₦airaland Forum

Good day All, please I’m looking for a room to rent in around Pickering, Hamilton and its environs

jedisco:
I've always wondered why many posts on this thread bother on a far-right, anti-immigrant sentiment. Folks calling themselves 'third world', hating on other brown folks and constantly berating the country they live in etc. Reminds me of the recent Mehdi Hassan interview with far-right folks where a Latino dude got an awakening.

There's little in terms of substance on the actual reality of living in Canada here. I initially thought the Nigerian community in Canada is relatively not as robust but thats hardly the case. If not that I'm in Canada, I'd have mistaken the sentiment here for the reality. Folks I interract with have little bother about most of this.
The question becomes, why has this place become a venting ground for Nigerians fed up with Canada? Also, why is there little substance in terms of the wider reality of navigating Canada here?

You’re sitting in the UK acting like you are a guru in Canadian reality, but you don’t even live here. Easy to throw around theories about “why Nigerians vent” when you’re not the one dealing with rent hikes, job searches, or navigating IRCC’s moving goalposts!!

Sheron50:
You’re sitting in the UK acting like you are a guru in Canadian reality, but you don’t even live here. Easy to throw around theories about “why Nigerians vent” when you’re not the one dealing with rent hikes, job searches, or navigating IRCC’s moving goalposts!!

Again you miss the point - this is not about being a 'guru' in any society but the reality of living and thriving. This is a thread for Nigerians to discuss the reality and their experience of living in Canada not one to endlessly moan, debase ourselves or hate on a group we think are responsible for our individual struggles. If you're frustrated about IRCCs goalposts, then obsession with a group will not help. No country is without it's challenges.

nitrogen:
Brah, you are the problem! People are having real conversations about the state (and reality) of their country. Every topic discussed here affects Canadians and immigrants one way or the other. So, calm down!

Including calling ourselves third world and hating migrants?

jedisco:
Again you miss the point - this is not about being a 'guru' in any society but the reality of living and thriving. This is a thread for Nigerians to discuss the reality and their experience of living in Canada not one to endlessly moan, debase ourselves or hate on a group we think are responsible for our individual struggles. If you're frustrated about IRCCs goalposts, then obsession with a group will not help. No country is without it's challenges.

Why do you mistake people sharing real encounters and challenges for hate? Or is it that you only want to hear fake fantasy stories of life abroad? It’s easy to preach ‘no country is without challenges’ when you’re not the one carrying the weight in Canada theory is cheap, reality isn’t!

Sheron50:
Why do you mistake people sharing real encounters and challenges for hate? Or is it that you only want to hear fake fantasy stories of life abroad? It’s easy to preach ‘no country is without challenges’ when you’re not the one carrying the weight in Canada theory is cheap, reality isn’t!

In today's world that increasing overlap between anecdotes and actual reality is easy to blurry.
You want examples? I could go on for a while. From Nigeria- most of our religious and ethnic riots were fanned by what people thought to be 'real encounters'. All the tribal tropes we hear backhome and racist tropes world over are always based off some 'real encounter'. Every racist always has some 'real encounter' but excuse it by saying: 'It's not hate, afterall I have an Bleep friend'

Life anywhere can be hard- the way to thrive is not by hate or debasing oneself. If not anything, that's more likely to consign folks to a state of self-defeat

pecky34:
Hello everyone ,

I’m currently planning on doing a soft landing in Canada sometime in August and I’m in search of an apartment preferably in Ontario ..if there’s any I’ll appreciate if someone can reply to this post

Thank you

Hello ,are you Canada now and how did you go about the accommodation? I’d be landing soon too

jedisco:
I've always wondered why many posts on this thread bother on a far-right, anti-immigrant sentiment. Folks calling themselves 'third world', hating on other brown folks and constantly berating the country they live in etc. Reminds me of the recent Mehdi Hassan interview with far-right folks where a Latino dude got an awakening.

There's little in terms of substance on the actual reality of living in Canada here. I initially thought the Nigerian community in Canada is relatively not as robust but thats hardly the case. If not that I'm in Canada, I'd have mistaken the sentiment here for the reality. Folks I interract with have little bother about most of this.
The question becomes, why has this place become a venting ground for Nigerians fed up with Canada? Also, why is there little substance in terms of the wider reality of navigating Canada here?

Bro, you are not alone in your "wondering". It's not only baffling, it is also weird. Naturally, one would think that on such a thread, where pretty much every single person got into Canada through its near open-border policies, people would be a lot more welcoming and accommodating. It's truly shocking to find that the near reverse is the case. I find no other explanations besides the classic pulling down the bridge after crossing, or worse, internal frustrations with Canada such that restricting opportunities become the go-to solution for these folks. For the first case, you have people who no longer share the sufferings of their fellow brown and black folks, having managed to overcome some of these sufferings themselves. They no longer feel in touch with most of their own people, squarely because they now live in some measure of comfort. In that case, it's just selfishness or perhaps lack of empathy, something not that far from the self-absorbed man. For the second case, I'd like to believe it's just their failure speaking. They are unable to make the country work for them, regardless how hard they've tried. The solution then, must be pulling down the bridge and barring any more immigrant from sharing in the bread that, to them, doesn't appear enough to go around. Whatever the case, these are two scenarios that paint a self-consumed, apathetic population that does not represent the true Canadian ideal of warmth, openness and accommodation. It's just crazy. One of the more reasons I can't take this thread that seriously any more.

NuCypher:
Bro, you are not alone in your "wondering". It's not only baffling, it is also weird. Naturally, one would think that on such a thread, where pretty much every single person got into Canada through its near open-border policies, people would be a lot more welcoming and accommodating. It's truly shocking to find that the near reverse is the case. I find no other explanations besides the classic pulling down the bridge after crossing, or worse, internal frustrations with Canada such that restricting opportunities become the go-to solution for these folks. For the first case, you have people who no longer share the sufferings of their fellow brown and black folks, having managed to overcome some of these sufferings themselves. They no longer feel in touch with most of their own people, squarely because they now live in some measure of comfort. In that case, it's just selfishness or perhaps lack of empathy, something not that far from the self-absorbed man. For the second case, I'd like to believe it's just their failure speaking. They are unable to make the country work for them, regardless how hard they've tried. The solution then, must be pulling down the bridge and barring any more immigrant from sharing in the bread that, to them, doesn't appear enough to go around. Whatever the case, these are two scenarios that paint a self-consumed, apathetic population that does not represent the true Canadian ideal of warmth, openness and accommodation. It's just crazy. One of the more reasons I can't take this thread that seriously any more.

in summary we should keep deceiving/ window dressing the current situation in Canada? I for one warned people to stop using student visa to come in when students were going 6 -9 months without a job and PR no longer reachable. For the permanent residency that most of us came in with its also no longer straight forward and achievable like it was 3 years ago. None of us here were responsible for the drastic changes. The unemployment situation was the major driver. Anyone that has made up their mind to come to Canada will still come regardless of what ever they read here.

ednut1:
in summary we should keep deceiving/ window dressing the current situation in Canada? I for one warned people to stop using student visa to come in when students were going 6 -9 months without a job and PR no longer reachable. For the permanent residency that most of us came in with its also no longer straight forward and achievable like it was 3 years ago. None of us here were responsible for the drastic changes. The unemployment situation was the major driver. Anyone that has made up their mind to come to Canada will still come regardless of what ever they read here.

You said it all. This is exactly why many people choose to stay silent because the moment they share their struggles, they’re quickly labeled as ungrateful or negative , no matter the reality they face as immigrants.

The issue is that we can all talk about what we face. There is no where on earth that is perfect.
Canada lost 66,000 jobs in August and unemployment rate increased to 7.1%. That's a reality and people need to voice it out. It doesn't mean that some people are not finding jobs but the number of people who lost job is more than those who find job. People need to be aware of such developments.

sanima770:
You said it all. This is exactly why many people choose to stay silent because the moment they share their struggles, they’re quickly labeled as ungrateful or negative , no matter the reality they face as immigrants.

lanresz:
The issue is that we can all talk about what we face. There is no where on earth that is perfect.
Canada lost 66,000 jobs in August and unemployment rate increased to 7.1%. That's a reality and people need to voice it out. It doesn't mean that some people are not finding jobs but the number of people who lost job is more than those who find job. People need to be aware of such developments.

this is IRCC on Twitter posting this. But if an immigrant like us tells someone its not currently worth it/ easy to get we will be labelled as haters who want to burn the bridges 🤣🤣

NuCypher:
Whatever the case, these are two scenarios that paint a self-consumed, apathetic population that does not represent the true Canadian ideal of warmth, openness and accommodation. It's just crazy. One of the more reasons I can't take this thread that seriously any more.

You capture it quite succinctly. My experience of Canada has been much warmer and welcoming than my experience of the UK. Reason why I laugh when folks say migration has 'spoilt the UK'. They certainly haven't been thru the UK system.

You list two groups and try to give reasons. Reminds me of a commentary I listened to recently about the widening dichotomy of many economies - wealth inequality some would call it. The top to upper middle are doing very well (afterall markets are at all time highs) whereas many who are struggling and feeling disillusioned have been told the reason they can't have a cookie is cos of the man outside.
Sadly, many of us have bought it - just like the picture but in reverse. I wonder if we think we'd have more favourable statements if we were the ones being thrown under.

ednut1:
in summary we should keep deceiving/ window dressing the current situation in Canada? I for one warned people to stop using student visa to come in when students were going 6 -9 months without a job and PR no longer reachable. For the permanent residency that most of us came in with its also no longer straight forward and achievable like it was 3 years ago. None of us here were responsible for the drastic changes. The unemployment situation was the major driver. Anyone that has made up their mind to come to Canada will still come regardless of what ever they read here.

We should look at the wider picture here.
This is a thread for Nigerians living in Canada which would include people at different stages of their life here- some would be more established, others fairly new. Infact some might even be born here.
While there shouldn't be undue restrictions, the constant warnings become tired when done in the wrong place. They may be better suited for the express entry thread except folks come here asking.
It's like me going on the UK property thread (https://www.nairaland.com/7534564/living-uk-propertymortgage-related/72) to go and warn people not to come to the UK. Those there don't need that advise.

Lets look at migration in itself.
Recent migrants largely fall into 3 large groups
1. Those who were doing very well in Nigeria and should have done their research before taking a calculated risk to move over. This group don't need to be patronised.
2. Those who are sponsored by their relatives in Canada. For this group, their family saw the 'suffering' here and invited them to partake in it.
3. The last group would be those hustling thru with not much to fall back on. These are the group that may benefit from your advise but they are hardly here.

If Canada is so bad, we should consider heading back to Nigeria where it's easy as some would ask.
I believe there is a robust and well established Nigerian community in Canada not just one made up of recent arrivals - discussions here should reflect that.

Good day. Got ITA 2 days ago, I am working on my application and there is a place that says 'Have you applied to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada before?' I have applied for Quebec but didn’t get a nomination to apply for federal; it was declined. Please, how do I answer this part of the question?

Welcome24:
Good day. Got ITA 2 days ago, I am working on my application and there is a place that says 'Have you applied to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada before?' I have applied for Quebec but didn’t get a nomination to apply for federal; it was declined. Please, how do I answer this part of the question?

Congrats!

I believe that should be 'no' except your application was via IRCC.
If you tick yes, they'd ask for further details. It appears they ask so as to link all your previous applications together should they need to clarify some bits.
When I did mine, I had applied for a visit visa the year before so ticked yes.

Thank you so much

jedisco:
Congrats!

I believe that should be 'no' except your application was via IRCC.
If you tick yes, they'd ask for further details. It appears they ask so as to link all your previous applications together should they need to clarify some bits.
When I did mine, I had applied for a visit visa the year before so ticked yes.

Hi house.
I’ll be arriving Ontario this weekend. I’m trying to send funds to my cousin who is trying to help secure an apartment.
I currently have USD cash. Anyone know how I can send about $10k(USD) to Canada (same day value) without unnecessarily high charges?
Don’t know want to have to change to NGN before changing to CAD.
Also, are there taxes on rent?
Thank you

K865:
Hi house.
I’ll be arriving Ontario this weekend. I’m trying to send funds to my cousin who is trying to help secure an apartment.
I currently have USD cash. Anyone know how I can send about $10k(USD) to Canada (same day value) without unnecessarily high charges?
Don’t know want to have to change to NGN before changing to CAD.
Also, are there taxes on rent?
Thank you

Your cousin should help you by paying from his pocket, then you settles him when you arrived.

Alternatively use geegpay to send directly to his account but charges thou 😏

lanresz:
The issue is that we can all talk about what we face. There is no where on earth that is perfect.
Canada lost 66,000 jobs in August and unemployment rate increased to 7.1%. That's a reality and people need to voice it out. It doesn't mean that some people are not finding jobs but the number of people who lost job is more than those who find job. People need to be aware of such developments.

Fair enough.. interestingly, the UK and US also posted job losses recently. This is to negate particular challenges Canada faces.
Every country does have challenges and economies do have peaks and troughs, however, conversations should be rounded

As someone who moved recently, I've needed and would need help with certain bits e.g

-Where to find the right rental accommodation, source a vehicle, insurance e.t.c
-Tax efficient savings/investment accounts and how to maximise these annually
-How to go about purchasing my place down the line, mortgages e.t.c
-Investments one can explore
-Pension planning as Canada does have a thinner safety net e.t.c

These obviously would differ from person to person and I still need help with many of these especially from those who've been here long enough. You then see why it becomes tiring when the overwhelming majority of discussions are focused on warning people not to come or driving some far-right narrative.

oluayebenz:
Your cousin should help you by paying from his pocket, then you settles him when you arrived.

Alternatively use geegpay to send directly to his account but charges thou 😏

Okay. Thank you. Just learning about Geepay now.

Would you know about paying taxes on rent?

K865:
Okay. Thank you. Just learning about Geepay now.

Would you know about paying taxes on rent?

My brother

You pay tax in everything in Canada

K865:
Okay. Thank you. Just learning about Geepay now.

Would you know about paying taxes on rent?

What do you mean by paying taxes on rent?

Kenn55:
What do you mean by paying taxes on rent?

Like if rent is $2,500 CAD, will I have to pay the 13% provincial tax on it?

oluayebenz:
My brother

You pay tax in everything in Canada

Blood of Moses🙆‍♂️

K865:
Like if rent is $2,500 CAD, will I have to pay the 13% provincial tax on it?

No

Some answers to your questions in italics.

jedisco:
Fair enough.. interestingly, the UK and US also posted job losses recently. This is to negate particular challenges Canada faces.
Every country does have challenges and economies do have peaks and troughs, however, conversations should be rounded


I agree, conversations should be very rounded. I will not discourage anyone to migrate to Canada. I will tell the risks involves which are both positives and negatives. It is left for the potential immigrant to decide.


As someone who moved recently, I've needed and would need help with certain bits e.g

-Where to find the right rental accommodation, source a vehicle, insurance e.t.c

This is based on where you live. Based on where I live in New Brunswick, the best place to find rental accommodation is Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji. This applies to finding a vehicle as well. Other sources are autotrader.ca and cargurus.ca. For vehicle insurance, look at if your employer or an association you belong to has a group rate. If not you can check with an insurance broker where you live, they may be able to make good recommendation for you.

-Tax efficient savings/investment accounts and how to maximise these annually

For tax efficient savings/investment looking into tax free savings account. The limit for 2025 is $7,000. I use Sunlife to manage mine since my employer uses that to manage pension contributions. You can look at Wealthsimple as well. You decide on how much risks you are willing to talk.


-How to go about purchasing my place down the line, mortgages e.t.c
One good advice I was given when I was about to buy my first house was never to fall in love with a certain house that will make me offer more than I am comfortable with. I will offer the same advice. For mortgages, reach out to a mortgage broker where you live. They will be able to offer you good advice on best mortgage rates and be able to guide you based on your objective.

-Investments one can explore
It depends on your level of risks. I am very risk averse and will not invest in risky assets. You can looking into GIS or Canada bonds.

-Pension planning as Canada does have a thinner safety net e.t.c

There is RRSP. The limit in current year is based on 18% of your earned income in the year before. The amount contributed to RRSP will reduce your personal income tax depending on your income level. You direct how you want to invest your RRSP. When it comes to investment, if the returns sounds too good to be true, they are mostly not real.

These obviously would differ from person to person and I still need help with many of these especially from those who've been here long enough. You then see why it becomes tiring when the overwhelming majority of discussions are focused on warning people not to come or driving some far-right narrative.

I have not told anybody not to come to Canada on nairaland.com and I will not. Canada has been very good to me and I won't tell anyone not to come to Canada. I came as a student for grad studies almost immediately after undergrad. I have not established any career and very open to what to do in Canada.

You pay no taxes on rental accommodation. Same applies to unprepared food. If you buy food from restaurants, you pay taxes on the services.

Kenn55:
What do you mean by paying taxes on rent?

lanresz:
Some answers to your questions in italics.



I have not told anybody not to come to Canada on nairaland.com and I will not. Canada has been very good to me and I won't tell anyone not to come to Canada. I came as a student for grad studies almost immediately after undergrad. I have not established any career and very open to what to do in Canada.

Fair points.

Finding a vehicle was an issue. I noticed autotrader was quite scanty and different from what I knew. Kept asking and it turns out many dealerships don't advertise on autotrader. Had to contact one directly. Same also insurance- never used a broker before but had to use one. Was always used to going online and seeking out the most competitive on a market-wide comparison site.

I'd look at the brokers you mentioned before the tax year end. Looking for a dependeable but competitively priced broker with a selection of global fvnd.

Regarding mortgages, I found the undue prenium on new houses surprising. Folks will consider a 20yr old house 'old'. Hehe. I'm trying to seek out a good area and hopefully take discussions forward with a broker over winter.

On investments, I'm seeking info on the buy-to-let sector in Canada. It appears the candaian hoising market is more commoditised and easier to navigate. It's the returns that aren't as clear. Understandably, this is localised.

Regarding pensions, the folk advising me wasnt keen on RRSP which I found odd.. Still looking into this.
Do you know of good canadian based financial sites that perhaps compare fees/offerings for pension managers, brokers e.t.c or explains the financial system in clear terms?

K865:
Hi house.
....
Also, are there taxes on rent?
Thank you

I'd add you shouldn't worry so much about taxes. In 9ja, there's the constant hammering about taxes in the west that makes new arrivals worried. In reality, the truth is far from what's said

With time, you'd come to appreciate the role taxes play in an economy and see it as one of the pillars that enable a fairer society and helps you build wealth as a newcomer.

jedisco:
I'd add you shouldn't worry so much about taxes. In 9ja, thees the constant hammering about taxes in the west that makes new arrivals worried. In reality, the truth is far from whats said

With time, you'd come to appreciate the role taxes play in an economy and see it as one of the pillars that enable a fairer society and helps you build wealth as a newcomer.

Thank you!

This is some reassurance.