Why Canada? - Benefits and all

Many have already asked me this question and my reply then was because Canada is family-friendly. We have only settled here for almost six months and my reply is still the same only that I discovered a lot more - more benefits. This post is for Issa and Nol and others who are waiting for their immigration approval. As early as now, I'd like to tell you - "Congratulations, you made the right choice." This is also for those who are contemplating on migrating to Canada. A summary of benefits (posts on other benefits to follow) and their links are listed below which I hope you will find helpful:

For your children and your family:
1. Healthcare - Canada's national health insurance program covers the cost of necessary hospital and doctor services. Free vaccines too, a relief from costly vaccines in the Philippines.

2. Education - Every Canadian community has free public school for all children from kindergarten (at age 4) up to the high school level. The elective courses that students take in high school are pre-requisites of the programs that they can get into or take at College or University. Some of these courses are already sufficient to get them to work if they don't pursue college education. Free textbooks, and some school supplies, free school bus. My son Aloysius availed the morning snack program - a healthy meal everyday comprising of a fruit or veggie and a dairy for only $5 each term which is practically free for me.

3. CCTB (Canada Child Tax Benefit) - This is the monthly "allowance" that each family gets from the Government to support them in raising children under 18. This is based on the family income submitted with the application.

4. OCB (Ontario Child Benefit) - This is applicable only to those residing in the province of Ontario. This is a tax-free monthly payment given to qualifying families with children under the age of 18. The Ontario Child Benefit is an initiative which is fully funded by the Province of Ontario. Benefits are combined with the CCTB.

5. UCCB (Universal Child Care Benefit) - This benefit will provide you with $100 each month for each of your children under the age of six. This financial benefit is part of Canada's Universal Child Care Plan - a plan that is also supporting the creation of child care spaces in communities across Canada.

6. Child Care Fee Subsidy - helps families with the cost of child care or day care. Fee subsidy is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The link here is only applicable to those living in Toronto.

7. RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan) - You can save money for your children's future education in RESP. The federal government will match some of the money you save each year.

8. CESG (Canada Education Savings Grant) - If you save money for your child's college education in a RESP, you can receive help from CESG. For any amount you save up to $500, the Government of Canada will provide 20%, 30%, 40% depending on your family income. Those who are able to save more than $500 a year, the Government will match the extra savings with 20% on the amount over $500.

9. CLB (Canada Learning Bond) - If you open an RESP and if your family income is below $37,885 (the criteria/income amount for year 2008, it varies every year) and your child was born after December 31, 2003, then your child maybe eligible for a $500 Canada Learning Bond that the Government will put into the child's RESP. The other condition is that you qualify for the National Child Benefit Supplement. If the child qualifies for the $500 CLB, then the Government will also add $100 a year up to 15 years. That means you could receive up to $2,000 from the Canada Learning Bond.

For yourself:
1. Employee Insurance (EI) - you are deducted a certain amount in your salary that goes to Employee Insurance that you can avail in case you lost your job or while in maternity leave (which is 1 year). The premiums are sufficient for your needs until you find another job.

2. RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) - You can open a RRSP at any financial institution to save for retirement. Money invested in an RRSP is tax deductible and grows tax-free. At age 71, you must convert the RRSP into a RRIF (Registered Retirement Income Fund)

3. Retirement - there are a lot of benefits here.

4. Employment Equity - Canada has laws to ensure that each person has an equal opportunity for employment. An employer cannot discriminate against a person because of his or her race, colour, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

Of course, all these will be coming from the taxes that you will be paying and incorporated in the goods and services that you are acquiring i.e. GST, HST etc. At least, you know where they are going - back into your pockets and not into the thieves' pockets, right?

Welcome Party

We arrived earlier than the schedule and I was amazed that the sun is still setting by the time our plane landed. It was already 8:21 pm to be exact. We spent an hour at the Immigration and Customs (the Customs Officer didn't bother with our things, maybe overwhelmed at our 9 luggages/boxes, they just checked on the Formula Milk we brought, I should have known and brought all our pirated DVDs hahaha), our welcome party was already waiting for us at the airport and they were not only one but 4 vehicles. Ani and Jeri came a little late but we were not able to ride in their car anymore, but thanks for the effort Ani. We were caught in traffic at Highway 401 and arrived less than an hour in our apartment. Gina and Randy Ladson and friends prepared dinner for us and I was glad to see the banner they made and posted in our living room - Welcome to your Toronto Home. Slept around 2:00 am. Happy to be home at last.

Getting Ready to Go, Parties and all

I have mixed emotions now. I was happy to see friends and relatives during the Despedida parties thrown for us last Sunday. The Castillos treated us to a hearty lunch at North Park in ATC then in the afternoon and dinner, my mom and dad rented a videoke and some relatives went to sing and drink with us. We had fun! As they leave, my heart slowly skipped a beat knowing that it will be years to see them again. When we left Munti the next morning, I can't talk to my mom and dad straight-faced because I know anytime tears would fall. I just gave them a hug before leaving and when I went inside the car I can't control the tears falling on my face. I said please don't see us at the airport so it would not be too hard to leave. As I am writing this on the day before we fly, I am crying buckets. I just wanted to sing..."All my bags are packed and ready to go" (BTW, we have 9 boxes all in all and 4 hand luggages) "Just kiss me and smile for me, tell me that you'll wait for me, hoping that you'll never let me go"....."cause (Tomorrow) I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again, Oh babe, I hate to go"

I'm not sure if I'll have time to update this blog regularly because I will spend more time doing home chores and attending to the kids so I guess I'll be offline here, in my plurk, FB and other social networks...See you online when I'm online :)

The long wait is over, it's finally here!

First, I was too excited for our HK trip but I told myself not to disclose anything here until I get hold of our tickets. I learned my lesson from last year and I didn't want to ruin anything again. Now, it's a reality, I just got the tickets today so we're HK bound na. Thanks to Philippine Airlines Great Miles Getaway promo, I was able to avail 3 MNL to HKG tickets free (well, almost) for the kids and myself. As the song goes, "I'm so excited and I just can't hide it.." The kids are excited too and they can't wait to go to Disneyland.

While in the midst of thinking of our itinerary and planning for the EMS ISO 14001 Project, I got a SMS from Wendy telling me that the visa package arrived. I was speechless for a while until it dawned on me that this is it, our most awaited decision/outcome has finally arrived. I'm so happy, God is really good. When it rains, it pours and I was not that faithful but He is to me and my family. I have so much to be thankful for.

Now, I need to do a lot of things, I don't know where to start. Maybe for now I'll try to keep the smile on my face because it feels good. :)

Immigration Forums

When we were approved for sponsorship, I've joined a discussion forum to share concerns with others also waiting for their visa. Everyday, after checking on E-CAS, I regularly check the forum to help me ease t he waiting dilemna. Today, I found out that I can send an email for inquiries not found in the Canada Immigration Center -> manil.immigration@international.gc.ca but they usually take 1 week and half to reply.

After I sent my inquiry on taking the medical examination again because ours has expired last August, I received an SMS telling me that a letter from the embassy arrived - the advise to take the medical. That was quick, WHEW!

Dream on

The kids are wildly cheering after they saw their Daddy at the airport. We then rode the new SUV that Lito drove to fetch us. I saw the beauty of Spring in the streets on our way to our new home in our land of new beginnings. As we approach our new house and heard the door opens, it was not the door of the house but the door of our room here in Pinas, I was dreaming again...

I can't say how frustrated I am now but I am patiently waiting for our visa. It's been 6 months since I last heard from the embassy and the website says, the processing time takes about 6 months. My life here is on hold until I get hold of my passport with the approved Canadian visa (Permanent Resident).

I just wish I can still dream while waiting.

E-CAS Status

Every Tuesday is the schedule of update in the E-Cas or Electronic Client Application Status feature of the Canadian Immigration Center - Manila website. But after the threatened pre-term labor I experienced caused by the stress and anxiety in waiting for the visa, I ceased checking on E-CAS. I'll only learn who among my batchmates got their visas thru the forum I've joined for the immigration questions and how-tos. Today, I found out that 2 of my batchmates have been granted their visa and 2 others whose processing started weeks after mine, also got their visa. I tried checking on E-cas but it still says "In Process". Haay.

Looks like it'll be after I give birth and submit my baby's papers until I get to hear from them. I've been looking forward to the day I'll get pur passports back with the visa stamped on it but as the days passed, my excitement fades. Oh well, let it be. I'll wait patiently. Our time will come.