Radar Detectors, legal or illegal ?

I've been asked this many times by many North American Drivers working for many different companies, I've also heard of drivers getting tickets in many different ways.

Did you know for instance that cop cars both in USA and Canada have radar detector detectors and they run simultaneously with their speed detection systems which are left running most of the time, these systems are both front and rear facing.

Did you also know that some weigh stations have these same detector detectors and apparently they love finding trucks with detectors fitted because it gives them the opportunity to hit their favorite button ( the one that gives you a red light) and they can invite you in and see how neat your hand writing is on your logbook.

Did you know the fines for illegally using a radar detector can run into hundreds of dollars and put a lovely little write up on your abstract and company's Carrier Profile.

U.S. Federal law prohibits the use of radar detectors and laser jammers in commercial vehicles crossing state 

lines and weighing over 10,000 pounds. Radar detectors and laser jammers are also illegal to use on any U.S. military base. And guess what ? its the same in Canada.

Today's Top Tip: Do not use a radar speed detector in your commercial vehicle, you will get caught, you will get into trouble, and it will be expensive.

Anyway you shouldn't need one because you never speed in your truck, right?

Okay that's trucks taken care of, so what about cars ????

You can use a radar detector in any State in USA apart from Virginia and Washington DC. In Canada you can use a radar detector in BC, Alberta & Saskatchewan. Everywhere else in Canada it is illegal

*** Alberta Immigration News Flash ***

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2009/ob146.asp

Click on the link above for ground breaking news for Temporary Foreign 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 !!!!!

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

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.

Alberta - Wild Rose Country

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 neighboring 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 travelers 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 "turn-backs" 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 traveled 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 misdemeanor 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 traveler 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 practices 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.

American Green Card vs Canadian Permanent Resident Card

Canada Green Card is a term that is used figuratively to describe Permanent Residency in Canada.Officially however, a green card is uniquely American and is the popular name for a United States Permanent Resident Card. An American green card which, by the way, has not been printed on green paper since 1977, gives its holder permission to live and work in the United States.Instead of a Canada green card, Permanent Residents of Canada have the right to a Canada Permanent Resident Card as proof of their Canada immigration status.

Though you may be thinking that the distinction is only a question of semantics, there is a significant difference in the philosophies behind the issuance of a United States green card and a Canada Permanent Resident Card. Here’s the distinction: An American green card grants the holder the permission to enter and live in the United States. In contrast, Canada Permanent Resident status grants an individual the right to enter and live in Canada. In the context of immigration status, having permission and having the right are two very distinct claims.

Permission is akin to a privilege and, in the case of a green card, the privilege is granted by the U.S. government, speaking for the American people. A right is something more - it is a legal entitlement. It is inherent to the holder. True, both privileges and rights have limits and both may be revoked under certain circumstances, but that is not to say that they confer equal status. A simple example demonstrates this point. Permanent Residents of the United States must be in possession of their U.S green cards at all times and must be prepared to show them to U.S. authorities upon request. Canada Permanent Residents have no such obligation. Not only do they not have to carry around their Canada Permanent Resident Card, they are not even required to apply for the card.

Though useful to have, a Canada Permanent Resident Card is purely voluntary. The difference between United States and Canada Permanent Residency is really about attitudes and conceptions - how residents are viewed by their fellow countrymen. More importantly, however, the distinction between having permission and having the right to live in the United States or Canada can shape personal perceptions - how one sees oneself in the mirror - as Permanent Residents contemplate their place in society. Canada Permanent Residency is much more than a Canada green card...it is a fundamental entitlement.

Recent news from Immigration Canada

I recently found this article, its a few months old but i think its worth sharing

If you have been contemplating immigration to Canada, you would be wise to submit your application as soon as possible. Citing economic uncertainty and rising unemployment numbers in the country, Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has announced that Canada is considering reducing its immigration targets for 2009.

At the present time, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Canada (CIMC) plans to maintain its 2009 immigration numbers of between 240,000 to 265,000 new Permanent Residents. This makes it one of the only developed nations that has not contracted its immigration plans in the face of current global economic turmoil.
However, that may change by the end of March, once Minister Kenney meets with federal, provincial, and territorial officials to review economic data and to determine if modifications to immigration levels are needed.

“We don’t want people coming to Canada and facing unemployment. We need to be sensitive to the changing labour market, and if we need to make modifications, we will,” stated Minister Kenney.
Taking a longer-term perspective, he has expressed his preference to maintain current levels, noting that immigrants will be greatly needed to help fuel Canada’s economic growth once the economy turns around.

“We need to be flexible, prudent and ensure that our response to short-term conditions does not counter out long-term goals, in which immigration will play a significant role,” he said. “We don’t want to turn off the tap of the future growth that is represented by immigration.”
The Immigration Minister has the authority to make changes to the immigration selection system without any advance warning. In this case, he has signaled that an imminent reduction of immigration targets is a real possibility.

If you would like to immigrate to Canada, you should take the Immigration Minister’s words seriously. Now is the time to submit your Canadian immigration application. After the Immigration Minister’s meeting at the end of March, it may become more difficult for you to qualify or it may take you longer to realize your plans to come live and work in Canada.

Amidst the economic downturn, there are still hot spots for jobs in Canada

Though Canada has been less affected by the global economic downturn than the United States and other OECD nations, the national unemployment rate has increased slightly over the past several months. This has prompted Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to review immigration numbers to ensure that there will be enough jobs for newcomers once they arrive. Despite these trends, certain regions in Canada remain hot spots for jobs, where regional employers continue to seek skilled foreign workers to meet chronic labour gaps. Notably, the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba are still experiencing skills shortages and continue to recruit foreign workers to alleviate them.

The January unemployment rates for Saskatchewan and Alberta came in at 4.1 per cent and 4.4 per cent respectfully; both under Alberta Employment and Immigration’s ‘balanced labour market’ rate of 5 per cent. Though these provinces have been impacted by current economic events, economists claim that they have been faring much better than other regions - some saying that the job market in Alberta remains among the best in North America.

Indeed, for many years Alberta has been recruiting foreign workers and Canadians from other regions to try to keep pace with the rapid job creation in the province. The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) has been very effective at welcoming skilled foreign workers, and is constantly evolving to reflect current conditions. Its Strategic Recruitment Stream for US H1B holders (for which candidates do not need a job offer) has recently been reworked to welcome applicants with experience in new occupations, such as industrial designers, database analysts and web developers.

Alberta’s two major cities, Calgary and Edmonton, recorded very low unemployment rates last month, at 4.1 and 3.8 per cent respectively. The areas of the province with the lowest unemployment rates were the Camrose-Drumheller region at 3.1 per cent and the Medicine Hat-Lethbridge region at 4 per cent.

Skills shortages also persist in Manitoba, where the provincial Immigration Minister is looking to offer jobs to skilled foreign workers in biotechnology, healthcare, information technology, social services, and geothermal energy. Temporary foreign workers in these industries may eventually be able to qualify for fast-track Canadian Permanent Residency under Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

For those deciding where to live when immigrating to Canada, the take-home message from this is simple: To maximize your chances for finding work in Canada, keep an open mind and consider choosing a region where unemployment is low and where your particular skills are in high demand.

Canada-U.S. Border Crossing Check-List

To help keep the borders functioning in an efficient manner, here are a few guidelines and tips for a smoother experience when crossing the border into USA.

All Carriers:
Participation in programs such as Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), Free And Secure Trade (FAST) and Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS) is one way to expedite the clearance of legitimate travellers and goods across the border.
Ensure your drivers are aware of and follow these instructions for required documentation when they arrive at the border.

N.B. To apply for a FAST card you must be either a Canadian Citizen or Permenant Resident.

All Drivers:
Have the required personal identification (including photo ID, driver's licence and/or passport - see below) ready for presentation at primary inspection before arriving at the booth. U.S. Customs officials advise that drivers searching for these documents when they arrive for inspection add to the time taken for clearance.

Drivers must turn on interior cab lights and open all interior drapes/blinds to sleeper area for easy inspection. Unnecessary personal belongings should not be carried by drivers, as they can lead to questions from Customs officials about where these items were obtained.

Ensure that all Customs paperwork is completed and ready for presentation to Customs officials at primary inspection before arrival. Port directors at all major border crossings report that about 35% of drivers show up at primary inspection without having properly completed paperwork, such as the carrier manifest and shipper's documentation. This is a major problem.

Be prepared to clear Customs and Border Protection at primary inspection. One of the easiest ways to be prepared is to communicate in advance with the shipper and the U.S. Customs Broker so that the information on the shipment is transmitted to Customs before the truck arrives at the border point (Pre-Arrival Processing System or "PAPS").

Be prepared to communicate with U.S. border officials in clear understandable English. This is the law in the U.S. under CFR 49, Part 391.11(b)(2).

Canadian Citizen Drivers:
At a minimum, carry photo identification (driver's licence) and your birth certificate or citizenship card, and have them ready for presentation at primary inspection. It is recommended that Canadian citizen drivers obtain and carry a valid passport.

Non-Canadian/U.S. Citizen Drivers:
Individuals who are not citizens of Canada or the U.S. must carry a valid passport and will be required by Immigration officials to complete an I-94 card, even if you qualify under the visa waiver program. I-94 cards are only available on-site at border crossings into the U.S. If you require an I-94 card, you will be instructed by officials at primary inspection to report to Immigration to complete the documentation. The cost of the I-94 is U.S.$6.00 payable by cash in U.S. funds (U.S. officials will not accept Canadian funds).

If drivers clear Customs at primary inspection and require an I-94 card, they must report to Immigration to fill out the I-94 and receive "verbal clearance" from a U.S. Immigration official to proceed into the U.S.

If drivers require an I-94 card, do not clear Customs at primary inspection and are referred to secondary inspection to see their brokers, they must first go to Immigration before presenting their paperwork for Customs clearance at secondary inspection.

Remember - clearance from U.S. Customs is a "verbal clearance" or "verbal release." There is no stamp or receipt indicating that shipments have cleared Customs. Drivers should only proceed after being instructed by a U.S. Customs official that their shipment(s) has cleared.

In addition, some individuals may require a U.S. non-immigrant visa. Do not proceed to the border unless you know whether this requirement applies to you.

If travel documents are required (e.g. non-immigrant visas or passports), ensure that they are in order, easily accessible, valid and are ready to be presented before arriving at primary inspection.

If you are refused entry into the U.S. for reasons related to U.S. immigration law, you must report to Canada Customs as well as Citizenship and Immigration Canada on your return trip to Canada. U.S. Immigration officials have also indicated that if you are refused entry at one border point, the practice of "port shopping" will not be tolerated and individuals will be subject to penalties under U.S. law (which can include vehicle seizure and permanent banishment from the U.S.).

Above All:
Be patient and professional
Do as instructed by U.S. customs, U.S. immigration and bridge officials
Do not argue with U.S. customs, U.S. immigration and bridge officials

These requirements are considered to be accurate at the time of preparation. U.S. Customs and Immigration requirements may be changed at any time.

Please note all of these photos were taken from the internet.

Canadian Health Care System

Does Canada have a national health insurance plan?
Canada does not have a single national health care plan, but rather a national health insurance program, which is achieved through a series of thirteen interlocking provincial and territorial health insurance plans, all of which share certain common features and basic standards of coverage, with slight differences. Under the Canada Health Act, our national health care program is designed to ensure that all residents of Canada have reasonable access to medically necessary hospital and physician services on a prepaid basis, and on uniform terms and conditions.

Who is eligible for health care in Canada?
Our national health insurance program is designed to ensure that all residents of Canada have access to medically necessary hospital and physician care on a prepaid basis. Residence in a province or territory is the basic requirement for insured health care coverage. The Canada Health Act defines a resident of a province or territory as:
"a person lawfully entitled to be or to remain in Canada who makes his home and is ordinarily present in the province, but does not include a tourist, a transient or a visitor to the province."
Each province and territory is responsible for determining its own minimum residence requirements with regard to an individual's eligibility for benefits under its health insurance plan. The Canada Health Act gives no guidance on such minimum residence requirements beyond an initial three-month waiting period to establish eligibility for and entitlement to insured health services. Provinces may require minimum residence annually in the province, and evidence of intention of returning to the province for that minimum residence period each year.

• 
  The federal government is responsible for:
  setting and administering national principles or standards for the health care system through the Canada Health Act;
  assisting in the financing of provincial health care services through fiscal transfers;
  delivering direct health services to specific groups including veterans, native Canadians living on reserves, military personnel, inmates of federal penitentiaries and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; and
  fulfilling other health-related functions such as health protection, disease prevention and health promotion.
  
• The provincial and territorial governments are responsible for:
  managing and delivering health care services;
  planning, financing, and evaluating the provision of hospital care;
  physician and allied health care services; and
  managing some aspects of prescription care and public health.
  What health care services are insured by the provinces and territories?
  Under the Canada Health Act, provincial and territorial health insurance plans are required to provide coverage to their residents for all medically necessary hospital and physician services on a prepaid basis.

What other health care services do provinces and territories provide?
Provinces and territories may also offer "additional benefits" under their respective health insurance plans, at their discretion, and on their own terms and conditions. While these services vary from province to province, some examples include prescription drug benefits, dental care, optometric services, chiropractic services, hearing aids, transportation services and home care programs.

What health care services are not covered by provinces and territories?
Services not covered are generally those considered not to be medically necessary. Some examples include: cosmetic surgery, health examinations for employment purposes and tattoo removal. However, there can be exceptions; for example, the removal of concentration camp tattoos or reconstructive cosmetic surgery following a trauma.

Are alternative forms of health care (i.e. chiropractic, acupuncture, herbal medicines) covered under my medicare plan?
Although Canada's current health care system is based on the practice of traditional western medicine, this does not mean that there is no room for alternative forms of health care. Some alternative health care is covered, at least partially, by the provincial and territorial health insurance plans. Under the federal health insurance legislation, the Canada Health Act, the provinces and territories are required to provide medically necessary hospital and physician services to all their eligible residents on a prepaid basis. In addition to the provision of medically necessary hospital and physician services, provincial and territorial governments may also offer "additional benefits" at their own discretion. Chiropractic, acupuncture and naturopathy services are examples of the additional benefits provided by the provinces and territories on their own terms and conditions.

How do I replace a lost provincial health card?
The provinces and territories, rather than the federal government, are primarily responsible for the administration and delivery of health care services. You should contact your local provincial Ministry of Health office - the number can be found in the blue pages of your phone directory. That office will assist you with your enquiry. Alternatively, you could visit your provincial Ministry of Health web site to locate the information there.

Who do I contact for a change of address for my provincial health care?
The provinces and territories, rather than the federal government, are primarily responsible for the administration and delivery of health care services. You should contact your local provincial Ministry of Health office - the number can be found in the blue pages of your phone directory.

Do I need private health care coverage when travelling within Canada?
The portability criterion of the federal health insurance legislation, the Canada Health Act, requires that the provinces and territories extend medically necessary hospital and physician coverage to their eligible residents during temporary absences from the province or territory. This allows individuals to travel or be absent from their home province or territory and yet retain their health insurance coverage. Individuals should seek prior approval for out-of-province health care services from their home province insurance plan for non-emergency health care services. Within Canada, the portability provisions are generally implemented through a series of bilateral reciprocal billing agreements between the provinces and territories for hospital and physician services. These agreements are interprovincial, not federal, and signing them is not a requirement of the Canada Health Act. The rates prescribed within these agreements are host-province rates, and the agreements are meant to ensure that Canadian residents, for the most part, will not face point-of-service charges for medically required hospital and physician services when they travel in Canada.

Reciprocal billing is a convenient administrative arrangement, and it is but one method of satisfying the portability criterion of the Act. A requirement for patients to pay "up front" and seek reimbursement from their home province or territory also satisfies the portability criterion of the Act as long as access to a medically necessary insured service is not denied due to the patient's inability to pay.

The provision of prescription drug benefits outside hospitals falls within the range of "additional benefits" that provinces and territories may include under their respective health insurance plans, on their own terms and conditions and are generally not portable outside one's home province/territory.

Do I need private health care coverage when travelling outside Canada?
In relation to out-of-country health insurance coverage, the federal health insurance legislation, the Canada Health Act, requires provincial and territorial health insurance plans to provide portability of coverage for insured medically necessary hospital and physician services when temporarily outside one's home province or territory. The portability criterion of the Act does not entitle one to seek services in another country, but is more intended to entitle one to receive necessary services in relation to an emergency when the absence is temporary, such as on business or vacation. However, because of the high costs associated with health care in some foreign countries, reimbursement for emergency health care by a province or territory may not be made at the full amount. Therefore, it is recommended that when travelling outside Canada, individuals are encouraged to purchase private insurance to ensure adequate coverage. Individuals who seek treatment out-of-country without prior approval from their provincial or territorial health insurance plans may be required to bear the cost of the services received.

Eating Out In Lethbridge

One of the things you will love about Lethbridge is the fact that it is small enough to be "Small town friendly" yet still big enough to be "Big City Convenient". When you want to eat out in the City there is plenty of choice when it comes to, both type of food and theme of restaurant.


Here are some reviews of two of our favorites:




Montanas Cookhouse
This is a western ranch style restaurant franchaise that specialises in ribs, steaks and chicken. When you walk inside the first thing you notice is the decor, one half of the eatery is split into wooden boothes or tables, the table cloth is a sheet of paper and crayons are provided to the kids (and some of the mums & dads) can amuse themselves playing noughts and crosses or sketching.
The other half is a bar area with televisions all round the bar, usuallyshowing hockey games.

The food is western orientated and theres plenty of it, the prices are very reasonable.




La Mezza Luna
This ristaurante is located on the intersection of Mayor Magrath and Scenic Drive. It is Italian themed and is split into two separate rooms, this review deals specsifically with the restaurant area.

You cannot help but be impressed as you walk through the large carved wooden entrance door, the reception staff were attentive and after a few seconds we were being shown to our table. Despite our first impressions of what we thought was quite a posh place, we noticed the customers were mostly families, some quite large groups and everyone seemed to be having a great time.

The food was fantastic, the beef barley soup was more like a beef stew and the halibut was perfectly cooked, it seemed as though it had been poached then flame seared. The steak was also perfectly cooked, the vegatables to were well presented too.

When the bill was presented i was pleasantly surprised, this is one place we will be going to again.

Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

WHATS IN YOUR WALLET !!

The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) is a vital security measure that will ensure individuals who pose a threat do not gain unescorted access to secure areas of the nation's maritime transportation system.
TWIC was established by Congress through the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) and is administered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Coast Guard. TWICs are tamper-resistant biometric credentials that will be issued to workers who require unescorted access to secure areas of ports, vessels, outer continental shelf facilities and all credentialed merchant mariners. It is anticipated that more than 1 million workers including longshoremen, truckers, port employees and others will be required to obtain a TWIC.

What is TWIC™?
A Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC™) is a biometric credential that ensures only vetted workers are eligible to enter a secure area of a Maritime Transportation Security Act-regulated port or vessel unescorted.

What is the enrollment process?
The enrollment process consists of the following components: optional pre-enrollment, in-person enrollment, security threat assessment and notification of the results, and issuance of the TWIC to the applicant. Applicants may pre-enroll online to enter all of the biographic information required for the threat assessment and make an appointment at the enrollment center to complete the process (although appointments are not required). Then applicants must visit the enrollment center where they will pay the enrollment fee, complete a TWIC Application Disclosure Form, provide biographic information and a complete set of fingerprints, and sit for a digital photograph. The applicant must bring identity verification documents to enrollment and in the case of aliens, immigration documents that verify their immigration status, so that the documents can be scanned into the electronic enrollment record.

What documents do I need to enroll?
All applicants are required to bring appropriate documentation to the enrollment center in order to verify their identity (click here for a list of approved documents). Applicants can provide any one document from list A or two documents from List B, one of which must be a government-issued photo ID. A good example of appropriate documentation from List B is a state-issued driver’s license and a social security card.

What documentation is an applicant required to bring to the enrollment center if he/she is a U.S. citizen, but was not born in the United States?
Applicants should bring one of the following documents:

Department of State - Certificate of Report of Birth (Form DS-1350);
Department of State - Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240); or
U.S. Passport.
Note: If the Certificate of Birth Abroad, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or an expired U.S. Passport are presented, additional documents will be required to verify identity; see list of acceptable identity documents. If a current (unexpired) U.S. Passport is presented, it is the only identity verification document required.

How much does a TWIC cost?
The fee for a TWIC card will be $132.50 and the credential is valid for five years. Those who hold a valid MMD issued after February 3, 2003, MML issued after January 13, 2006, HME issued after May 31, 2005, or a FAST card, may pay a reduced fee of $105.25. Those applicants choosing to pay the reduced fee must present an MML, MMD, HME, or FAST card at the time of enrollment. If the reduced fee is paid, the TWIC expiration date will be 5 years from the date of the supporting MML, MMD, HME, or FAST card.

What are the methods of payment?
Payment must be made with money order, certified/cashier's check, corporate check, or credit card (Visa or MasterCard only). Checks should be made payable to Lockheed Martin. Two additional payment options are available for companies to pay for their employees: company purchased pre-paid debit cards or bulk payments. For companies choosing to use the pre-paid option, additional information can be found at http://www.twiccard.com. For additional information on bulk payments please click here for Lockheed Martin’s policy document. In all cases, payment will be made at the enrollment center at the beginning of the enrollment process.
What is the pre-paid debit card for the TWIC Program?
This method of payment is a prepaid Visa® card and is intended for employers who wish to purchase TWICs for their employees. They may be purchased in bulk and are redeemable at any TWIC enrollment center. The website for additional information or purchasing them is at http://www.twiccard.com.

What is the fee for a replacement card?
The card replacement fee (for lost, stolen, or damaged TWICs) is $60.

What is the deployment schedule?
Click here to view the latest TWIC deployment schedule, which provides monthly or quarterly time frames. As the start of the enrollment period for each grouping of ports nears, specific enrollment start dates and addresses will be posted, so stay tuned.

Where can I enroll?
The current listing of enrollment locations is available on this website, under the Schedule tab.

Where can I get more information on mobile enrollment?
Click here to view a document that provides background information, requirements, and contact information for requesting and hosting a mobile enrollment facility.

What is pre-enrollment?
The pre-enrollment process allows applicants to provide much of the biographic information required for enrollment; to select an enrollment center where they wish to complete enrollment; and to make an appointment to complete enrollment at the enrollment center of their choosing. Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to pre-enroll. Pre-enrollment is available by clicking here.

Are appointments required for enrollment?
No. Appointments are encouraged to save applicants' time but are not required and walk-ins are welcome.

How can I make an appointment for enrollment?
To make an appointment for TWIC enrollment, an applicant must first pre-enroll. If pre-enrolling on the website, an applicant may use his/her address to search for nearby enrollment centers and set an appointment time for the location of his/her choice. If pre-enrolling via the Help Desk (1-866-DHS-TWIC), an operator will help the applicant set an appointment time at the enrollment center of his/her choice.

How long does enrollment take?
The enrollment process for a pre-enrolled applicant is expected to take approximately 10 minutes. The enrollment process for an individual who chose not to pre-enroll is expected to take approximately 15 minutes.

How will the cards be issued?
The applicant will be notified by email or phone, as specified during enrollment, when his/her credential is available at the enrollment center. The applicant must return to the same enrollment center to pick up his/her TWIC.

How long does it take to receive a TWIC?
Currently, there is typically three to four week turnaround from enrollment until card activation. Eligibility issues or insufficient paperwork may increase the turnaround time.

Where can I get a copy of communication materials that I can print out and distribute at my port?
There are informative communications materials available for download on this website. For general TWIC information, click on the “Other Resources” tab to download flyers in both English and Spanish. For port-specific materials, click on the appropriate port under the “Schedule” tab. We encourage you to download these materials and disseminate them widely within your port community. Feel free to use them for newsletters, web uploads, pamphlets, and flyers. All documents are 8½” x 11” PDF files.

Where can I get additional information on TWIC?
The TSA website for the TWIC program provides additional information on the program, supporting policies and regulation (information on waivers and appeals), etc. Additionally, the Coast Guard’s website contains information on U.S. Coast Guard policies and contains specific documents, such as the Coast Guard Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) and small entity guides for TWIC applicants and owners/operators.

What is the contact number for the TWIC Help Desk?
The TWIC Help Desk can be reached at 1-866-DHS-TWIC (or 1-866-347-8942) and is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m. EST.

Car Insurance In Lethbridge

Here at the Big Red Blog we pride our selves on being completely company impartial (scuse me im just having a pinocchio moment)..................

Car Insurance is expensive in Alberta thats a fact, even after shopping around, our premiums on a 2007 Focus Wagon was still well over $2000.

The reason was no company would recognise our no-claims-bonus from UK even though we had the forethought to approach our broker before we came over here and all the documents prepared so we could prove we had the NCB.

We only found this little gem after i had paid $1800 for a years insurance then got a letter asking for another $1000 to bring my account up to date.

Well i went straight round there to sort it out, we looked at the computer and they confirmed that thier math was correct. I told them there was no way i was paying that amount and told them to cancel and give me a refund.

It was then that one of the staff informed me that if i could prove that i had full NCB in UK then the premium would come down to $1200 which meant they would be refunding me $600. I drove straight home and returned with the two letters of confirmation. There were a few opologies from the broker about not accepting it in the first place and now we have secured full discount over here.

The broker was Schwartz and the insurance company was Economical, as far as i know the Economical is the only company that will consider UK NCB and i should imagine they wont automatically offer it to you, ask for it and insist you get it.

Here is the address, its the same building as the registry where you flip your license.

300 10 Street South
Lethbridge, AB
T1J 2M6,
Canada
(403) 320-1010

NB. Make sure you have the proof of NCB ready !

Please read the comments for more info

Cost of Living in Canada

I am going to tread carefully as i tackle this one...........................

Everyones situation is different so i am going to use an imaginary family.

This family live outside of town, they have one child, so let me first of all intruduce you to the Doe Family.

John Doe is a 40 something trucker working for a Honghaul company and his wife Jane Doe is a stay at home mum (the hardest profession of all) and thier teenage daughter Chloe Jo Doe attends the local High School.

Here is a breakdown of their typical monthly outgoings:

Mortgage or rent - $1200
Gas heating - $60
Electricity - $100
Utility - $45
Home Phone - $100
Cell Phones - $200
Satellite TV - $50
Internet - $30
Medicare - $44 (Normally $88 but after 3 months, half is paid by H&R)
TOTAL - $1829

Groceries would be about $120 per week and about $30 for gas and John would probably spend about $100 per week while on the road.

This would mean that the Doe Family have an outgoings of $2829 per month, bear in mind there is no finance included on there, loans are very difficult (practically impossible) the Doe family would probably be driving round in a car that was a few years old and they paid cash for it. Car insurance is quite expensive in Alberta and it doesnt seem to vary by much with what sort of car you have, there are no MOT tests over here and it will cost you $100 per year to licence it.

John works hard and is pretty switched on when it comes to working with his dispatcher and the miles come in pretty easily (most of the time). He never refuses loads, and goes where he is sent, he takes the good with the bad. If John can achieve the target mileage (about 144,000) in 1 year and he can earn over $60, 000 gross (before deductions at 33%) then i am sure you can see that there will even be a little left over at the end of the month.

The Does are a pretty amicable family and they understand that immigrants dont have an easy life, no matter what country they are in. They sold their house back in Europe and used the profit to set up their new life in Alberta. After 6 months has passed, Johns company chose to sponsor him for AINP and within a few months Jane was able to apply for her Open Work Visa and promptly went and found a job.

This increased the Does income and life suddenly got a little sweeter and took a little of the pressure off John...................................


That is how the Does made it work, they worked hard to make the dream work.

Notice how many times i used the the word work in that last sentence and how many times i used the word dream...........................................................

Cell Phones For OTR Drivers

People are asking me what cell phones and cell phone providers are the best value for Long Haul Truckers in Canada. Well its a very subjective issue and im sure everyone will have their own ideas. This is what i found to be the best value.........................

I carry 2 cell phones, i have a Sanyo 7000 on a Bell contract for use in Canada & 10-4 (more about that later). And i have a Nokia phone which is a Net-10 Pay-As-You-Go which i use in the States. It would be nice to do it all on the one handset but unfortunately this is the cheapest way to go.

Sanyo 7000 Bell Contract

This is my main phone, i get 400 free minutes per month which i use in Canada and obviously round town, this is also the cell phone i recieve the majority of my calls on. I chose the Sanyo because it has a very special feature called 10-4.

I pay an extra $15 each month and the handset has a PTT (Push To Talk) on the side which means it can be used as a walkie talkie, its a strange system that seems to ride piggyback on your service providers carrier wave and gives free calls to other 10-4 handsets anywhere in North America (thats Canada and USA) as long as there is a signal. I have one and so does Jan so we can chat as long as we want no matter where we are as long as we can get that signal.

10-4 does have some disadvantages, you have to keep pressing the button everytime you speak and signal does vary from state to state, Montana and North Dakota for example have practically no coverage.

The main advantage though is that once you pay the $15 monthly charge the calls are free, this thing has saved us hundreds of dollars over the time we have been here.

The one thing that really bumps your cell phone bill up is international calls, unfortunately an OTR spends most of his/her time south of the border, so..........................................

The NET-10 PAYG

You buy this little gem in Wal-Mart and thats where you get the top-up cards from although now i have noticed you can get them in Pilot truckstops too.

I bought my Nokia handset for $30 int the Walmart in Twin Falls (just passed the Flying J) and i also bought a $30 topup card. I charged the battery, registered the phone and topped it up which gave me 300 USA minutes, when i registered it i also got another 300 minutes bonus minutes so by my reckoning that cancelled out the price of the handset.

I use this phone to phone brokers in Canada for 15c per minute and i can also call UK landlines for 15c per minute. Now how about that for value.................................

There are other handsets and other companies but those were my two choices. There are links to both companies in the side-bar. If you have any other ideas or opinions please feel free to comment.

H&R - A Family run business

How It All Started

H&R Transport began in 1955, hauling fruit and produce out of the Okanagan Valley to the Prairies. The company was eventually purchased outright by Al Foder in 1974, a former owner/operator of a firm that the ambitious trucker eventually built into an international operation.

Now headed by Al's son, D'Arcy Foder (the president and CEO), the company has 465 trucks, 700 refrigerated road trailers, 550 inter-modal refrigerated containers, and 700 employees.

Lethbridge - Home of H&R Transport

The city of Lethbridge is located at 49.7° north latitude and 112.833° west longitude and covers an area of 127.19 square kilometres (49.11 sq mi). The city is divided by the Oldman River; its valley has been turned into one of the largest urban park systems in North America at 16 square kilometres (4,000 acres) of protected land.

The city is Alberta's fourth largest by population after Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer. It is the third largest in area after Calgary and Edmonton and is near the Canadian Rockies, 210 kilometres (130 miles) southeast of Calgary.

Lethbridge is split into three geographical areas: north, south and west. The Oldman River separates West Lethbridge from the other two while the Crowsnest Highway and the Canadian Pacific Railway rail line separate North and South Lethbridge. The newest of the three areas, West Lethbridge (pop. 29,673) is home to the University of Lethbridge.

Much of the city's recent growth has been on the west side, and it has the youngest median age of the three. The north side (pop. 24,514) was originally populated by workers from local coal mines. It has the oldest population of the three areas, is home to multiple industrial parks and includes the former town of Hardieville, which was annexed by Lethbridge in 1978. South Lethbridge (pop. 29,773) is the commercial heart of the city. It contains the downtown core, the bulk of retail and hospitality establishments, and the Lethbridge College.

Climate
Lethbridge has a moderate continental climate with an average maximum temperature of 12.3 °C (54.1 °F) and an average minimum temperature of −1.0 °C (30.2 °F). With an average precipitation of 386.3 millimetres (15.21 in) and 264 dry days on average, Lethbridge is the second driest city in Canada. On average, Lethbridge has 116 days with wind speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) or higher, ranking it as the second city in Canada for such weather.

Its high elevation of 929 metres (3,048 ft) and close proximity to the Rocky Mountains provides Lethbridge with cooler summers than other locations in the Canadian prairies.

These factors protect the city from strong northwest and southwest winds and contribute to frequent chinook winds during the winter. Lethbridge winters have the highest temperatures in the prairies, reducing the severity and duration of winter cold periods and resulting in fewer days with snow cover.