Is Canada A Good Place To Work.

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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.
#main internet marketing discussion forum #canada #good #place #work
  • 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
    • [1] reply
    • 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...
      • [2] replies
  • 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
    • [1] reply
    • 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
      • [1] reply
  • 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
    • [1] reply
    • 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.
      • [1] reply
  • Most of my canadian friends came to the states to make more money, both job-pay wise, and tax wise.
    • [1] reply
    • Yeah, most of my American friends came to Canada for everything else.
  • 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.
    • [2] replies
    • 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

    • 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.
      • [1] reply
  • Canadian Weather....

    Rain fall amounts... Weather conditions in capital and major cities
  • @ 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.
    • [1] reply
    • 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
  • 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
    • [1] reply
    • Now this is an unintentional rubberneck thread for me...I keep on coming back. :rolleyes:

      Anyway, I had to reply here to this one.

      I totally agree with you and share your pride as I served for a short time (3 years) myself.

      I didn't know that about you Mike, but congrats on doing our country proud for as long as you did. I would have also, but was in the most injury prone trade, hence my short tenure.

      So I just wanted to thank you for posting this viewpoint, hopefully it stalls the HUGE & sometimes negative sidetrack this thread seemed to take.

      Peace,

      --Jason
      • [3] replies
  • 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.
    • [1] reply
    • As a very well traveled American (6 continents and somewhere around 50 countries) who has met several other affluent travelers, when the topic of Canada comes up, Vancouver and Toronto are definitely the winners in places to go and see.

      As a west coast guy, I think I would prefer Vancouver to Toronto.

      From a global perspective to my friends in the UK and Europe, they always bring up how they would love to go to Whistler.

      Having said that, I really enjoyed Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax. I have friends that live in both and got the "local canadian tour" from each of them, which was great (and yes, I've heard the Quebec spats from Canadian friends!).

      I have to ask you though, aren't there better alternatives than Tim Horton's? I remember several other coffee ships (especially in Montreal) that blew Tim Horton's out of the water.
  • I really love Toronto it's a beautiful city! BUT I love my city more ...

    ...but seriously man in every "big" city there's a good amount of people in every single market... so I don't think your going to have a problem there. Good luck and all the best!


    Regards,

    -Alex Kaplo
  • I grew up in Vancouver. Of course I'm biased, but it's an amazing city, especially in the months of July, August and September. I've lived in Toronto for 6 years. Of course there are amazing areas including Rosedale, Yorkville and Forest Hills to name a few. Just stay away from areas like Jane and Finch and Regent Park.

    Right now I'm in Halifax after driving from Toronto. I stopped in Quebec City and had a blast. Although most people didn't speak English, when I was at a bar, I just pointed to the bottle of Stella and they knew what I wanted! Kind of like "caveman" talk. Ugh! Beer! Uh...

    People were great everywhere. Even in Manhattan NY where I lived for over six months. I think my point is that no matter where you go -- there you are! I'm kind of kidding. But you can either fear something and expect something because you maybe had pre-conceived ideas or you can just go and have a great time. It's up to you.

    By the way, I use to live in Ashland OR for a year and a half.
  • Since I'm pushing 60 years old and was born and raised in downtown Toronto, I suppose I should say something. Until I read some of the other posts, I never realized Torontonians considered themselves anything special. Sure we love our city, but so do people in many cities in the world.

    As for crime here, it all depends on your perspective. When my sister-in-law from North Bay (4 hours north of Toronto) comes to visit - she is afraid to walk outside in the dark in case she gets mugged. When I go to visit her, I'm afraid to walk outside in the dark in case I meet up with a bear. Personally, I'd take a mugger over a bear any day.

    Whether to live downtown or not, it partly depends on your age. When I was young I loved downtown - the activity, the people, the noise. Now I'm older I prefer the suburbs because of the lack of those very things.

    As for jobs, they exist, but may take some time to get a good one. Especially if you are a professional and want to get into your field. If you work for yourself though, it doesn't really matter.

    The change in culture is the hardest for many people. Philipino friends of mine were surprised by the fast pace of life here. In fact, when I was working downtown, I had to travel by subway and was in a leg cast for a few months. I was terrified that the masses of people running down the escalator to get from one subway train to another would end up knocking me over and trampling me.

    The only thing I have never been able to get used to in downtown Toronto is the homeless people on so many of the street corners. It broke my heart to pass them every day, although that cast hardened me up a bit. I started thinking "if I can go to work with this cast on my leg, maybe you could try to get a job". Although I know from working with some of them, that many have mental problems that prevent their getting work.

    Bottom line: Canada is a good place to live and to work, but sometimes it's best to spend some time here first before you make a final decision. Otherwise, cutting all your ties and moving here might be something you later regret.
  • Toronto rules.

    I convinced Andrew Hansen to move here.

    Now he rules.

    And tons of job opps and shit here.




  • It is cold, im an hour and half from Toronto and only commute from my bedroom to my downstairs office, which im glad. But i used to have to go out in the snow.. to get to work

    highly recommend good snow tires

    Canada is a great place to live.. but damn the winters are cold here in ontario
    • [1] reply
    • Wow! Talk about opening a can of worms!

      Canada is a great country.

      This is the perfect place to be, if you can stand the winters. I can't.

      Thanks,
      Cathy
      • [1] reply
  • I've always wanted to live in Vancouver where the weather is a lot milder.
  • Hey there,

    As many other Canadians here, I had to post in this thread

    I'm from Quebec City, Canada and if you're looking to get a job here, I don't think it's going to be really hard. As an english speaking person, it might be easier for you to acclimate yourself in Montreal then you definitely should learn a little bit of french and then come over to Quebec City There is a real need for IT workers everywhere in the province.

    However, I visited a lot of canadiens cities, Toronto is a great place as Ottawa is. My friends went to work in Alberta and BC and they really enjoyed it.

    Be ready to enjoy Hockey (the only team you should look at is the MTL Canadiens ), cold weather during the winter and great (to me ) weather during the summer. If you have any questions, don't hesitate!
  • Hey,

    Who cares about Toronto (I live a few miles north), just check out all the
    awesome Warriors posting on this thread either Canadian or ex-patriots.

    This is the biggest country in the world with only 35 million people living
    here... you want space man... Canada's the place...

    I was born on Vancouver Island, have lived all over the world and all over
    this country too and I agree with Chris Rempel (surfrider) if you think its
    cold here, you've got to visit Portage and Main in Downtown Winnipeg in
    mid-January to give yourself a check up from the neck up.

    Travelled extensively in Malaysia too...

    Lets see. How should I compare the two... you can't... there the exact
    same... dam beautiful people everywhere...

    Get your but over here now... we could use another warm-blooded body
    to generate some heat in this place...

    PM some of the Warriors on this thread and we'll hook up for drinks when you
    get here or as I'm sure you'll find out we are all daily addicts to the Tim
    Horton's coffee house.

    See you soon,

    Cheers,

    Rob
  • I was born and raised in Toronto and moved outside of it when I became a parent and wanted a quiet place to raise my kids. I've lived in nice areas and lived in rough parts of town as well. Should you move to T.O? It all depends on what kind of lifestyle you want. I love visiting a few times a year for shopping, restaurants, reminiscing and culture but love the country life 360 days of the year where it's friendly and quiet and just outside a small town 2 hours away where our backyard is a pretty lake. Toronto has a higher cost of living than many other Canadian cities but it does have lots of opportunity. As an internet marketer it's great that you can work from anywhere. We have winter but other than 3-4 months of brittle cold each year we have it pretty good up here.



    Good luck
    • [1] reply
    • May be you have alrady replied, but I dont understand why you would move to T.O to do internet marketing.

      If I was living in a different country I could afford to quit work TODAY and live off the net revenue, in Canada it's a different story, I still have to work fulltime.

      Toronto is a nice city though, Montreal's weather is pretty harsh, may be I'll move to Malaysia =)
      • [1] reply
  • Where are you moving from?

    Toronto is fairly cold in the winter, decent/warm in the summer. Its very 'metropolitan', so you can pretty much do whatever you want whenever. Yonge Street is downtown, downtown is nice, right by the main subway station. The TTC (transit system) is pretty good if you want that, traffic gets pretty busy. What else do you want to know?
  • I agree with everyone in here who has said;

    - toronto can be cold for many months of the year
    - you can do IM from anywhere really
    - you don't need to move there for any other reason that your own desire to be there

    However broadening your horizons and living in different parts of the world can be the best thing you can do for yourself and your business as you get an even greater understanding into your potential audience and customers. Thus better understand their needs so you can provide a better service.
  • I live in the Niagara Penninsula where I have the many opportunities. I live in the country and have deer in my backyard but I am within 15 minutes of a city of 75,000 people. I can be in downtown Toronto in and hour and a half. Or I can visit the United States in a few minutes.
    That is what is best about most of Canada, the wide range of experiences available -cultural, ethnic, entertainment. Or if you prefer peace and quiet that is easily arranged too.

    Cathy
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