|
|
| Subject: Need some clarifications |
|
|
|
I need someone to fulfill my ignorance about two things in Canada, one of them I read here on this forum
# 1 - What is this thing about Fort McMurray that once in a while people are talking about ? I had never heard of that place until a few days ago. So is that good for immigrants or what ? Please shed light on this I am very curious.
# 2 - While waiting for PPR, we are narrowing down the place to move to and one of our top destinations would be Calgary. Yesterday a guy who lived there told me Calgary is great but it is racist ! yes again that topic but how racist is Calgary and how racist is Canada ? I cannot believe it is worse than other countries. Can anyone give me a refresher on this ? Any reference article I can read or somewhere to get info ?
Thanks for answering my questions.
Always looking forward to learn more about Canada before moving.
[02-02-2008,22:36]
[**.204.10.73]
CBV333 |
|
(in reply to: Need some clarifications)
Fort McMurray is the center of the Tar Sands. As you know the price of oil is through the ceiling and Canada has lots of it - all in and around Ft. Mc. It is cold, it is expensive but if you have the right skills - you can make a whack load of cash. There was a progam on TV the other night about residents of Newfoundland who are working in Ft. McMurray. The family stays in Atlantic Canada and hubby commutes home every 4 - 6 weeks. It´s not for everyone and you need to be pretty tough to trade the cash for the lifestyle.
Richard... is that a fair assessment?
Calgary is a rapidly growing city - partly due to the activity in Fort McMurray. It has not been an immigrants destination of choice until the past 4-5 years. Calgary is still learning what Vancouver has already figured out.
Change is difficult and there is some resistance to the idea that new arrivals from ANYWHERE are making housing less affordable, you don´t know all your neighbours any more and things just feel a little different than they used to. Is it worse than other countries - absolutely not. Is it less inclusive than Vancouver or Toronto - yes.
To be honest, I would not choose Calgary. They are bursting at the seams. Can´t build houses or schools fast enough. Can´t hire police fast enough. Young guys have more money than brains so crime, drugs and bad behavior is escalating. Is it anything like the problems in Toronto or a major US city - no but for sleepy little Calgary, it is a bit of a shock.
If you are looking to live in a place that literally contains the populations of the world, has a mix of big city, nature, culture and some maturity around living with multiple cultures - give consideration to Vancouver or the surrounding area. Housing in Vancouver proper is expensive but depending on the work you do, your job may not actually need to be in Vancouver specific.
I live in a suburb called Richmond. 25 minutes by car or transit to my office in the downtown area. My condo is about half the cost of the same footage in Vancouver. You can still rent a nice 2 bedroom apartment for about $1,200. Nice parks, all the shopping you need, community centres etc.
hope that helps.
w
[02-02-2008,23:05]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Need some clarifications)
Yes Sharon described this pretty well. I think Ft. McMurray would be daunting for the uninitiated and one would have to be prepared for the unexpected. Bill would be the expert here, as he lives there, and can correct anything I add or we say.
But it´s a harsh climate, basic life, and there aren´t shopping malls around every corner for sure. As Bill says, the jobs go begging to be filled, from the lowest level worker all the way up the senior professional. So it really depends on what´s important for the prospective newcomer there, and how tough and resilient they are.
Along with Sharon, I would also recommend Vancouver as well as Vancouver Island and the city of Victoria. This area has probably the most pleasant climate year-round in all of Canada. And the job opportunities should be decent as well.
We knew a couple owning a motel along the northern shore of Lake Superior who planned to sell and move to Calgary. But after an extensive visit there, changed their minds and stayed put.
It´s good to ask these questions and have discussion as this info. is really helpful for a lot of us still looking around this huge beautiful country.
[02-02-2008,23:25]
[**.53.224.249]
Richard |
(in reply to: Need some clarifications)
I think Sharon described well about Ft. Mucmurray. Believe me I heard of this place after I moved into the US.
About Calgary racism - May be true. I never been there so can´t tell anything solid. Alberta is generally known as a redneck province in Canada. There are several VDOs recently coming up on this like the below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plQpLPy1eao
Again, before I moved to TX once I was told also that is redneck state. I found that very onesided. In NA I first went to school in a mid west cowboy state also known as a redneck one, though I found the people there most freindly. Most of them even never heard of my ocuntry, rarely see any subcontinental, I wouldn´t forget the treatment I got from that nice guys who are known as redneck to the others.
Perception of racism is superficial & relative.
[03-02-2008,01:13]
[**.157.15.149]
Departed_Canadian |
(in reply to: Need some clarifications)
Alberta & Calgary like most of Texas was originally about raising Cattle.
Now for Sharon who compares Toronto´s crime rate to other American cities did not your darling little Richmond have a gas reader along with four others end up pushing daisy´s in your quite little village? Vancouver has few problems?
For the not so familiar everyone who does not live in Toronto attacks Toronto. Yet Toronto has culture compared to any International City other then Richmond.
If anyone listens to the Oil Industry annoucements lately all they are doing is expanding the Oil Sands project daily by billions. There is no place to live and if you liked the old western movie´s about the Yukon Gold Rush it is the place for you.
Does Richmond have the River Rock Casino though?
Morning Sharon.
Roy
www.cvimmigration.com
[03-02-2008,09:33]
[**.55.216.43]
Roy |
(in reply to: Need some clarifications)
Roy & Sharon,
I give you something to re-unite.
Is crime rate increasing in Canada?
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/297667
"Be careful, Canada´s a dangerous place - Australia, U.K., U.S. cite `risks´ of visiting Canada that include avalanche, murder and bad drivers".
[03-02-2008,10:43]
[**.146.102.130]
Departed_Canadian |
(in reply to: Need some clarifications)
Per capita murder rate rankings across the world:
USA: 24
Iceland: 42
Australia:43
Canada: 44
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_percap-crime-murders-per-capita
Even Iceland has higher murder rate than Canada.
That article, DC, made no sense to me. You always find the negative reports but rarely the positive about Canada. Here´s a quote from the article:
"Australia´s diplomatic counterparts in Britain´s Foreign and Commonwealth Office cite similar concerns about the threat of terrorism but also allude to threats from Canada´s wilderness. Rabies is present in most of Canada and can be spread by small animals such as racoons and bats," states the travel report."
Rabies??? Canada is a dangerous place because of wilderness rabies? You can see how stats can be skewed to create unfounded fear and wild accusations.
[03-02-2008,12:52]
[**.53.224.249]
Richard |
(in reply to: Need some clarifications)
Richard,
As I wrote before; I sensed a little disagreement (probably 1st time?) bwetween Roy & Sharon over the crime rate and hence gave them a chance to attack a common target to re-unite. That report doesn´t make much sense to me either. Specially USA with many times higher murder rate warning aganist Canada? Doesn´t make much sense.
Rabbies? No clue. Though I don´t see any stat here, report and stat aren´t the same. When countries like UK, Asutralia warn it needs a little attention though and more investigation.
Good allegation aganist me. In that sense same thing holds for you. You always see and report the bad sides of USA. I woudn´t comment anything there as long as they are valid. Did you ever see me starting any new thread with negative posting? As you know I have some research of my own and can scare the prospective immigrants on regular basis. You like it or not, most of the immigrants immigrate for better oppurtunities/jobs, not value. I can start threads with total 35.8% Low Income immigrants and more than double unemployment rate which won´t be very encouaring for anyone thinking about Canada. Don´t you think? I only posts in midst of discussion when I see unrealistic claims. This article I posted just for pure fun.
US murder rate is still many times higher than Canada. Though property related crime & rape rate is higher in Canada in general. Though it looks like that in the major Canadian cities crime rate is increasing that Sharon also told quoting Toronto/Calgary. I lived in Toronto for some years I know that city very well.
[03-02-2008,13:22]
[**.152.223.96]
Departed_Canadian |
(in reply to: Need some clarifications)
Racism is everywhere in Canada. It is just a bit more suttle than in the US but worst than the US.
Even on this forum there are racists.
[03-02-2008,14:39]
[**.158.149.34]
Peeping Tom |
(in reply to: Need some clarifications)
golly gee, I think Bally might me back in disguise.
Roy, I was not trying to imply that Toronto had similar crime rates to major US cities but I WAS suggesting that the crime rate is higher in Toronto than Calgary and wanted to use a Canadian example. Crime rate in Vancouver is also higher than Calgary.
Sorry to disappoint you DC, Roy and I often disagree but this is not one of those times.
[03-02-2008,15:45]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Need some clarifications)
forgot to answer your other question - yes the River Rock Casino is in Richmond - very close to the airport.
[03-02-2008,16:05]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
|
