Hows Vancouver when compared with Calgary in terms of proportoin of Desi population as well as jobs in general . aDifference in climate is well known -- I wonder if Vancouver is so bright n sunny y isnt it the most sought after place .
Location: Currently - Dar es Salaam
Posted on: 20-09-04 01:34:13
Hi rp_0999,
did u take a three-month insurance or something when you landed inCalgary just to cover the initial risk until you got the health card?
how did you find the job prospects in Calgary?
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Orginally posted by rp_0999
Hi,
I am now in calgary for about 1 month and learning about the city more. I can offer some help to folks who need specific info about calgary.
1) There is no discrimination atall. (not that i saw or felt)
2) It is a prosperous place.
3) I am not 100% sure if the health care is from day 1, since I moved from ontario and I was told OHIP is needed for all doctor visits and I can get Alberta Health card after 90 days.
4) People are more friendly.
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Atulgs
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Orginally posted by rp_0999
3) I am not 100% sure if the health care is from day 1, since I moved from ontario and I was told OHIP is needed for all doctor visits and I can get Alberta Health card after 90 days.
if you move from a different province, alberta health kicks in after the other coverage expires, which is on the first day of the third month after you arrive in alberta... in your case, ohip covered you for the month you left ontario, plus an additional two months... same is true if you move from alberta to another province...
if you immigrate to canada, and become a resident of alberta, coverage is from day one... there is no waiting period in alberta for health coverage for new immigrants... you have up to three months after landing to apply for coverage to ensure you are covered from the day you arrive...
http://www.health.gov.ab.ca/ahcip/faq/moving.html#Canada
Quote:
Orginally posted by atulgs
Hi rp_0999,
did u take a three-month insurance or something when you landed inCalgary just to cover the initial risk until you got the health card?
contrary to popular belief, in canada you cannot be denied health care if you do not have a health card...
as for calgary/alberta coverage, new immigrants are covered from the moment they arrive in canada, and have up to three months to apply for a card... in this time if you need to see a doctor, then you pay for the services and then submit a claim to alberta health and wellness...
alberta health care insurance plan is not free, there is a co-insurance premium payment you must make ($88/mth for a family... there are rumors that this may be abolished by november because of the HUGE surplus and because ralph is calling an election)...
ahcip coverage also needs to be complemented, like any other provincial health care plan, with additional insurance that covers other aspects, such as dental... alberta blue cross has some very good plans for families and is fairly reasonable pricing... its also subsidized by the alberta government...
read up the official website for more information, and a list of f.a.q's
http://www.health.gov.ab.ca/
alberta blue cross website...
http://www.ab.bluecross.ca/
Quote:
Orginally posted by atulgs
I was reading Calgary related news online and came across this story that highlights discrimination against visible minorities in Calgary's bars and night clubs. Guests are rejected and asked to leave because of their skin colour, relgion and ethnic identity.
Has any body had such an experience? It was kind of frightening to read about the language used and attitude towards visible minorities.
It is also suggested in the story that racism is more of a problem in Calgary than cities such as Toronto and Vancouver and that the human rights mechanism in Calgary is weaker.
Any views on this?
hogwash... the only racists i have seen in calgary are desi's actually... when they gather together and in the middle of a bunch of white colleauges, bash the white man in their native language knowing full well they wont be understood...
people here are friendlier than the ones i have encountered in toronto... excluding desi's, who are rude no matter which part of the world they live in unless they want you to join their amway business...
calgary is a redneck town without the redneck attitude... white people here obviously outnumber the colored's... infact, its the visible minority that is being racist if they automatically assume that just because someone is white, they are racist...
No i did not buy insurance when i came from ontario. but i had bought insurance from some company in india when i came to canada 4 years ago.
Now since i have relocated from ontario, ohip will cover me for 3 months after which my company group insurance will kick in for the prescription drug coverage.
In alberta the popular local insurance company is bluecross.ca
I am not sure about job scene in calgary or alberta in general.
Jobs do seem to be available in perticular fields related to heavy machinery, chemical as well some other related fields.
The best place to start is workopolis.ca or monster.ca.
I have yet to expierience the winter but on the brighter side I have heard of the warm air currents from BC which make life more easy in calgary.
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Location: Currently - Dar es Salaam
Posted on: 21-09-04 03:30:52
Hi Bighead,
Thanks!! The information posted, both in regard to health insurance and racial discrimination, is invaluable.
As for your comments about desis being racist, I can relate to what you are saying.
We have been in Africa for seven years, and I have noticed that Asians (meaning Indians mainly) are the ones who don't mingle so easily with Africans or even whites for that matter and have a tendency of clinging on to their native language to give themselves an "edge". Of course, when it comes to business, they are on their best behaviour but socially speaking not they don't care for much interaction.
I have even found that the Indians who migrated over 100 years ago, have continued the tradition of civic indiscipline and littering. And, I must say, the Tanzanians are pretty tolerant and patient with them!
However, having said that, lately, I had some bad experiences with Tanzanians boiling over with resentment and it made me wonder about Canada too. Sometimes their actions are a result of pent up hatred. It's a kind of vicious cycle, where often the innocent bear the brunt.
Thanks though for your reassurance. We sincerely hope we don't get into the ghetto mentality. It is for this reason that we have chosen Calgary over Toronto. I mean we have been in Africa for seven years and are still not very close to the native people and their culture. We surely don't want to repeat that mistake.
Quote:
Orginally posted by bighead
Quote:
Orginally posted by atulgs
I was reading Calgary related news online and came across this story that highlights discrimination against visible minorities in Calgary's bars and night clubs. Guests are rejected and asked to leave because of their skin colour, relgion and ethnic identity.
Has any body had such an experience? It was kind of frightening to read about the language used and attitude towards visible minorities.
It is also suggested in the story that racism is more of a problem in Calgary than cities such as Toronto and Vancouver and that the human rights mechanism in Calgary is weaker.
Any views on this?
hogwash... the only racists i have seen in calgary are desi's actually... when they gather together and in the middle of a bunch of white colleauges, bash the white man in their native language knowing full well they wont be understood...
people here are friendlier than the ones i have encountered in toronto... excluding desi's, who are rude no matter which part of the world they live in unless they want you to join their amway business...
calgary is a redneck town without the redneck attitude... white people here obviously outnumber the colored's... infact, its the visible minority that is being racist if they automatically assume that just because someone is white, they are racist...
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Atulgs
