Expanding my horizons...literally

[Terra]

Just as a quick question, how does canada fare for TG folk and job seekers?

[Dennis]

Job seeking, it would depend on your field.

Socially, it's pretty easy going. I've had no trouble whatsoever and live in a small town on the west coast. There are a couple of MtF women in town as well and I think they've had it ok.

Legally, you're protected against government discrimination by the Charter, and against individuals by the various Human Rights Acts.

And, SRS is covered by the medical system in some provinces.

In a nutshell, it's a good place to be TS in my opinion.

Dennis

[Kimberly]

Yea, but can a person actually immigrate? (Mind you I imagine a related google would be pretty informative of the subject) But anyway that is something to consider too...

[Dennis]

Yeah, if you don't have citizenship or some other reason you can get in, then it's hard to get in.

Also, some jobs are at times highly in demand. At those times it's not bad to immigrate. If you're a doctor or a nurse, I think you get special treatment at the moment.

Dennis

[stephanie_craxford]

Not wanting to seem biased Luana but Ditto ditto Dennis

Canada is a great place for TG folk, in fact it's a great place for anyone

We have far more protections than many other countries, including the USA, gee we even have same sex marriage.  If you are serious then you need to start doing a lot of research.  I believe that you are in the medical field, and that is one area that there are lots of job vacancies.

Check out the Immigration to Canada Link:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.html

Then check out this link to the Human Resources & Skills Development Canada Site
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/home.shtml

That should get you started.

Steph

P.S. GRS/SRS is not funded in Ontario , but we're hoping

[Leigh]

Sorry about the wording but I thought this might apply.

[melissa_girl]

When I saw that picture Leigh, I knew it was yours before glancing at your name.  That is so true.

Melissa

[Alexandra]

Before rushing over to Canada, make sure you can deal with the censorship issues. If news or media content censorship is not to your liking, you won't find happiness over there. Sorry for raining on anyone's parade, but only in the USA are you really free -- we're just a country run by backward thinking, but free, people.

[Dennis]

I'm not sure what you're thinking of, Alexandra. There is a ban on publication during some trials so as not to taint the jury, but otherwise, I think the US suffers more censorship than Canada.

Also, I wouldn't agree that the US is the land of the free unless you're white, straight, able-bodied, middle class or above, and male. Particularly not compared to Canada, which actually does protect human rights of minorities.

Dennis

[jamesBrine]

hello!
  Being Canadian I would say that I am biased in this dissicusion board. I would have to agree with the majority Canada is a tremendous place to live. We try to protect as many rights as possible while "respecting" others beliefs. I'm not to sure about the protection they offer TG but i would asume its good or it will be in a short time to come.
Take care and God Bless!
    James

[Kimberly]

Something I've never been able to understand, why doesn't the "United States of Canada" include what is currently Alaska? ^*wink*



I feel that it's not fair to diss the United States of America totally. There are a lot of good things here after all, but there is also a lot of things that, I think, would make our forefathers turn in their graves. Or in fewer terms, it's not perfect but it's not bad.

That said nowhere is nirvana. If it's not general incompetence in the government (and I am not referring to the federal level by the way) it's an overworked social system or a military ran government or some puppet state by some (presumably well meaning) do good 'super' power... It's always something.

[rana]

How come California is part of the United States of Canada ?   why not independent or still part of Spain.
And how come Quebec is still part of Canada?
How come the border between the US and Canada is still there?  why not ALL the US of A??
What about the status of Texas

You North Americans are beyond my comprehension   (shakes head in puzzlement)

[LostInTime]

Alexandra,

Back in the 80s it was proposed that the US have military analysts filter some news.  It was met with pretty much a "yeah, right" attitude.

After Reagan, this was used with great limitations and secrecy by the Bush administration. It had a very narrow focus.

The program was expanded and brought to light during the Clinton years.  The admin originally said that the military psy ops people were retired but it came to light that they were actually active military personell.

The program did not stop at all and has been openly discussed by the current administration.  If you have a major media outlet in your area, chances are someone is assigned there.  Last I checked with people in the know, it is a one year assignment before you are put back into the standard rotation.

This free country was put into chains right after the founding fathers gave birth to it.

[Dennis]

I didn't mean to diss the US totally. There are good things about the country. I just think it's naive to say that the US, compared to Canada or Britain, Denmark, Sweden, or Australia is the land of the free and the others aren't. We don't have the Patriot Act in the other countries and we do have access to medical care for trans people that seems somewhat easier. Same sex marriage is a reality in Canada, as is human rights protection for trans and gay/lesbian people. I don't think there's anywhere that same sex marriage is legal in the US at the moment, and human rights protection is local and scattered. It's also statutory, whereas we have constitutional protection as well as statutory.

We do have some publication bans during trials (because we don't sequester juries), and we do have restricted handgun use, compared to the US. And, hate speech is not as constitutionally protected here as in the States. So it's not like some nirvana of freedom. I personally would rather have marriage, human rights and medical care than a gun and the ability to read about a trial while it's going on. Others may prefer otherwise, like the original poster of "land of the free". No country is all about unrestricted freedoms.

Dennis

[stephanie_craxford]

OK lets get back on topic folks...

The question possed by Luana was:

Just as a quick question, how does canada fare for TG folk and job seekers?

Steph

[Terra]

Thanks for the resposes.

Yes, currently I am trying to get my A.S. in nursing, then I plan to get a bachalors in biology, and then a master's in engeneering. My ultimate goal is to become a biotech engineer.

As for this censorship, it really can't be any worse then being a white male with a doctor for a mother. In other words, I can't say anything without having to fear 'someone' will be offended. On the other side, the fact that we really depend on the mass medias supposed 'unbiased' opinion means that they don't really have to be censored by the goverment, they do it themselves to sway public opinion. Sadly the only news I trust is the daily show on comedy central. ><

Now i'm off to check more into this immigration, wonder if hospitals in canada are will ing to pay for college like some american ones are? Hmm...

[Jessica]

Yes, currently I am trying to get my A.S. in nursing, then I plan to get a bachalors in biology, and then a master's in engeneering.

Some advice on that route, for what it is worth.

I have a B.S. Degree in Computer Science and was going to go for a M.S. in Electrical Engineering.  I spoke with the Dean of the College of Engineering and since any Engineering Program worth its weight must be accredited, there are certain requirements that must be met, not through the college, but by the accredation board.  Even in related programs, the course work that you will have to go back through and take is ridiculous.  Basically, I would have had to go through 2 years of undergraduate electrical engineering courses before I could even enter the Masters Program for electrical engineering.  Whereas, had I gotten an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering, and then gone for a Masters in Computer Science, it would have been about 6 courses to enter the Master program for C.S.

If I were you, I would get the Undergraduate Degree in Engineering, and then go for a Masters Degree in Biology.  Basically, just flip the two, especially considering that the basics in your Associates Degree in Nursing will count as prerequisite biology courses so you will have even fewer courses to take in preparation for your acceptance into the Masters Program in Biology. In short, it will save you about two years of time in school.

That's just my two pennies.

Good Luck,
Jessica

[Dennis]

Haven't heard of the hospitals paying for schooling here, Luana. We don't really have private hospitals here because they're part of our government medical system, although we do have private clinics.

Dennis