The Tenant Survival Guide is a resource material which provides how-to's and what-not-to's. It is produced by the Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre (TRAC) and is intended to give tenants a basic understanding of residential tenancy law in British Columbia and what it means to them.
The Tenant Survival Guide is your tool in making the right choice or decision on housing and accommodation. It will help you understand how to handle the various aspects of your tenant-landlord relationship.
Before renting
Making your agreement
Condition inspection reports
Security deposits and additional fees
Repair services
Rent increases
Privacy and quiet enjoyment
Evictions
Moving out
Dispute resolution.
Click the highlighted links to learn more.
Top 5 Survival Tips for Problem-Free Renting
Read the Tenant Survival Guide.
Have a witness with you and take pictures when you move in and out of a place.
Get everything in writing.
Think carefully about anything you sign.
Pay your rent and get a receipt if you pay with cash.
TRAC Tenant Information Line: Vancouver Area 604-255-0546
Many immigrants come to Canada with extensive professional education and experiences. Sadly, however, most of them cannot practice their professions immediately. They either get a "survival job" and get stuck or go back to school, work for their professional licensing and compete in the job market.
There are also those who were educated and employed in other fields but have changed careers by going back to school here to begin a new or second career. Their choice of a new field is based on job opportunities that area available and, as the list below says, "recession-proof".
Below is the list of recession-proof jobs. Each category is linked to occupational descriptions found in the National Occupational Classification. Please click the link.
With the economy in turmoil and a recent report forecasting the country will lose 100,000 jobs in the first three months of 2009, professionals will need to be on their toes if they're looking for new employment opportunities.
Here are Messmer's top essential job-seeking tactics to help professionals gain an edge in a tough employment market:
Step outside of your comfort zone. Avoid limiting your search to your current industry or field. Identify transferable skills and experiences, and communicate them to prospective employers.
Minimize work history gaps. If you are unable to find a position right away, consider temporary assignments, internships and part-time opportunities, all of which can lead to a full-time role.
Be flexible. Remain open to all possibilities, even if the job title, salary and benefits may not be exactly what you hoped for. Once you get your foot in the door, you will have a chance to prove yourself.
Find jobs before they're advertised. Read your local business journals and newspapers to identify companies that are hiring or expanding, and send your resume.
Cast a wide net. General job boards can be useful, but don't forget industry and trade association websites, which may have ore targeted career opportunities.
Network online and off. Tell everyone you know you're looking for a job, whether in person or using professional networking websites.
Manage your digital footprint. With a few mouse clicks, potential employers can dig up info about your on blogs, personal websites and personal networking site profiles. Do a thorough self-search and take necessary corrective action.
Customize. Tailor your resume and cover letter for each job opportunity
Career and education workshops provide newcomers valuable information and learning opportunities. Government and immigrant-serving agencies deliver them for free to anyone who wants to know how to land a job, go for further education or plan a new (second?) career in his or her new country.
International Credential Evaluation - Free Public Education Workshop
For internationally trained professionals who are seeking employment, professional licensing or further study in Canada
When: Wednesday, November 26, 2008, 2:00 to 4:00 PM Where: Fraserview Library, 1950 Argyle Drive, Vancouver Providers: S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and Vancouver Public Library
Labour Market Information Session
For foreign-trained professionals who want to get a job in their field or to learn new skills to access the job market.
When: Monday, December 1, 2008, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Where: District Reception and Placement Centre (DRPC), 2530 E. 43rd Ave. at Clarendon, Vancouver Providers: MOSAIC and VSB SWIS
Newcomers to Canada need health care services as soon as they land. However, they know it takes three months before they can get coverage -- and Care Card -- from MSP (Medical Services Plan).
Since 1994, Bridge Community Health Clinic has provided immediate access to primary and preventative health services for refugees (with or without legal status) and new immigrants.
Primary health care is your first and most frequent contact with the health system, such as a visit to a doctor, nurse practitioner, physiotherapist or mental health counselor.
Who is eligible for health care services at Bridge Clinic?
Anyone who is a refugee, refugee claimant, or recently arrived immigrant who lacks medical coverage or their coverage is pending.
Is there a fee for the clinic's services?
Services are available at no cost to eligible clients.
What documentation is required?
For their first visit to the clinic, clients should bring their Interim Federal Health (IFH) papers or a Care Card, as well as personal identification for themselves and family members. If the newcomer does not have any of the above documentation, he or she can still access the clinic's services.
Is it necessary to book an appointment?
No, the clinic operates on a drop-in basis from 1 - 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Where is the Bridge Clinic?
It is located at Raven Song Community Health Centre
2450 Ontario St. at 8th Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-709-6540
For more information about the Bridge Clinic, please click the title to direct you to the linked brochure.
The current global economic downturn is in everyone's mind these days.
Most people are asking:
What is happening to our economy?
What is going to happen?
How will it impact me and my family?
How will it affect our job, mortgage, spending, savings and investments?
How can we cope in the face of all these uncertainties and challenges?
The latest assessment of the Canadian economy has been released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) which portrays a grim future for most people.
Canada has fallen into a recession that will last for most of next year as the world falls into the worst slump in a quarter of a century, says a respected international think-tank.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development says Canada will not be immune from the global malaise, the worst since the deep recession of the early 1980s, and will see its economy shrink by an average 0.5 per cent next year.
It predicts unemployment will rise above seven per cent from the current 6.2 per cent and that federal and provincial governments will record an accumulated deficit of 1.3 per cent of gross domestic product.
"The general government is expected to move into deficit in 2009 and 2010, a largely cyclical outcome that is not alarming and leaves room to absorb eventualities but underlines the need to keep a lid on discretionary expenditure increases."
How is the Canadian government responding to this economic crisis?
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Monday he expects to introduce a significant stimulus package comprising largely of construction projects to rebuild Canada's infrastructure in the next budget.
Flaherty suggested he will move forward the timing of the budget to early next year to ensure the economic stimulus occurs as quickly as possible.
The OECD said the Bank of Canada should also act by reducing interest rates, something economists predict will occur at the next scheduled action date, Dec. 9.
As the story unfolds, expect to read more about the state of our economy. More importantly, we will post information on how best to cope with the impact of these developments in our lives, to our jobs and our families' well-being.
