Open a Tangerine Bank Account and Receive a Bonus

Tangerine Bank is one of the few banks in Canada that offers a no-fee Chequing Account. Tangerine is not a regular bank because they don’t have physical branches and that’s one of the ways they can offer the customer more in terms of savings like no-fees and higher interest rates on Savings accounts.

As a customer of Tangerine bank, you can conduct banking via Café locations, contact centres, mobile banking, ABMs, and of course online banking.

I’ve been a Tangerine bank customer for over a decade now and have enjoyed the benefits of banking with them. The bank launched in Canada, in April 1997, under the name ING DIRECT. In November 2012, Bank of Nova Scotia (also known as Scotiabank) acquired ING Bank of Canada which resulted in the name change to Tangerine. One of the benefits of this acquisition is that Tangerine customers now have free access to all Scotiabank ABMs.

They have many retail banking products that the top Canadian banks offer like Savings and Chequing accounts, Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs), as well as other investment products like RSPs, RIFs, TFSAs, and Tangerine Investment Funds. Additionally, the bank also offers borrowing options like the Tangerine Mortgage, Home Equity Line of Credit, and RSP Loan.

As indicated earlier, I’ve been banking with Tangerine for more than 10 years and have nothing, but positive things to say based on my experience banking with Tangerine. That’s why I would recommend Tangerine to any Canadian who wants to experience a positive banking experience.

In fact, Tangerine will start off by giving you a bonus if you become a new Tangerine customer when you open a bank account with them with a minimum of $100 deposit. Tangerine will give you a $50 bonus (generally it is $25). In order to avail of this bonus, you will have to use my Orange Key 14707720S1. However, this is a limited time offer which ends on December 31, 2014.

To open a Tangerine bank account visit: tangerine.ca.

You can watch the video below from the Peter Aceto, President & CEO of Tangerine.

Disclaimer: If anyone opens a bank account with Tangerine (with a minimum of $100 deposit) using my Orange Key, I will also receive a $50 bonus. You have to be a first-time Tangerine customer to be eligible.

Image Credit: Image in this blog post belongs to author.

The 'Tangerine' trademarks are owned by The Bank of Nova Scotia and used under licence. Forward Banking is a registered trademark of Tangerine Bank.Orange Key is a registered trademark of Tangerine.

Remembrance Day 2014

Remembrance Day is special day reserved for observing and remembering members of the armed forces who lost their lives in the line of duty. Poppy Day, as it is also known as, is observed in Canada and across the Commonwealth of Nations member states in the month of November.

The red poppy that you see in this picture has become a symbol of Remembrance Day. Canadians remember and honor our veterans by wearing a poppy; attending Remembrance Day events in their local communities; and other ways in schools and business places.

“In Flanders Fields” is one of the most famous war poems written by Canadian physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. The poem was written by him in May 1915 after the funeral of one of his fellow soldier who dies in battle. The poem is often recited during Remembrance day observance events.

This Remembrance Day is especially takes on a new meaning given the events that unfolded in Parliament Hill in Ottawa on October 22, 2014 where Corporal Nathan Cirillo was shot down while standing guard at the National War Memorial. And a couple of days earlier, Warrant Officer, Patrice Vincent was run over by a vehicle driven by Martin Couture-Rouleau in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.

You may be new to Canada and may not fully comprehend the importance of remembering our veterans. But, we are able to live in a free and beautiful Canada because of the sacrifices made by man and women who gave their lives for this freedom. So do your part in remembering and honoring our veterans this Remembrance Day…lest we forget!

If you want to learn more about Remembrance Day, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada website or click on the banner below, where you will find a wealth of information and learning resources.

Image Credit: Intro Remembrance Day image created by author

Beware of the Silent Killer

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is often called the “Silent Killer” because it is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas which can be lethal if it is above a certain concentration. Many Canadians are hospitalized every year due to Carbon Monoxide poisoning and in some cases it’s takes lives. Most Canadians who lost their lives to CO poisoning, did so in their sleep.

Carbon Monoxide is produced by combustion and is present in the exhaust of internal combustion engines, for example, vehicles, as well as from portable or back-up generators. CO is also a by-product of incomplete combustion of fuels like natural gas, wood, coal, propane, and other bio-fuels.

Levels of Carbon Monoxide indoors can quickly rise to toxic levels, enough to become lethal. Some of the most common symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, nausea, breathlessness, dizziness, loss of consciousness, and confusion. If CO levels are high, symptoms can occur within 20 minutes.

In the province of Ontario, a new regulation has come into effect on October 15, 2014 making it mandatory to install CO alarms for homes and buildings with no more than units of residential occupancy. And buildings with more than six units of residential occupancy are mandated to comply by October 15, 2015. You can learn more about the new regulations and compliance schedule at the Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services.

Carbon Monoxide alarms are designed to monitor and detect airborne concentration levels of CO and when the concentration reaches harmful levels, they sound an alarm. Essentially, CO alarm help save lives by making the silent killer, audible. There are different types of CO alarms like battery-operated, plug-ins, and hard-wired. The cost depends on the type of the CO alarms and can range between $25 to $100. Combo alarms are also available that include both, CO and smoke detection. Make sure that CO/Smoke alarms are CSA (Canadian Standards Association) approved.

CO alarms should be installed near sleeping areas. Unlike, smoke alarms that should be installed on the ceiling, CO alarms can be installed at any level as Carbon Monoxide mixes with the air. However, it’s important to note that if you buy a combo alarm, it should be installed near or on the ceiling. CO and smoke alarms sound different, so make sure to test the unit so you are familiar with the different sounds and ensure it is working.

If your CO alarm goes off, everyone in the home should immediately move outdoors and call 911. Do not open windows to let air in because when emergency services arrive at your home, they will not be able to effectively investigate the CO emergency.

You can watch this informational video below to learn more about the dangers of Carbon Monoxide:

Be CO aware, spread the word, and save lives!

Image Credits: Images on this web page created by the author, unless otherwise mentioned or linked to.

Daylight Saving Time Ends on November 2, 2014

Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends at 2:00 am on Sunday, November 2, 2014. So don’t forget to turn your clocks back ONE hour. Yaay, we get one extra hour of sleep on Saturday night!

Not all countries follow this practice of daylight savings which was first proposed by entomologist, George Vernon Hudson who hails from New Zealand.

The idea behind DST, which starts in the Spring, was to benefit from more sunlight during the summer months. Basically, we end up with much more sunlight, thereby having extended daylight during the evenings during the summer months.

As far as I know, initially, the main benefit from proponents of DST was to conserve energy. When I first came to Canada, I also heard that DST was to help the farmers give them an extra hour of day light. However, I found out that it one of the myths of DST. In fact, I’ve heard many farmers rally against it.

Many believe there is no benefit to Daylight Saving Time. In fact, some studies that were conducted, concluded that there no savings in energy resulted from DST. Also, some studies state that DST has adverse effects on human health. Whatever the case maybe, the fact remains that we currently practice Daylight Saving Time.

Here is what I plan to do to make the best of the one extra hour:

• Of course, take the opportunity to catch up on my sleep;
• Catch up on some of the things on my To-Do list;
• Check the batteries in the smoke alarm detectors;
• Take time to call my mom overseas before I got to bed on Saturday night;
• Finally, remember to turn all my clocks back one hour on Saturday night.

By the way, experts recommend that we try as much to stick with our normal sleep and wake times. Ultimately, our bodies will automatically adjust to the time change in a few days. Some people adjust to it much better than others. Whatever you do, try and make the best of it and enjoy the extra hour.

In 2015, Daylight Savings Time will start on March 8, 2015 at which time we will move our clocks one hour forward again. Yikes...and the cycle goes on!

Image Credit: Image created by author.

Tax-Free Savings Account

Save Money Using a Tax-Free Savings Account

The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) was implemented by the government of Canada effective January 1, 2009. The TFSA is a savings vehicle to help eligible Canadians not only save, but save tax-free.

Generally, interest earned through a savings account is taxed by the Canadian government. However, interest, dividends or capital gains earned through a TFSA are not taxed, even when it is withdrawn.

Eligible Canadians can contribute $5,000 every year starting January 1, 2009. In 2013, this TFSA limit was increased to $5,500 annually. In order to be eligible for a TFSA, an individual must be 18 years or older, be a resident of Canada and have a valid Canadian social insurance number (SIN).

In order to maximize the benefit from your TFSA, you need to understand the benefits, know how to set up a TFSA, understand contribution room, implications when making withdrawals, when taxes may be payable, and much more. This web page is dedicated to helping individual Canadians understand and leverage the power of Tax-Free Savings Accounts in 2014.

Video Overview of Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)

Benefits of a Tax-Free Savings Account

So why should you have a Tax-Free Savings Account? There are several benefits of having a TFSA as discussed below:

• Tax-Free Savings: given that you don't pay taxes on the interest, dividends or capital gains generated in your TFSA, you can grow your savings at a much more accelerated pace.

• Tax-Free Withdrawals: the TFSA provides flexibility if you need to withdraw your money if an emergency arises and the money withdrawn is not taxed.

• Re-Contribution to TFSA: in case you had to withdraw money from your TFSA, you are allowed to re-contribute the amount beginning in the year following the withdrawal.

• Investment Options: you have a wide range of investment vehicle options like Savings Account, High Interest Rate TFSA, GICs and Term Deposits, Mutual Funds, ETFs/Equities, etc.

• Non-Registered Investing: if you trade or invest in the stock markets using equities and/or ETFs, you can benefit from the TFSA by not having to pay taxes on dividends and capitals gains.

• RRSP Maxed Out: if you are one of those who has maxed out on your RRSP contributions, a TFSA is a welcome break to save extra money tax-free.

Note: Before attempting to deposit or withdraw funds in and out of your TFSA, be sure to familiarize yourself with the TFSA rules outlined in the next section.

Tax-Free Savings Account Rules

Contribution Room: Effective January 1, 2009, you are allowed to contribute $5,000 annually (indexed to inflation and rounded to the nearest $500) to your TFSA. If you have not contributed to your TFSA in previous years, you can add that amount to your contribution room.

Over-Contribution: If you have over-contributed to your TFSA, you will be liable to a on 1% tax on your highest excess TFSA amount in that month. If you make TFSA contributions while you were a non-resident of Canada, you will be charged 1% monthly tax on these contributions.

Multiple TFSA Accounts: You are allowed to have more than one TFSA account so long as the total amount contributed does not exceed your allowable contribution room. If you transfer money from one TFSA to another, ensure it is a direct transfer, if not, you will be penalized by CRA for over-contribution.

TFSA Withdrawals: You can withdraw funds from your TFSA account at any time, for any reason, without having to pay taxes on the withdrawn amount. You are not allowed to contribute more than your TFSA allowable contribution room in any given year, even if you have withdrawn from the account during that year.

TFSA Online Resources

Canada Revenue Agency Official Website
This is the official Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website pertaining to the Tax-Free Savings Account. You will find more information on TFSAs as well as forms and publications.

Tax-Free Savings Account Calculator
This TFSA calculator estimates the income tax savings you can realize in a TFSA. It compares the future value of an investment in a TFSA with the future value of the same investment made in a taxable account and estimates the total tax savings.

Toronto Mayoral Election 2014

The City of Toronto has made headlines around the world for many reasons this past year. A lot of the attention was brought about due to one of the most controversial Mayors that Toronto has had in recent years, Rob Ford. Much of the spotlight was due to Mr. Ford’s substance abuse, his bigger than life persona, and alleged ties to people like Alexander Lisi, who will face trial on drug charges next year.

Ever since Mr. Ford was elected as Toronto’s 64th mayor in 2010, he has often made headlines for the wrong reasons like: distracted driving, appearing intoxicated at some public events like St. Partick’s Day in 2012, smoking crack-cocaine, lying about smoking crack, and then admitting that he did, and the list goes on. He finally went to rehab and after checking out, he was diagnosed with an abdominal tumor for which he was hospitalized and had to undergo chemotherapy. Mr. Rob Ford’s serious health condition caused him to withdraw from the mayoral race. And at the last hour of the nomination deadline, his brother Doug Ford jumped into the mayoral race. I wish Mr. Rob Ford nothing, but the best.

The 2014 Toronto mayoral campaign seems to have gone on forever. It began in January 2014 and has drawn a lot of press and public attention. In my 15 plus years in Canada, I’ve never seen so much of public interest in mayoral elections. Whatever attention the Ford brothers have drawn, I think it’s been good to see people get more involved in the political scene. There are many big issues that need to be dealt with like jobs and the economy, public transit and gridlock, property taxes, and city services.

At the beginning, there were over 60 candidates that registered to run for mayor. The top 5 candidates after Rob Ford withdrew from the race were John Tory, Doug Ford, Olivia Chow, Karen Stintz, and David Soknacki. On August 21, 2014, Karen Stintz (TTC chair and City Councilor) withdrew from the mayoral race. And on September 10, 2014, David Soknacki followed suit as their support wasn't growing fast.

Currently, the top 3 mayoral candidates (as per polls) are: John Tory in the lead, followed by Doug Ford, and Olivia Chow a distant third. Each of these three candidates have their own platforms that differ from each other. There have been over 50 debates so far, many of which have been very heated, but civil, for most part. One thing is clear, this year’s mayoral election has generated much more public interest than previous ones, including interest from the younger demographic. Hopefully, this positive public interest will get more people out to vote and result in a record voter turnout.

In case you’re still undecided, you can check this article at Toronto Star in which Laura Amstrong provides a handy guide outlining the Toronto Mayoral Candidates Platforms. Also, you may be interested in taking this test, from the National Post, to find out Which Toronto Mayoral Candidate Are You? 

We live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, in which we often take our right to vote, for granted. I urge you to please exercise your democratic right to vote. Every vote counts, so get out there, on October 27, 2014 and proudly cast your ballot.

Photo Credit: Toronto Skyline by governmentlists, Public Domain via Pixabay

Canada Stands Strong in the Face of Parliament Hill Shooting

National War Memorial Ottawa

This week has been a rather shocking and sad one, not only for Canadians, but around the world as Canada came under attack by two radicalized individuals who allowed their ideology of hate take two innocent lives.

On October 20, 2014 a Canadian soldier (Warrant Officer) Patrice Vincent was run over by a vehicle driven by Martin Couture-Rouleau in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This was a targeted hit-and-run, but police were able to catch up with Couture-Rouleau who was killed following a high-speed chase.

On October 22, 2014 another Canadian soldier, Corporal Nathan Cirillo, who was standing guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, was shot by Michael Zehaf-Bibeau. He then proceeded to the Canadian Parliament, the Centre Block, where MPs were attending caucus meetings. Zehaf-Bibeau was confronted and killed by Parliament security, in the Centre Block.

I watched a lot of this action as it unfolded on live TV and was shocked to see Canada come under attack by these radicalized individuals. Watching the cell-phone video, taken by a Globe & Mail journalist, was chilling, as a barrage of shots rang out. These two attacks against Canadian armed forces and the Canadian Parliament are attacks on every Canadian.

I’ve personally not seen anything like this in my 15 plus years in Canada. Is Canada coming under attack because we joined forces to support the war against ISIS/ISIL? Probably. I guess, though I was shocked to see these terrorist attacks unfold on Canadian soil, I’m not completed surprised. Canada is a peaceful country and mostly joins forces in peacekeeping roles when called upon by the world. Therefore, I had mixed feelings about Canada joining forces against ISIL in a combative role. Canadians were divided in terms of sending our troops to war against ISIL, but because the Conservative government of Canada has a majority in the Parliament, the motion passed through.

Having said so, it’s too late for this to be undone at this time and we as Canadians need to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, and heart to heart. As our National Anthem goes…”O Canada, we stand on guard for thee”. And this is exactly what I’ve seen so far, as Canada came together during a very sad week. I feel proud to be Canadian because even though we were shocked and saddened, as we witnessed these cowardly acts, and sad events unfold during this week, Canadians showed solidarity.

The Canadian Parliament resumed the very next day with all the MPs meeting as scheduled in the House of Commons to show commitment and resolve. It was great to see the government and opposition both stand together as they honored Kevin Vickers, the sergeant-at-arms, who played a pivotal role in bringing down Zehaf-Bibeau in the Centre Block.

Global leaders from every corner of the world publicly sent in their support and condolences. From our southern neighbours in the US to Israel to Australia and New Zealand, messages of support and solidarity poured in. Though these sad events caused a lot of pain and grief, it was comforting to see how Canadians and the world came together, especially the outpouring of support by fellow Canadians.

Also, it was very touching to see all the people who came out to show their support as Corporal Nathan Cirillo's body was making its way from Ottawa to Hamilton, passing through the Highway of Heroes.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of WO Patrice Vicent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo, and all those affected. May the souls of these two heroes rest in eternal peace. Also, my heart goes out to the families of the two radicalized individuals who perpetrated these criminal acts of violence.

The world as we know it is changing and we need to stay vigilant, but most importantly we need to stand united and together. ”O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!” #CanadaStrong

Photo Credit: National War Memorial (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Finding Jobs in Canada

Finding jobs in Canada requires a disciplined and focused approach. The unemployment rate in Canada is around 7.00% (as reported by Statistics Canada) for July 2014. The Eastern provinces have higher unemployment rates, the province with the highest unemployment rate was Newfoundland & Labrador at 12.5%. Comparatively, Ontario's unemployment rate is at 7.5%.

Jobs in Canada can be found using various online resources. One of the best ways to look for jobs is by networking. LinkedIn is the world's largest online professional network with over 250 millions members worldwide. It's free to register and use this online network to build your professional connections. So, it's a good idea to create a LinkedIn account and professional profile. This professional network is also used by headhunters and recruiters from top companies.

Another avenue for seeking jobs in Canada is using online job boards. It's a good idea to also create accounts on the below mentioned websites where you can post your resume. Recruiters also use these online job boards to look for suitable job candidates. Some of the top online job boards are:

1. Workopolis
2. CareerBuilder
3. Monster

And finally, one of the best ways to look for jobs online is by using Indeed Jobs which is an aggregator site or job search engine. It aggregates jobs from various online sources like job boards, recruiting agencies, company job posting, and others. You can use the job search box below to find jobs in Canada.

To help you prepare for your job search, you can use this free Job Search and Interview Preparation Guide.

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job title, keywords or company	city, state or zip jobs by

Help for New Canadian Immigrants

Coming to a new country and starting anew can be more than a daunting task. Many newcomers, to Canada, will face different types of challenges whether it is having to adjust to a new culture, or new way of living; settling into a specific region or looking for jobs.

I know firsthand because I immigrated to Canada in over a decade ago and had to go through many challenges myself. However, there are ways to minimize these challenges by preparing and pacing yourself.

On this blog, I have created various free online resources to help new Canadian immigrants settle in and start off their life on the right foot. Currently, I’ve developed the following information resources for newcomers to Canada:

New Immigrant’s Checklist: this online resource will walk you through, step-by-step, on some of the key things that you need to do when you first land in Canada. Some new immigrants may decided to do their landing and go back to their country and then return within the stipulated period. Others may do their landing and immediately start settling into Canada. This checklist covers many important things like applying for a Permanent Resident (PR) card, applying for your Social Insurance Number, applying for your Healthcare Card, opening a bank account, applying for a driver’s license, enrolling your children in school (if applicable to you), and other important aspects like looking for a job.

Job Search & Interview Preparation Guide: this online resource will help new Canadian immigrants with their job search in Canada. Settling in a new country is one challenge, but looking for work is another challenge you need to face. However, if you prepare yourself and stay focused, you will be successful in this challenge as well. The Job Search Guide will walk you through the process of what you need to do to effectively prepare for getting a job like preparing your resume, knowing where to look for jobs, how to apply for jobs, the importance of networking, how to prepare for job interview in Canada, and much more.

Hope you find these online resources helpful. If you have any questions, you can feel free to contact me. Wishing you all the best in your new endeavours!

Welcome to "Helping Canadians" Blog!

Welcome to this "Helping Canadians" blog which is geared towards helping new comers to Canada, Canadian residents, and Canadian citizens. On this help blog you will find information on various topics like helping new comers to Canada settle in and find jobs in Toronto, helping Canadian residents prepare for their citizenship test, and much more.

I am a Canadian immigrant myself, so I understand the challenges faced by new immigrants. I came to Canada in early 1998 and quickly integrated myself into the culture and society. I was fortunate to have close friends who helped me settle down and provided guidance. But, coming to a new country can be daunting and present many challenges, but also provides great opportunities.

On this blog, I will share my firsthand experiences on various aspects of Canadian living, the culture, the people, the land, the system, and help you discover Canada and make it your home. This beautiful country is now my home and I surely feel belonged to this place even though at first I felt like a foreigner. Like most things in life, it may take time, but as you embrace the challenges and look at them as opportunities, you will integrate into your community and succeed in your endeavours here in Canada.

Wishing you all the best and if you have any questions, please feel free to connect with me. I will do the best I can to help you and answer your questions.