Help for Newcomers to get Credentials Recognized

Newcomers to Canada will soon have better access to essential information about how to have their credentials recognized, thanks to support from the Government of Canada. Mr. Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament for Burlington, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced funding for new projects that will help foreign-trained professionals find the information they need to succeed in their chosen career. "Our long-term economic success as a country depends on allowing all Canadians and all newcomers to Canada to reach their full working potential," said Mr. Wallace. "With these projects, our government is helping to ensure that newcomers have the information they need to get their credentials recognized in Canada." By contributing $655,372 to the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education (CFEE) under the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, the Government of Canada is providing foreign-trained practical nurses, medical radiation technologists, pharmacists and teachers with the information they need to get their credentials recognized in Canada. The organization will receive an additional $508,733 to update and expand the distribution of its Newcomers to Canada DayPlanner.

Interview Questions... Clues

This is an article on typical Canadian Job Interview questions and think about how you would answer them. Read the questions listed, followed by some clue/strategy/suggestions to deal with it.

1. Tell me about yourself?

The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to work-related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for. Start with the item farthest back and work up to the present.

2. Why did you leave your last job?

Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a majorproblem with management and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers or the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special or other forward-looking reasons.

Finding a Family Doctor

By Marilyn Campbell, About.com

Finding a good family doctor can be one of the biggest task, a newcomer might encounter. According to Statistics Canada nearly 10% of Ontarians didn't have a family doctor in 2007, either because they hadn't looked or couldn't find one. Based on the rest of the 2007 Community Health Survey, we're not as bad off as some of Canada, but if you're one of the 559,000 Ontario residents who wanted a doctor but couldn't find one, better-than-average numbers are no comfort. Whether you've moved, your doctor is retiring or you've just never had a long-term physician, the time to start looking for a family doctor is before you need one. Here are some doctor search techniques to get you started:

Decide What's Most Important to You: Before you even begin your search, take the time to think about what you're really looking for in a family physician. Does the doctor's gender matter to you? Is it important they be close to transit, or have parking near the door? Or are you just looking for the doctor who most closely matches your personal health care philosophy, no matter who or where they are? Which raises the question - do you know what your personal health care philosophy is?

Finding temporary work in the GTA

By Marilyn Campbell, About.com

The moment you land in this country or even before that, most of your thoughts might be revolving around finding a job at the earliest. Finding a temp job is a first step in this regard. Many Canadians look at temp work as the additional-income. But temporary employment can also help bridge the gap while you're job hunting, not only by providing income but also by keeping your skills and experience up-to-date. In addition, many Toronto temp agencies provide in-house training on things like computer programs and workplace safety, which can make you more employable overall. For those looking for a career change, short-term contract work will allow you to try out new jobs while you build new skills and gain experience. If you're one of those people who is easily bored and simply likes to change jobs often, having an employment agency looking for your next contract can save you valuable time in-between gigs. Finally of course, there is the opportunity for anyone to pick up extra income by working during their off-hours. So if you're job hunting, changing careers, or just want some extra cash, here are some of the temp agencies in Toronto that can help you reach your goals. Please click on the agency name to go to their respective websites.

Canada's recession to last until Q3 2009

Source: Reuters Canada (reporting by Louise Egan, editing by Jeffrey Hodgson)

Canada's economy will stay in a recession for three quarters and contract 0.5 percent annually in 2009 with the jobless rate peaking at 8.1 percent, the Conference Board of Canada forecast in a report on Wednesday (Jan 14, 2009). Canadian export volumes have been losing steam since late 2007 as the global economy slowed. But until recently the Canadian economy was shielded from the slowdown by high commodity prices. "What is new - and perhaps more devastating - is the impact that lower commodity prices will have on real income in Canada, especially when combined with the effect of waning consumer and investor confidence," the research group said in its outlook for the Canadian economy.