Today, 17 July 2015, my husband and I attended NBs Information Session at AIM, Conference Manila, Legaspi Village, Makati City, Philippines. They actually allowed the accompanying companion of registered applicant to their Information Session. A video is being played showing some parts of Canada but mostly of New Brunswick province. There were also freebies available in the room: a ballpen, a lanyard (this contains a 16 GB USB, happy us) and pamphlets.
There were 4 Canadians in the room: 2 representing the Federal Government of Canada working at the Canadian Embassy here in the Philippines and 2 coming from the Immigration of the Government of NB. First to speak is from the Canadian Embassy who talked and introduced the basics of the 2015 Express Entry Program which is basically to secure first an ECA and IELTS before applying to EE. He told us that so far EE program is a success since they have already issued permanent residency to succesful candidates in April 2015 from the first intake or draw of January 2015. A very fast processing time of the 2015 EE program as compared to their previous programs. Additionally, he explained that Canada provinces, in agreement with the Federal Government, came out with their own selection process which they will nominate and invite to come, work and settle in their province. Thus, we are in the Information Session today as part of NBs continuous marketing of their Provincial Nominee Program.
So, before going into the PNP of NB, the speaker from the Government of NB introduced first the place, population, climate, education, and others to us. He told us that NB is one of the maritime provinces of Canada and the only bilingual (French and English) speaking province of the country. It is bordering Maine, USA and near the provinces of Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, all in Canada. He also showed us the towns of NB but tackles more on the 3 biggest cities in their province i.e., St. John, Fredericton and Moncton. St. John is the largest city in NB. Fredericton is the capital of NB. Moncton is the fastest growing city in NB and the most populated at 160,000. LOL, Manila is even more populated. We were really amazed of NB because it is not as remote and urban as we thought it was. We actually thought that it is like in New Zealand wherein houses are far from each other and in the city proper. Well, it is not.
In addition, he also shared to us the advantages of settling in the province. First, NB has a low cost of living. Housing in NB are more cheaper compared to other provinces. Traffic is not also a problem unlike in other provinces. Second, there is a balance of work and family because of shorter transportation from your place to your work and vice versa. Thus, more quality time for family. I very much like this part because if you were reading our blog and came accross the reason why we are immigrating to Canada then you will know why.:) Third, when it comes to tourism, there is a balance of the beaches, rivers, lakes, parks and mountains all in one province. Who would not love this especially to adventure lovers like us. Oh, and we could always visit the USA if given the time and money, LOL. Fourth, climate. They have 4 seasons in NB: spring, summer, fall and winter. Funny that there summer in NB is at 25 degrees celsius. It is just like the place where I grew up, the summer capital of the Philippines, Baguio City. No problem with winter, we are so excited to experience the snow, LOL, but scared too. Fifth, the speaker told us that there are lots of Filipino skilled workers in NB but I will just keep it to myself why. Sixth, education for our children is free from 5 years old up to grade 12. Lastly, health insurance is no problem for the whole family (imagine it is always for the "whole family") because this is given once we landed in NB but this is with the exception of the eye and dental care. However, eye and dental care are often times provided by an NB employer. Education and health insurance are free because of the taxes being collected to an employee in NB. At least in Canada, paying big taxes is no big deal for a Filipino like us because at least we know where our taxes are going unlike here in our country. In the Philippines, we pay taxes and goes to the pockets of our politicians. Sad but this is very true.
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| The only picture I had because of excitement, LOL. |
After the Information Session, they provided us the Expression of Interest form to know if we are qualified in their program. Of course, I know this part because I submitted one last 2 July 2015. They asked us to pass our form if we meet their criteria. I approached 1 officer to basically inform him that I already submitted an application without the additional criteria given by NB. He asked me if I receive a reply from NB to which I said no. He said I can wait for the next intake since it was only in 2 July that I emailed my application, meaning from August 1-15. Or, I can inform NB to disregard my previous application and send another one under their new rule, with the additional criteria part, under the Second Priority Stream and put the subject of my email as "NBPNP Information Session/Manila; July 17, 2015". This is also in August 1-15. I am actually torn between waiting or sending another application. Anyway, the expression of interest form which we passed today will be their basis to know if we really attended an Information Session given by the Government of NB.
I am really inlove with NB. I hope and pray to our Father God that we land and settle in NB. NB is just the right place for infertile couples like us who are really trying to have our own family. It is almost 7 years now.:( In addition, I asked my friend google about infertility in NB and its answer really made us very happy. The Government of NB provides financial assistance for infertility treatment. See here. Imagine providing finacial assistance through medicare card. In the Philippines, medicare card is very useless for infertile couples because everything is not covered. Even the simple blood tests and ultrasounds are not covered. We pay for everything. I am just so happy for NBs program towards infertility treatment but we are still praying that we conceive naturally through change of country and environment.
