When you’re buying property, whether it’s a house or a condo, it’s important to know what you’re actually getting. Most home buyers wouldn’t think about skipping an inspection on a house, but what about a condo?

Considering repair costs are often covered by condo fees, and an increasingly large number of condos are being purchased brand-new, it’s not a big deal to skip an inspection on a condo right?

Wrong.

A condo, while generally less expensive than a house, is still a sizable investment and as such, is worth protecting. However, when you’re forking out all that money for a place to call home, it can be tempting to cut corners and forgo a condo inspection in order to save a few hundred dollar. According to experts, the reality is that an inspection will often save you money in the long run.

A condo inspection is similar to a home inspection – it’s a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home. Inspections are conducted by an inspector who has the training and certifications to perform such inspections. The inspector prepares and delivers to the client a written report of findings. The inspector describes the condition of the home at the time of inspection but does not guarantee future condition, efficiency, or life expectancy of systems or components.

Because there are many differences between condos and houses, it is best to find an inspector who specializes in the type of property you are interested in.

Your condo inspection should cover the following areas:

• heating system
• electrical system
• plumbing
• windows
• ductwork
• vents
• all major appliances

As the condo owner, it’s your responsibility to keep these up to code. Depending on the inspector’s report, you may be able to negotiate a reduction in price or, in extreme cases, decide to pass on the condo all together.

A great inspector will also examine common elements of the condo building, including the hallways, elevators, security gate and garage, in order to ensure all are in proper working condition. If there are issues with these components, they’re typically covered under the condo corporation. Details regarding any issues, maintenance, or renovation plans for common elements are outlined in the condo’s Status Certificate, which you should also review thoroughly before making an offer.

Condos, while cheaper and with the safety net of a condo corporation, can be just as complicated as a freestanding home because there is an extra level of complexity – shared resources and common elements. Your realtor can help you understand some of the purchase differences and contract language that should be specified in a condo purchase, but often it’s just as important to inspect the condo unit and any systems that are shared because unexpected repairs or concerns will affect you in the form of special assessments or increases in condo fees.

At the end of the day, you can’t put a price on peace of mind, and home inspections are the best way to ensure a property is functional, safe, and structurally sound.

Sources

http://www.homeinspectionnetwork.ca/what-is-a-condo-inspection-and-is-it-really-necessary/

http://www.ratehub.ca/blog/2012/09/three-myths-about-home-inspections-and-condos/

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The post Do I Need a Home Inspection When Purchasing a Condo? appeared first on Ashton College.

Start the new season off right with fall tuition discounts on Sales and Marketing and International Trade programs.

For a limited time only, save $500 on International Trade and Sales & Marketing Diplomas, and $250 on International Trade and Sales & Marketing Certificates. New students wishing to start their careers in either of these areas should apply before October 16th for programs starting from today until the end of 2015 to take advantage of these fall tuition discounts.

International Trade

If you are looking for a career with global reach and have an interest in worldwide logistics, it’s time to consider an education in international trade. With so many businesses going global, products and services are now quickly moving across borders to satisfy international demand. And to stay competitive in this world economy, companies are now hiring professionals with international trade expertise.

Ashton College’s International Trade diploma and certificate programs endow you with the skills, knowledge and preparation necessary to succeed in this career.

Sales and Marketing

If you started hunting for leads a week before setting up your first lemonade stand, then you should consider a career in sales and marketing. These professionals are responsible for a company’s marketing strategy, increasing brand awareness and driving sales through print, web and face-to-face promotions. Sales and marketing professionals are people-orientated, which not only helps them work well in a team environment, but also satisfy their customers’ needs.

Our Sales and Marketing programs include curriculum sources from the CPSA knowledge base for certification, and incorporate current business concepts and real-life examples to illustrate a worldly view of the corporate sales and marketing environment.

Discount Details

• The fall tuition discounts start September 21st, 2015, and end at midnight of October 16th, 2015.
• Students applying for the Certificate in International Trade or the Certificate in Sales and Marketing for programs starting in 2015 receive a tuition discount of $250.00 per program.
• Students applying for the Diploma in International Trade, Diploma in International Trade Management, Diploma in Sales and Marketing or Diploma in Sales and Marketing Management for programs starting in 2015 receive a tuition discount of $500.00 per program.
• This promotion is applicable to both domestic and international students.
• The discount is for tuition only, and cannot be used towards the costs of application fees, material fees, textbooks or taxes.
• The discount is non-transferable to other programs, other students or other start dates.

The post Fall Tuition Discounts appeared first on Ashton College.

As the number of refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria continues to grow, more people are raising concerns about safety and control: some are concerned with ensuring the safety of the refugees, others – about maintaining control of their country’s borders.

Canadians take pride in being fair and compassionate. However  the recent death of Alan Kurdi, a Syrian toddler who drowned while his family attempted to flee to Turkey have raised the question for Canadians of how much help we should provide, and whether we should be doing more.

Refugees at Budapest Keleti railway station

WHY CANADA?

The waves of refugees fleeing to Europe and Middle-Eastern countries represent the largest refugee crisis since World War II. The violence in Syria has claimed the lives of more than 220,000 people, thousands of whom were civilians. Given the ongoing conflict in Syria, it is unsurprising that more and more people are fleeing Syria and seeking asylum in other countries. However, Middle-Eastern and European countries are not able to quickly accommodate the continuous flow of refugees. Some European countries, like Germany and Croatia, were forced to start closing their borders, unable to cope with the thousands of refugees entering each day. Countries closer to Syria, such as Turkey and Lebanon, are even more overwhelmed with the amount of incoming refugees.

The need for monetary assistance and asylum for millions of people fleeing to different countries is enough to attract international attention, but it was the death of Alan Kurdi that sparked international outrage. Photograph’s of Alan’s body laying lifeless on a Turkish beach illustrated the need for a unified global response to the refugee crisis. For Canada, the call for action was even louder due to initial news reports  that Alan’s family was refused refugee status in Canada. Although it was later reported that Alan’s family had not applied for refugee status, the issue of providing humanitarian aid and shelter to the refugees remains a heated topic for Canadian citizens and the federal government.

Migrants in Hungary near the Serbian border

CANADA’S RESPONSE

Over the years, Canada has had a mixed response to refugees looking for asylum. There have been cases of accepting thousands of refugees at a time – for instance, protecting Hungarian refugees in 1956 and providing them free transport to Canada. On the other hand, there were also instances where Canada admitted the smallest number of people in times of crisis compared to other democratic countries (e.g. during the Holocaust).

Presently, the federal government has a set application process to help refugees claim residency in Canada. There are two main parts of the refugee protection program: the Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program (for people applying from outside Canada) and the In-Canada Asylum Program, both of which have their own application procedures. After resettlement in Canada, refugees receive assistance and support from either the federal government or private sponsors. These regulations are there to ensure the security and health of Canadians while helping people in need.

However, the application process has received criticism due to its length and complexity. The current refugee application process and review can take one year or longer, with an average processing time of two years.

The media and public attention to the refugees’ issue was so strong that Canada’s main  political parties have moved immigration policy discussion to the forefront of their election campaigns. Currently, the federal government has confirmed a commitment to resettle 10,000 Syrians in the next year, and other political parties are also proposing changes to the immigration policies to ensure quick and efficient resettlement of the refugees.

CANADIANS’ RESPONSES

The government’s discussion of the accommodation of refugees would not have happened without public demand for emergency refugee measures. The fact that on September 2, Google search in Canada was dominated by the question “How to sponsor a Syrian” shows that Canadians desire to help people who are suffering in the conflict.

The opinion about how people should be helping varies. The biggest controversy lies in discussing the policies the government should be implementing and the number of refugees that Canada should be accepting. One perspective is that changing the refugee protection policies, even though they are lengthy, would be a threat to the country’s security. By providing financial aid and following the existing regulation, Canada is assuring the quality of the application process while providing the safety for the refugees.

The other viewpoint is that Canada should be taking a more active role in helping the refugees obtain asylum. Speeding up the refugee application in times of adversity does not necessarily diminish the country’s safety. Canada, it is argued, has the opportunities and resources to help more people, so it is the country’s duty to extend a helping hand.

According to an EKOS poll, the majority of Canadians believe that providing humanitarian aid is the best way to help the refugees in Syria. When it comes to increasing the number of refugees in  Canada, 36% believe that more than 10,000 people should be admitted into the country, while 25% say this number is too large, and 34% claim it’s just enough. It is clear that the majority of the people want to make sure refugees have the opportunity to start over in Canada, but not everyone believes in increasing the numbers of refugees, or changing immigration policies.

UK-funded food vouchers are distributed to Syrian refugees in Amman, Jordan, through the World Food Programme

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

The Canadian Council for Refugees and Lifeline Syria have suggested the following measures in their call for stronger government involvement in the resettlement of the refugees:

• Ensure a more flexible application process while maintaining Canada’s emphasis on safety and security. This can be done by providing a faster admission for the refugees with families in Canada (such as temporary resident permits), or by creating exempt Syrian cases for refugee status.
• Make a commitment to increase the number of resettled refugees from Syria in addition to the ongoing resettlement of the refugees from other countries.
• Eliminate the barriers to the private sponsorship. This could be done by such measures as matching the private sponsor’s financial aid, or restoring full Interim Federal Health coverage.
• Create a long-term action plan for resettlement of refugees beyond 2015, developed in consultation with the UNHCR.
• Promote employment for the refugees by suspending or eliminating the temporary worker programs.
• Provide transportation aid to make sure people have an opportunity to get to Canada.

It is not only the government that can help the refugees in need. Here are a few steps that you could personally take to make a difference:

• Continue to spread awareness if you believe it is important. Learn more about what’s happening, what has been done and what can be done. Keep yourself educated on the issue!
• Become a private sponsor. There are opportunities to support refugee individuals and their families if you have that desire.
• Make a donation! You can make a difference by helping organizations that are involved in the issue.

Sources

Border stand-off worsens as Croatia buses migrants to Hungary border – The Guardian

Aunt of Alan Kurdi, drowned Syrian boy, did not apply to sponsor family in Canada – CBC News

Brief history of Canada’s responses to refugees – Canadian Council for Refugees

“It’s Pretty Embarrassing,” Experts on Canada’s response to Syrian crisis – CTV News

Canada making right choice on refugee crisis – Toronto Sun

We Can Do Much More – Canada Immigration Blog

Canada shouldn’t ‘overstate’ risk of accepting Syrian refugees: War Child Canada founder – CTV News

$350 Million for Refugees and Immigration Returned to Government, Unspent – Ottawa Citizen

The EKOS poll: Could the refugee crisis be good for Harper? – iPolitics

Canadian Council for Refugees; Lifeline Syria; Government of Canada

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Express Entry, Canada’s new intake management system for economic immigrants, has been beset with glitches since its introduction in January 2015. Ashton CPD presenter Roxanne Israel, explains the common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Express Entry to Canada is Ottawa’s new fast track route to permanent residence for skilled immigrants. It’s introduction in January 2015 was the first time that an electronic portal was used for permanent resident applications. Applicants and immigration representatives alike have reported a multitude of problems with the online portal, from page timeouts to changing document checklists, erroneous rejections and strange document requests. Roxanne Israel, an immigration lawyer and partner at Egan LLP in Alberta, covered these Express Entry challenges and more with the participants of Ashton’s CPD Seminar on Saturday, September 19.

Express Entry Glitches So Far

Since the introduction of the Express Entry system, minor bugs have been reported. These are often short lived as Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has been quick to resolve the issues. However the implications for applicants can be longstanding.

• Invitations to Apply – In February 2015, a number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued under the Federal Skilled Worker class instead of Canadian Experience Class and had to be reissued.
• Changing Document Checklists – In the months since January, applicants and their representatives have seen the auto-generated Document Checklist change or be incomplete. For about two weeks, there was no field to upload a copy of the applicant’s passport, and to date there is no field for the uploading of language test results. In certain cases, higher CELPIP scores were not recognized by the system.
• Erroneous Rejections – Representatives and their clients have reported erroneous rejections at the eligibility stage. This was typically in the first few months following the introduction of Express Entry and was attributed to new officers without enough training.
• Portal Access and Down Times – The Express Entry e-portal has been notoriously slow, with some documents failing to upload, access issues and portal down times.
• Acknowledgement of Receipt – For applicants to be eligible to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit whilst they wait for their permanent residence application to be processed, they required an Acknowledgement of Receipt from CIC to indicate that their documents have passed Regulation 10 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). However the Express Entry system issues what they call an “Acknowledgement of Receipt” typically less than 24hrs after an e-application is submitted – but this is not the same document that CIC requires. The confusion here is amplified because, in most cases, the Express Entry system never issues the correct completeness letter unless the applicant or their representative specifically requests it.
• Strange Document Requests – After their application has been submitted, applicants have reported some strange document requests from the system. These have included police certificates for a country where the applicant had lived for less than 6 months and Schedule 4A requests for Skilled Worker Provincial Nominee classes.

Roxanne advised the CPD participants to include all required documents together as well as a list of all uploaded documents together under the Additional Documents section. For example, this section is a great place to upload language test results if there is not a specific field for this.

Timing is Key

Roxanne cautioned immigration practitioners and applicants alike on timing in the portal, as all timings are in UTC. When the ITAs are received, there is a need to pay careful consideration to the deadline date, as depending on your location the day could be different. For example, in the screenshot below, the deadline is 21 July 2015 at 12.00AM UTC. But in locations within the Pacific time zone, the deadline is the day before, on 20 July 2015 at 5:00PM.

As mentioned above, the portal often experiences down time. This, alongside the 24hr lockout for too many incorrect login attempts mean that applicants or their representatives cannot afford to leave submission until the last minute.

Evidence, Evidence and More Evidence

There have been several reports of uploaded documents not transmitting correctly to CIC. Roxanne advises that all applicants and representatives take care to screenshot the process of completing and submitting their application. Most Windows computers now have a built in “Snipping Tool” application, which is Roxanne’s choice for taking screenshots. Those using Chrome browsers can use the free extension Clipular, and Mac users can use a keyboard shortcut.

The importance of documenting the application process was instrumental in overturning rejections for a couple Roxanne’s clients. Whilst it is not necessary to upload these screenshots with the application itself, it is advisable to retain the documents until the application has been successful.

Contacting CIC

CIC is invested in the Express Entry system and has typically been responding quickly to bugs and glitches. Roxanne advised immigration practitioners to proactively report problems as they see them by using the following email addresses:

• ImmigrationRepresentatives@cic.gc.ca
• questions.representatives@cic.gc.ca

These email addresses will not respond to case specific questions. For amendments to applications or questions related specifically to a client’s case, representatives are advised to use the Case Specific Enquiry form, uploading screenshots and including their client’s Express Entry profile or file number. Applicants not using a representative can also use this form if they need to advise CIC of any changes to their application or personal circumstances.

CPD: Express Entry to Canada

This article was written using information from Ashton’s CPD Seminar on Express Entry on September 19th, which counts for 3.5 hours for ICCRC and 4 hours for the Law Society of BC. The full recording of this event is available for purchase until December 18, 2015.

More Information

The post Express Entry Tips: The Top Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them appeared first on Ashton College.

Over the next week, we’ll be sharing clips from our most recent CPD seminar on the topic of applying for permanent residence through express entry. This seminar was presented on September 19, 2015 by immigration lawyer Roxanne Israel.

The complete recording of the CPD event is available to purchase until December 18, 2015.

Stay tuned for features exploring express entry, express entry’s comprehensive ranking system, how to complete an express entry profile, and more! Be sure to like us on Facebook and subscribe on YouTube to ensure you don’t miss any of these informative videos.

Express Entry CPD Seminar Trailer

The post Express Entry to Canada Video Series appeared first on Ashton College.

Nevena Djuricic is the Executive Director of New West Immigration Services, and an instructor in Ashton’s Immigration Consultant Diploma program. Nevena was born in former Yugoslavia, where she completed her undergraduate degree and legal training. After years of practice in the field, she was appointed as a District Judge and worked in the municipal court for over six years.

After immigrating to Canada, Nevena decided to pursue a career as an Immigration Consultant. Now, Nevena has more than 20 years of experience in the immigration field and recently sat down to discuss her journey from Judge to Immigration Consultant.

Why Did You Immigrate to Canada?

As the country became unstable and the violence increased, my husband and I decided it was time to start over in a new place. I never expected to move from my country, and I had never had those thoughts… Some of my friends were always dreaming of moving somewhere and exploring; particularly the Western countries – but that was never really my desire. Traveling- yes, but not moving.

When choosing where to go, we had complete freedom. We could go to Australia, USA, New Zealand or any European country, but we decided to come to Canada for what it stood for in the global community. It was the peace-keeping identity and the well-built Canadian government that attracted my husband and I to Canada.

We chose Vancouver simply because my husband liked hang-gliding and we saw a picture of a hang glider jumping from Grouse Mountain when looking through a photo book about Canada – and the choice was made.

What Was Your Immigration Journey Like?

My husband and I immigrated to Canada in 1993 as skilled workers, even though we were offered by the Canadian government to switch to the refugee program. At that time, I didn’t know much about the program and was afraid that my husband and I would be sent home after the situation in Yugoslavia more stable. Now I understand this would not have happened, but I don’t regret my decision.

As an immigrant, I went through three stages. First, I experienced the Honeymoon Stage; I loved everything, enjoyed the weather, looked forward to exploring and learning more about my new home.  The second stage was when Reality Struck. Nothing smelled like it did back home, tasted like it did home – it was very hard to adjust. I also realized I was not a tourist; I had to work, but lacked Canadian experience.

After just over two years in the country, I became accustomed to her new life in Canada, and moved to the final stage – Acceptance. I’ve been in Canada for more than 20 years now, so I can call Canada home – and I am proud to do so. But in a way I will always be connected to my home country through relatives, friends and memories.

Why Did You Choose Immigration Consulting?

I’ve always been fascinated with the law. Since the government system in Canada was different from the system back home, practicing law would require starting from scratch, with several years in school. Somehow, immigration came up as an area where I could apply my legal knowledge without having to get re-certified.

I also chose immigration consulting because of the fact that I’m an immigrant myself – I already went through the process and wanted to help others to succeed. Moreover, the members of my community who knew me from the past, started calling me with different issues and question about immigration, which motivated me to learn more.

The final determination was the fact that my sister’s application to immigrate to Canada was refused, even though she was a highly trained doctor. This was when I started to look more into law and immigration and started understanding the concept of proper application of certain section of the law. With my advice, my sister was able to successfully reapply to Canada and get accepted. This was when I realized that I have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.

How Did You Become an Immigration Consultant in Canada?

At the time I started practicing, there was no licensing required. You could just print out the business card and say you were an expert. However, I thought: if I was going to advise people, I’d better know what needs to be done. In 2001, I took the Immigration Practitioner Certificate Program at the University of British Columbia (only UBC offered the program at that time). After graduating, I opened my own consulting firm, New West Immigration Services, where I’ve has been practicing ever since.

I work in all aspects of immigration except refugee claims. Refugee claims are too emotional for me – maybe because I was in a similar situation myself. When I listen to the stories, I get too engaged in them, and it affects me on the emotional level. To be a professional, you have to separate your emotions from your clients’ case to properly advise them.

What Is Your Opinion on Using Online Tools?

I believe that online programs are getting better and better every day because of the technological improvements and support systems. It is convenient. As we get busier and busier, there is the need to introduce online education. With the development of various online tools, there are more possibilities to deliver the same level of education and interaction with the students online as in class.

I like using Google tools since they make it easy to upload the materials topic-by-topic, so that students have easy access to it. I also enjoys features like the final grade breakdown, since this feature was not available in the earlier online tools. In the past, the instructors were supposed to send every student their mark breakdown. Now, when you put marks in the google classroom, it gives them the grade breakdown; and you can leave the comments about the students’ assignments and projects there as well.

What Advice do you have for People Pursuing a career in Immigration Consulting?

You have to be passionate about your job. There is potential for the revenue in this profession, but it can be a quite stressful profession if you are not passionate about people – about helping people. You really have to be passionate and understand people (at least try to understand where they’re coming from) to be successful in the end.

Communication skills and people skills are important in this job – especially when dealing with clients who come from a different culture. One must be sensitive and open to different opinions, different cultures and different perspectives.

The most important thing, however, is to prepare yourself for a lifelong learning commitment. I am always telling my students: I’ve been in the industry for more than ten years and am teaching, so I’m hoping that I know many things, but still – I read all the time. Once you graduate, that doesn’t mean that it is the end of the learning process. Sometimes students will ask me, from which page to which page should they learn the materials, and I always ask – What do you mean? Your client will not come from page to page, you have to know everything. Especially if you don’t have a legal background – I have to bring you to the point where you understand the law and what it means.

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The immigration process is long, and often complicated, arduous, and expensive. As with most things in life, you can either choose to go it alone, or seek professional help.

Do I Need to Hire an Immigration Representative?

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) does not require you to use an immigration consultant or lawyer.

The process of temporarily or permanently immigrating to Canada can be quite complicated and expensive for those seeking to do so. For those who are not familiar with the Canadian immigration landscape, a paid immigration representative can assist you in navigating through Canada’s sometimes complex immigration process. According to CIC, the only representatives who may charge a fee to represent or advise you on immigration and refugee matters with the Government of Canada are:

• lawyers who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society
• immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC)
• motaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec, or
• a paralegal regulated by a law society.

The obvious benefit to completing and submitting your immigration forms to CIC, without the assistance of a paid immigration representative, is the decreased cost. However, while it may be financially appealing to go it on your own initially, overseeing your immigration file by yourself may pose certain risks that you may not be willing to take on.

When asked about the subject, Ashton Immigration Consulting instructor Nevena Djuricic emphasized the peace of mind that comes when working with a professional immigration representative.

 “I believe the majority of applicants do need professionals who will advise them. There can be little details that need to be taken into consideration, and those details are understood only if one knows the intentions and interpretations behind particular sections of the law. It can be incredibly difficult and frustrating for a layperson to try to complete the process alone.”

– Nevena Djuricic, Immigration Consultant Diploma Instructor

Immigration Consultant versus Immigration Lawyer

All paid immigration representatives must be members in good standing of their respective regulatory bodies. For consultants, this means being registered with the ICCRC, for lawyers, members of their provincial or territorial law society.

Immigration consultants must be Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents and a graduate of an accredited immigration certificate or diploma program. They also have to complete a mandatory pre-admission exam (the Full Skills Exam) in order to gain entry to the ICCRC. Immigration Consultants also have to pass a language proficiency test, show proof of good character and have no criminal record.

In order to become licensed, immigration lawyers must first demonstrate that they have attained the educational equivalent of Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. They must then successfully complete the licensing process to become a lawyer. This process varies by province, but generally includes a barrister licensing examination, a solicitor licensing examination, an experiential training requirement and an articling program. Finally applicants must be complete a call to the bar ceremony and take an oath, swearing that they will conduct themselves in an ethical manner. Legally, the only area in which immigration lawyers have an advantage over consultants; lawyers can legally represent you in a federal court of law, should your case advance to this level.

Both immigration lawyers and immigration consultants must have liability insurance in order to protect themselves as well as their clients.

As long as the representative you are working with is properly accredited, the choice comes down to personal preference. Regardless of whether you are considering hiring an immigration lawyer or immigration consultant, it is important to complete your due diligence in terms of looking into the background of the professional you are considering.

Tips for Choosing a Representative

CIC recommends that individuals searching for an immigration representative

• Ask people they trust to recommend someone.
• Inquire about their representative’s training and experience. For instance:
  • find out if they are authorized,
  • ask for references and
  • find out how long they have been in business.
• Discuss the services the representative will provide and the fee. Get this information in writing.
• Ask questions. Be wary of someone who will not answer your questions, or who guarantees your application.

If you are using a representative in Canada, you can also contact the Better Business Bureau before you choose one. The BBB can tell you if it has received complaints about a citizenship or immigration consultant, lawyer or other representative who works in Canada.

After choosing a representative, be sure and get a written contract that clearly lists the services the representative will provide, as well as their fee. Protect yourself by not leaving original documents or photos with your representative, making copies of documents the representative provides you, and keeping copies of all of your receipts.

You are also entitled to change your representative at any time, but must immediately notify CIC if you choose to do so.

Sources

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Settlement Services

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Mark Goodwin is a licensed home inspector and a member of the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (BC). Mark is the owner of House Sound Home Inspections, which serves Vancouver, North and West Vancouver, Horseshoe Bay, Lions Bay, Squamish, Whistler and all surrounding suburbs.

Mark is also an instructor at Ashton in our Home Inspection program. On his company’s website, Mark shares his tips for those considering a home inspection.

Before You Book

• A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home.
• A home inspection should take a minimum of two to three hours to complete. This can vary, given the current condition and size of the home, the accessibility of mechanical systems, and so on.
• The cost of a home inspection may vary slightly by company and services offered. Shop around and compare prices, but don’t allow the fee to be the deciding factor unless the level of service offered is identical. A home is one of the most significant investments you will ever make in your life, and the cheapest inspection option may not always be the most reputable.
• The fee should include a complete home inspection conducted by an experienced professional, as well as a thorough report on the condition of the home.

The Purpose of a Home Inspection

• The goal of a home inspection is to report on the condition of the house based on the examination and evaluation of the various systems, indicating potential repairs and expenses.
• The systems that should be inspected include the Roof, Exterior, Structure, Electrical, Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Insulation, and Interior.Feel free to accompany your inspector as he moves throughout the property, and ask any questions you may have.
• Feel free to accompany your inspector as he moves throughout the property, and ask any questions you may have.

Who Should Consider a Home Inspection

• Home inspections can be useful for prospective home buyers, as well as sellers. A pre-listing home inspection allows sellers to address any outstanding issues before the house is placed on the market. Sellers’ home inspections work for both sellers and buyers. They help the process in many ways, resulting in faster sales, increased comfort levels, fewer re-negotiations, reduced uncertainty, and lower liability.
• Home inspections are necessary for new homes as well as older properties. Although when you build a house everything is new, this doesn’t mean every contractor did everything correctly. Newer properties often have building issues, usually the result of original construction issues or neglected maintenance. Home inspectors provide significant value for new homes, including assistance with information for home warranties.

Home inspections are the best way to ensure a property is functional, safe, and structurally sound. The goal is to ensure that you can live safely, comfortably, and efficiently in your new home.

The post Expert Home Inspection Tips appeared first on Ashton College.

Bryan Dar Santos is a financial advisor with over sixteen years of experience. Bryan is the owner of FDI Financial Diagnostics Inc., a consulting service for financial advisors. He recently accepted a position with the Desjardins financial company as one of the Regional Directors of their Investment Centre.

Bryan joined Ashton’s Financial Services faculty in 2014, and currently teaching the Life Licence Qualification Program (LLQP). Bryan sat down with us to discuss the financial industry, and share his insight for students considering a career in the field.

What do you like the most about your job?

I really enjoy my work. One of the things I really enjoy is the fact that part of my job is to educate brokers and advisors on the topic of finance. I strategize how to most effectively present different concepts to different audiences and communicate information clearly.

Even though I am inherently an introvert, I like to speak in front of an audience, and I’ve always felt comfortable doing it. I aim to create presentations that are very clean, very sharp, with a clear message behind it, and I try to make them dynamic and graphically appealing.

How did you get into the financial industry?

In the nineties I was taking psychology courses and was working towards a career as a therapist. In the meantime, I was learning to invest on my own and began to study things like mutual funds. I began watching a lot of CNN during my breaks, but I wasn’t listening to what they were talking about – I was just watching the numbers in the corner because I was invested in their growth. It almost felt like gambling, just watching the numbers go up and down. This was when I developed an interest in investments and the stock market. It seemed like making money out of nothing! So I thought to myself: I need to get in on this.

At that time, technology was booming, and the industry was hiring a lot of people. So I took a Canadian Securities Course (CSC) at the CSI (Canadian Securities Institute) and was able to get a job easily. I remember getting to work at 6:30am and finishing at 1:30pm, when everybody was still working and I had a whole day ahead of me – it was a great time!

Later, of course, I continued my education and training in the field by taking more courses and learning more about financial services and products.

What was the best career advice you received?

I remember when I was discussing options [contracts that give the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a specific price on or before a certain date] with advisors, it was clear to me that many of them did not understand what options even were. It appeared to me that some industry professionals seem to lose touch when things start to change. However, the financial industry and the markets are always changing; there are always new ideas and concepts, and it may be hard to keep up. I guess this taught me to continue learning, exploring and keep an open mind.

What financial advice would you give to people in general?

Don’t let your financial decisions be made solely by a stranger that you barely know. No one cares about your money more than yourself. The advisor and the bankers, of course, do their job the best they can, but they can only ask so many questions in order to understand what it is that you want and what you’re looking for. Remember that you can save (and earn) a lot of money by taking responsibility for your own finances.

I find it surprising that people are not interested in learning about finances. To me, it became a goal to help people realize that they need to take control and care of their own money and their future. I truly believe that, if given the right information, people will make the right decisions; so I choose to facilitate communication in the area of finance.

I understand that the language of finances can stop people from wanting to learn more – especially in insurance, where we can easily have five different terms for the same thing. What I try to do (whether it is in Ashton or at my job) is get the concepts with all the terminology that we have, break them down into individual components, and use plain language to explain them. I hope that after listening to me, people are thinking “wow that makes sense, now I can explain it to my clients.”

What advice would you give to students pursuing a career in the financial industry?

Number one: keep your eyes, ears and mind open. Don’t take anything at a face value, whether it is from a wholesaler, your instructor, colleagues or supervisors. You can listen to them, but you should always remember that there is more than one way of doing things.

Number two: be genuine and honest. If you are trying to be successful, you have to build trust with your clients. If you’re an advisor, you are in customer service; you need to communicate and you need to continue learning. Don’t try to be the person who knows and understands it all.

For students pursuing the LLQP: have a game plan, and understand what the industry requires from you. You should understand what you need to do to succeed, and you should be comfortable with it. You need to always look out for different options and different information to understand which solutions work best for individual clients. You also have to remember that the LLQP is not about building complex investment portfolios, programs and strategies – it is about providing protection. I feel like sometimes this thought gets lost, and we focus on selling insurance products instead of offering protection.

And in general – make sure that you like what you’re doing, and don’t get discouraged. Don’t be frustrated if you are not successful right away – keep trying. It’s a competitive world out there, and just because you are rejected, turned down, or even fired – it doesn’t mean that you are a bad person, or that you’re bad at what you do. Just go out there and do your best!

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The question of dress code and its purposes has always been prominent in the discussion of school uniforms; lately it has also been raised in a different arena – the Canadian citizenship ceremony. Should a Muslim woman be able to wear a niqab to her citizenship ceremony, or is this a practice that should be restricted and/or forbidden?

Zunera Ishaq poses in her home. Photograph: Vince Talotta/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Zunera Ishaq and the Niqab Policy

The Canadian government’s niqab policy was first introduced in 2011: banning face covering during the citizenship ceremony. Last year, when Zunera Ishaq decided to fight for her right to wear a niqab, a traditional face-covering veil, she was caught in the midst of a heated debate regarding the dress code at citizenship ceremonies. Ishaq was not the only one who was challenging the Conservative Government’s position on what is appropriate for Muslim women to wear, but the discussion was further stimulated in recent weeks by the closeness in the polls of the federal elections.

Ishaq gained the right to wear her niqab to her citizenship ceremony after she won a lengthy legal battle and received a positive decision by the Federal Court of Appeal. Nevertheless, the federal government is still planning to appeal the decision at the Supreme Court of Canada.

Why Raise the Question?

For one, the niqab in the eyes of some Canadians is associated with the oppression of women. Wearing a niqab can be seen as non-transparent, non-open and even against the whole women’s movement for equality and recognition. On the other hand, if we were to ask the women who choose to wear a niqab, hijab, or even a burqa, many of them do not see their outfits as symbols of oppression. On the contrary: for some, it is a symbol of their freedom – freedom of expression and freedom of religion. For others it is a symbol of respect – respect fot themselves, their home culture and their heritage. We have to ask ourselves: do we have the right to define the meaning of a symbol for someone, when they themselves have actually created and appropriated it?

Another concern is the fact that wearing a niqab may simply be inappropriate when it comes to the citizenship ceremony. One common thought is that the declaration of loyalty to the country should be done “openly, proudly and publicly”, and hiding one’s face does not follow with the openness of the process. However, wouldn’t the citizenship candidates be more proud and public when they are able to represent their cultural and religious beliefs during the ceremony? Doesn’t Canada proudly stand for diversity and embrace people’s multicultural heritage and freedom of religion?

It is one thing to ask to lift your veil for identification purposes (to which Muslim women agree) and another to ban traditional dress completely. Choosing to wear the ceremonial outfits and traditional  or ethnic dress has always been an appropriate dress code for the citizenship ceremony. Some people dress to impress, some dress to express; and we shouldn’t take this freedom of expression away from our fellow Canadians.

We want to congratulate Zunera Ishaq, who was able to take her citizenship oath while wearing a niqab last week.

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Francis Ng is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant and the Program Director of Ashton’s Immigration Consultant Diploma. Here Francis shares his tips for students writing the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) Full Skills Exam.

What Does the Exam Look Like?

The ICCRC full skills exam is a 3-hour exam with exclusively multiple choice questions. There are 100 questions and 180 minutes for the exam, which means you have 1.8 minutes to answer each question (or less, if you want to leave some time for the review).

When taking the exam, it is important to remember that the time is limited, therefore time-management skills are crucial. Even though it is an open-book exam, you do not have much time to spend searching the book for answers, so it is important to come prepared. I would suggest bringing summaries of your notes, and would recommend students not bring too many books into the exam with them, it’s important to stay organized.

What is the Hardest Part of the Exam?

The exam is not about knowing all the acts and regulations; it is about understanding them from the point of view of a consultant. The questions are always based on a scenario or an example. A potential client comes to your office and tells you their situation: how would you help them? There may not be a perfect answer, or there may be two very similar answers. You are expected to analyze the situation, understand the requirements and provide the correct information. There are normally four choices, and you respond by choosing the most suitable answer.

If you ask me, the exam is not difficult. Passing the ICCRC exam is easier than passing the language exam. The key is not to memorize the material, but to be able to understand the situations and apply your knowledge to different scenarios. Once again, it is not an examination of your knowledge of law – it is a test of your expertise as a practitioner.

Exam Trends

Based on the past exams, first of all, you should focus on the Family Class citizenship – you will have around 25 questions related to it.

The next one would be Temporary immigration categories: work permits, study permits, etc. This section is very tricky, because it includes a lot of information and details. For instance, you have to know whether your client requires a medical examination to apply for study or work visas, be aware of the exemptions, and know how long they would be able to stay in the country and ways to extend their stay etc. This section has around 30 questions.

You should also know about Canadian laws and regulations. For instance, if your client is being removed from Canada, you have to know how to deal with removal orders. You have to know different kinds of appeals: for example, if your case is refused, where can you appeal? This also includes the knowledge of the refugee application process. This section is around 25 question, and it is one of the most detailed sections.

There will also be 5-7 questions on the topics of ethics, dates and deadlines, and various calculations: application fees, Comprehensive Ranking System scores for Express Entry, etc. On top of that, you have questions on different kinds of permanent categories, like the Express Entry or self-employed category. There will also be 5-7 questions related to the province-specific programs, like the Provincial Nominee Program or Quebec programs.

Is it beneficial to take the ICCRC prep course?

If you need to refresh your knowledge, or would like some guidance on what to focus on (like the key points and the exceptions), the prep course will be very beneficial.

You should remember that on the exam, they don’t really give you the general situations; they ask about specific examples. One example is: what if your client has a spouse he wants to sponsor? The spouse has 2 dependent children, and one of the children is an adopted orphan child. Does the sponsor need to meet the minimum income requirement? If you don’t understand the details in the situation, you will answer “no”. However in this case, you do need to meet the requirement because the child is an orphan child. It can take you a long time to find this exception in the book. That’s why in the prep course, we try to hit points like that.

The key to successfully pass the exam is practice, practice, practice. If you can get a hold of exam questions and different scenarios, that would be best. In my ICCRC prep course, for instance, I give a lot of practice questions (at least 40-45 questions to go through).

Any advice for the exam day?

Remember to bring your original photo ID document as you will be sent home even with a copy. Also make sure you have some extra time if you are transiting – just in case the skytrain stops working, or the bus is late.

Otherwise, the best advice I can give is to relax a couple of days before the exam. Get plenty of sleep the night before and try your best.

After the Exam

The exam prepares you for better understanding of the immigration process. However, it only gives you licence to practice. To become a professional, you may want to start as an assistant or an intern at an existing firm where you can expand your knowledge. This can give you a chance to slowly learn, practice and gain experience. Moreover, you should remember that Immigration Consulting is a competitive profession, so it is necessary to really know what you’re doing.

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If you are planning to immigrate to Canada, you may be aware that language proficiency is one of the immigration requirements. High results on the language proficiency test can in fact make a big difference in your Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking Score, especially when applying without an offer of arranged employment or Provincial Nomination.

There are two options to meet English language skills requirements: taking the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. Both tests are accepted by Citizenship and Immigration Canada; the question is, which is the best test for you?

About the Tests

Both IELTS and CELPIP are designed to measure the English language proficiency of test-takers. The tests include four categories that capture the main aspects of the language: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

IELTS is used for study, work and immigration. It recognizes both British and American English for spelling, word choice and grammar, and uses a mix of accents from native speakers throughout the test. IELTS is available in more than 140 countries and is divided into IELTS Academic (used for education) and IELTS General Training (used for migration to an English-speaking country). If you are taking IELTS to apply through Express Entry, the IELTS General Training test is required.

CELPIP test was designed specifically to assess key language skills required for Canadian permanent residency and citizenship. The test uses Canadian English and accepts both British and American English spellings for its components. If you are taking CELPIP to apply through Express Entry, the CELPIP-General (four-skills tests) is required.

IELTS and CELPIP are both approved and accepted by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). The final test score is compared to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), which demonstrates national language standards for recognizing a second language. To receive any points for Express Entry, the candidate should be able to score a CLB of 4 – 5, equivalent to a moderate proficiency in a daily context. To have a competitive Express Entry profile, a CLB score of 7 or higher is recommended (a CLB 7 score is equivalent to CELPIP 7 and IELTS 6.0 in each of the 4 test categories).

Below is a comparison table of the key components of the tests:

Making Your Choice

There are several factors to consider when choosing which test to take.

1. Location and Availability

Overall, CELPIP is more accessible in Canada. CELPIP has 33 locations across Canada, in all provinces except Prince Edward Island (the test locations are currently unavailable in the three Canadian territories YT, NU, NT). IELTS has 28 locations in five Canadian provinces (ON, QC, MB, AB and BC). On the other hand, only IELTS is available outside of Canada.

The availability for both tests is given months in advance, so it is easy to plan ahead. The frequency with which the tests are offered depend on the province and the city.

2. Price

CELPIP is a cheaper option: the price for CELPIP-General is $265. IELTS price in Canada is $295; however, in certain places in Canada, the fee is higher (e.g. $355 in Fort St John). Outside of Canada, IELTS has different prices, depending on the country in which it is offered.

3. Test and Result Times

The time it takes to finish both tests is approximately the same – around 3 hours. CELPIP is conducted in one sitting; and since it is done on the computer, it is easy to keep track of how much time is left for each of the tasks. When going by sections, CELPIP seems to have longer Listening and Speaking sections and a shorter Writing section. However, CELPIP time break-downs include the question, answer and transition times.

IELTS on the other hand, has three test sections that are completed in the same test room, but the Speaking section is done separately. The applicant may be required to complete the speaking test at a different time, day and possibly location. There also is no automatic computerized time tracking, therefore the times presented in the table above may not include the transition times between the test sections and components.

The results take 13 calendar days for IELTs and 10-12 calendar days for CELPIP. If you are short on time and money is not an issue, CELPIP also has express rating system; the score is available in three business days for an extra $100 fee.

4. Difficulty

Both IELTS and CELPIP were designed to measuring English language proficiency; the level of difficulty is approximately the same in both tests. However, certain sections can be viewed as easier or more difficult by individual test-takers.

There are a few differences that can be noted. Firstly, IELTS is a paper-based exam, while CELPIP is completely computerized. It may be more comforting for some people to do the writing section on paper and to keep track of their own time. Others, on the other hand, feel less pressure on the computer, and prefer to type and be able to see their timing and word count.

Secondly, IELTS includes native speaker from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and US in their Listening section, while CELPIP relies on Canadian speakers. Some non-native speakers may find the CELPIP Listening section more understandable. Also, when taking CELPIP, one is able to adjust the volume in the headphones for the Listening section to suit their needs.

Thirdly, the IELTS Speaking section includes a live conversation with an examiner, while during CELPIP you record your voice on the computer. Some non-native speakers may feel more comfortable without the face-to-face interaction.

5. Preparation

It may be easier to find preparation materials for IELTS, since CELPIP is still relatively new. Both exams, however, offer online samples of their work and have prep courses across Canada. CELPIP prep courses seem to be more prevalent in Canada.

Summary

Both of the tests are equally appropriate to be used for your immigration application, and choosing one over the other can be a matter of personal preference. IELTS is a good choice for the test-takers who prefer paper-based exams and separate face-to-face speaking components, or are applying from outside of Canada. Based on the analysis above, however, CELPIP is a better choice for those who are looking for a faster, less stressful and less costly test experience.

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Ray Toscani is an expert in residential construction and evaluation, and a Home Inspection instructor at Ashton College. Having received an Architectural degree and a Masters in Urban Planning, Ray worked for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for ten years in Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver. Ray has had his own business, 1st Choice Inspection, for almost eleven years. He specializes in residential and commercial inspections, as well as mold and air quality testing. We met up with Ray to discuss who should get into the Home Inspection industry, how, and what benefits it could provide.

The ‘Who’: Who Should Consider the Industry?

Anyone can be successful in the Home Inspection industry. The key is to have an interest in construction or trades, and in helping people make decisions that will benefit them.

It does help to have a background in construction and trades. Firstly, you can bring your previous experience to the industry. For instance, if you are a plumber, you obviously have a great working knowledge of the plumbing component; if you worked in the electrical field, the electrical component will come naturally to you. This definitely gives you a head start.

Secondly, people working in trades have a greater familiarity with construction in general. They have basic knowledge in different construction areas and a greater understanding of how things work. If you’re coming from outside the industry, it can take a little more work to understand what you have to do and what to look for.

One word of caution though: to be a good home inspector, you really need to be a generalist and have a broad view of all the systems and how they work. Coming from the construction industry, you may start thinking that they already know everything about construction, when in reality, you probably only have significant knowledge in one specific area. It is important to keep an open mind and embrace every learning opportunity you get.

The ‘How’: Industry Requirements

It is relatively easy to start your own practice. It does, however, require you to do an educational component, to do a significant amount of on-site training and practice, and to obtain the full licence.

To meet the educational component, one has to fulfill an average of 150 hours of in-class practice that will prepare you for writing seven 1-hour exams. This is where Ashton College programs come in: the Home Inspection course is divided into seven components, preparing the students for their seven exams and helping them meet their educational requirements.

For the practice component, it is necessary to do three peer-review home inspections for 3 different licensed inspectors, which can be done upon fulfilling 150 hours of on-site training with a licensed inspector. Doing this will give the candidate an associate status, which will lead to a full certification after the candidate fulfills 250 individual home inspections. Of course, you should become a member of one of the professional associations, such as the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (CAHPI), before you start your training and licensing.

It is a lengthy process: on average, it takes about one year to get licensed. It depends, of course, on how eager you are and how hard you work – it is possible to do it in a few months, and I’ve seen people achieve that.

The ‘Why’: Benefits of Working for Yourself

This industry gives you the opportunity to help people, work for yourself, and even branch out and start your own company. It is relatively easy to start your own company in home inspection: there are no real barriers to entry, and it’s relatively low-cost. In fact, 98% of home inspectors work for themselves. There is flexibility in schedule, which is very important, especially if you have a family. Also you have pride of ownership. You can customize your business however you want to. You can make it as big or small as you want to make it; you can operate it the way you want to; you can provide whatever level of customer service and communication with your clients that you decide to provide.

Some people think that in home inspection, the whole job is being a good home inspector. Of course, it is an important part of the job, but there are a lot of other different components to it. Running your own business requires a thorough understanding of marketing principles; accounting; communication; use of IT; and all the other things that are important to run a successful business.

In my classes, I try to not only explain the technical side of things (which, of course, is important), but also talk about communication and negotiation skills, customer service, finance, marketing, ways to approach realtors and many other business-related topics. I think it is important to understand what it is like to be in business for yourself as a home inspector.

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The Liberal party, led by Justin Trudeau went from a distant third in the polls to sweeping Atlantic Canada, parts of Quebec, urban Ontario and even ridings in traditionally Conservative Alberta to claim a majority government.

The polls hadn’t closed across Canada when news organizations called a Liberal government – and, shortly after, a Liberal majority. The Liberals grabbed 184 seats, while the Conservatives ended the evening with 99 seats and 31.9% of the popular vote, the NDP with 44 seats (19.7%), the Bloc Québécois with 10 seats (4.7%) and the Greens with one seat, leader Elizabeth May’s in B.C., and 3.5% support.

Peter McKay, a former Conservative MP and cabinet minister, conceded that many voters wanted to remove the Conservative government from power.

“This is not what we had hoped for at all. Clearly there was a very clear resonance of this (idea of) change – change to what or change for what reason people can give all kinds of commentary. After 10 years in office, there’s going to be an accumulation of resentments over various issues, and that’s obviously what we’re seeing.”

After three terms as prime minister, Stephen Harper indicated to his party that he would be stepping down as leader of the Conservatives, though remaining as an MP (Calgary Heritage).

In a lengthy victory speech, Trudeau stressed the power of positive election campaigning.

“You can appeal to the better angels of our natures, and you can win while doing it. We beat fear with hope, we beat cynicism with hard work, we beat negative, divisive politics with a positive vision that brings Canadians together. Our enviable, inclusive society didn’t happen by accident and won’t continue without effort. Have faith in your fellow citizens, they are kind and generous, they are open and optimistic. They know in their heart of hearts that a Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian.”

Throughout the marathon campaign, the longest since 1872, Trudeau pledged to boost the economy, help the middle class, and improve the way Canada’s government is run. Here are some of the issues Trudeau has promised to address.

Money Matters

• Trudeau promised that the first bill of a Liberal government would include changes to income tax rates and tax credits for families.
• The middle-class tax cut will reduce the tax rate from 22.5 per cent to 20 per cent for individuals earning between $44,700 and $89,401 a year. There was also to be a new tax bracket for people earning more than $200,000 a year; they will pay 33 per cent tax on their income.
• The Liberal party plans to reverse the Conservative government’s doubling of TFSA limits and the income splitting they introduced for families with young children.
• The Canada child benefit will replace the universal child care benefit. That means the end of $1,600 taxable cheques for each child in every family. The Liberals non-taxable benefit will be based on income, with low-income families receiving $5,000 a year. The amount decreases as earnings increase, and families earning more than $300,000 will receive nothing.
• Massive infrastructure investment was a central component of Trudeau’s campaign. The Liberals pledged to run deficits for the next three years in order to stimulate the Canadian economy.

Trudeau has pledged to run budget deficits and spend on infrastructure to stimulate economic growth. [Reuters]

Immigration Issues

• Trudeau promised to “amend” C-51, but the details of that planned amendment are still vague.
• Since January, the Liberals have promised to bring in 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of 2015. During the election, the party said that goal could still be reached if it won the election, and that it would cost $100 million.
• The Liberals have promised to spend $100 million to provide humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees who are still in the region.

Inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women

• In addition to acceding to mounting public pressure for an inquiry into more than 1,000 missing and murdered aboriginal women, Trudeau pledged to build a “renewed relationship” with Canada’s indigenous people.

Legalization of Marijuana

• Trudeau promised to legalize and regulate marijuana.

Electoral reform

• Trudeau promised this would be Canada’s last plurality-based election: His government, he said during the campaign, will consult Canadians on a new electoral system with an aim to adopt proportional representation.

The Liberal platform also includes some steps the party will take “immediately” upon forming government:

• Call an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women.
• Lift the two per cent cap on increases to First Nations education funding and establish a new financial relationship with First Nations.
• Launch a new competition to replace the CF-18 fighter jet and scrap the F-35 fighter program.
• Review defence capabilities with the aim of creating a more efficient military.
• Hire additional mental health professionals to support veterans.
• Reinstate the long-form census.
• Implement imported gun-marking legislation.
• Begin a review of environmental assessment processes.
• Double the number of immigration applications allowed for parents and grand-parents.
• Lift the visa requirement for Mexican travel to Canada.

Sources

CBC Interactive Election Results

Decision Canada – Global News

Canadian election 2015 hands Justin Trudeau and the Liberals a majority government – National Post

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This exciting new infographic from the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) illustrates the key trends currently driving the infusion of online learning in higher education based on the most current research from across the higher education industry.

The infographic highlights a number of trends that are affecting this changing landscape, including:

• A growing and aging undergrad population
• Rising tuition costs requiring innovative alternatives
• An evolving workforce seeking lifelong learning options
• Academic leaders strategic focus to develop online learning strategies

A complete list of sources for the statistics presented in this infographic can be found below, although a number of trends highlighted were drawn from the latest survey of academic leaders regarding online education. Survey findings are detailed in “Grade Level – Tracking Online Education in the United States,” co-sponsored and distributed by OLC and based on a survey of more than 2,800 academic leaders conducted by the Babson Survey Research Group.

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The Life Licence Qualification Program (LLQP) is the first step towards applying for a life insurance licence. Before an advisor in the Canadian financial services sector is allowed to begin selling life insurance products, they must complete and pass the LLQP and earn a certificate of completion.

Once the certification exam is completed, applicants may apply to their provincial insurance council to write the licencing exam. Once the licencing exam is passed, the applicant is permitted to apply for a licence to sell life insurance, accident and sickness insurance products, and life insurance related investment products like segregated funds and annuities. Application for a life insurance licence is done through the licencing regulatory body for the specific province. The LLQP exam certificate is valid in all provinces and territories except Quebec, which uses a separate system altogether.

As soon as you obtain the LLQP certification and pass the Life Licence exam for the province(s) in which you wish to be life licensed, you may step into the professional world of financial services, including investments, insurance and financial planning.

The future looks bright for individuals looking to pursue a career in financial services, as the 2022 BC Labour Market Outlook predicts that “Business, Finance and Administration occupations will have a massive 167,000 job openings by 2022.”

The career path of a financial advisor is extremely promising. When it comes to compensation, the financial services industry is one of the highest-paying sectors. While your specific salary depends on your position, financial advisors generally start on a fixed salary while they complete their exams and training. Your starting salary as a new financial advisor is determined by your experience and income prior to joining the firm. By your third year, you should have built a steady book of business and will transition away from a salary and earn your income solely from commission, which can range from 18 – 40%. Financial advisors often receive bonuses on a semi-annual basis, and may be included in profit sharing programs, depending on their firm. Careers in financial services offer a great platform for entrepreneurial opportunities, as your earning potential is without limit and entirely dependent upon your level of motivation.

While the LLQP is an entry level program, it is required in order to become eligible to work for many companies. Individuals considering entering the financial services industry can broaden their skill-set and differentiate themselves from other applicants by completing the LLQP.

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Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party surged to a stunning majority on October 19, recording a series of upset victories over incumbent Conservatives in ridings across Canada. However, few Conservative casualties were as prominent or controversial as Chris Alexander, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration under Stephen Harper.

Alexander lost his riding in Ajax, Ontario, after widespread criticism of how his office worked to handle the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis. The defeat of Alexander and the Conservative Party has generated confusion and uncertainty concerning the future of immigration in Canada, but with Justin Trudeau set to announce his cabinet on Wednesday, November 4, Canadians can hope to soon have a better idea of how the government will begin to manage unprecedented demand for immigration into the future.

So, who could be the next Minister of Citizenship and Immigration?

While there have been no official announcements yet, Justin Trudeau has a number of individuals available to serve as the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. We’ve identified three individuals who he may be considering.

Navdeep Bains

Navdeep Bains, an experienced Liberal Member of Parliament, is widely considered to be one of the most likely candidates for Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. Bains represented the riding of Mississauga-Brampton South from 2004-2011 and returns to the House of Commons after a defeat in 2011 with a victory in the new riding of Mississauga-Malton. During the past election, Bains served as co-chair of the extremely successful Liberal Ontario campaign. Many sources note that Bains is in the confidence of Prime Minister-designate Trudeau, and it is likely that his parliamentary experience, organizational skills and political awareness will be recognized with a senior cabinet position, perhaps in the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration or Foreign Affairs.

Judy Sgro

Judy Sgro, representing the riding of Humber River-Black Creek (formerly York West), is one of the few Liberal MPs who has already held a ministerial position. In fact, from 2003-2005, Sgro served as the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration under the Paul Martin government. Her tenure was tarnished by conflict-of-interest allegations that ultimately forced her resignation, though the claims against her have since been proven false. Sgro has accumulated years of parliamentary experience, serving from 1999 to the present, and her previous role as Citizenship and Immigration Minister undoubtedly sets her apart from the other candidates for the job. However, she has since served in other capacities such as the Opposition Critic for Industry, and she may be reluctant to pick up the same job that she held ten years ago.

John McCallum

Another experienced MP from the Toronto area, John McCallum most recently served as the Liberal Critic for Immigration, and his work in that position may have contributed to the downfall of Chris Alexander. McCallum is no stranger to cabinet positions, serving as the Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Veteran Affairs under Paul Martin and the Minister of National Defence under Jean Chretien. He has also worked previously as Chief Economist for the Royal Bank of Canada. Despite his recent role in Canadian immigration, McCallum’s other accomplishments and experiences may render him a more likely candidate for the prestigious Minister of Finance position.

So, while we don’t know for certain who will become the next Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, it’s evident that Justin Trudeau has a number of qualified, experienced candidates to choose from. Either way, the next Minister will have a big job ahead of them, and their policies and leadership will have the potential to dramatically impact the future of Canadian immigration and the lives of countless families and individuals. Be sure to tune in on Wednesday, November 4, to see who will guide the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration into the future!

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The post Who Could Be the Next Minister of Citizenship and Immigration? appeared first on Ashton College.

The Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) allows provinces to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and who are interested in settling in a particular province.

Each Canadian province and one territory has its own unique Provincial Nomination Program (except for Quebec, which has a different selection system).

Provincial and territorial governments have been using these programs to more effectively and efficiently welcome newcomers to their region. Each PNP is tailored to the province’s/territory’s specific needs to select nominees who will be able to settle into life and work in the region and to effectively contribute to the community.

Each province and territory has its own “streams” (immigration programs that target certain groups) and criteria for their PNP.

To apply for the PNP applicants must:

• apply to a province or territory for a nomination,
• be nominated by that province or territory, then
• apply to CIC to become a permanent resident.

By their very nature, Provincial Nominee Programs are a dynamic and constantly evolving set of Canadian immigration programs. These programs often have relatively small intake caps, and provincial governments are entitled to make changes to them in order to respond to local labour market needs.

Please note, this information was compiled on October 30, 2015. For the most up to date information, visit the individual province’s website, as PNP changes occur on a regular basis. 

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On October 19, Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party was propelled to victory by a Canadian electorate that had rallied around his promise of bringing real change to Ottawa.

While Trudeau proposed a new approach to many issues throughout the course of the marathon 11-week campaign, political debate always seemed to return to the critical issues of citizenship and immigration. From the Syrian refugee crisis to Bill C-51 to the niqab, voters were asked to choose the party that best described who should be Canadian and how to become Canadian. At the end of the day, Justin Trudeau’s perspective of compassion and equal opportunity resonated the most with voters, and Canadians can hope to see this vision reflected in the future of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Justin Trudeau greets supporters during the 2015 federal election campaign. [Reuters]

So, what kind of changes are we likely to see in Canadian immigration procedure? While the Liberal Party has detailed a number of key modifications to the Canadian immigration process, the essence of these changes is an intensified focus on the family. According to Liberal and NDP critics, the Conservative government of Stephen Harper prioritized economic immigration over familial immigration, stifling the opportunity and cohesion of the middle class while catering to the wealthy 1%. The Liberal plan for citizenship and immigration is designed to address this perception by making it easier for families and people with relational ties to immigrate to Canada.

At this point, the Liberal Party has proposed five immediate changes to Canadian immigration that will help relatives and families come to Canada.

1. The budget for family class immigration processing will be doubled. The Liberal Party hopes that this change will dramatically reduce the processing times for individuals applying through family sponsorship. Depending on the case, processing can take well over 100 months.
2. New applications for parents and grandparents will be doubled. Currently, 5,000 new applications for parents and grandparents are allowed each year, and the Liberal Party has promised to raise the number of accepted applications to 10,000 per year.
3. Applicants with Canadian siblings will be granted additional points under the Express Entry program. The new Liberal government will also conduct an extensive review of the program to ensure that processing times are efficient.
4. The maximum age for dependents will be raised to from 19 to 22. This change is focused on helping Canadians who are live-in caregivers bring their children to Canada.
5. New spouses entering Canada will be granted immediate permanent residency. Under the Conservative government, new spouses were granted a two-year conditional status.

The Liberal Party argues that family reunification must be the foundation of immigration to Canada because when families can stay together, it is much easier for them to integrate and contribute to their communities. Under Justin Trudeau’s new government, we can expect key changes to the immigration process that help families and relatives come to Canada. While we have yet to see any of the changes and modifications put into practice, it is evident that the new Canadian government has considered and constructed a concrete plan designed to reorient Canadian immigration towards a focus on the family.

With Justin Trudeau set to announce his new cabinet on Wednesday, November 4, the Liberals plan for immigration reform is front and center. Click here to find which MP may be tapped to serve as Canada’s next Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

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The post Focus on the Family: The Future of Canadian Immigration under Justin Trudeau appeared first on Ashton College.

The Quebec government recently announced the long-awaited reopening of the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP). Applications will be accepted from November 4, 2015 until March 31, 2016.

The QSWP is a point-based immigration program designed for candidates that are planning to reside in the province of Quebec, as opposed to other provinces and territories in Canada. Points are awarded in various areas: age, education, work experience, language proficiency and others, including criteria that are unique to Quebec (such as the stay in Quebec and the family connections category). A minimum score of 49 (57 if with a spouse/common-law partner) is required to qualify for the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) which would enable candidates to apply for Canadian permanent resident visa.

The government of Quebec is allowing a maximum of 6,300 application to be processed during the two application periods. The first period will run from November 4 until December 15 of this year, with the government of Quebec accepting up to 3,500 print applications only. The online application period (up to 2,800 applications) will be open from January 18 to March 31, 2016.

Here are some of the benefits of applying through the QSWP program:

• No pool of candidates: applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. 
• No Invitation to Apply: after acquiring the CSQ, the candidate can apply directly for a PR visa.
• Easy to predict the outcomes: knowing the passing score allows candidates to more accurately predict their outcome.
• Area of Training list: this list can account for up to 16 points (out of 49) of the final score, which is good news for candidates with diplomas and expertise in the areas that Quebec seeks. For 2015-2016 applicants, these include Computer Science and Engineering, Accounting and Financial Services, Translation, and Health Care.
• No job offer required: although a job offer adds points to the candidates, it is not a required part of the application.
• Points for French proficiency: knowledge of French is not required, but candidates can earn extra points for it.
• You can still apply for Express Entry: you are required to withdraw one of your applications only after receiving the CSQ or the Invitation to Apply.
• Quebec is a popular immigration destination: it is quite beautiful indeed!

Visit the Quebec immigration website to learn more about the QSWP program and to find out how to apply for this program.

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The post Quebec Skilled Worker Program Applications Accepted in November appeared first on Ashton College.