http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2009/ob146.asp
Click on the link above for ground breaking news for Temporary Foriegn Workers.
In a nutshell there is a pilot scheme which opens on August 17th and will run for 12 months that entitles any spouse of a TFW Long Haul Truck Driver can get an open work permit on entry into Canada, this means your wife or partner can work for any company and will NOT need an LMO, i should imagine it will expire when the primary work permit expires...
And families already over here can get one too, its just a slightly different process.
This is huge news for families who have had to give up the luxury of 2 pay packets when they left Europe.
Any H&R families who need more info call Lyndon at the office or cell, or you can also call VRV direct.
Congratulations everyone !!!!!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Worker's Compensation Board
What is WCB?
The WBC or Worker’s Compensation Board, is a neutral body tasked with administering the Worker’s Compensation Act in all provinces.
What is the Worker’s Compensation Act?
The Worker’s Compensation Act is provincial legislation that regulates the Worker’s Compensation Board
Guiding Principles of the worker’s compensation system
No fault compensation
Workers are eligible to receive benefits for work-related injuries no matter who is at fault.
Collective Liability
All employers in covered industries share responsibility for funding the cost of workers’ compensation insurance
Immunity from Lawsuits
Participating employers and workers have immunity against lawsuits for work-related accidents by others who participate in the systems
Exclusive jurisdiction
The Workers’ Compensation Board has exclusive legal authority to make all decisions arising under the Worker’s Compensation Act
Fair Compensation and fair premiums
Compensation should be fair and take into account both the nature of the injury and the impact on employment earnings. Premiums should be fair and competitive and account for full-funding of claims, reserves, and the costs of administering the system. The workers’ compensation system is a liability and disability insurance system designed to protest both workers and employers against the impact of work-related injuries.
Benefit of doubt to worker
Adjudication decisions are made in favour of the injured worker where all evidence for and against is equally balanced.
Comprehensive injury prevention and disability management
The system provides a comprehensive range of services to both prevent and manage disabilities
Long-term stability, financial security and cost effectiveness
The system is structured and operated in ways that ensure its long-term stability and financial security as well as its overall cost-effectiveness.
When to report an injury
You should report your injury as quickly as possible after reporting to your employer. If your injury is not reported, WCB has no record of your claim. Your employer is required by law to report to WCB within 72 hours of acquiring knowledge that a work-related injury occurred.
Injuries that require reporting:
WCB covers work-related injuries or diseases that cause you to need medical aid or time away from work. These include:
- Injuries that cause (or are likely to cause) you to be off work beyond the day of injury
- Injuries that require modified work beyond the day of injury
- Injuries that require medical treatment beyond first aid
- Injuries that may results in a permanent disability
Injuries NOT considered work-related:
- pre-existing or underlying health problems (diabetes, arthritis, old sports injuries, etc)
- injuries that occur while routinely commuting to and from work
- Injuries arising from serious and willful misconduct
- Injuries that happen outside of work
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Use your claim number when your write letters or call WCB
- Follow the treatment plans developed by your health care providers
- Keep your appointments with your health care provider
- Talk to your physician about your progress so you understand when you can return to work
- Inform WCB of any changes in your medical recovery
- Talk to your employer regularly about your progress
- Tell WCB when your doctor tells you that you are fit to return to work. If you do return to work early, make sure you understand and follow any work restrictions so your re-employment is safe for both you and others.
- Advise WCB if you stop working or need to change your duties because of your injury
- Keep receipts for costs directly related to your workplace injury
- Advise WCB is you will be leaving the province or moving.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR BENEFITS
Ø Worker’s compensation benefits start the next working day after you are injured
Ø You should receive your first wage loss benefit payment from WCB within 14 days of WCB registering your new claim.
Ø You will be paid wage replacement benefits as long as medical evidence shows you are unable to return to work due to your injury
Ø Compensation benefits are not taxable. You must report your worker’s compensation benefits to the Canada Revenue Agency. WCB will send you a T5007 by the end of February
Ø Compensation benefits are protected from inflation. Long-term workers’ benefits are reviewed to determine if a cost of living increase should be applied
Ø If traveling out of province, you MUST get permission from your doctor and WCB to confirm your trip will not delay your recovery
WCB is available in all provinces and have different forms and regulations. Please ensure that you check the information if you are filing in another province. If you are injured in the U.S.A or even another province, you can still claim through Alberta.
Claim Management may vary from province to province. Please consult these websites or your WCB Coordinator if you have questions:
British Columbia
http://www.worksafebc.com/default.asp
Alberta:
http://www.wcb.ab.ca/workers/
Saskatchewan:
http://www.wcbsask.com/
Manitoba:
http://www.wcb.mb.ca/
Ontario:
http://www.wsib.on.ca/wsib/wsibsite.nsf/public/homepage
Quebec:
French: http://www.csst.qc.ca/portail/fr/
English: http://www.csst.qc.ca/portail/en/
H&R Transport Limited is proud to be active in the involvement of your claim management.
If you have any questions, concerns or need to report an injury, please contact
Sherri Wollenberg in Human Resources at 1-800-661-8044 or 403-328-2345
The WBC or Worker’s Compensation Board, is a neutral body tasked with administering the Worker’s Compensation Act in all provinces.
What is the Worker’s Compensation Act?
The Worker’s Compensation Act is provincial legislation that regulates the Worker’s Compensation Board
Guiding Principles of the worker’s compensation system
No fault compensation
Workers are eligible to receive benefits for work-related injuries no matter who is at fault.
Collective Liability
All employers in covered industries share responsibility for funding the cost of workers’ compensation insurance
Immunity from Lawsuits
Participating employers and workers have immunity against lawsuits for work-related accidents by others who participate in the systems
Exclusive jurisdiction
The Workers’ Compensation Board has exclusive legal authority to make all decisions arising under the Worker’s Compensation Act
Fair Compensation and fair premiums
Compensation should be fair and take into account both the nature of the injury and the impact on employment earnings. Premiums should be fair and competitive and account for full-funding of claims, reserves, and the costs of administering the system. The workers’ compensation system is a liability and disability insurance system designed to protest both workers and employers against the impact of work-related injuries.
Benefit of doubt to worker
Adjudication decisions are made in favour of the injured worker where all evidence for and against is equally balanced.
Comprehensive injury prevention and disability management
The system provides a comprehensive range of services to both prevent and manage disabilities
Long-term stability, financial security and cost effectiveness
The system is structured and operated in ways that ensure its long-term stability and financial security as well as its overall cost-effectiveness.
When to report an injury
You should report your injury as quickly as possible after reporting to your employer. If your injury is not reported, WCB has no record of your claim. Your employer is required by law to report to WCB within 72 hours of acquiring knowledge that a work-related injury occurred.
Injuries that require reporting:
WCB covers work-related injuries or diseases that cause you to need medical aid or time away from work. These include:
- Injuries that cause (or are likely to cause) you to be off work beyond the day of injury
- Injuries that require modified work beyond the day of injury
- Injuries that require medical treatment beyond first aid
- Injuries that may results in a permanent disability
Injuries NOT considered work-related:
- pre-existing or underlying health problems (diabetes, arthritis, old sports injuries, etc)
- injuries that occur while routinely commuting to and from work
- Injuries arising from serious and willful misconduct
- Injuries that happen outside of work
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Use your claim number when your write letters or call WCB
- Follow the treatment plans developed by your health care providers
- Keep your appointments with your health care provider
- Talk to your physician about your progress so you understand when you can return to work
- Inform WCB of any changes in your medical recovery
- Talk to your employer regularly about your progress
- Tell WCB when your doctor tells you that you are fit to return to work. If you do return to work early, make sure you understand and follow any work restrictions so your re-employment is safe for both you and others.
- Advise WCB if you stop working or need to change your duties because of your injury
- Keep receipts for costs directly related to your workplace injury
- Advise WCB is you will be leaving the province or moving.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR BENEFITS
Ø Worker’s compensation benefits start the next working day after you are injured
Ø You should receive your first wage loss benefit payment from WCB within 14 days of WCB registering your new claim.
Ø You will be paid wage replacement benefits as long as medical evidence shows you are unable to return to work due to your injury
Ø Compensation benefits are not taxable. You must report your worker’s compensation benefits to the Canada Revenue Agency. WCB will send you a T5007 by the end of February
Ø Compensation benefits are protected from inflation. Long-term workers’ benefits are reviewed to determine if a cost of living increase should be applied
Ø If traveling out of province, you MUST get permission from your doctor and WCB to confirm your trip will not delay your recovery
WCB is available in all provinces and have different forms and regulations. Please ensure that you check the information if you are filing in another province. If you are injured in the U.S.A or even another province, you can still claim through Alberta.
Claim Management may vary from province to province. Please consult these websites or your WCB Coordinator if you have questions:
British Columbia
http://www.worksafebc.com/default.asp
Alberta:
http://www.wcb.ab.ca/workers/
Saskatchewan:
http://www.wcbsask.com/
Manitoba:
http://www.wcb.mb.ca/
Ontario:
http://www.wsib.on.ca/wsib/wsibsite.nsf/public/homepage
Quebec:
French: http://www.csst.qc.ca/portail/fr/
English: http://www.csst.qc.ca/portail/en/
H&R Transport Limited is proud to be active in the involvement of your claim management.
If you have any questions, concerns or need to report an injury, please contact
Sherri Wollenberg in Human Resources at 1-800-661-8044 or 403-328-2345
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Child Benefit In Canada
Immigrants to Canada can claim child benefit as soon as they become Permenant Residents although the paperwork can be a little daunting, once you have got your information together it will take you about an hour to fill in the forms on-line, print them off, stuff them into an envelope and post them off.
This is how i did it:
Went on the Canada Revenue website http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html
Applied for the online security codes to do it all online
Waited 2 weeks for the password to come through the post
Tried to do it all on line
Realised the principle applicant should be the mother (Doh!).
Swore and cursed a bit.
Luckily it gave links to the various forms so i filled in and printed off
photocopied Lukes passport and PR card
Stuffed it all into an Envelope and sent it to the Tax Office in Winterypeg.
Here is a checklist of all the forms you need including the one to have it paid straight into the bank.
T1-DD1 E (08)
RC66 E (09)
RC66 SCH E (09)
Apparently it is paid every 6 months, not sure excactly how much its worth, i think it should be about $700 per year........ we will wait & see.
This is how i did it:
Went on the Canada Revenue website http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html
Applied for the online security codes to do it all online
Waited 2 weeks for the password to come through the post
Tried to do it all on line
Realised the principle applicant should be the mother (Doh!).
Swore and cursed a bit.
Luckily it gave links to the various forms so i filled in and printed off
photocopied Lukes passport and PR card
Stuffed it all into an Envelope and sent it to the Tax Office in Winterypeg.
Here is a checklist of all the forms you need including the one to have it paid straight into the bank.
T1-DD1 E (08)
RC66 E (09)
RC66 SCH E (09)
Apparently it is paid every 6 months, not sure excactly how much its worth, i think it should be about $700 per year........ we will wait & see.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Alberta
The Basics
Alberta is the westernmost of Canada’s three Prairie Provinces. Often known as Canada's "energy province,” Alberta is home to over 3.3 million people, and growing quickly. The bulk of this population resides in Alberta’s two largest cities; Edmonton (which serves as the provincial capital) and Calgary each have a population of over 1 million residents. Alberta is a world leader in the oil and gas industry but is also home to a vibrant and fast-growing industrial and service economy. Thanks to the opportunities provided by this economic growth, Alberta has become one of the top destinations for immigration to Canada. Today Alberta is arguably Canada’s most prosperous province, and is recognized world-wide for its high standard of living.
Alberta Economy and Employment
After over a decade of high growth rates, Alberta remains filled with potential for further economic expansion. Alberta’s economy is driven by its booming energy industry, a major employer in the province. The energy industry accounts for over 275 000 jobs in the province both directly and indirectly. This sector is expected to grow even further as technological advances allow the development of the oil sands in the north of the province. Alberta’s high rate of economic growth is not limited however to the energy industry, as the province boasts a diversified economy. Alberta’s manufacturing sector has doubled in size in the last decade, and innovation is spurring new industries that make Alberta a strong competitor in global markets. Beyond oil and gas forestry remains an important industry, worth over $4 billion annually. Alberta has also traditionally been home to large farming and ranching industries, which remain an important part of the province’s culture and economy.
With the rapid pace of economic development in the province, Alberta is a great place to find work in Canada. Alberta enjoys the lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 3.9%, well below the national average of 6.8%. When this low unemployment rate is combined with low natural population growth and record-setting numbers for job creation, the result is that there are many job opportunities available for immigrants in the province. In recent years the province has increased the number of permanent resident immigrants as well as temporary foreign workers living and working in the province, yet the unemployment rate continues to decline. International surveys consistently rank Calgary and Edmonton among the top cities in the world to work. On top of the availability of jobs, people enjoy working in Alberta thanks to its high standard of living.
Alberta Standard of Living
Thanks to low levels of unemployment and high demand for workers, Alberta’s average wage and salary rates are highly competitive with the rest of Canada. The minimum wage in Alberta approaches the Canadian average at 7.00$/hr. Most noteworthy, Albertan families have the highest average combined income in Canada at approximately 61 000$/yr.
Albertans also have the lowest personal taxes in Canada, thanks to the wealth of natural resources. Based on a two-income family with two children, earning an income of 60 000$, Albertans pay $3,583 less in taxes than residents of Newfoundland and Labrador and $990 less than residents of Ontario. Alberta's personal tax advantage results from a low single rate tax system, including the highest basic and spousal exemptions in the country, no general sales tax, the lowest gasoline tax rate among the provinces, and low property taxes. What this all translates to is more income remaining for families to spend on living expenses.
Alberta enjoys a very low crime rate that makes its cities and towns pleasant places to live and safe to raise a family. In addition, the province’s natural beauty, including vast forests and the Rocky Mountains contribute to a desirable living environment. The standard of living in Alberta is one of the most important factors in attracting immigrants to the province.
Alberta Residential Housing
Alberta has one of the more affordable housing markets for major cities in Canada. Although the high rate of migration to the province as well as increased incomes for Alberta residents has created a surge of demand that has brought a rise in prices, the province remains an affordable place to buy or rent housing. With home builders putting up new homes at a fast pace, housing costs are expected to decline in the next few years.
The average house price in Alberta is approximately 38% to 48% less than in Toronto and Vancouver. (Edmonton: 179, 610 $; Calgary: 222 860$). Overall, the percentage of household income taken up by housing costs is below the Canadian average, varying between 18-28% depending on the type of accommodation. For more information on finding a place to live when you move to Alberta, this Government of Alberta site is rich in information for buying or renting homes.
Alberta Education
Alberta has a renowned education system, from kindergarten right through to its universities, which produce world-leading research. In Canada, all citizens and permanent residents under the age of 20 are entitled to free education through the end of high school through the public school system. When you move to Alberta, your children will have a choice of a several different schooling options, all funded by tax dollars and without fees. Aside from the main public school system, there are also francophone schools for education in French, as well as a Catholic school system. At the cutting edge, Alberta also has online/virtual education programs as well as alternative schools available as educational options. Some in the province elect to send their children to private schools, however the vast majority use the public schools which are of high quality.
Alberta’s publicly funded postsecondary education system has a total of 24 institutions, including four universities with over 104,500 full- and part-time students in total. The province’s per student and per capita spending on basic education continues to be among the highest in Canada.
Albertans pay on average 5000$ per year on tuition for post-secondary education. This rate is among the highest in Canada. However the Government of Alberta has several programs in place to help ease the burden and to help you save for your child’s education after they complete high school. In 2005, the Alberta Centennial Education Plan was launched. The plan will contribute $500 to the Registered Education Savings Plan of every child born to Alberta residents in 2005 and beyond. The program is designed to give parents an incentive to start planning and saving for their child’s post-secondary education as early as possible. In 2004, total assistance to Alberta students was about $439 million,
Alberta Health Care
Under Canadian Law, all provinces and territories must provide universal, publicly funded health care to all citizens and legal residents of Canada. In other words, most basic health services in Canada are offered at no direct cost to the patient. Certain procedures that are not deemed necessary (such as elective cosmetic surgery and a number of dental care procedures, for example) are generally not covered, but the list of services paid for publicly varies from province to province. Alberta, like the rest of Canada, has universal, publicly funded health care. Approximately 3500$ per capita is spent each year on health care in the province, which is among the highest in Canada.
Alberta History
Alberta joined Canadian confederation as a separate province in 1905. The province is named after the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. Before it gained provincial status, Alberta had been governed as a region of the North-West territories. Until 1868 the province’s territory, along with other large portions of what today makes up Canada were controlled by the Hudson’s Bay Company of Canada.
Before the arrival of European settlers in the 1700’s the indigenous First Nations of Alberta inhabited the area for over 8000 years. Many of these indigenous peoples were displaced by European settlement of the area, however indigenous communities remain and are an important part of Albertan history.
Alberta entered Canadian confederation as a province along with its neighbour to the East, Saskatchewan, in 1905. In its early history Alberta was mostly a province of farmers, along with some mining. The province was hit hard by the depression of the 1920’s but recovered with some strong government intervention. The oil and gas boom which continues to benefit the province today began in 1947. Thanks to the prosperity from this natural wealth, Alberta was able to invest in its economy and education to create the strong and diverse modern economy found in the province today.
Alberta Culture
Alberta has a unique and vibrant culture that has been shaped by immigrants that have settled in the province. Throughout the province but especially in the major cities of Calgary and Edmonton, one can find the culture, cuisine, music and arts of communities from all over the world. One example of this immigrant culture on display is Calgary’s Carifest, an annual celebration of Caribbean culture in the province.
Thanks to the fusion of all of these communities’ cultures, Alberta’s cities are cosmopolitan in their own right. In 1988, Calgary was on display to the whole world when they hosted the Olympic Winter Games. Edmonton is known for its excellent festivals, especially the Edmonton Fringe Festival, the second largest of its kind in the world after the one in Edinburgh. Edmonton is also known for the West-Edmonton mall, the largest indoor shopping mall in the world.
Alberta’s culture also retains a degree of influence from its history of frontier settlement and traditional farming. The greatest example of this “cowboy culture” is the Calgary Stampede, the annual summer festival that features such events as bull-roping and rodeos. The Stampede itself and the celebrations that surround it draw over 1.2 million visitors each year.
Alberta Demographics
Alberta is home to over 3.3 million people, approximately one tenth of the total population of Canada. About two thirds of this population is centered in the province’s two biggest cities, with just over 1 million living in each of the Calgary and Edmonton metropolitan areas. After these cities, significant population centers include Red Deer (83000), Lethbridge (75000), Medicine Hat (57000) and Grand Prairie(47000). In total over 80% of the province’s population lives in urban areas.
Immigration has played a crucial role in shaping the makeup of Alberta. As a result of larger waves of immigration earlier in the province’s development a large proportion of the province’s residents identify heritage from Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Ukraine, and France. Alberta also has large communities of South Asian and Chinese heritage. As immigration to Alberta today reaches some of its highest levels ever, the province continues to become more and more diverse.
The majority of Albertans identify as Christian. The province however is largely secular, with over 44% of residents reporting in the most recent census that they had not attended a place of worship in the past year. Alberta is also home to many people of the Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Jewish and Buddhist faiths. In fact, Edmonton is home to the oldest Mosque in North America.
Alberta Immigration
Alberta is one of the most popular destinations today for immigrants to Canada thanks to its quality of life and economic opportunities. According to an agreement with the Government of Canada signed in May 2007, the province will play an increased role in selecting immigrants who will settle in the province. While the exact form that this role will take remains to be determined, the Alberta Ministry of Employment Immigration and Industry is expected to have greater involvement in decision-making when it comes to attracting immigrants and nominating for immigration individuals who possess skills that are needed in Alberta.
Alberta Government
Canada’s government works on a federal system, with control over certain affairs belonging to the national government in Ottawa, and others under the control of the provincial governments. The province of Alberta has its own democratically-elected parliament (known as the Alberta Legislative Assembly) which is found in the provincial capital of Edmonton. The current government of the province is led by the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta, headed by Premier Ed Stelmach who was sworn into office in December of 2006. Premier Stelmach replaced former Premier Ralph Klein, who stepped down between elections after leading Alberta for over 10 years. As with any Canadian province, Alberta has wide control over its health, education and other services. Thanks to the natural resource wealth in the province, the Government of Alberta is able to provide high quality services while collecting the lowest levels of taxes in Canada.
The Major Cities
Calgary
Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and the fifth largest metropolitan area in Canada. It is also one of the fastest-growing ones, growing by nearly 16% between 1996 and 2001. The city is home to a diverse multi-cultural array of residents. While the majority of Calgarians identify with European heritage, people from all over the world live in Calgary. Some notably large communities are the Chinese-Canadian population (6% of Calgary) and the South Asian population (4.2%). The Aboriginal, Filipino and Latin American communities in the city are also sizable, vibrant and growing.
The economy of the city is centered around the petroleum industry, financial institutions and high-technology industries. Some of the major companies headquartered in the city include Canadian Pacific Railway, Imperial Oil, EnCana and Petro-Canada. As the city continues to grow, more and more major multinational companies are setting up offices in the city, marking the increasing significance of Calgary in the world economy.
Calgary is recognized worldwide for its combination of quality of life with economic growth. A 2007 survey by Forbes Magazine ranked Calgary as the cleanest city in the world, while surveys by Mercer Consulting, and by The Economist have ranked the city very highly in quality of life (25th and 10th in the world respectively). The cosmopolitan city has a multicultural flair and played host to the 1988 Winter Olympic Games These impressive credentials continue to draw newcomers to the city each year.
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Province of Alberta, and the sixth largest city in Canada, just slightly smaller than neighbouring Calgary. While the city is home to over 1 million people, the city has a very low population density, covering 684 square kilometers. This large land area provides the city with a large amount of green space, a major attraction of the city. Edmonton’s river valley is over 20 times the size of New York’s central park.
While the population of Edmonton was under 10000 when it became the capital of the new province of Alberta in 1905, it has grown steadily since the oil boom began in the late 1940’s. While the city experienced a recession through the 1980’s and early 1990’s, the last decade has been a period of growth and renewal for the city. Today the city is a strong industrial hub, with companies such as IBM, TELUS, Dell and General Electric locating major offices there thanks to its reputation as one of Canada’s top centers for research.
Alberta is the westernmost of Canada’s three Prairie Provinces. Often known as Canada's "energy province,” Alberta is home to over 3.3 million people, and growing quickly. The bulk of this population resides in Alberta’s two largest cities; Edmonton (which serves as the provincial capital) and Calgary each have a population of over 1 million residents. Alberta is a world leader in the oil and gas industry but is also home to a vibrant and fast-growing industrial and service economy. Thanks to the opportunities provided by this economic growth, Alberta has become one of the top destinations for immigration to Canada. Today Alberta is arguably Canada’s most prosperous province, and is recognized world-wide for its high standard of living.
Alberta Economy and Employment
After over a decade of high growth rates, Alberta remains filled with potential for further economic expansion. Alberta’s economy is driven by its booming energy industry, a major employer in the province. The energy industry accounts for over 275 000 jobs in the province both directly and indirectly. This sector is expected to grow even further as technological advances allow the development of the oil sands in the north of the province. Alberta’s high rate of economic growth is not limited however to the energy industry, as the province boasts a diversified economy. Alberta’s manufacturing sector has doubled in size in the last decade, and innovation is spurring new industries that make Alberta a strong competitor in global markets. Beyond oil and gas forestry remains an important industry, worth over $4 billion annually. Alberta has also traditionally been home to large farming and ranching industries, which remain an important part of the province’s culture and economy.
With the rapid pace of economic development in the province, Alberta is a great place to find work in Canada. Alberta enjoys the lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 3.9%, well below the national average of 6.8%. When this low unemployment rate is combined with low natural population growth and record-setting numbers for job creation, the result is that there are many job opportunities available for immigrants in the province. In recent years the province has increased the number of permanent resident immigrants as well as temporary foreign workers living and working in the province, yet the unemployment rate continues to decline. International surveys consistently rank Calgary and Edmonton among the top cities in the world to work. On top of the availability of jobs, people enjoy working in Alberta thanks to its high standard of living.
Alberta Standard of Living
Thanks to low levels of unemployment and high demand for workers, Alberta’s average wage and salary rates are highly competitive with the rest of Canada. The minimum wage in Alberta approaches the Canadian average at 7.00$/hr. Most noteworthy, Albertan families have the highest average combined income in Canada at approximately 61 000$/yr.
Albertans also have the lowest personal taxes in Canada, thanks to the wealth of natural resources. Based on a two-income family with two children, earning an income of 60 000$, Albertans pay $3,583 less in taxes than residents of Newfoundland and Labrador and $990 less than residents of Ontario. Alberta's personal tax advantage results from a low single rate tax system, including the highest basic and spousal exemptions in the country, no general sales tax, the lowest gasoline tax rate among the provinces, and low property taxes. What this all translates to is more income remaining for families to spend on living expenses.
Alberta enjoys a very low crime rate that makes its cities and towns pleasant places to live and safe to raise a family. In addition, the province’s natural beauty, including vast forests and the Rocky Mountains contribute to a desirable living environment. The standard of living in Alberta is one of the most important factors in attracting immigrants to the province.
Alberta Residential Housing
Alberta has one of the more affordable housing markets for major cities in Canada. Although the high rate of migration to the province as well as increased incomes for Alberta residents has created a surge of demand that has brought a rise in prices, the province remains an affordable place to buy or rent housing. With home builders putting up new homes at a fast pace, housing costs are expected to decline in the next few years.
The average house price in Alberta is approximately 38% to 48% less than in Toronto and Vancouver. (Edmonton: 179, 610 $; Calgary: 222 860$). Overall, the percentage of household income taken up by housing costs is below the Canadian average, varying between 18-28% depending on the type of accommodation. For more information on finding a place to live when you move to Alberta, this Government of Alberta site is rich in information for buying or renting homes.
Alberta Education
Alberta has a renowned education system, from kindergarten right through to its universities, which produce world-leading research. In Canada, all citizens and permanent residents under the age of 20 are entitled to free education through the end of high school through the public school system. When you move to Alberta, your children will have a choice of a several different schooling options, all funded by tax dollars and without fees. Aside from the main public school system, there are also francophone schools for education in French, as well as a Catholic school system. At the cutting edge, Alberta also has online/virtual education programs as well as alternative schools available as educational options. Some in the province elect to send their children to private schools, however the vast majority use the public schools which are of high quality.
Alberta’s publicly funded postsecondary education system has a total of 24 institutions, including four universities with over 104,500 full- and part-time students in total. The province’s per student and per capita spending on basic education continues to be among the highest in Canada.
Albertans pay on average 5000$ per year on tuition for post-secondary education. This rate is among the highest in Canada. However the Government of Alberta has several programs in place to help ease the burden and to help you save for your child’s education after they complete high school. In 2005, the Alberta Centennial Education Plan was launched. The plan will contribute $500 to the Registered Education Savings Plan of every child born to Alberta residents in 2005 and beyond. The program is designed to give parents an incentive to start planning and saving for their child’s post-secondary education as early as possible. In 2004, total assistance to Alberta students was about $439 million,
Alberta Health Care
Under Canadian Law, all provinces and territories must provide universal, publicly funded health care to all citizens and legal residents of Canada. In other words, most basic health services in Canada are offered at no direct cost to the patient. Certain procedures that are not deemed necessary (such as elective cosmetic surgery and a number of dental care procedures, for example) are generally not covered, but the list of services paid for publicly varies from province to province. Alberta, like the rest of Canada, has universal, publicly funded health care. Approximately 3500$ per capita is spent each year on health care in the province, which is among the highest in Canada.
Alberta History
Alberta joined Canadian confederation as a separate province in 1905. The province is named after the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. Before it gained provincial status, Alberta had been governed as a region of the North-West territories. Until 1868 the province’s territory, along with other large portions of what today makes up Canada were controlled by the Hudson’s Bay Company of Canada.
Before the arrival of European settlers in the 1700’s the indigenous First Nations of Alberta inhabited the area for over 8000 years. Many of these indigenous peoples were displaced by European settlement of the area, however indigenous communities remain and are an important part of Albertan history.
Alberta entered Canadian confederation as a province along with its neighbour to the East, Saskatchewan, in 1905. In its early history Alberta was mostly a province of farmers, along with some mining. The province was hit hard by the depression of the 1920’s but recovered with some strong government intervention. The oil and gas boom which continues to benefit the province today began in 1947. Thanks to the prosperity from this natural wealth, Alberta was able to invest in its economy and education to create the strong and diverse modern economy found in the province today.
Alberta Culture
Alberta has a unique and vibrant culture that has been shaped by immigrants that have settled in the province. Throughout the province but especially in the major cities of Calgary and Edmonton, one can find the culture, cuisine, music and arts of communities from all over the world. One example of this immigrant culture on display is Calgary’s Carifest, an annual celebration of Caribbean culture in the province.
Thanks to the fusion of all of these communities’ cultures, Alberta’s cities are cosmopolitan in their own right. In 1988, Calgary was on display to the whole world when they hosted the Olympic Winter Games. Edmonton is known for its excellent festivals, especially the Edmonton Fringe Festival, the second largest of its kind in the world after the one in Edinburgh. Edmonton is also known for the West-Edmonton mall, the largest indoor shopping mall in the world.
Alberta’s culture also retains a degree of influence from its history of frontier settlement and traditional farming. The greatest example of this “cowboy culture” is the Calgary Stampede, the annual summer festival that features such events as bull-roping and rodeos. The Stampede itself and the celebrations that surround it draw over 1.2 million visitors each year.
Alberta Demographics
Alberta is home to over 3.3 million people, approximately one tenth of the total population of Canada. About two thirds of this population is centered in the province’s two biggest cities, with just over 1 million living in each of the Calgary and Edmonton metropolitan areas. After these cities, significant population centers include Red Deer (83000), Lethbridge (75000), Medicine Hat (57000) and Grand Prairie(47000). In total over 80% of the province’s population lives in urban areas.
Immigration has played a crucial role in shaping the makeup of Alberta. As a result of larger waves of immigration earlier in the province’s development a large proportion of the province’s residents identify heritage from Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Ukraine, and France. Alberta also has large communities of South Asian and Chinese heritage. As immigration to Alberta today reaches some of its highest levels ever, the province continues to become more and more diverse.
The majority of Albertans identify as Christian. The province however is largely secular, with over 44% of residents reporting in the most recent census that they had not attended a place of worship in the past year. Alberta is also home to many people of the Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Jewish and Buddhist faiths. In fact, Edmonton is home to the oldest Mosque in North America.
Alberta Immigration
Alberta is one of the most popular destinations today for immigrants to Canada thanks to its quality of life and economic opportunities. According to an agreement with the Government of Canada signed in May 2007, the province will play an increased role in selecting immigrants who will settle in the province. While the exact form that this role will take remains to be determined, the Alberta Ministry of Employment Immigration and Industry is expected to have greater involvement in decision-making when it comes to attracting immigrants and nominating for immigration individuals who possess skills that are needed in Alberta.
Alberta Government
Canada’s government works on a federal system, with control over certain affairs belonging to the national government in Ottawa, and others under the control of the provincial governments. The province of Alberta has its own democratically-elected parliament (known as the Alberta Legislative Assembly) which is found in the provincial capital of Edmonton. The current government of the province is led by the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta, headed by Premier Ed Stelmach who was sworn into office in December of 2006. Premier Stelmach replaced former Premier Ralph Klein, who stepped down between elections after leading Alberta for over 10 years. As with any Canadian province, Alberta has wide control over its health, education and other services. Thanks to the natural resource wealth in the province, the Government of Alberta is able to provide high quality services while collecting the lowest levels of taxes in Canada.
The Major Cities
Calgary
Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and the fifth largest metropolitan area in Canada. It is also one of the fastest-growing ones, growing by nearly 16% between 1996 and 2001. The city is home to a diverse multi-cultural array of residents. While the majority of Calgarians identify with European heritage, people from all over the world live in Calgary. Some notably large communities are the Chinese-Canadian population (6% of Calgary) and the South Asian population (4.2%). The Aboriginal, Filipino and Latin American communities in the city are also sizable, vibrant and growing.
The economy of the city is centered around the petroleum industry, financial institutions and high-technology industries. Some of the major companies headquartered in the city include Canadian Pacific Railway, Imperial Oil, EnCana and Petro-Canada. As the city continues to grow, more and more major multinational companies are setting up offices in the city, marking the increasing significance of Calgary in the world economy.
Calgary is recognized worldwide for its combination of quality of life with economic growth. A 2007 survey by Forbes Magazine ranked Calgary as the cleanest city in the world, while surveys by Mercer Consulting, and by The Economist have ranked the city very highly in quality of life (25th and 10th in the world respectively). The cosmopolitan city has a multicultural flair and played host to the 1988 Winter Olympic Games These impressive credentials continue to draw newcomers to the city each year.
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Province of Alberta, and the sixth largest city in Canada, just slightly smaller than neighbouring Calgary. While the city is home to over 1 million people, the city has a very low population density, covering 684 square kilometers. This large land area provides the city with a large amount of green space, a major attraction of the city. Edmonton’s river valley is over 20 times the size of New York’s central park.
While the population of Edmonton was under 10000 when it became the capital of the new province of Alberta in 1905, it has grown steadily since the oil boom began in the late 1940’s. While the city experienced a recession through the 1980’s and early 1990’s, the last decade has been a period of growth and renewal for the city. Today the city is a strong industrial hub, with companies such as IBM, TELUS, Dell and General Electric locating major offices there thanks to its reputation as one of Canada’s top centers for research.
Americans say Canadian border is tightening for those with minor criminal past
Past indiscretions are coming back to haunt thousands of American travellers heading north as Canadian border guards use improved technology to screen for criminal records. The sharing of computerized information and increased vigilance since Sept. 11, 2001, have led more than 18,000 U.S. citizens with criminal records to be turned away since 2003. The records often date back to the distant past for offences like marijuana possession, assault and impaired driving. The Canada Border Services Agency says the number of so-called "turnbacks" from the border has declined gradually in recent years.
Some 3,430 people were turned away among 28.9 million visitors in 2006, compared with 5,876 who were denied entry among 35.5 million visitors in 2003. But immigration lawyers operating on both sides of the border maintain they've seen a recent spike in complaints from rejected Americans. "There is a net that has been cast that is catching all these minnows," said David Cohen, a Montreal-based immigration lawyer.
Randy Kutter, a firefighter from Princeton, Minn., who loves to fish Canadian waters, was convicted of driving under the influence in 1981 and 1986. Canadian authorities suddenly told him in 2006 he was no longer welcome in Canada, despite the fact he'd crossed the border at least 100 times since his last arrest. He started a process to be declared rehabilitated by Canada, only to discover it was impossible because original documents attached to his 20-year-old record had long been destroyed. "My situation is really frustrating," Kutter said in an interview. "I really respect your laws, and I really like to fish up there. The situation doesn't seem fair or necessary."
The 49-year-old has been back to Canada three times since he was declared inadmissible, paying $245 for a special visa on the first visit and relying on Canadian border guards to look the other way on two other occasions. He suspects he'll be red-flagged any day now, and his days of fishing in Manitoba and Ontario will be over. Kutter, who was 22 and 27 when he was convicted, says he is a different man from the young party animal who got in trouble in the 1980s. "The second one really got my attention," he said. "I rode the bus and my bicycle to my first date with my wife. I take it all very seriously now."
Cohen and other lawyers say they receive frequent inquiries from Americans with minor records who wonder what they have to do to get back into Canada. Many had travelled to Canada for years without a problem. Cohen has received calls from professional athletes, airline pilots and truckers who were suddenly turned away. Cohen says 90 per cent of his calls are related to driving under the influence of alcohol, a crime that is treated as a misdemeanour in many U.S. states but is taken more seriously here.
Chris Williams of the CBSA pointed to the declining "turnback" statistics and said there is no crackdown. "The laws haven't changed, each traveller is processed on a case-by-case basis, based on information they provide and information available to each officer," said Williams. With the number of U.S. visitors plummeting from a high of 44 million in 2000 to 28.9 million in 2006, Toronto immigration lawyer Sergio Karas says the growing buzz about tough Canadian borders threatens to dampen tourism further. "Some people who face the problem find a way around it, particularly when it involves their work," said Karas, the chair of the immigration section of the Ontario Bar Association. "But there's a lot who say, 'To heck with it, I don't need to go to Canada."'
Detroit immigration lawyer Enrico Caruso tells of an American lawyer with a practice in Toronto who was turned back at the border because he was busted in his youth for scalping Detroit Red Wings tickets. "The laws have not changed but there have been major changes in technology," said Caruso, who practises in Canada and the United States. "Their databases are syncing up really well, so they see a lot more information on their computers." But Caruso says visitors travelling in both directions face more questions crossing the border. "The political climate on both sides says you need to toughen up your borders," Caruso said. "When you have that, absolutely, they have to step up their diligence."
Visitors from the United States with minor criminal records dating back years can often obtain waivers from Canadian authorities that "rehabilitate" them and allow them to enter the country. The process is reasonably simple but requires time and a paper chase, immigration experts say. Karas' clients include a rock star who "was big in the 1980s but still draws a crowd" who was barred at the border for a reckless driving conviction eight years ago. Karas said a trucker with an assault record from a bar brawl and a company executive who was found at fault for a fatal vehicle accident in the 1980s are also on his client list. "This isn't just one segment of the population, the range of people who have this problem is huge."
Some 3,430 people were turned away among 28.9 million visitors in 2006, compared with 5,876 who were denied entry among 35.5 million visitors in 2003. But immigration lawyers operating on both sides of the border maintain they've seen a recent spike in complaints from rejected Americans. "There is a net that has been cast that is catching all these minnows," said David Cohen, a Montreal-based immigration lawyer.
Randy Kutter, a firefighter from Princeton, Minn., who loves to fish Canadian waters, was convicted of driving under the influence in 1981 and 1986. Canadian authorities suddenly told him in 2006 he was no longer welcome in Canada, despite the fact he'd crossed the border at least 100 times since his last arrest. He started a process to be declared rehabilitated by Canada, only to discover it was impossible because original documents attached to his 20-year-old record had long been destroyed. "My situation is really frustrating," Kutter said in an interview. "I really respect your laws, and I really like to fish up there. The situation doesn't seem fair or necessary."
The 49-year-old has been back to Canada three times since he was declared inadmissible, paying $245 for a special visa on the first visit and relying on Canadian border guards to look the other way on two other occasions. He suspects he'll be red-flagged any day now, and his days of fishing in Manitoba and Ontario will be over. Kutter, who was 22 and 27 when he was convicted, says he is a different man from the young party animal who got in trouble in the 1980s. "The second one really got my attention," he said. "I rode the bus and my bicycle to my first date with my wife. I take it all very seriously now."
Cohen and other lawyers say they receive frequent inquiries from Americans with minor records who wonder what they have to do to get back into Canada. Many had travelled to Canada for years without a problem. Cohen has received calls from professional athletes, airline pilots and truckers who were suddenly turned away. Cohen says 90 per cent of his calls are related to driving under the influence of alcohol, a crime that is treated as a misdemeanour in many U.S. states but is taken more seriously here.
Chris Williams of the CBSA pointed to the declining "turnback" statistics and said there is no crackdown. "The laws haven't changed, each traveller is processed on a case-by-case basis, based on information they provide and information available to each officer," said Williams. With the number of U.S. visitors plummeting from a high of 44 million in 2000 to 28.9 million in 2006, Toronto immigration lawyer Sergio Karas says the growing buzz about tough Canadian borders threatens to dampen tourism further. "Some people who face the problem find a way around it, particularly when it involves their work," said Karas, the chair of the immigration section of the Ontario Bar Association. "But there's a lot who say, 'To heck with it, I don't need to go to Canada."'
Detroit immigration lawyer Enrico Caruso tells of an American lawyer with a practice in Toronto who was turned back at the border because he was busted in his youth for scalping Detroit Red Wings tickets. "The laws have not changed but there have been major changes in technology," said Caruso, who practises in Canada and the United States. "Their databases are syncing up really well, so they see a lot more information on their computers." But Caruso says visitors travelling in both directions face more questions crossing the border. "The political climate on both sides says you need to toughen up your borders," Caruso said. "When you have that, absolutely, they have to step up their diligence."
Visitors from the United States with minor criminal records dating back years can often obtain waivers from Canadian authorities that "rehabilitate" them and allow them to enter the country. The process is reasonably simple but requires time and a paper chase, immigration experts say. Karas' clients include a rock star who "was big in the 1980s but still draws a crowd" who was barred at the border for a reckless driving conviction eight years ago. Karas said a trucker with an assault record from a bar brawl and a company executive who was found at fault for a fatal vehicle accident in the 1980s are also on his client list. "This isn't just one segment of the population, the range of people who have this problem is huge."
Canada, geographically speaking
Canada is the most northerly country of the Americas and the second largest country in the world. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean on the west, the Arctic Ocean to the north and the United States of America (USA) on the South. It spans a total area that covers almost ten million square kilometers (9,984,670 sq km).
To put it into clear perspective, Canada could contain 18 countries the size of France or 40 United Kingdoms (UK), and has six time zones. Canada also has the longest coastline of any country.Canada is a mosaic of regions from the rugged mountains of the West, to the farm communities of the prairies, to the Industrial and political powerhouse of Ontario, to the modern French culture of Québec, to the quaint fishing communities of the east coast, and everything in between. The beauty and diversity of Canada are proud icons of what Canada has become.Most of the country is made up of plains, with mountains in the west and prairies in the southeast.
Approximately 90 per cent of the over 31 million people living in Canada are located within 160 km of the US border and about 75% of the total population lives in major cities or towns. There are more lakes and inland waters in Canada than in any other country. There are over 2 million lakes in Canada which translates into 7.6% (755,180 sq km) of fresh water.Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories. The north most part of Canada extends into the frigid Arctic Circle, while the furthermost southern parts stretch below the US border.
Canada and the United States share many geographic characteristics in common such as the Rocky Mountains, four of the Great Lakes, the Appalachian Highlands, and various rivers.Canada has a boreal climate. Winters are cold with average temperatures ranging between -2.5oC and -10oC and summers are relatively warm by comparison, with temperatures ranging between 16oC and 28oC in the southern regions. Canadian temperature has climbed up to a scorching 35 degrees Celsius in the summer and has descended to a glacial -25 degrees Celsius during winter.
British Columbia receives the most temperate climate in all of Canada. It rarely snows in the low-lying areas, and the Coastal Range and the Rocky Mountains prevent the Pacific air from traveling to the Prairies. The Canadian Prairies traverse east from the Rocky Mountains all the way to the Great Lakes. Farming is a major industry in this part of the Country. Cold winters and muggy, hot, summers are common.
Ample spring rainfalls and clement autumns make the Prairies one of the top grain-growing areas of the world.More than half of Canada's population lives near the Great Lakes or along the St. Lawrence River. Winter is very snowy and wind-chilled, while summers are humid and longer than anywhere else in Canada. There's enough rainfall to sufficiently sustain the region's sizable farm industry.This territory is quite inclement and has one of the most capricious weather systems anywhere in the country. In winter, temperatures can vary tempestuously as the Arctic's breath is replaced by maritime air from cursory storms. Snowfall is relatively strong, and fog is frequently present in spring and at the beginning of the short summer season. July is the warmest month of the year and averages temperatures between 16 to 21 degrees Celsius.
North of the Prairies and the St. Lawrence is an expansive hyperborean forest. This area is snow-capped most of the year, and summer lingers for approximately two months. Above the tree-line lies the Arctic. Temperatures there rise above freezing only for a few weeks a year, and the ground is permanently frozen.
To put it into clear perspective, Canada could contain 18 countries the size of France or 40 United Kingdoms (UK), and has six time zones. Canada also has the longest coastline of any country.Canada is a mosaic of regions from the rugged mountains of the West, to the farm communities of the prairies, to the Industrial and political powerhouse of Ontario, to the modern French culture of Québec, to the quaint fishing communities of the east coast, and everything in between. The beauty and diversity of Canada are proud icons of what Canada has become.Most of the country is made up of plains, with mountains in the west and prairies in the southeast.
Approximately 90 per cent of the over 31 million people living in Canada are located within 160 km of the US border and about 75% of the total population lives in major cities or towns. There are more lakes and inland waters in Canada than in any other country. There are over 2 million lakes in Canada which translates into 7.6% (755,180 sq km) of fresh water.Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories. The north most part of Canada extends into the frigid Arctic Circle, while the furthermost southern parts stretch below the US border.
Canada and the United States share many geographic characteristics in common such as the Rocky Mountains, four of the Great Lakes, the Appalachian Highlands, and various rivers.Canada has a boreal climate. Winters are cold with average temperatures ranging between -2.5oC and -10oC and summers are relatively warm by comparison, with temperatures ranging between 16oC and 28oC in the southern regions. Canadian temperature has climbed up to a scorching 35 degrees Celsius in the summer and has descended to a glacial -25 degrees Celsius during winter.
British Columbia receives the most temperate climate in all of Canada. It rarely snows in the low-lying areas, and the Coastal Range and the Rocky Mountains prevent the Pacific air from traveling to the Prairies. The Canadian Prairies traverse east from the Rocky Mountains all the way to the Great Lakes. Farming is a major industry in this part of the Country. Cold winters and muggy, hot, summers are common.
Ample spring rainfalls and clement autumns make the Prairies one of the top grain-growing areas of the world.More than half of Canada's population lives near the Great Lakes or along the St. Lawrence River. Winter is very snowy and wind-chilled, while summers are humid and longer than anywhere else in Canada. There's enough rainfall to sufficiently sustain the region's sizable farm industry.This territory is quite inclement and has one of the most capricious weather systems anywhere in the country. In winter, temperatures can vary tempestuously as the Arctic's breath is replaced by maritime air from cursory storms. Snowfall is relatively strong, and fog is frequently present in spring and at the beginning of the short summer season. July is the warmest month of the year and averages temperatures between 16 to 21 degrees Celsius.
North of the Prairies and the St. Lawrence is an expansive hyperborean forest. This area is snow-capped most of the year, and summer lingers for approximately two months. Above the tree-line lies the Arctic. Temperatures there rise above freezing only for a few weeks a year, and the ground is permanently frozen.
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