring:
Fall and winter outerwear. Typically, March is the hot month to shop for cold-weather wear. Retailers need to clear out this seasonal merchandise in order to make room for spring and summer fashions, and that translates to big savings for you.
Used cars. Industry experts believe April is the best time to purchase a used vehicle. This is the month when dealerships start stocking up for the warm weather and more stock means better selection and more room for negotiation.
Laptop computers. While the back-to-school shopping season seems to get all the credit for good deals on computers, it turns out the prices for laptops are actually better in April. This could be attributed to manufacturers clearing out their older models to make room for the newer versions coming out this time of year.
Cookware and small kitchen appliances. Spring is graduation and wedding season, and those graduates and newlyweds need toasters and sauté pans. Luckily, you don’t have to tie the knot or get a degree to take advantage of the sales on kitchen items that coincide with this gift-buying season.
Travel. With the exception of Spring Break, this time of year is a shoulder season in the travel industry. That means you’ll find great off-season rates on everything from airfare to hotel rooms to vacation-home rentals.
Flowers. When spring has officially sprung you’ll see lower prices on fresh in-season flowers. Just avoid paying through the nose around Mother’s Day.
Mattresses. Remember it this way – May is for mattresses. You’ll save the most on last year’s mattress models as the new ones hit the stores this month.
Tools. What do dads want for Father’s Day? Tools, of course! Wait until just after Father’s Day and take advantage of sales on the tools that didn’t get snapped up for gifts.
Vacuum cleaners. You may not have it circled on your calendar, but June is the month vacuum cleaner manufacturers roll out their new models – and put the older models on sale.
What To Buy In The Summer:
Gym memberships. The rush of New Year’s-resolution-inspired sales has long passed and many people are getting their fitness fixes out in the sunny weather. This means gyms are more likely to sweeten the deal in order to sign you up.
Home décor. July is a good month to spruce up your home. Retailers often feature sales on home goods to coincide with the spike in wedding-gift shopping that occurs in July.
Furniture. Furniture manufacturers usually release their new stock in February and August, making the end of summer one of the prime times to score deals on outgoing furniture models.
Patio furniture/outdoor toys/camping gear/lawn mowers. The end of August is a great time for bargains on seasonal items. Retailers tend to hold clearance sales on everything from patio lanterns to swing sets to camp stoves in order to make room for fall merchandise.
Warm-weather clothing. It seems like tank tops and flip-flops start to get replaced with sweaters and boots earlier and earlier each year as retailers rush to cash in on the next season’s fashions. By mid to late summer you’ll save a bundle on summer clothing and still have plenty of time to wear it.
Fresh produce. Why overpay in the colder months when you can stock up on cheap, seasonal fruits and then freeze or preserve them now? Let the other suckers pay $6 for a fruit smoothie in November.
Computers. The back-to-school shopping season at the end of summer is a great time to pick up a new computer for less. While the retailers try to capitalize on all those students you can capitalize on all the great sales being offered.