Submitted by Carolyn B. Heller on November 30, 2009
Source: Living Abroad in Canada.
Is Canada the best place in the world for expats to live?
According to the 2009 HSBC Expat Experience Survey, it is.
Canada topped the list of best places to live, with expats there reporting the highest overall increase in their quality of life since arriving in the country.
The survey polled more than 3,000 expats around the world, assessing whether their overall quality of life increased or decreased during their overseas assignment.
Canada was also number 1 in “quality of accommodation,” with 68% of expats reporting that their homes were better in Canada than in their native country.
Canada received high scores in how easy it is for expats to make friends, to pursue hobbies, and to improve the quality of life with their families.
According to survey respondents, the top reasons for living in Canada include:
* Better environment/quality of life for my children (39%)
* Lifestyle (38%)
* Career prospects (35%)
* Less crime (13%)
Other interesting findings:
* Canada has a high proportion of retired expats: 24% compared with 7% worldwide.
* Canada’s expat community is older than average, with 61% age 45 or over.
* More than two-thirds of Canadian expats own property in the country, which is double the global average of 31%.
* More than 60% of expats in Canada reported that organizing their finances and their health care was easy.
* Nearly 40 percent said that their health improved since arriving in Canada.
Canada to recognize foreign credentials sooner
OTTAWA — Canada will soon fast-track verification of foreign work qualifications to help stem a growing shortage of skilled workers, the government announced Monday.
Many immigrants are now forced to take jobs in fields unrelated to their expertise while employers are struggling to fill vacancies for work that newcomers could do but lack the proper Canadian credentials.
Some wait years for their foreign work experience and education to be assessed as comparable, or not, to standards established for Canadian professionals.
"We want newcomers to be able to use their skills and work to their full potential. It's good for them and good for the Canadian economy," Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said in a statement.
Under the new rules, foreign-trained workers who submit an application to be licensed or registered to work in specific fields will be advised within one year whether their qualifications will be recognized in Canada.
As well, assessments are to be fair, transparent and consistent, said a government statement.
Foreign-trained architects, engineers, accountants, pharmacists, physiotherapists and nurses will be among the first to know speedily if their qualifications meet Canadian standards, by the end of 2010.
Two years later, dentists, physicians and teachers can expect fast-tracked checks of their credentials too.
"Attracting and retaining the best international talent to address existing and future labor market challenges is critical to Canada's long-term economic success," said Human Resources Minister Diane Finley.
"Ensuring that foreign credentials and qualifications are assessed and recognized in a timely manner will enable newcomers to maximize their talents," she said in a statement.
According to Statistics Canada, six in 10 immigrants do not work in their chosen field and 42 percent are overqualified for their current job.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved.
Many immigrants are now forced to take jobs in fields unrelated to their expertise while employers are struggling to fill vacancies for work that newcomers could do but lack the proper Canadian credentials.
Some wait years for their foreign work experience and education to be assessed as comparable, or not, to standards established for Canadian professionals.
"We want newcomers to be able to use their skills and work to their full potential. It's good for them and good for the Canadian economy," Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said in a statement.
Under the new rules, foreign-trained workers who submit an application to be licensed or registered to work in specific fields will be advised within one year whether their qualifications will be recognized in Canada.
As well, assessments are to be fair, transparent and consistent, said a government statement.
Foreign-trained architects, engineers, accountants, pharmacists, physiotherapists and nurses will be among the first to know speedily if their qualifications meet Canadian standards, by the end of 2010.
Two years later, dentists, physicians and teachers can expect fast-tracked checks of their credentials too.
"Attracting and retaining the best international talent to address existing and future labor market challenges is critical to Canada's long-term economic success," said Human Resources Minister Diane Finley.
"Ensuring that foreign credentials and qualifications are assessed and recognized in a timely manner will enable newcomers to maximize their talents," she said in a statement.
According to Statistics Canada, six in 10 immigrants do not work in their chosen field and 42 percent are overqualified for their current job.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved.
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