Category Archives: Uncategorized

Handy name anagrams for Toronto’s next mayor

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Olivia Chow threw her name in the hat today to be Toronto's next mayor

Aw civil, ooh threw her name in the hat today to be Toronto’s next mayor

The REAL campaign to become Toronto’s next mayor kicked off today when — as widely predicted — Olivia Chow officially announced she’s running for the job.

Brits in Toronto has no political allegiance or bias. We may “crack” the odd joke here and there, but in all honesty, just want to live in a great city like Toronto that is being run well, not costing us a fortune and has some respect.

Not too much to ask, eh?

There are 37 candidates so far, but here’s a quick list of the top prospects (in alphabetical order), links to their policies, agendas and websites and handy anagrams of their names you can break the ice at parties with.

Morgan Baskin = Barking moans

Jeff Billard = Bad jell! Riff?

Olivia Chow = Aw civil, ooh!

Rob Ford = Total clown

David Soknacki = Vodka and sick, I

Karen Stintz = Arts? Zen? Knit!

John Tory = Horny jot

Good luck to all the candidates and may you keep the promises you make during this campaign!

Let’s all help fellow Brit Christopher find a job!

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Sometimes it's smart to do your job search before heading to Canada

Sometimes it’s smart to do your job search before heading to Canada

Christopher contacted Brits in Toronto to get the word out that he’s heading to Canada, and has wisely started the job search process now. He currently works in an oil refinery, so any leads, tips etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Brits in Toronto has no knowledge whatsoever of that industry, so we could use some help for Christopher! Here is a summary of his resume and contact e-mail:

E-mail: cdp2003 AT btinternet DOT com

Professional Profile

A dedicated, enthusiastic and highly-skilled Supervisory Professional, boasting 25 years’ experience within the petrochemical plant and mechanical engineering industries. Possesses exceptional managerial promise, consistently and effectively co-ordinating and motivating multiple teams of over 20 personnel to meet targets and objectives. A strategic thinker, is adept at problem-solving and thrives in challenging working environments, operating in full adherence to regulations on health and safety. Above all, relishes a dynamic, fast-paced working environment.

Objective

Currently seeking a challenging new position as a Manager, to build on existing supervisory skills and experience.

Career Summary

– Playing a pivotal role as Lead Process Operator within a busy oil refinery, tasked with senior supervisory responsibilities over 2 Control Operators, 5 Unit Operators and up to 20 Trades Personnel
– Heading operations, ensuring that units adhere to operating instructions and meet operational specifications; coordinating outside field positions and training on the TDC 3000 control systems
– Interviewing, training and mentoring new staff into the company; regularly testing team knowledge and signing off on training competency packages, proving key motivational and communication skills
– Ensuring that the preparation of equipment is completed safely and to a set timescale; monitoring, reviewing and approving handheld device routines and resolving issues, using strong problem solving ability
– Responsible for day to day permitry for the authorisation of maintenance work; supervising and signing off on work when complete, demonstrating exceptional managerial skills
– Maintaining utmost levels of health and safety; ensuring that associated security and load documentation is up-to-date at all times, showing sound organisation and time management skills

So, there you have it. Any leads in the petrochemical plant or mechanical engineering industry would be appreciated. Good luck, Christopher!

More difficult to obtain Canadian citizenship?

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It might be harder to get one of these in the future

It might be harder to get one of these in the future

Earlier this month, Minister of Citizenship Chris Alexander tabled Bill C-24, an overhaul to Canada’s citizenship policy. The bill would make it more difficult to obtain Canadian citizenship, by increasing the residency and language requirements, while also increasing penalties for individuals who cheat the system.

Broadly, the bill intends to eliminate citizenship of convenience. It restricts Canadian citizenship to individuals who expect to live and work in Canada.

Read the full article at the The Globe and Mail.

Let’s all help fellow Brit Jamie find a job!

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"Help, I'm trapped in this bubble and it's really funny! Plus I need a job, please."

“Help, I’m trapped in this bubble and it’s really funny! Plus I need a job, please,” says Jamie

As mentioned on our Jobs page, we like to help fellow Brits in Toronto find work and jobs. You just need to send some details and a link to some more information — as much as you’re comfortable sharing online — and we’ll put it out there in the hope that the British ex-pat community can keep their ears open for you.

Jamie is a clever man. Even though he’s not arriving in Toronto until the end of June, he’s started doing his job research … which is how he ended up on Brits in Toronto. Here’s some information Jamie told us:

“I came across your page today and found it a great source of information towards Toronto, some of which I hadn’t read elsewhere. [Thanks mate! BIT.] The past few months I’ve been going through the process of saving up and applying for my working visa in order to head to Canada this summer, and in December I finally received my approval and 12-month work permit/holiday confirmation.

“I fly out in June directly to Toronto, so I’ve been looking into potential jobs (part-time or full-time) but it’s always difficult to get an idea without actually being ‘there’ and getting the opportunity to get out and speak to potential employers face-to-face.

“I’d be looking for any type of work really, I’m a fast learner (I know everyone says that but I do believe it!) and would just appreciate any advice you might be able to give me, or if you know of any opportunities out there for someone like me, for when I arrive.”

Jamie adds that he’s open to most types of work, but has a lot of retail experience. If any fellow Brits in Toronto — or even Canadian employers! — want to connect with Jamie, his e-mail is jam_joe AT hotmail.co.uk.

Best of luck, mate!

Canadian immigrant questions 101

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That's why they call it a "pass"port

That’s why they call it a “pass”port

The Brits in Toronto team had some basic questions about using a Canadian immigration lawyer and reached out via Twitter to Supervising Attorney Marisa Feil at Foreign Worker Canada for some quick answers. (Disclaimer.)

What are the pros of using an immigration lawyer?

Choosing the right representative for your Canadian visa application is serious business. FWCanada will ensure that your application receives impeccable attention to detail. Our mission is to provide high quality legal services, in a transparent and efficient manner.

Unfortunately, fraudulent and ineffective practice exists in most industries and Canadian immigration is no exception. Only lawyers who are members in good standing of a Canadian bar association, or members of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants are legally authorized to represent clients for the purposes of Canadian immigration.

Lawyers can answer your questions, ensure all of the required documents are included and advocate on your behalf if something happens to your case.

Realistically, what are the costs involved and are there programs or subsidies to help with this?

It really depends on the lawyer that you choose to retain — fees can be all over the board. To my knowledge, there would not be any programs or subsidies unless the applicant qualifies for legal aid.

What are the top three mistakes immigrants make in their application process that they should avoid?

1) Using old forms: if your forms are out of date, your application will be returned. 2) Not presenting your case in the most favorable light; there is a difference in presenting a reference letter stating you were employed for a period of time and a letter that lists all of your duties and a detailed explanation of your responsibilities. 3) Thinking you can get away with not providing a document that is on the list of required documents.

Do you have any tips to speed up the immigration process?

Documents, documents, documents — the more clear an application is to the officer assessing the application, the better it goes. The more the officer has to dig for information, the more likely it is to take a long time.

Are immigrants to Toronto getting a fair chance to improve their life, for example, job opportunities?

It has been reported that these days most immigrants are locating in Western Canada and that there are a lot of opportunities for those looking to settle in Toronto because the large volume of workers that used to settle in Toronto are moving west.

Thank you, Marisa!

New Canadian Media — The Pulse Of Immigrant Canada

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Just a tiny part of the whole website

Just a tiny part of the whole website. There’s more

Just a quick note that New Canadian Media launched its website this week. From its press release:

“Targeted at all Canadians, NewCanadianMedia.ca delivers news and views about the one-fifth of Canadians who are newcomers, covering issues and themes that are of particular relevance to this growing segment of the population. The site also features aggregated content produced by Canada’s multicultural media, to represent more fully ‘the pulse of immigrant Canada.'”

The publisher is George Abraham and you can read more of his thoughts here. Or connect via LinkedIn.

Brits in Toronto wishes them all the best in reporting what matters to new Canadian immigrants!

Totally biased product review by me — McNies’ Fish and Chips

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The King of Halibut. Yup

The King of Halibut. Yup. You better like chips too

Is roast beef and Yorkshire pudding or fish and chips the national dish of Great Britain?

The Brits in Toronto crew did a highly scientific and well-planned test to find out: we Googled it. As you can see from the results, these two dishes feature very prominently, with some curry in there too.

The jury is still out. But as Mel Waiters sang in his really popular song that all the cool kids are raving over, Friday night is fish fry. Ooooh yeah, baby. Can ya fry it?

The best fish and chips — hands down! — is McNies’ fish and chips. You’ll have to jump in the motor and travel 20 minutes west … but it’s worth it. And don’t let their website from 1997 scare you. The food is top notch.

Observe: Chips = big fat Brit-style ones, not fries. Crispy batter. Scottish. Mushy peas, haggis and black pudding washed down with Irn-Bru.

Want more? OK: Clam strips and chips. Steak and kidney pie and gravy. Scots meat pie and chips with gravy. Scallops and chips.

Chips, chips and more bloody chips. You better like chips.

Open seven days a week. Takeaways available. Free parking around the back. It’s a win-win for all fish and chip lovers everywhere.

We give this chippy a Brits in Toronto 4/5 stars.

Successful Brits in Toronto: Jessica Napier

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"What's that? Toronto has polar vortexes, -30 wind chill and power blackouts at Christmas? Ha ha! Yeah, right."

“What’s that? Toronto has polar vortexes, -30 wind chill and power blackouts at Christmas? Ha ha! Yeah, right”

New York City has Carrie Bradshaw. But she’s made up; a fictional character forever doing lunch with her gal pals, drinking Cosmos and getting soaked by passing buses as they splash through puddles.

Toronto has Jessica Napier. She’s the real deal. Grabbing Subways to go, sipping Double Doubles and being sensible by taking the TTC (that mostly runs on time thanks to this bloke).

Both Carrie and Jessica have one thing in common: they both write a weekly newspaper column about their busy lives in their respective city they call home. Jessica’s is called “She Says” and appears every Tuesday in Metro.

She took some time out from her crazy media lifestyle to offer her thoughts on being a Successful Brit in Toronto …

What made you decide to choose Toronto as a city of choice? Did you plan a permanent move, or wanted to “try it for a while and see how it goes” and it turned out to be longer than planned?

I first moved here in 1997 with my family and after two university degrees and an untold amount of poutine, I’ve decided to make this my permanent home (for now). I do dream of relocating back to London one day but the property prices just seem so ludicrous!

What steps did you take to land your first Toronto job? Did the infamous “Canadian experience” hinder you in any way?

After graduating from Ryerson I was able to secure a magazine internship and from there moved on to freelance writing, before landing my weekly column at Metro. That said, I did a lot (a LOT) of writing for free before ever seeing a paycheque. Persistence and networking definitely paid off — but it took time.

What’s the best/worst aspects of living in Toronto?

The weather is both one of the best and worst things about living in Toronto. I love the extreme heat but absolutely loathe the extreme cold. Even after 16 winters I still can’t get used to minus 30 wind chill.

I miss being able to hop on a plane for a short European getaway; Canada is so big which makes it very expensive and time consuming for any sort of travel. That said, Toronto has so many diverse residents and interesting neighbourhoods that there’s plenty of things to do in the city itself.

I love exploring new areas and discovering all of the hidden gems the city has to offer — preferably on foot if the weather permits. Although, in all my hunting, I still haven’t found somewhere that sells a decent sausage roll … any ideas? [Brits in Toronto readers – there’s a challenge if ever we saw one!]

Do you make an effort to connect with other Brits in the city, or just meet them when chance allows it? Any recommended pubs/eateries/other places for homesick Brits to meet each other and network?

I love bumping in to fellow Brits in the city, especially when it’s over food. The Bristol Yard in Christie Pitts is a great neighbourhood cafe that does a proper British breakfast and comfort food. The Queen and Beaver is my favourite spot for an authentic and delicious Sunday roast and Chippy’s in Trinity Bellwoods is a great place for takeaway fish and chips with mushy peas.

Open question/comment: feel free to write anything here/advice/tips on a Brit living in, or moving to, Toronto.

Empire the Collection in Leslieville is a charming retail shop and a great resource if you’re feeling a little homesick. They carry all sorts of imported foodstuffs and housewares from the U.K. that’ll make you nostalgic for all things English. I pop in every once in a while to pick up Jelly Babies and Walkers crisps.

Thank you Jessica! We’re sure you agree, there’s some great tips there. You can contact her via her personal homepage, Twitter account or She Says account.

Totally biased product review by me — Kama

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Oranges, browns, greens ... a true curry

Oranges, browns, greens … a true British-style curry

Still one of the best Indian restaurants in Toronto is, in my totally biased product review opinion, Kama on King Street West. You may walk straight past it the first time as it’s located downstairs.

Persevere though — pretend you didn’t make a mistake, turn around nonchalantly, walk back a few paces, look down, take the five or six not-so-steep stairs and you’re there. It’s well worth the effort.

The buffets are Kama’s strength. Lunch for $13.75 and dinner for $19.75 — great value. Loads of choice too.

Tip: if you go for lunch, aim for 12:00 p.m. on the dot, or 1:00 p.m. when the office crowd are heading back. You’ll have to wait for a table in between those times. Not good if you haven’t finished your Q1 results PowerPoint presentation for the afternoon meeting with the VP.

The curry they serve here is the closest the Brits in Toronto crew have found to the ones in England. Therefore, there is a lot of orange and yellow, the best Onion Pakoras in town and the hard-to-find Bombay Potatoes.

Their Butter Chicken is very nice too, but the Vindaloo is not as spicy as a Brit Vindaloo — it’s taken down a few notches for the Canadian palate, but the flavour is excellent. They have all the hot lime pickles and other sauces in a separate salad section if you wanted to mix some in to raise the heat level.

A good selection of veggie dishes too means that everyone is covered. A very good office lunch place, and therefore we give it a Brits in Toronto 5/5 stars.

Is immigration turning away best, brightest?

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Brits in Toronto really hopes not

Brits in Toronto really hopes not … would be bad

Travelling to the Brits in Toronto office yesterday during the polar vortex, my eye chanced upon a copy of Metro, the local free daily newspaper.

I opened it and was extremely concerned at what I read. “Pisceans should expect disappointing news from a tall, dark stranger.” (I always read my horoscope first.)

Then I noticed the headline story on the front page: “Is immigration turning away best, brightest?” I read with interest …

According to hopeful permanent residency applicants and an immigration lawyer, very skilled people are being rejected for no obvious reason that they can discern.

The article even goes so far as to report, “They say there are conflicting instructions for applicants and that immigration officers aren’t following the rules and are ignoring parts of their applications.”

Pretty worrying. But how can immigrants prove that? I’m not sure if there’s an appeals process or not. The kind of talented individuals that the Federal Skilled Worker Program was set up to attract are apparently not making it through.

Brits in Toronto are going to put out a few feelers to see if we can get some more information and post an update.

You can read the full article as a PDF here (right click/save as): Is immigration turning away best, brightest?

Successful Brits in Toronto: Sarah Doucette

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Caption

Councillor Sarah Doucette reminisces about double decker buses and the smell of seaweed

Cast your mind back. It’s April 29, 2011. 4:00 a.m. Not a soul is stirring across the City of Toronto.

Not unless you’re one of Ward 13 City Councillor Sarah Doucette’s constituents, who were invited to a live Royal Wedding party she hosted to celebrate the marriage of the future King William and Kate Middleton.

But that’s what Successful Brits in Toronto do. Like Councillor Doucette, they leave family and friends behind in Old Blighty, carve out great lives for themselves in Toronto — but never forget their roots.

Let’s grab a cup of tea, turn off Downton Abbey, and read Sarah’s thoughts on living in Toronto …

What made you decide to choose Toronto as a city of choice? Did you plan a permanent move, or wanted to “try it for a while and see how it goes” and it turned out to be longer than planned?

I came to Toronto on October 20, 1980 to work. I had relatives living in Pickering and a friend of my late brother at York University, so at least I would know someone here. I arrived on a one-year return ticket but used it to return to England on holiday before returning to Toronto to stay as I had met my husband-to-be.

What steps did you take to land your first Toronto job? Did the infamous “Canadian experience” hinder you in any way?

I applied for a job through The Lady magazine while still in England. I wanted to travel the world one year at a time, work for 10 months and explore the country for two months. But as I mentioned I met my husband within four months of arriving, have now been married for 26 years and been in Toronto for 33 years. The world tour will have to wait.

What’s the best/worst aspects of living in Toronto?

The opportunities are amazing — far more than I would have had if I had stayed on the Isle of Wight, England. Toronto is a great place to live, work and play. You can travel the world by just visiting different neighbourhoods. I love living in such a diverse city.

I miss being so far away from my family. I miss the open rolling hills, being able to walk up onto the Downs with the wind in your face … it gives you space to think away from the hustle and bustle of life. I miss the sound of the sea and the smell of the seaweed thrown up onto the beach after a storm.

Do you make an effort to connect with other Brits in the city, or just meet them when chance allows it? Any recommended pubs/eateries/other places for homesick Brits to meet each other and network?

One of my best friends — who I met here in Toronto 24 years ago — is British. This really helps as when I get tired I speak English and she can translate so others can understand. I have met a lot of British people living in my neighbourhood or others with connections of past generations from England. A great place to meet people from Britain is at the local football (soccer) club while our children are playing.

When I first came to Toronto I would spend time at the Duke of Gloucester and Scotland Yard pubs; both were great places to meet Brits.

Open question/comment: feel free to write anything here/advice/tips on a Brit living in, or moving to, Toronto.

I think your website is a great place for people to visit when they arrive in Toronto. [WHY THANK YOU, SARAH!] Two biggest things to remember are which side of the road do you drive on and which way to look when crossing the street. Oh yes and I miss double decker buses — you get an amazing view from the front window on the upper deck.

Much appreciation to Councillor Doucette for keeping it real at Council and finding the time to bring a little bit of home to Brits in Toronto!

Totally biased product review by me — The Living Room

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The plush bar in The Living Room with the SELF-POUR DRAFT BEER TAPS discreetly marked

The plush bar in The Living Room with the SELF-POUR DRAFT BEER TAPS discreetly marked

The Brits in Toronto crew were missing home a little over the Christmas holidays. There’s nothing quite like going to a fine British establishment for some copious imbibing, good cheer and snacks.

Unfortunately, flights home were too expensive this year — and we still don’t have a major corporate beer, dental chain or Indian food website sponsor yet — so we did the next best thing and headed to the Windsor Arms Hotel to try out The Living Room restaurant and bar.

Just as the website describes, “Interior designer Jacques Dinel of Dinel Designs brought British influence to the restaurant, setting the atmosphere of luxurious comfort. The Living Room is decorated with original print art from the U.K. and a formal dining area with original Charles Pachter paintings.”

So we quickly changed out of our Corrie Street T-shirts and jeans, into smart trousers and shirts … and off we jolly well popped.

Our host was a Geordie from Newcastle called Anthony. He was excellent, made us feel very welcome and had a load of great, funny stories to keep us entertained. We soon relaxed into the deep, comfortable settees and ordered drinks.

The Britettes in our group went for the bottle service and partook of the vodka on offer, whilst us gents opted for the SELF-POUR draft beer. Yep — you just reach over, choose one of the two beverages of that night, tilt your glass and pour yourself a nice glass with no head at all. Because Brits hate head on their beer.

The choices that night were Mill St. Organic and Amsterdam Market Ale, two polar opposites — nice options. Quick tip: go slowly on the pour because it’s a bit tricky the first time, and I personally wasted around $2.43 of beer down the side of the glass … funds we just don’t have. Yet. (See above point.)

Having eaten earlier at this amazing place, we were kinda stuffed — but Anthony tempted us with some popcorn coated in curry spices that were REALLY addictive! Would have a drink there just for that stuff. And I’m not a popcorn fan, trust me.

All in all, we really enjoyed our night here and definitely plan to go back to sample the full menu at some stage.

For that reason we give it a respectable Brits in Toronto 4/5 stars … for now. Suspect that will go up once we do the eats full justice.

Happy New Year from Brits in Toronto!

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Should Old Acquaintance be forgot, and never thought upon ...

Should Old Acquaintance be forgot, and never thought upon … what’s the next bit?

Wow, what a few months it’s been since Brits in Toronto launched — we’re truly chuffed and honoured about the warm reception the site has received.

Our Twitter account has 172 followers — not bots, but real, intelligent and attractive people — and we aim to double that to at least 344 by this time next year!

We have visitors from, yes, CANADA … and Panama, Peru, Malaysia and Aruba, to name but a few countries. Welcome one and all!

We have published exclusive — yes, EXCLUSIVE — deep-probing interviews with a former Mayor of Toronto … the Brit who mostly gets you to work on time … and Mayor Rob Ford’s favourite newspaper editor.

Top stuff, no? We could have packed up and gone home already. But we’re not stopping there.

2014 is going to be the year for the Brits in Toronto team to start bringing it large, showcasing the best of British life in Toronto and to feature many more of our ex-pats in these very pages. (Pages that never end because it’s the Internet, and probably based on a cloud server somewhere in Russia because it’s cheaper hosting.)

A truly big THANK YOU to everyone that’s e-mailed us, RT’d us, spammed us and begged to be featured in the Totally Biased Product Review By Me slot. It means a lot.

Happy, healthy and fun New Year to you all, be safe and see you in 2014!

Totally biased product review by me — The Oxley

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Chaps can multitask at The Oxley's urinals

Chaps can multitask at The Oxley’s urinals

A few weeks ago the Brits in Toronto crew set out into the cold night to prove that good — no, great — British grub DOES exist in Toronto. You just have to know where to find it.

Having heard positive things about The Oxley from other less-well-read blogs as ours, we decided to give it a go. Our intern John Thomas took one for the team and held things back at the office as our crew ventured out.

After yomping through the Yorkville snow, The Oxley stood out with its red brick facade. We were pleased to see a roaring fire in the entrance bar, and that immediately gave the impression we were walking into a favourite aunt’s house for Sunday dinner. Nice touch.

The dinner menu had a great selection of choices, so we opted for the scallops (nice and plump and juicy), the cream of chicken and tarragon soup (just the right tang), deviled brace of quail (first time for some of us — not disappointed), the thunder oak brick chicken (very moist) with some sides of duck fat potatoes (crispy and delish) and carrots with ginger (cooked just right).

The whole meal was delicious and portion sizes were generous. Our server was very humorous and knowledgeable about the menu and wine pairings.

One small grumble — we heard there was a “snug” upstairs so we checked it out. It wasn’t as warm and cosy as the downstairs space, but that’s not a deal-breaker. We just expected a smaller, darker more intimate room, that was all.

They also do a Sunday evening meal of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding which is definitely on our to-do list.

To sum up = EXCELLENT British food at a reasonable price in a nice, relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommended and I give it a rare Brits in Toronto 5/5 stars.

Successful Brits in Toronto: David Miller

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Caption here

Toronto’s very own Ipswich Town FC supporter recalls 1978

The Brits in Toronto crew are very honoured to have a former Mayor of Toronto agree to be our latest Successful Brit in Toronto: David Miller.

Now the President and CEO of WWF-Canada, all it took was a single, firm, modest “sure” via Twitter and the deal was done.

So here we go …

What made you decide to choose Toronto as a city of choice? Did you plan a permanent move, or wanted to “try it for a while and see how it goes” and it turned out to be longer than planned?

I chose Toronto but my mum chose Canada. We emigrated in 1967 originally, and came to Ottawa for her job as a teacher. I chose to come to Toronto for law school, because I loved the fact it had a subway and streetcars. And I knew that if I worked hard, I could get a good job.

What steps did you take to land your first Toronto job? Did the infamous “Canadian experience” hinder you in any way?

My first real job was paving roads in Calgary, to pay for university. They were happy, as long as you had an Alberta address and were fit. My mum, though, had a different experience. She was recruited as a teacher by immigration, then, once we emigrated, told by the Ottawa School Board that she wasn’t qualified in Canada. She was livid. And sorted them out …

What’s the best/worst aspects of living in Toronto?

The best aspect of living in Toronto is the green space — the waterfront, the parks, and the river valleys. The worst is the winter weather. It never stays fully winter and the city turns brown. In Ottawa, it’s cold enough that the snow stays as snow.

Do you make an effort to connect with other Brits in the city, or just meet them when chance allows it? Any recommended pubs/eateries/other places for homesick Brits to meet each other and network?

I don’t make too much effort to join British events in Toronto, although I have gone to some formal ones, like with the Canada/UK and with the Consul General. I see other Brits when I go to a suitable pub to watch the football — I proudly wear my England shirt, and watch them break our hearts. Again.

Ipswich Town is my home club. Remember ’78!

Best pub to just enjoy: Allen’s on the Danforth. John Maxwell pours a great pint, food is excellent, and a terrific patio.

Open question/comment: feel free to write anything here/advice/tips on a Brit living in, or moving to, Toronto.

I seem to connect with others from the British Isles through sports — rugby, which I played for over 20 years, football, and cricket primarily. But there are some great formal organizations, like the Chamber of Commerce, and the accounting organization CIMA, that can help meet people from a business perspective and often host events with interesting UK speakers. Cheers!

Thank you, sir!

Two good news stories about immigrants to Canada

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During my 11 o’clock tea and choccy biccy break this morning I spotted two very interesting articles about skilled immigrants as it relates to Toronto and Ontario, courtesy of the brilliant Yonge Street website/e-newsletter.

Here they are:

TRIEC celebrates skilled immigrant mentors

Immigration isn’t just a matter of navigating clearly defined legal and employment constraints: getting your paperwork in order, re-credentialling, and so on. There is also a host of soft skills — cultural conventions and communication best practices, social insight and networking capacity — that anyone needs to successfully make a transition to a new country.

Helping skilled immigrants do just that: the mentors of the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC), who assisted 1,000 immigrants this past year via a program called The Mentoring Partnership. Mentors offer sector-specific advice (mentees and mentors are matched by occupation), but also help with the ephemeral, essential task of getting settled in a new work environment.

Full story.

Provincial and federal governments expanding opportunities for skilled immigrants

The Ontario Bridge Training Program assists skilled immigrants by providing support while they get their credentials, licenses, and professional certifications settled in their new home, and helping them find jobs in their fields once they have.

Recently, the provincial and federal governments announced that they will be “expanding and enhancing” the program over the next three years.

Details are right now scarce — representatives for Ontario’s Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration could not spell out any of the particulars — but we’re told that more announcements are coming soon. What we do know is that the province is putting $63.6 million into the program over three years, and the federal government is kicking in another $16.6 million; of that pot $15 million of provincial money is “additional support.”

Full story.

Successful Brits in Toronto: Paulo Antunes

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"Nah, stop it mate. Yer cracking me up, seriously."

“Nah, stop it mate. Yer cracking me up, seriously. Ya silly old sod.”

We’re a little bit confused about Paulo Antunes. A little perturbed. His Twitter profile shows a proud photo of Winston Churchill; he’s a Londoner living in Toronto; Lisbon is randomly thrown in there; and he appears to support Arsenal.

Yes — most perplexed.

Anyway, on with the show:

What made you decide to choose Toronto as a city of choice? Did you plan a permanent move, or wanted to “try it for a while and see how it goes” and it turned out to be longer than planned?

It’s actually something of a fairy tale, how I have ended up in Toronto. In 2000, whilst on a family holiday to Portugal, I met a very pretty girl with an “American accent.” We spent lots of time together and had lots of fun; however, as with all good things, our time came to an end.

Turns out she was from a place called Mississauga, which I had never heard of before. Arrrhhh, young love. We exchanged letters as well as kept in touch through Yahoo messenger, before eventually losing contact.

Fast forward almost a decade, I found one of the letters she had sent me, at my parents’ house, and I decided to look her up on Facebook (the gems of modern technology). After hours upon hours spent on Skype and x number of long-haul flights, I took the decision to up sticks from my beloved London, to move to this side of the pond … and what a decision it was … as I now call this girl in question my wife! Love you Ashley!

What steps did you take to land your first Toronto job? Did the infamous “Canadian experience” hinder you in any way?

I knew I was coming to Toronto well in advance of actually landing on these shores — I initially applied through a BUNAC working holiday visa which enables you to work for up to two years — so it took a lot of pre-planning. I was fortunate to pre-arrange some interviews, landing myself a retail job in Dufferin Mall within the first two weeks of being here.

This was always going to be temporary for me. I spent most of my spare time learning to cross the road — they are huuugggee — pay for items in shops using cash — loonies/toonies etc., my oh my — and generally just familiarizing (see what I did there? “z”) myself with Canadian culture, as well as applying for a minimum of 10 jobs a day … a lot more difficult then it seems.

Once again, I was blessed by the Big Man above, and in just over a month I was employed at a great organisation, which reports directly to the government — and helps save the environment. Hard work and perseverance pays off in the end!

What’s the best/worst aspects of living in Toronto?

Toronto is 3,548 miles (or 5,710 kilometres for those Canadians) from London. That’s quite some distance from my family … therefore, the worst aspect.

The best aspect — after you have taken in the initial, “Wow, this is surreal” after walking out of Dundas subway station in the centre of Toronto for the first time to be greeted with a flurry of lights, and surrounded on all sides by massive skyscrapers — is the true diversity and friendliness of the city.

Personal favourites of mine include the Canadian mentality towards all holidays: I love Christmas, and it is well celebrated here. Another thing is the close proximity from Toronto of many different activities — camping in Algonquin in the summer, wine tasting in Niagara in the autumn and skiing at Blue Mountain in the winter. So much to do. And of course, at the very top of everything, is my beautiful wife and her wonderful family!

Do you make an effort to connect with other Brits in the city, or just meet them when chance allows it? Any recommended pubs/eateries/other places for homesick Brits to meet each other and network?

I am actually a Toronto representative for an England football supporters initiative (The Official England House on Facebook) which covers the whole of Canada, and as a result, I am meeting a load of new, like-minded people. We are hoping to establish a venue in Toronto as a regular base to watch England games at together, as well as other social events. Plans are in the works. Meanwhile, as a massive football fan, the Fox and Fiddle on Yonge/St. Clair is great to watch games — especially as it is home to the mighty Arsenal!

I am also lucky that a Mancunian friend of mine from university actually spent his second year studying at Ryerson on exchange, and funnily enough, he too was enticed back by a lady friend. He was the best man at my wedding.

I am also part of this group called the Toronto Brit Meetup Group whom send me loads of e-mails to events such as pub quizzes, etc., but I am yet to attend anything. Soon enough I will though!

Open question/comment: feel free to write anything here/advice/tips on a Brit living in, or moving to, Toronto.

Embrace your British roots, whilst keeping open-minded about Canadian culture. Toronto is especially very multicultural, so much to experience, and they do love their Brits. If ever you are feeling lonely and cold out here … don’t! Plenty of us have taken the plunge also, and we are here for you to help you settle and find your feet!

Excellent stuff, Paulo — thank you. Seems you have a great life here! If anyone wants to connect with an Arsenal fan, you can check out his Facebook page, Little Britain: Toronto.

Let’s all help fellow Brit Rob Lancaster find a job!

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One day, my son, all this could be yours ...

One day, my son, all this could be yours …

As mentioned on our Jobs page, we like to help fellow Brits in Toronto find work and jobs. You just need to send some details and a link to some more information — as much as you’re comfortable sharing online — and we’ll put it out there in the hope that the British ex-pat community can keep their ears open for you.

Step up, Rob Lancaster. Here’s some details about his experience taken from his resume/CV:

“A results-oriented, adaptable, knowledgeable team player with many years experience leading teams within an Operations framework. I have an excellent understanding of working within high pressure, diverse, client-facing business environments in fields such as Asset Management, Settlements and most recently Global Custody. I am a confident decision-maker, an analytical and systemic thinker who demonstrates a meticulous attention to detail.  I meet and exceed personal targets whilst maintaining a flexible and proactive approach in order to achieve high standards of output and client satisfaction.”

Rob says, “Ideally I’m looking for a role in Investment Banking, specifically within Operations or a more client-facing relationship management role.”

You can contact Rob directly with opportunities and leads directly at rob_1974 AT hotmail.co.uk or check out his LinkedIn profile.

Good luck, mate — we hope something comes along for you soon!

What you should know before moving to Canada

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Get used to seeing this flag a LOT

Get used to seeing this flag a LOT

Just a quick link to an interesting article the Brits in Toronto crew were chatting about at our afternoon tea.

A group of mothers were asked, for an Atkinson Foundation project, to write imaginary letters home to a friend telling them what to expect if they’re thinking about emigrating to Canada. In the end, six women and two men participated.

Here are a few observations from those letters.

Successful Brits in Toronto: Andy Byford

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"Darn it, think I forgot to get milk"

The new Doctor Who isn’t keen on his Tardis upgrade

“Mind the gap! Mind the gap! Mind the –”

Andy Byford’s ringtone cuts off as he takes the call from Brits in Toronto. “Hold on,” he yells, “I’m just going into a tunnel …”

That scenario above might — OK, probably not — have happened recently. But now, thanks to one of the new initiatives under Mr. Byford’s watch, TTC subway users can now get free Wi-Fi at two stations: Bloor-Yonge and St. George (good choice) so, if you can’t call, you can at least text him to find out what time the next train is, mention it’s called the subway and not the Tube, and that trains drive on the RIGHT.

Brits in Toronto is very excited to put some questions to Andy Byford, Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Transit Commission:

What made you decide to choose Toronto as a city of choice? Did you plan a permanent move, or wanted to “try it for a while and see how it goes” and it turned out to be longer than planned?

Basically, I couldn’t resist the chance to lead a top-to-bottom transformation of the TTC. It’s a great compan,y but I think everyone would agree it could be much better with sustained funding and a can-do approach.

That plus it gave me instant “most favoured son-in-law” status from my Canadian parents-in-law for bringing their daughter home!

What steps did you take to land your first Toronto job? Did the infamous “Canadian experience” hinder you in any way?

The process was pretty bureaucratic and lengthy. At one point, I nearly gave up as I had a great life in Sydney. When I arrived at Pearson, the immigration officer asked if I was mad to exchange the Aussie summer for the Canuck cold!

What’s the best/worst aspects of living in Toronto?

Best: I love the variety and multicultural nature of the city. It also has a lot of great diners. Worst: not being able to see my beloved Plymouth Argyle (lose) every week.

Do you make an effort to connect with other Brits in the city, or just meet them when chance allows it? Any recommended pubs/eateries/other places for homesick Brits to meet each other and network?

I know quite a few Brits here but I mainly hang out with TTC colleagues and family-in-law. The Rebel House in Summerhill/Rosedale is my favourite pub and one that I must invite Michael Cooke to sample with me.

Open question/comment: feel free to write anything here/advice/tips on a Brit living in, or moving to, Toronto.

Eat more poutine. Along with the Canadarm, it’s Canada’s greatest invention.

OK, we can all go home now; when one Successful Brit in Toronto invites another Successful Brit in Toronto out for a pint, then our job is done!

G’night, and thanks Mr. Byford.

Successful Brits in Toronto: Michael Cooke

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Toronto Star Editor Michael Cooke just found out you can squint through the paywall if you scroll very slowly

Toronto Star Editor Michael Cooke just found out you can squint through the paywall if you scroll very slowly

As a former journalist, I have been in the trenches and seen the hard work that goes into getting the story, and hopefully the scoop. You do it for the love of the job and not the pay — that’s for sure. Now I work in communications at the Brits in Toronto HQ.

So we’re honoured that Michael Cooke, Editor of the Toronto Star, agreed in a tweet to be our latest Successful Brit in Toronto. He manages Canada’s biggest paper by circulation, employs multiple award-winning journalists and thinks [spoiler alert] “there isn’t a real pub in the entire city.” (That must be a typo, Michael … check out our Booze section.)

In typical Ask Ellie fashion, we put some questions to him:

What made you decide to choose Toronto as a city of choice? Did you plan a permanent move, or wanted to “try it for a while and see how it goes” and it turned out to be longer than planned?

Came on holiday, loved the place — open, big, fresh, different and you can see a bear 50 miles out of the city  … so I stayed … and then quickly learned to love the great extremes in temperature … proper bloody hot in the summer, proper bloody cold in the winter …

What steps did you take to land your first Toronto job? Did the infamous “Canadian experience” hinder you in any way?

At the time — 1975 — it was easy for Brits. I just walked in and cheerfully held out the papers to be stamped. No problems. Was made very welcome, especially in the Legion halls (my dad was in the Royal Navy).

What’s the best/worst aspects of living in Toronto?

Best: I love watching the skill and courage and brains it takes to play top-notch hockey. Worst: there isn’t a real pub in the entire city.

Do you make an effort to connect with other Brits in the city, or just meet them when chance allows it? Any recommended pubs/eateries/other places for homesick Brits to meet each other and network?

No. Big part of the joy of living here is everyone else who came from everywhere else. Who needs to search out Brits ?

So, there you have it. Short, sweet and to the point. Thank you Mr. Cooke, and if any readers know of “real pubs” in the entire city, please post them in the comments section so I can check them out too!

Totally biased product review by me — Deep Foods Palak Paneer

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Four bits of cheese jostle for position in a bed of creamy spinach

Four bits of cheese jostle for position in a bed of creamy spinach puree

Got time for a curry quickie? Good. This item caught my eye as I was looking for an alternative side dish for tonight’s dinner. I think it was the combination of the words “cheese,” “spicy” and “spinach.”

It’s also vegetarian, which is nice. I balanced it with a pork chop in a BBQ sauce and toms.

Very quick and easy to cook, if your idea of “cook” is opening the microwave door, slinging it in and pressing COOK.

Five minutes later — and being careful to avoid the scalding steam — I peeled back the top and there it was laid before me in all its splendour: spicy spinach with bits of cheese in.

So … going in! The texture was very nice, and tasted authentic (just like the box described). The cubed cheese was also not bad. The biggest letdown was I couldn’t really taste any spice. I had to mix in some hot sauce to bring it to a respectable level, just to get that kick.

In summary, the Palak Paneer was pretty tasty, just needs a hit more of the spice.

I give it a Brits in Toronto 3/5 stars.

(Palak Paneer is also an anagram of “ale pea prank” which reminds me of a great stag night I once went to but won’t repeat.)

A jolly good British Isles Show, what ho?

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The random arrangement of red, white and blue pixels thankfully fell into place to guide the way

The best of British luck to all ye who enter here

After my in-depth and extremely well-written preview of The British Isles Show, I was lucky enough to be granted a free ticket, so — disclaimer — I was here today on somebody else’s coin. Thank you to the organizers!

Unfortunately getting there just slightly too late for a pint with the tousle-haired Marc Baylis, alias “Rob Donovan” from Coronation Street, I was met by the pleasing sounds of the Wallace-Symington Highland Dancers doing their stuff on the main stage at the end of the hall.

This is not them:

Large burly, hairy men prancing around in tartan skirts? Check

Large burly, hairy men wearing shades and prancing around in tartan skirts? Box ticked

It was lunchtime, so — having had The Feisty Jack fare before — made a beeline through the throngs of British pensioners straight for their food truck. VERY EXCITED to see the TFJ Chicken Tikka Box was one of the menu items, so went for that. Delish!

Tikka Masala-marinated chicken, fried onion, cucumber mint raita, chili sauce, cilantro, lime Zest on yukon gold Fries

Tikka Masala-marinated chicken, fried onion, cucumber mint raita, chili sauce, cilantro, lime zest on Yukon Gold fries. You can’t go wrong, really

After lunch I headed to the pub for a quick looksie and checked out the range of craft beers. Hobgoblin, a Banana Bread Beer and a Double Chocolate Stout were on offer as some of the choices.

All very civilized. Not a Chelsea Headhunter in sight

All very civilized. Not a Chelsea Headhunter in sight

Wandered around the rest of the show and picked up a Spurs calendar and keyring. Some items were totally cheeky British humour … such as Carry On films.

"Hey dad, can we watch Carry On Emmannuelle tonight?"

Carry On films … always good for a laugh. Bit cheeky though

Time to get some culture. Bumped into the Downton Abbey Fan Club lady who politely posed for a photo, and told us about The Crown and Crumpet Tea Room where they hold a lot of events.

Not a time traveller, no. A member of the Downton Abbey Fan Club

Not a time traveller, no. A member of the Downton Abbey Fan Club

Some of the Downton Abbey clothes were then displayed in a fashion show on the main stage:

Come on, Vogue, Vogue ... let your corset-constrained body move to the music. Vogue.

Come on, Vogue, Vogue … let your corset-constrained body move to the music. Vogue!

Heading away from the cheery British chatter going on around me, just had time to stroll along and grab a Corrie T-shirt.

A very subtle and sublime play on words

A very subtle and sublime play on words

Alas, my day at The British Isles Show had wound to its weary end. It was great fun, there’s LOADS of British goods on offer and things to be entertained by.

The show’s on till November 17 so still time to check it out and grab yourself some Spotted Dick.

I feel really sorry for the British Rob Ford(s)

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Rob Ford from Manchester, England is not a mayor, has never smoked crack or been drunk in public. One of these may be wrong actually

Rob Ford from Manchester, England is not a mayor, has never smoked crack or been very drunk in public. One of these may be wrong actually

So unless you’ve been living under a rock the past few weeks, you know that Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is in a bit of a pickle. He’s been accused — actually, now admitted — to smoking crack cocaine, being very drunk in public and … just today … been caught on camera threatening to kill someone.

Toronto is a divided city: those who hate the guy, feels he’s embarrassing us and has to go — and those in “Ford Nation” who love the guy, want to forgive his foibles and feel he’s a “man of the people.”

And of course, those people take to Twitter to vent their anger or their love. Unfortunately, they don’t check the correct Twitter account — this one — and use the wrong Twitter account — this one. (There’s also this one but he seems to have escaped the wrath.)

The former fake Rob Ford, not the latter fake Rob Ford — this is so bloody confusing! — has been featured in the media and just wants to live a quiet life. Can’t say I blame him.

So, to all the British fake Rob Fords out there, we want you to know that Brits in Toronto has your back and support from across the pond!

Totally biased product review by me — Guinness crisps

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A strikingly designed bag crinkles temptingly, leading you along the black and white path to the treasures inside

A strikingly designed bag crinkles temptingly, leading you along the black and white path to the treasures inside

Disclaimer: Guinness is my favourite pint at the pub. Nothing beats it for originality, looks, taste and pouring time.

So, imagine my excitement as a co-worker gave me a free bag of Guinness crisps to try. My trembling hand accepted the offering, and I scurried them away behind my Brits in Toronto PR, communications and social media plan files, hiding them to take home that night.

Never got to try them that night because it was Friday and I went straight out to the pub after work, and didn’t want to carry the bag of crisps around Toronto. That would look really strange. So, the crisps stayed thus, secreted away.

Until just now. The moment had arrived to consume the Guinness crisps.

I popped the bag open, and heard the crisps rustling inside, similar to dry, autumn leaves, crunching underfoot of a wild boar foraging through the forest on a chilly, starry night.

My first disappointment came when I noticed the bag was only half full of crisps. The rest was air. Free air, mind you, because my co-worker had given them to me — but air, nonetheless.

“Good things come in small packages,” the great Ronnie Corbett once said, so I plunged in and took my first Guinness crisp.

Holding it aloft like a tiny brown crisp-shaped butterfly that doesn’t struggle, but has accepted its fate, I examined it … and it did indeed have the pleasing Guinness hue. Things were looking good. I popped it in my mouth and crunched.

It was an odd taste. Truth be told, I expected it not to taste exactly like Guinness — more like a beef or Worcestershire sauce kind of flavour — but this tasted like neither.

One thing though — to me, it didn’t taste like Guinness at all. I understand it’s food, not the drink, but quite honestly, I couldn’t match it to its liquid namesake, and was therefore quite disappointed. In the free crisps. That my co-worker had given me.

So, VERY sorry Guinness, I REALLY wanted to like these — but it pains me to say I have to give my first Brits in Toronto 0/5 stars.

Get ready, dentists: The British Isles Show is coming from November 15-17

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Hi. I'm Marc. With a c. I like soap operas, long walks in warm rain and crossing my arms. Come and meet me.

“Hi. I’m Marc. With a c. I like soap operas, long walks in warm rain and crossing my arms. Come and meet me”

So the leaves are falling, the patio stuff has been put away and the nights are drawing in. That can only mean two things: autumn is finally upon us and so is The British Isles Show from November 15-17.

This is the annual gathering of Brits from far and wide (or mainly from Toronto to Mississauga, a distance of 27.6 km according to Google Maps) and the chance to hob-knob about the weather, buy some Heinz Beanz and boxes of decent tea and maybe — just maybe! — catch a glimpse of a Corrie Street star.

This year the guest appearance is by Marc Baylis, who plays Rob Donovan. I stopped watching Corrie Street when my nan passed, so have no idea who that character is, but I’m sure legions of fans out there do.

Quick segue: went to a similar show years ago and spotted a sad and lonely-looking Curly Watts sitting behind a screen. Reminded me of when I was at school and paid 50p to go behind a curtain and meet those cheeky Cockney chaps, Chas and Dave. Make of that what you will.

"Oi, Marc! Yup yup rabbit yup yup yup rabbit rabbit bunny jabber yup rabbit bunny yup yup yup rabbit bunny jabber yup yup yup rabbit bunny jabber yup yup bunny jabber rabbit!"

“Oi, Marc! Yup yup rabbit yup yup yup rabbit rabbit bunny jabber yup rabbit bunny yup yup yup rabbit bunny jabber yup yup yup rabbit bunny jabber yup yup bunny jabber rabbit!”

Here’s a list of exhibitors for the show, so you can pick out what you want to see first before deciding if it’s worth $15 for a ticket. I personally think it is, just for the chance to browse around and hear those familiar accents from back ‘ome, luv.

Or you could give the show a nice free mention on your blog and try and blag free entry … something Brits in Toronto would never do.

See you there. Toodles!

Totally biased product review by me — Bombay Bhel

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On a cold, rainy night the warm red comforting glow of the Bombay Bhel sign offers hope of a tasty curry in this dramatically soft-focus photo

On a cold, rainy night the warm red comforting glow of the Bombay Bhel sign offers hope of a tasty curry in this dramatically soft-focus photo

Picture the scenario. It’s been a tough day. Work was hectic, someone stole your pork pie lunch from the communal fridge and the commute home on the TTC doesn’t go as planned.

You finally get in, slump in your armchair and put on your slippers. But before you turn on the goggle box for Corrie Street there’s just one word in your mind: curry. (Or two words if you say Ruby Murray to sound harder than you are.)

Where can you go, where there’s various locations and you’ll always get a decent curry? Glad you asked. Bombay Bhel!

I go there a LOT, and it’s one of the best curries for me personally. Two clues to back up that bold, totally biased statement: (1) They spend money on paying the best chefs and not on their website design, and (2) there’s always a lot of Indian customers enjoying the food … not just pasty-white Brits like me sitting alone and looking around trying to pretend I do have mates, but they’re busy that night.

So — onto the food.

First off, let me tell you that if you’re looking for the “English style” curry — all the oranges and reds floating around in copious amounts of ghee — then this is not the place for you. Bombay Bhel has opted for the more traditional type of curry: more browns, slightly thicker in texture and with more spice.

As someone who started off my curry adventure as a teen on Chicken Korma and worked up to a Vindaloo, asking for “slightly hotter than medium please, old chap!” once had me taking cooling air breaths in between mouthfuls — it was pretty spicy. But DELISH!

Another great thing about Bombay Bhel is they don’t scrimp on the portion sizes. I usually have enough of my main course to take half home for lunch next day, but prefer not to put temptation in the way of the pork pie thief at work … so I eat the lot. I’m also a greedy bugger too, so that helps.

As a starter, the samosas are a nice size — crispy with a good, meaty filling — and come with a tamarind dipping sauce. I always get three poppadoms too and ask for the green minty raita sauce and a side of the spicy lime pickle. [Curious fact = the Bombay Bhel I go to never charges me for the poppadoms or pickle! Maybe it’s because I’m a regular there? Not sure. Anyway, it’s never on the bill so I make it up on the tip. Good karma and all that.]

My go-to dish — and the one I drive miles specifically to Bombay Bhel for — is the Chicken Karahi. They cook it in the perfect way, with lots of sauce (a must for me), big chunks of succulent chicken (Jesus Christ, writing this is making me starving now actually) and lots of ginger and onions. Mmmmm! (They always put that little bit of wood in too, that I’m not sure what it is, but must be a spice of some kind. Keep an eye out for that.)

It’s licensed, so you can enjoy a beer or wine with your meal, but make sure you are responsible in your drinking, take a taxi or go with a designated driver. (Just saying that to cover myself legally.)

So, there you have it. One of my personal favourite curry houses and I give it a nose-blowing, brow-mopping, eye-watering Brits in Toronto 5/5 stars.

What Toronto pub do you watch your football in?

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Hours of number crunching the data produced some disappointing statistics

Hours of number crunching the data produced some groundbreaking statistics*

The great thing about Toronto is that you can put on your football scarf, wander into a pub on game day and mix with other football fans. You can also get out alive, which is a nice, respectable way to enjoy the game these days.

I had a quick look at the Brits in Toronto football page and — although chuffed that we have just over 50% of the English Premier League represented — still want to complete the full tally.

So, if you know which Toronto pubs fans of the following teams watch their matches at, drop us a quick line. Much appreciated.

  • Southampton
  • Swansea City
  • Hull City
  • West Bromwich Albion
  • Fulham
  • Cardiff City
  • Stoke City
  • Norwich City
  • Crystal Palace

*Illustration copyright Brits in Toronto 2013. All rights reserved. Unlawful copying or reproduction of the data is strictly prohibited.

Successful Brits in Toronto: Karin and Kieran Ronde

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Karin and Kieran laugh about the uncanny similarity in their names

Karin and Kieran laugh and joke about the uncanny similarity in their names

Brits in Toronto feels a warm affinity to Karin and Kieran Ronde because of their blog — K&K Adventures — that they started in January 2012 “as a way to introduce locals and travellers abroad to Canada and the expat lifestyle they’ve come to love!”

So, in effect we’re copying their idea. Fiddlesticks!

But curious as to what brought them to Toronto, we invited them to be featured in Successful Brits in Toronto … and they were game. Right ho, here we go then and over to you, Karin:

What made you decide to choose Toronto as a city of choice? Did you plan a permanent move, or wanted to “try it for a while and see how it goes” and it turned out to be longer than planned?

Toronto wasn’t so much of a choice for me; my parents moved to Toronto when I was 17. I was still living in Europe and decided to stay there and go to university in England. Because I was a minor at the time, I was given permanent Canadian residency along with the rest of my family.

At university I met Kieran, who was convinced we should take the opportunity of my residency and move to Canada when I’d finished my studies. Once there, I could sponsor him and he could get residency too. We planned to move permanently … although recently have been talking about looking at other cities in Canada because job opportunities may be better elsewhere.

What steps did you take to land your first Toronto job? Did the infamous “Canadian experience” hinder you in any way?

When we both first moved here in April 2011 I was fresh out of university and knew that it was a bad time to be a recent graduate looking for a job. Kieran and I both worked for six months at my parents’ fishing lodge in northern Ontario. It was bliss, totally remote and peaceful.

After we finished for the summer we were both still scared to move to Toronto and look for work. We went travelling round south east Asia for two months instead!

When we came back we jumped right in and I was lucky enough to get an interview with a Canadian who grew up in Bali. We spent the whole interview talking about my recent trip and she gave me a call the next day with a job offer.

Kieran was not so lucky. It took him the best part of a year temping, and looking for work before he found his current job.

What’s the best/worst aspects of living in Toronto?

From a job-hunting perspective we both have had struggles with agencies, and find them beyond frustrating. I moved to another company recently and it took me four months of searching and interviewing before landing a job that I can truly say I love. Every industry here seems very competitive and it can be difficult to get an interview.

That being said, Toronto is a wonderful place to live in. We live in midtown, by Forest hill, and as neither of us have lived in a big city before, we are still struck by how much we love being close to the subway, having a grocery store next to our building, and the speed of which we can get anywhere in the city.

We also love the constant stream of events and activities we can enjoy living in the city. Toronto has a thriving music scene, many quirky bars and tons of beautiful parks to explore.

There are activities for everyone in both winter and summer, and Toronto is close enough to mountains for winter sports, and lakes for summer ones. Really there is no excuse to not be outdoors, and we both really enjoy that aspect.

Do you make an effort to connect with other Brits in the city, or just meet them when chance allows it? Any recommended pubs/eateries/other places for homesick Brits to meet each other and network?

When we first arrived we went on Meetup.com and found the Brit Meetup to be a fantastic place to make new friends. We participate in their bi-monthly pub quiz when we can, and really enjoy it. In terms of pubs I would say Scallywags at St Clair and Yonge always has a British crowd as well as the Football Factory on Bathurst.

Open question/comment: feel free to write anything here/advice/tips on a Brit living in, or moving to, Toronto.

My advice for anyone moving to Toronto is to get out there and experience all that the city and surrounding areas has to offer. The scenery north of Toronto is breathtaking and in any season you can find something to do.

Don’t be afraid to explore all of Toronto’s neighborhoods too as they really are so diverse, and look out for street parties and festivals like Taste of the Danforth or Salsa on St Clair.

Thank you K&K! Here’s their Twitter account if you’d like to connect.

Vote for Brits in Toronto in the MiB Awards

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Sally Field just phoned to say, "The first time I didn't feel Brits in Toronto. But this time I feel it. And I can't deny the fact that I like you, right now, I like you!"

Sally Field just phoned to say, “The first time I didn’t feel Brits in Toronto. But this time I feel it. And I can’t deny the fact that I like you, right now, I like you!”

Never a dull day in the Brits in Toronto HQ. Yes, we work Saturdays. Just got an e-mail stating, “We are pleased to let you know that your candidature to the MiB Awards has been approved.”

Having already won one award since launching — voted Best New Website 2013 by my mum — it would be most pleasing to scoop another.

So, dear reader, best mate, old pal … if you like what we’re trying to do at Brits in Toronto, please click here and give us your hard-earned vote! REALLY appreciate it …

Totally biased product review by me — The Feisty Jack British food truck

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Canadian customers shuffle around nervously polishing up their Cockney before ordering

Canadian customers shuffle around, nervously polishing up their Cockney before ordering

My mate told me about The Feisty Jack British food truck, and I just had to check it out for a review.

At lunchtime on Friday, I left the Brits in Toronto HQ, strolled two blocks south, a couple of blocks west, crossed the traffic lights, ran across a busy road … and there it was, like a red, white and blue beacon, at the corner of Simcoe Street and Wellington Street West (check where they’ll be on Food Trucks Toronto first).

There were only about four people in the queue, so I didn’t have to wait long before ordering. I went for the English sausage poutine, on Yukon Gold fries, Mozzarella cheese and onion gravy ($9).

A hearty portion of English sausage, Yukon Gold fries, Mozzarella cheese and onion gravy, with a plastic fork for scale

A hearty portion of English sausage, Yukon Gold fries, Mozzarella cheese and onion gravy, with a plastic fork for scale and framed thoughtfully by a grate

The portion size was definitely filling enough for lunch and came in one of those boxes that stops the grease from leaking out over your jeans. Nice touch!

The food quality? Excellent! The sausage had a nice meaty tang to it, backed up nicely by the well-sized fries. The cheese melted perfectly over the top, all complemented by the rich onion gravy. It was the perfect, comforting lunch for a chilly, grey Toronto day.

One small criticism: I checked the street food menu on their website and was excited to try the TFJ Chicken Tikka Box … but found out that they only choose certain items to sell from the truck on any one day. So you are limited to what is on the menu that day.

I can live with that. It means I have an excuse to go back every Friday now to work my way through the menu!

Overall, very nice and I give it the first Brits in Toronto 5/5 stars. Well done!

The Duke of Gloucester = World Cup 2014 HQ for Brits!

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Cheer up, son. You can have a pint and pop downstairs for a Ruby Murray

Cheer up, son … we got pretty far. Bloody Italy. Let’s have a pint and pop downstairs for a Ruby Murray

Bad news: it’s Monday. Good news: England recently qualified for the World Cup 2014!

And today I’m launching a stellar campaign to make The Duke of Gloucester pub on Yonge Street (between Bloor and Wellesley) the OFFICIAL World Cup HQ for Brits in Toronto.

I’m totally biased … let’s get that out of the way so there’s no accusations of bribery or conflict down the road. I consider it my local and have been going there a good number of years.

Having experienced a couple of World Cups/Euros there, I can attest it’s the place to be for live games. The place is jammed, seats are at a premium, usually CP24 or CityTV show up and film the joy and anguish on the faces of the collective Brits that come together as one for games.

The atmosphere is electric and the support when another English penalty shoots over the goal is heartwarming.

So … more details and campaign news to come down the road. But, let’s start getting excited!

ENGERLAND … ENGERLAND … ENGERLAAAANND … ENGERLAND … ENGERLAND … ENGERLAAAANDDDD!!

Dance like Jane Austen

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"Darcy, the one who smelt it, dealt it." "Why yes, Lizzie, but the one who ignored it, stored it."

“But Darcy, the one who smelt it, dealt it.” “Why yes, Lizzie, but the one who ignored it, stored it.”

English novelist Jane Austen once famously wrote, “Don’t believe every quote you read on the Internet.”

That’s why Jane still has many fans to this day — a true Brit who spoke her mind and … was also a massive dance fan!

So, Brits in Toronto was very excited to hear about Jane Austen Dancing, a website listing sociable events in and around Toronto based on the theme of the famed, curly brown ringlet-haired novelist always staring off into the distance as she ponders her next best-selling book on the wry foibles of high society, cakes and piano lessons by the window.

The website lists a lot of Austen- and Regency era-related events and other fun stuff that would even make Jane crack a smile.

Here’s the next one: Saturday, October 19 — Trafalgar Ball. Dancing, decorations, live music and toasts to Lord Nelson and King George!

There’s also a mailing list, Twitter accounts to follow and a whole lot more.

So, swallow your pride, forget your prejudice, use your sensibility and spend some of those cents (that one didn’t quite work) on tickets!

Young immigrants urged to become Canadian citizens

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A beautifully shot maple leaf, positioned atop some rustic concrete to symbolize Canada

A beautifully shot maple leaf, carefully positioned atop some rustic concrete to symbolize Canada

I was travelling downtown on the TTC this morning to hang out with a load more fun Brits in Toronto when my eye happened upon the following article in the Metro newspaper:

Young immigrants urged to become Canadian citizens

A national website and mobile app will be launched Tuesday to help young immigrants learn about the importance of getting their Canadian citizenships in light of tightening government rules.

The website, citizenshipcounts.ca, and its accompanying Android/iPhone app explain the benefits of becoming a citizen and the application process as well as providing preparation materials for the citizenship test.

More important, there is a myth-busting section that aims at dispelling misinformation about becoming a Canadian citizen such as having to give up one’s citizenship and passport from the home country, and how getting charged or convicted with a crime will affect a person’s immigrant status.

“Many immigrant and refugee youth are unsure of what it means to be a Canadian citizen, or are unaware of their citizenship status,” said Debbie Douglas, executive director of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants, an umbrella organization of 200 groups behind the initiative.

“Complications arise if they try to travel or get charged with a crime. We are confident that citizenshipcounts.ca will help change that trend.”

We at Brits in Toronto think this is an EXCELLENT initiative. Encourage more young immigrants into the country, and educate them on making a better life for themselves, without thinking they have to give up their own citizenship.

Hoorah!

p.s. Here’s a bonus site I found while researching this post: Settlement.org = very useful too.

Successful Brits in Toronto: Catherine Mayled

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Catherine Mayled in her English country ... garden. In Toronto

No, don’t ask for tomorrow’s lottery numbers

It’s not every day you cross paths with a compassionate intuitive, so Brits in Toronto is honoured to have Catherine Mayled as our newest Successful Brit in Toronto.

Catherine also does psychic readings and past life regressions, so when you next use that phrase “in another life” she knows what you’re talking about.

So how did a compassionate intuitive end up in Toronto? Let’s find out:

What made you decide to choose Toronto as a city of choice? Did you plan a permanent move, or wanted to “try it for a while and see how it goes” and it turned out to be longer than planned?

My journey to Toronto was back in the late ’80s. After no work as a student nurse in York, England, I came over as a nanny and — yes — I do have horror stories about some unpleasant situations . I came over on a visa and stayed longer than I intended to. I did go back a few times but I had changed and wanted more out of life.

What steps did you take to land your first Toronto job? Did the infamous “Canadian experience” hinder you in any way?

After I did a few years as a nanny I ended up in a government job, in an office. I obtained this position by going on many employment agency assignments, which I really enjoyed as it gave me an idea of what was out there. After going down a few career routes I have been self-employed for the last 20 years, which I love.

What’s the best/worst aspects of living in Toronto?

I really like the people and the social scene here is much better. It is great that people come from all over the world to live in Toronto, the variety of food is amazing and there is something for everyone.

The one thing I don’t really like is the weather; however, we have been getting less snow — thank goodness — and it is not as hot as it used to be. Other than than I love the fall and Halloween. I wish we had Halloween growing up!

Do you make an effort to connect with other Brits in the city, or just meet them when chance allows it? Any recommended pubs/eateries/other places for homesick Brits to meet each other and network?

I haven’t met too many Brits here. If I meet them in passing I usually try and guess their dialect. When I bump into them, they have an amazing sense of humour and we usually hit it off straight away. I have tried a few networking meetings but not had much luck.

To eat; there is an English tea room I go to in the west end of the city, run by a lady from Liverpool, that is very nice. It is called The Victorian Tearoom, on Burnhamthorpe Road West, west of Kipling.

Open question/comment: feel free to write anything here/advice/tips on a Brit living in, or moving to, Toronto.

My advice is to join lots of groups, I have met some great people through Meetup.com. What is great is more larger chain stores are bringing more British food products into their stores … but I still do miss Marks & Spencer!

Thank you, Catherine. Here’s her Twitter account if you’d like to follow her.

Totally biased product review by me — Campbell’s Chunky Alehouse Shepherd’s Pie

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Shepherd's Pie. In a can. We can all go home now. Job done

Shepherd’s Pie. In a can. We can all go home now. Job done. Sorted. End of story

As I perused the shelves of my favourite British goods shop, my eye happened upon this enticing item. Shepherd’s pie. IN A CAN. Had to try it for lunch today.

I was pleased to see that when you open the can, the mash part of the pie is, indeed, separated from the meaty part. It sits atop the mixture in the saucepan in a very pleasing way.

The only problem — you have to stir it as it heats, thus mixing the whole thing together. The mash disappears and thickens the rest of the pie. It’s technically more a stew now, I suppose.

Taste test: it had a very tasty meaty texture to it, but was a bit gloopy. Maybe larger chunks of meat may have helped a little? I sprinkled in a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper and some hot sauce, and that improved the whole lunchtime experience.

So even though it’s marketed as Shepherd’s pie in a can, there’s no way it looks like the photo on the tin. I’m glad I tried it, but it doesn’t stand out as a “must have” item in my British foods cupboard.

I give it a Brits in Toronto 1/5 stars.

Treat us like adults and let us buy booze when and where we want in Toronto … please

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"Crap, sorry luv, forgot the milk"

“Sorry I took so long, luv. Had to drive to Montreal”

So you’ve arrived in Toronto, unpacked and got settled into a hopeful life. Your new Canadian friend invites you over for a BBQ on Sunday to meet some people, begins at 8:00 p.m.

“Brilliant,” you think. “I’ll just pop into the off licence on the way and grab some wine to be sociable.”

Two problems there. (1) There is no off licence in Toronto — it’s called the Liquor Control Board of Ontario [notice the word “control”] and, (2) Most of them close at around 5:00 p.m on a Sunday. No booze for you, mate!

“That’s OK,” you exclaim in a perturbed fashion. “I’ll just go to a grocery store and grab a bottle.”

Nope. Loads of bread, milk, meat, fish and a fine selection of produce … but no booze. Sorry. You’re going to be the freeloader turning up at the BBQ to eat your host’s food and — egads! — drink their booze. The shame. A Brit turning up to a party empty-handed.

One of the most frustrating aspects of a Brit living in Toronto is the lack of options for buying some booze. (I know it’s Ontario-wide, but doesn’t change the fact.)

In Great Britain you can go and get your groceries on a Sunday, walk to the next aisle and grab some wine and/or beer. All very civilized, convenient and so adult. In Toronto you’re driving to two different places for food and booze, or even three if you prefer to buy some beers at The Beer Store.

There are some independent wineries that may open slightly longer, or grocery stores (usually the larger chains) that have a small independent presence — but the choice of brands is just not there. It’s ridiculous!

Recently, there are moves afoot to open up the market. Thus:

Mac’s Convenience Stores Inc. is promising to invest $54 million dollars to build 27 new convenience stores in Ontario if it is granted the right to sell alcohol in Ontario. — Full story.

But who knows how long that will take? And why the delay? Do the people — like us, who enjoy the freedom to buy wine and beer when and where they want — and who get to make these laws and vote on issues like this, really think it’s sensible to limit the output?

What about alcoholism, I hear you cry. It will encourage us to buy more booze. Make it easier.

I personally don’t agree with that. People who want to buy more can do it now anyway. I’ve seen customers leave with boxes of booze. How will expanding outlets and opening up the competition add to that?

It’s really frustrating and hard to get used to at first as a new Brit in Toronto. Maybe things will change soon, and when they do, I’ll raise a glass to that.

Cool job alert: Director, Employment Engagement at The Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC)

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A resume may be more useful, but like your spunk

A resume may be more useful, but we like your spunk

One of the aims of this website is to try and help Brits find work in Toronto. That may sound easy, but it’s not. There’s loads of competition and, well, you may need the infamous Canadian experience too.

As an immigrant myself I have been through that journey, am doing OK for myself, and want to help others. No catch, honestly.

So, when my army of contacts across the city — OK, Fred from the pub — gets on the old dog and bone, bends my ear for a chinwag and lets me know about cool RELEVANT jobs, I will highlight them. Brits in Toronto is not Workopolis or Jobs in Toronto, and doesn’t want to be.

Here we go …

Director, Employment Engagement at The Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC)

From their website: TRIEC is a multi-stakeholder council that brings leadership together to create and champion solutions to better integrate skilled immigrants in the Toronto Region labour market. Founded by Maytree and the Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance in 2003, TRIEC is taking action on the underutilization of skilled immigrants’ education, talent and experience.

Here is the job itself. Sounds very cool; you will be helping immigrants find work opportunities. They may even hire a Brit!

The deadline to apply is Monday, October 14 at 5:00 p.m. — so get a bloody wriggle on!

And GOOD LUCK!

Successful Brits in Toronto: Dave Fleet

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The $1.99 Instagram Mean 'n' Moody filter was money well spent

The $1.99 Instagram Mean ‘n’ Moody photo filter was money well spent

Picture the scene: you’re a successful Brit in Toronto, working away in your PR agency on a Friday afternoon, looking forward to the weekend.

Suddenly a Canadian colleague utters those immortal words: “It’s Random Office Dance Party Friday everyone. Yay!” Brits everywhere hear “dance” and start to sweat, looking for a hasty exit. But no — the intern is blocking the way out with the beer cart.

No problem for Dave Fleet. He purposefully strides from his office, grabs a beverage and leads the fun. As the Senior Vice President at Edelman, blogger, running nut, bookworm, gamer and Brit-nadian, Dave likes to lead by example.

He has a great story of making it in Toronto, and here it is:

What made you decide to choose Toronto as a city of choice? Did you plan a permanent move, or wanted to “try it for a while and see how it goes” and it turned out to be longer than planned?

Simply put, I moved here for a girl 🙂 I first came to Canada for school in 2002 — I did a one-semester exchange with the Schulich School of Business in the final year of my business degree. While I was there I started dating someone and decided to move back here at the end of my degree to be with her. That relationship didn’t work out in the end, but in a twist of fate I actually met my now wife on the same day as the first person … so the big picture worked out perfectly.

What steps did you take to land your first Toronto job? Did the infamous “Canadian experience” hinder you in any way?

I found it really tough to land my first job here. When I first moved to Toronto I had very little money at the outset, and worked doing door-to-door coupon sales, scrabbling to find enough money for rent each week. That was tough, and the hours were very long for very little money. After a few months of that I realized I was on a path to nowhere fast, so quit and started looking for a different job.

Ultimately I got my break through a temp agency — I did a few jobs with them, then got a short-term gig in the Ontario government. I actually postponed my flight back to England to take that gig … I’d run out of money, and was about to move home.

That temporary job turned into a short-term contract, which turned into another and another, then into a permanent job. I worked my way up in government communications for about five years before I left to work on the agency side.

What’s the best/worst aspects of living in Toronto?

The best aspect for me is the opportunity to get outside. I’m a huge camping junkie — I love to head up north to sit by a lake in Algonquin or Grundy Park with a book in one hand and a beer in the other. The spring and the fall are just magical seasons in Canada; I love every minute of it. If you haven’t seen Algonquin at the end of September/mid-October, you haven’t lived.

I also love the blend of cultures here. I grew up in Cornwall, U.K., which was very homogeneous. Being able to come here and experience other cultures, foods and traditions is exciting for me. Dim sum was a revelation and, after 11 years, I’m still addicted. Blend all of these cultures with the energy in this city, and it’s invigorating.

I’d say the other two seasons are two of the worst aspects of Toronto. Summer is nice in that it’s warm, but it’s too warm and humid for my liking. Meanwhile, I definitely prefer the Canadian winter to the British one; I liken a Toronto winter to a quick blast of cold, then hours of nicely heated buildings … whereas British winters bring non-stop rain that just seeps into you and stays.

On the other hand, I’ve never taken to winter sports so I generally hibernate through the season. I will say, though, that after a few years I got completely hooked on hockey. I still suck at skating though.

Do you make an effort to connect with other Brits in the city, or just meet them when chance allows it? Any recommended pubs/eateries/other places for homesick Brits to meet each other and network?

My exposure to Brits tends to be through other activities nowadays — through work, or my hobbies. It’s always great to meet other people who have gone through the same experiences, though. In particular, with the challenges I had getting started here, I enjoy the opportunity to provide advice or a helping hand for people just getting started on this side of the pond.

If you’re a football fan (or soccer, if you prefer), there are pubs around the city that are havens for football fans. I’m an Arsenal guy, and the Fox and Fiddle at Yonge/St. Clair has been a wonderful recent discovery for me.

Open question/comment: feel free to write anything here/advice/tips on a Brit living in, or moving to, Toronto.

Remember a significant portion of the people in Canada either moved to Canada in their lifetime or had their parents move here not too long ago. You’re not alone, and there IS a solid support network there if you need it.

Fantastic advice, Dave — thank you! Here is his personal blog if Brits want to connect.

Successful Brits in Toronto: Fiona Knight

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Fiona Knight Photoshopped in front of Niagara Falls

Fiona Knight Photoshopped in front of Niagara Falls

Today’s brave victim to be profiled as a Successful Brit in Toronto is Fiona Knight, Owner/Consultant at Fiona Knight Consulting Services in Toronto. She gave a very non-committal and unsure “ummm” when I asked her on Twitter, but now I have the info there’s no turning back.

What made you decide to choose Toronto as a city of choice?

My family immigrated to Kitchener in 1978 and soon after I found the Big City of Toronto
on a school trip, I have lived here since 1981 — on and off. Raised my family here and started my business here in 1993.

Did you plan a permanent move, or wanted to “try it for a while and see how it goes” and it turned out to be longer than planned?

I was not the one planning anything; I actually returned to live in Croydon in 1983 and came back to Toronto for a lad … been here ever since! However, I do get to travel a LOT for my special events work and go home to England nearly every year, sometimes twice a year.

What steps did you take to land your first Toronto job?

My first official Toronto job was as a backup singer — as I have been in the music and entertainment business most of my life it was not at all difficult to land. However, I was also working as a chambermaid at the Roehampton Hotel while I was singing at the
Chick’N’Deli on Mount Pleasant (and other jazz spots), which worked out well for getting on the job ladder in hospitality.

Did the infamous “Canadian experience” hinder you in any way?

Not really, although this was the late ’70s = different times!

What’s the best/worst aspects of living in Toronto?

Best – most diverse and wonderful city in the world and great food and local neighbourhoods from all over to discover! Worst – it takes a LOOOOONNNNNGGGG time to really meet people who might become your forever friends here. I took a long time to get used to the reserved nature of the typical Toronto lifestyle; no one invites you out — they are too busy commuting one to two hours each way for work.

Do you make an effort to connect with other Brits in the city, or just meet them when chance allows it?

I made my own networking opportunities with other like-minded folk to meet and hang out with! AND, I must admit, most of my good friendships are still across the pond or with ex-pats here.

Any recommended pubs/eateries/other places for homesick Brits to meet each other and network?

I am part of a Meetup group for U.K. ex-pats and those who love them (lol) that holds pub nights around town, and pub quizzes are very well-attended. I live in Cabbagetown and was lucky to have two local pubs for most of the 30 years I have lived here, with a darts league and footy teams, so easy to meet folk. I find that pubs will advertise if they have special nights, so easy to track down a variety of activities. More difficult for young parents and those who do not live in the downtown spots. I found it VERY hard when I had a child until
I happened across a bunch (gaggle) of English and Scottish nannies in the local playgroup, then it got easier.

Open question/comment: feel free to write anything here/advice/tips on a Brit living in, or moving to, Toronto.

FREE ADVICE – BE PREPARED TO NOT FEEL TOO BRITISH WHEN IN ENGLAND AND NOT TOO CANADIAN WHEN IN TORONTO!!! Explore the two sides of your new lives and contact me for anything advice or event wise!!! Twitter and LinkedIn or 416-939-0090.

Thank you Fiona for being a good egg and taking part!

Just English? Good show, old chap!

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Sir. Geoffrey Entwhistle Esq. desperately searches for a Tim Hortons

Sir. Geoffrey Entwhistle Esq. desperately searches for a Tim Hortons near Union Station

I still get the same questions: (1) “So, which part of Scotland are you from?” or (2) “Is it nice in Australia?” and (3) “Looking forward to St. Paddy’s Day?”

(1) Not. (2) Yes. (3) Of course — we’re all Oirish that day!

Then I cry inside, rush home and put on the BBC News and start pronouncing “how now brown cow” over and over until my accent returns.

Being a Brit in Toronto is a mixed bag of emotions. It’s a fantastic city, full of ethnicity, things to do, a big lake and easy to get around. I’ve embraced the life it’s afforded me and feel very grateful.

But … there’s still that part of me that really misses the gentle clink of a pint glass in an English country pub on a Sunday, the dire warning of “Mind the gap!” and — of course — how the whole of the country unites as one during World Cups/Euro, the Eurovision Song Contest and a murder on EastEnders.

I read this article — Being “just English” left me confused in multicultural Toronto — with great interest.

The writer, Daniel Rouse, mentions: “Admittedly, being surrounded by wonderfully diverse people all the time can make one feel a little, well, ordinary or inadequate. In Shrewsbury, with parents hailing from Manchester and Sheffield, I felt a delusional exoticness as a kid: I had a slight accent and regularly spent time up north.

“In Toronto, surrounded by people with parents from different continents whose households speak at least two languages, I’m a mere unilingual, applying thick layers of factor 60 under whatever shade I can find.”

I feel proud to be British living and contributing to society in Toronto. I don’t try to hide it in any way, but also don’t play on it. (This website, you point out? Yes — aimed at Brits in Toronto, but a resource of information. Not to set us apart.)

The mix of people and cultures in this city is what makes it such an interesting place to live. Everyone has a part to play, wherever you may be from.

Totally biased product review by me — Walmart Butter Chicken

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Gotta say I've had "better" chicken. See what I did there?

Gotta say I’ve had “better” chicken. See what I did there?

Stuck again all day in the Brits in Toronto office cubicle. It’s such a buzzing place, full of action and ringing phones, that I didn’t get a chance to grab some lunch.

No worries — Phil from accounts had left his Walmart Butter Chicken in the office fridge, so I borrowed that instead. It wasn’t labelled or anything.

Things got off to a rocky start when I followed the on-packet instructions to “tear off corners to allow hot steam to escape.” Upon checking the microwave three minutes in, I noticed a lava flow of molten hot rice bubbling over the edge of the plastic container and making a mess.

As to the actual taste of the cuisine itself, I found the aforementioned rice to be a bit gloopy and stuck together, not fluffy at all. Bit disappointing, but rice is not my favourite part of a curry anyway … so onto the meat.

The chicken was OK — nothing special. Needed a bit more seasoning, and the spice factor was VERY LOW. I didn’t need to blow my nose once. Very tame. (But then butter chicken is a mild dish anyway, so was to be expected.)

One saving grace was that the portion size wasn’t too bad. I wasn’t stuffed or anything, but this will get me through my late afternoon conference call with the Welsh in Toronto office and to dinner.

I give it a Brits in Toronto 2/5 stars.

The Toronto Brit Meetup Group

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Now that, my friends, is how you crop a teaser screenshot

Now that, my friends, is how you crop a teaser screenshot for maximum pre-click anticipation

It’s a lonely life running Brits in Toronto. Here I lurk, anonymously in the shadows, like a cyber-Oliver Twist waiting to reach out and grab snippets of useful information to present as an offering to British ex-pats.

Sometimes I lie awake at night, gazing up at the CN Tower under the twinkling stars, wishing there was a way to meet other British Blokes, Geezers, Ladies, Lassies and Birds in a face-to-face, social setting.

It’s hard to meet people when you uproot from friends and family and make that big, sometimes life-changing move to another unfamiliar city. Sometimes you need a friendly face to help you get settled.

Introducing The Toronto Brit Meetup Group. Founded in 2003 — the momentous year that Brogdale enters the U.K. Weather Records for the highest ever recorded temperature of 38.5 °C. — the group bills itself as “a social meetup of individuals, ranging from Brits who are ‘New to Toronto’ all the way through to the offspring of Brit parents.”

(Not sure of the use of the word “offspring” personally; think I saw that used in a video trailer for The Hills Have Eyes … but I digress.)

The group have social events every two weeks and also pub quiz/trivia nights, the staple lifeblood of a good British pub. There’s over 1,000 Brit members (and “offspring”) in the group, so seems like a great way to meet fellow ex-pats and chat about the weather, the meaning of a “double-double” and “What the hell is a Chesterfield again?” over a beer or strong cup of Rosie Lee.

They will know who Curly Watts is, trust me, always a good conversation-starter. So why not check them out and get to know some Brits in Toronto! (And probably Brits in Mississauga, Oakville and Burlington too, but that doesn’t play well on the theme of my website. Sure they’re nice people too. Unless they’re “offspring.”)

Which pub in Toronto do you watch your football at?

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Watching football in the pub. Sunglasses optional

Watching football in the pub. Sunglasses optional

There’s nothing better than when game day comes along, and you head to the pub to watch the game with fellow fans. Which Toronto-based watering holes consider themselves the HQ for which teams?

I’m trying to compile the definitive list for all the English Premier League teams, but need your help to spread the word and complete it.

So far, we have pubs listed for fans of Toronto FC (guest inclusion as the home town club!), Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Everton, Chelsea, Sunderland, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle, West Ham, Aston Villa and Arsenal (yes, there are six Gooners in Toronto apparently).

Over to you, fans in Toronto! Contact me or tweet me and let’s make this list happen.

Mayday! Mayday! Curb idiotic radio presenters. Stop people from Ann Arbor, Michigan immigrating. Or it’s the end of the Canada we know!

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Mayday! Mayday! Curb Idiotic Radio Presenters. Stop People From Ann Arbor, Michigan Immigrating. Or it's the end of the Canada we know!

Come on, give me a smile you granola-crunching, tree-hugging thug hugger

Until this morning, I thought Lowell Green was the name of a nice little British town in the middle of the countryside where residents washed their cars on Sunday, enjoyed a lunchtime pint and always said “Good morning, Bert, how’s the wife?” to the milkman.

How wrong I was. Thanks to the Globe and Mail’s media reporter Steve Ladurantaye who tweeted these quotes from Mr. Green, I was roundly educated.

“To summarize: CFRA’s Lowell Green believes there are forced marriages in Ontario because immigrants can watch satellite TV from homeland.”

“Lowell Green’s deep reflection on immigrants: ‘They can’t read Canadian books, and watch native television from their homeland everyday.'”

Where do I start?

First off, Mr. Green is an IMMIGRANT. According to Wikipedia — which is never wrong, and totally accurate, always — he was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan and IMMIGRATED to Canada as an IMMIGRANT via the IMMIGRATION process. There’s a theme there somewhere. Stick with me.

So, having enjoyed a successful career as an IMMIGRANT to Canada, Mr. Green then goes on to write a book with the subtle, yet gentle, almost whimsical title of Mayday! Mayday! Curb Immigration. Stop Multiculturalism. Or it’s the end of the Canada we know!

Hard to tell from the title which way Mr. Green is leaning on the subject, and as I haven’t had time yet from my daily life of being a successful and contributory IMMIGRANT citizen to Canadian life, have not read the book.

But then again, according to Mr. Green, I “can’t read Canadian books.” Oh well. That’s that, I suppose.

And as for the satellite TV comment? I literally choked on my cucumber sandwich when I read that! As Steve Ladurantaye asked me, “Do you insist on watching Coronation Street?”

Oh yeah. All the bloody time. I can’t function in Toronto society without knowing who’s shagging who at the Rovers.

Ridiculous.

/Rant. I’m off to enjoy a lukewarm cup of tea and read about my fellow IMMIGRANTS to this welcoming country who are doing great things.

Grab your Spotted Dick

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It's SPOTTED DICK. Great time-waster for health website search engine bots

It’s SPOTTED DICK. Great time-waster for health website search engine bots

Poutine is delicious! It’s the national food of Canada (I think?) = chips with gravy and cheese on. Really yummy. But sometimes you have a hankering for some Spotted Dick, a Curly Wurly or the real Heinz Baked Beans. (You know what I mean, smiley wink face.)

British Corner Shop contacted me about being featured on Brits in Toronto. As simple as that, here they are. NO MONEY CHANGED HANDS! There was talk of an affiliate program where I get a percentage of sales from clicks to their site blah blah. But no. Maybe in the future Brits in Toronto can start begging for ads and sponsors, but in the spirit of full transparency and honesty, we need to develop a bit further along first.

That means bringing you great, interesting, relevant content that is useful and — I hope — fun to read. Please spread the word, link to us, bookmark us, subscribe to our RSS feed/e-mail alerts, tweet the crap out of us etc. Good things will come if we get the traffic and support.

Oh — here’s the deal. Thanks to Chris at British Corner Shop (extra link for good karma), just quote BRITSINTORONTO2013 when ordering and you get 10% off. Not bad eh? (That’s “eh” as in “agree” and not “eh” as in “Sidney Crosby looks great, eh?” I still have an accent, thank you.)

We need a Little Britain in Toronto! Or do we?

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Relax, not all Brits look like this! Only about 98% of 'em

Relax, not all Brits look like this! Only about 98% of us

As Gerard brought me my morning gin and tonic and I sat on the patio, watching the hounds chase the housekeeper, I mused to myself: Why is there no Little Britain in Toronto?

I’m not ruminating on this Little Britain, or even a Wee England — I mean an area in Toronto full of British pubs, good steak and kidney pie and the chance to have a good old chinwag with other Brits?

There’s a Little India … a Little Italy … a Little Portugal … and China even has its own bloody town! The Greeks too! Why not the Brits? I rubbed my chin thoughtfully, cleaned off my monocle slightly and gazed into the distance. Research had to be done.

I walked two feet to my computer, went to Google and found this, courtesy of Library and Archives Canada:

“In the 1500s explorers from Europe came to North America to claim lands. They realized that this land was rich in resources. Soon settlement began, with people seeking a new life in the new world. The two European countries that figured the most in North America were Britain and France. They met Aboriginal Nations that had been living for thousands of years in what is now Canada. These First Nations and Britain and France often had difficult relations. They often went to war with each other but sometimes they were friends.”

Nice to know that “sometimes they were friends,” but sounds like the implication is we took it over and pissed them off. The Brit integration had begun.

So, in effect, there really isn’t a need for a Little Britain … we’re all over the place. Kind of like The Borg, but being assimilated into certain aspects of British culture and history instead of a massive black robotic cube thing floating through space.

You can see the Brits pop up when the World Cup/Euro is on, as they gather in their favourite Toronto watering holes to watch their national teams fail on penalties. Or when a royal wedding takes place. Ahhh, good times. (*sniff* Welling up a bit here.)

We don’t need to claim part of Toronto as “British” — there’s a load of us scattered throughout the whole city. Just seems a bit fragmented at times, but what can ya do?

Successful Brits in Toronto: Ed Lee

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Ed Lee sits and quietly reflects on the ROI of social media

Ed Lee sits and quietly reflects on the ROI of social media

Ed Lee is a brave chap. I contacted him out of the blue and asked if I could profile him as a successful Brit making it in Toronto. Even though Ed doesn’t know me from Adam, and could have been royally stitched up, he quickly agreed.

Thank you sir — and you have the honour of being the first Successful Brit in Toronto to inspire others who may be living in the city, or contemplating a move here.

Ed is the Senior Director of Social Media at Radar DDB and, in 2009, was named one of Marketing Magazine’s “Ones to Watch” — you can read about that on his Blogging Me, Blogging You blog (do I detect a nod to a certain Alan Partridge there?) and follow his Twitter account.

So, without further ado, here’s Ed’s thoughts on being a Brit in Toronto …

What made you decide to choose Toronto as a city of choice? Did you plan a permanent move, or wanted to “try it for a while and see how it goes” and it turned out to be longer than planned?

I moved here for a girl. I initially got a one-year working visa with a small PR shop and when it expired, we couldn’t get it renewed and decided to part ways, but I wasn’t ready to break up with the girl. Thankfully I had started doing “stuff” in social media and I was offered another job with a larger agency which had lawyers who were able to get me a work permit. Then the girl and I got married in 2007 and I became a permanent resident — and a citizen last year.

What’s the best/worst aspects of living in Toronto?

I love that the city has the best of what London offered — vibrant night life, sophisticated cultural scene and some beautiful public space and architecture — combined with a smaller footprint, multiculturality (is that a word?) and, well, Canadians. Everyone is so polite.

Do you make an effort to connect with other Brits in the city, or just meet them when chance allows it? Any recommended pubs/eateries/other places for homesick Brits to meet each other and network?

I don’t actively seek out other Brits but its always nice to meet a fellow expat — playing footy, at work, at the park with the kid or, like this weekend, at a birthday party. When I moved here I actually spent a lot of time on the Football365 forum in the Toronto thread — that was a big help!

Open question/comment: feel free to write anything here/advice/tips on a Brit living in, or moving to, Toronto.

When I moved here it was a big shock. I had been here precisely once for two days and then uprooted my life: changing countries, changing jobs and even changing industries. It’s a big change and it takes some time to get used to it. Don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t feel like you’re getting everything you want all at once. But enjoy this amazing country. My regret is not having done more travelling — I can’t wait to visit the east coast.

Thank you Ed! Here’s his LinkedIn profile if other Brits wanted to connect and get more intel on being a Brit in Toronto.

Come on Jamie Oliver, you old geezer, please open a restaurant in Toronto!

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Jamie Oliver's stunt double takes one for the team in the latest Sobeys advert

Jamie Oliver’s stunt double takes one for the team in the latest Sobeys advert

We first got to hear about chef Jamie Oliver in his TV series The Naked Chef where he pounded out his tenderloin to the delight of British housewives everywhere.

Since then, Jamie has learned to cook REALLY well, has a thing for herb gardens, plays the drums and — although he’s from Essex — is still a good British lad.

He has recently teamed up with Sobeys and, even though the latest advert is a bit cheesy, this might be good news. If Jamie is forming closer Canadian ties, maybe we can hope for a Toronto restaurant in the near future?

Fair play to the geezer, the best ravioli I ever had was in Jamie’s restaurant Fifteen. Always remember it, and I’m not a massive pasta fan. Even more impressive is that most of the chefs are young apprentices who had a rough start in life.

So, Jamie, me old mucker, geezer and other cliched slang terms — please consider doing the same thing in Toronto! It would be pukka to have a celebrity Brit chef in town. We love our food here and I could definitely help spread the word around the foodie community.

Totally biased product review by me — The Keg Steakhouse and Bar

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Get yer laughing gear around that meat my son!

Get yer laughing gear around that meat my son!

Us Brits love our meat and potatoes, so thought I’d let you know about a nice place to get a good piece of steak. The chain is called The Keg and is equivalent to the Beefeater Grill back home in the U.K.

The Keg has at least 10 choices of steak, which is suitable for any hungry carnivore. Needless to say, leave your vegetarian friends at home next time you go — no mung bean salad on this menu.

My go-to choice is the baseball top sirloin = 12 oz of juicy steak, so thick that the most they can cook it is medium rare … which is optimal to get the full flavour. What’s the point of well done? Might as well eat shoe leather.

There’s some good starters too — recommend the crab cakes — and sides — recommend the mash with roasted garlic. In season, there’s also some tasty lobster specials too.

But The Keg is all about the meat. One small critique I have is that the menu doesn’t seem to change that much. That’s fine if you expect to see the same thing year in, year out, but it would be nice to freshen up the offerings once in a while.

But keep the baseball!

I give it a Brits in Toronto 4/5 stars.

Update: The Keg kindly informed me in a tweet that their new feature menu starts on September 30, so check it out.