Life in Canada ?

[dannubis]

I am seriously entertaining the possibility of emigrating to Canada. (e.g. Rio Tinto (through Iron Ore of Canada) have very interesting job openings, but there seem to be a lot of other options as well)

It is still very early in the decision process and I haven't collected a lot of background information by myself yet. I am going to schedule an appointment with the Canadian embassy/consulate in the coming weeks so I know a bit more about the practicalities of taking the big step.

However, since I value personal experiences far more than official documentation I would like to ask some questions: what would ideally be the nicest places to live with a young family? Since I am regular scuba diver, a location not too far from some open water would be great but it is not a must.

The biggest dilemma is my daughter (3,5 years old). Do any of you have experience with moving young kids away from their family ? What kind of impact did it have on them ? This is quite frankly the thing that worries me most.

[molly bloom]

If you're interested in aquatic recreation, then I thoroughly recommend British Columbia.

It has a climate similar to the U.K. (less snow), is culturally diverse, has astonishing scenery and great food.

I even know a school teacher there, in Vancouver...

http://vancouver.ca/

Vancouver Island is also a great place to visit and you can go whale watching from here:

http://www.telegraphcoveresort.com/

I did, and it's a tremendous experience.

[dannubis]

If you're interested in aquatic recreation, then I thoroughly recommend British Columbia.

It has a climate similar to the U.K. (less snow), is culturally diverse, has astonishing scenery and great food.

I even know a school teacher there, in Vancouver...

http://vancouver.ca/

Vancouver Island is also a great place to visit and you can go whale watching from here:

http://www.telegraphcoveresort.com/

I did, and it's a tremendous experience.

Yes, I spent 3 months during my PhD in Vancouver back in 2003. Unfortunately (for me then) there isn't a lot of heavy industry around limiting my job finding potential. Anyway it is high on the list.

[Krill]

Yes, I spent 3 months during my PhD in Vancouver back in 2003. Unfortunately (for me then) there isn't a lot of heavy industry around limiting my job finding potential. Anyway it is high on the list.

How good is your daughter at English? One of the things you have to be very careful about is placing her in a school environment where she has additional burdens placed on her at that age. OTOH, I suppose it is Canada, so how much do they use french in BC?

[dannubis]

We are from the Dutch speaking part of Belgium. French is the second language. English is basiclly poured in through popular culture (music + TV are not dubbed here) so both my wife and myself are fluent in English. However, right now my daughter is dutch speaking.

[Wezil]

Would you be limited by profession? You can live in Quebec if you work in oil but your commute would be a *****.

[Wezil]

I am seriously entertaining the possibility of emigrating to Canada. (e.g. Rio Tinto (through Iron Ore of Canada) have very interesting job openings, but there seem to be a lot of other options as well)

Our Canadian operations:

Rio Tinto Alcan, headquartered in Montreal, is the aluminium product group of Rio Tinto and the global leader in the aluminium industry.
Diavik Diamond Mines (DDMI) owns Rio Tinto's interest in and manages the unincorporated Diavik diamonds joint venture in the Northwest Territories.
Managed by Rio Tinto's Iron Ore Group, the Iron Ore Company of Canada joint venture is Canada's largest iron ore pellet producer.
Rio Tinto Fer et Titane operates a mine and a smelter to process ilmenite, a titanium and iron bearing ore, in Quebec.

IOC is the largest manufacturer of iron ore pellets in Canada and its customer base covers North American, European and Asian steel producers. The Company operates a mine, concentrator and a pelletizing plant in Labrador City, Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as port facilities located in Sept-Iles (Quebec). It also operates a 418 kilometer railroad that links the mine to the port. IOC has about 1700 employees and its major shareholder and operator is the international mining group Rio Tinto which has activities in more than 40 countries throughout the world.

IOC’s major shareholder and operator is Rio Tinto, the world’s third largest mining company.

Sounds like Quebec.

[Dinner]

We are from the Dutch speaking part of Belgium. French is the second language. English is basiclly poured in through popular culture (music + TV are not dubbed here) so both my wife and myself are fluent in English. However, right now my daughter is dutch speaking.

Three year olds can pick up language very easily. In fact, if you move here she'll probably learn English in less than a year and forget she ever knew Dutch unless you and your wife keep speaking it to her in your home.

[onodera]

You should move to Australia instead. It has a well-developed mining industry, warm weather and superb diving opportunities.

[Dauphin]

You should move to Australia instead. It has a well-developed mining industry, warm weather and superb diving opportunities.

I agree.

And this speaking as a person who is more likely to move to Canada than to Australia should I feel the need to leave the UK.

[dannubis]

Our Canadian operations:

Rio Tinto Alcan, headquartered in Montreal, is the aluminium product group of Rio Tinto and the global leader in the aluminium industry.
Diavik Diamond Mines (DDMI) owns Rio Tinto's interest in and manages the unincorporated Diavik diamonds joint venture in the Northwest Territories.
Managed by Rio Tinto's Iron Ore Group, the Iron Ore Company of Canada joint venture is Canada's largest iron ore pellet producer.
Rio Tinto Fer et Titane operates a mine and a smelter to process ilmenite, a titanium and iron bearing ore, in Quebec.

IOC is the largest manufacturer of iron ore pellets in Canada and its customer base covers North American, European and Asian steel producers. The Company operates a mine, concentrator and a pelletizing plant in Labrador City, Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as port facilities located in Sept-Iles (Quebec). It also operates a 418 kilometer railroad that links the mine to the port. IOC has about 1700 employees and its major shareholder and operator is the international mining group Rio Tinto which has activities in more than 40 countries throughout the world.

IOC’s major shareholder and operator is Rio Tinto, the world’s third largest mining company.

Sounds like Quebec.

Yes, the Rio Tinto opportunities are. I still need to do a full sweep to see what my other options are if I don't want to go to Québec. (Still open)

[dannubis]

You should move to Australia instead. It has a well-developed mining industry, warm weather and superb diving opportunities.

I am a Nordic type so warm weather is not my preferred environment. Strange, I know but it is what it is.

I also am a sucker for family and going home from Canada is still cheaper than flying all the way from Australia. It would make the difference between 2 times a year and once every 2 years. So I guess that is my limitation for the moment.

[dannubis]

Three year olds can pick up language very easily. In fact, if you move here she'll probably learn English in less than a year and forget she ever knew Dutch unless you and your wife keep speaking it to her in your home.

That would certainly be the plan.

[Elok]

Also, Australia has entirely too many poisonous animals.

[Traianvs]

Ah, leaving the sinking ship are we?