BMO Towers home to one of Canada's biggest Banking Corporations.

DVP one of the busiest Freeways, no sooner you get your Driving Licence, you have the opportunity to drive on some of the finest roads.

A school bus collecting children in the morning, Schooling is vital for the growth of your children once they come to Canada.

Finding a School for your children

The Canadian system is very different from the Sri Lankan system. One may live miles away from Royal College, Ladies College, Trinity College, Ananda College, Visaka, etc but still be able to get their kids to attend the school chosen by the parents.

Canada provides free education for your little ones and you are required to pick a school that is in close proximity to where you would end up living. The various school boards run facilities for special kids with special needs and has a policy of treating every child with utmost respect. Children are a special part of the Canadian system and please note that disciplining them with a cane may get you in serious trouble. Sri Lankans usually do not have problems in this are as kids are brought up to respect parents and elders. Nevertheless, it’s best you are well informed.

A multitude of Sri Lankan kids have done well for themselves ending up in universities and landing good jobs. However, it is important that you have a very close relationship with your kids at all times to ensure that they do not get into the wrong set of friends and find themselves in trouble.

Apply for your Drivers License – A valuable piece of ID

By simply studying a book with various road signs and completing an exam at the office of the Ministry of Transport, you are able to obtain a valuable piece of ID under the G1 Category. Although this will not give you the right to drive alone in Canada this Drivers License will serve as a valid form of ID when applying to open a new bank account etc. You need to have a G2 License to drive in Canada. Find more information at the Ministry of Transport.

Opening a Bank Account

The money that you’re bringing with you for your living expenses will need a bank account, correct? It is advisable that you bring all your funds in way of a bank draft to prevent any surprises. When I first moved in to this country my lap top was stolen at a train station and I couldn’t believe that someone would snatch my stuff in Canada.

You will need to make an appointment with the bank of your choice to open an account whether it be a checking account or a savings account. The checking account will not give you any interest on your deposit and it works some what similar to a current account in Sri Lanka. NO INTEREST. A savings account will give you some form of interest and it’s best that you shop around to check the banks with the best interest rates.

With a good regulatory body in place Canada has some large banks such as Scotia Bank, TD Bank, Royal Bank, Canadian Imperial banking Corp (CIBC) Bank of Montreal, National Bank, ING Bank, HSBC , State bank of India, ICICI etc to help you with your banking needs. It is very important to choose a bank of your choice as their products and interest rates may differ. All these banks are looking for your money and they are well equipped to serve you. You may fix an appointment by simply calling them or by visiting a branch close to you. You will be required to produce 2 pieces of Identification and it is advisable for you to carry your Social Insurance number and a picture ID such as your G1 Driver’s License, PR card, Passport etc. You will sit with a banking officer who will take all your information and process your application.

The banker will do a credit check and most probably you’ll have no credit since you’ve just entered the country. Don’t worry they will open an account for you as you do not need to have good credit to open an account for the very first time. Some bank will require you to deposit a small amount ( $ 50.00) in cash as your draft may go on collection and it will take approximately 21 days to realize and be credited to your new account.

On opening an account you will be given a plastic card called a DEBIT CARD that you can use in almost every place in Canada for all our purchases. You will have to select a PIN # for your new debit card and it is advisable that you do not share your PIN # with any one and that you take proper action to protect yourself when using the debit card at the cash register. Please protect your PIN # and ask the banker all the questions you need answers for.

Establishing your credit : Getting a Credit Card.

You may also ask the banker as to how you could obtain a starter credit card as the Canadian banking system operates on a credit worthy system. If you want your credit to be good for future purchases such as a Car or even a Home all Financial institutions will do a credit check and the only way you could initially build your credit is through a credit card.

So, get a credit card and make sure you pay the outstanding balance the moment you get your account statement as many in Canada have even claimed Bankruptcy due to mismanagement of funds. Be extremely careful! Be wise in handling your money. (go to Money & You to understand the importance of handling your credit cards)