My Canadian Experience
Alastair's record of settling in Canada

You might also wish to read my Travel Journal

Should you wish to read this in sequence then you'll need to read from the bottom up as at the top will be the latest entry. This done at the request of various folk that have emailed me so blame them not me! :-) Also you should note that what I write in here are my personal impressions of things that I have observed personally. Should I think something is bad then I say that... if something is good I also say that. It is after all a personal journey I am documenting so am not being particularly sensitive to what other people might think. It's like doing a personal diary only in my case I'm making it public.

This project was suggested to me by Canadian Immigration in Ontario when I first decided to look at settling in Canada from Scotland. They felt it could be a worth while resource for anyone thinking about settling in Canada and I agreed to do this.  I will say that being an historian I find accounts of ordinary every day life are extremely rare so in many respects I hope this account will become a good resource for historians of future generations. I do add many links to web sites and videos but of course over the years some of those will no longer work but you might still find the links by doing a search for them or using sites such as the Wayback machine.

Since Donald Trump came into office in 2025 he's made many changes on how the USA deals with the world and in particular Canada. For this reason I've upped my game to document how Canada is responding to this with a lot of videos and other information being provided on a monthly basis since June 2025. Updates are being done on an almost daily basis.

• Report for April 2026
  Work in progress
• Report for March 2026
  Prime Minister Carney secures ambitious new partnership with India focused on energy, talent, and technology, Canadian mining industry, The current state of rare earth exploration in Canada, Canadian Resistance Army, Carney in Australia,  Canada signs 30 new critical minerals partnerships, Agreement on Canada-EU trade co-operation, Joint statement on Canada-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Carney speaks with Prime Minister of Lebanon Nawaf Salam, Ontario Finance Minister's Annual Pre-Budget Address, Iran War, plan to defend, build, and transform the North, Federal government announces funding for spaceport, China's Biggest EV Maker Just Chose Canada as Its North American Beachhead, Hudson Bay LNG, Nova Scotia's $6 Billion Mega-Deal: Every NATO Weapon Will Soon Run on Canadian AI, NOWHERE I'd Rather Be!" Canada's Economic Outlook Isn't As BLEAK As Some Want Us To Believe, Canada has achieved the NATO 2% defence spending target, The $7-billion agriculture bet, NDP Convention, Connecting Canada: The Trade Infrastructure Strategy to Power Canada's Economic Future, Prime Minister Carney secures new partnership with Ontario to cut taxes on housing and boost supply, Canada Just Built a $14 Billion Mega-Mine to Control the World's Food Supply!, Prime Minister Carney launches new nature strategy to protect Canada’s natural environment, Greenhouse farming. Chatham Food Stops.
• Report for February 2026
  Graphite Treasure, Avro Arrow, Gordie Howe International Bridge, Canada’s auto industry, BC Mass Shooting, Energy, New trade negotiator to USA, 200-business delegation to strengthen trade with Mexico, Defence Industrial Strategy, GlobalEye, Brazil Joins Carney’s Coalition, Ukraine, Canada's First Fully Automated Greenhouse,  Quantum Power and National Security, Visit to India. Canada and the Kingdom of Norway,
• Report for January 2026
  This month sees me making it to age 75.  Another lot of videos covering a variety of topics including new major discovery of aluminum and visits to China and Quatar.
• Report for December 2025
  Continued our mix of videos which cover Canada posting a 2.6% GDP boom, far above forecasts. Oil exports jump, government investment accelerates, and unexpected global shifts — from German tourism to India’s billion-dollar deals — are reshaping the economic landscape.
• Report for November 2025
  Another mix of videos which cover our Prime Ministers visit to the UAE and the G20 in South Africa. Also some on Canada's trade talks with China and India and progress at home with the budget and expansion of minerals and pipelines.
• Report for October 2025
  Another mix of videos which cover our Prime Ministers visit to Asia and the submarine deal with South Korea. Also covered the Ontario Ronald Regan advert that caused problems in Canada/USA relations.
• Report for September 2025
  A mix of videos showing Canada's continued work to move away from reliance on the US and strengthen ties with Europe and how it is also working against Chinese tariffs.  Also Canada's work on defense  and continued talks on fighter contracts with Sweden versus USA.
• Report for August 2025
  A mix of videos showing Canada's continued work to move away from reliance on the US and strengthen ties with Europe and how it is also working against Chinese tariffs.  Also Canada's work on defense  both in the Arctic and also with Europe.
• Report for July 2025
  Lot of videos in this months edition along with the closure of the Hudson's Bay Company. More information on how Canada is moving trade to Europe and Asia and some Ontario announcements. In other words more of the same as last month.
• Report for June 2025
  Lot of videos in this months edition along with the closure of the Hudson's Bay Company. More information on how Canada is moving trade to Europe and Asia and some Ontario announcements.
• Report for May 2025
  Meeting with my Doctor and also the Diabetic Nurse with conflicting advice which is now resolved. Noting events in Canada and Ontario on economic and political progress.
• Report for April 2025
  Elections in Canada and continued matters on Trump Tariffs. Also trip to Toronto for the Easter weekend and a visit to the Hospital.
• Report for March 2025
  Relations between Canada and the USA permanently damaged and new trading links being established with Asia and Europe. Elections announced with the previous Conservatives lead now being overtaken by the liberals as a result of tariff wars. 
• Report for January/February 2025
  Elections in Canada and the Trump era starts in the USA.
• Report for September to December 2024
  Didn't get grants I expected and other issues this period.
• Report for February to August 2024
  More medical reports and new heat pump installed and attic insulated.
• Report for December 2023 to January 2024
  Medical issues and state of the world.
• Report for August to November 2023
  New doctor, Health issues, Israel v Gaze war.
• Report for May to July 2023
  New blood sugar meter and Canadian pensions and the Canadian Jordon Paterson.
• Report for January to April 2023
  Doing work on the house
• Report for October to December 2022
  Largest fall of snow in at least 64 years.
• Report for July to September 2022
  Death of Queen Elizabeth II. Massive storm in Atlantic Canada.
• Report for March to June 2022
  Bit of an update on inflation, interest rate increases and fuel and food increases.
• Report for October 2021 to February 2022
  Covid update, inflation and Russia/Ukraine war.
• Report for September 2021
  Truth and Reconciliation First National Remembrance Day
• Report for July 2021
  Update on Pandemic, findings of massed burials on residential lands, and other matters and new Governor General of Canada.
• Report for January 2021
  A wee summary of play after the first month of 2021 and the early roll out of the vaccines. I've also made it to 70!!!
• The Covid-19 pandemic in Canada
  Thought I'd bring you a wee summary of how Canada is doing.
• Losing my sight
  And I detail how I coped with help from the Canadian support health system.
• More additional information
  Adding further information
• Additional Information
  Adding some more information in 2018 onwards
• Occasional extra information
  This is where I may add some wee bits of extra information. Last entry was in October 2017.
• End of my Journal
  I've decided to end my journal at this point (April 2012) as I feel I've now given you a good look at my life settling in Canada. I've enjoyed doing it but as I am now really settled I feel I've done my job of showing you why I decided to move to Canada and what I had to go through to settle and then on to some of my life after the settling in process.
• January, February, March 2012
  Eye operations, Harolds funeral, food and drink.
• October, November, December 2011
  Eye operation, some new furniture, Chimney removed, Knight Templar investitures, Savannah's web site.
• July, August, September 2011
  Got promoted to GOTJ, start new ElectricCanadian.com web site, visit to Quebec city.
• April, May, June 2011
  Complete my updates on my home, getting my Canadian Passport, etc.
• January, February, March 2011
  Trip to Vancouver and upgrades to my home.
• September, October, November, December 2010
  New furnace, International Templar convention, getting a credit card, having to get used to insulin for my diabetes, etc.
• May, June, July, August 2010
  Health problems and making progress on Electric Scotland
• February, March, April 2010
  Trees cut down, bookshelves added, tax returns and eye problems.
• November, December 2009 and January 2010
  Plumbing, Fallbrook, Trees and Haiti
• August/September/October 2009
  Got my Canadian Citizenship
• May/June/July 2009
  More progress on my citizenship application
• Feb/Mar/Apr 2009
  Baptism, Car runs into my house
• Nov/Dec/Jan 2009
  Re-roofed my house
• July/Aug/Sep/Oct 2008
  Not very busy on matters other than working on the site.
• March/April/May/June 2008
  Doing a bit of gardening and a survey comparing the USA and Canada.
• November 2007 - February 2008
  Not really much to report but thought I'd add a few notes before I forget them :-)
• October 31st, 2007
  Got promoted to Knight Commander of the Knights Templar :-)
• August 31st, 2007
  Review of what I got up to during July and August
• June 30th, 2007
  House and eye problems with a summary of activities through to end June.
• April 30th, 2007
  Summary of activities to April 30th.
• March 1st, 2007
  Summary of activities to March 1st
• Christmas 2006
  Spending Christmas in Toronto
• December
  Just a wee update on goings on.
• September
  Another expensive car month and a Knight Templars event.
• August is an expensive month in Chatham
  Car repair, getting furnace and duct work cleaned, etc.
• Fergus Highland Games 2006
  I made another visit to Fergus but this time I just focused on the Highland Dancing.
• Police Visit
  I got a local constable to visit my house to give me an appraisal of security issues.
• Got my Permanent Landed Card
  And also look into a security system which brings me up to end of July 2006.
• Permanent Landed Status application complete
  And also did my first Canadian Tax Return.
• Month of May
  Discussing my efforts to add content and other things.
• Doing a web site makeover
  This is an account through to 17th May where I've mostly been doing a lot of commercial work on my web site.
• Tartan Day Dinner
  Accounts of my time in Toronto for the Tartan Day Dinner.
• New Ontario Immigration Web Site
  Covering tax and videos and other stuff
• Bits and Pieces
  Nothing of importance happening but a few bits and pieces.
• Emigration Event in Scotland
  Also Chatham Highland Games have been saved and I attend the AGM of the Scottish Studies Foundation.
• Chatham Fish n Chip Shop does Haggis Suppers!
  What a good discovery and I also did a storyboard on my home in Chatham.
  Also Storyboard on my home in Chatham
• Canadian Elections and Media interest
  Enjoyed the Canadian elections and got featured in the local paper and TV.
• Into 2006
  And my efforts to find out about posting options for my clan map.
• House is now a Home
  Well it feels like it anyway... my last report for 2005.
• Early Winter
  Got my library finished and snow gets serious.
• December in Chatham
  Nothing special just some odds and ends like getting beer in for Christmas, getting a write up in the Scots Independent Newspaper, etc.
• Christmas advertising has started
  First snow arrives in Chatham
• Getting colder in November
  But still lots of sunshine although my trip to Crieff, Ontario was a real dreich day.
• Scotland's First Minister
  Got involved with events surrounding Scotland's First Minister.
• Phone Call from the Sun Newspaper
  Helping the sun with information on Scots in Canada
• Knights Templar
  Joined the Knights Templar of Toronto and got my new work permit.
• New Canadian Governor General
  You don't normally see this type of event when in the UK so this was most interesting to watch.
• Immigration process moves on
  I have now been asked to get a medical.
• My book shelves arrived
  Variety of things happened but now my book shelves have arrived I'm near getting the inside of my house organised and the china stored away.
• Lamb BBQ
  A visit from Larry of Business Immigration, Toronto, Ogilvy Mill demolished and the Lamb BBQ.
• Fergus Games
  Summary of my visit to the Fergus games and my work practices in Canada as at 18th August
• Feeling settled
  Report up to 11th August
• Highland Games in Glengarry
  Report up to 31st July
• Highland Games in Chatham
  Report on happenings through to 14th July.
• Seeing more of the Chatham area
  Got my office sorted out and did a day tour of the Chatham Kent area.
• More Progress
  Report of doings up to 23rd June.
• Canadian Customs
  Today I got my goods from Scotland cleared by Customs :-)
• Doctors
  Got myself signed up with a local Doctor - Dr. McIntyre :-) My stuff arrives in Canada and I order up some Scottish food.
• 1st of June
  Bit of an update now I seem to have caught up on all the paperwork
• Victoria Day
  It's a national holiday in Canada on 23rd May so thought I'd do a wee update which is really all the work needed to pull together my immigration application.
• Uncle Tom's Cabin
  On my way to pay my car insurance I passed a sign for Uncle Tom's Cabin so thought I'd have a visit on my way home.
• Getting Settled
  Making progress through to 18th May
• Moving into my new home
  Moved in on 9th May and report through to 11th May.
• Electric Scotland USA LLC
  How is business developing in Canada?
• Progress towards moving in to my new house
  All the things you need to do to move in
• Purchase of House
  Bought my house and some appliances
• Chatham
  Getting organised to settle in Chatham
• House Inspection
  Getting my new house inspected to see if it's ok
• The Tale of the Wee Mouse
  Nature in Toronto
• Got my car
  Am now mobile and think I might have found a house.
• Auto Insurance and house purchase
  My trials and tribulations
• Baby Shower
  Never thought I'd be at a Baby Shower Party
• In Detroit
  Visited the Canadian Consulate in Detroit
• Buying a Car (2)
  All is not simple
• Buying a Car
  An update to 8th Feb 2005
• Update
  Bit of an update to 27th Jan 2005.
• If you live in Ontario
  Got an email in about this and thought I'd include it here
• Scotsman now a realtor in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
  Learn a bit about John Cunningham
• Buying the House
  Having got your offer accepted what comes next
• House Hunting (2)
  Found another house in Wallaceburg
• House Hunting
  Looking at a house in Wallaceburg
• New Year
  An update now that New Year is over.
• Christmas
  A wee update on Christmas Day.
• Trains
  A look at VIA for getting around and I find a house.
• House Purchase
  Still looking for a house
• Clan Sinclair
  Spent a couple of hours with the Sinclairs
• Update
  Another update through to 23rd November
• Update
  Just bringing myself up to date at the end of this week to 13th November.
• Homes for Sale
  More about how things are going and efforts to find a home.
• Banks, Cars and Homes
  Today I checked out whether I can get a car and trying a new place for a home.
• Halloween and 99th Birthday
  It's Halloween in Canada and it was also Nola's Mother had her 99th birthday so thought I would record the event.
• Finding a Home
  Always difficult to find yourself an area to settle in and a home be it rental or purchase.
• Opening a Bank Account
  This was the day for getting a personal bank account and credit card and also looking at the phone companies for a mobile phone.
• Business Immigration Meeting
  On Thursday 28th October I attended a special business meeting laid on by Business Immigration in Toronto.
• Introduction
  Here I explain why I am trying to settle in Canada and the background to the attempt

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