Discrimination against Canucks - happening to you?

Hi Everyone - I was wondering if anyone has experienced any discrimination against Canadians in the UK? I know that Brits/Scots love their "banter" but I wanted to get your thoughts/experiences if this is happening to you directly related to being from Canada. Thx

I guess the lack of replies indicates people don't feel this is widespread.

But, I think whenever you move to a new country, you can feel sometimes everyone (and occasionally the whole culture) is against you.

The fact that Canada and the UK speak the same language can lull you into a false sense of security, but anyone who's made the move in either direction will know that the two countries are really vastly different.

It can also be very hard getting your first job in a new country, simply because you don't have your old network to utilise, and you don't have a track record in the country. If it goes on too long, that can feel like discrimination.

I've been here for years now and I've only run into problems because of my Canadian accent twice and BOTH times it was because they thought I was American. Once I told them I was actually Canadian, the attitude was dropped and they were really nice and apologetic.

Hi,
Just wanted to say - I had a somewhat difficult time where I'm living (Yorkshire). For the first year, I worked in the NHS. Not a day went by when my accent wasn't questioned and many people thought (or still think) I sound American. I was actually introduced in a meeting as 'oh don't mind her.... she's a foreigner.'!!! It got to a point where it grated on my nerves every day.
But It wasn't all bad. Once people knew I was Canadian, they wanted to know why I gave up an amazing place for West Yorkshire!

Just don't let it get you down - they don't mean anything negative by it... it's just you sound different then what they're used to.

Hi...I came here on an Ancestry Visa 2010-09-06 and Im not sure if it's exactly discrimination but I do find it impossible to find a job or even be considering for housing here. I was employed for 10 years in Canada with the RCMP, I have money in the bank (I have a Lloyds account) have immpecable references and letters of recommendations but no one will rent to me even though I have assured them I have the money to pay for housing. In addition my husband is a business owner in Canada and we own a house there we were planning on selling next spring when he was going to join us. So money isn't an issue at all.

I did manage to get a place and was set to move in on the 4th of October, having signed a Letting Agreement on the 11th of September and paid the Agency Fee and Deposit and on the 30th of September I paid October's rent in full, but the owner of the house changed his mind due to personal problems and decided not to rent. He called me on October 3rd to tell me to forget it. He was supposed to move to Malta with this family and was likely aware he wasn't going long before he decided to tell me, he didn't even tell the Letting Agent whom I was supposed to be acting on his behalf. Thankfully the Letting Agent did give me all of the £1500 I had paid out and was able to refund me the cash.

Another note on Estate Letting Agents, you really have to watch their fees, the first one only charged £40 for the application, then you pay the deposit and first month's rent, but I have run across quite a few who's fees run from £95 for the application, £86 for your references check and then an additional £117 for opening a file for you at the Letting Agency (all non refundable) I have come across others who charge £200 just for the application which is also non refundable and it does not guarantee you the place. You will also be required to pay 6 months up front if you don't yet have employment even though the first Letting Agent and my friend in London told me that it is not common practice. I am not sure if it's because I am Canadian as my Letting Agent told me people come here from Europe all the time without jobs/references or nice fat Lloyd's Offshore Account.

I tried to arrange for housing and a job before moving here, but until you are actually here they will not even consider your applications at least in my case.

Prior to leaving Canada we had put in applications for school for my two daughters, that took 3 weeks to process and if you call the council to inquire you are told, you are in a queue, you will have to wait your turn. Though I will say the school system here is excellent and can't say enough good things about it. Expect to pay about £400 for uniforms, PE kits and supplies.

That all being said the saddest part of this is we are going to have to back to Canada since I can't find a house/flat and can't continue to stay in a hotel which is too bad considering the money I have spent here so far and all the planning it took to make this move.

When I lived in the UK I found that if the person I was dealing with had a link to Canada in someway (usually a relative living there) or they had lived there then they were often more friendly and helpful. I also noticed that Australians, New Zealanders, South Africans seemed to have an easier time securing decent employment, flats etc. I guess they are culturally more similar to the British.

I have been here for almost 4 years and have never had a problem. It could be because I am in London where a huge percentage of the population isn't English.

There are things I think Canada does better, but after my last visit home I came home to London with a list of things England does better, not to mention what a fantastic city London is. I always miss it after a few days away.

Another note on Estate Letting Agents, you really have to watch their fees, the first one only charged £40 for the application, then you pay the deposit and first month's rent, but I have run across quite a few who's fees run from £95 for the application, £86 for your references check and then an additional £117 for opening a file for you at the Letting Agency (all non refundable) I have come across others who charge £200 just for the application which is also non refundable and it does not guarantee you the place.

registration fees for accommodation that has not yet been found are illegal. unfortunately, despite this, it's almost impossible to have ur money refunded once u've handed it over.

http://www.walsall.gov.uk/index/housing ... dvance.htm

ian.

I'm becoming increasingly frustrated with the job search in Scotland. I have tons of marketing experience and have never had an issue finding some great jobs in Canada. Here? Totally different story.

I am not sure what the issue is, whether I can blame a bad economy or lack of UK experience in the finance industry (seems like 90% of all marketing jobs are in finance or fund raising).

I can't even get an interview with a recruiter, not to mention that the agencies I've approached say they are not taking on 'any new clients' at this time.

I can't help but think that I am being discriminated against because I am Canadian. Perhaps it's because Edinburgh is not as thriving as say, London. But it's all hard on the self esteem and the line of credit.

Perhaps if someone paid me a pound for every time I was mistaken for an American, my money worries would be over. Ha ha!