|
Page 2 of 4 Property
Most immigrants interviewed for this article said they chose not to sell their property before moving to Canada.
There
are no penalties for retaining a house you own outside Canada (even if
you have declared it in your immigration application). There are
however tax implications you should check with a lawyer.
What to take, what not to
For
many immigrants, this is a tough decision. Should you take your TV and
video? What about the refrigerator? Furniture? Children’s toys?
For
one thing, remember that sending your goods by ship or air isn’t
exactly cheap. You might actually save by selling off certain larger
items – furniture and beds for example – and buying new in Canada.
If
you are planning to take your TV, video, stereo and other electronic
items, make sure they will run on 110V (the Canadian standard). You can
always use a voltage adapter, of course, but the additional cost may
not make that worthwhile. Certain appliances like microwaves, electric
kettles and clocks may also not run properly if used with an adapter.
Electronics that integrate clock functions (such as microwaves or VCRs
with a timer record feature) may not work too well unless they use the
same clock cycles as used in Canada (60Hz).
Electronic items sold in Canada are cheaper than in most other countries, so factor that into your decision.
The
only exceptions to the 110-volt standard in homes are the 220-volt
dedicated outlets for the refrigerator and cooking range. Most
apartments and many new homes offer these two appliances as standard,
so you’re probably better off not adding these items to your cargo list.
Canada
uses the NTSC system for television broadcasts, which is incompatible
with the PAL and SECAM standards common in Europe and Asia. Check your
TV and VCR for NTSC compliance if you plan to bring them along.
What
you should consider taking (assuming they will run on 110V) are items
like your telephone instrument, a fax machine and a late-model
computer. Phones are sold separately in Canada and do not come as part
of the basic telephone service. The other two will help you get started
quickly on your job search.
|
Features 
