Immigration Process a Success, Getting Settled in Ontario a Nightmare

[Mrs.Redneck]

Sooooooo, brief update, my U.S. husband officially landed here on June 20.....YAAAAAAAAAAAY!! The immigration process for us was quite straight forward and painless, just required patience. In the U.S. he was a Commercial Truck Driver. He has a heart condition (heart stent), getting his U.S. CDL changed to a Canadian one has been nothing but bureaucracy and red tape, fill out this form but to get that form you need this form first, use the self help phone service which keeps you on hold for over 2 hours then when an agent finally answers your call gets disconnected. Any phone number available for Ontario MTO is never answered, finding a Dr. was almost impossible, Dr. isn't even filling out forms in a expeditious manner. he has been here for 3 months and isn't even remotely close to getting his Canadian Commercial Driver's License. He's getting very frustrated as I am also, I'm very embarrassed about how his first experience with Canadian (Ontario) government is going and I'm feeling hugely guilty. And if you can believe this he's actually talking about going back to the U.S. just so he can work and provide for my Son and I. God I'm so frustrated! Anyways, next issue, getting his U.S. vehicle (which WAS formally imported) insured and Ontario plates. My insurer requires an Abstract ( which is SUPPOSED TO BE on it's way by mail) and a letter of experience from his last U.S. insurance company. Contacted State Farm in Texas, they say they don't issue letters of experience. Aren't they OBLIGATED to by law? God give me strength, I'm going to go POSTAL soon. Thanks for any advice anyone can provide. I never thought the tough part would happen AFTER he arrived here in Ontario.

 

[Mrs.Redneck]

To tell you the truth, I think it would be easier for him to open a Day Care than get his Commercial Drivers License changed over. :

 

[Kayaker]

Poor you... you'd think paperwork between US-Canada would be simpler than between other countries.

I had to go 3 times to get my Ontario license (I have a Japanese driver's license). And still don't have the ok from the insurance company - although they first said I'm fine to drive my husband's car if I have an Ontario license. I'd only need a letter of experience or smth if I had my own vehicle. Now they say they're not too sure about that, hemming and hawing.

 

[uskyoot]

My husband and I are insured with State Farm in the U.S. After reading your post about not getting a letter of experience I called my agent. She said no problem but it would take a couple of hours to get it. We are in Tennessee. I don't know if that makes a difference

 

[Mrs.Redneck]

REALLY?? Hmmmmm, I'll revisit this issue with State Farm, THANKS ALOT!

 

[canvis2006]

It's better if he ends up sponsoring you to the USA instead.

Less bureaucracy in the US.