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What is it like to live in Manitoba?

If you are considering moving to Canada, consider moving to Manitoba! With a population of 1.1 million, the province has one of Canada’s strongest and diversified economies. Here is what you need to know about living in the province:

1. Affordability: The province is one of the most affordable places to live in Canada. After paying basic annual costs (taxes, housing, child care, car insurance, utilities) a family of five earning $75,000 CAD is left with $17,000 CAD annually more in Manitoba than the same family in the province of Ontario or $8,554 CAD more than the national average.
2. Health Care: Manitobans receive most health care services free of charge through a national health insurance system that guarantees universal, equal and accessible medical care.
3. Education: Kindergarten to Grade 12 public education is free and Manitoba’s four universities and three community colleges offer high-quality advanced education with some of Canada’s lowest tuition fees.
4. Assistance in finding jobs: Organizations such as Manitoba Start help newcomers prepare for employment in Winnipeg. This and several other organizations provide interview preparation, career support and job matching services.
5. Provincial Nominee Programme: The province was the first province to establish its own immigration programme, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). According to a recent survey, 85 percent of the province’s nominees were working within 3 months, 76 percent were homeowners within five years and 95 per cent of families settled permanently in the community.

With the province’s growing economy, it is a province worth exploring if you would like to migrate to Canada.
Are you interested in migrating to Canada?

Contact Kari Davis, RCIC at info@bisonimmigration.com to book a consultation.

Please note: The information provided is for general purposes only, you should not act upon any such information without first seeking qualified professional counsel on your specific immigration matter.

The Most In-Demand Jobs in Canada

If you are thinking of moving to Canada, this a great time to look for jobs in Canada.  In 2017, there were over 423,000 jobs in Canada created and the average hourly earnings rose 2.7 per cent to $26.68 CAD.   With unemployment as low as 5.7 percent, the lowest in 41 years, Canada’s strong economy is promising for those persons working in professions such as an IT project manager, forklift operator or administrative assistant.
The Ranstad Company, a staffing company in Canada, compiled a list of the most in-demand jobs in Canada for 2018. Here is a list of a few of these roles:

1) Engineering Project Manager – $74,000 to $92,000
Engineering Project Managers oversee construction projects and conduct testing to ensure projects are completed efficiently and effectively. With construction projects on the rise to support the booming housing markets in Toronto and Vancouver, for example, this role is expected to be in demand throughout 2018.

2) Accountant – $63,000 to $75,000
Whether you want to work for yourself or in a large corporation, accountants are needed in every industry in Canada. With many companies conducting business internationally, accountants are able to apply a wide variety of accounting techniques and tax regulations.  With a growing economy, accountants are certain to be in demand in 2018.

3) Administrative Assistant  – $44,000 to $52,000
As business activities become more complex, administrative assistants are needed now more than ever in workplaces.  Administrative assistants provide support to managers and employees, assisting in daily office needs and manage their company’s general administrative activities. Assistants who have an affinity for technology and accounting will be in high demand in 2018.

4) General Labour – $15.90 to $18.39 an hour
General labourers are integral to several industries, in particular the Canadian construction sector. General labourers perform a wide variety of tasks including directing traffic during road construction, setting up scaffolding, using forklifts, delivering materials or cleaning floors with high-powered cleaning tools. In 2018, general labourers are the most needed role in Canada.

5) Forklift operator- $16.59 to $19.42 an hour
With the rise of ecommerce, there has been an increase in warehouse and fulfillment centres.  Fork lift drivers are needed to stack, move and inventory merchandise so it is ready for delivery to consumers.  These operators typically need a licence to do this type of work and this profession is poised for growth in 2018.

6) IT project manager – $92,000 to $114,000
As the highest paid job on the list, IT Project Managers oversee developers, analysts and other tech professionals, along with budgets and timelines for IT projects. With IT projects taking place in the public and private sector, this skill set will be much sought after in 2018.
You can see the full list of the most in-demand jobs here.

With Canada`s growing economy, there are a number of jobs in Canada that are in demand.  For your profession, be sure to do research as to what employers are looking for and the average annual wage you can expect.

Migrate to Saskatchewan, Canada

If you are thinking of migrating to Canada, Saskatchewan is a province worth exploring. With a population of 1.1 million, the province of Saskatchewan boasts one of the fastest growing economies in Canada. If you are thinking of living and working in the province, here is what you need to know:

1) Employment Outlook
The province’s economy is strong and is expected to grow faster between 2017 and 2018 than any other province in Canada, except for Alberta. The Government of Saskatchewan also forecast that there will be over 95,000 job openings between 2017 to 2021.

2) Healthcare 
The province is known as the birthplace of Medicare and residents have free medical care and enjoy great health care services.

3) Education 
In addition to free healthcare, education at the primary and secondary level is free at public schools for residents living in the province.  At the tertiary level, all graduates from an approved program at an eligible institution and who live in the province are eligible to apply for the province’s Graduate Retention Program. This program refunds up to $20,000 CAD of tuition fees paid by eligible graduates (including international graduates) who live in the province and who file a Saskatchewan income tax return.

4) Cultural Scene
Lastly, the province has a dynamic art, recreational and cultural scene. Residents can enjoy visiting over 250 museums, 28 scenic provincial parks or enjoy several of the music and theatre festivals that take place in the summer.

Overall the province is a dynamic place to live and work and is worth exploring if you would like to migrate to Canada.

Is it hard to migrate to Canada?

In November 2017, the Government of Canada announced that it will welcome nearly one million immigrants in the next three years. One of the groups Canada wants to attract are individuals who have the skills and ability to contribute to Canada’s economy.

If you would like to migrate as one of these individuals, here is where you can start:

1) Explore the programmes:
Canada currently has several immigration programs that include:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Start-Up Visa Program
• Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Program
• Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programs
• Provincial Nominee Programs

2) Understand the requirements:
Every program has requirements you will need to meet.  These requirements may include age, work experience, education and financial investment. Receiving an assessment can help you determine if you qualify for an immigration program for you to migrate to Canada.

3) Develop a plan 
If you meet the requirements of a program, create a plan to help you with the application process. Every program has specific requirements and deadlines. Missing a deadline or not meeting a requirement increases the chances that your application could be denied.  A plan can help you stay on track.

Applying to migrate to Canada can take time, however a successful application can be achieved with research and careful planning.