Recent content by NeedleArtist

1. The MSP Temporary Premium Assistance Program is for BC only. The OP is in Quebec. 2. In BC it only provides relief for individuals/families who cannot afford their MSP premiums. Applicant(s) must already be enrolled in MSP ... it does not provide a waiver/mechanism to allow someone who is...

CLB 7. You'd need to improve your writing score to 6.5 or better to achieve CLB 8.

I believe it means that CNO has already taken into consideration an SEM of 0.5. In other words, their actual qualification requirement is 7.5, but they have adjusted the minimum score downwards (to 7.0) in order to factor in the SEM. It is simpler to do it this way than if it were "the minimum...

I've lived in Yaletown for the past 4 years. I think $1600 for an unfurnished studio is within the realm of possibilities, but only just. Realistically, if you can manage $1800-1900, you should have little difficulty finding a furnished unit in a very nice building here. I have a 23rd-floor...

Speak with a pharmacist at a compounding pharmacy. In addition to dispensing the usual commercially available prescription medications, these pharmacies have in-house labs that can prepare medication "from scratch". They can, for example, fill prescriptions that require a non-standard strength...

One word of warning ... My advice is to declare the amount you're importing if it's anything over $9,000 or so, just to be safe. Some overzealous CBP officers will go thru and count every penny you're carrying. Say you're carrying an envelope with $9,500 in it; they can (quite correctly) count...

Reason they won't accept a passport as a primary ID is because primary ID has to show valid status in Canada. Study permit, work permit, long-term visitor record (more than 6 months' duration), or documentation establishing PR are all accepted as forms of primary ID. Seems to vary from one...

For what it's worth, Amtrak may be another option. They have two trains per day from Seattle to Vancouver with stops in White Rock and Surrey on the Canadian side. You can de-train in Blaine (at the border), go through the landing formalities, and depending on your final destination, take a cab...

If you'll be living in select areas of downtown Vancouver or Richmond, look into Novus for your internet and Cable TV needs. I splurge for a plan with 100Mb (up and down!) with a monthly limit of 1 TB. The lowest tier plan has 25Mb up and down speeds. They offer phone over fiber as well...

As long as the issue date on the license itself is at least two years ago, and as long as the license hasn't yet expired, you'll be fine here in BC. On another note, do you belong to AAA? If so, all your years of AAA membership will count for BCAA (CAA here in BC) membership as well. If you're...

If you own any firearms you'll need a PAL (Possession and Acquisition License). The old POL (Possession Only License) is no longer available to new applicants. Cost is $60 or $80, depending on the class of firearm, and it's valid for 5 years. You'll need to complete the Canadian Firearms Safety...

When I got my BC license my Washington state DL was all that I needed (Henning Dr. in Burnaby ICBC location), since the old DL had an issue date at lest two years previously. They have the capability to pull DL info from most but not all states, but the person who took care of me at ICBC said...

I bank at TD as well, and they do offer a secured VISA card. When my wife and I arrived in Vancouver they set up with dual joint checking accounts ($CA and $US) and a savings account. One fee covers all and includes a safety deposit box. We each deposited $1000 into separate secured savings...

So many seem to have difficultly understanding the 730-rule that I've found explaining it this way sometimes seems to help ... Every single morning when you wake up, you should be able to say to yourself, "during the last 1825 days (5 years), I have been physically present in Canada for at...

Browntrout, You'd also have to find a way to pay your premiums during your absence. Should you decide to register with BC MSP early in contravention of the rules, an even if you managed to register on the first or second day of your visit, you wouldn't receive your first statement in the mail...