Career Resources for Internationally Educated Finance Professionals

The Pembroke, Ontario campus of Algonquin College (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Your profession has many branches; and licensing of accountants, auditors, financial analysts and business professionals is different from Province to Province. Some Provinces and Territories will require credential recognition or even examination for licensure in some aspects of business and finance, and not in others. It’s best to research what your particular area requires, in order for you to practice your profession in the way that suits you best.

The links in this section can help you find out what you need to do, and how you can do it, in order to get back to work.

All of Canada:

The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) has information and links for Internationally Educated Accountants and Auditors wishing to pursue their careers in Canada.

Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants is an organization representing the chartered accounting profession in Canada, both nationally and internationally.

The http://www.cga-canada.org/en-ca/Pages/default.aspx">Certified General Accountants Association of Canada is an association representing CGAs in Canada’s accounting profession. They also offer an online Self-Assessment Tool so you can perform a general assessment of how your credentials will work in Canada.

Certified Managerial Accountants of Canada is a professional society representing CMAs across the country.

Canadian Securities Institute is the leading provider of financial services education and credentials that help start or advance a financial services career in Canada.

The Government of Canada’s Foreign Credentials Referral Office has links and information for Internationally Educated Finance Professionals interested in practicing as Chartered Accountants (CAs), Certified General Accountants (CGAs), and Certified Management Accountants (CMAs) in Canada.

Ontario:

York University offers programs for Internationally Educated Business Professionals who want to bridge their professional qualifications to work in Canada.

Mohawk College offers Enhanced Language Training, including cultural interaction, workplace communication, and help with designing a résumé and planning a career path.

Algonquin College has both bridging programs and occupation-specific language training for Internationally Educated Finance and Administration Professionals who want to work in Canada.

The Government of Ontario has a page of information and links for Internationally Educated Accountants who wish to bridge their qualifications to work in the Province.

Women’s Enterprise Skills Training (WEST) of Windsor offers Enhanced Language Training for women who are Internationally Educated Finance and Accounting Professionals.

Ryerson University’s Chang School offers training for Internationally Educated Accounting and Finance Professionals who want to bring their qualifications into line with Canadian requirements.

The Centre for Skills Development and Training provides Enhanced Language Training for Internationally Educated Business People, which is a 12-week full-time program.

The Provincial Government’s e-Career Maps show paths Internationally Educated Finance Professionals can take to working as CGAs and CMAs.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario has comprehensive information for those wishing to continue their accounting careers in Ontario.

Certified General Accountants of Ontario has an information page for Internationally Educated Financial Professionals.

Certified Management Accountants of Ontario offers information and links for Internationally Educated Finance Professionals.

Financial Services Connections is a program for Internationally Educated Finance Professionals to integrate into the Canadian workforce, delivered by ACCES Employment in collaboration with George Brown College.

British Columbia:

The Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia provides a fact sheet for Internationally Educated Financial Professionals wishing to practice in British Columbia as CGAs.

The Certified Management Accountants Society of British Columbia has an information page for Internationally Educated Finance Professionals wishing to practice in the Province.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia offers information for Internationally Trained Finance Professionals.

BC Work Futures has an occupational profile for Financial Auditors and Accountants working in British Columbia.

The BC Internationally Trained Professionals Network has many professional resources for financial and business professionals.

Alberta:

The Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers offers a bridging program for Internationally Educated Accounting Professionals who wish to work in Canada.

Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) has occupational profiles for Accountants and Internal Auditors in the Province.

The Government of Alberta provides process flowcharts and certification information for Internationally Trained CMAs,CGAs, and CAs in Alberta.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta, the Certified General Accountants Association of Alberta, and Certified Management Accountants Alberta are the professional associations for Accountancy in the Province.

Saskatchewan:

The Certified General Accountants Association of Saskatchewan offers a full-time bridging program, including 3 months of work experience, for Internationally Trained Accounting Professionals who wish to continue their careers in the Province.

Saskimmigration provides a flowchart, process map and other information for Internationally Educated CMAs, CGAs, andCAs who want to know how to become licensed to practice in Saskatchewan.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Saskatchewan, Certified Management Accountants of Saskatchewan, and theCertified General Accountants Association of Saskatchewan are the professional associations for Accountancy in the Province.

Manitoba:

Manitoba Job Futures provides an occupational profile for Financial Auditors and Accountants working in Manitoba, including a list of job titles.

The Government of Manitoba provides a guide to the licensing steps necessary for Internationally Trained Financial Professionals wishing to work as Chartered Accountants, Certified Management Accountants, or Certified General Accountants in Manitoba.

The Certified General Accountants Association of Manitoba offers a Program of Professional Studies to bridge internationally qualifications, and help Internationally Educated Accounting Professionals obtain the relevant skills to continue in the profession in Canada.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba is the professional association for Chartered Accountants in the Province.

Certified Management Accountants of Manitoba has a page with resources for Internationally Educated Finance Professionals.

Québec:

Immigration-Québec has an information page for French-speaking Internationally Trained Finance Professionals: la profession de comptable agréé, la profession de comptable général licencié, and la profession de comptable en management accrédité.

New Brunswick:

The Government of New Brunswick provides a guide to the licensing steps necessary for Internationally Trained Financial Professionals wishing to work as Chartered Accountants, Certified Management Accountants, or Certified General Accountants in New Brunswick.

The New Brunswick Institute of Chartered Accountants has a page with information for Internationally Educated Finance Professionals.

The Certified General Accountants Association of New Brunswick, Certified Management Accountants New Brunswick, and the New Brunswick Institute of Chartered Accountants are the professional associations for Accountancy in the Province.

Prince Edward Island:

The PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada (PEIANC) offers assistance for qualification recognition, including translation of documents.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Prince Edward Island, Certified Management Accountants Prince Edward Island, and the Certified General Accountants Association of Prince Edward Island are the Accountancy professional associations for the Province.

Nova Scotia:

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nova Scotia has a webpage for Internationally Educated Finance Professionals.

The Certified General Accountants Association of Nova Scotia and Certified Management Accountants Nova Scotia and Bermuda are professional associations for Accountancy in the Province.

Newfoundland and Labrador:

Chartered Accountants of Newfoundland and Labrador is the professional association for CAs in the Province.

The Certified General Accountants Association of Newfoundland and Labrador is the professional CGAs organization in the Province.

Certified Management Accountants Newfoundland and Labrador is the professional association for CMAs in the Province.

The Association for New Canadians offers English language assessment and training, and employment bridging programs for newcomers to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Nunavut:

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut and the Certified General Accountants Association of the Northwest territories/ Nunavut are the governing body of the accounting profession in those Territories.

Northwest Territories:

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut and the Certified General Accountants Association of the Northwest territories/ Nunavut are the governing body of the accounting profession in those Territories.

Yukon:

Chartered Accountants of the Yukon and the Certified General Accountants’ Association of the Yukon are the Accountancy professional bodies in the Territory.

Source: http://www.cnmag.ca/work-in-your-field/97-finance-and-accounting/1359-career-resources-for-internationally-educated-finance-professionals

Related articles

• Having your Credentials Recognized
• Oil sands to benefit all of Canada, not just Alberta: Conference Board
• Harper Government Helps Over 140 Internationally Trained Professionals in Manitoba Find Jobs in Their Field

JVS Helps Build Your Case for a Job in Architecture

English: Devonian Pond,Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Immigrant Professionals Leveraging Architectural Knowledge for New Opportunities (I-PLAN)

“Our primary goal is to provide Internationally Educated Professionals (IEPs) in architecture with the necessary tools to successfully integrate into the architectural workplace in Canada.”

Philip Hollett, Architect & Program Manager, I-PLAN

If you’re an Internationally Educated Professional (IEP) in architecture – then sign up now for this unique bridging program – designed by JVS Toronto in partnership with Ryerson University’s Chang School of Continuing Education, Career Edge and the Ontario Tourism Education Council (OTEC). Funded by the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada, the I-PLAN program consists of six cohorts (classes or groups of students) which will be delivered over three years. The course will run for 14 weeks, followed by mentoring, internships and employment coaching, all of which is provided free of charge to participants.

“Space is still available for the first cohort of 20 participants, scheduled to start on May 14, 2012.”

For eligibility to the program, applicants require:

• Minimum language level of CLB 8.
• Undergraduate degree in architecture or its equivalent from a recognized university program outside of Canada.
• Applicants with an equivalent degree in a related field may also be considered for admission to the program.
• A minimum of two years work experience in architecture or a related field, either paid or voluntary, obtained outside of Canada.

Designed in consultation with program partners and stakeholders, the JVS I-PLAN program addresses key barriers faced by internationally trained architects, including lack of Canadian experience and the lack of sector specific job search support and advice. The program helps you prepare for successful integration into the workplace by developing a solid understanding of the architectural workplace in Canada.

Program components include:

• Three architectural academic courses customized for IEPs in architecture. Designed to address the specific knowledge gaps resulting from the lack of Canadian experience – and delivered by Ryerson University – the courses cover 1) Building Codes and Regulations; 2) Materials and Methods; and 3) Sustainable Buildings.
• A Canadian Workplace Essentials course. Developed by OTEC, this course was customized to improve your understanding of cultural aspects of the Canadian workplace and to give you a competitive edge.
• Employment Preparation Activities delivered by JVS alongside the academic courses will include employment services and job search and job retention strategies, designed to address the lack of available sector specific services for IEPs in architecture.
• Internship Placements facilitated by Career Edge though its Career Bridge Internships.
• Work Experience Placements facilitated by JVS.

For further information on the program visit the I-PLAN webpage on the JVS website at http://www.jvstoronto.org/index.php?page=iplan. If you wish to apply or require more details,please call 416-649-1700 or send an email with contact information to iplan@jvstoronto.org

Source: http://www.cnmag.ca/work-in-your-field/73-architecture/1218-jvs-helps-build-your-case-for-a-job-in-architecture-arc

Jobs: Finding Employment in Engineering

English: This is the logo for the University of Alberta Chapter for Engineers Without Borders Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Who hires engineers? It’s almost easier to say "Who doesn’t?". Engineers are the cogs who keep the wheels of industry turning. Getting natural resources out of the ground requires water resources engineers, forest engineers, metallurgical, petroleum and mine engineers. Process and materials engineers make those raw materials market-ready, and mechanical engineers design the machines that use the raw materials to manufacture goods. It could be said that engineers build and maintain the infrastructure that permits and supports our entire quality of life. Construction, power generation and telecommunications all employ thousands upon thousands of engineers.

But those are far from the only places that hire engineers. Candy maker Mars Canada hires engineers, as does seafood processor and marketer High Liner. From toymakers to weapons makers, from construction to demolition, you’ll find engineers behind the scenes almost everywhere you look. Even the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) – employs engineers and engineering technologists.All of this speaks to the fact that there are more and different employment possibilities out there than you’ve ever dreamed – and that if you gain as much knowledge and experience as you can, work hard and keep an open mind – you should eventually become well-employed in your field.

So Why Are You Having Trouble Finding a Job in Your Field?
Immigrant advocacy groups have long protested that regulated professions unfairly create and maintain barriers that keep immigrants from succeeding. If there wasn’t some truth to this, the province of Ontario would never have needed to establish the Office of the Fairness Commissioner in order to ensure transparency, objectivity and impartiality. During their assessments of practices and procedures,Fairness Commissioner Hon. Jean Augustine says “We have found more commendable practices than inadequate ones.”

2006 Stats Can data showed that 52% of immigrants “from a field of study that typically leads to a regulated occupation” had engineering degrees. Among nonimmigrants, engineering was the second after teaching, at 17%. So the competition for engineering jobs is fierce among internationally-trained engineers. Foreign educated immigrants living in Ontario have a 24% chance of finding a career match in their field of study. While these are better than the match rates in Quebec and BC, the match rates for immigrants across the country was less than one-half the match rates of the Canadian-born engineers.

Despite these discouraging numbers, it is a fact that the regulators for Engineers and Engineering Technologists and Technicians across Canada have been working hard and making progress toward the goal of increasing accessibility for Internationally-Trained Professionals.

The engineering associations and regulatory bodies including PEO, Engineers Canada, OSPE and OACETT, all recognize the need to improve access to suitable employment for Internationally-Trained Engineers.

CAPE – The Council for Access to the Profession of Engineering – an advocacy, employment and support group for Internationally-Trained Engineers – works tirelessly to improve the prospects for foreign-trained engineers. In its mission statement, CAPE states that it will not promote the under-employment or underutilization of the skills of its members. CAPE also states that it focuses on employment rather than licensing of its members.

The Canadian and international regulatory bodies have all done their best to make the process of transferring your skills fairer, faster and easier. As an individual, it’s good to know that regulatory changes are being made on your behalf – that somebody is working to make the process easier. But that in itself is unlikely to get you the job you are looking for. What else can you do?

Assessing and Making the Most of Your Skills

When the system doesn’t work in your favour, you must learn to adapt.

Perhaps you set your short-term expectations too high. You may feel that your education and experience speaks for itself. But the more you think about it, the more you will likely appreciate that you need to understand the intricacies of your profession in a Canadian context, including weights and measures, materials, minimum quality and safety standards and regulations. Consider how guidelines that work well in one climate may not be suitable in a completely different climate. Building materials, mechanical parts, viscosities, acceptable stresses and tolerances – you name it – they are simply not the same from country to country. Neither are educational standards. The more international experience you have, the more likely it is that you have dealt with and learned to understand these issues in the past.

It is vitally important for you to figure out where you stand as quickly and realistically as possible. If you can start applying for licensure to PEO or OACETT before you even arrive in Canada, do it! It is one thing to discover you’re not qualified to work as a professional engineer in Canada a month or two after you arrive, and another thing altogether to make the same discovery after you’ve been here for 18 months and your savings are running out. The sooner you can determine how far you are from your goals, the more easily you can make plans that work within your budget and your timeframe.

Your actual education may become less important in the short term than having a positive attitude and an open mind, if your education and skills won’t immediately get you where you want to be. Rather than thinking about what you can’t do, you have to think about what you can do. So if you can’t get license to work as a professional engineer, it makes sense for you to identify how to use the skills you do have to get the best job available to you. Sometimes it makes sense to take a job that is below your skill level in order to get the income and Canadian experience you need to reach your long term goals.

Find out as much as you can about bridging programs to help you get a job in your field. There may be related courses that you can take from a community or career college that will take advantage of your skills and give you a launching point. If you hold out too long for the perfect job, you could find yourself empty handed – having to take a survival job just to get from one day to the next. That can be a very hard cycle to get out of. So instead of the perfect job, look for “a good job” that pays a decent wage, that has room for advancement and will give you an opportunity to improve yourself, that will give you the time and money to take other programs or courses. It may take a hundred baby steps to get where you wanted to be, but if you’re determined and have a positive outlook you can get where you want to go.

Bridging Programs,

Read the Partner Profiles in this issue to learn about the bridging programs for Internationally-Trained Engineers available at ACCES Employment, Humber College, OSPE, Ryerson University and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority – plus related opportunities at George Brown College and Laurentian University (Professions North/Nord).

Who are the largest employers of engineers in Ontario?

As far as individual employers go, the list of Ontario’s largest employers of engineers would have to include Bombardier Aerospace and TELUS, both of whom have tens of thousands of employees in Canada. Hatch Limited expanded their staff by 3000 people over the last two years. Ledcor Group of Companies hired over 1200 people last year.

Many Canadian employers have Engineer-in-Training programs, including agricultural products supplier, Agrium; uranium mining company, Cameco; Golder Associates Ltd; and Bombardier Aerospace.

TELUS is one of Canada’s largest employers, with over 20,000 full time employers and an impressive percentage of staff and management who are visible minorities. Other big Ontario employers who hire a large number of engineers include construction giant Ellis-Don, Enbridge, Hydro One, Toronto Hydro and Ontario Power Generation.

There are some real advantages in looking for engineering careers at the major international engineering firms. Being global, most of these companies need staff who can communicate in other languages and adapt to the cultures of the countries where they set up operations. Examples of companies like these are SNC-Lavalin, Intergraph, CDI Corporation, Holcim and CH2M Hill. Hatch Ltd. – an employee-owned consulting engineering firm, providing services to the mining, metallurgical, energy, manufacturing and infrastructure industries – had over 600 jobs listed on Eluta.ca last year – which would certainly make them a major Canadian employer of engineers.

The editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers in partnership with ALLIES, a joint initiative of The Maytree Foundation and The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, had a Best Employers for New Canadians competition And the winners included a number of firms that employ significant numbers of engineers, including CH2M Hill, Bombardier, TELUS, City of Mississauga and Xerox.

Historically, Internationally-Trained Engineers in Canada have not had an easy path, and while the prospects won’t improve miraculously anytime soon, steady progress is being made as governments, industry associations, settlement sector agencies and employers work together to bring about systemic change. As an engineer looking for work in this system, the best you can do is follow and take advantage of developments, keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities, and move forward with a positive attitude, an open mind and a solid work ethic.

So that when your opportunity comes, you’ll be able to recognize it and give it everything you’ve got. Every engineer who succeeds in Canada makes it easier for others following in his or her footsteps. Because every time a company has a good result from hiring an Internationally-Trained Engineer, it’s more likely that they will hire the next ITE who walks in the door. Let’s hope one of them is you.

Related articles

• TRANSPORTATION: Dr. Taxi at your service: How professionals from Pakistan end up behind the wheel
• Canadian government looking into Chinese miners said to pay for work permits
• Finding a Job in Canada as an Immigrant
• Project connects immigrants with small businesses
• Canadian employers struggling to find right talent
• Stantec Named One of Canada's Top Employers for Young People
• Canada heating up as a destination for tech employers
• What do Canadian employers want?

Career Resources for Newcomer Architects

Once setting the free standing, land record for the world's tallest structure, measuring 553.33 meters (1,815 feet, 5 inches), the CN Tower is Toronto's most visible landmark and arguably its most celebrated tourist destination. 2006 marks its 30th anniversary. This view looks WNW. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Becoming an architect takes years of training and hard work. If you're a newcomer architect, you'll need resources to help you get back to work in your field in Canada. We hope these will help you continue to work and advance your career.

All of Canada:

Architecture Canada | Royal Architectural Institute of Canada(RAIC) 
- Canada's architectural regulatory body

Government of Canada - Foreign Credentials Referral Office 
- links and information for internationally educated architects

Service Canada - Architect 
- labour market and requirements information for internationally educated architects wishing to work in Canada

Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) 
- Essential information for internationally educated architects wishing to practice their profession in Canada

Article: Internationally Educated Architect Job Find program enhanced
- 26 September 2012 article about recent launch of Federal program to help internationally educated architects find jobs in Canada

Canadian Architectural Certification Board 
- information for internationally educated architects, from the regulatory body of architecture in Canada

Canadian Architect Magazine 
- publication for architects in Canada, including internationally-trained architects

Ontario:

Ontario Association of Architects 
- information and programs for newcomer architects in Ontario

Ontario Immigration 
- Career Map for newcomer architects in Canada

JVS Toronto 
- Bridge training program for internationally educated architects

British Columbia:

WelcomeBC 
- information on labour market, qualifications, and job-hunting for architects who are new to Canada

Architectural Institute of British Columbia 
- information on practicing as an architect in British Columbia

BC Internationally Trained Professionals Network 
- a partnership of internationally trained professionals from around the province, working cooperatively, to improve access to meaningful employment for all immigrant professionals in BC

Alberta:

Alberta Association of Architects 
- information for internationally educated architects, from the licensing body of architects in Alberta

Directions for Immigrants - Architecture 
- information on how internationally educated architects who want to continue their careers in Alberta

Saskatchewan:

SaskImmigration 
- Career map for internationally educated architects who want to work in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Association of Architects 
- information from the licensing body of architects in Saskatchewan

Manitoba:

Immigrate to Manitoba 
- information on how internationally educated architects can get licensed to practice in Manitoba

Manitoba Association of Architects 
- resources from the professional association of architects in Manitoba

Québec:

Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ)
- L’Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ) contrôle l’accès à la profession d’architecte et en réglemente l’exercice dans la province.

New Brunswick:

WelcomeNB 
- fact sheet for internationally educated architects wishing to continue their careers in New Brunswick

Architects Association of New Brunswick 
- information from the licensing body for architects in the province of New Brunswick

Prince Edward Island:

Architects Association of Prince Edward Island 
- information from the licensing body for architects in the province of PEI

Nova Scotia:

Nova Scotia Association of Architects
- information from the licensing body for architects in the province of Nova Scotia

Newfoundland and Labrador:

Architects Licensing Board of Newfoundland and Labrador 
- information from the licensing body for architects in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Architects 
- the professional association for architects in Newfoundland and Labrador

Nunavut:

Canadian Institute for Recognizing Learning 
- information on how to work as an architect in Nunavut, which has no governing body for the profession

Northwest Territories:

Northwest Territories Association of Architects 
- information on working in the profession, from the licensing body for architects in Northwest Territories

Yukon:

Canadian Institute for Recognizing Learning 
- information on how to work as an architect in Yukon, which has no governing body for the profession

Source: http://www.cnmag.ca/

Program connects Halifax immigrants with opportunities

 BY MARTHA WILSON 

What do you do if you move to a new place where you don’t have a job, family or friends? You try to plug into an existing network.

Creating that network for new­comers has been the goal of the Connector Program of the Greater Halifax Partnership economic development organiza­tion, says Fred Morley, executive vice-president and chief economist with the organization.

The International Economic Development Council this month recognized the program with two gold awards of excellence. The program has been emulated in 10 other Canadian cities, Morley notes, ranging in size from Montreal to Truro, and is being implemented in Calgary and by the province of New Brunswick.

One of the keys to the pro­gram’s success is its simplicity.

Morley explains: “We have recruited about 400 business volunteers . . . and we simply ask them to sit with an immigrant, a young professional or a recent grad and have a low-key conver­sation about opportunities in Halifax."

Significantly, this conversation is not a job interview.

“It’s just about reaching out. Each volunteer connector is asked to provide three contacts for the person to follow up with. Each of the three new connectors repeats the process, and in this way the person quickly builds their business and personal net­work, acquires and refines inter­view skills, and often ends up in a quality job."

Program participant Doris Du says the program helped her define what would come next for her.

“It provided me with a big picture of my future career path." She says she got to know more people and also gained confid­ence, “in both work and personal

life." Lurace Lee, another participant, says finding employ­ment is challenging without local connections, even if there’s no significant language barrier.

“It helped me with confidence, and networking in particular, and getting established here in Nova Scotia. Usually, people feel more secure if they are employed and have stable income."

The program helps answer real questions employers might have, she says.

“I can see employers, espe­cially small (to) mid-size, may feel unsure if new immigrants know enough about Canada to be able to work well. The Connector Program is a good example of connecting us with potential employers.”

And new employees are needed to make the economy grow. As Morley says, citing figures from the Canadian Occupation Projection Survey, the number of young Nova Scotians is dropping; the province’s 14-and-under population has declined by about 27,000 over the past decade.

Yet the coming five years are expected to open up around 75,000 jobs, either in new positions or as replacements for retiring workers.

According to the Greater Halifax Partnership’s Krista Hall, more than 130 people have found jobs through the program since its launch in 2009.

“This year, there are 170 immigrants, international students and young and emerging professionals participating in the program. So far this year, 21 participants have found jobs.”

Like Morley, she emphasizes that our lives encompass much more than our work.

“Finding employment is a measure of success, but it’s not the only one,” she says.

“The knowledge participants gain about the local job market also equips them with the information they need to upgrade or retrain for the career they’d like to pursue in Halifax. Gaining professional and community contacts is also a benefit for someone trying to settle in a new community.

“The program really is about connecting people to opportunities in Halifax, whether they be education, employment or community related.”

Thriving in Tough Times is a series developed by the business development centre at Saint Mary's University in Halifax.

U.S. or Canada: Which country is best to call home?

By Janine Eccleston | Investopedia – Tue, 16 Oct, 2012 5:37 PM EDT

This question is part of the age-old debate between two nations. The societies of both Canada and the United States hold the view that their own country is the better place to live. Generally, neither country learns all the facts about what the other country has to offer. So, which is better: Canada or the United States?

BenefitsBecoming a mother is one of the greatest gifts in the world. Spending time with your child as he or she grows up is a need of every mother. How does your country support new moms?

Canada
Canada has paid leave, and many employers offer benefits to new mothers, or parents, ranging from 17 weeks up to as much as 52 weeks. During this time, one of the spouses can claim Employment Insurance (EI) for approximately 15 weeks. Generally, EI payments are 55% of weekly earnings but have a maximum payment of $485 per week. Parents can also split the allocated time if they choose.

U.S.While their northerly neighbors have a solid set of maternity and parental benefits, the United States currently does not mandate any sort of maternity leave. However, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for extreme sickness and birth of a child. While this 12 weeks of unpaid leave is not specifically categorized as maternity leave, it can be used under the FMLA as such. Small companies of under 50 employees are exempt from the FMLA. Some states such as California and New Jersey include paid maternity benefits into their disability insurance, but this choice is solely at the discretion of each state.

ServicesSome of the more well-known services available to Canadians and Americans are healthcare and university funding. The United States is ranked No. 1 for most expensive healthcare per capita at $8,233. Conversely, Canada ranks No. 6 worldwide and is over $3,700 cheaper than the United States at $4,445 per capita, according to a 2012 OECD Health Data study using 2010 statistics. Americans pay over 17% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) towards healthcare while Canadians sit at about 11%.

University can be another extremely large cost in a person's life. It puts many students tens of thousands of dollars in debt. Individual states have the choice on whether or not they want to grant funding to large state-run universities. Despite these grants, schooling is still very expensive for the average American. A bachelor's degree in the U.S. can run from about $37,600 for an average public college to over $160,000 at prestigious schools such as Harvard. In Canada, the average cost of an undergraduate degree starts at $8,000 (Quebec) and increases to about $26,000. The most expensive undergraduate programs in Canada will cost around $50,000, which is approximately one-third the cost of a degree from Harvard University.

Average SalariesAccording to the website numbeo.com, the average income of an American and a Canadian are approximately the same amount. Canada's after-tax monthly income is about $3,000 which totals around $36,000 per year. The U.S. sits just below Canada at approximately $2,942 per month, or roughly $35,300 per year.

The real difference is seen in the cost of living. While Americans and Canadians roughly make the same amount per annum, there are large gaps in specific spending areas of both countries.

The monthly rent for a one-bedroom condominium in the downtown area of your average city in Canada is near $907, but only about $878 in the United States. This difference of roughly $29 per month adds up to nearly $350 in the course of a year. If you multiply that over a five-year span, you are looking at over $1,700 in additional expenses for housing alone.

Food is much more costly in Canada. One kilogram of chicken breasts costs around $6.50 in the United States, while it averages almost $11 in Canada. A mid-range, three-course meal for two in Canada ends up costing $60. In the U.S. you are only paying about $44. Finally, clothing is more expensive in Canada than in the United States. A $40 pair of Levi's jeans in the States will run you about $55 in Canada.

If all the little things are added that cost more in Canada, the total is far more than the $750 salary difference that was originally stated. By this measure, the U.S. is cheaper to live in.

The Bottom LineCanadians receive better social benefits such as healthcare, paid maternity leave and greater subsidization of their post-secondary schools. Both countries generally have around the same annual income. However, the cost of living in the United States is remarkably less. While Canadians may pay less for larger-life events, Americans pay less for day-to-day expenses such as eating and housing costs. Maybe it all evens out in the end, or perhaps one place really is better to live than the other. If you live a healthy and active lifestyle and don't plan on having children, the U.S. is potentially the place for you. If you plan on having many children and need the help putting them all through school, Canada may be the more suitable choice for your family. Whichever the case, the choice should be made on the basis of what you value most. Take into consideration your current and future lifestyle.

I’m new to Canada. How do I crack the job market?

English: Advertisement of the Canadian goverment in the Christmas edition of the Globe newspaper encouraging the settlement of Western Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Special to The Globe and Mail

THE QUESTION:

I am an immigrant to Canada, with a sociology degree and two diplomas. I try not to let my co-workers know about my qualifications but they have devised plans in the guise of job promotions where they ask for my résumé and when they observe my qualifications they become more hostile and the posting is either withdrawn or someone else gets the position.

I am a hard worker and think nothing of starting from the bottom. However, it has come to the stage whereby I can no longer put up with this type of behaviour toward me. I have been told I am too confident and happy and that I should be taught a lesson. As a result, I’ve decided to leave Canada. It’s a shame, as I really like this country and I thought it would be great to be an immigrant. I have spoken to agencies who even offered to visit my employers. Do you have any advice for me?

THE FIRST ANSWER:

Greg Conner

Vice-president, human resources, League Financial Partners, Victoria

I can only imagine the challenges faced by you and other immigrant workers as they integrate into the Canadian work force. Workplaces are demanding and highly competitive for the average Canadian, let alone for its valued newcomers.

While educational background and credentials play a role, Canadian employers focus on a number of other key factors when selecting the best candidate for a job. Some of the most common include competencies, personality and behavioural traits, adaptability, and overall organizational fit. This approach can be unfamiliar to people who have previously been awarded jobs based on education or technical ability alone.

A number of wonderful organizations focus on offering support and assistance to immigrants seeking work in Canada, and I encourage you to reach out to them if you haven’t already. I also encourage you to familiarize yourself with as many Canadian employers as possible and learn what they look for in selecting a candidate. Perhaps most important, seek feedback from your current or prospective employers about why you haven’t been successful in obtaining a position. Most employers are happy to provide post-competition feedback, much of which can be helpful in preparing for your next interview.

Do not give up on Canada; we truly are a living mosaic made stronger by having immigrants who bring their cultural diversity for all Canadians to learn from, just as they learn from other Canadians.

THE SECOND ANSWER:

Zuleika Sgro

Human resources partner and talent manager, Questrade.com, Toronto

The work force is filled with difficult situations and to build your career you have to overcome adversities that you face. I advise you to truly ask yourself what you want, what you expect, and how you will get there.

The best advice I have received in my career is that you can and do create your own destiny – not others. By your description of your experience you may be focusing only on the negatives. Surely, there must be positive aspects to your experience in Canada.

I encourage you to research all the possibilities and opportunities in Canada before you move on. There is an employer out there for everyone – it just takes time. There are ample resources in Canada for newcomers. You are still the one who needs to get the job, but they will support you with resources to help get you there.

In terms of your qualifications and how you present them on your résumé, it is important for employers to see your most relevant experience to the role you are applying for. Be sure to focus on relevancy rather than disguising your qualifications. Be upfront with all the qualifications you have, but ensure they are relevant to the position. If you are overqualified, or under-qualified, the relevancy of your experience and skills will determine if it’s the right fit for you.

Related articles

• Having your Credentials Recognized
• What do Canadian employers want?
• Finding a Job in Canada as an Immigrant
• Recruiters Charging BC-Bound Chinese Temp Miners $12,500 (in News)

Best Country For Kids: Canada Best Place In The World To Raise Children

Happy Canada Day (Photo credit: Anirudh Koul)

Congratulations Canada — you have yourself a mighty fine reputation among parents.

In the recent HSBC Expat Explorer Survey 2012, Canada ranked first among the nine nations considered in the "raising children abroad" category, competing against such countries as the Netherlands, the USA and Saudi Arabia.

Surveying more than 5,300 expats around the globe — who, after all, would know more about raising kids in a variety of countries than anyone else — the annual survey is meant to help those who are moving to foreign countries get the most information they can before they depart. Although the report did not break down findings into cities, the Mercer 2012 Cost of Living Rankings marked Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary on their extensive list of expatriate communities.

Of particular note in the 2012 HSBC survey was the Canadian love of the outdoors, with 40 per cent of expat parents saying their children now spent time outdoors once they moved to Canada, and 45 per cent saying their kids are now playing sports. Even the parents were affected, with a quarter of the adults noting they were playing more sports since arriving in Canada.

Other global rankings haven't seen Canada fare quite as well, with Save the Children's State of the World's Mother report putting the country at the 19th best place in the world to be a mother, based on male-to-female income ratios, maternity leave benefits, educational enrolment, female life expectancy, risk of maternal death, and women's participation in government.

Meanwhile, separate categories in the HSBC survey proved illustrative in light of Canadians' beliefs about ourselves. A rank of 14 for overall experience puts the country in the middle of the pack of 30 countries, though being the fifth easiest country to set up in (taking into account things like finding accommodation) could speak to the efficiency of our bureaucracy as compared to other places. Meanwhile, 62 per cent of expats felt the locals were incredibly friendly, and chose to spend more time with "homegrown' Canadians than other expats.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/10/16/best-country-for-kids_n_1970883.html#slide=more257227

Related articles

• Your Kids Will Have A Better Life If You Move To Canada
• Fleeing the Country? Here Are the Best Places to Land
• New rules 'make it harder' for older Britons to settle in Canada