Settlement.org logo

Register
Lost password
 

Moderator

all messages by user

12/14/2016
Topic:
How Can I Get Canadian Citizenship?

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

You can find some information on what the steps are to get Canadian Citizenship in our Settlement.Org How do I apply for Canadian Citizenship? article.

If you are not yet a permanent resident, you can find some information on what the options are in terms of becoming a Permanent Resident in our Settlement.Org How can I apply to immigrate to Ontario? article.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.
=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
12/16/2016
Topic:
What are my Rights as a Tenant?

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.


Thanks for sharing your question and situation with us.

We can appreciate that you would be concerned about this situation.

In terms of the situation you have described, it is best that you contact the nearest Community Legal Clinic to see what your rights are in this specific situation.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
12/20/2016
Topic:
Heating Regulation in Common Hallways

Moderator
Moderator
Hello Chris,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

We can appreciate that you would be concerned about this.

According to the City of Toronto website in the Bylaw Enforcement section,

The Heating By-law is not applicable to common areas (hallways, stairwells, building entrances, etc). The By-law only applies to the dwelling unit. If there is heating equipment in common areas, so long as the equipment is in good working order (Property Standards By-law requirement), there is no minimum temperature that applies to these areas.


Your User ID indicates that you are in Waterloo. Unfortunately, the City of Waterloo website in the Property Standards section does not state anything related to heating in the common areas. Instead it simply states,

You may want to contact the nearest Community Legal Clinic for some information specific to your situation.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
12/20/2016
Topic:
PR card for spouse?

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

We can appreciate that you would be interested in this type of information.

You can find some information regarding sponsoring your spouse in our Settlement.Org How do I sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent child living outside of Canada? article.

In terms of how long it will take, you can find some detailed information on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website in the How long will it take to process my spousal sponsorship application? section.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
12/20/2016
Topic:
Would like to work as an Engineer

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

It is great that you are looking into this type of information ahead of time.

We can appreciate that you would be interested in this type of information.

As you may already know, some jobs, like engineers, are regulated in Ontario. This means you need a licence. It can take some time to get a licence. You can find some detailed information on the process on the Ontario Immigration - Working in Ontario website in the Engineering section.

Many suggest that you might want to try a position in a non-regulated job in your field first. Just like you mentioned, it can be a good way to use your related skills and also, at the same time, get work experience in the field in Canada.

You can find some information on working in your profession on the Ontario Immigration - Working in Ontario website in the Engineering section.

On this Ontario Immigration - Working in Ontario , you can find more information in the Career Map: Engineer section about every step ofthe registration process, including language requirements, industry trends, labour market conditions, the credential assessment process, licensing fees and other important information.

You can also find some other information in our Settlement.Org Alternative Jobs section under Engineer.

In terms of internship and bridging programs available, you can find some details on the Ontario Immigration - Working in Ontario website.

As you know, unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you will find employment in the engineering field upon arrival in Ontario or as soon as you receive your permanent residence.

However, you may want to connect with the nearest employment service that works with foreign trained professionals including engineers. You can find some helpful information in these Settlement.Org What are bridging programs for internationally-trained professionals and tradespeople? and Where can I find job skills training programs? articles.

You may also want to contact some agencies that provide programs specific to engineering before you arrive. Many of them have information and referral specialists or employment counsellors you can speak to.

You can find some listings of settlement agencies in our Services Near Me section.

To find some information related to salaries and cities where there are positions available in your field, you can find some information on the Job Bank website. This website used to be called the Working in Canada website.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
12/20/2016
Topic:
Applying for Citizenship/Old Misrepresentation

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

We can appreciate that you would be concerned about this situation.

Unfortunately, since we do not have all of the details and information regarding your situation, it is not possible for us to provide a definitive response.

We suggest that it is best that you contact the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Call Centre for some information. You can contact them here:

1-888-242-2100 (In Canada Only)

You do not have to provide any identifying information in order to as a general question.

You may also want to contact a Lawyer who is familiar with Canadian Immigration Issues for some additional information.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
12/20/2016
Topic:
Quebec Investor - Landing in Toronto - Possible?

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

As you may know, regarding the Quebec Investor Program, the Immigration, Diversite et inclusion website states that you,

Intend to settle in Québec and sign an agreement to invest $800,000 CAN with a financial intermediary (broker or trust company) authorized to participate in the Investor Program.



Therefore, it is likely that you have signed an agreement that you intend to invest and settle in Quebec. If this is the case, there may be consequences to not fulfilling this commitment.

You may want to contact the program directly to ask some general questions and for some explanation/clarification/confirmation regarding what you have signed.

We suggest that you may want to contact a Lawyer who is familiar with this type of immigration application process.


I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
12/20/2016
Topic:
PR card renewal

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

We can appreciate that you would be interested in this type of information.

If your PR card is currently expired and you would like to return to Canada, You can find some information on the IRCC website in the I am outside of Canada and do not have a PR card. How can I return to Canada? section.

Here is an excerpt,

I am outside of Canada and do not have a PR card. How can I return to Canada?

Canada’s entry requirements are changing

Permanent residents (PR) of Canada must carry and present their valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada, or travelling to Canada on any other commercial carrier. If you do not carry your PR card or PRTD, you may not be able to board your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your PR card is still valid when you return from travel outside Canada, and to apply for a new PR card when your current card expires.

Returning by private vehicle

There are other documents you can use to enter the country.

When you return to Canada, apply for a PR card if you plan to travel outside Canada again.

Some examples of private vehicles include, but are not limited to: a car, truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle that you own, borrow, or rent, and that is not available for public use.

Returning by commercial vehicle: airplane, bus, train, or boat

You must apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD), valid for one entry. Otherwise you may not be able to travel to Canada.

You can apply to replace your PR card when you return to Canada.

As you may already know, in order to maintain your permanent residency, you must meet certain residency obligations to maintain your status as a permanent resident.

To meet these residency obligations, you must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) in every 5-year period.

This means that you can spend a total of up to 3 years outside of Canada during a 5-year period.

So, although it is possible to stay up to 3 years outside of Canada, if you leave Canada for an extended period of time, it is up to you to prove to Citizenship and Immigration Canada that you will be able to meet your residency requirements.

Basically what happens is that, each time you enter Canada, Citizenship and Immigration may calculate 5 years back from the date you have entered or re-entered Canada to see if you have fulfilled your residency obligation.

You can find information on the process that is followed when entering Canada in this Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) ENF 23 - Loss of Permanent Resident Status manual.

Here is an excerpt from the manual on what happens at the port of entry here:



"7.8 Examining Permanent Residents at a POE (Port of Entry)

When a permanent resident appears at a POE for examination, the officer must confirm that the person is a permanent resident. Officers must remain cognizant of the fact the Act gives permanent residents of Canada the right to enter Canada at a port of entry once it is established that a person is a Permanent Resident, regardless of non-compliance with the residency obligation in A28 or the presence of other grounds of inadmissability.

Port of entry officers (POE) can refuse entry to a Permanent Resident only when the person has already lost the status in accordance with the provisions of A46 (such as when a final determination has been made that they have failed to comply with the residency obligations or when a removal order comes into force).

In other words, once a permanent resident's status is established, the person may enter Canada by right and the immigration examination under IRPA concludes.

If an officer has concerns that a permanent resident has not complied with the residency obligation of A28, the officer should advise the permanent resident when the examination is concluded that they are authorized to enter Canada; however, the permanent resident may wish to answer additional questions so the officer may determine whether their concerns are well founded or not.

In cases where:
- permanent resident status is established;
- the permanent resident refuses to provide any further information and enters Canada;
and
- the officer believes, on a balance of probabilities that the person is in non-compliance with the residency obligation, officers may report the person, pursuant to A44(1). if there is sufficient evidence to support an inadmissibility allegation. In the absence of sufficient evidence to support the writing of an inadmissibility report, officers may enter any available information into FOSS (date of entry, last country of embarkation, current address in Canada etc.).


It is important to note that in terms of loss of permanent residency, a person does not lose it until a final determination has been made.

According to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) ENF 23 - Loss of Permanent Resident Status manual,


It is important to note that a permanent resident does not lose their status under A46(1)(b) until there is a final determination of the decision made outside Canada that they have failed to comply with the residency obligation under A28.

Permanent residents are not finally determined to have lost their permanent resident status until the right of appeal has been exhausted.


In order to return to Canada, if your PR card has expired, it is likely you will have to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) at the nearest Canadian Visa Office.

Starting this process will also start the process to determine whether or not you have lost your PR status.

It may also be helpful for you to contact a lawyer who is familiar with Canadian immigration issues for some additional information and assistance with your situation.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
12/22/2016
Topic:
Supporting Documents

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your daughter's situation and question with us.

You are right that the Applying for a Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) - First application, replacement, renewal or to change sex designation (IMM 5445) Instruction Guide states,

In exceptional cases, if it is impossible for you to obtain any of the above, you must provide a:

-photocopy of any identity document issued outside Canada before you came to Canada
or
-statutory declaration signed by you attesting to your identity and a statutory declaration also attesting to your identity signed by:

a. a person who knew you before you came to Canada (such as a family member) or
b. an official of an organization representing people from your country of nationality or past residence.


Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to provide you a definitive response regarding whether or not it will be rejected.

It may be best if you contact the Immigration, Refugees an Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Call Centre direclty at:

1-888-242-2100 (In Canada Only)


I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
12/22/2016
Topic:
Bringing Funds to Canada When I Land

Moderator
Moderator
Hello David,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

We can appreciate that you would be interested in this type of information before you arrive.

In terms of who must show proof of funds upon entry, it generally applies to Skilled Immigrants (Express Entry).

The Proof of funds – Skilled immigrants (Express Entry) section of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website states,

Unless you are currently authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada, or you have been invited to apply under the Canadian Experience Class, you must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you get to Canada.


You cannot borrow this money from another person. You must be able to use this money to pay the costs of living for your family (even if they are not coming with you).

You will need to show proof to the Canadian visa office in your home country that you have enough money when you apply to immigrate.



If it is the case that you are being sponsored by your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, then you do not have to show proof of funds at the port of entry.

However, if you would like to bring money into Canada, you can find some important information in our Settlement.Org How do I bring money into Canada (proof of funds)? article.

You can also find some additional information on the Canada Border Services Association (CBSA) website in the Travelling with CAN$10,000 or more section.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.
=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
12/28/2016
Topic:
3 Year Old Child - Residency

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

We can appreciate that you would be interested in this type of information.

In terms of applying for his passport, you can find some information regarding which documents are required to apply for a passport on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website in the How to apply for a child's passport section.

As you may have noticed, one of the required documents is Proof of your child’s Canadian citizenship (long-form birth certificate or citizenship certificate) (original document only). If not you are required to present a Citizenship Certificate.

You mentioned that your child was born outside Canada. If your child does not yet have a Citizenship Certificate, you can find some information on how to apply for a Citizenship Certificate on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

In terms of applying for the Canada Child Benefit, it is best that you contact the Canada Revenue Agency directly because you will require information specific to your situation and information on how to proceed depending on your own status in Canada. You have to be eligible to receive the CCB. One of the requirements is that you are a Canadian resident for tax purposes. This is not the same as residency for immigration purposes.

You will also have to inquire about the "primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child" requirement in the event you are the one primarily responsible and if you are not a Canadian resident for tax purposes.

If you are not a Canadian resident for tax purposes, and due to the fact one of your child's parents is a Canadian Citizen, it is best that you contact them directly in order to find out how to proceed with the application and start receiving the benefits.

Here is the number to call for information on the Child and family benefits:

1-800-387-1193 (Canada and United States)

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.
=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
12/28/2016
Topic:
Sponsoring Family

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your question with us.

You can find some detailed and helpful information in our Settlement.Org Can I sponsor my same-sex spouse, common-law or conjugal partner? article.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.
=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
12/28/2016
Topic:
Receiving ODSP - Can I Sponsor my Spouse?

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

You can find some information on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Website in the Guide 3900 - Sponsorship of a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child living outside Canada guide.

It states,

You may NOT sponsor if you…

[...]-receive social assistance for a reason other than disability,


So as you can see it states that you may not sponsor if you receive social assistance for a reason other than disability.

It may be helpful if you contact the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Call Centre directly to see if they can provide any additional information specific to your situation.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
12/28/2016
Topic:
Receiving ODSP - Can I Sponsor my Spouse?

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

You can find some information on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Website in the Guide 3900 - Sponsorship of a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child living outside Canada guide.

It states,

You may NOT sponsor if you…

[...]-receive social assistance for a reason other than disability,


So as you can see it states that you may not sponsor if you receive social assistance for a reason other than disability.

It may be helpful if you contact the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Call Centre directly to see if they can provide any additional information specific to your situation.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
1/5/2017
Topic:
Child Benefits for Returning Residents

Moderator
Moderator
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

When you return to Canada, you will have to reapply for the Canada Child Benefits the same way as you did previously. You can find some detailed information in our Settlement.Org How do I apply for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)? article.

In terms of OHIP coverage, you should contact your local ServiceOntario centre to confirm what your options are based on your circumstances.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org