muchmor

issue 24 November 07

making canada home issue 28 march 2008

www.muchmormagazine.com

The Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia

Canadian International Motor Show
Searching for dinosaurs
Immigration processing times
Skilled worker and business immigration
Real life - Nova Scotia
2008 career forecast
Graduated driving explained
Summer camps for kids
Million dollar properties
Septic systems explained
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 Contents 3

From the Editor.....

Muchmor Welcome to another issue of Muchmor where we invite you to

experience the stunning Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia (page 4), a
Muchmor Media
place you will not regret visiting. Also, have you every wondered
17 Woody Woodward Lane what property you could buy with a million dollars? Well on page
Corbyville RR1
Ontario 52 we show you exactly what your lottery win could buy.
K0K 1V0 Muchmor is also asking the all important question of why
Canada
immigration processing times are getting longer, read more on
Tel: 1 613 396 5531 page 18.
Fax: 1 613 396 5531
We also wanted to mention the fact that Zoom Airlines may be
withdrawing their discount codes, including ours, so book those
www.muchmormagazine.com
flights now to take advantage before it’s too late.
Advertising:
sales@muchmormagazine.com
Speak again soon, Ed
Editorial:
editor@muchmormagazine.com

Contents…
Muchmor Magazine is a publication
of Muchmor Media. All rights Canada Motoring
reserved in all media. No parts of Graduated driving explained 34
this publication can be reproduced Experience the Cabot Trail 4
in any form, copied of stored All revved up 8
electronically for commercial use
without prior permission in writing In search of dinosaurs 11 Kidzone
from the publisher. Storing for
Best places to live 13 Summer Camps 38
personal use is acceptable.
A little something for Easter 14 Kids questions 41
We are happy to make every effort
to verify all the information we
publish, but products and prices do Immigration Tea Break
change. Muchmor Magazine cannot Feedback 42
accept responsibility for any errors Simplify or not 16
or omissions or for any losses that Processing times get longer 18 Top Canadian 44
may arise as a result, but it is our
policy to correct any errors of fact Immigration Q & A 20
whenever we can. Funding for immigration 21 Realty
The opinions of readers and their Record numbers leave UK 22 House prices double 45
letters are not necessarily the Septic systems explained 49
opinions of Muchmor, and we
Immigration news 23
cannot be held responsible for their Million dollar properties 52
comments. Calgary real estate 58
Real Life
Nova Scotia bound 24

Employment
Take charge of your career 27
Canadian employment 28
2008 job forecast 30
Supersize your job offer 31

Money
Those taxing issues 32
4 Canada
Experience the Cabot Trail
When most people think of
Canada they picture the Rockies
with Banff and Lake Louise, or
perhaps the hustle and bustle of
cities such as Vancouver or
Toronto, but there is far more to
Canada than that. The Cabot Trail
in northern Nova Scotia is a
stunning drive that takes in some
breathtaking scenery.
You can be forgiven for not having
heard of the Cabot Trail as most Nova
Scotians want to keep the secret to
themselves, and you can’t blame them.
The trail forms a loop 298 km long at the
northern tip of Cape Breton Island and is
known as one of the most scenic drives in
the world. The island has been named as
North America’s most scenic island and
the fourth most scenic in the world.
The trail is named after John Cabot,
an explorer who first landed in Cape
Breton back in 1497. After his “discovery”
of the Island many Europeans followed to
"I have traveled around the
globe. I have seen the
Canadian and American
Rockies, the Andes, the Alps
and the Highlands of
Scotland, but for simple
beauty, Cape Breton outrivals
them all.”
Alexander Graham Bell,
famous Cape Breton resident
become the first non-native settlers. Many
of the current inhabitants of the area can
trace their ancestors back to those first
settlers. A large majority of the population
have Scottish roots after many Scots
emigrated to Cape Breton in the 1700’s.
Anyone who has visited the Cabot
Trail will say that everyone should
experience the trail at least once in their
lifetime. The only problem is, if you visit
once, you will want to return time and
time again, so be warned.
The trail can be driven in a day, but if
you want to experience all the area has to
offer then you would be doing yourself a
serious disservice if you were to rush it.
The road is open year round and
depending when you visit will offer
different vistas and experiences. In the
spring you can see the sea ice off the
shore, the summer makes the beaches a
popular destination, the fall brings the
stunning foliage colours to life and the
winter brings with it skiing and
snowboarding opportunities. So,
whenever you visit there is sure to be
something to make the trip memorable.
The trail officially starts in Baddeck
and meanders round to Margaree, but
you can choose to start or end at either
location. The route also incorporates the
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
which deserves a day of your trip to itself.
You will also experience mountains,
beaches, rugged coastlines, hiking trails,
fishing, lakes, golf and so much more.

So, lets take a look along the route.
Baddeck is generally considered the
starting point of the trail so we will start
there. This town was made famous by
Alexander Graham Bell who moved here in
1893 with his wife after falling in love with
the area during a visit a few years
previously. They build an estate
overlooking the Bras d’Or Lakes and called
it Beinn Bhreagh (Beautiful Mountain).
Today visitors can visit the Alexander
Graham Bell National Historic Site which
houses a museum dedicated to the
inventors life. If you think that a museum is
a bit boring, think again. Did you know that
not only is Bell credited with inventing the
telephone but he also attempted to invent a
device which would turn fog into drinking
water and he also worked on hydrofoils and
aeronautics towards the end of his life.
If you plan to stop overnight in
Baddeck there are plenty of rooms
available, although you would be advised
to book in advance to avoid
disappointment, especially if you are
traveling in the summer months. The town
provides a good location to use as a base
as it offers the most amenities and is
centrally located. The town also offers boat
cruises, cycle routes, sports facilities
amongst many other activities. If you are
there in August you might get to experience
the annual regatta and see all the yachts or
go for a sail yourself.
Depending on whether you take a
clockwise or anti-clockwise route round the
trail will depend on which locations you
come to next. however, if you travel
clockwise you will travel through the
Margaree Valley. The Margaree River is a
must stop for fishermen. It is regarded as
one of the most productive Atlantic salmon
rivers in North America. You can also visit
the Margaree Salmon Museum which
houses antique rods, flies, photos and
includes education videos about the
salmon life cycle. This area is also the
location of some pretty beaches and
Margaree Harbor.
Further along the trail you will come to
the village of Cheticamp which is the
location of the western gateway to Cape
Breton Highlands National Park. Cheticamp
is the largest and oldest Arcadian village in
the area and is the centre for the French-
speaking culture on Cape Breton. The
Canada 5
village is famous for its hooked rugs, an
ancient craft which is featured at the
Elizabeth LeFort Gallery and Museum.
The village is also a good place to pick
up a whale-watching cruise or go deep sea
fishing. Pilot whales and minkes can often
be spotted in the local waters.
A third of the Cabot Trail runs through
the Cape Breton Highlands National Park
and it is just north of Cheticamp that you
will enter the park. If you are just going to
drive through the park you will not need to
pay any fees. However, if you plan to stop
off and explore the park or use any of the
parks facilities you will need to purchase a
permit. For a daily entry fee of just $6.80
for adults and $3.40 for children it is a
inexpensive way to spend a day, or just a
few hours if time is tight. The park covers
an area of 950 sq km and can be seen in
the map on page 4, depicted by the green
area.
The park encompasses stunning
ocean scenery, highlands, cliffs, plateaus
and river canyons. Stop off at the visitors
centre to get maps and advice to help you
best enjoy the park.
There are twenty-five hiking trails in
the park ranging from gentle strolls to
challenging climbs. If you are up for a
challenge then trails such as L’Acadien will
suit you. This trail involves steep climbs
over 8 km and will take around 4 hours to
complete. At the other end of the scale the
Lone Shieling Trail which is a gentle 15
minute stroll.
Wildlife is extensive in the park and
you are likely to spot moose, bears, eagles,
hares, owls etc. Moose should be given a
wide berth and needless to say bears are
best viewed at the end of a very long
camera lens.
There are numerous beaches within
the park offering swimming and water
activities. Ingonish Beach is the only beach
to offer both fresh and saltwater swimming.
Amazingly the sandy beach is washed
away every winter and re-deposited by the
tides each spring. Many of the beaches
have picnic areas, washrooms,
playgrounds, cafes and some have surf
guards on duty.
If you like fishing the park will not Fall foliage
disappoint. There are numerous The coastal route
opportunities to fish in the lakes and rivers Cheticamp
in season. Beach from above
6 Canada
Golf is also a favorite pastime for
many park visitors with Highlands Links
being voted one of the best courses in
Canada. The scenery will certainly be
stunning as the links are surrounded by
mountains and coastline.
If you want to truly experience the
park then you can camp here. There are
eight campgrounds, six front country, one
back country and one group. Each
campground has its own facilities and
each varies, so check out which is best for
you. All except one are on a first come
first served basis, so no pre-booking
available. The Cheticamp campground is
the only one which allows pre-
booking ,but make sure you book well in
advance to secure your spot. To reserve a
campsite visit the 24-hour Internet service
at www.pccamping.ca or dial toll free
1-877-737-3783, TTY: 1-866-787-6221. If
you are calling from abroad, the
international number is 1-514-335-4813.
If you visit the park during the winter,
you will still be able to enjoy it for
completely different reasons. The park
has seven groomed trails for skiing.
Back on the road and you will soon
realize why people love to drive the Cabot
Trail. From Cheticamp the road starts to
resemble a roller-coaster ride. The assent
up French Mountain will take you to a
height of 455 metres and you will come
back down to earth on the other side.
Next comes MacKenzie Mountain with a
height of 372 metres and then a descent
to Pleasant Bay. Stop off at Fishing Cove
Lookoff as the views here are simply
spectacular and should not be missed.
Pleasant Bay is a picturesque fishing
village where you can catch a whale
cruise or pop into the Whale Interpretive
Centre for an insight into this area and the
local whale populations.
The road from Pleasant Bay will the
take you to the North Mountains. The top
of the mountain is 445 metres above sea
level after which you descend to the Aspy
River valley. This is a lovely place to stop
and relax and take in the scenery.
At this point you should head off to
Cabot’s Landing where you will find a
beautiful 11 km long sandy beach and
picnic park. Follow the road to Capstick
where you will find a dirt road which winds
its way to Meat Cove. Now when we say
winding and dirt, we really mean it. The
road is bumpy, dirty and within inches of
perilous steep cliffs, but when you get to
Meat Cove you will thank us for making
you drive down it, honest!
The views from this point are truly
unbeatable and if you fancy it there is a
great campground located here too. There
isn’t much to do here other than take in
the vista, but what a vista.
After this little excursion get back on
the Cabot Trail and head towards
Ingonish. This area is famous for its
beaches and is the eastern entrance to
Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
You may see pilot and minke whales here
and this is another spot where you can
take advantage of whale watching
cruises.
After Ingonish the Cabot Trail makes
its way over Cape Smokey for more
spectacular views. This area is a favorite
for those who like to shop for local arts
and crafts. You will find shops selling
glassware, wood and leather products.
 Canada 7

You will now find yourself in St Anns list. If you are feeling particularly energetic even have dreams of living here. Either
Bay. Here you can take a short detour via you can of course always cycle the trail. way, you will never regret the time spent
ferry to Englishtown. You might want to Once you have been here, we here.
visit the Giant MacAskill Museum which is promise you will want to return, you might
dedicated to the memory of Angus
MacAskill who lived in the 1800’s and was
7ft 9in tall and weighed 193 kg. You will be
able to see items of his clothing, furniture
and even visit his burial site if that is what
takes your fancy.
If you don’t fancy this detour keep on
the trail towards St Anns Harbor where
you can take kayaking tours.
By now you are on the final leg of the
trail which will end where we started back
Donna McNeil
in Baddeck. Exit Realty Metro
On the way to Baddeck you might
2055-1658 Bedford Highway, Bedford Nova Soctia, B4A 2X9.
Cell: 902-222-4937
want to stop off at the nearby Uisge Ban
Fax: 902-835-4539
Falls (pronounced ash-ka-ban). You can
email: donnamcneil@exitmetro.ca
take the trails in the park, one the River email: donna@relocationnovascotia.com
Trail leads alongside the North Branch Web: www.halifaxdartmouthrealestate.com
River. You will cross pretty wooden bridges
and see beautiful scenery and remember
Moving to Nova Scotia ?
to look out for the many birds. The second
trail, The Falls Trail will take you to the falls Lots of Questions?
which give the park its name. You will hear For Information meet me at Emigrate 2008
the roar of the water long before you see
the fifty foot falls themselves. Once out of
March 1 & 2 - 2008
the park you are back in Baddeck. Stand 118
So there you have it, the Cabot Trail. Sandown Racecourse
A place not to be missed and definitely
one for the “Places to visit before you die”
Esher, Surrey
8 Canada

All revved up
In February the Canadian finding how to get from one location to
International Auto Show was in another as it wasn’t clearly defined. This
could definitely be improved.
Toronto and Muchmor paid a visit
Once you found your way around
to see what the show was all there was plenty to see. Obviously many
about, well vehicles obviously, but of the manufacturers had their top models
was it good, bad or somewhere in on show, but many also had base models
between? so you could see what you could actually
afford, rather than one you can only
dream of.
Obviously the main reason to go to
the auto show is to see the vehicles.
Concepts Ford Airstream
Either you are a car buff or you are in the
market for a new vehicle. There is no
Concept cars are always interesting
better place to see all the major
as you get to see what you might be
manufacturers together and be able to
driving in the future, even if many never
see several possible new vehicle
reach the forecourt. Some are purely
contenders in one location.
some geek car designers dream whilst
Most of the manufacturers had at
others are more likely to go into
least one version of each model on show
production.
and of these, most could be accessed by
Mazda had the Furai on show which
the public. So, if you wanted to get in and
looked quite spectacular on its revolving
have a play you could. Some of the more
stage and would be fueled by pure
prestigious brands obviously thought that
ethanol (this is good apparently!). The
most of the visitors were not worthy of
sitting in their cars as they were locked
name means “sound of the wind” in Ford Airstream
Japanese and with a 450 horsepower
and you either had to ask for access, or it
engine it will probably live up to its name.
wasn’t an option at all.
Then there was the Ford Airstream
The show is located in three different
which was very futuristic, with bright
venues: North Convention Centre, South
orange interior and swivel bucket seats. It
Convention Centre and the Rogers
is hard to see this going into production
Centre, all connected by walkways and
any time soon and would look more fitting
shuttle buses. Although there were
in an episode of The Jetsons. The vehicle
location maps in different areas and you
is battery powered with plug-in capability
could purchases an auto show guide
and can travel 40 km in all electric mode,
($5.00) with maps inside they simply told
so rather limiting, so unlikely ever to go
you that manufacturer X could be found in
into production.
location 2. The problem we found was Ford Interceptor

Mazda Furia Mazda Furia Toyota Hydrid X

 Canada 9

Another eye-catcher was Toyota’s

Hybrid X which is perhaps more likely to
become a production vehicle, although
not anytime soon. It is probably one of the
most conventional looking concepts on
show and in a rather stunning shade of
blue.
Another Ford concept was the
Interceptor which apparently stands a
better than average chance of becoming a
production model. It is based on the
Mustang and resembles a sedan on
Classic Hotrod steroids with its imposing front grill and
Audi R8
large proportions. The engine will be a 5-
liter V8 able to run on ethanol.
Other notable concepts were the
Volvo XC60, the Mitsubishi concept-CX
and the BMW X6. We will just have to wait
an see if any make it to the showrooms.

Classics

As well as being able to glance into

the future you can turn back the clock too.
In the classics section of the show you
Classic Hotrod Audi R8
can see some beautiful old cars, some
with quite magnificent paint jobs. You
stroll around to the sounds of the Beach
Boys, Beetles and other nostalgic groups
looking back on times when cars were
simply cars. They had an engine, seats
and got you (sometimes) from a to b,
nothing more, nothing less.

Sporty numbers

Everyone is seduced by a little sporty

Dodge Viper number now and again (we are still talking Ford Mustang
about cars!) This show certainly had its
fare share on offer. The simply stunning
bright green Dodge viper SRT10 was the
first we came across when entering the
show and it was certainly getting some
admiring glances.
Another car with its fare share of
admirers was the new Audi R8. This car
has been voted Car of the Year by
Canadian auto journalists and I for one
have no objections to their choice.
A North American firm favorite has to
Dodge Viper be the Ford Mustang. The one on show
here was the Shelby Cobra GT500KR
version which has a 550 horsepower
engine and is unmistakable with the
distinctive stripes over the hood.
10 Canada

Normality resumes new crossovers is pulling you. Whatever

Did I mention that amongst the
concept cars, the classics, hotrods and
sporty numbers there were some
“normal” vehicles.
In a perfect world we would all have
a vehicle for every occasion, An Audi R8
for those times when you want to drive
for shear pleasure, a vintage hotrod for
those head-turning summer jaunts, a top
Jeep Liberty of the range Range Rover for those
times when nothing else will do and of
course for those special occasions an
Aston Martin tucked in the garage.
Unfortunately the vast majority of us
cannot afford such luxuries and have to
make do with one or possibly two
vehicles per household. So what do you
choose?
Well there are the very popular
SUV’s which are great if you have kids
and need that extra bit of space, but they
do tend to be gas-guzzlers. Perhaps you
Saturn Astra just want a modest runaround such as a
Ford Focus, or perhaps the lure of the
your taste and needs there are sure to
be a few to choose from at the show.
One car familiar to European drivers
is the new Saturn Astra. Known in
Europe as the Vauxhall or Opal Astra
very little has been changed in the North
American version. The version on show
in toronto was truly stunning with
chameleon paint work changing from
purple, to green to bronze.
You can never go far wrong in North
America with a Ford F150. Voted North
American truck of the year time and time
again, Ford unveiled the 2009 version at
the show. At the other end of the scale
Mini unveiled their new clubman, which I
have to say I though pretty ugly,
especially compared to the delightful Mini
Cooper.
For those of you who think this
article has simply been an excuse to look
at some really stunning cars and print
some great picture, you are right and we
make no apologies.

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 Canada 11

In search of dinosaurs
There is nowhere quite like
Alberta for those searching for
dinosaurs. Sure, you won’t come
across any live ones, well we don’t
think so anyway, but what you will
find is 75 million years of dinosaur
history.

Dinosaur Provincial Park is located

two hours southeast of Calgary and is the
location of some of the best fossil
discoveries ever made. Over 35 species
of dinosaur have been found here dating
back over 75 million years. In total over
300 dinosaur skeletons have been located
and many more are still undiscovered in
this vast wilderness.
Museums all over the world house
skeletons originally found in this area
making it one of the most important
archeological sites in the world. So
revered is the site that it was named a
United Nations World Heritage Site in
1979.
The park is situated in the Red Deer
Valley and you could be forgiven in
thinking that you had entered another
world when you arrive. The area is here can get very hot (35°C) and the sun If you don’t want to be confined to a
famous for its hoodoos (pictured right) is unforgiving. Some of the tours only take bus, then one of the hiking tours may be
which tower majestically from the ground. place in the mornings because of the for you. There are several guided tours to
You can travel from neighboring heat, so make sure you research this choose from and include gentle
towns and spend the day in the park, but beforehand so as not to miss them. wheelchair accessible routes such as the
why not spend a couple of days here and Many of the tours are escorted as Cottonwood Flats Trail as well as those
use the campground facilities. There are they take you into areas that are being requiring some physical stamina.
many tours available and numbers are excavated and are therefore protected. If If you want to go it alone, then you
limited, so many people find that they you are really lucky you may visit as can hike some of the public trails which
simply don’t have the time to take something is discovered. Some of the are generally pretty easy going and offer
advantage of the whole park if they are areas where the tours venture can also be great vistas over the badlands. The Fossil
only here for a day. If you plan to stay in dangerous with local wildlife such as Hunters Trail is one of the best trails
one of the campgrounds, reservations are rattlesnakes on the prowl. The landscape which passes by areas where dinosaurs
recommended, especially in the summer can also be very bewildering and it would have been excavated in the past and you
as places get booked very quickly. be easy to get lost on your own. One of may still see bones here and there. If you
As well as the guided tours, there are the best tours to take in order to get a have a little more energy then the Coulee
five self-guided tours available, two of good overview of the park is the Badlands Viewpoint Trail is for you. This trail is only
which are accessible for physically Bus tour. This is a two-hour bus ride half a kilometer long but climbs steadily to
disabled visitors. during which time an experienced guide give you great views of the valley below.
If you visit in the summer make sure will point out all the local landmarks and The Badlands Trail is a great trail to really
you have plenty of water with you as well give you details of the dinosaurs found. appreciate the hoodoos up close and
as sunscreen and a hat as temperatures personal.
12 Canada

The fees for the park are very a visit to Alberta, or you already live there,
reasonable with family tickets for bus and you really must set aside a couple of days
hiking tours being only $25.00. to go back 75 million years, you won’t
Whilst in the area your trip is not regret it.
complete if you don’t travel north to
Drumheller and visit the Royal Tyrrell
Museum. The entrance for adults is $10
and $6 for children, or you can buy a
family ticket for $30.
You will know you have reached the
museum as you are confronted by a huge
Tyrannosaurs Rex at the entrance. Once
inside there are hundreds of exhibits to
view. See what Alberta looked like 70
MOVING 2 ALBERTA
million years ago in the Cretaceous Contact Helen Parnell a property relocation
specialist who has helped many
Alberta exhibit. In the Dinosaur Hall you
will see over 40 mounted skeletons and
thousands of fossil specimens. Visit the
Ice Age exhibit and see sabre-toothed
expats settle here after making
tigers and wooly mammoths. You can
even venture underwater, well a re-
the move herself.
creation of a prehistoric ocean bed where Free assistance on • Accommodation
you will come across creatures that will
blow your mind. Kids will love the Nexen
• Real Estate • Insurance
Science Hall where they can interact by • Mortgages • Airport meet and greet
pushing levers, buttons and learn about
geology, fossils and dinosaurs.
• Serving Calgary and South Alberta
To spend a few days in the Badlands
area of Alberta will never be wasted, there Tel: 001 403 932 5670
is so much to see and do and you will
Email: Helenparnell@shaw.ca
www.moving2alberta.com
never get this type of experience
anywhere else in the world. So if you plan
 Canada 13

The best places in Canada

If you asked people where the
best place to live in Canada was
you would get lots of different
replies. Where one person
considers good another might
think is the worst possible place to
live. It all depends on you own
personal requirements. So we
have taken a look at the different
surveys and polls to give you an
overview.

Best overall

MoneySense conducted their survey

regarding the best places to live in
Canada. Their criteria included economy,
weather, amenities, real estate and
Ottawa
attractions. From this they came up with
the following top ten. Their criteria included cost of living, For the weather
real estate prices, climate, transportation,
1. Ottawa-Gateneau, ON health care and scenery. Again we look to MoneySense to
2. Halifax, NS provide the answers and in their survey
3. Quebec, QC
For families the top places for the best weather overall
4. Guelph, ON were.
5. Fredericton, NB
Today’s Parent magazine have
6. Kingston, ON Leamington, ON
decided that their top 10 locations in
7. Moncton, NB Kitchener, ON
Canada for families are:
8. London, ON Ottawa-Gatineau, ON
9. Victoria, BC Rimouski, QC
1. Quebec City, QC
10. Gander, NL Windsor, ON
2. Ottawa-Hull, ON
3. Halifax, NS
To retire to 4. Winnipeg, MB For real estate
5. Calgary, AB
California State University surveyed 6. St.John's, NL When looking at real estate prices
cities across North America which were 7. Saskatoon, SK MoneySense took into account the
considered best to retire to. Of those the 8. Edmonton, AB median family income of the area
following five Canadian cities came up 9. Victoria, BC compared to the average house prices.
tops. 10. Toronto, ON The following locations were the most
affordable.
1. Victoria, BC There choices were based on criteria
2. London, ON such as the best schools, health care, low Timmins, ON
3. Halifax, NS crime rate, clean air etc. Terrace, BC
4. Stratford, ON Thompson, MB
5. Kingston, ON Yorkton, SK
Kitimat, BC
14 Canada

A little something for Easter

Quebec Toutiere
Ingredients

1 lb. minced pork (ground)

1 small onion
1 small clove garlic, minced
! tsp. salt
! tsp. sage
" tsp. celery pepper
" tsp. ground cloves
! cup water
" to ! cup bread crumbs

Place all ingredients in a sauce pan except bread crumbs. Bring to

a boil and cook 20 minutes uncovered over medium heat, stirring
often to break up meat - remove from heat. Add a few bread
crumbs, let stand 10 minutes. If fat is sufficiently absorbed by the
bread crumbs, do not add more. If not, continue adding bread
crumbs. Cool and pour into pastry lined pie pan. Cover with pastry.
Bake in a 400° oven until crust is brown. Serve Hot.

Classic Baked Ham with Maple-

Mustard Glaze
Ingredients

1 cooked, bone-in half ham (about 7 to 8 lbs.)

15 whole cloves
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Preheat oven to 325°. Cut off the tough, leatherlike skin from ham (if
it has it; some hams will not), and score the fat in a crosshatch
pattern. Stud ham all over with cloves, put in a large roasting pan,
and loosely tent with foil. Bake until a thermometer inserted in center
of thickest part (not touching the bone) registers 135°, about 20
minutes per lb. or 2 to 2 1/2 hours total, basting occasionally with
any accumulated juices.
While ham is baking, make the glaze: In a medium bowl, combine
brown sugar, maple syrup, and mustard. Whisk until smooth. When
ham has about 40 minutes left to bake (internal temperature will be
120° to 125°), brush generously on all sides with glaze. Continue baking until ham reaches 135° and glaze is well browned.
 Canada 15

Lemon-Blueberry Muffins
Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup butter
1 1/4 cups low-fat buttermilk
1 large egg
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
1 cup blueberries
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 400°. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups;
level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (flour
through nutmeg) in a medium bowl; cut in butter with a pastry blender
or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Combine buttermilk, egg, and rind; stir well with a whisk. Add to flour mixture;
stir just until moist. Gently fold in blueberries. Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 20
minutes or until the muffins spring back when lightly touched. Remove muffins from pans immediately, and place on a wire rack
to cool. Combine lemon juice and powdered sugar in a small bowl. Drizzle glaze evenly over cooled muffins.

Sharon Armitage Betty Burns

Broker of Record Sales Representative
(email) and Associate to Sharon Armitage
sharon@quinteisle.com (email)
betty@pictonrealty.com

YOUR LOCAL BROKER

Situated in the Heart of
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16 Immigration

To simplify, or not to simplify,

that is the question
Last year Citizenship and
Immigration Canada (CIC) Citizenship and Citoyenneté et P
Immigration Canada Immigration Canada
introduced a new simplified
application process. The majority APPLICATION FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE F
Office f
of people now applying for FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER CLASS
permanent residency either SIMPLIFIED APPLICATION PROCESS
D
through the skilled worker or THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE
PRINCIPAL APPLICANT ONLY
business routes will use this
method, but for some it is not an
option and the regular route must
• You have been lawfully admitted proficiency, relatives in Canada and work
be used. into the United States for a period of at
How many family members (including yourself) are experience details.
included
in this application for permanent residence?
least one year and are submitting your Page 3: Family member details and
First, lets clarify what is meant by the application
Language through
you prefer the
for: Buffalo visa your signature.
simplified process. Prior to introducing this office Correspondence: English French You will not be required to send any
You must m
method anyone applying for residency • You are applying using one of the supporting documentation at thisat time.
the time you su
thorough the skilled worker or business provincial nominee routes
Interview: English French Other If you are using a representative to
routes needed to complete lots of • You are applying through the submit your application you will also need
paperwork and present all related Quebec
1. Your route
full name (as shown in your passport or travel to document)
complete the form IMM12. 5476Your- residential
Use of aaddress (incl
supporting documentation at the time of • You are eligible for points through
Family name Representative.
application. This meant than many people arranged employment You will then need to send your
Given name(s)
were sending in literally hundreds of If you cannot use the simplified application form, along with your
sheets of paper with everything from their process 2. you
Yourmustsex use the regular Male Female processing fees to the relevant visa office.
employment references to qualifications. application process. Everyone else should
Day Month Year
Some visa offices have 13. additional
Your mailing address, if differ
3. Your date of birth
Not only was this very time consuming for use the simplified application process. instructions that you should use. This link
the applicant it also meant that CIC had to 4. Your place of birth Town/City
will give you details of this.
stockpile tons of paperwork until the time Skilled Worker Country You can find which visa office you
the applications were assessed. should use by clicking on this link.
5. Your country
The new simplified process allows of citizenship After you have mailed your All correspondence will go to thi
If you qualify for the simplified address below, thereby authoriz
the applicant to complete just a couple of 6. Your country application to the correct visapersonal office information
you to be provi
process you will need to complete form
of residence
sheets of paperwork and only send in the will receive an Acknowledgment of
IMM 0008SW - Application for Permanent Day Month Year 14. Your e-mail address, if applica
supporting documents when requested at Since when?
Receipt (AOR). The AOR does not in any
Residence. The form is quite easy to
the time their application is assessed. way confirm your application status it
complete7. Yourandnative
askslanguage
for the following
Remember that you must meet the simply confirms they have15. received your numbers
Your telephone
information:
required selection criteria for the 8. Your height cm ORapplication. ft in At home (
Country code
Page 1: Number of applicants )
immigration route you are using in order You will not normally need to contact
included, preferred
9. Colour of your eyeslanguage for Alternative
( )
to apply via either route. the visa office again until they contact you
correspondence, your personal details:
10. Your current marital status
name, sex, date for supporting documentation. The from
16. Details onlyyour passport
Neverof birth, place of birth, Legally
So, who can use the country of citizenship, country of
married
Married Widowed time you will need
separated to notify
Passport number
them of any
simplified process? residency, native
Annulled
language,Divorcedheight, eye Common-law changes to your application is for a
marriage Country of issue
colour, marital status, previous
If you are married or in a common-law change
Day Month
of address.
Year
An update of your
relationship, provide the date on which
marriagesyou orwere
common-law relationships, information will automatically be
You cannot use the simplified married or entered into the
Day Month
common-law relationship
address, email address, phone number, requested before the visa office Dateisofready
expiry
application process if; 11. Have you previously been married or in a common-law relationship?
to assess your application.
• You have been lawfully admitted to passport details, No
city you intent to live in
Yes Give the following details for each previous
do At
not the
have time
enoughyou will be asked to
17. Your identity card number, if a
Canada for a period of at least one year Canada and occupation. spouse or partner. If you
space, provide details on a separate sheet of
Page 2: Details of work or study in provide updated information relating to
and are submitting your application paper.
Canada, level Name of previous
of education, language your application such as employment
through the Buffalo visa office spouse or partner 18. Where do you intend to live in
City/Town
Day Month Year
Date of birth

Type of relationship Marriage Common-law union 19. Your current occupation

Day Month Year Day Month Year
From to
 Immigration 17

history since application, marital status Some visa offices have additional Business:
changes etc. You will also be asked to instructions that you should use. This linkApplication for Permanent Residence -
provide supporting documentation such will give you details of this, along with the
IMM 0008
as police certificates, passport details, application forms to download. Schedule 1: Background Declaration -
proof of education and employment, You can find which visa office you IMM 0008 Schedule 1
language skills etc. should use by clicking on this link. Business Immigrants - IMM 0008
You will be asked to undergo a Once submitted the process is Schedule 6
medical examination, along with all other exactly the same as that of skilled worker.Additional Family Information - IMM
family members and details of how to do 5406, and
this will be provided. What if I don’t qualify for the IMM 5476 - Use of a Representative if
Once you have submitted all the simplified process? using a representative to process your
requested information your application will application.
be assessed and a decision will be made You will have to submit all the
If you have to use the regular process
based on your details. You may be asked required supporting documentation at the
you will need to complete the following
to provide additional information and you time of your application.
forms:
may also be asked to attend an interview Once submitted to the correct visa
Skilled Worker:
office you will receive an Acknowledgment
Application for Permanent Residence -
Business Applicants of Receipt (AOR) which informs you that
IMM 0008
the office have received your application.
Schedule 1: Background Declaration -
If you are applying as an investor, At the time your application is
IMM 0008 Schedule 1
entrepreneur or self-employed you processed you may be asked for
Additional Family Information - IMM 5406
cannot use the simplified process if: additional information and will have to
Skilled Workers Schedule 3 - IMM 0008
• You have been selected by Quebec Schedule 3 and undergo medical examinations. A decision
and intend to settle there will then be made based on all your
IMM 5476 - Use of a Representative if
• You have been lawfully admitted to using a representative to process your information.
Canada for a period of at least one year application.
and you are submitting your application
via the visa office in Buffalo
• You have been lawfully admitted
into the United States for a period of at
least one year and you are submitting
your application via the visa office in
Buffalo
All other applicants may use the
simplified process as long as all other
selection criteria are met,
You will need to complete the form
IMM 0008BU - Application for Permanent
Residency, Business Immigration.
Pages 1 and 3 are the same as the
skilled worker application.
Page 2: Relatives in Canada, level of
education, language proficiency, work and
study in Canada (self-employed only),
exploration visits to Canada, net worth
(investors and entrepreneurs only).
If you are using a representative to
submit your application you will also need
to complete the form IMM 5476 - Use of a
Representative.
You will not be required to send any
supporting documentation at this time. mymuchmor - social networking brought to
You will then need to send your
you by muchmor - connecting canada
application form, along with your
processing fees to the relevant visa office. www.mymuchmor.com
18 Immigration
Muchmor asks why processing
times are getting longer?
New figures reveal that the
average time immigrants wait for
admission into canada has
increase over 20% since 2004.
The figures also highlight the huge
differences between one country
and another.
We have often reported on the
average wait times from various countries
around the world and this latest report
reveals that some people wait 2,300%
longer than others, depending on their
immigration category.
If we look at the skilled worker
category which is the most used category
you can expect to be processed within 14
months in Lima, Peru but will have to wait
a staggering 71 months in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis who
obtained the figures says, “ There's no
excuse for discrimination. Why are we not
looking at people as people? Things
should move at the same length of time
whether it's from Greece, from Europe,
from south Asia, or from China."
Karygiannis, a Toronto MP calculated
the figures and found that overall the
processing time had increased more than
20% between 2004 and 2006, a fact the
Conservative government did not dispute.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(CIC) spokesperson, Karen Shadd-
Evelyn, said no country is prioritized over
another but local conditions, like mail
service, play a factor in determining how
long an applicant must wait.
Muchmor has to ask at this point,
“how bad can the Kyiv postal system be
that it takes an additional 57 months for
applications to be processed? Are we
expected to believe that this is a major
factor in the processing times”
Shadd-Evelyn also added that they
had inherited a large 800,000 backlog
when they took office in early 2006 and
that they had responded by putting money
and time into priority categories such as
family reunification. This resulted in wait
times being reduced by several months
for spouses and children. A specific
example is dependent children where in
2004, 50% of their cases were completed
within seven months and 80% were
completed within 18 months. By the end
of 2006, 80% of cases had been
processed within 11 months.
Karygiannis agreed the immigration
system has been in need of repair for
many years. But he called the
government's excuse unacceptable.
Karygiannis found that although as
CIC suggested 80% of cases for family
reunification were processed within 11
months, geographic location played a
huge factor. People in London, United
Kingdom could expect to be processed
within 8 months whilst those in Haiti or
Guatemala would wait 19 months. At the
other end of the scale people in Vienna
would only wait on average three months.
Parents and grandparents could
expect their processing time to be around
11 months in London, UK, 34 months in
Beijing, China and 45 months in New
Delhi, India.
Across all countries skilled worker
processing times averaged 62 months for
80% of cases, however those in Paris,
France could wait 15 months, London, UK
54 months and as we mentioned before
Kyiv, Ukraine, 71 months.
Spouses and partners is one of the
quickest routes but even so discrepancies
still arose with Buffalo, USA seeing
processing times of 13 months whilst
Taipei applicants could be processed in as
little as 5 months.
Muchmor echoes what Karygiannis
says in that more personnel need to be
recruited or moved around so that
resources are spread more evenly and
every immigration office can process their
applicants in a speedy and efficient
manner.
We also suggest that thought be
given to the number of countries that each
office is responsible for. London, UK for
example not only processes applicants
from the UK, but also from Denmark,
Faroe islands, Finland, Greenland,
Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The Manila
office in the Philippines also processes
Guam, Japan, Johnston Atoll, Kosrae,
Marinas, Marshall Islands, Micronesia,
Midway Island, Northern Mariana Island,
Pacific Islands, Palau (Belau), Ponape,
 Immigration 19

Truk Island, Wake Island,Yap Island. If applicants can be grouped more

some of the visa offices were to
concentrate on their own applicants and
not those from other countries the
processing times could be reduced
drastically.
Although it is perhaps too much to ask
that each country be responsible for its
own applicants, a better managed system
would certainly help matters. Offices that
have high numbers of applicants need to
be able to concentrate on them and not
worry about others. Likewise perhaps
those countries who have only a few
responsibly.
The bottom line is Canada is crying
out for skilled workers, skilled workers are
desperate to move to Canada. It doesn’t
take a genius to see that a perfect fit
exists, it just needs the Canadian
government to see what everyone else can
see and make the system work.
STOP PRESS
On February 26th the Canadian
government announced the 2008
Budget. As part of many initiatives
they announced that they would be
modernizing the immigration system
with a $22-million investment over
two years, growing to $37 million per
year, including legislation to speed
up the processing of permanent
resident applications, ensuring
shorter wait times and making
Canada’s immigration system more
competitive. We will wait and see!

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) produces historical processing times for each visa office, however these times can and
do differ from current wait times and more importantly future wait times. The following charts give examples of published processing
times from various locations. Each class is depicted in the following order - Skilled Worker, Business, Family, Provincial Nominee

VISA OFFICE 30% OF CASES 50% OF CASES 70% OF CASES 80% OF CASES
FINALIZED IN: FINALIZED IN: FINALIZED IN: FINALIZED IN:
(MONTHS) (MONTHS) (MONTHS) (MONTHS)

CAIRO, EGYPT 40, 40, 5, 5 42, 47, 5, 6 44, 56, 7, 11 47, 74, 8, 22

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL 23, n/a, 3, 4 29, n/a, 4, 5 63, n/a, 6, 7 64, n/a, 7, 8

BEIJING, CHINA 53, 29, 2, 8 64, 53, 3, 10 67, 65, 4, 13 68, 67, 4, 13

HONG KONG 25, 28, 5, 4 29, 33, 6, 5 65, 60, 7, 7 68, 68, 8, 8

MANILA, PHILIPPINES 58, n/a, 4, 6 61, n/a, 4, 8 64, n/a, 6, 10 65, n/a, 6, 11

NEW DELHI, INDIA 68, 66, 2, 6 70, 67, 4, 9 72, 69, 6, 14 73, 70, 6, 16

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 27, n/a, 3, 3 29, n/a, 5, 4 31, n/a, 6, 5 32, n/a, 7, 6

BERLIN, GERMANY 22, 15, 6, 7 24, 18, 8, 8 27, 22, 10, 10 29, 25, 13, 11

KYIV, UKRAINE 31, n/a,10, 13 46, n/a, 11, 16 68, n/a, 13, 19 77, n/a, 14, 23

LONDON, UK 31, 28, 3, 5 33, 33, 4, 6 35, 42, 7, 8 38, 61, 9, 9

PARIS, FRANCE 31, 54, 5, 3 52, 58, 6, 5 58, 62, 7, 6 62, 64, 9, 9

VIENNA, AUSTRIA 11, n/a, 2, 2 14, n/a, 2, 3 17, n/a, 4, 5 19, n/a, 6, 6

BUFFALO, USA 16, 25, 3, 5 19, 46, 5, 6 22, 51, 7, 7 25, 56, 9, 8

KINGSTON, JAMAICA 17, n/a, 4, n/a 19, n/a, 6, n/a 22, n/a, 8, n/a 25, n/a, 11, n/a

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO 20, n/a, 5, n/a 21, n/a, 6, n/a 24, n/a, 8, n/a 26, n/a, 9, n/a
20 Immigration

Immigration Q & A
Roberta Campbell-Chudoba answers your questions regarding Canadian immigration. Roberta is an
immigration consultant from Canadian Relocation Solutions and is a member of the Canadian Society of
Immigration Consultants. You can contact Canadian Relocation Solutions on 1-306-373-4686 (Canada),
01753 362217 (Windsor UK) or 01904 236182 (York UK) or just click on the advert below.

If I take additional educational
courses whilst I wait for PR to be
processed can this be included in my
application to boost my potential to be
accepted?
First of all, you must meet all
requirements and criteria at the time of
application. Before the visa office is ready
to process your application, you will be
requested to update your situation.
According to Operating Manual 6 - Federal
Skilled Workers, if an applicant completes
further study between application and
assessment and submits the necessary
documentation of that study, points must
be awarded accordingly. Do not contact
the visa office with updates of your
situation including educational courses,
other than a change in address, before
being asked to do so. (Information of a
change in address should be submitted
immediately to the visa office by mail, e-
mail or fax.)
Canadian Immigration Visa Office will demonstrate that the transfer of the file
decide based upon ‘program integrity’ would not compromise the application
whether or not to transfer the application. evaluation process. Please note that for
As part of program integrity assessment purposes, Visa Offices
considerations, officers are instructed to receiving a transferred file must respect
be mindful that visa applications are the original date on which the application
reviewed by offices with the local was received as the “lock-in” date. That
knowledge and expertise necessary to means that a file received in London in
conduct an effective case review. July 2006 and transferred to Buffalo, USA
The Office may decide on its own to in March 2007, will enter the Buffalo queue
transfer your file to a different more as of July 2006.
appropriate Canadian Immigration Visa
Office without a request, based on the Will my processing fee be refunded
your updated address submission. The if I decide to cancel my application?
onus is on you, the applicant to
Canadian
Relocation
Solutions Ltd.
Canada’s Only Full Service Immigration-Relocation Company

I am a British citizen and eighteen

months ago I applied for Permanent
Residency in the Skilled Worker class
Business Owners and
at the London High Commission. I have
now been offered a job in the USA. I
Managers may qualify for
still want to move to Canada but will I
need to move my application from the our new Executive
UK to USA and if so will it slow down
my processing time? Program!
You are not required to move your file
CALL FOR DETAILS
as you have applied to the visa office WEB SITE: www.canadianrelocationsolutions.com
responsible for your country of citizenship. EMAIL: office@canadianrelocationsolutions.com
However, a request to transfer your
WINDSOR: 01753362217 YORK: 01904236182
application to another
CANANDA: 001 306 373 4686 CANADA FAX: 001 306 683 9562
Canadian Immigration Visa Office may be
RELOCATION/IMMIGRATION/LEGAL REPRESENTATION/RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL REAL
made to the London Visa Office when you ESTATE/MORTGAGES/TRANSPORTATION/FINANCIALCONSULTATIONS/BANKING/BUSINESSES/
INSURANCE/EDUCATION/EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT
are in the USA for over one year. The

The cost recovery fee charged to
process the Skilled Worker category
Application for Permanent Residence, paid
at the time application is made is
refundable any time before the initial
screening of the application by a visa
office. An applicant may request and
receive a refund of the cost recovery fee
up to that time. Once an application has
gone through initial screening, the cost
recovery fee is not refundable.
New funding to
attract
francophone
immigrants to New
Brunswick
Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship
and Immigration, announced funding for
the Société des Acadiens et Acadiennes
du Nouveau-Brunswick (SAANB) to help
attract and settle French-speaking
immigrants into francophone communities
across the province.
“Our government is committed to
helping ensure francophone minority
communities across Canada have a solid
future,” said Minister Finley. “This funding
will help attract French-speaking
newcomers to New Brunswick, and will
help ensure they succeed with their new
lives in Canada.”
The funding, which totals $50,000, is
provided through the Government of
Canada’s Official Languages Action Plan.
It will be used by the SAANB for a number
of activities, including training and cultural
awareness events, to help integrate
immigrants into francophone and Acadian
communities across the province of New
Brunswick.
Immigration information:
Immigration FAQ’s
Web Links
About Canada
Visa Types
Immigration 21
I am French but live in the UK. Do I applicant's foreign immigration status as
submit my application to Paris or long as the applicant meets the
London and in English or French? requirements of being legally admitted to
the country of current residence. But an
You must submit your Application for immigration application may be refused on
Permanent Residence in Canada to the the grounds of criminal inadmissibility if
Canadian Immigration Visa Office one has knowingly violated the
responsible for the country of your immigration laws of a foreign jurisdiction.
citizenship or to the visa office responsible You may submit your application in
for the country you are currently residing in French or English depending on your
if you have been legally admitted to that preference to any Canadian Immigration
country for at least one year. Canadian Visa Office.
immigration policy puts aside an
Settlement funding “The Government of Canada is
committed to helping newcomers
During February the government of
succeed,” said Minister Finley. “ With this
funding, thousands of new immigrants,
Canada announced a number of funding particularly internationally trained
initiative to help communities across
Canada integrate newcomers better.
immigrants, will have access to language
training, community services, and help
The communities receiving the
funding include: Lethbridge, Toronto, St
with finding a job. Their success is good
for Canada as a whole.”
John’s, Brantford and North Bay.
An immigrant, helping NEW immigrants
find their NEW HOME or an investment
property for the past 18 years.
email or call me TOLL FREE TODAY
Tel: 1-877-256-0006
email: stef@lukasgrouprealty.com
www.lukasgrouprealty.com
22 Immigration
Record numbers leave Britain
HIFX reveals emigration
trends as the number of people
leaving Britain grows to record
levels
Ten Pound Poms!
After World War II many Britons were
sold the dream of a new life in Australia,
seduced by a fare of just £10. Sixty years
on, the desire to join the original ‘Ten
Pound Poms’ shows no signs of abating.
As record numbers of Brits are
leaving the UK for a new life abroad,
currency specialists HiFX released its first
Annual Global Emigration Hotspots
Report. The study reveals migration
trends in 2007 and predicts where Brits
will be moving to this year. Australia
remains the top get away destination but
Canada is moving up the rankings to
become an emigration favorite too.
Latest figures from the Office of
National Statistics show a record 400,000
Brits leaving Britain each year or nearly
one in every 120 of the adult population.
This figure, up from 359,000 the previous
year and was the highest estimate since
ONS introduced the method to calculate
Total International Migration 1991.
The Emigration Hot Spots Report,
based on analysis of enquiries received
by HiFX, shows the number of enquiries
from Brits looking to emigrate across all
destinations was up by 22% in 2007
compared to the previous year. Australia
remained the top destination last year
followed by Spain, New Zealand, Canada,
the US and France.
Mark Bodega, Director of currency
specialists HiFX, who help over 30,000
people emigrate and buy property abroard
each year explains, “A strong pound,
rising house prices and good job
opportunities abroad tend to be the main
reasons for Brits to emigrate. However
different destinations hold different appeal
and changes to the migration process in
certain countries is really affecting the
numbers of people choosing to move
there”
Australia still the favourite destination
but its popularity has slowed in recent
months following changes to the
emigration system :
Australia remains the most popular
destination for expats and according to
HiFX, the number of Brits emigrating
down under has increased by 15%.
However, in comparison to other
destinations, the total percentage of
people emigrating to Australia has
decreased by 5% from 2006 to 2007. This
shows that recent changes to the
Australian immigration rules are already
impacting emigration trends.
Bodega comments, “In September
2007, the Australian government
introduced changes to the skills
assessment process for tradespeople.
The changes have already had a
significant impact on the numbers of visa
applications being lodged from the UK; in
particular among applicants who have no
formal qualifications. We expect this
decrease to continue throughout 2008
unless the Australian government reviews
its system.”
Paul Arthur, Director of the
Emigration Group agrees: “The new
process requires certain trade
occupations to have a technical interview
and practical assessment. This makes the
whole process more costly and time
consuming. Never the less, the majority of
occupations remain unaffected and
enquiries are greater than ever.”
New Zealand to benefit in
2008:
Neighboring New Zealand is also
decreasing in popularity with enquiries
dropping by 7% 2006 to 2007. However
HiFX predict the numbers moving to the
country will pick up as those who have
failed the new eligibility criteria in Australia
make visa applications for New Zealand
instead.
“Immigration New Zealand
recognises relevant work experience and specialists in foreign exchange.
awards points for ‘on-the-job’ work
experience. Australia’s loss can be New
Zealand’s gain with their expanding
economy, close ties to the UK and trades
people equally in demand.” adds Arthur.
Canada soaring in
popularity:
HiFX has seen numbers of Brits
emigrating to Canada almost double in
2007. However, waiting times for
Canadian Visas continue to put UK
migrants off so it is unlikely to catch up
with Australia in terms of overall
popularity.
Europe:
Permanent emigration is a big step
resulting in an increasing number of Brits
buying an overseas property in order to
test the water as to whether they are
suited to a life abroad. HiFX suggest that
the high numbers of people emigrating to
France and Spain have previously
purchased properties there as a pre-
cursor to migrating full time. A separate
HiFX customer survey revealed that 30%
of people buying a holiday home planned
to relocate or retire there in the future.
Don’t let the banks cash in!
On average, a UK family emigrates
abroad with assets of £250,000 from the
sale of a house, car and some savings.
While they carefully plan their new lives in
minute detail, what many overlook is the
potential cost of leaving their currency
exchange in the wrong hands. By
transferring their worldly goods to their
new country via a high street bank, the
average family risks losing up to a
staggering £10,000 of their assets.
According to research from HiFX, banks
typically charge 4% more than currency
specialists in unfavourable exchange
rates.
Use this link to get currency
exchange advice from HiFX the

Temporary foreign
worker services
expanded
The Honourable Diane Finley,
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration,
today announced an expansion of
services to help employers in Ontario and
Atlantic Canada meet their labour market
needs with temporary foreign workers.
Two units are being established in
Toronto and Moncton to serve as main
points of contact for companies wishing to
hire foreign workers in the two regions.
These are in addition to three already
established in Vancouver, Calgary and
Montreal.
“The addition of these two new
temporary foreign worker units means that
employers across Canada now have a
dedicated point of service where they can
get help getting the workers they need,”
said Minister Finley. “The units will help
make the process easier for employers,
and will help strengthen local and regional
economies.”
Like the units in Vancouver, Calgary
and Montreal, the units in Toronto and
Moncton will, among other things:
* provide advice to employers who
plan to hire temporary foreign workers;
* facilitate the entry of workers in
certain professions who do not require a
visa and verification that there are no
Canadians available;
* make the entry process smoother
and more efficient by providing employers
with accurate and up-to-date information;
* pre-screen supporting documents
from employers to streamline the
application process for such workers; and
* work with provinces to better
meet regional needs.
Requests for temporary foreign
workers for whom visas are required or
who are in other professions would still be
directed to Service Canada.
“Temporary foreign workers help
support Canada’s economic growth and
prosperity, and I’m pleased that all regions
of Canada will benefit from the exceptional
service the units provide,” added Minister
Finley.
The units are one aspect of the
Government of Canada’s Temporary
Foreign Worker Program, which allows
employers to hire foreign workers to meet
their human resources needs when
sufficient numbers of Canadian workers
are not readily available. Recently, the
government has taken a number of steps
to improve the program. The 2007 budget
provided $50.5 million toward measures to
further reduce processing delays and to
establish mechanisms to monitor
employer compliance with the terms and
conditions of the program and address
non-compliance.
Ontario PNP to
include visa
students
Ontario Minister of Citizenship and
Immigration Michael Chan announced the
inclusion of international students under
the Provincial Nominee Program, a step
that would “fast-track” their residency if
they have a job offer relating to their area
of study.
International students who are offered
jobs relevant to their area of study will
have their application for permanent
residency “fast-tracked” by Citizenship
and Immigration Canada, as explained in
a news release accompanying the
minister’s address.
Minister Chan explained that
Ontario’s universities attract some of the
world’s best and brightest and that many
of them want to stay on after they
graduate. He added that the Ontario
government “wanted them to stay.”
Previously, only graduates of Ontario
colleges and universities were allowed to
nominate themselves for the program, but of immigration in this region and across
the current change would allow
international students from across Canada
to apply to become permanent residents
of Ontario. With more than 35,000
international students in Ontario alone,
this initiative aims to tap into the skills and attempt to stay in this country and make
experiences international students
present.
Minister Chan added that “they are
hard-working, talented and bright … these welcome news and will serve the province
Immigration 23
are the skilled individuals Ontario’s
employers need.”
Furthermore, since international
students eligible for the nomination
program must have completed their
degree at a Canadian post-secondary
institution, they “are familiar with Canadian
life and will enhance multiculturalism in
Ontario. In a rapidly globalizing world,
international students will be the bridges
between Ontario and the world.”
In addition, Minister Chan spoke of
Ontario’s reputation across the world as a
melting pot of cultures, adding that
international students have the opportunity
to strengthen the province’s social and
economic foundations. That is why, he
added, “attracting and retaining
international students makes sense,” and
giving them another option after
graduation would be another reason for
them to choose Ontario for their
education.
Minister Chan was joined by Minister
of Training, Colleges and Universities
John Milloy, and Kitchener-Conestoga
Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP)
Leeanna Pendergast, in making the
announcement.
MPP Pendergast said that adding
international students under the Pilot
Provincial Nominee Program would have
a “positive impact on the Kitchener-
Waterloo region and on the province of
Ontario.” She added that the K-W region
has become a hotspot for new Canadians
and that over the past six years it has
welcomed over 15,000 newcomers. She
says, “It is expected that the population of
Waterloo region will increase by over
200,000 in the course of the next 25
years.”
“The Pilot Provincial Nominee
Program is helping to spread the benefits
the province,” said Pendergast.
UW VP: Academic and Provost Dr.
Amit Chakma, previously an international
student, explained that when he was at
university in Vancouver, he “made every
this country my home, but all those
attempts were met with numerous
obstacles.” He added that this program is
very well.
24 Real Life

Nova Scotia bound

The Ottewell family are hoping to make their dream of living in Nova Scotia a reality. They are using the
Provincial Nominee Program to hopefully secure a job for Steve as a truck driver. In this, the first part of
their story we look at the background to their move and what made them decide on Canada and Nova
Scotia in particular. In the coming months we will follow their story as Vanessa writes about their trials and
tribulations in an ongoing blog for our readers.

My husband Steve and I seriously thinking about looking at doing

started thinking about emigrating the move ourselves. We saw our friends

around June 2007. Our friend

Mike, worked for the same
company as Steve as a truck
driver and they had found out that
Canada is short of truck drivers so
appointed an immigration attorney
to help them through the process.
Mike was using the Provincial
Nominee Programme (PNP). This is
where a company will sponsor you for a
minimum of two years. Their Attorney had
arranged for them to attend job interviews
in May 2007 in Nova Scotia, their chosen
location. They kept sending photos back
to us of Canada and various houses they
had looked at via e-mail, which got us
regularly and kept up to date with The Family
everything they were doing and got more
and more excited about the prospect of
Steve (35),
doing it ourselves. We checked out other
Vanessa (37), Connor
parts of Canada, but kept coming back to
Nova Scotia. It was the closest you could
(11) and Lauren (5)
get to the UK (6! hours flight) and the UK Location:
weather was the warmest out of the
whole of Canada overall.
Bedhampton, Havant,
Our friends ended up emigrating in
August 2007, around the same time that
(near Portsmouth)
we went on a family holiday to Spain. Hampshire
They had only begun the whole
Canadian
emigration process in February 2007
themselves (they actually appointed the Destination:
Attorney in February 2007), and by the
beginning of August 2007 were living in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia, and by September 2007

were living in their own house!

Whilst on holiday all we could think
about and talk about was moving to
Canada. So much so that on our return
we booked up to see the same
Immigration Attorney. They were based in
Montreal, but were over in the UK
attending the Emigration Expo’s. We
arranged to meet with one of them on
October 12th in London. To be honest, we
had already made up our minds, so this
was really just a formality. We met up with
one of the Immigration Consultants from
the company, and she went through the
whole process. She explained the
procedure and the services they provided.
We also discussed the payment, which
although not cheap, we felt was a
necessary thing for us to do.
At this point we decided that we had
to be sure it was what we really wanted.
We had a family holiday to Nova Scotia
 Real Life 25

booked for May 2008, but Steve felt that Steve round the houses,
we should go sooner than this. Due to lack despite knowing that we
of funds we decided that Steve would visit wouldn’t actually be buying
on his own and would stay with Mike and anything for potentially
his family in Nova Scotia. We decided not another year!
to appoint the attorneys until after the trip It was very useful to
as we obviously didn’t want to waste actually see areas that we
money if we decided it wasn’t for us. had seen on the internet
Before he went we had made contact and check them out for
with Mike & Orla from ourselves. Most places
www.uk2novascotia.com. They were look lovely on the
relocation experts who had originated computer, but not actually
from the UK, and had set up their own so great in reality! Looking
company to help other people with at houses whilst on the
emigrating. Steve met up with Mike whilst “fact-finding” trip was
out in Canada, and he gave Steve lots of invaluable, as it gave us a
information relating to living and moving great insight as to what is
out there. It proved very informative, and out there, and what you
we keep in contact with them via e-mail can get for your money.
now, just to check on things as and when Your money certainly goes
they crop up. a long way.
MIke also referred Steve to a local On Steve’s return we
realtor who agreed to show him around decided the very next day
some houses we had seen on the internet. to go ahead with
We had chosen about eight, and after appointing the attorney
giving him our “wish-list” he threw in a and rang them the same
couple of his own for us to look at. The day. We paid the first
Connor practicing his snowboarding skills
realtor spent a couple of days showing installment and they went away

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26 Real Life
The Ottewell family prepare for their new life in Canada with Lauren waving the trusty Maple Leaf
and sorted out application forms, CV and
made up Steve’s Labour Market Report.
This is a report that lets you know the way
life will be in Canada; like how much
unemployment, how much the taxes are,
cost of living, house prices - seventy-six
pages of stuff relating to Steve, work and
Canada. It tells them how long Steve has
been driving etc and what type of driving
jobs he would like to do whilst out in
Canada. Our Labour Market Report
arrived about two weeks after we paid the
first payment.
I have to say at this point that in the
beginning we were not going to use an
attorney and just apply ourselves, but
when we saw the application form it just
looked scary. So far I think we have
signed about six documents and spent a
total of about an hour filling out the
application process. I’m not saying that
you shouldn’t spend the time doing it, but
if you don’t need to then why waste the
time. The whole process could be done a
lot quicker with an attorney, probably
about half the time.
The next step for us now is to go out
on holiday in May 2008 (the earliest
realistically that we can afford to go) and
for Steve to attend interviews, which is
one of the requirements of the attorney.
You need to have a holiday of two weeks
in which they can organise interviews for
you to attend. Once you have attended
your interviews you will receive job offers,
at which point you have some choices to
make. At our initial meeting they had
requested that we choose three different
locations (as we were looking at Nova
Scotia our choices were Nova Scotia,
New Brunswick and Prince Edward
Island). This was because they didn’t want
you to have tunnel vision - they wanted to
make sure you had seen as much of
Canada as possible before deciding on a
destination. We decided that we would
only look at 2 locations - Nova Scotia and
New Brunswick. The attorneys will now
liaise with various companies and set
Steve up with about 10 interviews. We
have specified that we ideally want Nova
Scotia, so they are focusing their job
search on there more so than New
Brunswick.
So that’s it really until May 2008. We
are waiting for our Police checks to come
back, which is something that the
Canadian Government require from
everyone. We believe that at this point
that is it until we come back from Canada.
The house is on the market, the kids are
whipped up into a frenzy, and we can’t
wait to go! I will keep you posted each
month regarding our trials and tribulations.
Last month’s story update
We featured the story of Sue and
Barry last month and the problems
they had with an immigration
company who were not providing the
service they had promised.
We have since heard back from
the couple and the company have
now backed down and have agreed
to give them a full refund as they
agree that they did not provide an
adequate service.
This is great news and a good
victory, however it still means the
family are no closer to realising their
dream to live in Canada.
We will keep in touch with them
and if there are any developments in
the future we will let you all know.
We wish Sue, Barry and children
the best of luck in pursuing their
dream.
Check out other real life
stories on our website
 Employment 27

How to Take Charge of Your

Career in 2008
by Daisy Wright who wait until the last minute then hurry
and string together a list of your job
According to a survey by description statements, or are you the
Careerbuilder.ca (see page 30) of 281 proactive kind who has been meticulously
hiring managers and human resources taking note of projects you have worked
professionals, 46 per cent of Canadian on and the work you have accomplished?
employers plan to boost the number of 9. Make it a habit of tapping into
full-time permanent employees in 2008. and nurturing your network. What
There is even better news if you fall into information can you share with people in
the professional, technical, administrative your network? Have you read an article or
or clerical worker categories. And, for found a website that could benefit
those baby boomers who often feel someone in your group? Networking is not
unwanted in the workplace, your skills a one-shot event and must be constantly
will be in high demand. nurtured. That's how you'll be kept on
someone's radar for the next opportunity.
If the experts are correct, now is the
time to start thinking of ways to position informal means. It’s easier than ever Daisy Wright is a career transition
yourself to take advantage of these these days for you to enroll in relevant coach, professional resume writer and
impending opportunities. The days when courses, attend seminars, read inspiring author of No Canadian Experience, Eh?
employers used to be responsible for the books and contribute to discussions that A Career Survival Guide for New
careers of their employees are long gone. will educate and inform. Take advantage Immigrants. She can be reached by
That responsibility now falls squarely on of your employer’s tuition reimbursement phone at (905) 840-7039, by email at
the shoulders of employees. As such, you programs daisy@thewrightcareer.com. Visit her
can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines. 6. Commit to your job 110%. If you websites: www.thewrightcareer.com and
Here are some thoughts to mull over while cannot do that, it might be time to look for www.nocanadianexperience-eh.com.
you devise your plans to take charge of another job or to change career. If you are
your career in 2008: underperforming, the employer will notice CareerBuilder is one of Canada’s
and when it's time to downsize, the top job sites and states its mission “to be
1. Revisit your core values. What employer will look first at the leader in the internet job awareness
is important to you in a job or career other underperformers. Remember, mediocre business in the Canadian marketplace.”
than the pay cheque? What do you enjoy performance breeds mediocre results. They have partnered with Muchmor to
doing? 7. Retool your skills. Find offer you, our readers the best and most
2. Determine your preferences. opportunities to update your skills or learn up-to-date employment information
Do you like working within a group or new ones. In an ever-evolving workplace, available. The muchmor JOB SEARCH
alone? Does the idea of sitting behind a you will need to demonstrate that you're includes jobs from the Canada Job Bank,
desk appeal to you, or would you prefer a comfortable with the latest technology and the largest web-based network of job
job working in the outdoors? you are willing to experiment with new postings available to Canadians as well
3. Research companies that share things. as jobs from some of Canada’s top
your values. Is the company eco-friendly 8. Brush up on your job search employers.
or family-friendly, and are those values skills Even if you are not thinking of
important to you? leaving your company, you should brush Mymuchmor is a social network for
4. Be prepared for lateral moves up on your skills. When last have you Canadians and would-be Canadians and
in your company. Climbing the corporate done an interview? Are you familiar with is an idea place to get to know people,
ladder may sometimes mean that you current interview practices? If called on to publicize your job needs and interact with
have to go sideways in preparation for re-interview for your current position, how others. Join for free here.
moving up. confident are you that you would get your
5. Expand your knowledge base. job back? What about your résumé? Is it
Become more literate by formal or current? Are you one of those individuals
28 Employment
Immigrant v’s Canadian-born
employment
A recent report by Statistics
Canada took a look at how well
immigrants faired in the labour
market after landing in Canada
compared to their Canadian-born
counterparts.
The study looked a three groups of
immigrants.
1. Established: those who had been
in Canada for more than 10 years
2. Recent: those who had landed in
Canada between 1996 and 2001
3. New: those who had landed
between 2001 and 2006
The study looked at differences
between where immigrants originated as
well as where they settled to see if there
were any major differences. The age
Unemployment rate of immigrants by region and landing period
25.00%
18.75%
12.50%
6.25%
0%
Latin America
New
group studied was between 25 and 54
years.
The first thing the study noticed was
that new immigrants had a harder time
finding employment than their Canadian
born counterparts. However, of those in
this group the ones originating from
Southeast Asia, particularly the
Philippines, had employment and
unemployment rates on par with
Canadians. People from other Asian
countries, the Middle East, Europe, Latin
America and Africa all had higher
unemployment and lower employment
than Canadian-born.
All established immigrants, regardless
of where they were born or where they
settled had unemployment levels in 2006
that were the same or lower than those of
Canadian-born.
Europe Africa
Recent
European immigrants
Although numbers of immigrants from
Europe is declining it still represents the
second largest source of immigration with
the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland and
Romania making up the major numbers.
Generally European immigrants had
higher unemployment (8.4%) and lower
employment levels than those born in
Canada (4.9%). However, established
European immigrants had a much better
rate of employment with 83.9% being
employed, slightly higher than those of
Canadian nationality.
Established male immigrants had a
better unemployment level than
Canadians regardless of where they lived
in Canada. However, established females
were less likely to be working.
Unemployment was high for all new
female immigrants to Canada, regardless
Asia
Established
 Employment 29
.

of their origin and place of settlement. The
unemployment levels for this group of
women was nearly three times that of
Canadian-born females.
Asian immigrants
The employment rate of new
immigrants from Asia was well below that
of Canadians at only 63.8% compared to
83.1% of Canadian-born.
Of the new immigrants those
originating from the Philippines fared
much better than any other originating
country. Indeed their unemployment rates
were only slightly higher than their
Canadian counterparts at 5.4% compared
to 4.9%. The study showed that this is
true regardless of where Filipino’s settled
in Canada.
African immigrants
Immigrants from Africa, regardless of
when they immigrated or where they
settled tended to see much higher
unemployment levels that other
originating countries.
Immigrants from Africa had the
highest unemployment rates in 2006 with
a rate of 20.8%, four times the Canadian
average.
Latin America immigrants
Unemployment rates amongst new
immigrants from Latin America was twice
that of Canadian-born equivalents.
This figure is much lower for recent
and established Latin Americans where
the rate is almost on par with Canadians.
Landing locations
The vast majority of immigrants
choose to settle in Ontario, British
Columbia and Quebec.
In Ontario, Asian and African born
immigrants, regardless of time since
landing, had higher unemployment rates
and lower employment rates than
Canadian-born. Recent and established
immigrants born in Europe and Latin
America had labour market outcomes
similar to those of Canadian-born workers
in Ontario.
In British Columbia, Asian-born and
European-born recent and established
immigrants had 2006 labour market
outcomes that were comparable to those
of Canadian-born British Columbians.
In Quebec, new and recent
immigrants born in Latin America, Asia
and Africa had 2006 unemployment rates
two to four times higher than that of
Canadian-born Quebeckers. Recent and
established immigrants born in Europe
had unemployment rates that were not
much different from that of their Canadian-
born counterparts.
.

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30 Employment

2008 Canadian job forecast

by: Remy Piazza, Managing
Director of CareerBuilder.ca

At the start of a new year, many

workers pledge to find a new job. So what
should you expect? Smooth sailing and a
fast and easy job search? Or long months
of applying to countless jobs and waiting
for just an interview?
The employment market of 2007,
fueled by a stable economy and strong
consumer confidence, produced on
average more than 35,000 new jobs per
month, according to the Labour Force
Survey.
Looking ahead to 2008, recruitment
trends are expected to continue at a
slightly higher pace, according to
CareerBuilder.ca’s “2008 Canadian Job
Forecast” (conducted by Harris
Interactive). Forty-six percent of employers
told CareerBuilder.ca they plan to increase
their number of full-time, permanent
to increase salaries on initial offers to new 3. Screening Candidates via the
employees in 2008, up from 42 percent at
employees, up from 48 percent in 2007. Internet
this time last year.
To ensure they are recruiting the right
Recruitment and retention efforts are
What you can do: Do your homework talent, more employers are leveraging the
becoming increasingly competitive and job
and brush up your negotiation skills when Internet as a vehicle for screening potential
seekers are likely to benefit in terms of
you are ready to talk salary. employees. Forty-four percent of
higher paycheques, more allowances for
employers report they use online search
flexible work arrangements, and better
2. More Flexible Work engines and social networking sites to
career advancement opportunities.
Arrangements research job candidates and 19 percent
What does this mean for you, the job
Sixty-six percent of employers report say they are likely to start using or increase
seeker?
they currently offer flexible schedules to their use of these resources to research job
We’ve analyzed the data to give you
employees and 46 percent plan to provide candidates in 2008.
seven ways employers are trying to make
more flexible work arrangements in 2008
sure they attract and retain qualified
such as: alternate schedules (come in early What you can do: Make sure there’s
employees – that is, ways they can find you
and leave early or come in later and leave nothing in cyberspace you wouldn’t want a
(the qualified candidate), get you to accept
later); compressed workweeks (work the potential employer to see. Do an online
a job offer, and grow you into a dedicated,
same hours, but in fewer days); search of your name. Check your pictures
hard-working employee who will be an
telecommuting options; summer hours; job on Facebook, MySpace and mymuchmor
asset for the long-term.
sharing; and sabbaticals.
4. Rehiring Retirees
1. Bigger Paycheques
What you can do: If your salary offer More than one-third (36 percent) of
Continuing an existing trend designed
isn’t as high as you hoped or your employers say they are concerned over the
to attract and keep top talent, employers
employer can’t give you a raise, perhaps loss of intellectual capital at their
plan to offer more lucrative compensation
you can negotiate a flexible schedule, organizations as a large number of Baby
packages in the coming year. Eighty-four
saving you commuting time and Boomers approach retirement age. Twenty-
percent of employers report their
transportation costs. two percent say they are likely to rehire
companies will increase salaries for
retirees from other companies in 2008.
existing employees in 2008, similar to last
Another 23 percent plan to provide
year; and 65 percent of employers expect
incentives for workers at or approaching

.
retirement age to stay on with the
company longer.
What you can do: If you are nearing
or at retirement age but want to keep
working, make sure your skills are up-to-
date and learn which skills are easily
transferred to different roles. Know your
market value to negotiate the best
package possible.
5. Diversity Recruitment
When asked if there is a particular
segment of diverse workers they plan to
target more aggressively in 2008,
employers pointed to mature workers,
women, native Americans and disabled
workers. Eighty-five percent of employers
report they will be placing the same or
greater amount of emphasis on recruiting
bilingual candidates in the next 12
months; 37 percent said, in addition to
English, French is the most important
language for bilingual hiring.
What you can do: Make sure to
highlight your diversity or language
fluency. Search sites tailored to diversity
hiring.
6. Freelance or Contract Hiring
Employers are turning to freelance or
contract workers to help support business
initiatives as they monitor their pace in
recruiting permanent employees. Thirty-
five percent of employers anticipate
working with freelancers or contractors in
2008.
What you can do: Search job boards
using keywords like “freelance” and
“contract.” Put your résumé on freelance-
specific sites like Sologig.com.
7. Career Advancement
Employers are taking action to carve
out career paths for employees. Thirty-
one percent plan to provide more
promotions and career advancement
opportunities in 2008.
What you can do: Ask about tuition
reimbursement and training opportunities.
Ask the hiring manager how he or she
sees where role will lead in five, 10 and
20 years.
Supersize Your Job
Offer: Five Tips
from CareerBuilder
1. Assess your market value
Research salary ranges for those working
in your industry, occupation and location.
Check out online salary sites such as
CBSalary.com, industry Web sites and the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to find
specific salary information. Make sure to
bring copies with you to the meeting.
2. Prove your worth
Companies pay for results. Arm yourself
with a list of your professional
accomplishments - quantifying results
when possible - to showcase how you put
your skills into action. Employers are
more likely to increase compensation
levels if they have a better understanding
of what you will contribute to their
organizations.
CareerBuilder have partnered with
Muchmor to offer you, our readers
the best and most up-to-date
employment information available.
Sign up completely free to receive
job recommendations or add your
resume to allow employers to
search for you.
Even if you are a long way off searching for a job in Canada, by signing up for
this free service you can keep in touch with jobs that become available in your
industry and keep track of salary scales and benefits so you are better placed
to negotiate employment when you are ready.
Employment 31
3. Don't discuss money too soon
Wait to be offered the job before you
discuss your desired pay. If an employer
asks you directly about your salary
requirements, turn the question around
and ask what salary range the company
typically offers someone with your job
type, experience and expertise.
4. Consider the whole package
If the employer is not able to offer a higher
salary, there may be room to negotiate
other perks like a flexible schedule, extra
vacation days, ongoing training, etc. Also,
remember there is more to a job than
money. Take into consideration
experience gained on the job, career
advancement opportunities, work/life
balance and other important factors to
help determine the true value of the offer.
5. Leverage other offers
Showing an offer from another company
and a willingness to walk away is an
effective way to negotiate. But be careful
with this tactic. It has serious potential to
backfire and cost you the job completely.
32 Money

Those taxing issues

Last month we took a look at Canadian shares. The lowest rate is for
Income Tax in Canada and the capital gains which can often be offset by
capital losses as well. A capital gain can
forms and allowances etc that you
be triggered by profits on the sale of some
need to be aware of when filing assets such as a home, bonds or similar
your tax returns. Here Heather securities. It is important for many new
Lang of Cedarlane Financial Canadians to note that foreign bank
Consulting gives us a bit more of accounts, government bonds, corporate
bonds, money market funds and
an insight.
securities are considered as interest from
Canadian sources and taxed at the
Its Spring and as the snow melts and
interest or highest rate.
the ice thaws Canadian minds turn to
One of the ways many Canadians
preparing for those great hazy summer
help their tax situation is to participate in
days spent in the yard or on the beach.
a government retirement incentive plan
Just one minor hurdle before we jump into
called an RRSP. A Registered Retirement
the pool or the hammock, its also Income
Savings Plan allows investment growth to
Tax time! The price we pay for living in a
be tax exempt and provide the contributor
society where government is expected to
with a tax refund for that year. The
provide many of the services so integral to
Federal government created RRSPs in
our lives.
1957 to encourage people to save for
Canadian income tax payments are
retirement. These are ideal vehicles for
divided between Federal and Provincial
those without pension plans or those who
amounts and in all cases (save for
want a higher retirement income than their
Quebec) the Federal government collects
seek professional advice until you become pensions would normally provide.
both. You can see the 2008 tax rates in
familiar with the Canadian tax system then Be aware there are a few rules to
last months magazine. The amount you
you can do it yourself with ease in the consider and like the tax rules they may
pay is the result of many different
future. change over time so its best to check with
calculations and it can become quite
Each resident has a marginal tax the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on
complicated. For most however it is very
rate. It is the amount of tax you will pay on what the present contribution limits and
basic.
your last dollar of income. There are deadlines and other factors are before
Total income (the money you make
different marginal tax rates that apply to starting a plan.
from most income producing activities)
different types of income so it is important So now all your paper work is done
minus the allowable and other deductions
to be aware of the type of investment get out there and tune up that lawnmower!
(for example child care expenses or your
income you may be receiving as it can
Registered Retirement Savings Plan
help or hurt your present tax situation. Heather Lang is an independent
contribution) gives you a taxable income
Investment income is classed in three financial advisor located in the Quinte
amount. Federal tax is calculated from this
categories: interest, dividend and capital Region, On, Canada. She holds a
amount using a formula supplied in each
gains. Canadian Securities and a provincial life
years income tax form. Provincial taxes
The highest tax rate of all types is for insurance license.
are calculated as a percentage of the
interest. Sources of interest income can The information provided is based on
basic Federal tax. Once various surtaxes
be from Canadian bank accounts, treasury material believed to be reliable but not
are added you then get a figure for the
bills, term deposits, Short-Term guaranteed to be accurate or complete. It
amount of tax you owe for that year. See
Guaranteed Investment (GICs), Canada is not intended to provide tax, legal,
tax rates in last months issue.
Savings bond, corporate bonds or money investment or financial advice and is for
Rates, brackets, deductions, credits
market funds. information purposes only. Particular tax,
and surtaxes can all change according to
The next rate is for dividend income legal and investment strategies should be
the political climate at the time so its best
which can come from shares held in evaluated on an individual basis. For more
to check with Canadian Customs and
publicly traded or privately held Canadian information please see www.cra-arc.gc.ca/
Revenue Agency www. cra-adrc.gc.ca for
corporation or equity mutual funds holding tax.
the most up to date information, better yet
 Money 33

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YEL MAG CYAN BLK

34 Motoring
Learning to drive in Canada
When you learn to drive in
Canada you will need to enter into
the Graduated Driver’s Licensing
program for your province or
territory. The Graduated Driver’s
Licensing (GDL) is designed to
give new drivers the experience
they need over a period of time
allowing them to become fully
qualified and safe drivers.
Each province and territory runs its
own GDL with individual rules and
regulations in two or three stages.
Ontario
In Ontario the GDL is in two stages
called G1 and G2 and takes a minimum of
20 months to complete. In order to start
the GDL you need to be at least 16 years
of age, pass a vision and road knowledge
test at which point you will receive a G1
driving licence.
You have to hold a G1 licence for a
minimum of 12 months before you can
take the G1 road test. However, if you
choose to take (and pass) an approved
driver education course this can be
reduced to 8 months.
As a G1 driver you have to abide by
certain rules:
• maintain a zero blood alcohol level
whilst driving
• be accompanied by a fully licensed
driver with at least four years
experience and a blood alcohol level of
less that .05%.
• accompanying driver must sit in the
front passenger seat and be the only
other person in the front
• the number of passengers must not
exceed the number of working seat
belts
• must not drive on 400-series
highways or high-speed expressways**
• must not drive between midnight
and five am
**If the accompanying driver is a
licensed driving instructor you may drive
on any road.
Once you have held a G1 licence for
12 months you may take the G1 road test
and upon passing will be given a G2
licence.
You must hold the G2 licence for a
minimum of 12 months before taking the
G2 road test. With a G2 licence you can
now drive without an accompanying driver
on any Ontario road at any time. You will
however, still need to maintain a zero
blood alcohol level whilst driving and
restrict the number of passengers to the
number of working seat belts.
There are also passenger restrictions
between the hours of midnight and 5 am.
If the G2 driver is 19 years old or younger
they may only have one passenger under
19 years of age in the car during the first
six months. After six months and until a
full G licence is earned or the driver turns
20 years of age they can only carry three
passengers under 19 years of age during
these times. If the driver is accompanied
by a fully licensed driver with at least four
years experience these restrictions do not
apply.
Once you have held a G2 licence for
12 months you may take the G2 road test.
Upon successful completion of the test
you will be awarded a full G licence.
Full details can be found at this
website.
Alberta
The Alberta GDL is in two stages
called Learner and Probationary. You will
need to be at least 14 years of age to
apply for a licence with parental consent if
under 17 years. You will also need to pass
a vision and knowledge test. It will take a
minimum of 3 years to obtain a full Class
5 licence.
The Learner Licence must be held for
at least 12 months before the road test
can be attempted. Certain conditions
apply to this licence:
• must be accompanied by a fully
licensed driver of at least 18 years of
age
• accompanying driver must sit in the
front passenger seat.
• the number of passengers must not
exceed the number of working seat
belts

• must not drive between midnight
and five am
• maintain a zero blood alcohol level
whilst driving
• will be suspended if more than 8
demerit points gained.
After 12 months you can take the
Learner road test and upon completion
will be granted a Probationary Licence.
In order to hold a Probationary
licence you must be 16 years or older.
You will need to hold a Probationary
licence for at least two years before
completing the advanced road test. Whilst
holding a Probationary licence you must
adhere to certain conditions:
• the number of passengers must not
exceed the number of working seat
belts
• will be suspended if more than 8
demerit points gained
• maintain a zero blood alcohol level
whilst driving
You can now however drive without
an accompanying licensed driver.
Once you have completed two years
as a Probationary driver you can take the
advanced road test in order to get the full
Class 5 licence. You must have been
suspension free for the last year. If this is
not the case you will need to stay at the
Probationary level until a full year of no
suspensions is gained before taking the
advanced road test.
Full details of the Alberta GDL can be
found on this website.
Saskatchewan
There are three stages to the
Saskatchewan GDL: Learner, Novice 1
and Novice 2. It will take a minimum of 25
months to obtain a full Class 5 licence.
You will need to be 16 years of age to get
a licence and pass a knowledge test
before embarking on the Learner stage.
The Learner stage takes nine months
to complete and includes 30 hours of in-
class and six hours in-car training.
Certain criteria need to be met
including:
• must have fully licensed driver as a
front seat passenger at all times
Motoring 35
• the number of passengers must
not exceed the number of working seat
belts
• maintain a zero blood alcohol level
whilst driving
• between the hours of midnight and
5 am can only drive if accompanied by
an immediate family member who is
fully licensed (spouse, child, parent,
step-parent, sibling or grand-parent)
After completing nine months of
practice driving and the required in-class
and in-car training you can take a road
test which upon successful completion
will move you to Novice 1 stage.
Novice 1 stage takes six months to
complete and although you no longer
require an accompanying driver certain
restrictions apply:
• only one passenger who is not
immediate family is allowed
• all other passengers must be
immediate family
• the number of passengers must
not exceed the number of working seat
belts
• maintain a zero blood alcohol level
whilst driving
After successful completion of
Novice 1 you will move onto Novice 2
stage. This stage takes a minimum of 12
months to complete and you must be
interruption, at-fault collision, conviction
and suspension free during this time. In
the event of any of the above you will be
required to restart the Novice 2 period
again.
Restrictions are limited at this level to
• the number of passengers must
not exceed the number of working seat
belts
• maintain a zero blood alcohol level
whilst driving
Full details of the Saskatchewan
GDL can be found at this website.
British Columbia
There are two stages to the British
Columbia GDL: Learner and Novice. You
will need to be at least 16 years of age
and have parental consent if under 19
and pass a knowledge and vision test.
The Learner stage will take a
minimum of 12 months to complete and
36 Motoring
comes with restrictions:
• must be accompanied by a fully
licensed driver over 25 years of age
• accompanying driver must sit in
the front seat.
• may carry a maximum of two
passengers including your
accompanying driver
• must not drive between midnight
and 5 am
• must display a red “L” sign on the
car whilst driving
• must maintain a zero blood alcohol
level whilst driving
When ready, after 12 months you can
take the road test and upon successful
completion move to the Novice stage.
You must hold a Novice licence for a
minimum of 24 months before attempting
the road test. The licence is valid for a
maximum of five years.
During the Novice stage you must:
• display a “N” sign on the car whilst
driving
• must maintain a zero blood alcohol
level whilst driving
• only one passenger who is not
immediate family is allowed
• all other passengers must be
immediate family
• if a fully licensed supervisor is
present, aged over 25 years the
restriction on passenger number is
lifted.
After the minimum 24 months at this
level you can take the road test and be
awarded a full Class 5 license.
If during the Novice stage your
licence is cancelled, suspended,
surrendered or expired you must start the
Novice stage from the beginning after the
suspension etc period has ended.
Details can be found here.
Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia GDL consists of two
stages before a full licence can be
granted. The first stage is Learner
Licence or Class 7 and the second is a
Newly Licensed Driver or Class 5N. In
order to obtain a licence you will need to
be at least 16 years of age with parental
consent if under 18. You will need to take
a knowledge and vision test and upon
passing will receive the Learner Licence.
The Learner Licence is valid for one
year and you need to pass the road test
before its expiry otherwise you will need
to apply for a new Learner Licence.
Certain restrictions apply under this
class of licence:
• must be accompanied by a fully
licensed driver who has held a licence
for at least two years
• accompanying driver must sit in
the front seat
• no additional passengers are
allowed
• must maintain a zero blood alcohol
level whilst driving
Within the year of licence validity you
must pass the road test which will enable
you to hold a Newly Licensed Driver (5N)
licence. You must hold this licence for a
minimum of two years during which time
you must adhere to the restrictions:
• must maintain a zero blood alcohol
level whilst driving
• the number of passengers must
not exceed the number of working seat
belts
• must not drive between midnight
and 5 am unless accompanied by a
fully licensed driver with at least two
years experience
Exemptions to the night driving rule
can be granted if you are required to drive
to or from work during these times.
After two years you can take the full
road and knowledge test and upon
successful completion be granted a full
Class 5 licence.
Full details of the Nova Scotia GDL
can be found at this website.
Manitoba
In manitoba there are three stages to
the GDL: Learner, Intermediate and Full
(with restrictions). It will take a minimum
of two years to get to full licence stage.
The Learner stage will take a
minimum of 9 months to complete and in
order to be granted a licence you need to
be at least 16 years of age (15! if in high
school driver program). Parental consent
is required if under 18 years old. You
must also pass a knowledge test and
keep to the following conditions:
• must maintain a zero blood alcohol
level whilst driving
• must be accompanied by a fully
licensed driver with at least three years
experience
• accompanying driver must sit in
the front seat
• accompanying driver must have a
blood alcohol level of 0.05 or less
• the number of passengers must
not exceed the number of working seat
belts
At the end of this stage you may
pass a road test to enable you to move
onto the next stage of Intermediate Class.
This stage will take a minimum of 15
months and during this time you must
follow the conditions:
• must maintain a zero blood alcohol
level whilst driving
• between 5 am and midnight the
number of passengers must not exceed
the number of working seat belts.
• between midnight and 5 am only
one passenger allowed unless
accompanied by a fully licensed driver
with at least three years experience in
which case passengers must not
exceed the number of working seat
belts.
After the minimum 15 months at this
stage you may proceed to the Class 5 full
licence, however you must maintain a
zero blood alcohol level whilst driving for
the first three years.
Full details of the Manitoba GDL can
be found at this website.
Newfoundland and Labrador
There are two stages to the
Newfoundland and Labrador GDL
program: Novice 1 and Novice 2. You will
need to be at least 16 years of age to
apply for a licence and pass a vision and
knowledge test. Parental consent is
required if under 19 years of age.
The Novice 1 licence is valid for two
years and you must spend a minimum of
12 months at this stage before taking the
road test. This time may be reduced to 8
months with successful completion of an
approved Driver Education Program.
Restrictions at this level include:
• must be accompanied by a fully
licensed driver with at least four years
experience

• must maintain a zero blood alcohol
level whilst driving
• accompanying driver must have a
blood alcohol level of 0.05 or less
• no passengers other than the
accompanying driver who must sit in
the front passenger seat
• if learner is enrolled in a Driver
Education Program and accompanied
by a licensed instructor, parents and/or
guardians may be passengers
• must not drive between midnight
and 5 am
• a “Novice Driver” sign must be
displayed on the rear of the vehicle
whilst driving
After a minimum of 12 months the
learner driver may take the road test in
order to proceed to the Novice 2 level.
Once a Novice 2 licence is issued
restrictions are as follows:
• must maintain a zero blood alcohol
level whilst driving
• the number of passengers must not
exceed the number of working seat
belts
• must not drive between midnight
and 5 am unless accompanied by a
fully licensed driver with at least four
years experience (exemption for work
purposes allowed)
After spending a minimum of 12
months at level two you may take the road
test to obtain a full class 5 licence.
Find full details here.
Quebec
Quebec does not have a GDL
program, however the principals of
obtaining a full licence are very similar,
they are just not referred to as a GDL.
The first stage is to obtain a Learner
Licence which is valid for 18 months. You
must remain at this level for a minimum of
12 months although this can be reduced
to 8 months if you successfully complete
an accredited driving school course.
You need to be at least 16 years of
age with parental consent if under 18 and
pass a vision and knowledge test. During
this period you are restricted by certain
rules:
• must maintain a zero blood alcohol
level whilst driving
• must be accompanied by a fully
licensed driver with at least two years
experience
If you are between the ages of 16
and 24 you will then be required to enter
the probationary Licence stage. This
licence is valid for 2 years or until your
25th birthday whichever is first. You must
maintain a zero blood alcohol level whilst
driving.
If you are over 25 years of age you
do not need a Probationary licence, but
will instead take the full road test in order
to be granted a full driving licence.
Full licensing details can be found
here
Prince Edward Island
There are three stages to the Prince
Edward Island GDL. You need to be 16
years or over to apply for an Instruction
Permit which is the first stage of the
process. You will also have to take vision
and knowledge tests and have parental
consent if under 18 years of age. You
must remain at this level for a minimum of
365 days if not enrolled in a driver
education program or 275 days if in a
program before taking the road test
Restrictions apply:
• must maintain a zero blood alcohol
level whilst driving
• must be accompanied by a fully
licensed driver with at least four years
experience who must sit in the front
seat
• accompanying driver must have a
blood alcohol level of 0.05 or less
• only passengers allowed are
immediate family members of the
accompanying driver
• a yellow “L” sign must be displayed
on the vehicle whilst driving
• must not drive between 1 am and 5
am unless over 21 years of age
• must not use hand-held devices
(cell phones, MP3 players etc) whilst
driving
After the required duration the learner
may take a road test and pass onto stage
2. You can now drive unsupervised but
must still meet strict regulations:
• must maintain a zero blood alcohol
level whilst driving
Motoring 37
• only one non-family member
passenger
• the number of passengers must not
exceed the number of working seat
belts
• a “Graduated” sign must be
displayed on the vehicle whilst driving
• must not drive between 1 am and 5
am unless over 21 years of age or
accompanied by a fully licensed driver
with at least four years experience
You must spend at least one year at
this level before moving onto stage 3.
Stage 3 lasts for one year and comes
with the following restrictions:
• the number of passengers must not
exceed the number of working seat
belts
• must maintain a zero blood alcohol
level whilst driving
• must not use hand-held devices
(cell phones, MP3 players etc) whilst
driving
• a “Graduated” sign must be
displayed on the vehicle whilst driving
Once this stage is successfully
completed you will receive a full licence.
Full details can be found at this link.
New Brunswick
There are two stages to the New
Brunswick GDL called Level 1 and 2. It
will take a minimum of 24 months to
complete the course. You must be at least
16 years of age and have parental
consent if under 18. You must pass a
vision and knowledge test in order to get a
stage 1 licence. You must stay at this level
for a minimum of 12 months before taking
the road test (reduced to 4 months if
graduating from approved driving school)
Regulations include:
• must be accompanied by a fully
licensed driver who must sit in the front
seat
• must maintain a zero blood alcohol
level whilst driving
Upon completion of a road test you
may progress to stage 2 during which
time you can drive alone but must
maintain a zero blood alcohol level.
Full details can be found here.
38 Kidzone
In Canada many children
attend summer camps during the
long summer holidays. Every
province in Canada has summer
camps and there are literally
hundreds to choose from.
The idea of sumer camps may be
new to you, but they are a very popular
event in Canadian children's lives. In fact
they are so popular many are fully booked
even before the year starts, so it is best to
do lots of research to find the camp you
want to go to to make sure you book your
place in time.
Children of all ages can take part in
summer camps as some are just day
events whilst others can be a week or
even a month or more. Each one offers
different activities so you should be able
to find one which caters to your interests.
There are groups just for boys, or just for
girls, but many are mixed. There are also
camps for people with special needs, so
no one has to miss out on the opportunity.
You do have to pay for camps so you will
need to do the research with your parents
to make sure they can afford the ones you
pick!
How to choose a summer Facilities: Your parents might be
camp more concerned about facilities than you,
but you need to know what things you
expect at the camp. What is the security
Sit down with your parents and write
like, what medical facilities are there, what
a list of things that you want from the
are the qualifications of the camp
camp, be it fun stuff, learning skills, your
supervisors, what type of sleeping
hobbies etc. Your parents should also
arrangements are there, can the camp
write a list of what they want you to get
cater to special needs if required. What
from the camp. This might be different to
type of accommodation is provided i.e.
yours but you will probably find that the
cabins, tents etc?
things you want and the things your
Some camps are operated by
parents want can be found at more than
religious bodies, so if this is important to
one camp.
you make sure you are able to practice
For example you might want to learn
your religion whilst at camp.
to skateboard and your parents want you
to gain more self confidence. By selecting
Size: Camps vary in size from tens of
the right camp there is no reason why
people to over 500. Do you want to be
both these things cannot be achieved at
part of a large camp or prefer a smaller
the same time.
camp environment? Even the largest
Once you have decided what you and
camps tend to split children into smaller
your parents want from the camp you will
groups so you still get the individual
need to decide which type of camp you
support you would receive at a smaller
want to attend.
camp.
Location: Although you might be
Cost: Of course cost can be a major
restricted by the location, some camps do
issue especially if you want to attend
offer transportation, so look into this if
several camps or you have brothers and
distance could be a problem for you.
sisters who also need to attend camp.
This can mean that your parents are
 Kidzone 39

spending a lot of money so you need to climbing, sports, crafts etc, whilst others • Can the camp meet any special needs
be aware of this and not be too selfish in offer a wide variety of activities. requirements i.e. diet, accessibility,
your needs, after all there will still be next Do you want to take part in team supervision etc?
year to try something different. sports or more singular activities such as • What provisions do they have for
You also need to be aware of what is tennis? Do you want the whole camp to medical emergencies?
included in the cost such as equipment, revolve around water sports or would you
trips, transport as these items can add prefer something more sedate such as Camp Activities
considerably to the overall cost if not craft activities or performing arts? Do you
included. need to learn a particular skill from As we have mentioned there are
Costs vary greatly from camp to scratch or are you more advanced? many camps offering many different
camp from around $200 for a day camp to Check the skill levels of each camp to activities, these include the following
several thousand dollars for a month long make sure it meets your skill needs. examples, although there are many more.
camp. Fortunately there are lots to choose
from so hopefully you will find one in your One for the parents - check it out first: Team Sports: Hockey, basketball,
parents budget. Once you choose a camp make sure it is baseball, martial arts, football, volleyball
everything you expect it to be. etc.
Duration: Camps can last anything • Can you get references from people Individual Sports: Golf, biking,
from a few hours to several weeks. You who have used it before? skateboarding, archery, go-karts, track
and your parents need to be sure that you • How long has it been in operation? and field, horse riding etc.
are prepared to be away from home for • What are the goals of the camp?
the length of your trip. Some children love • How many staff are on duty to how Water Sports: Canoeing, diving,
being away from home and enjoy the many children? windsurfing, jet skiing, swimming, sailing,
freedom, but others may get very • What are the qualifications of the staff? kayaking, water-skiing, rafting etc.
homesick and want to go back home after • What staff training is provided?
a day or two. • What is the food like? Adventure: Rock climbing,
Check to see if there is an option • What are the sleeping arrangements? orienteering, mountaineering, dog
available to cut the duration sort if you find What toilet and shower facilities are sledding, backpacking, bungee jumping,
you want to go home early. Is there a available? hiking, biking, driving range, wilderness
refund policy in this case? • What facilities are available for contact camps etc.
with home (phone, letter etc)?
Activities: This is the most important • What provisions are there for bad Performing Arts: Acting, writing,
decision as far as the children are weather? costuming, dance, music, circus arts,
concerned because it is what you will be • What insurance coverage is there? makeup etc
doing whilst away at camp. • What items can your child take with
Some camps specialize in certain them? Creative Arts: Drawing, crafts,
areas such as horse riding, mountain painting, photography, cooking, stained
glass, sculpture, woodwork, sewing,
ceramics etc.

Academics: reading, languages,

journalism, computing, science etc.

Other: This can include any number

of activities such as gardening,
archaeology, astronomy, farming, geology,
marine biology etc.

Basically if you can think of a subject,

you will more than likely find a camp to fit.

Overseas Camps

Although most children choose to

attend camps in Canada there are options
to choose camps overseas or in North
America. There may be age restrictions
40 Kidzone
for this type of camp, but you might find
yourself in China, Mexico, United States
or any other location in the world.
Obviously the cost of these camps are
much higher than Canadian camps so this
must be taken into consideration when
choosing a foreign camp.
Special Needs
Just because you have a special
need doesn’t mean you have to miss out
on all the fun. There are lots of camps that
can accommodate children with special
needs and many more who specialize in
such needs. It doesn’t matter if you have
a chronic illness, a disability or any other
physical or mental limitation there will be a
camp suitable for you.
Some camps specialize such as
providing activities for the deaf, blind or
wheelchair bound children. They still offer
all the major activities such as canoeing,
swimming, gymnastics, performing arts
etc. They of course also offer specially
trained staff and 24 hour medical facilities
and specialist equipment.
Some other camps specialize in
helping people with learning difficulties
such as dyslexia, so there really is no
need to feel left out what ever your needs
and requirements.
Resources
There are a number of ways to find
out about summer camps including:
Internet: Lots of websites are
available these days giving lots of
information about summer camps. Some
are search sites in which you can find
different camps in different provinces.
Others are the websites of the actual
camps giving you full details of their
activities, costs etc.
Some useful search sites include:
www.campsearch.com
www.camppage.com
www.mysummercamps.com/
www.allensguide.com/Canada/
www.kidscamps.com
www.campresource.com
Specific website include:
www.actua.ca - science, technology and
engineering camps
www.ccamping.org - Canadian Camping
Association
www.kidsofcanada.com - Kids of Canada
summer camps
www.ccca.org - Christian Camp and
Conference Association
www.campkirk.com - Ontario camp for
children with learning disabilities
Camp Fairs: There are a number of
camp fairs held all over Canada. They are
held in large halls and lots of different
camp organizers attend so you can visit
with your parents to see which might be
the best one for you.
You will be able to pick up lots of
advice and information and can sign up
there and then or take away leaflets,
brochures and quite often gifts so you can
decide later.
Summary
Summer camps are a great way to
get away and experience exciting new
activities or expand on the ones you
already enjoy. They also give you a
chance to do things without your parents
being around (parents also get a break
from you!)
If you think it all sounds like great fun,
you are right. Check out the weblinks we
have provided and see what is on offer in
your location or where you will eventually
be settling. After all if you can do some
research now, you will be better prepared
for when you land for good. Camps are an
excellent way to meet new people and
make new friends, especially if you are
new to the area, or indeed Canada.
In case you are wondering there are
also winter camps available which usually
include winter sports and activities. The
duration of these camps is not usually as
long because the winter holidays are not
as long as the summer ones. But you still
get to have great fun and lots of
adventures whether you choose a
summer or winter camp.

Kids questions
I am 12 years old and my family will
be moving to Vancouver sometime next
year. I am excited about this but also
scared and worry that I will miss my
friends and won’t be able to make new
ones. Can you help?
Anon, UK
We know moving to a new country can
be scary, not just for kids but for adults too
and I bet your parents are worried about
exactly the same things as you. The best
way to ensure you do not miss your UK
friends too much is to make sure you have
all their contact details to take with you,
and make sure they have yours. You will
be able to keep in contact by phone, letter,
email, text etc.
As for making new friends, this will be
easier that you think. Remember as a
foreigner with a British accent you will
become a celebrity at your new school and
will probably be fending off potential
friends.
We are going to Canada later this
year and I am only allowed to take one
box of stuff with me. I can’t fit
everything I want to take into this box
and wonder if taking my Playstation 2
will be a waste of time? I know some
things don’t work in Canada. Mum has
said she will buy me a new one in
Canada if I can’t take it but should I still
take my games as I have loads?
Adam, Kent, UK
Because the UK has a different TV
system than Canada (PAL v’’s NTSC) you
cannot use the games from the UK in
Canada without a UK TV to play them on.
You can get convertors, but if your mum is
prepared to pay for a new PS when you
get here we suggest you take advantage
of her generous offer and buy a Playstation
3. The PS3 is multi-region and will
therefore play your UK games, so you can
take these with you and save your mum
some money by not having to replace
Kidzone 41
them. Please be aware that not all PS2 Although most of the country has
games will play correctly on a PS3 but you similar grading systems, some do vary but
can check compatibility here. generally the following grades relate to the
listed ages.
I am 14 years old and my family will
be moving from the Philippines to Grade 1 (6-7 years)
Toronto, Canada soon. What school Grade 2 (7-8 years)
level will I be in as I know it is different Grade 3 (8-9 years)
to here. Depending on when we travel, I Grade 4 (9-10 years
may be 15 by the time we arrive. Grade 5 (10-11 years)
My English is excellent as my dad Grade 6 (11-12 years)
is English born so I hope to integrate Grade 7 (12-13 years)
well into my new Canadian school. Grade 8 (13-14 years)
Grade 9 (14-15 years)
Diwata, Manilla, Philippines Grade 10 (15-16 years
Grade 11 (16-17 years)
Firstly Diwata we want to congratulate Grade 12 (17-18 years)
you on your positive outlook to you new life
in Canada. As for your question, you would
enter secondary school at Grade 9 or 10
(age depending).
Canadian
Relocation
Solutions Ltd.
Canada’s Only Full Service Immigration-Relocation Company
Investors
Expedited
Permanent Residency!
CALL FOR DETAILS
WEB SITE: www.canadianrelocationsolutions.com
EMAIL: office@canadianrelocationsolutions.com
WINDSOR: 01753362217 YORK: 01904236182
CANANDA: 001 306 373 4686 CANADA FAX: 001 306 683 9562
RELOCATION/IMMIGRATION/LEGAL REPRESENTATION/RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL REAL
ESTATE/MORTGAGES/TRANSPORTATION/FINANCIALCONSULTATIONS/BANKING/BUSINESSES/
INSURANCE/EDUCATION/EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT
42 Tea Break

I was born in Sudbury Ontario and decision on a single trip, but are none
lived there most of my life, but moved the less positive it is the right thing to

Feedback to the Yukon a few years ago.

I came across your magazine a
couple of months ago and have spend
the time since, reading all the back
issues.
I felt I had to write to congratulate
you on an excellent publication in
which I have learnt a lot about Canada.
This may seem odd as I am a born and
bred Canadian having lived all my life
on Vancouver Island.
Your magazine has inspired me to
visit more places and discover the
Canada I have taken for granted far too
much. Thank you.
Terry, Vancouver Island, British
Columbia
Thank you for your kind words Terry
and we are pleased that we have been
able to open your eyes a little. It is
surprising how much we take for granted
about our own countries.
When I moved to Ontario with my
husband who was in the forces over
twenty years ago, I simply moved here
and started a new life. Having read your
magazine I see that these days things
are not as easy and I feel very sorry for
people who are having to wait years
before coming to this wonderful
country I now call home.
I just wanted to say that the wait
will be worth it as Canada is a fantastic
country and I have never regretted
moving here. I wish everyone waiting
for immigration the best of luck and
hope to see you here soon.
Mary, London, Ontario
Thank you for taking the time to write
to us. Indeed, things have changed a lot
So often the Territories are
forgotten by magazines and websites
as it is assumed that people simply do
not live there. Well, I do and I love it and
I was so pleased to read the real life
story of Jaime and Jeff who moved to
Nunavut in your December issue. I also
wanted to thank you for including the
three territories in various issues of
your publication.
Judith, Whitehorse, Yukon
Thanks Judith, we try to cover as
much about Canada as a whole as we
can. (Muchmor has been in touch with
Judith to get her real life story for a future
issue).
My husband and I have just
returned from a winter skiing trip to
British Columbia and loved it so much
we are now considering moving to
Canada. I realize we have based this
I have helped many newcomers find a home
in the Prince Edward County, Quinte area and
now offer my services to Muchmor readers
- give me a call today!
Lanthorn Real Estate Ltd.
Brokerage
Each Office is independently Owned and
Operated
do.
Would you suggest we hand in our
application now or wait for a few years
as we want our kids to be a little older
before we make the move.
Abigail, Manchester, UK
Well, Abigail as the processing time is
currently around 4 years for applications
for skilled workers from the UK, you need
to base you decision on this time factor.
Will your kids be the ages you want them
to be in four years time?
We would also suggest you make
more trips to Canada and research the
country far more before making such a big
decision. You can do this whilst your
application is being processed or research
first then apply.
Hopefully with the governments new
money, immigration processing times will
get less and less. (page 19).
Carol Brough
Sales Representative
102 Main Street
Picton
Ontario
K0K 2T0
Tel: +1 613 476 2100 (Office)
Tel: +1 613 476 8039 (Home)
Fax: +1 613 467 3482
email: carolbroughc21@hotmail.com
www.century21lanthorn.com

over the years. I’m sure many of our

readers will take comfort in your words. I make it happen
You make it home
 Employment
Muchmor 33
Canada 43

In celebration of International Women's Day 2008

6th Annual Power of Women Conference
March 8 2008
International Women's Day is observed all over the world on March 8th, 2008 in which women of all
races, financial status and ages come together to celebrate all that women have done and all that
women are and do.

Durham Region will be the host the prestigious 6th Annual Power of Women Conference. "We
believe that there are so many amazing women in Ontario, that they deserve a special event that
celebrates them in style." says founder and CEO, Tina Dezsi.

Produced by the Power of Women Exchange, a group for women entrepreneurs, executives, and
business professionals, the conference is an extraordinary way to celebrate being a woman on IWD
2008.

This year's theme of empowering yourself to find your "Fearless Power to Fly Higher" is achieved
through a unique formula that combines education, networking and pleasure.

Every woman is invited to attend this wonderful day and enjoy the amazing format that offers
workshops, keynote speakers, prizes, raffles, continental breakfast, lunch and a goody bag full of free
giveaways along with the abundance of energy only a group of women can provide!

“The upbeat energy and true desire to help each other both professionally and personally is what makes
The Power of Women Conference so contagiously successful." says founder and CEOD Lia Bandola.

Along with fabulous Keynote speakers Marianne Ford, Tricia Hasenclever and Glenda Brindle the
morning will offer the attendees a choice between 6 different and truly unique workshops with
speakers that bring the best of their expertise in both personal and professional information.

Sponsorship is available at the corporate level for businesses. Tickets are available at the early bird
price ON SALE NOW! Don't be left out, tickets are limited CALL NOW.

Event Information

Place: Tosca Banquet & Conference Centre, 800 Champlain Avenue, Oshawa, Ontario
Date: Saturday, March 8th, 2008
Time: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Cost: Early bird price $125.00 including GST until February 8th, then price goes to $150.00 including
GST until March 1st or sold out!
Contact: Tina Dezsi, 905.429.4040 or tina@powe.ca or Lia Bandola 905.619.3792 or lia@powe.ca

For more information or to register please call 905.429.4040 or visit www.powe.ca

44 Tea Break

Top Canadian…
TV shows
1. American Idol 7 (Wed) - 2.69 11. H.N.I.C. Game 1 - 1.34
2. Survivor - 2.54 12. Another Woman (film) - 1.28
3. American Idol 7 (Tue) - 2.43 13. Law & Order - 1.27
4. House - 2.01 14. CTV Weekend News - 1.26
5. C.S.I. New York - 1.80 15. Jeopardy - 1.23
6. Lost - 1.70 16. Law & Order: SVU - 1.23
7. Grammy Awards - 1.65 17. Celebrity Apprentice - 1.20
8. CTV Evening News - 1.55 18. C.S.I. Miami - 1.16
9. The Moment of Truth - 1.50 19. Prison Break - 1.13
10. Corner Gas - 1.41 20. C.S.I. - 1.09

CD’s
1. Sleep Through the Static, Jack
Johnson
2. Detours, Sheryl Crow
3. Watershed, K.D. Lang
4. 2008 Grammy Nominees, Various
5. It’s Time for a Love Revolution,
Lenny Kravitz
6. Juno Soutndtrack, Various
7. Step Up 2 the Streets, Various
8. Reminder, Feist
9. Call me Irresponsible, Michael
Buble
10. Symphony, Sarah Brightman

DVD’s
1. Beowulf 7. The Brave One
2. 30 Days of Night 8. Gone Baby Gone
3. The Darjeeling Limited 9. No Reservations
4. We Own the Night 10. The Assassination of Jesse James
5. American Gangster by the Coward Robert Ford
6. Michael Clayton

Fiction paperbacks
1. The Gathering, Anne Enright
2. Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen
3. The Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett
4. The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini
5. Atonement, Ian McEwan
6. The Curious Incident of the Dog
and the Night-time, Mark Haddon
7. The Overlook, Michael Connelly
8. Memory Keepers Daughter, Kim
Edwards
9. Sisters, Danielle Steel
10. Death Comes for the Fat Man,
Reginald Hill

Fiction hard cover

1. The Appeal, John Grisham 6. 7th Heaven, James Patterson
2. Late Nights on Air, Elizabeth Hay 7. Divisadero, Michael Ondaatji
3. Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled 8. For One More Day, Mitch Albom
Hosseini 9. Confessor, Terry Goodkind
4. World Without End, Ken Follett 10. Playing for Pizza, John Grisham
5. Duma Key, Stephen King
 January 2008
MUCHMOR REALTY
More properties online at www.muchmormagazine.com
Canada’s house prices double in last decade
The past decade has been one of the
best on record for residential real estate in
the Toronto area.
While the question remains whether
the next decade will even come close,
historically, home buyers have never had
such a prolonged period of rising home
prices, according to a study released
yesterday by ReMax.
Prices of resale homes from 1997 to
2007 increased by 78 per cent for a 5.9
per cent compounded annual rate of
return, according to the real estate firm.
Unit sales were also 61 per cent higher in
2007 over 1997.
"The Canadian real estate market has
surprised a lot of people, especially given
the challenges we've faced from a high-
tech meltdown, the 9/11 crisis, SARS and
a credit crunch south of the border," says
ReMax spokeperson Christine
Martysiewicz. "Over the past 10 years, real
estate has shown incredible resilience."
The run-up in prices is the longest
sustained increase in house prices in
recent history, the realtor says.
The average price of a home sold in
Toronto in 1997 was $211,307. That has
risen steadily every year, reaching
$376,236 at the end of 2007.
ReMax says good economic growth
and consumer confidence, fuelled by low
interest rates, created the buoyant
conditions.
Immigration has also played a major
role, with the Toronto census metropolitan
area increasing by 20 per cent over that
period to more than 5 million.
But the impact of increased property
taxes and a slowdown of the economy
could have a significant impact this year.
"You may get some decent returns
moving forward, but you don't have the
same conditions moving into the next
decade as the last," says Derek Holt, an
economist at the Royal Bank of Canada.
"We are past the peak in terms of
expectations and the drivers behind them."
Holt says pent up demand from early
this decade has been largely satisfied as
the market moves to "the cooling side of
muchmor
realty bringing
you the best
property and realty
news from around
Canada
the slope. We will revert closer back to
long-term averages."
The last up-cycle in the '80s was
actually more dramatic, with prices rising
from an average of $76,762 in 1983 to
$146,965 in 1989 – a 93 per cent gain –
before crashing. Prices fell by 28 per cent
over a six-year period before turning
around in 1997. Few predicted the length
or depth of the current cycle.
One clear difference over the past
decade is at the upper end of the market.
In 1997, million-dollar homes were
extremely rare, with only 175 homes
exchanging hands for $1 million or more.
Last year 2,309 such homes were sold.
ReMax says many of those homes
are in non-traditional neighbourhoods. For
instance, a detached home in the modest
community of Leaside that sold for
$470,000 in 1997 sold again (after
renovations) in 2007 for $1.55 million.
The past 10 years has also seen a
rise, to 35 per cent from 30 per cent, in
condominiums as a percentage of the
resale market.
46 Realty

Still, to put things into perspective, domestic economy. House prices in the
Toronto didn't even make it in the top 10 U.S. have tanked spectacularly.
markets nationally in terms of price Economists are now nervously
appreciation over the past decade. looking south to see what kind of an
Edmonton was the hottest market, impact that may have on the Canadian
with a 203 per cent increase in prices – or real estate market.
11.7 per cent compounded annually. Next Building permits in the U.S. dropped
was Calgary, with an increase of 189 per 3 per cent in January, and housing starts
cent, for an 11.1 per cent annual return. likely have further to fall. The first two
Canada-wide, house prices were up weeks of February have also been harsh
98.7 per cent, or 7.1 per cent annually, on the Toronto market with a 14 per cent
which put Toronto below the national drop in sales.
level.
However, ReMax doesn't factor in
inflation, which averaged 2.3 per cent
over that 10-year period, which would
have substantially eaten into returns.
ReMax, the most bullish forecaster,
sees houses rising by 5 per cent this year.
Check out our real
But other analysts are forecasting estate listings at
anywhere from a 3 to 5 per cent increase.
Muchmor realty
The big unknown is how much of an
impact the slowdown in the U.S.
economy, which buys 80 per cent of
Canadian exports, will have on our

Are you new

to Ontario?
Do you need help?
Are you helping
newcomers to settle?
Settlement.Org provides
you with information and
answers to settle in Ontario.

Visit www.settlement.org for information about

Finding a Job, ESL Classes, Housing, Health and much more...

Citizenship and Citoyenneté et

Funded by: Immigration Canada Immigration Canada

Managed by: Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)

final changes June 2, 2005

 Realty 47

Helen Parnell
Tel: 403-932-8888
www.moving2alberta.com

MLS: C3305603 Price: $297,500 Province: Alberta

City: Cochrane Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2
This amazing 3rd floor condo is one of the few PREMIER suites. Placed on the corner you
have extra windows making it a bright spacious apartment. The kitchen has some of the
many upgrades. There are two good size bedrooms with the master having a walk though
closet and 4 piece ensuite. The second bedroom is large enough for a double bed or even
an office. There is a separate laundry room ensuite,plus an additional storage room. The
price includes one underground parking stall on a separate title. You have views through to
the mountains and a good size deck to sit out on in the summer evenings.

MLS: C3297692 Price: $279,500 Province: Alberta

City: Cochrane Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2
Great private, secluded and quiet place to call home. This home has it all. Nice size family
room to cosy into on these cold nights. The kitchen is bright with dining area and new
laminate flooring installed earlier this year. The kitchen faces west so great for the evening
sun. A two-piece washroom completes this level. Upstairs you have a good size master
and then two further bedrooms. The 4-piece washroom is all new with tiling all the way to
the top of the wall by the deep soaker tub. The walkout basement needs your finishing
touches but walks out on to a nice deck on private fenced yard. Unit backs onto a treed

MLS: c3302604 Price: $562,500 Province: Alberta

City: Cochrane Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 3
This 5 bedroom 3 bathroom walkout bungalow in the sought after community of Riverview
Circle.Enter the main floor family room and admire the rich Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors
throughout. The main floor also contains the Master bedroom with 5 piece en-suite, 2nd
bedroom/ flex room, re-modeled kitchen with granite worktops and brand new appliances,
mudroom and 4 piece guest bathroom. Access the deck from the privacy of the Master
bedroom or the dining area. Panoramic views of the golf course can be enjoyed on those
long sunny evenings whilst cooking on the gas line BBQ.

MLS: c3306249 Price: $449,000 Province: Alberta

City: Cochrane Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 3
This great 5-bedroom bi-level is great for any growing family. The house has over 2300 sq
ft developed space and thus feels very spacious. New carpets are throughout the main
floor where you have a good size kitchen with oak cabinets. The dining area leads on to
the massive (33'x10') deck with a great view. There are three bedrooms up, two with
newer laminate flooring. The basement has been developed to a high standard with a
family room, two more bedrooms, 4-peice washroom and walkout to the yard.

MLS: C3307045 Price: $599,000 Province: Alberta

City: Cochrane Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3
This unique walkout bunglow in a cul-de-sac location has a rare LEGAL 2 bedroom suite in
the basement with own private entrance and patio. Rental income from this suite can be
used as income when appying for a mortgage. The main entrance has a great slate floor
and den/home office. Upstairs you have a good size kitchen with island come kitchen table.
Family room has cosy fireplace already fitted with wood surround. There is also a formal
dining room or this could be the home office! hardwood flooring throughout. At the front is a
huge 36' deck with doors off the master and family room and partial mountain views.
48 Realty

MLS: 2076970 Price: $169,900 Province: Ontario

City: Prince Edward Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1

2 Bedroom Bungalow in great Sub-division. Open concept Kitchen - Living room, Hallway to
bedrooms and one bedroom door wider for wheelchair access. Single car detached garage
built approx. 2 years ago. Storage room with access to 4'crawl space off of kitchen. Good
sized kitchen with plenty of cabinets. Lot size to be verified.

MLS: 2075898 Price: $375,900 Province: Ontario

City: Prince Edward Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 2
Grand Century Home situated on a 12 acre parcel of land with great Privacy! Large barn in
good condition. This home boasts many original features, 9 1/2 foot ceilings, extra wide
baseboards, original trim and most doors. Over 3400 sq. ft. with great potential. Spacious 4
bedrooms upstairs, original wood bannister. Large room on main floor could be master
bedroom or Parlour. This all brick home is set back from Road with long driveway going into
property, offers a wonderful Privacy!

MLS: 2080320 Price: $425,000 Province: Ontario

City: Prince Edward Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1

Well established Pub/Diner - Buy your Family a Living!!! This successful Pub/Diner includes
the building and business. Very GOOD SALES! Same owner for 18 years, wishes to retire!
Licensed for 60 people, main floor 2500 sq. ft with 1100 sq. ft. 3 bedroom apartment
upstairs. Excellent downtown location within minutes to Provincial Sandbanks! Owner will
hold Mortgage. Financial statements available to serious offers. List of chattels and
inclusions available on offers.

MLS: 2080554 Price: $198,000 Province: Ontario

City: Prince Edward Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2
Solid Brick/Stucco Century Home - on large lot. 4 bedrooms, spacious kitchen with newer
cabinetry , main floor laundry, 200 amp service. Basement has been insulated. Ultra Violet
light/water filter, water softener. Single Detached garage.
 Realty 49

Buying a house with a septic

system
To many people the idea of
buying a house with a septic
system fills them with horror and
fear, especially if you come from
the United Kingdom where such
things are quite rare. Most people
would not purchase a house with a
septic system but in Canada they
are very common and perfectly
normal. In fact a quarter of all
homes in Canada have a septic
system.

If you purchase a property in a city or

town it will more than likely have municipal
sewage pipes and you will not have to
deal with septic systems, however most
rural properties an indeed those on the
edges of towns will have a septic system
in place, so what are they all about.
What is a septic system?
Put simply a septic system is your
own private sewage treatment system.
There are different types depending on
where you live, but all work in a similar
way.
The system is made up of two main
components, a septic tank and a leaching
bed.
Septic tank: All household waste is
sent through pipes into an underground
septic tank located in the grounds of the
property. The tank is a large watertight
container that can be made from concrete,
polyethylene or fiberglass. The size is
dependent upon the size of the house and
the number of occupants.
Solid waste settles at the bottom of
the tank where it decomposes forming a
sludge layer. Light solids such as soap
suds, fat etc float to the top and form a
scum layer. This layer remains in the tank
until emptied just like the solids. Liquid
waste flows through pipes to a leaching
bed.
Leaching Bed: This is a system of
perforated pipes lying in a bed of gravel
under the ground. The liquid waste seeps
into the pipes where it is filtered and seeps
back into the ground.
The location of the septic tank and
leaching bed are laid out in regulations set
by each province and territory. Generally
the leaching bed needs to be at least 1.5
metres from the property line, 3-11 metres
from the house and 15-30 metres from a
well.
All septic tanks need to be emptied
every few years. The timing of this
depends on the size of your tank and the
number of property occupants. Generally
speaking they should be emptied every
three to five years.
TIP: Having septic tanks emptied in
the winter costs more than in the summer
as there are strict guidelines regarding
disposal of waste. This means the cost to
the disposal company is much greater in
the winter and this extra cost will be
passed onto you. So, if possible have the
tank emptied in the summer or fall.
Buyers tip
If you buy a house with a septic
system you should get it inspected and
tested as one of the conditions of sale.
You can also get it a condition of sale that
the previous owner has the septic emptied
before you move in so you know exactly
when it will need emptying again.
However, it is important that you get
all inspections and tests done before the
tank is emptied as a proper test cannot be
carried out once the tank is pumped and
you might miss an important problem.
The inspector will check all
components of the system and will make
sure the system is the right size for the
house and occupants. He will also do an
internal inspection on taps, toilets etc to
check drainage.
Make sure you obtain a copy of the
septic system permit from the homeowner
or public health office and get hold of any
maintenance records.
If, as a result of the inspection any
repairs or indeed the replacement of the
system is required you should negotiate
the cost from the sale price as a new
system can cost anything up to $25,000.
Does the system look
different?
Obviously the actual septic system
itself is different to a municipal sewage
system, but you as a property owner do
not see any of this. All you will see in the
50 Realty
garden is an inspection lid which is used
to gain access to the septic tank. Never,
never open this lid as the fumes inside are
highly toxic.
You will not see the pipe-work or the
leaching bed, although your grass might
be greener in the vicinity of the leaching
bed as it is basically fertilizing the
surrounding soil.
Inside the house your toilet, sinks,
baths, washing machines etc will look and
work no differently to any other appliance
or equipment working from a municipal
system.
Do I need to do anything
different?
As we mentioned before you will
need to get the septic tank emptied every
three to five years. The cost of this very
much depends on your location and the
time of year.
It is advisable to have your system
inspected regularly, usually every three
years.
Tanks and leaching beds last an
average of 20-25 years, so make sure you
know how old yours is so you know
roughly when it might need replacing.
You will also need to take a little extra should call an inspector out immediately.
care of what goes into your septic system.
• Avoid putting things like paint, grease,
solvents, antifreeze etc into the system
as this may then seep into groundwater
contaminating it.
• Avoid using bleach, disinfectants,
cleaners etc that are not recommended no problems.
for septic systems. In Canada it is easy
to find products made for septic
systems, usually they are phosphate
free and cost no more than other
products.
• Do not flush feminine hygiene products,
dental floss, condoms, cat litter etc into
you system as they can clog the
leaching bed pipes.
Take care of the outdoor
components;
• Do not plant anything but grass over
your leaching bed
• Keep trees and shrubs away from the
leaching bed as roots can damage the
system.
• Do not use manure or fertilizers near
the leaching bed
• Do not park vehicles over the leaching
bed as the weight can damage it.
• Avoid gutters and pumps from draining
near the leaching bed to stop
contamination.
It is advisable to items such as low
flow showerheads and toilets as they cut
down on the amount of water flowing into
the system. This can lead to overflowing
or clogging of the system.
Are there problems with
septic systems?
Like any system including municipal
systems you can encounter problems. If
your system is not working properly you
may notice some of the following signs.
• Sewage backing up in toilets, showers
etc
• Soggy areas or surface sewage near
the leaching bed
• Grass over the leaching bed becoming
patchy
• A well test indicates high levels of
bacteria, contaminants or nitrates
• If you have a dosing pump it may run
continuously
If you have any of the above signs or
are at all concerned about the system you
Summary
As long as you have a septic system
inspected before you buy a property and
maintain it once it’s yours you should have
As we have said previously, a septic
system in Canada is nothing unusual and
you should have no hesitation in looking
at properties with septic systems or wells.
Next month
Next month we will take a look at
wells as this can be another daunting item
on the home-buyers list.
1. Septic tank inspection
cover
Check out our real 2. Septic tank being installed
estate listings at 3. Leaching bed being
Muchmor realty constructed
4. System being emptied
 Realty 51

MLS: 260658 Price: $309,900 Province: Saskatchewan

City: Saskatoon Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2
This 3 bedroom 2 storey fits right into the charming Buena Vista area. It has a quaint
veranda on the front to sit and watch the evening sunsets. The livingroom has natural maple
hardwood floors and the kitchen has an abundance of Ginger maple cabinets. The kitchen
also has an island counter and a walk in pantry. The garden door takes you to the deck and
a huge back yard that has plenty of room for a double garage. The lot is 155' deep! Ready to
move into..

MLS: 257535 Price: $1,049,000 Province: Saskatchewan

City: Saskatoon Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3
This amazing 'to be built' two storey walkout will boast over 4100 sqft on all 3. Four car
garage, 9' ceilings, custom kitchen and baths anc closets, possible 4th bedroom. Custom
moulding pkg, central air, central vac, heated basement floor. Too many extras to list.

MLS: 262140 Price: $474,900 Province: Saskatchewan

City: Saskatoon Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 1

A classic two storey in a great University drive location! This beautifully maintained home
features large living and dining areas, oak and maple hardwoods, a main floor family room
with patio doors to the deck and an updated maple kitchen. Extras and upgrades include a
gas fireplace, central air, five appliances plus recent exterior paint and shingles. Ideally
located within easy walking distance of Broadway Avenue and the river with great access to
the University of Saskatchewan.

MLS: 261922 Price: $489,900 Province: Saskatchewan

City: Saskatoon Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3
Impressive "Showhome Quality" Two storey Executive home. Immaculate,top to bottom.
Over 2600 sq.ft. developed with attention to detail. 3 + 1 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, extra
tall vault in living room. Spindle rail & bridge walk overlook livingroom. Maple Kitchen w/
island.Cent./air central vac, 18" porcelain tile, laminate flooring, beautiful trim & decor. 14'
ceiling in garage, large concrete driveway allows RV, large treated deck, fully landscaped,
fenced and wedge-shaped lot, close to K-8 and high school. Great Location! Just move in
and enjoy!

MLS: Various lots Price: $60,900 - $139,900

Province: Saskatchewan City: Prince albert
These beautiful lake lots come in a variety of dimensions and elevations and are
conveniently located just 10 minutes west of the town of Big River on highway 55. Power &
phone service to be run upon completion of roads. Marina to be located on the south west
corner in the phase one of the development. This is your chance to get in at phase one
prices. Lots being sold first come first serve. Investor package available..
52 Realty

Imagine you won the lottery

what does a million dollars buy you?

Vancouver Island, British Columbia

This stunning three bedroom, three bathroom property with ocean and
mountain views will set you back $1,049,000. It offers nearly 3,000 sq ft of living
space and was built in 1998. The decor is contemporary and the property
includes a self-contained guest suite with private entrance for all those visitors
you will have if you live here!

Calgary, Alberta
For $1,095,900 you will get this brand new home with lake access. It has
four bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Grand entrance has curved staircase with
wrought iron railing and landing. Main floor enjoys very open and spacious
kitchen with centre island, granite, hardwood and stainless steel appliances.
Call Stef Lukas of Lukas Group Realty for details 1-403-256-0002

York Point,
Prince Edward Island
This property is just ten minutes to Charlottetown but is
set in 15 acres of private property on the waterfront. It is a
bargain too at only $990,000. It has three bedrooms, one
bathroom and you can watch the ships coming in.

Winnipeg, Manitoba
Riverside, country residence in headingley. Simply spectacular very west
coast, with timber frame beams throughout home. Massive great room, with
free-standing, double sided, stone fireplace dividing it from the dining room. On
the market now for $994,000 with four bedrooms, five bathrooms and 6,680 sq
ft of living space.
 Realty 53

Fall River, Nova Scotia

A majestic country estate situated in a private forested
setting that offers all of the features of a new luxury resort in
a sought after location. Pamper yourself everyday with a
swim in the 18' x 36' indoor pool, followed by a sauna and
hot tub. All this along with six bedrooms, five bathrooms and
over 5,000 sq ft of living space for $998,000.

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
We had a hard job finding properties in this price range in
Saskatchewan , but you can buy this to-be-built property with over 4,100
sq ft of space for $1,049,000. It will have 9 ft ceilings, four car garage,
three bedrooms, three bathrooms with full basement with a possible
fourth bedroom. Contact Mike Chudoba of Hallmark Realty for details:
Tel 1-306-222-5784.

Whitehorse, Yukon
We met our match in Yukon as we simply could not find any
properties listed anywhere near $1 million. So we had to go for the
most expensive on on the market which is this 160 acre plot with 6
buildings: a mobile on a basement with water holding tank & septic; a
2 storey frame building with guest suite on the main; a side by side
guest accommodation with each side boasting a lovely kitchenette
suite style room with 3/4 bath and wraparound deck with hot tub
overlooking the Yukon River. All for $799,000

Picton Bay, Ontario

This stunning five bedroom, four bathroom waterfront property
with over 3,000 sq ft of living space will set you back $975,000. The
property overlooks Picton Bay in Prince Edward
County and boasts a hot tub and saltwater
swimming pool as well as a private dock, 1,200 sq
ft of decking and stunning gardens. Contact Carol
Brough on 1-613-476-8039 for details.
54 Realty

Moncton, New Brunswick

This stunning climate controlled, five bedroom, 6 bath
contemporary design with 18 ceilings spectacular staircase, great
room and large kitchen with solarium effect in breakfast area, craft
room and upper level family room is located on .78 acres and boasts
over 5,283 sq ft. plus finished lower level office/media room, games
room and storage.It also boasts a 18’ x 30’ indoor pool, triple garage
and landscaped gardens all for $995,000.

Humber Village, Newfoundland

Quality built with 277' Humber River frontage & over 2 1/2 acres
of superbly landscaped grounds. Excellent condition,describes this 4
bedroom,2 1/2 bath, 2 storey home with attached garage. A very
private Humber Village location. Close to Marble Mountain Ski Resort
& the scenic Humber Resort Golf Course. All in a quiet peaceful
setting costing $1,100,000.

Matane, l'Est du Québec,

Québec
For exactly $1 million you can have this amazing house with four
bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms as well as an above ground pool,
landscaped gardens and great views of river with a brook running
through the grounds. If you love nature then you will love this
property.

The most expensive property

currently for sale in Canada
Simply stated this is the finest oceanfront estate property in the
Pacific Northwest, namely Victoria, Vancouver Island. Strategically
nestled on a magnificent 2.4-acre gated property with over 1,400 feet
of ocean frontage, the dramatic 15,800 square-foot residence blends
artfully into its seaside landscape. And the price - a whopping
$29,000,000, yes we did say 29 million dollars!
55 Realty

MLS: C3293558 Price: $365,000

Province: Alberta City: Calgary
Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2
***PRICE BELOW MARKET VALUE FOR QUICK
SALE...LOWEST PRICED UNIT IN
COMPLEX***beautiful 2 story-WALKOUT-townhouse.
Several recent upgrades include stained maple
hardwood flooring, new carpet for upper level and
fresh paint. Walk into 9ft ceilings Main floor features
large living room with fireplace and bay window, 2
piece bath,huge kitchen with custom designed
ceramic tile flooring with back splash, dining area with
patio doors open to sunny deck. Upper level boasts
two large bedrooms, EACH with walk in closets and 4
piece en suites, laundry area!!! WALK OUT lower
level in bright, open and updated. Insulated &
drywalled double garage ( 21"x 19" ) completes this
package.

MLS: C3304411 Price: $444,000

Province: Alberta City: Calgary
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2
Xciting,modern, 3 bed, 2.5 bath, has over $40,000 in
upgrades and is situated on a quiet and safe street
next to the green space in family oriented community.
Close to schools, park, community centre & private
club with skating in the winter and a water park in the
summer. Practical open layout on the main floor with
fantastic kitchen, living room, dining room, main floor
laundry. Location, location, location. A must see
home, this is value for your dollar.

MLS: C3301004 Price: $679,800

Province: Alberta City: Calgary
Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3
Tanglewood Estates proudly presents this 2 storey,
2595.52 S.F.,4 bedroom,full Baths,Maple Floors,
Granite Counters, Gas Fireplace, Oversized Double
Garage, Main Floor Laundry/Mudroom,Freshly
Landscaped,Mountain View.Now is the time for you to
acquire your personal show home and reveal your
individual style with the various accent walls, art
niches, and custom built-ins incorporated throughout
this sophisticated home. Huge floor to ceiling
windows bring in loads of bright sunshine into the
kitchen and family room.Entertaining will be a breeze
in the gorgeous kitchen, boasting thick granite
counters and mocha kitchen cabinets with the large
island, opening into the family room. An elegant
double sided fireplace keeps you warm.
 Realty 56

MLS: 2077125 Price: $139,900 Province: Ontario

City: Wellington, Prince Edward Lot Size: 141' x 145'

Level, easily developed waterfront lot on a channel leading to West Lake and the famous
Sand Dunes. Only minutes from the village of Wellington.

MLS: 2075613 Price: $269,000 Province: Ontario

City: Prince Edward Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 4

Immaculate home on pleasant bay. Walk-out from basement with guest suite potential.
Large insulated double garage plus: Marsh waterfront for the naturalist, Central air
conditioning, Central vacuum system, TV antenna, Garage: double, Garage: attached,
Garage: detached, Double width or more driveway, Paved driveway, Crushed stone
driveway, Oil or heating oil, Brick exterior finish, Vinyl exterior finish, Asphalt shingles
roofing, Smoke Detectors, Garage with inside entry, Carpeted Floor

MLS: 2076824 Price: $229,000 Province: Ontario

City: Prince Edward Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2

Brick century home in good area of Picton. Owners have completely renovated kitchen, 2
baths [one with clawfoot tub, newer roof, electrical upgrade including breaker panel plus gas
furnace. All pine floors, 9' ceilings, 3 season sun room, back stairway, 10' x 10' deck plus
insulated garage/workshop.

MLS: 2077012 Price: $339,000 Province: Ontario

City: Prince Edward Vacant Land

Beautiful waterfront lot overlooking the sand dunes at West Lake. Great swimming and
boating. Lot size is irregular with 127 feet being the shoreline. Build the house of your
dreams here and view the fantastic sunsets.
57 Realty

Donna McNeil Exit Realty Metro

Tel: (01) 902-222-4937
Exit Realty Metro 2055-1658 Bedford Highway Bedford NS B4A 2X9

MLS: 00570739 Price: $269,900 Province: Nova Scotia

City: Wellington Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1

If a park like property and privacy is what you are looking for, well take a closer look.
This one of a kind gem has one of the most private settings available in the area. Beds
of perennials fill the property and line the paved driveway. The home sit on
professionally landscape lot that measures almost an acre in size and backs on over 7
acres of unused HRM Parkland. Inside you will be equally impressed with new
hardwood floors, fully finished basement with walkout, 3 bedrooms and open kitchen.
Truly a pleasure to view!

MLS: 40867764 Price: $299,900 Province: Nova Scotia

City: Hammonds Plains Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2

Gorgeous executive Rancher custom built by Whitestone Developments. A bright large

foyer welcomes you to this well cared for home. The kitchen features oak cabinets,a
breakfast bar and walk in Pantry. Spacious Dinning room has an attached Sun room with
great views. The formal Living room features a propane fireplace. Three good sized
Bedrooms, the Master has a walk-in closet and ensuite. The Basement has a walkout
and partially finished and offers lots of possibilities. An attached Garage provides room
for a car and lots of storage. A beautiful house to call home.

MLS: 41116138 Price: $374,900 Province: Nova Scotia

City: Halifax Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 4
This absolutely stunning 2 storey cape cod home has a very unique layout and is
situated in desirable St. Andrew’s Village; one of Metro’s most popular subdivisions! You
will be impressed by the cozy and yet elegant styling which includes walnut stained
birch floors, mushroom glazed kitchen cabinets with center island, and the brick wood
burning fireplace. The 3216 sq ft of finished living space offers 4 bedrooms, 4 full
bathrooms, home office, den, media room, and more.

MLS: 41115593 Price: $339,900 Province: Nova Scotia

City: Fall River Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3
Stunning 4 bedroom home has everything you’re looking for. Sunken family room with
stone propane fireplace, eat in gourmet kitchen that’s great for entertaining. Double
French doors to formal living room. Double doors that leads through to master bedroom
with walk in closet, 5 piece en-suite, bay window seat with storage. Main bath with
laundry. 10 year New Home Warranty. HST rebate back to builder. Please note that the
listing agent is related to the vendor. Commission payable on sale price minus HST.

MLS: 40841470 Price: $344,900 Province: Nova Scotia

City: Hammonds Plains Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3
This exceptional three bedroom home with 2500 sq ft of living space is located on quiet,
friendly, sought after Carmel Cres., in Highland Park Subdivision. The home is brand
new using quality materials. Built with extreme thought and care at every stage of
construction. The home features a huge double car garage, private 22x10 pressure
treated rear deck, maple kitchen cabinets with island, desk, pantry and garden doors to
the deck.

www.halifaxdartmouthrealestate.com
 Realty 58

Inside Calgary
real estate
by Stef Lukas - Lukas
Group Realty, Calgary

Calgary Real Estate Board web

site has median price at $422,500,
actually its only $381,587. They forgot to Calgary resale period. Briar Hill had the highest-priced
average in Zone A, with four sales
mention that 23 sales in January where
over $1mil, which they count into their housing prices averaging $1.177 million and a median of
$875,000, while Coventry Hills had the
price, and that 82% of all sales where
under $410,000.
decline most sales with 106.
In Zone B, there were 594 sales
Here is why for the Buyers:
If you put your home on the market averaging $338,848 (median $330,000),
Inventory at this time of the year is
late last year and compared it to 2006, it with all but three of the 30 communities
extremely high, more property's for sale
would look like you were about to make experiencing sale averaging less than
then this town has ever seen, thus more
plenty of money - but that statistic doesn't $400,000 - and nine with averages under
choice's for the buyers and bargains
tell the whole story, says agent with Re/ $300,000.
galore. As of this writing there are 4,316
Max Real Estate Central. Of those, Dover, with 10 sales, was
single detached home's for sale and 2,224
"Prices of single-detached homes the most affordable at an average price of
condominiums and townhome's. Last year
peaked in June of last year, but now we've $266,650.
at the same time, these numbers are lower
seen them falling for eight straight Taradale and Martindale had the most
by 45%. Furthermore, these numbers will
months," says Gary MacLean. sales in Zone B at 66 each.
increase as we come into spring ( I still
"In the northwest, for example, the Zone C, which traditionally contains
don't know why sellers wait for spring to list
median price of a single-detached home in the highest-priced neighbourhoods, had
their property's?? They must believe in
July 2007 was $465,000. It ended up at eight communities with average sales over
some self proclaimed real estate expert
the end of the year at $427,750, which is $1 million. The average sale price for 841
who tells them about " curb appeal". Folks,
almost as big a drop as how much it homes sold in that zone reached
its all about affordability and location,
climbed. It started the year at $418,000." $520,685.
nothing more and nothing else!! Advice:
The time it took to sell that home The most expensive home sold from
check with your bank or mortgage broker
almost doubled compared to the same October to December was in Zone C in the
what you can afford and buy, buy, buy. Its
period the year before. From Oct. 1 to Dec. community of Bel-Aire at $1.8 million.
not going to get cheaper come June or
31, 2006, average days on the market Bridlewood was the most active
July, builders new construction has already
varied between 21 and 23 for the four community in the zone with 95 sales, while
dropped by over 50% this year, which will
zones in the city, compared to the last one home in Connaught bucked the trend
ultimately put pressure on re sale property
three months of 2007 when homes took 43 for longer list times, selling in just nine
prices and you will say once again: should
to 48 days on average to sell, says the days for $975,000.
have.
Calgary Real Estate Board. Also coming in with 95 sales was
For the Sellers: Above numbers
"I don't think a lot of people are losing McKenzie Towne in Zone D, making that
apply to sellers as well, if you think that
money," says MacLean. "They're just not southeast community the busiest in the
completion is strong now, wait 'till you see
making as much." zone over the last three months of 2007.
how many property's you will compete with
Even so, he says, 'it's still the best Lake Bonavista Estates had the
come April?? If you price it right and don't
real estate market in the city." highest-average for sales at $932,375,
get greedy, you will sell, there is a buyer
The busiest zone in the city from followed by Willow Park Estates with three
for every property. Most importantly, sell
October to December 2007 was Zone A, sales averaging $910,333.
first before you buy. You can always
which includes many northwest Deer Ridge in the same zone was the
negotiate possession date to suite you
communities. A total of 1,049 homes most affordable in that area, with six sales
( 60-90 days), plenty of time to find your
changed hands, with the average sale averaging $308,500. The community also
next home with all the choice's outer there
price of $476,035. had the lowest median price for its zone at
today.
The average median price for that $285,000. The average sale price in Zone
area was $435,000. The median price is D was $434,260, with a median price of
the mid-point between the most-expensive $398,000.
and least-expensive house sold during that