Question: What is important to know before I arrive in Vancouver?

Answer: It is important to know that you are coming to a new country that has similarities and some differences from your country. Complete internet research to familiarize yourself with Vancouver and have enough money to live on for one month. If you have questions please ask us before leaving your country. The reimbursement of relocation expenses will take at least one month to process.

Question: What does Vancouver look like?

Answer: Vancouver is one of the most beautiful places to live in the world. The City of Vancouver is multi-cultural with a population of approximately 554,000 people. The following link provides some great photos of Metro Vancouver: http://www.daemery.com/Additional/vancouver.htm

Question:What is the weather like in Vancouver?

Answer: The average temperature in summer (Mid June to Mid September) is about 28 degrees, with the Spring and Fall averaging in the mid teens. The temperature in Vancouver rarely goes below zero with minimal snowfall 2 to 3 times per year.

Question:Is there a relocation company I can use?

Answer: The relocation company used by Providence Health Care (PHC) is VancouverSider. It will provide you with a number of useful services for a nominal fee. This fee can be claimed as part of your relocation expenses. Services include: pick up at the airport; taking you to set up a bank account and your Social Insurance Number; finding temporary accommodation for the first month; providing a brief tour of the city and general information. Applicants are free to use relocation companies of their choice.

Question: How do I find rental accommodation in Vancouver?

Answer: PHC does not maintain its own employee residence. Housing and apartment rentals are advertised either online or in the classified ads of local newspapers. There are rental agencies that handle the administration of rental properteries. Please click here for a list of rental accommodations.

Question:How much does it cost to rent an apartment?

Answer: A 1000 square feet (93 square meters) two bedroom apartment in a desirable location about 20 minutes from PHC rents for approximately $1,300.00 Canadian/month. A 700 square feet (62 square meters) two bedroom basement suite in Burnaby (a suburb of Vancouver about 25 minutes drive from PHC) rents for about $900/month. There is a one-year contract when renting an apartment and occupancy starts at either the 1st or 15th of the month.

Question: Where should I live in Vancouver?

Answer: Kitsilano, Yaletown and the West End of Vancouver are vibrant areas close to PHC sites. Nearby suburbs are North Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and Richmond while suburbs a little further afield within commuting distance include Coquitlam, Surrey, Maple Ridge, Abbotsford, Mission and Chilliwack.

Question:What is the transit system like in Vancouver?

Answer: For bus information please visit the Translink website at www.translink.bc.ca.

Question:Where can I find information on daycare?

Answer: This information can be found at http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/qf_wac/qfext.exe/category?TopID=25

Question: What can you tell me about schooling for my children?

Answer: As long as your work permit is valid for more than 1 year, your children will be able to attend elementary (5yrs to 12yrs old) or secondary (13yrs to 17 yrs old) school without paying international fees. In British Columbia 95% of schools are in the public (non-fee) system. The school year starts the first week of September and runs until mid June.

Question: Where can I open a bank account in Canada?

Answer: It is a good idea to open a bank account in Canada prior to your arrival. Examples of financial institutions are the Royal Bank, CIBC, Toronto Dominion or HSBC.

Question: What do I need to know about car insurance and a driver's licence?

Answer: For information on car insurance and getting a driver's licence, please visit www.icbc.com. You will need to get a BC driver's licence after either 3 or 6 months if you plan to drive in BC. The best tip to save money on car insurance is to have a record from your insurance company prior to departing stating your driving record/claims history. If you have changed insurance companies in the past 9 years, you will need proof of a clean record for all 9 years to get the maximum discount.

Question: What can you tell me about tax in Canada?

Answer: Tax rates work out to about to approximately one third of your pay. At the end of every year (our tax year is January to December) each individual must file a tax return which is due on or before April 30th of the following year. For more detailed information on taxes in Canada, go to Revenue Canada's website where you will find a section specific to new arrivals to Canada.

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nnrsdnts/ndvdls/menu-eng.html

Question: How long is my contract?

Answer: Although your work permit may be issued for a set period of time, the job you are hired into is there until you are approved for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The average work permit is 3 years.