Americans who have made it big in radio/broadcasting in Canada....

[ctdavidbc]

Hi Everyone:I'm looking to talk to Americans who have found work either temporarily or permanently in Canada recently. Please give details on how you did it. How long did it take to find a position? When did you immigrate? Were you here temporarily? Did things work out okay? As you know from my previous posts in other parts of the board, my partner hasn't been able to find a position here for 18 months, despite having an "open work permit" from the Canadian government.I figured if we can hear from other people who beat the odds up in the north, it might help in the job search for other Americans who'd like to have an opportunity up here....as we know, there are plenty of examples of Canadians who went south to the USA, but we've had trouble locating anyone who came up here recently to get their comments/suggestions.~David

 

[dccanus]

Hi Everyone:I'm looking to talk to Americans who have found work either temporarily or permanently in Canada recently. Please give details on how you did it. How long did it take to find a position? When did you immigrate? Were you here temporarily? Did things work out okay? As you know from my previous posts in other parts of the board, my partner hasn't been able to find a position here for 18 months, despite having an "open work permit" from the Canadian government.I figured if we can hear from other people who beat the odds up in the north, it might help in the job search for other Americans who'd like to have an opportunity up here....as we know, there are plenty of examples of Canadians who went south to the USA, but we've had trouble locating anyone who came up here recently to get their comments/suggestions.~David

I notice no American expats have shared any success stories about work in radio or broadcasting/journalism in Canada yet AS A FOLLOW UP, I found a site that is not specific to radio or broadcasting, but does talk about this subject a little...http://www.talesmag.com/rprweb/the_rprs/west/canada.shtmlSeems it must be really ingrained into society in Canada to avoid hiring "non-Canadians". It's a shame that the work permit and immigration policy do not match the reality of the situation.I found reports written by people (working for USA?) in Canada.... and under many of the cities, if you read the reports you find that "jobs on the local economy" etc for spouses who have permits from the Canadian gov't says in most cases says employment prospects are "somewhat limited". And that "all things being equal Canadians are given preference".I'd be willing to bet that a true study of this phenomenon would find almost zero Americans [or American expats] in radio, broadcasting or journalism in Canada.... at least almost no one in the past 15 years or sne wonders if it is this difficult in all fields for newcomers or temporary people in Canada? I'm betting it's this hard for people who don't have a long history, even family ancestry in many parts of Canada in almost all fields....unless one has an extensive network of friends in Canadian radio, etc.There is an old saying: "It's not what you know, it's who you know"!

 

[hintomedia]

In terms of on-air personality, the first one that comes to my mind is Pamela Martin (CTV Vancouver's 6pm anchor). She's from Detroit, but I think she's been in BC for almost 30 years. So yeah, she's been here long enough that even though she only became a Canadian citizen a few years ago (after the US began to allow dual citizenships), she's Canadian for all intents and purposes.

 

[FreddyE1977]

I have had some experience with hiring candidates for cross-border positions, though not in broadcasting specifically. I have brought some really great people down from Canada to work in the States, but so far I can think of only one American I know who went the other way. The reasons for that are largely economic.....the exchange rate and lower taxes in the States create more pressure in that direction, though the values of the Dollars are moving towards par at this point. The one lady I know who took a job in Toronto really enjoyed it and loves living there.The criteria for getting a TN-1 work permit under NAFTA are spelled out in painstaking detail in the treaty. I would have to go back and read it again to be sure, but I am fairly certain that broadcasting positions were not covered specifically. (there are some odd ones in there though, such as hotel management). The Canadian government no doubt has another category of visa for entertainers and performers that would apply. But you'd have to check with them to learn the criteria to qualify. I am guessing that the requirements are going to be a lot more stringent than the job titles which are covered under NAFTA.I think that the reasons your friend is having difficulty are more rooted in economics. As in the States, there is a great supply/demand imbalance when it comes to candidates seeking broadcasting positions (especially if they are on-air, and especially after mergers-consolidations-cutbacks). And as in the States, management no doubt has their favorites and has probably already made their decision whom to hire before your resume and tape even hits their desk. Also, given what I know about the CRTC, "Canadian Content" laws, etc., there is likely at least some subtle pressue from the govt. to "go Canadian" when hiring.It's a shame to hear that of an anti-American bias in the job market there. Canadians certainly don't face the same thing down here, in my experience. I have run into too many of you working down here through pure happenstance! It surprises me, as there is such a large immigrant population in Canada, especially in the major cities.The large number of Canadians working here in entertainment and broadcasting is well-documented.

 

[ctdavidbc]

There are many situations in which a person can qualify for a work permit in Canada. If there is a couple, and one is studying in Canada, the other may qualify for an "open" work permit, which essentially means they can take any job, and in theory they are on par with anyone else in the job market.It is true that Canada welcomes immigrants, but what happens to many of them after they get here is the question... We have found many articles, in the past 6 - 8 months in papers about immigrants [and same situation for those in situations with certain temporary work permits] can't get hired.I think there is a serious disconnect between policy making and the hiring practices of many businesses in Canada. The gov't may let people in, but it's an uphill battle to find a quality job here.The idea of "taking a job away from a Canadian" is almost an obsession in parts of British Columbia! Yet, in passing, I have heard many Canadians speak of finding a way to get into the USA, as if it was a given, that they should be able to get work there.But economically speaking, it's a bad time for broadcasting in Canada and also in the USA because of consolidation. There are half the number of reporters in the USA now than there were in the 1970s, for one example.

I have had some experience with hiring candidates for cross-border positions, though not in broadcasting specifically. I have brought some really great people down from Canada to work in the States, but so far I can think of only one American I know who went the other way. The reasons for that are largely economic.....the exchange rate and lower taxes in the States create more pressure in that direction, though the values of the Dollars are moving towards par at this point. The one lady I know who took a job in Toronto really enjoyed it and loves living there.The criteria for getting a TN-1 work permit under NAFTA are spelled out in painstaking detail in the treaty. I would have to go back and read it again to be sure, but I am fairly certain that broadcasting positions were not covered specifically. (there are some odd ones in there though, such as hotel management). The Canadian government no doubt has another category of visa for entertainers and performers that would apply. But you'd have to check with them to learn the criteria to qualify. I am guessing that the requirements are going to be a lot more stringent than the job titles which are covered under NAFTA.I think that the reasons your friend is having difficulty are more rooted in economics. As in the States, there is a great supply/demand imbalance when it comes to candidates seeking broadcasting positions (especially if they are on-air, and especially after mergers-consolidations-cutbacks). And as in the States, management no doubt has their favorites and has probably already made their decision whom to hire before your resume and tape even hits their desk. Also, given what I know about the CRTC, "Canadian Content" laws, etc., there is likely at least some subtle pressue from the govt. to "go Canadian" when hiring.It's a shame to hear that of an anti-American bias in the job market there. Canadians certainly don't face the same thing down here, in my experience. I have run into too many of you working down here through pure happenstance! It surprises me, as there is such a large immigrant population in Canada, especially in the major cities.The large number of Canadians working here in entertainment and broadcasting is well-documented.

 

[jiminCT]

There is also the infamous Mr. Dressup on CBC (from Maine).
Fred Rogers got his start on CBC years back doing "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood"
Joe Flaherty (Pittsburgh) and Andrea Martin (Maine?) of SCTV are from the states.
Russ Salzberg of WWOR-9 in NYC used to work on the FAN 590 in Toronto.
CKLW in Windsor had some...cant remember the names tho.
Jay Greenberg of the NY Post was a Toronto writer for a few years.