Is Canada A Good Place To Work.

[vorales]

Hi Warriors,

Well i would like to know whether Canada is a good place to work.

Specially the city of Toronto?How is it for working point of view?

How internet marketing taking place in Toronto?

Does a lot of people from Toronto work online?


I had been to Toronto last year it was freezing cold and the temp was -12 degree with wind chill almost -15 to -20.wow freezing cold but in Malaysia v r on equator so all the while its summers here.

Any one from DownTown Toronto explain about the living?

Yonge and Bloor, Yonge and Dundas are good intersection i had visited.

How people work in snow?

True advice would be highly Appreciated.

[Arcana Media]

Hi,

I live a couple hours away from Toronto, so could probably some of answer your questions...

> Well i would like to know whether Canada is a good place to work.
> Specially the city of Toronto?How is it for working point of view?

Yes... depending on what job you do.

Toronto is Canada's largest city, so if you work out of the home you may need to take public transit (train, bus) unless you're within walking distance... although In Februrary, they might find you frozen in a snow bank.

However if you're working full time online (ie internet marketing) then you won't have to worry about how you'll get to work everyday. Just be close to a corner (convenience) store etc and you should be good.


> How internet marketing taking place in Toronto?
> Does a lot of people from Toronto work online?

I'm sure there are a lot of internet marketers in Toronto, and some associated companies, and I know Toronto has a few IM conventions every year too. I'd imagine any major conventions here would take place in Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal which within driving distance of Toronto.


>I had been to Toronto last year it was freezing cold and the temp was -12 degree with wind chill almost -15 to -20.wow freezing cold but in Malaysia v r on equator so all the while its summers here.<

Ha - well, it's not that cold here ALL of time... just most of the time. (or so it seems. LOL).

But in the summer it's quite warm and you'd be comfortable.

Keep in mind that a recent census revealed just under half the population in Toronto is immigrants, and many come from warmer climates than Canada and do okay. I know a couple of people from the Philippines who moved to Canada recently and they managed to survive their first winters.

I always get a laugh at how much they enjoy snow when they first experience it... but then eventually learn to hate it as much as most Canadians do.


> Any one from DownTown Toronto explain about the living?
> Yonge and Bloor, Yonge and Dundas are good intersection i had visited.

I recognize the street names, but don't know much about them.

"Jane and Finch" (streets) is unfortunately one section of the city you may want to avoid moving to or near, but otherwise most places are fine.


> How people work in snow?

Walk in snowshoes or use a snow-sled pulled by dogs.

Also be sure to carry a large pointy stick or a harpoon with you at night, just in case you're attacked by a polar bear or rabid moose while walking downtown.


> True advice would be highly Appreciated.

Hopefully someone who lives in Toronto can add to my comments here, and give you a better idea what the internet marketing scene is like.

Good luck and welcome!

- Steve

[GeorgettaSterling]

I agree with all of Steve's comments above (particularly about snowshoes and moose). Unfortunately, I have a big mouth and must comment too.

I am not positive why you would move to Toronto to be an internet marketer. There really isn't any business reason to move there if you make a living online. All Canadian cities (and most Canadian towns) have high speed internet access, phone service, computer service etc.

If you are getting a J.O.B. in Toronto, then I suggest looking to live somewhat close to where you work, if possible. Traffic is no fun in Toronto, and commutes are pretty long sometimes. Toronto is also not an inexpensive place to live (rent or mortgage-wise), and if you are choosing the heart of downtown (Young & Bloor - isn't that where the MuchMusic building is?) then expect to pay premium prices. The last apartment I looked at in DT Toronto was $1600/month, and it wasn't that special.

Most of Canada gets cold in winter, particularly compared to Malaysia. You were lucky to see only -12C...try weeks of -25C or colder some winters. Toronto in particular is chilly in the winter and very humid in the summer (making it muggy). I also find it quite smoggy.

If you are concerned about weather, then the only place where you will find above-freezing temperatures in the winter is southern British Columbia. Vancouver is dark and rainy in the winter, but it isn't really "cold", and it rarely freezes. The southern interior (where I live) typically has above-freezing temperatures during the day and moderate freezing temperatures at night (I live in the mountains, so the weather is really pretty wild). Summers are moderate in Vancouver, hot in the interior (but not humid, so a Malaysian won't find it uncomfortable). The best weather is probably in Victoria (on Vancouver Island), where it is virtually never hot, rarely cold and very rarely below freezing.

As far as "good place to work", it really depends on what you will be doing. There is a great deal of regulation and bureaucracy in Canada, frustrating some entrepreneurs. Lots of rules and paperwork. Overall, you will find Canadian business people to be conservative and cautious, so deals don't tend to happen instantly. However, if you have patience you can jump those hurdles as millions of business people in Canada have.

If you are working for someone, again it depends on what you are doing. Some jobs/professions are heavily regulated and/or protected. Some are very "unprotected." While people have the impression that workers are somehow protected by the government, in general they really aren't (most provinces in Canada are "employment-at-will" provinces, meaning that an employer can terminate your employment at any time for any reason, or no reason). There is a lot of unionization in Canada too (especially big manufacturing operations, like auto plants, smelters/steel plants etc.), and obviously union employees fall under terms of the contract, not general rules or laws. The unionization unfortunately means that entering a lot of workplaces is difficult, as those workplaces tend to avoid hiring lots of new people (to fall under union rules...). You would need to be more specific for people to advise you any more than that.

Now - - you have to understand my biases, as they permeate all my comments. I was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. That is the heart of separatist western Canada. We were practically taught to hate Toronto in school! I was raised in the 80's, the height of the oil bust/recession, when unemployment was running 20% (50% in my age group) and "Eastern" Canada (really Central Canada, mainly Ontario) was doing fine and federal politicians from Ontario were saying that Albertans "deserved" to suffer.

So - I wasn't ever going to be impressed with Toronto. Given that, I have visited about 10 times and worked there for a few months. My impression is that it is one of the more unfriendly cities in Canada. The friendliest was Halifax, second was actually Montreal. My hometown (Edmonton) USED to be a very polite and friendly place, but now it is extremely rude and unfriendly. Vancouver isn't a friendly place either - they aren't unfriendly, but rather indifferent (I think it is because they are all wondering how they are going to pay their mortgages this month - very, very expensive place to live).

If you are taking a job, and it is in Toronto, then move there. It will be a big adjustment for you. But it will be survivable. In the winter, just wear warm clothes (parka, mitts, a hat...). It is easier to deal with cold than with heat - you can always put on more layers when it gets cold, but if it is hot you you can't take anything else off once you are naked!

If you aren't taking a job in Toronto, then I find it hard to understand why you want to move there. There are lots of suburbs and smaller cities around metro Toronto that are easier (and cheaper) to live in, and you can always take the train to Toronto on Friday to meet friends or whatever. For that matter, there are lots of other places in Canada (if you must come to Canada).

By the way - if any Torontonian does comment on this thread, they are likely to explain why Toronto is the greatest place in the world. They are like that...kinda confused due to the smog (low oxygen) and their own sense of importance.

Best Regards, Georgetta

PS If you are in downtown Toronto - go to the Royal Ontario Museum, near the U of T campus. I have been to quite a few museums in my life, and if you like "world civilization/history" and natural sciences (animals, minerals etc.) then this museum is tops. They had the most impressive collection of minerals and gems that I have ever seen (yes, I like neat mineral formations...). Not a great art museum - for that go to the Louvre in Paris or the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam...

[chris_surfrider]

The best weather is probably in Victoria (on Vancouver Island), where it is virtually never hot, rarely cold and very rarely below freezing

Victoria is definitely a good place to be, although I miss my Kelowna summers (Kelowna's in interior BC).

I agree, the best climate in Canada is in BC, particularly the southern interior and west coast areas.

Toronto, to put things in perspective, is about a 4-day car trip away from Vancouver (the west coast), and that's if you're driving from dawn till dusk each day.

Canada is huge and its climates vary tremendously from one region to the next.

As for living quality, well, I can't really think of any place that has as much freedom, opportunity and safety.

So if you can handle the climate, it's basically as good as it gets. (Yes, I'm biased).

Tax rate is slightly higher than the US, though.

-Chris

[Heather Vale]

I lived and worked in Toronto for 20 years... very close to Yonge and Bloor (no, that's not where the Much Music building is -- that's at Queen and John, about a good 30 minutes if you're going to walk).

The weather downtown is hardly ever as cold as you describe, because of the lake effect -- being right on Lake Ontario, the cold is moderated and snow downtown only lasts a day or two usually. And the summers are quite hot.

I also hope you know that Steve was kidding about snow shoes, harpoons and so forth... Canadians like to take advantage of people who might believe such tales, so take anything "snow-related" with a grain of salt.

There are several IM conventions and workshops held there, but not as many as in other industries. Toronto really is a convention capital, but I've only been to a few IM seminars there, and no real "conventions" except on the internet in general.

As has been pointed out, there's no need to live in a big city to do IM... but if you're looking to network face-to-face or get a JOB with someone else, there's lots of opportunity if you're good at what you do.

I know a few IMers who live in or near Toronto, but I never actually got around to meeting up with them while I was there.

Still, if you like the excitement of a big city but a cleaner experience than somewhere like New York, Toronto is an excellent choice.

cheers
Heather

[daelx]

I was born and raised on Vancouver Island... It's a great place for living. Especially if you have a little money. You don't need multi-millions but a million or two and you'll be living well in the best part of Canada.

Toronto is fine... I mean here in the west we are taught to hate Toronto with a passion. Everything east of the GTA hates Toronto and everything west of the GTA hates Toronto. If you become a Canadian and don't live in Toronto you'll have to hate them as well. Meanwhile everyone in Toronto will think that they are Canada. That there is nothing beyond the GTA. It's really funny.

Having said that... when I've been on business in Toronto I've always enjoyed my time. Even when it's been cold. (I don't see below freezing in the west, so it's kind of fun to feel that crazy weather.) The people have always been friendly, but a little arrogant about the GTA. You know, they make jokes like it's the centre of the world... but they actually mean it's the centre of the world.

Hey listen, I'm all for BC. It's expensive for sure. But it has a lot of perks. Like the weather, the laid back attitudes, the 10-4 work days, and the beautiful scenery. There really is no place like it... it's truly the most beautiful part of Canada. We can match anything that any other province has.

Alberta is a hole. It's the worst part of Canada. To be honest they are much worst than people from the GTA. They think they are gods gift, because of their sand. (Oil in the sand.) While they are destroying Canada's environmental record they'll brag about how much money the Alberta government has... Not for long Alberta... oil prices go up and down... when oil goes below $75 again you'll be hurting. (It costs a fortune to get that oil out their sand traps.) I love to tell people from Alberta that they can have their sand traps and we'll take our Ocean. (More bloody oil off the Queen Charlotes than all of Alberta's sand.) (Alberta SUCKS)

Having said all that Canada as a whole is a great place to live. No crazy patriot act and tolerance for everyone... You can be anything you want here and for the most part people will leave you alone.

[chris_surfrider]

Alberta is a hole. It's the worst part of Canada.

You ever been to Winnipeg?

Doesn't sound like it...

-Chris

[Tim_Carter]

Man I wouldn't move to the city.

I was born and raised in Calgary - the best city in Alberta ans a rival of Edmonchuck - but as soon as I was making enough online I moved to a small town and never looked back.

Small town life is great! (If you are older like me) - otherwise you need a bigger center for nitelife etc.

Here are some pics of Alberta from a recent camping trip near where I live
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/565319031WRqjTO

A beautiful place to live

And here is my amping blog with more if interested.
http://rverblogs.com/travelstar18rb/

[GeorgettaSterling]

O.K.,

after dissing Toronto (possibly unfairly, although they DO think they are the center of the universe), I still find I have to defend Alberta.

Alberta is NOT a hole. While the cities (Edmonton, Calgary...and what the heck, let's throw in Red Deer) aren't that remarkable, they aren't ugly or dirty or anything. Some of the landscape in Alberta is breathtaking beyond compare. Drive the highway from Jasper to Banff, through the Rockies, or wander around the badlands in the south, or check out some of the craggy lakes in the north, and you will be convinced.

I live in BC (in the S. Kootenay, very picturesque, mountains and big rivers and long lakes and such). Lots of beauty. But there are some places in Alberta that equal that beauty. And frankly, the gently rolling landscape around Edmonton ("aspen parkland", not prairie) is also very beautiful and quite soothing (at least in the summer). And after driving though the mountains for hours, it is a treat to see the enormous, never-ending sky that is Central Alberta. They call Montana "big sky country", but Alberta has similar "big" sky.

The new transplanted "Albertans" are very smug and rolling in dough right now - true. They are very rude in the shops and display atrocious driving habits. Old time Albertans like me tend to say they probably are transplanted Torontonians...ah yes, I couldn't resist one more "diss" on the GTA crowd.

And I will say that Winnipeg, while pretty miserable, has at least the 3rd friendliest people I have found in a city in Canada.

I also have to agree with Tim (despite his being a Calgarian - the natural enemy of Edmontonians) that small town living beats big city living. I wouldn't choose to live in a big city any more. The big city benefit is basically: shopping. The smaller town/small city benefits are: everything else.

Best Regards, Georgetta

[chris_surfrider]

It's amazing how even such a small sampling of Canadians on the WF can accurately represent the whole "epidemic" of regionalism that exists nationwide.

Non-Canadians probably have NO idea what (or why) we're bickering like this, even though to us it's as natural as breathing.

We're also notorious for making fun of our politicians.

Even more-so than the Americans, based on what I've seen, anyway.

(For example, there's a site that's selling "inaction figures" of all our politicians that I just saw on the news tonight - made me laugh...)

Well, back to the igloo...

-Chris

[Heather Vale]

Originally Posted by daelx

Toronto is fine... I mean here in the west we are taught to hate Toronto with a passion. Everything east of the GTA hates Toronto and everything west of the GTA hates Toronto. If you become a Canadian and don't live in Toronto you'll have to hate them as well. Meanwhile everyone in Toronto will think that they are Canada. That there is nothing beyond the GTA. It's really funny.

Actually, what's really funny is that so many people waste their time and energy hating Toronto, when Torontonians never have a bad thing to say about them back. Torontonians don't bother hating anybody else in Canada... why would they? What's the point?

And yet, as evidenced here, the rest of Canada "is taught" to hate Toronto.

Jealousy? Insecurity? Skewed reality? I really don't know, actually.

Sad more than funny, really.

[Alice Seba]

I love it all and wish I've seen more of it. Anyone notice that it's often cheaper to fly to Europe or exotic places than to fly WITHIN Canada?

It's sad. As a result, even though I was born and raised in Vancouver, outside of B.C. I've only been to Calgary, Edmonton, Quebec City and the airport in Toronto (on a stopover to Quebec City). Very sad, indeed.

Now that DH is not working, wethinks it's time for a cross Canada road trip very soon.

Oh yeah...to the OP...I'm not exactly sure what's being asked. And since I've only been in the airport in Toronto, I'm probably not qualified to answer.

Good luck!

Alice

[Rich Muir]

Love the bickery,

Timely thread. I am looking to take my family and live OS (currently living on the beaches on east coast of Aus) and looking to go to the opposite.

What do you reckon good for a total change of life from Aus to Cannada as it was 1 of 3 locations that we are discussing. Really after a great adventure as 3 kids all under 10 and want them to experience something a little different to the beach. Although now spring is here it is hard not to get down there!

Rich

[Jason Hodgins]

I must be severely repressed.

I guess most of my life I've lived 4-8 hrs drive North of T.O. that I have to laugh at the place being referenced as cold.

Half of my extended family lives there and I've been there often.

So, echo many of the above comments regarding Canada in general and add to it that one better have some mad skills or a hell of an education...alternatively be FT internet marketing to live there.

Otherwise you'd be pouring coffee for minimum wage these days.

Besides BC, the cost of living there compared to where I am is madness. (it isn't exactly cheap here either.)


I haven't ventured around a ton since I got out of the military, but the parts of Canada other than here that I have seen are pretty cool too.

All-in-all, this place is great if you killed half the red tape. The weather is something that is deceptive to a non-Canadian.

Here, where I live in Ontario, it gets to -35C plus wind chill in the worst of winter and in the summer I regularly see it at about 27-34C, sometimes worse.

Not enough coffee yet, I'm rambling...


Anyway, they don't joke when they speak of diversity in this country & that's in more than one way.

Whatever you decide to do, I'd say think through the whole idea of Toronto & maybe think of something on the outskirts or slightly south of there perhaps.


Peace,

--Jason

[salamandar]

Having lived in Singapore and Malaysia but after living in Canada for 30 years, I'd say that Canada WOULD be a weather nightmare for someone whose worst weather is Monsoon storms in December and January.

Although Toronto is less "Great White North" than my own home of Ottawa, I have spent some miserable times in Toronto while on business trips. The wind can rip through those streets with hellish ferocity.

Singapore/Malaysia are close behind Canada in internet connectivity and you can truly sit out on the patio most of the day and night in light shorts and tee in my experience - just substituting IM for mah jong.

I love Canada but I'd like to retire somewhere warm like Malaysia during the winters.

Maurice

[Alex Sol]

Hey!

I prefer Montreal over Toronto... But that simply because I am young and I like to go out and I enjoy nightlife - something that Toronto doesn't really offer (comparing to Montreal).

Also, Montreal has been "nominated" as the "Little Europe of North America". Many Europeans live here, the life style is also similar and well... I just love the town and the folks in it! The living costs in Montreal are also lower than in Toronto.

Now about IM... I find more and more IM'ers that live in Montreal. I had a chance to meet with a few of them - awesome people! IM is actually a great job for Montreal, just like in Toronto it gets pretty cold here in winter, so instead of fighting the freezing wind and shoveling your car for 2 hours - I just stay home and enjoy my "job"...

Anyways, Canada is the great place to be - as long as you chose Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver... most of the other towns here are pretty small and well, boring to me.

Good Luck!

Alex

[daelx]

Nope, Alberta is a Hole.

The only parts of Alberta that are nice are hugging the BC border. It's just a little of the BC spill-over.

Sorry Alberta really does SUCK. I'd take the GTA over Alberta any day.

[Sylvia Rolfe]

Originally Posted by Tim_Carter

Man I wouldn't move to the city.

I was born and raised in Calgary - the best city in Alberta ans a rival of Edmonchuck - but as soon as I was making enough online I moved to a small town and never looked back.

Originally Posted by daelx

Nope, Alberta is a Hole.

Sorry Alberta really does SUCK. I'd take the GTA over Alberta any day.

I was born and raised and still live in Calgary Alberta. Compared to other places I think it is a great place to live. The oil boom can kick your ass for housing costs etc but if you are making your living online and not needing to go anywhere for work it isn't so bad. I have considered myself though moving to a small town, just to escape some of the big city feel this place is starting to get.

As for Toronto, we thought about moving there. Hubby went over there for a bit, stayed his first night in a hostile, got attacked and almost killed and now I would never in a million years think of moving there.

Sylvia

[Jamie Iaconis]

Hi,

I just had to pipe up here....

YES, Winnipeg is the biggest hole in Canada...

Alberta is a bunch of hicks...

Toronto... big, busy, crappy weather...

The rest who knows...

I live in Vancouver, B.C. and I love it, everything about it.

The people, weather, scenery and everything in
Vancouver and British Columbia is beautiful
and I will never leave this area, EVER!

Jamie

[Heather Vale]

Originally Posted by Jamie Iaconis

Hi,

I just had to pipe up here....

YES, Winnipeg is the biggest hole in Canada...

Alberta is a bunch of hicks...

Toronto... big, busy, crappy weather...

The rest who knows...

I live in Vancouver, B.C. and I love it, everything about it.

The people, weather, scenery and everything in
Vancouver and British Columbia is beautiful
and I will never leave this area, EVER!

Jamie

A lot of you guys (except Alice) are being REALLY negative. Why do you all hate parts of your own country so much?

Canada is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world, and has one of the best standards of living. A lot of people around the world would LOVE to live there.

If you think all those places are "holes" or "dangerous" or "crappy" or full of "hicks" then you obviously haven't really spent time there.

20 years in downtown Toronto, and I was NEVER attacked or killed. Go figure! There was also a booming night life there, I guess you have to know where to look.

Several visits to Calgary and Edmonton, and I never met one hick.

Numerous week-long journeys to Winnipeg, and met some of the nicest people in the world. Even Portage and Main was not windy and cold like everyone says (although I was never there in the dead of winter).

Several trips to Montreal, and I loved it (except that I tried to practice my French and people kept deciding they'd rather speak in English).

Ottawa's also a very pretty city, and obviously kept very clean.

Also many trips to Vancouver and Victoria... beautiful when it's not raining.

I guess there's some truth to the cliche that SOME Canadians can't embrace anything that's in their own country... beyond their own backyards, which according to this thread are always MUCH better than anywhere else could possibly be.

I remember when the Barenaked Ladies were only known in Canada, and everyone made fun of them. Then they got big in the US and everyone said with pride, "Oh, they're from here!" Same thing with Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne... why do Canadians have such a hard time embracing their country's own talent, and own beauty, until some outsider embraces it first?

Doesn't really give a valid objective view to the guy from Malaysia who was originally asking! I'd say if you're going to answer a thread like this, do it with compassion and objectivity, not ridiculous negative things like telling him what there is to hate because YOU hate it.

And if you're so consumed in hatred and negative views because of one bad experience, or one preconceived notion, keep it to yourself or present it in the proper light -- as one bad experience or preconceived notion, but in no way the final answer on what that city is like.

That's like telling someone not to get involved in IM because your aunt got scammed by buying an e-book.

Heather

[Christopher R Everson]

Most of my canadian friends came to the states to make more money, both job-pay wise, and tax wise.

[Christopher R Everson]

Who is attacking toronto?

Toronto, at least to new yorkers, is notorious as being a clean, more-fun version of new york city.

Canadian cities are generally very safe places to be. I watched a documentary on deadly crime rates, and one canadian city had only one murder that year, and it was a guy from the states who crossed over and killed someone.

Just go visit it! I'd recommend toronto and vancouver, both are beautiful. I liked montreal too, but I didn't feel it lived up to the hype.

[Heather Vale]

Originally Posted by Christopher R Everson

Who is attacking toronto?

Toronto, at least to new yorkers, is notorious as being a clean, more-fun version of new york city.

Canadian cities are generally very safe places to be. I watched a documentary on deadly crime rates, and one canadian city had only one murder that year, and it was a guy from the states who crossed over and killed someone.

Just go visit it! I'd recommend toronto and vancouver, both are beautiful. I liked montreal too, but I didn't feel it lived up to the hype.

Yes, exactly... see, again, it takes an outsider to give an objective view. This is how the WORLD views Toronto, so please, Canadians, lose the negativity around it.

BTW I didn't move to the US for business opportunities, I moved here for love. And guess what... in my experience so far, most of the stereotypes and preconceived notions we Canadians have about Americans proved not to be true, either.

But Christopher, a lot of top IMers do still live and work in Canada.

cheers
Heather

[Ricter]

Originally Posted by Christopher R Everson

Most of my canadian friends came to the states to make more money, both job-pay wise, and tax wise.

Yeah, most of my American friends came to Canada for everything else.

[Jamie Iaconis]

Originally Posted by Heather Vale

Numerous week-long journeys to Winnipeg, and met some of the nicest people in the world. Even Portage and Main was not windy and cold like everyone says (although I was never there in the dead of winter).

Also many trips to Vancouver and Victoria... beautiful when it's not raining.

Heather

Heather... I was around Portage and Main in Winnipeg for a week
and I can say that whole city looks like it had been through a
windstorm or dirtstorm for that matter, and never been cleaned up!

At night all you hear is drunk hooligans all over the streets rambling
and yes it was also very, very cold there!

Vancouver does have a little bit of rain, but that is
what's required to keep our province very GREEN!

By Alberta being a bunch of hicks... I actually should have
said the highest population of cowboys etc are in AB.

Toronto is a kinda dangerous place, have you not heard
about people being capped right on the bus, like c'mon!

I know lots of people from Toronto and they visit and
always come back or they never leave from their visit
or they even decide to move here after their visit.

Anything else I should clear up?

[Steve Taylor]

Originally Posted by Heather Vale

A lot of you guys (except Alice) are being REALLY negative. Why do you all hate parts of your own country so much?

Canada is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world, and has one of the best standards of living. A lot of people around the world would LOVE to live there.

If you think all those places are "holes" or "dangerous" or "crappy" or full of "hicks" then you obviously haven't really spent time there.

20 years in downtown Toronto, and I was NEVER attacked or killed. Go figure! There was also a booming night life there, I guess you have to know where to look.

Several visits to Calgary and Edmonton, and I never met one hick.

Numerous week-long journeys to Winnipeg, and met some of the nicest people in the world. Even Portage and Main was not windy and cold like everyone says (although I was never there in the dead of winter).

Several trips to Montreal, and I loved it (except that I tried to practice my French and people kept deciding they'd rather speak in English).

Ottawa's also a very pretty city, and obviously kept very clean.

Also many trips to Vancouver and Victoria... beautiful when it's not raining.

I guess there's some truth to the cliche that SOME Canadians can't embrace anything that's in their own country... beyond their own backyards, which according to this thread are always MUCH better than anywhere else could possibly be.

I remember when the Barenaked Ladies were only known in Canada, and everyone made fun of them. Then they got big in the US and everyone said with pride, "Oh, they're from here!" Same thing with Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne... why do Canadians have such a hard time embracing their country's own talent, and own beauty, until some outsider embraces it first?

Doesn't really give a valid objective view to the guy from Malaysia who was originally asking! I'd say if you're going to answer a thread like this, do it with compassion and objectivity, not ridiculous negative things like telling him what there is to hate because YOU hate it.

And if you're so consumed in hatred and negative views because of one bad experience, or one preconceived notion, keep it to yourself or present it in the proper light -- as one bad experience or preconceived notion, but in no way the final answer on what that city is like.

That's like telling someone not to get involved in IM because your aunt got scammed by buying an e-book.

Heather

==========

Well said Heather.

Through out the years playing in bands, I have spent time in every major city in Canada and hundreds, maybe a thousand smaller towns in Canada including the USA and Europe.

It is more expensive that most American cities but the lifestyle is great.

The towns and cities that strike me as most favorable are:

Niagara on the Lake

The Province of Prince Edward Island

Salt Spring Island

Queen Charlotte Island

Sunshine Coast

If the OP is looking for a job...

Toronto,

Alberta province is still booming

Vancouver/Lower Mainland...just stay away from Hasting street area!!!

Myself, I'm looking for some solitude and peace, so eventually, I'm seeking out an area where I can do internet business and fish whenever I want.

The west coast is the ticket for me.

-Steve "I fish - therefor I am" Taylor

[Jamie Iaconis]

Originally Posted by Steve Taylor

==========

Vancouver/Lower Mainland...just stay away from Hasting street area!!!

The west coast is the ticket for me.

-Steve "I fish - therefor I am" Taylor

HAHA, ya Hastings Street is kinda not so good anymore... I remember going
down there when I was young (before many of the bums/homeless) to watch
the P.N.E. Parade and there were almost no bums at all.

But, Canada's West Coast is where I'm staying, no doubt about it!

[Steve Taylor]

Originally Posted by Jamie Iaconis

HAHA, ya Hastings Street is kinda not so good anymore... I remember going
down there when I was young (before many of the bums/homeless) to watch
the P.N.E. Parade and there were almost no bums at all.

But, Canada's West Coast is where I'm staying, no doubt about it!

Statistics are reporting that Hasting street is the worst area in all of North America. And that says a lot...I've been to the ghettos of Detroit, New York etc.

The gov. will be trying to force them further out of town for the winter Olympics... they won't go that far, maybe just spread out more around the downtown area. Can't have the world see that mess.


-Steve

[Heather Vale]

Originally Posted by Jamie Iaconis

Heather... I was around Portage and Main in Winnipeg for a week
and I can say that whole city looks like it had been through a
windstorm or dirtstorm for that matter, and never been cleaned up!

At night all you hear is drunk hooligans all over the streets rambling
and yes it was also very, very cold there!

Vancouver does have a little bit of rain, but that is
what's required to keep our province very GREEN!

By Alberta being a bunch of hicks... I actually should have
said the highest population of cowboys etc are in AB.

Toronto is a kinda dangerous place, have you not heard
about people being capped right on the bus, like c'mon!

I know lots of people from Toronto and they visit and
always come back or they never leave from their visit
or they even decide to move here after their visit.

Anything else I should clear up?

Jamie,

I'm sure it depends where you stayed in Winnipeg... in all my nightly travels, I never saw a drunk hooligan, even though my favorite hotel on the first two trips was the one right downtown by Portage Place.

And Portage and Main looked fine... and in fact, the weather was quite warm and beautiful every time I went (always either spring or fall, not even the summer).

Vancouver rains a lot -- that's why every hotel room has an umbrella in the closet! Nothing wrong with rain, I wish we'd get a bit more of it down here in Oregon, but when all my Vancouverite friends complain about not seeing any sun for months at a time, I have to say it's more than a "little" rain.

And Alberta also has a lot of very wealthy people.

As for Toronto, you actually believe the skewed reality you see on the news? What don't you understand... I lived in DOWNTOWN Toronto for over 20 years! And, get this, I worked as a bartender for about 15 of those, and was out at all hours of the night. It is NOT a dangerous city! (Okay, that's relative... it may be more dangerous than Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, but it's incredibly safe compared to most cities worldwide of comparable size).

I also worked as a news anchor on the top news-talk radio station in the country, and was witness to my co-workers just PRAYING for something to happen that they could talk about... a fire, a crime, anything. They were bored (and yes, that's a very sad statement on the news industry, and the main reason I got out).

But the bottom line is, the NEWS is going to tell you the "BAD" stuff. That's what they consider "newsworthy" because it's "out of the ordinary" (i.e. it doesn't happen all the time, that's why they report it).

And yes, scared old ladies tend to focus on all that kind of stuff too. So your aunt from Ontario is going to tell you all about how big and bad Toronto is, and why she would never go there -- but she doesn't really know, because she never goes there! LOL.

Somebody earlier pointed out there are some ghetto-ish areas like Jane and Finch to stay away from... and there is more crime there than elsewhere because of their gang-war crap going on. But I've been there many times during the day and it was fine... and if you're not in a gang, there's nothing to worry about.

So if you don't have experience with living in a city like Toronto (not just visiting it), you can't really comment on the safety aspect of it, can you?

I know Torontonians who have moved to Vancouver, I know Vancouverites who have moved to Toronto, and I know several who go back and forth every few years.

Your friends who have moved from Toronto to Vancouver are not the be-all and end-all of how everybody thinks and acts.

Heather

[Maria Gudelis]

Whew - Vorales - you've got a ton of great info here on Canada!

I used to live right at Yonge and Bloor and loved it! (I also have lived in Calgary and Vancouver and loved it there too!)

To some of your questions:

"Specially the city of Toronto?How is it for working point of view?

How internet marketing taking place in Toronto?


Any one from DownTown Toronto explain about the living?"

****
Toronto is great from a working point of view - many opportunities as the business is quite diversified since it is a major city.

Internet marketing- yes - taking place in T.O. just as in many other cities/countries. It is easier to email out from Cdn. hosting companies as well

Living downtown - you actually don't even need to own a car as you are in walking distance to many shops, restaurants, movies, bars, parks etc. and there is excellent transportation - the subway system is great - when i lived there - never even had to step outside (in winter) to get to work as you zip down to the subway and there is a massive huge walking/underground via malls etc. to major corporate buildings. Now of course, in the summer, spring, fall, you can enjoy the nice weather via walking outside!

There are plenty of things to do there, walk to Yorkville to people watch, enjoy the posh shops, etc. or catch the film festival. My favorite thing to do when I lived there was go to Greektown (via subway) on the weekend to do some grocery shopping.

Anyway - as a country the people are quite friendly and can't see any reason why you wouldn't enjoy living there!

Good luck in your decision!

[Jason Hodgins]

...Hours later...



I'm certainly not trying to paint a negative picture of the country or any aspect of it but...

First, regarding "hicks" LMAO, we have lots of them up around here in Ontario, I may even fit the bill on that one. Maybe it's the extreme northern location that I live, I dunno. (Think Nickel Belt).

Second, I moved to Toronto in 1996 and stayed exactly one month. Not because of the city itself or people, but because the first place I stayed back then was in the core of downtown. My indoctrination into the city was the shooting and killing of a gang member 20ft from the hood of my car with a Tek 9. Yeah, it was in a "bad" area compared to the ones being asked about but only by a few blocks.

Suffice it to say that I may have been biased by that one. A RARE occurrence but I chose to return to a smaller area for a while.

Like all cities anywhere there are pros and cons, I just spoke from my experiences.

For example, about 6 months of my military training back in the day I was just outside of Montreal and we hung out there almost every weekend. The nightlife was awesome and secondary to that the architecture there is pretty amazing as well.

The other thing that I have to agree with though is with the post regarding hitting the US for better work/pay or taxes--unfortunately I would tend to agree with that one.

My cousin (whom I was raised with here) relocated 10 years ago and is now in the USAF, for the most part he swears he'd never move back but still loves to visit for all the reasons listed above.

There, hopefully a more balanced opinion of this side of the country. I can't speak at all about western Canada as I've yet to be there for any length of time personally. All I have to go on is family that live in every other province.

Either way this whole thread although chock full of info and opinions got waaaay off topic from the OP's question so I'll back out. Hehehe.

Peace,

Jason

[nRehman]

Future of internet marketing is really great in upcoming time in Canada.

[Heather Vale]

Originally Posted by Jason Hodgins

Second, I moved to Toronto in 1996 and stayed exactly one month. Not because of the city itself or people, but because the first place I stayed back then was in the core of downtown. My indoctrination into the city was the shooting and killing of a gang member 20ft from the hood of my car with a Tek 9. Yeah, it was in a "bad" area compared to the ones being asked about but only by a few blocks.

Suffice it to say that I may have been biased by that one. A RARE occurrence but I chose to return to a smaller area for a while.

Like all cities anywhere there are pros and cons, I just spoke from my experiences.

Yup, biased, but... at least you admitted it! Probably St. Jamestown or thereabouts, right? Parliament and Gerrard, Parliament and Wellesley... a little seedy in pockets because of the public housing and such.

Nice to see some more objective views coming out now.

BTW earlier you mentioned choosing somewhere "south" of Toronto... er, I think that would put you smack in the middle of Lake Ontario, so I'd rethink that one too!

cheers
Heather

[Jason Hodgins]

Originally Posted by Heather Vale

Yup, biased, but... at least you admitted it! Probably St. Jamestown or thereabouts, right? Parliament and Gerrard, Parliament and Wellesley... a little seedy in pockets because of the public housing and such.

Nice to see some more objective views coming out now.

BTW earlier you mentioned choosing somewhere "south" of Toronto... er, I think that would put you smack in the middle of Lake Ontario, so I'd rethink that one too!

cheers
Heather

Now there is a woman who knows the city. ROFL.

It was exactly Gerard & Dundas St. W not exactly the high life. I was really young so that didn't help either.

When I mentioned south of there I was thinking near the border more. I worked for a year in Fort Erie/Buffalo and the surrounding area like Niagara and such are just as beautiful but maybe smaller scale.

OTOH, Fort Erie, bless it's little heart has become a hole in my experience--too bad.

--Jay

[daelx]

@ Heather

We all know your opinions now. I think you've made your points. I don't know why you keep repeating and responding to people that have a different point of view than you. I'd like to know who made you the authority on this? You don't even live in Canada anymore.

As for rain and Vancouver... just keep promoting the fact that it rains here. That's great. We get enough people moving here from Alberta and Ontario as it is.

Oh yeah, it sure rains here lots... Oh it's really bad. You never see the sun. Honest. It's terrible... really bad. Rain Rain Rain. Really you should stay away, you wouldn't like it here, it rains all the time. (Just don't check annual rain fall amounts... we need to keep this rain myth going.)

[Heather Vale]

Originally Posted by Jason Hodgins

Now there is a woman who knows the city. ROFL.

It was exactly Gerard & Dundas St. W not exactly the high life. I was really young so that didn't help either.

When I mentioned south of there I was thinking near the border more. I worked for a year in Fort Erie/Buffalo and the surrounding area like Niagara and such are just as beautiful but maybe smaller scale.

OTOH, Fort Erie, bless it's little heart has become a hole in my experience--too bad.

--Jay

LOL! Yes, Gerrard and ANYWHERE is not the high life, but still... it's not like there are crimes happening all the time on every corner.

Ah... South and ACROSS the lake. OK, you're right -- the Niagara region really is beautiful, even though Niagara Falls the city is a little cheesy.

cheers
Heather

[Heather Vale]

Originally Posted by daelx

@ Heather

We all know your opinions now. I think you've made your points. I don't know why you keep repeating and responding to people that have a different point of view than you. I'd like to know who made you the authority on this? You don't even live in Canada anymore.

As for rain and Vancouver... just keep promoting the fact that it rains here. That's great. We get enough people moving here from Alberta and Ontario as it is.

Oh yeah, it sure rains here lots... Oh it's really bad. You never see the sun. Honest. It's terrible... really bad. Rain Rain Rain. Really you should stay away, you wouldn't like it here, it rains all the time. (Just don't check annual rain fall amounts... we need to keep this rain myth going.)

Actually, I'm the one saying that there are beautiful and wonderful places ALL OVER Canada... and the point is that the people who are putting out negative opinions about various cities are generally not speaking from experience.

Get it?

As far as Vancouver, I said it was beautiful too. And like I said, nothing wrong with rain.

What makes me an authority is close to 40 years living in the country and traveling all over it... experiencing the beauty and diversity.

Not just sitting in one little spot and condemning the rest of the country.

Also what makes me an authority is the ability to see things from an objective viewpoint, and not cloud every experience with negativity.

So there ya go.

[daelx]

Canadian Weather....

Rain fall amounts... Weather conditions in capital and major cities

[daelx]

@ Heather

I can assure you I've traveled this country from coast to coast. In my previous job I had to visit most parts of Canada on business.

I just don't see the world through rose colored glasses.

Like I said... we know your point of view... Maybe it's time to take a break. I only posted once and then let other have their say. If you scroll this forum you'll see you're responding to everything. It's just crazy.

[Heather Vale]

Originally Posted by daelx

@ Heather

I can assure you I've traveled this country from coast to coast. In my previous job I had to visit most parts of Canada on business.

I just don't see the world through rose colored glasses.

Like I said... we know your point of view... Maybe it's time to take a break. I only posted once and then let other have their say. If you scroll this forum you'll see you're responding to everything. It's just crazy.

Nope, not everything... just people responding to ME (like you) and people who are giving the OP a biased or skewed vision of what Canada is like, contrary to his original question.

And I don't see the world through rose-colored glasses either, as you'll notice, if you've actually read what I wrote.

cheers
Heather

[Jamie Iaconis]

Originally Posted by daelx

@ Heather

We all know your opinions now. I think you've made your points. I don't know why you keep repeating and responding to people that have a different point of view than you. I'd like to know who made you the authority on this? You don't even live in Canada anymore.

As for rain and Vancouver... just keep promoting the fact that it rains here. That's great. We get enough people moving here from Alberta and Ontario as it is.

Oh yeah, it sure rains here lots... Oh it's really bad. You never see the sun. Honest. It's terrible... really bad. Rain Rain Rain. Really you should stay away, you wouldn't like it here, it rains all the time. (Just don't check annual rain fall amounts... we need to keep this rain myth going.)

----------

@ Heather

I can assure you I've traveled this country from coast to coast. In my previous job I had to visit most parts of Canada on business.

I just don't see the world through rose colored glasses.

Like I said... we know your point of view... Maybe it's time to take a break. I only posted once and then let other have their say. If you scroll this forum you'll see you're responding to everything. It's just crazy.

I AGREE... Heather, relax...

Express your opinion and move on!

Jamie

[Heather Vale]

Originally Posted by Jamie Iaconis

I AGREE... Heather, relax...

Express your opinion and move on!

Jamie

LOL... funny how it's the two most negative, opinionated people who can't handle someone shining a little light in their shadows, and pointing out that their viewpoints just might be a little biased, skewed, or unfounded.

This is a DISCUSSION forum, so as long as you direct the discussion back to me, I have every right to reply.

But otherwise, yes, I've had enough of your bashing.

cheers
Heather

[a04cmccl]

Hi there. Yeah there's a reasonable amount of work in Toronto. I know because I was born and raised there. However, if you must move to Canada, nothing beats B.C. or Alberta, in my opinion.

Oh well, I like it here in Michigan.

[a04cmccl]

Originally Posted by Christopher R Everson

Who is attacking toronto?

Toronto, at least to new yorkers, is notorious as being a clean, more-fun version of new york city.

Canadian cities are generally very safe places to be. I watched a documentary on deadly crime rates, and one canadian city had only one murder that year, and it was a guy from the states who crossed over and killed someone.

Just go visit it! I'd recommend toronto and vancouver, both are beautiful. I liked montreal too, but I didn't feel it lived up to the hype.

Disagreeable. Yes Toronto is a little more clean than NYC but it has no spirit whatsoever. I'd rather live in a decent part of New York anyday than have to deal with the people here in Toronto. BTW, the documentary you watched was bowling for columbine and the Canadian city you're referring to is Windsor, bordering the lovely Detroit.

[Ricter]

I am an American citizen, but as I grew up in a military family I was raised all over the world. Then I joined the military and visited more countries. Then I went to university in the U.S., and then lived in Alaska (not in the U.S. ; ) So I've seen quite a few and lived in several countries and feel qualified to say that they all have their high and low points, but Canada is the greatest of them all.

I should confess that I'm hopelessly in love with the Rocky Mountains, "the marrow of the world."


PS: Sadly, Canada is full. Do not move here.

[daelx]

Wow... Heather is just one of those people that just has to have the last word. I've heard about people like this. Thank the Universe I don't know one.

Discussion boards are for people to state their opinion for the benefit of others... If they don't like a place they have every right to state their opinion. Just like you have the right to state yours. But don't keep getting on your high horse and acting like you're the only one that knows anything. That's how you get flamed.

No-one likes a know it all... and that's how you're coming across to everyone. Not just the few of us that have spoken up.

If you're here to learn and help grow your business than I'd suggest you learn to have a thicker skin. Just let things go. It's really not a big deal.

So, I don't like Alberta. So what... Can't I say I don't like Alberta? You bet I can. I will continue to do so... and people can take my opinion and then form their own opinion. We don't need someone annoyingly speaking up and addressing everyone's point of view.

Some responded to me saying they think Alberta is great. Did I respond back to them? Nope... they just stated their opinion. That's the way this is suppose to work.

What you've accomplished here today is to make people not enjoy your company. I for one will now try and avoid dealing with you... because I really don't have time for this. I do keep coming back to this thread, because I like to see what others think. No what one person thinks... what multiple people think. Make your statement and then listen.

[DavidParton]

Originally Posted by Sylvia Rolfe

As for Toronto, we thought about moving there. Hubby went over there for a bit, stayed his first night in a hostile, got attacked and almost killed and now I would never in a million years think of moving there.

Sylvia

I am sure you meant to write "Hostel" and not "hostile". Isn't it interesting how the subconscious mind works?

David

[Mike Hill]

Canadians should tour their own country more... So many negative comments while probably most have just seen Canada from an airplane on their way to Toronto from Vancouver...

I have lived in every province this great country has to offer including the N.W.T. (Now that's cold)...

Anyway, this is a great country and I served "her" for 10 years and really get annoyed when people start criticizing it without justification.

Like the song goes "You don't know what you have until it's gone!" I've traveled the world and can tell you that Canada is much cleaner, much friendlier people (especially Manitoba) and actually has a very smart population.

I think people should show more pride of were they come from instead of taking it for granted.

And hey if you're going to put "her" down at least have the balls to serve "her" first!

Mike Hill

[2bwealthy]

I have lived in Toronto for 33 years and still feel safe here. I have not seen 1 person shot, stabbed, asualted, robbed etc. I have spent of those 33 years in the 2nd worst part of TO as well. Jan to March are cold, April -May is ok , rainy though, June to Sept is nice, oct to nov is cooler, Dec is all over the Map.

[DavidParton]

Yes we are a polarized bunch here in Canada. What do you expect from a country that has 2 national languages?

I am appalled by the remarks by all you so-called "canadians"

In this entire thread I have not found a single reference to hockey.

SHAME ON YOU!

As for the question at hand...

Anybody remember what that is? oh,yeah

Is Canada A Good Place To Work?

I know there is a lot of work in Alberta.
Here in Vancouver we have been suffering from a labour shortage. Every store has a help wanted sign in the window. Tradesmen paint "We're Hiring" on there vehicles.

You see, the Winter Olympics of 2010 will be held here. There is a dizzying amount of construction involved in the preparation and it has been a blackhole greedily sucking up a large portion of the available workforce.

Plenty of work here. The taxes do suck compared to the US and the cost of living is very high. But who cares? You're An Internet Marketer! All you need is a laptop, a little wi-fi , a cushy chair and a $9 latte and you can make Starbuck's your head office as you make your Internet millions.

I guess in T.O it would be a "double-double"

David