muchmor

Canada your journey starts here Spring 2010 issue

10 fabulous hikes in BC.

Greater Sudbury - an urban jewel for you
to discover.
Moving to Canada? Plan ahead for home
ownership.

New Car Review :

Cadillac CTS Wagon
Plus.....
•Real life story - Turkey to Canada Make your home clean and
•Your first days in Canada. green.
•Newcomers guide to obtaining a High blood pressure on the
Canadian driving licence. rise.
•Latest immigration news?
•Average earning across Canada.

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 Contents 3

Muchmor Media
17 Woody Woodward Lane
Contents Canada
Corbyville RR1 !
Ontario Greater Sudbury, Ontario! ! ! ! ! 4
K0K 1V0
Canada
Top Canadian! ! ! ! ! ! ! 9
Ten fabulous hikes in British Columbia! ! ! 10
Tel: 1 613 396 5531
Fax: 1 613 396 3463
Motoring
www.muchmormagazine.com
Test Drive - Cadillac CTS Wagon! ! ! ! 14
Advertising:
info@muchmormagazine.com Motoring News ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 17

Editorial:
editor@muchmormagazine.com Money
Newcomers: Plan ahead for home ownership! ! 18
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Muchmor Media relies on Immigration news! ! ! ! ! ! 33
information supplied by external
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supplied on the basis that it Employment
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accuracy or completeness and
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loss or damage sustained by
readers arising from or in
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Health & Wellness
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Health news ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 41
4 Canada

Greater
Sudbury

an urban jewel
for you to
discover

The City of Greater Sudbury is an urban jewel nestled
amidst the natural beauty of lakes and forests in the heart
of Northeastern Ontario. Within 330 freshwater lakes,
Sudbury’s 157,000 plus residents enjoy a unique mix of
urban amenities with a thriving landscape. Sudbury offers
friendly neighbourhoods, quality healthcare, an
abundance of recreational activities, a rich colourful
heritage, several business sectors, and excellent
educational opportunities.
Sudbury’s early roots can be traced back to 1883 and
the development of the transnational railway. Its vast
mineral resources have resulted in unparalleled growth.
Today, Greater Sudbury is a diversified regional centre for
mining, technology, education, government and health
services with great connections to neighbouring
communities and beyond. The city is located 390
kilometres north of Toronto and 483 km west of Ottawa,
where the Trans Canada Highway 17 and Highway 69
converge.
The Greater Sudbury area enjoys four seasons -
Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Because of the
seasonal weather conditions, Sudburians are able to
enjoy a vast array of festivals, events and recreational
activities that can change as the seasons do. Enjoy the
outdoors in the winter on the Ramsey Lake Skate Path or
one of several downhill ski facilities. Or take in one of the
numerous summer festivals and artistic events including
Northern Lights Festival Boréal, Italian Festival and
Sudbury Theatre Centre. Greater Sudbury is a city for the
curious, creative and adventuresome. Whatever your
lifestyle, Greater Sudbury has something for you!
Canada 5
Education
Take one look at Greater Sudbury’s educational system
and you’ll see that Greater Sudbury has invested heavily
in its future by developing outstanding schools from
Kindergarten through 12 and beyond. As the regional
centre for learning and applied research in Northeastern
Ontario, Greater Sudbury is home to four school boards,
private schools and several postsecondary institutions
such as Laurentian University, Cambrian College, and
College Boreal, one of only two francophone colleges in
Ontario. Greater Sudbury educational opportunities offer
comprehensive and challenging curriculums.
In 2005, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine
opened in Greater Sudbury and became the first new
medical school in Canada in more than 30 years.
Real Estate and Housing
Greater Sudbury offers a wide variety of affordable real
estate options whether you are looking for a new personal
or business address available in urban, rural and
suburban settings. Imagine having the opportunity for
work-life balance, with a 10-minute commute to work and
only a short drive to your weekend escape.
Take a drive through our city and you will get a glimpse
of friendly neighbourhoods, thriving business sectors and
a vibrant downtown filled with shops, boutiques,
restaurants and entertainment.
6 Canada
In comparison to other large communities, Greater
Sudbury has the lowest average housing prices. The
average sale price for a single family home in 2008 was
$211,614.
Employment
Greater Sudbury has a highly skilled, educated,
innovative and enthusiastic workforce. Once reliant on
the cycles that came with mining, Greater Sudbury has
grown considerably into a diverse and dynamic centre for
technology, education, mining, government, and health
services.
A comparison to Ontario data based on the 2001
Census reveals that Greater Sudbury’s labour force profile
Bell Museum
has diversified significantly over the last three decades.
Service activities, from retail to producer services, now
employ 80% of Greater Sudbury's labour force, compared
to 20% in the goods-producing sector. Health care,
educational services and public administration all play an
important role, reflecting Greater Sudbury's position as a
regional service centre for Northeastern Ontario, as well
as the continued development of the health care and
education infrastructure.
Health Care
Greater Sudbury has become a regional resource and
referral centre for residents in Northeastern Ontario.
Greater Sudbury provides quality health care to patients
throughout the region.
The Hôpital régional de Sudbury Regional Hospital
(HRSRH) provides hospital-based acute, transitional,
rehabilitation and continuing care. The HRSRH is nearing
completion of a major expansion to consolidate all
hospital based services currently being offered across
three sites. The expansion will allow for additional acute
inpatient and intensive care beds, mental health, birthing
facilities, emergency department, operating rooms and
other diagnostic and support departments.
The Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre
(NEORCC) is one of eight regional cancer centres in
Ontario that form Cancer Care Ontario (CCO). In addition
to full chemotherapy and radiation therapy programs, staff
offer support services to cancer patients and their
 Canada 7

families. This includes nutritionists, social workers, clinical Key Websites

psychologists, physiotherapists and a dental oncology
team.
To find out more about the City of Greater Sudbury visit
the following websites and find out what makes Sudbury
Culture and Diversity so great!
!
A bilingual community with a rich francophone heritage, www.mysudbury.ca
Greater Sudbury is a multicultural mosaic with a platform www.mysudbury.ca/immigration
for welcoming and embracing diversity that Sudburians www.greatersudbury.ca
are proud to share with the world. Greater Sudbury’s www.mysudbury.ca/Tourism
commitment to cultural diversity is evident in all areas of www.laurentian.ca
the city, from restaurants, schools, places of worship, www.cambrianc.on.ca
festivals and events. www.borealc.on.ca
The city’s diversity is most evident with the Bridge of www.nosm.ca
Nations and its many flags. The flags on the Bridge of www.hrsrh.on.ca
Nations were originally raised during a Canada Day www.ontarioimmigration.ca
celebration on July 1, 2007, to honour Greater Sudbury's
multinational and multicultural heritage. The addition of 11
flags raised on June 30, 2009 brings the total number of
countries and nations represented to 83.

Climate

The average January temperature is -13°C. Snow can fall

anytime between October and May with an average
annual snowfall of 274 cm.
In July the average temperature is 19°C, with most of
the annual rain (656 mm) falling between the months of
May and September.
8 Canada

www.cedarlanefinancial.com
 Canada 9

Top Canadian…
TV shows so far in 2010
1. NFL Super Bowl - 6.01 6. American Idol (Jan 12) - 3.16
2. WJC Playoffs Canada - 5.26 7. American Idol (Jan 19) - 3.04
3. NFL Super Bowl Pre - 3.88 8. WJC Playoffs Post - 3.02
4. NFL Super Bowl Post - 3.62 9. Golden Globe Awards - 2.89
5. American Idol (Jan 20) - 3.19 10. American Idol (Feb 2) - 2.89

CD’s
1. Hope for Haiti Now - Various 5. The Fame - Lady GaGa
Artists 6. Animal - Ke$ha
2. Need You Now - Lady 7. This Is It - Michael Jackson
Antebellum 8. For Your Entertainment - Adam
3. I Dreamed a Dream - Susan Lambert
Boyle 9. Crazy Love - Michael Buble
4. 2010 Grammy Nominees - 10. E.N.D. - Black Eyed Peas
Various Artists

DVD & Blu-ray’s

1. The Time Traveler's Wife (PG) 6. Love Happens (PG)
2. Couples Retreat (PG) 7. Gamer (18A)
3. Zombieland (18A) 8. The Invention of Lying (PG)
4. The Hurt Locker (14A) 9. Amelia (PG)
5. Surrogates (14A) 10. The Stepfather (14A)

Fiction paperbacks
1. The Girl With The Dragon 5. The Catcher in the Rye, J.D.
Tattoo, Stieg Larsson Salinger
2. Guernsey Literary and Potato 6. The Scarecrow, Connelly/Giles
Peel Pie Society, Shaffer & 7. The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold
Burrows 8. Through Black Spruce, Joseph
3. The Shack, William P Young Boyden
4. The Book Of Negroes, 9. Wolf Hall, Hilary Mantel
Lawrence Hill 10. Good to a Fault, Marina Edicott

Fiction hardbacks
1. The Bishop’s Man, Linden
Macintyre
2. The Golden Mean, Annabel
Lyon
3. The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown
4. Extreme Vinyl Cafe, Stuart
Mclean
5. The Girl Who Played With Fire,
Stieg Larsson
6. An Echo in the Bones, Diana
Gabaldon
7. Too Much Happiness, Alice
Munro
8. TheYear of the Flood, Magaret
Atwood
9. Juliet Naked, Nick Hornby
10. Under the Dome, Stephen King
10 Canada
Get outside: 10 fabulous hikes
in British Columbia
By Malcolm Johnson
When composing his essay on walking, Henry David
Thoreau had this to say: “Give me the ocean, the desert
or the wilderness!” Considering those words, it’s not hard
to think that the famed author would have loved the
westernmost of Canada’s provinces. He would have
found all that he sought, and all of it on a scale that he
could never have imagined.
From the Pacific Ocean in the west to the Rocky
Mountains in the east, British Columbia is a place of
endless diversity: lush rainforests and dry canyons, barren
alpines and gentle farmlands, soaring ranges and sea-
swept beaches. There's no better way to see it all than by
setting out on foot, and experienced hikers know that
autumn is the best time for day hikes: crisp and clear, the
high country is still free from the deep snows of winter.
So strap on your boots, grab your camera, and get out
there—but always remember that it’s important to be fully
equipped and prepared. Here follows a sampling of
fabulous hikes in British Columbia, where you’ll find
plenty of views to inspire the soul.
Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
The Grouse Grind
Length: 2.9 km (1.8 mi)
Vertical: 853 m (2,799 ft)
Estimated time to complete: 1.5 hours
A winding trail that scrambles up Grouse Mountain’s
southern slope in North Vancouver, the Grind has become
British Columbia's best-known hike. It’s certainly well
named—with an average grade of 30 degrees, it’s a
steep, thigh-burning trail boasting an elevation gain of
853 m (2,799 ft) as it climbs through the forest from the
Valley Station to the peak plateau. (In all, there are 2,830
steps built into the trail.) The Grind was completed in the
 Canada 11

early 1980s, and it’s a must for locals and travellers alike. The Helliwell Bluffs
And though you probably won’t match the trail record of
24 minutes—for the average adult, it’s about an hour and
a half—a trip up the Grind will give you a first-hand view
of Vancouver’s unique urban and outdoor cultures. The
best way down? Hop aboard the scenic Grouse Mountain
Skyride, where a $5 one-way ride offers stunning views of
the city. www.grousemountain.com

The Trails of Garibaldi

Length: varies, depending on the trail or trails chosen

Vertical: challenging; between 600 m (1,969 ft) to over 900
m (2,953 ft)
Estimated time to complete: depending on trail, can range
from two to three hours (one way)

As you drive north from Vancouver, you pass into Sea to

Sky country. Just outside the town of Squamish, Garibaldi
Provincial Park holds some of the province's most
dramatic scenery; there are dozens of great trails in the
Garibaldi area, but serious hikers will want to head for the
Taylor Meadows and Garibaldi Lakes campgrounds.
Departing from there, you’ll be able to access Black Tusk,
the jagged remnants of an ancient volcano (note: taking
on the Tusk can add, at minimum, four hours to your trek).
There are also high trails like Panorama Ridge, where
glaciers and striated ranges lead off to the far horizon.
Garibaldi may prove a challenging place to hike—but it is
one rife with rewards. www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/
explore/parkpgs/garibaldi
Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands
Schooner Cove
Length: 1 km (0.6 mi) (one way)
Vertical: features long flights of stairs and some hills
Estimated time to complete: 45 minutes (round trip)
An easy boardwalk that winds through thick rainforest to
the beaches of the Pacific, the Schooner Cove trail is one
of the many treasures of Pacific Rim National Park
Reserve on Vancouver Island’s wild west coast. After a
one-km (0.6 mi) walk, the trail emerges to the north of
Esowista, one of the traditional homes of the Tla-o-qui-
aht First Nation. When the surf’s up, you’ll see huge
waves rolling in from the west, each one trailing a mane of
white in the wind. (Access to Schooner Cove may be non-
existent during high tides.) There’s great tide-pool
exploring at low tide, and a walk along the beach to the
north takes you into a beautifully secluded cove. It’s the
west coast at its picturesque best. www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/
bc/pacificrim/index_E.asp
Carmanah Walbran – Grunt’s Grove and Three Sisters
trails
way)
Vertical: easy to moderate hike
Estimated time to complete: 40 to 75 minutes (one-way)
There are certain places where the natural scale of things
is beyond compare. Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park,
an area of untouched old-growth forest on southwestern
Vancouver Island, is one such place. The park’s trails lead
through lush stands of ancient cedar and Sitka spruce,
with huge and magisterial trees reaching hundreds of
metres in height. Walking the trails of Carmanah will give
you a glimpse of the coast as it once was: a wondrously
rich ecosystem that still exists as an intact and living
thing. The park can be accessed from Port Alberni, Port
Renfrew or Lake Cowichan, and a trip here should include
a stroll through the Randy Stoltmann Commemorative
Grove, a stand of giant spruces dedicated to an iconic
outdoorsman and conservationist. www.env.gov.bc.ca/
bcparks/explore/parkpgs/carmanah
The Helliwell Bluffs
Length: 5 km (3.1 mi)
Vertical: an easy walk
Estimated time to complete: one hour to walk the trail;
two to three hours to take in the scenery

Length: 3.9 km (2.4 mi) (one way) and 2.5 km (1.6 mi) (one
12 Canada

The Kettle Valley Rail Trail

Built in the early 1900s, the Kettle Valley Railway in British
Columbia’s lush Thompson Okanagan was the long and
winding link that connected the southern interior to the
coast. A century later, it’s been converted into one of the
province’s loveliest hiking and cycling trails. Part of the
Spirit of 2010 Trail network, the Kettle Valley Rail Trail runs
from Grand Forks to the Coquihalla Highway. The section
of trail that passes through Myra Canyon, with its deep
gorges and high trestle bridges, is an essential trip. With
views of Okanagan Lake and some of the area’s
renowned orchards and wineries, the stretch of trail that
leads into Naramata is wonderful as well. In short, the
Kettle Valley Rail Trail is a can't-miss experience for
foodies and fresh-air fiends alike.
www.spiritof2010trail.ca/RailTrail.aspx?id=kettle

Kootenay Rockies
The Gulf Islands lie to the west of British Columbia’s The Iceline Trail
mainland, and their bohemian cultures are as rich as the
waters that surround them. Helliwell Provincial Park on Length: via Little Yoho Valley, 21 km (13 mi); via Celeste
Hornby Island is one of the hidden gems of the coast, Lake Trail, 18 km (11.2 mi)
with a pastoral five-km (3.1-mi) trail that winds through Vertical: 695 m (2,280 ft)
grassy fields and stands of Douglas fir and Garry oak
forest. Just to the west is Tribune Bay, which harbours
one of the province’s best beaches. As an added bonus, a
stroll along the high sea bluffs of Helliwell will showcase The Iceline Trail
fabulous views of the Coast Mountains and the Strait of
Georgia. www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/
helliwell

Thompson Okanagan
The Divide Lake North Trail

Length: 8 km (5 mi) (each way)

Vertical: an easy walk
Estimated time to complete: 3.5 hours

Renowned for its vineyards and farmlands, the Okanagan

is also home to a multitude of opportunities for
backcountry hiking. Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park
showcases an extensive network of wilderness trails that
provide access to the dry forests, canyons and
grasslands that lie between Penticton and Kelowna. One
of the park’s frequented hikes is the Divide Lake North
trail, a serious 16-km (10-mi) round trip featuring views of
Okanagan Lake and the Monashee Mountains. It’s also a
unique chance to see forests that are coming back to life
after fires swept through the area in 2003.
www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/okana_mt

The Kettle Valley Rail Trail

Length: 455 km (283 mi)

Vertical: about 1,300 m (4,265 ft)
Estimated time to complete: varies on choice of trail and
mode of transport; you can hike and bike along this trail
 Canada 13

Estimated time to complete: four to six hours, depending The Crater Lake Trail
on route

The Rocky Mountains are justly famous as one of the

world’s most scenic mountain ranges. But despite all the
fame, there are still countless places where you can find
the solitude that greeted the area’s first explorers. Yoho
National Park near the town of Golden in the Kootenay
Rockies has hundreds of kilometres of hiking trails that
lead into postcard-pretty landscapes. The Iceline Trail
easily proves one of the park’s classics. Challenging as it
may be for some, the trail offers close-up glacier views,
crossings of streams and moraines, and unforgettable
vistas of Daly Glacier. As part of the Waputik Icefield, the
Daly Glacier feeds Canada's second-highest free-falling
waterfall, Takakkaw Falls, with its cascade totalling an
impressive 380 m (1,247 ft). For those looking for
something a bit gentler, there's a picturesque loop around Hudson Bay Mountain ski area, the trail ambles upward
the bright turquoise waters of Emerald Lake, with the first through open meadows to the small lake that gives the
1.6 km (one mi) being wheelchair-accessible. hike its name. The views here are the real draw, with
www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/yoho/index_E.asp gracious vistas over the Bulkley Valley and its surrounding
peaks. Remember that this is high country, and cold
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast temperatures can be a factor at any time of year.
The Painted Chasm www.tourismsmithers.com

Length: 2 km (1.2 mi) (one-way) Courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission

Vertical: varies; an easy to moderate hike
Estimated time to complete: two to four hours

The Cariboo is a wild and expansive area of central

British Columbia—a place of big views, big horizons and
even bigger skies. Among its many geologic marvels is
the Painted Chasm, a dramatic gorge where glacial
waters cut a jagged path through ancient lava flows at the
closing of the last ice age. Eight km (five mi) in length and
up to 300 m (984 ft) in depth, the Chasm is one of the
Cariboo’s most remarkable natural attractions. A number
of informal trails in Chasm Provincial Park, 20 km (12.4 mi)
north of Clinton, offer great vantage points of the brilliantly
coloured canyon walls and their surrounding forests of
ponderosa pine. www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/
parkpgs/chasm/
Northern British Columbia
The Crater Lake Trail
Length: 2 km (1.2 mi) (one-way); varies on route chosen
Vertical: 250 m (820 ft) gain; steep incline at beginning,
levels out to an easy hike
Estimated time to complete: four hours
The town of Smithers is home to a dedicated outdoor
community—which isn’t surprising, considering the
access it offers to some of Northern British Columbia’s
best mountain terrain. The Crater Lake trail is a well-
known hike that serves as an inspired introduction to the
area’s alpine environment. Leaving from the base of
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14 Motoring

Test Drive
Cadillac
CTS Wagon

Story and photos by

Mark Atkinson

Amazed by the sheer number of versions a manufacturer
can create out of one car? Sedan, wagon, coupe,
convertible are all on tap in some model lines. And it would
seem that being able to cover every niche leads to
improved overall sales and profitability – if done properly,
like Mercedes-Benz.
Cadillac is responding to the challenge by introducing
more variants to its competitive mid-sized CTS luxury sport
sedan. While the sexy coupe won’t be ready until 2011, it’s
the five-door wagon version that has caught our eye. The
idea of having a Caddy that hauls without adding height as
well has lots of appeal.
From the outside, the Wagon shares most of its body
with the sedan, but once you go aft of the C-pillars, it’s all
new. There are shades of Dodge Magnum in how the door
frames are incorporated into the aggressive design, and the
CTS’ tailgate hinges farther forward compared to a
traditional wagon. But credit Cadillac’s stylists for
successfully incorporating the large vertical taillights
without evoking a decade’s worth of Volvos. Those taillights
use the company’s ‘light-pipe’ LED technology, which
means they’re bright, sharp and easy to see. The Wagon is
wonderful to drive behind because the wide rear fenders,
dual exhaust and wide wheels add up to a seriously
attractive package.
The cargo area is perhaps more shallow than those
aforementioned Volvo wagons, but with the rear seats
folded flat, the CTS Wagon can hold 736 L of stuff, and can
be optioned with a cargo cover and heavy-duty net to keep
Rover in place. By comparison, the new SRX sport-ute only
holds 839 L, so you’re not sacrificing too much to stay
closer to the ground. Otherwise, there are good cargo rails
and tie-downs aplenty to secure anything in the back. Also,
every Wagon comes with a power-operated tailgate that the
driver can choose to open either fully or only partway.
Motoring 15
The rest of the cabin shows off the excellent work
Cadillac has done with the CTS, and even after a couple
years on the market, the design is still fresh. The
contrasting detail stitching on the dash and doors looks
great, as does the two-tone leather interior. Our test car
also had the Preferred Equipment Group ($8,720) which
added wood trim on the instrument panel, centre console,
door trim, steering wheel and shift knob, and a plethora of
interior accent lighting. It also adds heated and ventilated
front seats, a power tilt/telescope steering column, rear
parking assist, the EZ Key entry with remote start, and
keyless ignition. The audio system also upgrades to a Bose
5.1 surround-sound unit with 10 speakers, a 40GB hard
drive, USB port, steering-wheel mounted audio controls,
with a rear-view camera and a HDD-based nav system.
Mechanically, the Wagon shares the same Global rear-
wheel drive platform as the sedan. Power in the base
models come with a new 270-hp 3.0-litre V6, but our tester
featured the excellent 3.6-litre direct-injection V6 that
produces 304 hp at 6,400 rpm, and 273 lb-ft of torque at
5,200 rpm. All Wagon models use the familiar six-speed
automatic transmission, which is a shame because the
manual version in the sedan makes for an entertaining
proposition. Also, the CTS can be had with all-wheel drive,
which adds security and solidity in nasty weather, but also
adds another 90 kg to the already plump curb weight.
While upgrading to the bigger V6 adds ‘sport
suspension’, the CTS Wagon doesn’t feel terribly sporty. It
moves with confidence thanks to the extra power, has
responsive brakes that can be modulated easily, but there’s
no sharp turn-in, and it doesn’t feel anywhere near as well
tuned as the typical German competition. However, there is
an optional Sport Package ($940) that adds FE3
performance-tuned handling, automatic rear-level control
suspension, more aggressive brakes, 19-in wheels and
tires, and steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters. Judging
16 Motoring

from how that transforms the sedan, it would be a worthy option for the
wagon.
The only real complaints come from tall people who will surely smack their
noggins on the door frames when entering the rear seats, and the optional
double-paned moonroof that severely cuts into front headroom.
Pricing starts at $44,325 for the base model, while the 3.6L is a reasonable
jump to $50,775. Our price as tested ran $60,870 (including premium paint for
$1,295), while adding all-wheel drive would bring a loaded Sport Wagon to
$65,225. While not inexpensive, to even get into a BMW 5 Series Touring runs
$71,000 for a similarly specced 300-hp 535i xDrive model, and an Audi A6
Avant 3.0 TFSI Quattro is $66,700 before exploring the extensive options list.
Mercedes-Benz doesn’t have an E-Class Wagon ready for North America yet,
while Volvo’s V70 is too soft to play in this league.
However, the CTS’s greatest competition will likely come from its own SRX
crossover, which can be loaded up to perform similarly but without the station-
wagon stigma.
For those who are looking for a dramatically styled wagon with a
performance bent, the CTS should be included for consideration, while the
upcoming CTS-V SportWagon version should mimic the M, RS and AMG
haulers we don’t get. Compliments to Cadillac for having the intestinal
fortitude to build it, despite the current bleak conditions.

Mark Atkinson has nearly 10 years experience as an automobile journalist

working for publications like Inside Track Motorsport News, Carguide, World of
Wheels, Canadian Auto World, the Hamilton Spectator Wheels section, Metro
Carguide, Suburban Life and West of the City. Besides writing for Muchmor
Magazine, Mark also has his own blog, www.drivingguy.com, and appears in a
number of other print and online publications.

Motoring news
Ontario car dealers forced to display “real”
vehicle pricing
At the beginning of January this year a new Motor
Vehicles Dealers Act (MVDA) was announced by the
Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC). The
MVDA gives clear guidelines regarding the pricing used by
dealers when advertising vehicles and will affect over
8,300 registered dealers.
In the past the vehicle sticker price could be advertised
without included fees, freight, admin costs etc. This meant
that the actual end price could be significantly more and
was confusing and misleading customers.
“People should know what they’re buying and dealers
should know what they’re selling. That’s why the key
theme of the new MVDA is disclosure,” says Carl
Compton, executive director of OMVIC.
The new MVDA stipulates that the price advertised
must be the all-in pricing.
“The new MVDA makes it easier for consumers to shop
and compare,” says Compton. “Specifically, advertising
must be clear, comprehensible and prominent. All-in
pricing is a great example. All-in pricing means all
advertisements must include every fee a consumer could
expect to pay, including freight and administration fees –
there can be no hidden or extra fees. Advertisements
must also state a vehicle’s model and whether or not it
was previously used as a police or service vehicle. And, if
there are a limited number of vehicles available at a
certain price, the advertisement must say how many
vehicles are left.”
The MVDA also adds more consumer protection
allowing rescinding of contracts and increased financial
remedies. It also requires dealers to collect and disclose
more than 20 facts about the vehicle’s history.
“It’s not necessarily bad to buy a vehicle that’s been in
a collision or that requires work,” says Carey Smith,
director of investigations for OMVIC. “What’s at stake here
is that consumers must know what they are paying for –
the average person can’t tell if a vehicle has had previous
issues just by looking at it. That’s why full disclosure is so
critical.”
“The new MVDA increases dealer professionalism by
requiring dealers to provide more information so
consumers can make informed decisions,” says
Compton. “The MVDA also outlines instances in which a
consumer can cancel a contract if full disclosure is not
provided.”
Consumers can identify registered dealers by the blue
and yellow “Ontario-registered dealer” decal posted on
dealership doors or windows, or by asking dealers for
their OMVIC registration.
Motoring 17
Cell phone bans in Ontario and B.C. now
enforced
As of February 1st drivers seen using hand-held cell
phones and other electronic devices in both Ontario and
British Columbia will be fined.
Drivers are forbidden to use hand-held devices to talk,
text or email while behind the wheel, or to use portable
video games or DVD players."The only exception to the
ban is a 911 call.
Drivers ignoring the law will face fines of up to $500,
although no demerit points will be issued.
Newfoundland and Labrador have had a ban in place
since 2003 and Quebec and Nova Scotia introduced
similar bans last year. Saskatchewan and Alberta are set
to follow in the fall.
2010 Canadian Car of the Year awards
The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada has
voted for the best new cars of 2010. Only model-year
2010, and those that are new or substantially redesigned
for the model year are eligible in the program. In total 52
new models were evaluated.
The winners are:
Small car (under $21k) - Mazda 3
Small car (over $21k) - Mazda 3 Sport
Family car (under $30k) - Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI
Family car (over $30k) - Ford Taurus
Luxury car (over $50k) - BMW 335d Sedan
Prestige car (over $75k) - Porsche Panamera Turbo
Sports - performance (under $50k) - Volkswagen Golf GTI
Sports - performance (over $50k) - Audi S4
Convertibles - Audi A5 Cabriolet
SUV - CUV (under $35k) - Subaru Outback
SUV - CUV (over $35-60k) - Volkswagen Touareg TDI
Clean Diesel
SUV - CUV (over $60k) - Lexus RX450h
Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI
18 Money

Moving to
Canada?
Plan ahead for
home ownership

By Kimberley Skinner
BA, AMP, PFP
 Money 19

If you have a job awaiting you on Canadian soil, it’s Paperwork to gather/set aside
possible to also secure the purchase of a home if you before packing:
plan ahead and connect with professionals before you
even begin packing.
The main reason you’ll want to get in touch with the Proof of employment and salary in Canada
right professionals before you start to pack is to find out
what important paperwork you’ll need to set aside to Proof of at least 5% down payment from your own
provide to ensure smooth sailing through the home sources
financing and purchasing processes.
Your first step should be to get in touch with an Government proof of residency application
experienced mortgage professional. By doing so, you can
set the home financing process in motion by securing a Copy of your immigration papers
mortgage rate guarantee and pre-approval, and figuring
out what supporting paperwork you need to provide to Copy of your passport
purchase a home in Canada.
The services of mortgage professionals are typically Credit report
free – they are paid by lenders for bringing in new
business. Mortgage professionals have access to multiple Mortgage or rental payment receipts for the past 12
lenders – including banks, credit unions and trust months
companies – where they can compare products and rates,
and find the ideal mortgage to meet your unique needs. Bank statements for the past 12 months
In most cases, Canadian mortgage lenders and
insurers want to see employment letters that prove your Utility and phone bill payments for the past 12
offer of employment and salary in Canada. You must also months
have at least a 5% down payment for the home from your
own resources – which means it has to be your own
money, not borrowed or gifted. So, for instance, if you’re By planning ahead before making your move, you truly
selling your home in another country and using some of can save yourself a lot of hassle and stress when it comes
the proceeds as a down payment on a home in Canada, to securing mortgage financing and purchasing a home.
you must be able to prove this. And if you’re already living in Canada, many of the
Lenders and insurers also want to see that you have a available New to Canada mortgage products apply to new
solid credit history. Although requirements for this proof immigrants who have been in the country for up to 36
varies based on which insurer and lender your mortgage months.
is funded through, your mortgage professional will be able
to tell you exactly what documents you’ll need to provide.
Often, an international credit bureau is sufficient to prove
your credit history. If this is not available, you can also Kimberley Skinner, BA,
provide 12 months’ worth of bank statements, mortgage AMP, PFP, is a mortgage
or rental payment receipts, utility or telephone bills, and agent with Dominion
so on. Again, there are several options from which to Lending Centres Alliance.
choose and your mortgage professional will be able to With more than 20 years
specifically tell you what a particular lender and insurer of financing experience,
want to see. she enjoys helping new
You must also apply for landed immigrant status to get Canadians obtain
the ball rolling on securing your social insurance number financing for their home
(SIN), which is required before you begin working in purchases.
Canada. Dominion Lending
By securing mortgage financing prior to moving to Centres Alliance
Canada, all you have to do when you arrive is find a FSCO # 11180
home. This will be an easier task when you already know
exactly how much you can spend thanks to your pre-
approval.
And since your mortgage professional can put you in
touch with a trusted real estate agent prior to your move,
you will also be able to research homes before you arrive
in Canada. Again, real estate agents do not typically Kimberley can be reached at: 1-877-333-4983, Ext 716;
charge a fee to find you a home to purchase. kskinner@dominionlending.ca
20 Relocation

Real Life Story

Making the move
from Turkey to
Canada by way
of the USA.
 Relocation 21

Emre Akkas is a recent

immigrant to Canada having
moved here in June 2009, but
he took a roundabout route to
get here as you will see. He
was born and raised in
Ankara, Turkey and obtained
a chemical engineering
degree in 1999, but after
working in a local refinery
decided it was not the life for
him and preferred to do
something with computers
instead. This decision put him
on his path to Canada.
Emre comes from a
medical background with
both his parents being
pharmacists. His mother
works at a government
hospital in Ankara and his
father owned his own
pharmacy, although he is now
retired. His elder sister
qualified as a medical doctor
the same year he left Turkey Emre and Hanna enjoy a celebratory drink
in 2001.
After hearing about his
ambition to work with computers his parents offered to worked for the business we started before I got my job at
pay his school fees to allow him to get a graduate degree Intel and the business started picking up. She wasn’t able
abroad. He applied to a number of schools in the United to handle it on her own anymore and needed extra help.
States and decided to accept a place at Marylhurst Being on a sponsored work visa in the United States, I
University in Portland, Oregon. Whilst his parents covered was not allowed to work for myself.”
his fees, he worked locally to cover his living expenses. So Emre and Hanna decided to look at other options
Whilst in Portland in 2005, Emre met Hanna Golota, a such as moving to Canada or Australia. Canada won
Polish citizen who had moved to the US to get a college because of its close proximity to where they lived, great
degree at the University of Montana in 2001. After market opportunities for growing their localization
graduating she got a job at Nike and moved to Portland business, and the charm of Vancouver, so Canada it was.
where she completed her graduate degree at the In March 2007 they applied for permanent residency
University of Portland. She met Emre shortly after her using the skilled worker route and finally got their visas in
move and they have been together ever since. October 2008.
Now you might be wondering why we are talking about “I grew up in a big city,” says Emre, “and missed the
someone moving to the USA in a magazine dedicated to European big city life a lot when I was in the US. When I
Canada? Well, after graduating from Marylhurst University visited Vancouver a few years back I loved the lively
Emre got a job in Portland and the company sponsored dense downtown area. I thought it would be a cool place
his H1B visa. He changed jobs a couple of times during to live in. When I came to Vancouver after doing my
his 4 years there and his last employer before leaving the landing papers in 2008 and walked the same streets
US was Intel Corp. By now, he was on the 4th year of his again, I said "that's it" right away.”
H1B work visa. “The company filed an application for a They officially landed in December 2008 and spent a
green card which would give me the right to stay few days in Vancouver before going back to Portland to
permanently but the progress was so slow and had a lot start wrapping up work and other commitments in the US.
of restrictions.” says Emre, “I was not able to move In February 2009 they again visited Vancouver for a week
forward in my career while the application was pending (if to get to know the city a little better and then on another
you change companies, everything starts all over) and I visit in April they found an apartment to rent. Over the
also got sick of the "temporary" status which stopped me next few weekends the couple made the five and a half
from making long term investments. In addition, Hanna hour drive between the two cities to move their
22 Relocation
Downtown Vancouver
belongings from Portland to Vancouver. In June 2009 they
made the journey for the last time and moved to Canada
for good.
The couple didn’t plan to look for jobs, but instead put
all their energy together to grow their business, Globalme,
a localization and translation services company. Emre
continues. “Vancouver being such a diversified city is a
haven for the type of business we are in. We work with
lots of foreigners, and here we can easily find well
qualified candidates with the necessary linguistic skills.
Besides, there is a growing need for translation and
localization services from government and the rising high
tech industry in Canada.”
Moving to a new place without knowing anyone was
hard. They both knew they needed to invest heavily in
networking to make their way to the top. The couple have
started attending networking events in the city in order to
meet new people and get to know the city better from the
business perspective.
So, the big question is, do they prefer Canada over the
USA or do they regret the move?
“We do not regret the move at all. We love Vancouver. It
is hard to say if the US or Canada is better over the other
because it all depends on the perspective you are looking
at. In terms of bureaucracy, the life in the US is easier.
Canada seems a little closer to Europe when it comes to
paperwork. On the other hand, Canada wins on the social
life, the city scene and friendliness of people.”
“I enjoyed my life in the US but I enjoy it here more and
have no regrets whatsoever. I love the fact that Vancouver
has an extremely diverse population and has a bigger city
feeling. I also like the smaller stores that are all over the
place which is one thing lacking in the US. In Portland I
had to go to big grocery stores for everything that I
needed to buy whereas here there are tons of small locally
owned stores. I like the fact that Canada is one of the
most liberal nations and I like the friendliness of the
people. The beautiful scenery and nature also plays a big
part in my love of the country; I am not a big fan of the
rain but it’s a package deal.” He laughs. “The fact that the
Canadian government recognized the value in my skills
and gave me the opportunity to immigrate while the US
was making the progress longer and longer also deserves
a sincere appreciation.”
But there must be things he misses about Turkey?
“Yes,” he says, “I miss my family of course and my old
friends. I also miss Turkish food, but I have been fortunate
to be able to visit Turkey every year since leaving and
hope to be able to keep this up in the future. Hanna and I
eventually plan to move to either Turkey or Poland in the
future, but that is a few years off.”
We asked if Emre had any advice or warnings for
potential immigrants to Canada. “My move to Canada as
an immigrant was a little different than a typical
immigration story. When one immigrates to another
country, it takes a good year or two before one can adjust
to life. I had that period in the US when I first moved there
and therefore the move to Canada was easy. On a lot of
discussion forums I read people complaining about not
being able to continue their career from the level they left
at home. They seem to omit the fact that they will have to
learn life before they can get back on track. I think
everybody should be prepared for this and if possible
start with going to school and working at a part time
random job for a few months.
“Being happy in Canada (or in any country, really) is a
matter of the individuals attitude. One thing that prevents
people from enjoying their life in Canada and being happy
is the constant rejection which brings the “home sick”
feeling. This is your new home and the sooner you decide
to enjoy it the easier it is going to be. Of course you will
get frustrated, of course you will feel silly while you try to
figure out how things work but why not take that as a fun
opportunity? How many people get the chance to feel like
a newborn in their adult life?
“All immigrants should be aware of the fact that it will
take a lot of effort to move and start a new life and the
results will totally depend on their own effort. This is a free
country where you are provided with security and high
standards of life but you need to make it work yourself.”
On a final note Emre wants to praise Canada for the
speed at which his application was processed. “One thing
that really impressed me was the extremely welcoming
immigration officers when we came to land. The
immigration officer went through our paperwork and said
"Welcome Home" as she was giving the papers back to
us. A truly memorable moment for me… After dealing with
the cocky American immigration officers for 7 years, that
was an unbelievable experience.”
Muchmor will keep in touch with Emre and Hanna and
let readers know of any new developments in their story.
 Relocation 23

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24 Relocation
Your first days in
Canada
When you first arrive in Canada there are many things
you will need to do in order to start your new life.
Depending on your situation you may or may not need to
do everything in this list and indeed some people will
need to do more, but this will give a quick overview of the
most common items.
Documentation
When you move to Canada you need to bring a lot of
paperwork with you to help your integration run smoothly.
Remember to carry all such documentation with you in
your carry on luggage on the plane to avoid any problems
should checked-in luggage be lost or delayed.
Here is a list of some of the most common documents
you should bring with you:
• passport
• birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• adoption, separation and divorce papers
• school reports, diplomas, degrees etc
• professional certification i.e. trade certificates,
licences, qualifications etc
• credit report
• vaccination records
• driver’s licence
• past employer references
• resume
• bank statements
• Canadian employer details (if you have secured
employment)
• mortgage or rental proof of payment statements
• utility bill payments
You should also make a number of copies of each of
these as you will be leaving some with many different
people as you go through the system.
Housing
Some people are lucky enough to have arranged their
housing needs before they arrive, such as renting an
apartment or house or pre-purchasing a property before
landing. If however you are one of the majority who
arrives in Canada with no clear idea of where to live you
will probably be staying in a hotel or similar location to
begin with. This is fine, but costs can soon run away with
you and before you know it you are spending thousands
on hotel rooms and eating out.
Many people choose to rent when they first arrive as
they do not know exactly where they want to settle and in
what community. Renting can give you the opportunity to
not only have a roof over your head but the time to
explore your new country and decide exactly where you
want to make your home.
When renting you will have a choice of furnished or
unfurnished accommodation. Which you choose will
depend on how long you plan to live in the home and
whether you have your own furniture or not. If you are
shipping furniture to Canada you might want to choose an
unfurnished property to avoid storage fees as well as
feeling more at home with your own belongings. Some
rentals also include utilities such as hydro, water, gas etc,
but do check as this is not always the case.
Finding a place to rent can be harder for newcomers as
you will not have a Canadian credit rating or Canadian
rental/mortgage payment history. In order to help the
situation you should bring with you statements of rent or
mortgage payments from your home country. Utility bill
payments and bank statements will also help your future
landlord decide if you are a good tenant or not. It is also
wise to get a credit report before you leave your home
country as this can also help in many situations when you
need to prove your credit worthiness. Although a foreign

credit report is not recognized in Canada, it can be a
useful indicator for potential lenders.
If you choose to buy your own home you will want to
find a good realtor who you get on with and can trust. You
can go by recommendation, or simply gut feeling.
Remember a realtor will not charge for their services, they
get their income from the seller. If you are going to require
a mortgage when you arrive take a look at the article on
pages 18 & 19 for help and advice.
Home/property insurance
If you are buying or renting property you will need
insurance. You can save money on insurance by using a
broker who will hunt for the best policy available to
you. If you have other insurance such as
vehicle or business then by combining
them or using the same insurer you
can save money too.
If you have been insured in
your home country and have
not had any claims for a
number of years get a letter
from your insurer to confirm
this.
Health Card
One of the first things you
need to do upon arrival in
Canada is apply for your
health insurance card. You
can obtain an application form
from your provincial ministry of
health, any doctors office,
pharmacy or hospital. You may also
receive one in your immigration
welcome pack. Remember everyone, even
babies need a health card. You will need to provide
your birth certificate or confirmation of permanent
residence and your passport to apply.
It is worth remembering that in Ontario, British
Columbia, Quebec and New Brunswick there is a three-
month waiting period before you become eligible to
receive medicare coverage. You should in this case obtain
temporary cover just in case anything happens during this
time.
You should carry your health card with you at all times
as it proves you are eligible for health coverage.
Health Insurance
Medicare is available to all Canadian residents with a
health card and includes many services such as treatment
by family doctors, surgery, hospital care, laboratory tests,
vaccinations etc. However there are some items it does
Relocation 25
not cover such as some ambulance services, prescription
drugs, dental and optical care.
If you are employed your employer may offer additional
health insurance which cover these items, however if you
are unemployed or self-employed you may want to
consider additional health insurance. Again you might
want to consult with an insurance broker to get the best
policy for you as rates and qualification do vary.
Social Insurance Number
Anyone who wants to work in Canada needs a Social
Insurance Number or SIN. The SIN enables you to apply
for jobs and receive government benefits. SIN application
forms can be obtained through local Human
Resources Centres or through local
immigration organizations or the Post
Office. Details can be found using
this link. You should obtain a SIN
Card as soon as possible after
arrival in Canada even if you
do not plan to work
immediately.
Vehicles
There are many choices
when it comes to vehicles
in Canada. You might want
to purchase a new or used
vehicle straight away. If you
are paying cash then you
should have no problem,
however if you wish to lease or
purchase using a loan then you
may encounter problems as a
newcomer. As with home rental and
purchase you should be prepared to have
documentation with you to prove your credit
worthiness. Things such as credit reports, bank
statements, bill payments etc will all help as will a
reference from your bank manager. The decision
regarding offering you a loan or lease will be down to the
dealership manager, or may be passed higher, so the
more you can give them to help the situation the better.
Driving Licence
You must have a valid driving licence in order to drive in
Canada. These are issued by the individual province or
territory and rules differ for each. Some provinces allow
certain people from certain countries to simply swap their
existing licence for a local one i.e. Ontario will allow UK
licences to be swapped. However, other provinces will
require you to sit exams and/or take a driving test. Turn to
page 28 to get a full overview of all the provinces to see
26 Relocation
what you will need to do in order to obtain a Canadian
driving licence.
It is a legal requirement to carry your driving licence
with you whenever you drive. You should also carry your
vehicle registration and vehicle permit with you.
Vehicle Insurance
If you are buying or leasing a vehicle you will need
insurance. As a newcomer you will often be treated as if
you are a new driver, regardless of the number of years
you have driven in your home country. This results in
hugely inflated premiums. One way to avoid this is to use
an insurance broker to get you the best deal amongst all
the available insurers. Another is to make sure you have
paperwork with you that back up your driving history.
If you have been insured in your home country and
have not had any claims for a number of years get a letter
from your insurer to confirm this. The letter should be
worded in a way that will be recognized by Canadian
insurers. Therefore any letter should state the following:
policy number, date the insurance was first taken out with
the company, type of insurance held and if someone else
is insured on your policy, their details. The most important
thing to get included is a sentence which states the
number of years “of claim-free driving” as this is
recognized terminology in Canada. In the UK the term no-
claims bonus is regularly used, but is not recognized in
Canada.
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To find out more and to obtain a FREE application pack please contact
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email: siscanada@yahoo.com
If you can get this information on letter headed paper
from your insurer (not the broker) and get this to your
Canadian broker/insurer it can save you literally
thousands of dollars in insurance premiums.
Schools
Depending on what time of year you arrive you will want
to get children enrolled in school as soon as possible.
When you visit your local school board office to register
your child you will need to take your permanent resident
card or confirmation of permanent residence, birth
certificate, vaccination reports and any previous school
records.
Bank Accounts
Opening a bank account in Canada for newcomers is
now much easier than it used to be. Most of the major
banks have accounts and services designed especially for
newcomers, many of which can be opened before you
actually land. Take a look at banking websites to see
which one can offer you the service you require. Be aware
that most Canadian banks charge fees for just about
every transaction. Try to find a bank that offers a package
fee which will include a stated number of transactions.
Phones
When you arrive in Canada you might want to purchase a
cell phone which will then allow you to communicate with
people more easily. If you don’t want to commit to a
contract at this stage there are many options for pre-paid
and pay-as-you-go phones. Check out the rates and their
offering before deciding on a supplier.
Utilities
If you are renting and are responsible for your own utilities
or you are a new home owner you may be required to put
down a security deposit by your local utility company.
This is completely at the discretion of the individual
company and you will normally get your deposit back
after 6-12 months providing you have of course paid your
bills on time.
As we mentioned previously some people will need to do
extra things such as look for jobs or set up a business but
these subjects are too complex to be included in this
article. This list is meant to give a quick overview of the
most common things people new to Canada will need to
accomplish in the first few days and weeks in the country.
 Relocation 27

Live, Work, and Play in Greater Sudbury

Newcomers visit www.mysudbury.ca

Vivez, travaillez et divertissez-vous

dans le Grand Sudbury. Nouveaux arrivants,
visitez le site www.ouisudbury.ca
28 Relocation

Newcomers
guide to
obtaining a
Canadian
driving
licence

Every province and territory in Canada has its own rules
regarding obtaining a driving licence. Some allow certain
countries to exchange licences without having to retake
driving tests or having medicals etc. We take a look at
each province to see who can swap and who cannot.
in most provinces you can drive on your existing
licence for a maximum of 90 days, after which you are
required to hold a provincial driving licence. There are
exceptions to this rule, so please check with the relevant
province.
Alberta
In Alberta, a valid licence from the United States can be
exchanged for an equivalent Class 5, 6, or 7. All other
classes require testing and must provide applicable
medical and vision screening.
A valid licence from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany,
Japan, South Korea, Switzerland and the United Kingdom
(excluding Northern Ireland) can be exchanged for a Class
5 when the applicant is presenting a valid licence of
equivalent class.
A Class 6 operator's licence shall be issued to valid
Swiss Class A, A1 licence and a Japanese International
driver's licence, which permits the holder to operate a
motorcycle. All other classes requested would require
testing and must provide applicable medical and vision
screening.
Anyone arriving from any other country must undergo
complete testing for all classes of licence requested and
must provide applicable medical and vision screening as
required. See website for details: http://
www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/
drivers_licence.cfm#Exchanging_a_Non-
Alberta_Operators_Licence
British Columbia
British Columbia has a driver licence exchange
agreement with the United States, Austria, Germany,
Switzerland, Japan and South Korea. You must have held
your existing licence for at least two years
Exchanges apply to American passenger car or
motorcycle operator's licence, Austrian, German or Swiss
Category B or German Class 3 driver's licence for
passenger cars, or a Japanese Ordinary driver's licence or
a South Korean Class 2 Ordinary driver's licence for
passenger cars.
If you are from a country not listed above you will need
to qualify for a B.C. licence. This includes passing a road
signs test, a knowledge test, vision screening and a road
test. You will also need to meet the medical and
application requirements. See website for details: http://
www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/moving-bc/licence-
othercountry#Variables._frag_
Relocation 29
Manitoba
If you hold a valid driver's licence from anywhere in the
U.S., you can surrender your valid driver's licence and
obtain a Manitoba licence.
If you hold a driver's licence from any other country you
will need to take and pass Manitoba's knowledge, road,
and vision tests. See website for more details: http://
www.mpi.mb.ca/english/dr_licensing/DLFAQ.html#QL2
New Brunswick
If you are from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands
(Holland), New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Scotland,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland or Wales you may exchange
a valid drivers licence for a class 5 New Brunswick
licence. Licences for commercial vehicles will require you
to retake your tests.
If you are from any other country, not listed, then you
will have to take a full driver licence examination, including
written, vision and road tests paying all applicable fees.
See website for more details: http://www.gnb.ca/0276/
vehicle/index-e.asp
Newfoundland & Labrador
Newcomers from the United States, Germany, Austria,
Switzerland and the United Kingdom (excluding Northern
Ireland) can exchange their existing licence for a Class 5
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 Line of credit or
30 Relocation
great as it means you get the whole
amount up-front to do with as you please,
available but wants to be able to use it as
and when they need it.
loan? but you are making payments on the If you agreed to a line of credit of
whole amount, even if you don’t use it all $20,000 for a ten year period, you can dip
When you decide you need a little at once. By this we mean that if for into that money as and when you need it
Newfoundland driver's licence without taking a written,
extra cash, and who doesn’t, the first example you borrow
Ontario
$20,000 but only use and only pay interest on the amount used.
vision or road test.
place you will probably go is your financial $10,000
Commercial driver’s licence may also require a medical initially and keep the rest in the Use $10,000 and pay interest on $10,000.
Drivers from Canadian Forces-Europe, U.S.A., Japan,
report. for a loan. But is a loan the right bank for a rainy day, you
institution are still
Korea, paying Germany,
Switzerland, If you payFrance,
back the $10,000
Great Britain,then you have
thingIf to
you
askhold
for?aIfdriver's
you arelicence
a homefrom any other
owner, country,
interest and repayments on the whole the $20,000 still
Austria and Belgium, Australia and Isle of Man can available to you. This is
you will need to take and pass Newfoundland’s
you will be borrowing against the equity in $20,000. exchange their licences for a full
basically G licence.
a revolving Certain
credit similar to a
knowledge, road, and vision tests.
your home, essentially a second Generally a HEL is restrictions mayfor
more suitable apply.credit card.
See website for more information. http:// Anyone
mortgage. You should discuss with your these one-off payments such as aarriving
car from any other
This typecountry
of creditmust undergo
is useful for
www.gs.gov.nl.ca/drivers/DriversandVehicles/ complete testing for all classes of licence requested and
financial advisor the differences
driverlicensing/application.html#12 between purchase or major home renovation. ongoing needs such as tuition payments,
must provide applicable medical and vision screening as
loans and lines of credit. Depending on ongoing renovations,or perhaps a holiday
required.
Nova
what you Scotia
need the money for will Line of Credit Full details can be found each year.here: http://www.drivetest.ca/
determine which options will be best for en/license/OutOfCountryDrivers.aspx
Anyone relocating from the United States canAexchange
you. Home Equity Line of Credit With either of these options you home
their existing licence for a Class 5 licence.(HELOC) works in a different Prince wayEdward
and is Island
is at risk if you default on the payments.
Loanswho have a valid driver’s licencemuch
People otherflexible. You still have to agree Both can be set as fixed rate or flexible
frommore
foreign countries will be required to take atovision test, you canLborrow
an amount icences andfrom
the the ratesStates
timeUnited of interest
can and interest on both
be exchanged for types
written test on safety rules, a written road sign test and a equivalent PEI licences. of loan are usually tax deductible.
With a loan you agree to borrow a set period it is available, but you will only pay
road test. More information can be found here: http:// For individuals coming from Always other countries
consult with anand havebefore
advisor
amount of money which you repay by interest on the amount you borrow. This is
www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/rmv/licence/ never been licensed in the United Sates or Canada,
fixed installments over a fixed period of especially useful for someone who wants taking on either type of loan to be sure
complete testing (written, vision and driving) is required.
you are opting for the one which suits your
time. For homeowners this is referred to the security of knowing the money is
Full details can be found here: http://www.gov.pe.ca/
circumstances.
as a Home Equity Loan (HEL). This is infopei/index.php3?number=20138

Location,
location,
location.
Fluctuating exchange rates could put
your dream property out of reach

To minimise the risk of paying more when

moving or buying abroad, call us now and
speak to one of our expert advisers or visit
www.hifx.co.uk

0845 370 5133

(all calls charged at standard local rates)

Currency Specialists
Morgan House Madeira Walk Windsor Berkshire SL4 1EP
 Relocation 31

Quebec

U.S. licences can be exchanged for a Québec licence for Are you new
to Ontario?
a passenger car or a moped without taking a test. For
vehicles other than passenger cars and mopeds, tests are
required.
Anyone from the following countries: Austria, Belgium,
France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Republic of Korea Do you need help?
(South Korea), Switzerland, Great Britain (excluding
Northern Ireland), Taiwan or Turkey can exchange their Are you helping
licence for an equivalent Quebec licence. More newcomers to settle?
information can be found here: http://
www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/driver_licence/exchange/ Settlement.Org provides
index.php you with information and
Anyone arriving from any other country must undergo answers to settle in Ontario.
complete testing for all classes of licence requested and
must provide applicable medical and vision screening as
Visit www.settlement.org for information about
required.
Finding a Job, ESL Classes, Housing, Health and much more...

Saskatchewan

If you are moving from the United States, United

Kingdom, Gibraltar, Northern Ireland, Switzerland, South
Korea, Germany or Austria you will be able to exchange
Citizenship and Citoyenneté et
Funded by:
your licence for an equivalent Saskatchewan licence. Immigration Canada Immigration Canada

If you are moving from a jurisdiction outside of these Managed by: Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)
countries, you will have to complete written, vision and
road examinations prior to being issued a Saskatchewan
driver's licence. final changes June 2, 2005
Notes

Most of the exchange agreements require you to

Canada
there’s so
surrender your existing home country driving licence. You
may also be required to take a vision test and disclose

muchmor
any medical conditions that may affect your ability to
drive. Some provinces require a medical to be taken for
certain types of licence, particularly commercial licences.
You will be required to provide proof of residency
documentation such as your immigration papers as well
as identification documents such as a passport.
Most of the provinces exchange programs are subject
to minimum driving experience in your home country.
Therefore you will also need to provide proof of driving
experience if not contained within your existing licence
documentation.
It is a legal requirement in Canada to always have your
licence on you when driving and you must present it to
official bodies if required to do so.
A driving licence can be used to obtain other forms of
identification and so should be kept securely to avoid theft
and misuse.
Driving licences in Canada are renewable after a certain
period of time such as five years. It is your responsibility
to make sure your licence is always kept up to date.
32 Relocation

The pitfalls of failing to extend

visitor's status
By Guidy Mamann TRP. Accordingly, a refusal of a TRP based solely on this
policy is, in my view, vulnerable to a legal challenge.
However, in your situation, I would not let things go that
Q. My common law partner and I came to Canada so that far. Also, we have to be mindful that your partner has been
I could pursue my master's degree. I have a study permit. asked to leave Canada and if she doesn't do so soon, the
She is from a visa-exempt country and was issued a CBSA could easily bring removal proceedings against her.
visitor record at the border. Due to a misunderstanding on That would really complicate things.
our part, we didn't extend her visitor's status when I In short, the path of least resistance is to maintain the
extended my study permit. As a result, she is currently goodwill of CIC. She should go home briefly and attempt
about nine months out of status. She only came to know a return to Canada to rejoin you.
about it when we decided to get her a work permit during There is no guarantee that she will be re-admitted but,
a subsequent study permit extension. given the options, I would probably run the risk.
CIC sent her a letter stating that she had to leave the Obviously, you need to be more careful in the future.
country immediately. This didn't look like a departure
order, since there was no 30-day time period specified, Guidy Mamann practices law in Toronto at Mamann,
but we are concerned about this. Sandaluk and is certified by the Law Society of Upper
Since the law is very clear on overstays, we are positive Canada as an immigration specialist. For more
the best option at this point would be to go back to her information, visit www.migrationlaw.com or email
home country, or is there an alternative? She is obviously metro@migrationlaw.com
past the 90-day restoration of status window.
We thought it best to seek professional legal advice as
to her options, especially since our future plans include
obtaining permanent residency.
Go and leave no
A. First, I would like to tell you what you should not do.
No doubt you may be advised by some well-intentioned
stone unturned.
person to have your partner enter the U.S. and re-enter
Canada with fresh status. Your partner should definitely
not try this since the U.S. will almost certainly deny her
entry and even cancel any U.S. visa that she may have.
Generally, the Americans will not admit foreigners to their
country if they are in Canada without lawful status. Also,
she should not apply for restoration of her status since, as
you mentioned, she is well passed the 90-day limit for
doing so.
The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act allows
anyone who is "inadmissible" or who "does not meet the
requirements of the Act" to legalize their status through a
temporary resident permit (TRP). So legally speaking, your
partner can apply for a TRP through the Case Processing
Centre in Vegreville. However, this approach is risky and
problematic.
The immigration department's policy manual confirms
that a person is eligible for a TRP if they are not eligible for
a restoration of status. However, elsewhere it states
"Temporary resident permits should not be used to restore
the temporary resident status of a visitor, student or
Do yourself a good turn, go to
worker when their status has expired." This latter
statement seems to fetter or limit the discretion of mycollingwood.ca...the most popular web
immigration officers when considering an application for a site in Collingwood and Surrounds.

Immigration News
CIC launches immigration consultant
fraud investigation
The Canadian government is trying to crack down on
illegal and unscrupulous immigration consultants after it
became aware of over 300 citizenship applicants who
claimed to be living at the same address.
Immigration Minister Jason Kenney suggested that this
was just the tip of the iceberg and warned potential
immigrants of the dangers of not researching immigration
consultants properly.
“I myself went and sat in on some interviews that our
officials had with citizenship applicants recently in
Mississauga, and I saw cases where an applicant was
living at an address where 25 other people were
supposedly living – 25 other applicants for citizenship
were registered,” Mr. Kenney said.
“We are launching a package this year to reform the
regulation of immigration consultants,” Kenney said. “That
will include much more severe penalties for furnishing
people with advice to commit fraud or submit fraudulent
documents.”
The government has launched an awareness campaign
to advise potential immigrants to only deal with licensed
consultants and advise them that they do not actually nee
to use a consultant at all.
The awareness campaign is available in seventeen
languages and can be accessed via this link.
Canada wants more Indian students
A new program by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(CIC) and the Association of Canadian Community
Colleges (ACCC) has seen Indian student enrollments at
Canadian colleges double.
The Student Partners Program was launched in April
2009 and since then the CIC visa office has received over
4,000 applications in the program.
"International students contribute to the cultural life and
economic success of colleges and institutes and of the
communities they serve.” said James Knight, President
and CEO of the ACCC. “In partnership with CIC, we have
doubled the approval rate of visas for students from India
coming to Canadian colleges. We will work with CIC to
expand the initiative to other ACCC members."
The program requires applicants to provide verifiable
documentation in order to attend. In turn the college has
to report back on things such as student attendance
records and progress reports.
Jason Kenny, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
added, "This type of program benefits both our country
and those who participate in it. When all is said and done,
these graduates may remain in Canada and apply to
Relocation 33
immigrate under the Canada Experience Class. They
would make Canada their home and continue to
contribute to our country's social and economic fabric."
Youth Mobility Program increases Czech
visas
The Youth Mobility Program has been established to
allow Czechs to work in Canada in order to supplement
their trip. It is available to young adults between the ages
of 18 and 35 years and is administered through the
Canadian Embassy in Prague.
Applicants can apply under two different categories
allowing them to work for up to one year whilst in the
country.
Proposed changes for temporary foreign
workers
New regulations are being proposed to limit the potential
for exploitation of temporary foreign workers in Canada.
At present there are no regulations in place which hold
employers or their agents responsible for the treatment of
temporary foreign workers.
The proposed changes to the Immigration regulations
would:
•Establish a set of factors to guide the assessment of
the genuineness of an employer’s offer of employment to
a temporary foreign worker;
•Make an employer ineligible to access the temporary
foreign worker program for a period of two years if the
employer has previously been found to provide
significantly lower wages, working conditions or an
occupation different than what was offered to a temporary
foreign worker;
•Provide for the publication of a list with the names,
addresses and period of ineligibility of employers who are
not eligible to access the temporary foreign worker
program on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s
external website;
•Establish a limit of four years of work for temporary
foreign workers, followed by a period of at least six years
in which they would not be authorized to work in Canada,
with exceptions for certain workers (eg. Intra-Company
Transferees, NAFTA Professionals); and
•Introduce a requirement that Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada’s Labour Market Opinion
indicate a period of time during which the opinion is in
effect.
Under the new regulations, an assessment of the
genuineness of the job offer would be carried out
regardless of whether an Labour Market Opinion is
required and accordingly, Work Permit applications
involving LMO-exempt cases (such as Intra-Company
Transferees and NAFTA Professionals) will be subject to
this new genuineness assessment process.
34 Employment

Average earnings across

Canada
Since June"2009, the trend in payroll employment has been relatively flat, compared with the first six months of the
year when it declined sharply. This change in trend reflects a slower pace of loss in some industries, combined with
little change or growth in other industries since June.

Average weekly earnings by November 2008 November 2009 Difference

province

Newfoundland and Labrador $786.96 $823.79 4.7%

Prince Edward Island $665.00 $692.89 4.2%

Nova Scotia $720.53 $733.10 1.7%

New Brunswick $736.99 $751.11 1.9%

Quebec $748.56 $764.37 2.1%

Ontario $847.51 $856.57 1.1%

Manitoba $755.06 $783.65 3.8%

Saskatchewan $805.02 $816.31 1.4%

Alberta $954.05 $967.00 1.4%

British Columbia $796.22 $798.86 0.3%

Yukon Territories $861.20 $891.85 3.6%

Nunavut $904.19 $888.45 -1.7%

Northwest Territories $1,116.64 $1,138.35 4.6%

Average weekly earnings by November 2008 November 2009 Difference

industry

Public administration $1,040.74 $1,082.36 4.0%

Accommodation & food services $323.85 $337.92 4.3%

Health care & social assistance $796.22 $782.52 -1.7%

Professional & scientific services $1,114.23 $1,137.44 2.1%

Real estate, renting & leasing $712.27 $796.55 11.8%

Retail trade $487.59 $491.35 0.8%

Mining, quarrying, oil & gas $1,555.85 $1,572.20 1.1%

Utilities $1,448.05 $1,525.03 5.3%

Manufacturing $948.03 $935.14 -1.3%

Construction $1,062.46 $1,052.64 -0.9%

Finance & insurance $998.45 $1,037.34 3.9%

Duties of this fast-growing profession Market Research Analyst If you want toEmployment
make the case to a 35
include writing and editing text, creating Market research analysts, whose job potential employer or your boss to let you
graphics, converting photos and drawings numbers are expected to grow 20 percent work from home, keep a few things in

9 companies hiring this month

into digital images, designing page layouts by 2016, gather data on competitors and mind. If possible, provide concrete
and developing presentations. analyze prices, sales, and methods of examples of how this arrangement was
marketing and distribution. They often successful in the past or how it will
Data Entry Clerk design surveys, compile and evaluate the succeed. Suggest that you ease into it --
Like administrative assistants, job data and make recommendations to their spending a few days to a few weeks in the
By Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder
prospects should be best for those with
Editor
client or employer based
Sample job titles: Bilingual
upon their
customer service advisors
office at the outset, meeting people and
(lending), activiation and sales customer service and sales "
expertise in computer software findings. getting to know procedures. Then, during
Locations: "Ottawa
Aapplications.
lthough theByemployment situation isn't
typing text, entering data as strong as the first three to six months on the new
we'd like, it has improved over
into a computer, and performing otherthe past year. While
Paralegal Virgin Mobile job, make frequent visits.
October 2008's
clerical duties, booming
these workersemployment
ensure numbers are still Industry: "Retail sales
While lawyers assume ultimate
far away, January saw an increase of 43,000 employed Sample job titles: Store Kate Lorenz is
managers, the article
sales and advice
associates
companies keep up with information and responsibility for legal work, they delegate
workers. The unemployment rate fell to 8.3 percent"as a Locations: Nationwideeditor for CareerBuilder.ca. She
technology. much of their work to paralegals.
result, reports Statistics Canada. researches and writes about job search
Full-time employment continues to trend Paralegals
upward,not only assist in preparation
but Weatherford International Ltd. management, hiring
strategy, career
Insurance
part-time work onceUnderwriter
again outpaces it, with"for closings,
most growthhearings, trials, and corporate
Industry: "Oil and gas services
trends and workplace issues.
occurring in Ontario
Insurance You might
underwriters serve also
as thebe surprised
meetings,totheylearn
also perform a number of
Sample job titles: "Heavy duty mechanics, rig assistants,
that
mainthe
linkdemographic driving this
between the insurance growth other
carrier is women
vital functions including
wirelinedraft
technicians
between the agesagent.
and the insurance of 25Underwriters
to 54. Among thecontracts,
industries with
mortgages, separation
Locations: Lloydminster, Grand Prairie, Nisku, Edmonton,
the mostinsurance
analyze gains were retail andcalculate
applications, wholesale agreements,
trade and trust instruments and may
Bonnyville
support services, while professional
the risk of loss from policyholders, decide and scientific
assist in preparing tax returns and
services
whether towere some
issue of the
the policy hardest
and hit industries.
establish planning Still, Xerox Canada
estates. With employers reducing
organizations need workers to help their companies grow Industry: Sales
appropriate premium rates. costs by replacing duties once tended to
during this period.
by lawyers with paralegals, growth of this Account managers, service technicians
Sample job titles:
Here is a list of employers throughout Canada who are
profession is expected.Locations: Nationwide
looking for new employees right now.
Go to Careerbuilder now to find your new career.
Canadian Forces
Industry: Government: navy, army, air force
Sample job titles: Technicians, engineers, operations,
health services
Locations: Nationwide

CIBC
Industry: "Banking
Sample job titles: Branch managers, customer service
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36 Home & Garden
Make
your
house
clean and
green
When you clean your house in the spring, you really want
it to be clean. Dirt, dust and germs are banned, and all
appliances, floors and walls are scrubbed clean. But is
your house really clean, or have you traded dirt and germs
for caustic and toxic chemicals found in most
conventional cleaning products?
Even some so-called natural cleansers can contain
these same or similar nasty ingredients. And you would
know this only if the manufacturer practices full disclosure
of ingredients on their labels, which is not required on
home care products. Think about it - when was the last
time you saw a full ingredient listing on your spray
cleaner?
The best way to make sure your living space is clean
and healthy is to use safe, natural cleaning products you
create yourself, using natural and inexpensive ingredients
you can pick up at any natural grocery store. It's cost-
effective, not difficult and, like the task of spring cleaning
itself, it's satisfying and rewarding. You can craft your
own, home-spun versions of everything from carpet
cleaner to furniture dusting polish - and have the
satisfying assurance that you really are keeping your
home clean and green.
Whether you're shopping for prepared natural cleaning
solutions or making your own, keep in mind that the word
"aromatherapy" is now being applied to everything
scented - from dishwashing liquid to laundry detergent.
The true practice of aromatherapy relies on using pure
essential oils extracted from plants. These natural plant
essences nurture us on mental, emotional, physical and
even spiritual levels. House cleaning isn't exactly a
spiritual exercise, but adding the effects and properties of
essential oils to your homemade household products can
enhance the experience and the effectiveness of your
task.
Essential oils have potent antimicrobial effects along
with their clean, pleasant natural aromas. Here are a few
"classic" homecare essential oils suggested by the
experts at the leading aromatherapy company, Aura
Cacia: lemon (clean, sweet, uplifting scent; deodorizing),
peppermint (minty, fresh; air purifier; mild pest repellent),
eucalyptus and tea tree (air and surface sanitizers; fresh,
therapeutic aromas).
Here's a shopping list of key ingredients for making
your own homecare products:
• Baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) - Gently abrasive
scouring powder, odor absorber and an excellent base
for making your own cleaning preparations.
• Washing soda (Sodium Carbonate)
• Borax (Sodium Borate) - Natural mineral compound,
laundry booster, multipurpose cleanser, fungicide/
insecticide.
• White distilled vinegar (Acetic Acid)
• Liquid soap (Sodium Hydroxide) - Choose from
vegetable oil-based soaps such as olive oil or sweet
almond.
• Distilled water - Clean, distilled water acts as a better
carrier and dirt solvent. Tap water will often contain salts
and minerals that can lead to spotting and build-up.
 Home & Garden 37

• Essential oils Window Cleaner

• Spray bottles 2 cups water
• Natural bristle scrubbing brushes 3 tablespoons vinegar
• Squeeze bottles 1/4 teaspoon liquid soap
• Cotton dusting cloth 36 drops essential oil
• Hemp or jute fiber scrubbing cloth
• Tote to put it all in Wooden Furniture Polishing Oil
3 tablespoons vinegar
Follow these simple recipes for making your own basic 1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil
homecare products: 10 drops lemon essential oil

Basic Spray Cleaner Carpet Deodorizing Powder

2 cups water 1 cup baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sodium borate 18 drops essential oil*
1/4 teaspoon liquid soap *Deodorizing essential oils: bergamot, coriander seed,
36 drops essential oil* lavandin.
*Cleansing and purifying essential oils: lemon, tea tree,
eucalyptus, spike lavender. Carpet Cleaner
1 cup baking soda
Gentle Scouring Cream 1 teaspoon liquid soap
1/2 cup baking soda 18 drops essential oil
Liquid soap
18 drops essential oil* Courtesy of ARAcontent
*Oils that brighten: lemon, lemongrass, grapefruit. •

Add essential oils to baking soda and blend. Next,

incorporate the liquid soap, several drops at a time, until a
creamy paste forms.

New tougher mortgage rules
set by Ottawa
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced in February new
rules which are to be introduced to help prevent
homebuyers getting into financial difficulty in years to
come.
Due to the current low mortgage rates many Canadians
are taking on mortgages which they may struggle to pay
when rates increase.
“There is no evidence of a housing bubble, but we’re
taking prudent steps today to prevent one,” Flaherty said.
The new rules include:
• A requirement that all borrowers meet the standards
for a five-year fixed-rate mortgage, even if they
choose a variable mortgage with a lower rate or a
shorter term.
• Lowering the maximum that home owners can
refinance their home from 95% to 90%.
• Non-owner-occupied properties purchased as
investments will require a minimum of 20% down
payment to qualify for CMHC insurance.
It was thought that the government would raise the
minimum down payment on a home from 5 to 10 per
cent, but this was not included on the announcement.
Maximum amortization of the current 35 years was also
left unchanged.
“While we do not believe that Canada faces a housing
bubble, we fully support the minister’s actions,” the Bank
of Montreal said in a release. “Given the prospect of
higher interest rates and the recent run-up in housing
prices in some markets across Canada, the measures
announced today are prudent.”
House sales up on last year
The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) recently
announced the latest housing statistics which shows that
residential house sales in January 2010 were up by 58%
on the same time last year, when Canada was in the midst
of an economic recession.
The average price of a home sold through MLS® in
January this year was $328,537, up 19.6% on January
2009.
“The resale housing market is becoming more
balanced in a number of provinces, including my own
province of Saskatchewan,” said CREA President Dale
Ripplinger. “A more balanced market is likely to result in
smaller price increases going forward, with buyers in less
of a rush due to an increase in supply. That said, market
conditions vary across Canada, so buyers and sellers are
wise to consult with a REALTOR® since they know
current conditions in your local market.”
38 Health & Wellness

High blood
pressure on the
rise in Canada
 Health & Wellness 39

Nearly one in five adult Canadians has high blood

pressure, a new survey from Statistics Canada reports.
That’s about 4.6 million people."Another 20 per cent of
Canadians have readings in the pre-hypertension range,
meaning they are at high risk of developing high blood
pressure soon."About 61 per cent of adults between 20
and 79 have normal blood pressure, the survey found.
Men and women are about equal in their rates of high
blood pressure: 19.7 per cent of men have the condition,
as do 19 per cent of women. But men were less likely than
women to be aware of their condition and many only
became aware after they had their blood pressure
measured as part of the survey.
The findings come from the first cycle of the Canadian
Health Measure Survey — the most comprehensive health
survey ever carried out in Canada.
The results are based on direct, automated measures of
blood pressure taken between March 2007 through
February 2009, as well as self-reported use of blood
pressure medication.
While blood pressure was measured on just 3,514 Blood Pressure Canada, a non-profit group dedicated
respondents, aged 20 to 79, the data were weighted to be to the prevention and control of hypertension in Canada,
representative of the 23.7 million Canadian adults in this says a number of lifestyle changes can prevent or reduce
age range. high blood pressure. They recommend:
The survey found that about 80 per cent of those adults Be physically active for 30 to 60 minutes most days of
with high blood pressure are being treated with drugs. In the week. Even a little bit of physical activity is better than
most of those with the condition (66 per cent), medication none at all.
has been effective in controlling their blood pressure. If you are overweight, losing about 10 lbs (5 kg) will
But in the remaining third (who account for 6.6 per cent lower your blood pressure. Reducing your weight to within
of the adult population), their blood pressure is still too a healthy range will lower your blood pressure even more.
high. Eat less salt. The usual amounts of sodium in the
Among women with hypertension who were taking average Canadian diet are very high and increase blood
medication for their condition, 18 per cent still had blood pressure. One in three Canadians with high blood pressure
pressure that was too high. That compares with 10 per would have normal blood pressure with a healthy amount
cent among men. of sodium in their diets.
This gender gap worsened with age. Among 60- to 69- Buy and eat more fresh foods especially fruit and
year-olds who were using blood pressure medication, 19 vegetables.
per cent of women still had blood pressure that was too Stop smoking. Smoking increases the risk of
high, compared with 7 per cent of men. developing heart problems and many other diseases.
High blood pressure is defined as systolic pressure (the If you drink alcohol, limit the amount to one to two
upper number) of 140 or higher, and diastolic pressure (the standard drinks a day or less.
lower number) higher than 90.
So a reading at or above 140/90 would be considered
high. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg. Useful Links:
As well, anyone who reported they had used medication
for high blood pressure in the past month was classified Blood Pressure Canada
as having hypertension. www.hypertension.ca
High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for
stroke. And, because high blood pressure can damage Lower Sodium
blood vessel walls, causes scarring that promotes the www.lowersodium.ca
build-up of fatty plaque, and strains the heart, the
condition is also a major risk factor for heart disease. Heart and Stroke Foundation Canada
The World Health Organization estimates that elevated www.heartandstroke.ca
blood pressure is responsible for about 7.1 million
premature deaths each year.
High blood pressure typically has no warning signs or
symptoms, which is why it is often called a “silent killer.”
40 Health & Wellness
10 reasons to fall in love with
potatoes
Want to do something good for your heart? Find new
ways to increase your intake of potassium. This nutrient
may help reduce the risk of high blood pressure and
promote heart health. The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration reports that diets containing foods that are
a good source of potassium and that are low in sodium
may help reduce the risk of high blood pressure and
stroke.
Did you know potatoes are a good source of potassium
and contain no sodium? In fact, one medium potato (5.3
ounces) with the skin on contains 620 mg of potassium.
That's 18 percent of your daily requirement and more than
a banana. Need more reasons to love potatoes? Read on.
1. Did you grow up listening to your mother tell you to
eat your vegetables? Well, potatoes are vegetables, so
eat away.
2. This one's simple: one medium-sized potato (5.3 oz.)
has 110 calories and is fat- and cholesterol- free.
3. Potatoes (with the skin) are a good source of
potassium. Research shows that potassium may help
lower blood pressure, contributing to a heart-healthy diet.
4. Hit by a cold? What you eat can help fight it off. A
medium-sized spud has nearly half the recommended
daily value of vitamin C and is also a good source of
vitamin B6.
5. Potatoes are also a source of dietary fiber, a complex
carbohydrate, which is known to increase satiety and help
with weight loss.
6. Russets, reds, fingerlings, blues, purples, yellows
and whites - with six common fresh potato varieties,
there's always a new color or texture to experiment with.
7. No time to boil or bake? That's a good thing. The
quickest methods for cooking potatoes, microwaving and
steaming, are also the healthiest because they allow the
potato to retain the most nutritional value.
8. Potato casserole, potato salad, mashed potatoes,
baked potatoes, roasted potatoes - what do these dishes
have in common? They can all be made in less than 20
minutes and without turning on the oven or boiling water.
9. Potatoes with skin rank highest for potassium
content among the top 20 most frequently consumed raw
vegetables and the top 20 most frequently consumed raw
fruits. That means they have more potassium than a
banana, more than broccoli, more than an orange, more
than spinach ... you get the idea.
10. For a potato dish that's packed with potassium, try
Quick and Healthy Microwave Mashed Potatoes or visit
www.potatogoodness.com for more ideas.
Quick and Healthy Microwave Mashed
Potatoes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Makes four servings
Ingredients:
1 1/4 pounds Russet potatoes (Red, white or yellow-
fleshed potatoes can be substituted)
1/2 cup each: nonfat plain yogurt and fat-free milk
1 1/2 tablespoons healthy butter spread
1/4 teaspoon sea salt (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic or seasoned
salt)
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions:
Place whole potatoes (do not poke) into microwave-safe
dish. Cover dish. (If covering dish with plastic wrap, poke
small hole in plastic.) Microwave on high for 10 to 12
minutes depending on strength of microwave. Use oven
mitts to remove dish from microwave; carefully remove
cover and mash well. Stir in yogurt, milk, butter spread
and seasonings. Cook for a minute or two more to heat if
necessary.
Nutritional analysis per serving with skins:
Calories: 170, Fat: 3.5 grams, Saturated Fat: 1 gram,
Trans Fat: 0 grams, Cholesterol: 0 milligrams, Sodium:
220 milligrams, Potassium: 644 milligrams,
Carbohydrates: 29 grams, Fiber: 2 grams, Sugar: 4
grams, Protein: 5 grams, Vitamin A: 10 percent, Vitamin
C: 50 percent, Calcium: 10 percent, Iron: 6 percent
Courtesy of ARAcontent

Health News
Immigrants at lower risk of stroke
Researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital and the Institute
of Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) have released
preliminary results from a study they are conducting. It
shows that recent immigrants to Ontario have a 30%
lower risk of stroke than long term residents.
“What we learned could translate into long-term health
benefits for the whole population,” says Dr. Gustavo
Saposnik, a neurologist at St. Michael’s Hospital. “We
need to do further research but the study points to the
need for policies that aim to preserve the healthier state of
new immigrants while continuing to focus on lowering
stroke risk among all adults.”
The study looked at new immigrants over a 12 year
period and matched them to the equivalent number of
people who had lived in the province for at least five
years. The participants were between the ages of 16 - 65
with an average age of 34.
“New immigrants face many stresses – new jobs, new
diets and building new relationships – our study wanted
to examine how these factors affected their risk of
stroke,” says Saposnik, “The findings verify the presence
of a healthy immigrant effect in relation to stroke risk.”
Canada’s post code heart attack survival
lottery
A new study confirms what many Canadians believe:
that survival of a heart attack depends upon where you
live and the facilities available.
Overall, two-thirds of Canadians live close enough to
hospitals that can provide angioplasty treatment, which
significantly improves a heart-attack victim’s chances for
survival and recovery.
In Ontario over 70% of the population live close
enough to hospitals and can receive treatment within an
hour. However in New Brunswick only 15.8% would
receive their treatment within the “golden” hour.
“Time is muscle – heart muscle in this case – and for
every minute that goes by, there is a little more permanent
damage to the heart,” Dr. William Ghali of the Libin
Cardiovascular Institute at the University of Calgary said.
“There’s no question that for Canadians, equity is one
of the things we strive for in this country,” he said. “So
certainly where there is a situation that is not
geographically equitable, it is unsettling. It doesn’t sit
quite right with people to realize that therapies available in
the cities may not be offered to people in more rural
areas.”
Canada’s three territories along with Prince Edward
Island lack facilities altogether and are reliant on patients
being sent to other locations for treatment, severely
compromising their recovery.
Health & Wellness 41
Shannon Hagerman, spokeswoman for the Department
of Health, said it’s too early to comment on the study.
“The Department of Health will need to review, assess
and analyze this report within a provincial context, before
being in a position to comment on its findings,” she said.
Although the obvious solutions would seem to be
offering angioplasty treatment in all towns and cities,
Ghali says this is not a viable option.
“There would be tradeoffs: system efficiency, dollars
involved, the performance, if new cardiologists would
need to be recruited,” he said.
Alberta health act proposed by
government committee
A provincial advisory committee is recommending that
Alberta have its own legislation governing how its health
care system operates, a reform it says would work within
the Canada Health Act. An Alberta health act would
enshrine the principles Albertans agreed should be in the
provincial health-care system, Edmonton Conservative
MLA Fred Horne said at the release of a report by the
advisory committee on health.
Horne was the co-chair of the committee, which was
formed by former health minister Ron Liepert in
September to help the province reform and update its
health care legislation.
“We asked people where do you think those sort of
things belong?” Horne said. “They told us quite clearly
they belong in a health act built by Albertans for
Albertans.”
The Alberta health act would be the overarching
legislation governing health care in the province, Horne
said. The report says the act would operate within the
Canada Health Act.
“The preamble to the act should clearly affirm that
Alberta’s health care system will operate within the
parameters of the Canada Health Act and its principles of
public administration, comprehensiveness, universality,
portability and accessibility,” the report said.
“The Alberta health act should address the much
broader range of health services within the province, both
those that receive public funding and others within the
overall continuum of services that enable healthy people
and communities.”
The committee also proposed that Alberta create its
own charter of rights for patients and define principles of
accountability, access and transparency that must be
maintained in the health care system.
The province should consolidate a number of provincial
health care laws, including the Hospitals Act, the Nursing
Homes Act and the Health Insurance Premium Act, the
committee said.
“This act would put people and families first,” said
Stelmach. “And it speaks to what we all want from our
publicly funded health system: safe, quality care that is
there when we need it.”
32Sequoia
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