In Canada, smoking is now generally considered socially unacceptable, and has been banned in most workplaces, and in public places such as federal buildings, restaurants, bars, bingo halls, billiard halls, bowling alleys, casinos and on outdoor patios.

The efforts of the Canadian Government and health activists have led to tightened restrictions on both the sale and the use of tobacco products, with retail behind-the-counter displays of tobacco being banned in 2009.  It is now illegal to sell tobacco products in hospitals, psychiatric facilities, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, charitable institutions and in grocery stores that also have a pharmacy in the store.

In some provinces, smoking in prisons, indoor smoking and smoking at venues where children are present, such as parks and sports fields, has also been outlawed. Fines under the Tobacco Control Act for those caught smoking range from $5,000 to $25,000. Young people under 18 who are smoking or in possession of tobacco products can be fined $100 and have their cigarettes taken away.

More recently, several municipalities have outlawed smoking in vehicles carrying children. Smoking in many provinces is prohibited within 15 metres of schools and within 3 metres of building entrances; on public transport, and in bus shelters. Taxi cabs and work vehicles are also smoke-free.

If you are a smoker who will be relocating to Canada in the near future, you may find it helpful to be aware of some basic smoking etiquette in Canada.

• When socialising with others in a home or establishment, or even outside, it is considered polite to ask if anyone minds before you light a cigarette, cigar or pipe.
• It is considered extremely rude to start smoking in another person’s home or car without asking first. This includes smoking outside the person’s home (on their porch or front deck).
• Disposing of cigarette ash, butts, matches, empty lighters and cigarette packages onto pavements, streets, landscaping, parking lots and beaches is considered extremely rude and also carries a fine in most provinces and territories.
• Discarding a lit cigarette butt from a vehicle could incur a fine of $1,000. Many costly and hugely destructive forest fires have been started this way!

For those of you who choose to stop smoking when you arrive in Canada, the good news is that there are a wide variety of free smoking cessation programmes offered all across Canada. A good place to start is by contacting the Canadian Cancer Society or any of the Canadian provincial Lunch Associations for details of local programmes to help you quit!

If you are relocating to Canada and networking is not something you are familiar or comfortable with, you may need to initially force yourself to circulate in order to build your network. Networking does not have to take place in formal situations or cost a lot of money. Talking with parents and teachers at your children’s school offers networking opportunities. Introducing yourself to neighbours and letting them know you are new to Canada and looking for work is also networking! Most people are willing to help out, because Canadians are generally a friendly bunch and enjoy the satisfaction of helping others.

Networking is about giving as well as receiving, and successful networkers understand that it is important to show an interest in the needs of others by asking “Is there anything I can do for you?” before ending a successful networking conversation. Networking is not an opportunity to ask directly for a job and it is customary to only ask for one thing at a time.

As you build your new network in Canada, remember to thank those who have provided leads, information and advice. Stay in touch and let them know the results of your follow-up. Giving them an update on your progress and successes will let them know they did not waste their time helping you, and they will be more likely to help you again in the future!

Perfumes, colognes, aftershave and air fresheners, as well as other strongly scented personal care products have been reported to trigger symptoms such as respiratory problems, skin irritation, headaches, nausea, seizures and muscle pain in people with environmental sensitivities.

Canadian Human Rights legislation requires that people with diagnosed environmental sensitivities must be accommodated in their workplaces. Consequently, scent-free workplace policies have been implemented to minimise allergic reactions to scented products.

For newcomers to Canada, I recommend you do not wear perfume, cologne or aftershave when going out to public places, attending interviews, or starting work at a new job.

If you wear scents on other occasions, a good rule of thumb is that your fragrance should be somewhat private. It should stay within your personal “scent circle” and should not be detectable at more than an arm’s length from your body.

Your consideration of the sensitive people around you will be greatly appreciated.

When seeking employment, there are two job markets for you to access: the “visible job market” and the “hidden job market”. It is generally accepted in Canada that the visible job market represents about 15-20% of all available jobs, yet this is the market that most newcomers access.

A good metaphor for the Canadian job market would be to describe it as an iceberg. The visible job market represents the tip, which is above the water. However, most of the jobs – like most of the iceberg – are hidden from view.

For every 100 jobs available, at least 80 will be hidden. Only 20 will be advertised. However, for every 100 job seekers, only 10 people will look in the hidden job market. The other 90 will rely on the visible job market!

These hidden jobs come about in several ways. The most common way is as a result of an upcoming change in a company – expansion, new technology, reorganisation, promotions, relocations, transfers, retirements etc. A new position will be created. It hasn’t been advertised yet. It may not be clearly defined but it is coming, and there is someone in the company who knows it’s coming.

Advertising these jobs in newspapers and on the internet is both time consuming and expensive for companies and the results are often slow in coming. So, many companies opt for cheaper and faster methods first. For example, many post their job openings in-house. To spread the word about these jobs, employers will sometimes offer incentives or cash rewards to their employees, if the people they recommend from the outside are hired. Word of mouth is a major way these hidden jobs get filled, and cash incentives certainly get people talking!

Hidden jobs also arise as a result of problems. Every company, no matter how successful, has problems. If a company has a problem that is costing them money or time or customers, and they became aware of someone who has the know-how to solve their problem, what do they do? Yes, you guessed it! They create a job for that person and often hire them immediately. Remember, just because a job isn’t advertised it doesn’t mean that an employer isn’t looking for candidates.

Clearly, as a newcomer to Canada you can improve your job prospects dramatically if you’re part of the 10% who look in the hidden job market (where 80% of the jobs are), rather than part of the 90% who look in the visible job market (where 20% of the jobs are). Don’t ignore the visible job market – but do spend more time accessing the hidden job market.

Tapping into the hidden job market means identifying companies that would likely be a fit for you. It requires knowledge of companies that are active in your field, are planning projects that could use you, are expanding their product or service lines, licensing new technology, launching new ventures, replacing retired personnel, and so on.

All of this, of course, requires a more creative approach to your job search, and some hard work on your part. There are many facets to learning how to successfully access the hidden job market. If you feel uncertain, then seek the help of those who can assist you.

Here are a few basic tips to help you get started:

Build a network

Since networking is a huge part of finding unadvertised vacancies you will need to learn how to build a network.

Broadcast

Let people know you are looking for a job, what your past experience includes, and what type of work you seek.

Be professional

Even if your prior relationship with a contact was personal, when networking, stay professional.

Be diplomatic

Do not come right out and ask for a job; this is often considered impolite. Ask contacts for tips or leads that you can follow — ask them to point you in the right direction.

Cold-calling

In addition to network-building you will need to learn to do cold calls to employers who are not advertising. This is hard work, and especially difficult for individuals who cannot market themselves.

Be confident

Don’t be shy. Fake confidence if you need to!

Get out there

Attend conferences, seminars or trade shows that relate to your line of work. Keep on learning.

Good luck with your job search!

No doubt about it, winter weather conditions in many parts of Canada can be harsh at times. High windchills, heavy snowfall, blizzards, freezing rain and extremely cold temperatures all pose a hazard to those travelling or venturing outside.

Some parts of Canada don’t get much snow and ice in winter but many Canadians battle tough weather conditions and slippery roads for almost six months each year. The “white stuff” generally starts to arrive in late October and can often stay around until March or later. Although winter weather can be harsh, we are fortunate that the truly “deep freeze” cold snaps tend not to last more than a few weeks at a time and in many parts of Canada the sun shines all winter long, which is a great lift for the spirit.

If you’ve never experienced harsh winter weather before and your definition of cold is when you open the freezer door, then you may be tempted to spend your first winter in Canada taking refuge indoors. Resist the urge to hide from winter. Develop your winter survival skills, with help from the tips listed, and you too will learn, in true Canadian spirit, to embrace and celebrate winter in all its glory.

To combat the cold:

• Check the weather forecast (and road reports) before going outdoors or travelling. Pay particular attention to windchill, which can create dangerously cold conditions. Bring along extra clothing in case there is a sudden weather change.
• Dress warmly in layers, preferably with a wind and waterproof outer layer. Look for outerwear (hats, boots and gloves) containing Thinsulate Insulation. Thin layers of loose fitting clothing (fleece) will trap your body heat while aiding air circulation. Outer clothing should preferably be hooded, tightly woven, and repel water. Mittens are warmer than gloves.
• Wear a hat, as most of your body heat is lost through your head. If it is extremely cold, cover your mouth to protect your lungs from the cold air.
• Purchase good quality knee length winter boots for all family members. Some of the more expensive winter boots will withstand temperatures of -70°, so your feet will be snug all winter if you make this purchase a top priority.
• When choosing footwear for daily use, ask for “winterised” boots and shoes. These will have a thermal insole and will keep your feet much warmer than regular shoes.

Driving in winter:

Most newcomers to Canada are likely to be unfamiliar, and perhaps even a little terrified, at the prospect of driving in snowy and icy conditions. Although it may seem like an unwelcome extra expense during your first winter in Canada, purchasing a set of winter tyres may well be a very sound investment.

If you feel confused about choosing suitable winter tyres, you should be aware that in 1999 Transport Canada announced a new industry standard to help Canadian consumers identify and buy snow tyres that provide a higher level of traction for Canada’s harsh winter conditions.

Look for snow/ice tyres marked with a pictograph of a mountain and snowflake on the side of the tyre. This design indicates that tyres have met specific snow traction performance requirements, and have been designed specifically for use in severe snow conditions.

In some provinces there may be no provincial regulations requiring the use of either snow tyres or chains. The purchase of winter tyres is at the discretion of the vehicle owner. While it is legal in some provinces to use chains and studded tyres, these are usually only needed for extreme driving conditions on highways or in the mountains (where they may be mandatory in some provinces during the winter season).

Winter Pleasures:

Despite the winter weather, each year, dozens of cities throughout Canada hold festivals to celebrate the winter months. Join in the fun! Here are just a few of Canada’s best-known winter festivals for you to enjoy:

• Carnaval de Québec, Quebec City
• Winterlude, Ottawa
• Calgary Winterfest
• Festival du Voyageur, St. Boniface, Manitoba

If you have the time and ability, you may prefer to take part in more strenuous, but low cost, winter activities such as tobogganing, skating, snowshoeing or cross country skiing.

Tobogganing is a good old-fashioned activity that is great fun and good exercise – plus the hike up the hill preceding the slide down is great winter fitness for all the family. A large plastic garbage bag can do the trick if you don’t have a toboggan/sled. Local parks often provide an instant gentle ski slope for the children! Most stores sell basic toboggans and sleds for under $20. Remind kids to wear head protection and look ahead to ensure there is plenty of room before they proceed down the hill.

Skating is also a great family pastime and can be done both indoors and outdoors depending on the winter weather in your area. The great thing about this popular winter pastime is that outdoor skating is free! Many neighbourhoods maintain outdoor rinks and rent equipment at reasonable prices or you can also skate on the park lakes and lagoons. Be sure to wear head protection as well as properly fitted skates.

Snowshoeing is becoming one of the hottest ways to stay fit in the cold. Walkers, runners, and hikers are turning to snowshoeing as their winter sport of choice. It’s a fun and inexpensive way for you and your family to get outside, and if you can put one foot in front of the other, you can showshoe! After two minutes of practice, you’ll be cruising around like you were born with snowshoes on your feet. Even better, snowshoeing burns up to a whopping 1,000 calories an hour!

Cross-country skiing together as a family is a great winter workout and the cost is quite inexpensive compared to downhill (alpine) skiing. It offers more time to spend with your skiing companions, breathe in the clean air, and view the majestic scenery. With more than 500 ski areas across Canada you can cross-country ski practically anywhere.

Stay warm, have fun, play safe and enjoy the delights that Canada’s winter has to offer you and your family.

Good luck with your move!