I have been following the posts about Canada , with sum interest, and I was wondering, could a driver, and family go over on just a work permit, i think they can run up to three years.
I would like to give it a go , but not on a permanent basis,i don’t think. 
yes mate a family can go on one work permit,its all ■■■■■■■ with the labour market opinion,but only you can work at the start,your wife/partner can do volantary work only,the work permits now are running for 2 years,then you must apply for your permenent residency or leave.
this is correct as far as i am aware.
Thanks for the advice Vastly, I don’t suppose you can point me in the direction of any company’s that haul just in Canada
Like i said i don’t want to go the full hog 2 years then another 2., and then maybe consider something more permanent if things work out .I don’t want anything from Canada , just to earn my keep , and be able to say . i did that.
There is a bit more to it vast but that is pretty much it. The work permit can be renewed but it is a pain to do. The main thing would be that you would have to surrender your UK licence to do the Canadian tests. I can’t see it should ever be considered as a temporary thing with a family as things are very different.
Prudhomme are Canada only and have some brits there. Based in Regina, SK I think.
Thanks for the input Bob I have had a look at Prudhommes web sit , looks like a ok firm.
What do you mean by have to surrender u k license. i thought you had to do a Canadian test , then get issued with one of theres . we don’t really want to live in Canada on a permanent basis , rent -work hard enjoy what Canada has to offer us, then return when we have had enough.
Thats the short term plan anyway.
gumbo666:
Thanks for the input Bob I have had a look at Prudhommes web sit , looks like a ok firm.
What do you mean by have to surrender u k license. i thought you had to do a Canadian test , then get issued with one of theres . we don’t really want to live in Canada on a permanent basis , rent -work hard enjoy what Canada has to offer us, then return when we have had enough.
Thats the short term plan anyway.
Well, if it’s anything like France Gumbo, they send your licence back to Swansea - no-one wants you to have 2. 
Presumably if you return you do the same thing in reverse, providing Swansea honour a Canuck licence that is. 
My advice for what it’s worth would be to keep a copy of any qualification you have to give up.
they do send it back but I think you can surrender it the other way without too much hassle. That said, David is right, get a copy of it just in case.
I intend to go over first set things up then bring the family over, had a look at H& R / Westcan, Big freight looks ok to , but i have no experience with tarping ect .
There has been a lot of talk about H&R , I think people expect to much, and when it don’t happen its of back to the uk for a good moan.
Had a look at this guys blogg he seems to be bitting the bullet and getting on with it.
thanks bob I will take your advice.
gumbo666:
I intend to go over first set things up then bring the family over, had a look at H& R / Westcan, Big freight looks ok to , but i have no experience with tarping ect .
There has been a lot of talk about H&R , I think people expect to much, and when it don’t happen its of back to the uk for a good moan.
Had a look at this guys blogg he seems to be bitting the bullet and getting on with it.
Most of these companies will train you in load securement.
You must be aware of both the US and Canadian regulations.
Don’t limit yourself by saying “Canada Only”. There are very, very few carriers that don’t haul into the States at least occaisionally.
Hi Bluejaysfan
Your right there are very few carriers that don’t haul into the States
I have applied to H & R today , going to interview in November, crim / checks should be back within the next 40 days,
A lot of negative feed back regarding H&R, but i will make my own mind up,
if i don’t like what i here at the interview then its got to be big freight for my next port of call.
Just heard that I have to shell out £1000 up front for my training for Canadian license with H&R, apparently they are fed up with drivers walking, and not paying back what they owe.ie cost being deducted from wages over agreed period.
I think I will be looking else where if that is the case,
Next port of call Big Freight , are they a good company 
Dont want nothing from them just a start date, and plenty of miles, and some help getting things sorted.
Anybody got some positive feed back on this Company. I have had a look at there web site looks good , anyone got started with them.
gumbo666:
Anybody got some positive feed back on this Company. I have had a look at there web site looks good , anyone got started with them.
Have a look at all Bobthedog’s posts. Everything you want to know will be there.
allthough a thousand quid is a bit savage,i cannot fault H&R for 1 minute for that,its the first ive heard of this up front money,i would trust them with this money,they are not rip off merchants,on the other hand alot of drivers have walked,these are men who should not be there in the first place anyway.
I don’t know how they stand with the HRSDC with the charging up front.
Bigfreight have been really good to me. Been there nearly 2 years and have no intention of looking elsewhere.
The miles have dropped a bit because the US dollar is really weak, but I have done 2500 since Weds this week.The trucks are all less than 3 years old on long haul and their backup is excellent. Mine snapped a rocker arm last Sunday at 2330 and I was recovered 100 miles to Edmonton and was back on the road by 1500 Monday afternoon.
They are worth a look if you don’t mind flatdeck work. Mention my name and I may get a bonus if you sign on. There would be a beer in it for you! 
oh dear,btd i wouldnt mention that rocker arm,i know of only 1 way of breaking them things.
According to Kenworth, the MSX engines are prone to it and they didn’t just change the broken one, they changed the lot and sent the old ones back to Cat.
I know a few ways but am not guilty of any of them.
Got A phone call from H&R , interview is arranged for 9th November at Northampton.
They pay for ( two & a half weeks in hotel ) while training
return Flight that last for 2 yrs( Driver only)
Yes you do have pay up front for Canadian license + class work =1850CAD, but you would have to pay for that anyway deducted from wages over set time.
Apparently they are fed up with UK drivers walking , and not paying what they owe. understandable.
I was considering Big Freight , but its been a long time since I have done any roping and sheeting, i would more then likely snap my fingers off in winter anyway
H&R.
Wages for single driver is 0.42c per mile, minimum 10000/12000 per month by my reckoning thats 4200CAD per month less deductions about 33%=2814CAD divide that by 4 = 703.5CAD = ( £356 Per week ) Based on 10000miles.
I would presume it would be less in winter
Gonna see if I can get the misses a work permit as well ,
Please put me right if I have got it wrong 
gumbo666:
I Gonna see if I can get the misses a work permit as wellPlease put me right if I have got it wrong
I don’t know about a work permit for your wife.
Most spouses arriving under this program are not permitted to work for either 6 months or 12 months from what I have read.
Check out ERB GROUP as well.
erbgroup.com/right_company.asp
They have information about hiring in the UK on their website.
That is another solid Canadian carrier.
42 cents seems about average.
They cannot pay less than their going rate under this program.
Bluejaysfan
Can not open some of there PDF files to have a look.