Free English classes for your kids

You have just arrived and you are wondering what to do for your kids in the summer?
Toronto public libraries are offering ESL classes, in fun way.

check it out

Note: Sorry for the quality of the pic. I had water poured on the paper :(

Finding a job in Toronto ( or ontario)

You heard about it : " But you don't have Canadian experience or education".

This is the first sentence you hear when you apply for a job. Yes, you may have years of experience abroad, and you may be the best physician or pharmacist, but " no canadian experience".
It is frustrating, depressing, humiliating... you name it.

But, there is always a bright side.
Ontario has " Career bridge" programs. These are paid internship in companies for international professionals ( Note: Even if you were the MD or head of a function outside Canada, it is better for you to do this to find a job).

All you need to do is to get your degrees attested ( it can be done at UoT), and then apply https://www.careeredge.ca/en/home

Good luck.

Free ESL classes for children this summer

As newcomer, you will find a lot of English classes for children and adults in town.
I have just get this ad about Free Summer ESL Program for Children- in Toronto public libraries

❙ A free four-week program running from July 3–31, 2012
❙ For newcomer children aged 7 to 10
❙ Taught by professional, qualified ESL teachers
❙ Get help with reading and writing
❙ Learn to use the library


for registration and locations, pls check :
http://www.tcdsb.org/Board/BoardAdministration/eBulletin/Documents/2011-2012/May%2021%2C%202012/Event%20Notices/English%20Can%20Be%20Fun_2012.pdf

Start your own company-- this summer

Canada encourages its citizens ( and new immigrants) to do any entrepreneurship jobs.

for young people (15-29 years old), you can turn any business idea into a real business with support up to 3000$ from the government.
You can find more information at Ontario Summer company 2012 program .

It's not always too bad to be laid off

Laid off.. don't be pessimistic. It is not too bad to be laid off in Ontario. The government may help you get training to improve your skills, or to have a second career.

You may qualify for up to $28 000, or more in some cases, to pay for tuition and expenses such as:

• Books
• Living expenses
• Help caring for dependents
• Travel & Transportation
• Disability supports
• Other living and training costs

Check this http://www.secondcareerontario.com/web/second_career/

So keep smiling. It is not too bad to be laid off :)

Free seminars for business and personal finance

Whether you want to establish your own business, or know more details about taxation, or retirement plans or others..., there are many places in Toronto that offer free seminars and workshops.
you can check:
- Toronto Public library http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/programs-and-classes/categories/business-legal-finance.jsp
- Enterprise Toronto: http://www.enterprisetoronto.com/

Sshhhhh... Found a little secret to save money

Warehouse sales, Clearance, closing outs, ... All categories, including top brands... You find it all at my newest discovered website: www.shoestringshopping.com Happy savings

Learn basic computer skills- For Free

You ( or know someone ) want to learn basic computer skills, such as mouse and keyboarding, emails, internet, Word... You can do so by booking an hour one-on-one session at Toronto Public libraries, for FREE.
Other topics covered include using the library catalogue, eBooks, eAudiobooks, and other eResources.

Thanks to a friend called Hanaa Gadelrab for sending this info.

School rankings

A question from a friend  triggered me to write about this important topic.
When you arrive to Canada, you start thinking where to live and how to choose the place and so on. Possibilities are endless. For me, I wanted to be next to the best school ( not only academic, but also environment and culture wise). You can check the school rankings via 2 methods:
- Fraser Institute, which offers ranking for most ( not all) schools . It also offers information about most schools socio-educational information ( annual average income of parents, % born in canada, % of non english speaking, parents' education...). These are good indicators about the area you are living in, and the school.
- EQAO , which is the official Ontario results. It has information about all Ontario schools. It compares each school results, to TDSB and Ontario results. It also offers some social info, like first language at home, years being in canada and so on.

Check both, compare results, visit the schools, and then choose your place within the boundaries of the school. That's what we did.

Do it yourself workshops

The first week I moved to my condo, I had an issue with the oven, which I was unable to fix. A technician arrived, and in less than 5 minutes, he repaired it. " I will take an introductory charge only.... 55 CAD"!!!!
Labor is very expensive here. I read about special offers to paint a room at 150!! ( thats a special offer).

The good news is that you can learn it and do it yourself.
Home Depot for example, offers free do it yourself workshops.
Go , spend some time, learn and save money. That's how you should live here.

Weather channel.. your most viewed one

I have lived in fairly stable weather areas, where spring means spring, and summer means summer and so on. We used to check the weather once at night
In Toronto, weather channel becomes your most viewed one. you need to keep checking it every time you decide to go out. Expect the unexpected: It can be sunny in the morning, and in less than an hour, it can be cloudy with thunderstorms and heavy rain and wind.

Weather keeps changing, and you need to keep monitoring.

Furniture- Go to warehouses

When new comers arrive to Toronto, most probably they will go and visit big furniture shops and get their essentials from there. I personally did so: I visited IKEA and got most of my stuff there, but was looking for a "better looking and better quality" bedroom. I visited most furniture shops. I really liked one on youge street that has a full set Queen size bed+mattress+side table, for 2100 CAD. I was a bit hesitant, so decided to ask further. Until one lady guided me to warehouse area, where you get all what you need at min price, because they are not in boutiques, nor do they pay marketing and decoration and so on expenses. and most of these warehouses are themselves the suppliers of big shops. I ended up getting the same bedroom set at 900CAD.

Next time you need to buy furniture, check the warehouses first.