RVing - Importing & Exporting

Called Canadian Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV), and asked them the following question:

I'm a Canadian living in the U.S. I'm considering buying a Canadian RV and bringing it here while my partner's immigration goes through, then moving back to Canada with it. How long could I have it abroad before I'd have to register it as an export, and what would be involved?

I was told that I would have to export it as soon as I took it out of the country, and then still have to pay to enroll it in the import program and do the associated inspections when I return, even though it's Canadian-made. They recommended I just wait until I move back to Canada and purchase the RV then.

I suspected this might be the case, for the trouble involved, not to mention the money. Other temporary living arrangements are obviously in order.

Their recorded message gives the following numbers for more information when calling from outside Canada:

(204) 983-3500 CBSA
(613) 998-8616 Transportation Canada

Next question: are there camper shell requirements? I called twice because the first gentleman seemed unsure about what a camper shell is. (There is probably another term for it in Canada, but I don't know what that would be.)

None according to Pierre at RIV, 2/9/07 1:42 p.m. PST.
No restrictions according to Mu at RIV, 2/9/07, 2:00 p.m. - just need bill of sale and title.

RVing

The following is a written version of "thinking out loud," if you will, in considering the RV option.


Lisa's RV want list, in order of importance

Stay below 80-85% of tow vehicle's GVWR, or 75-80% of hitch rating, whichever is lower, for best performance (our case: about 2500 lbs)
Toilet with black tank
Indoor shower with gray tank
Sink and freshwater tank
Queen bed 60" wide (full is 53")
Stove
3-way refrigerator (12V, 120V, LP) w/freezer compartment
Furnace
No need to convert bed into dinette every day
A/C or something innovative like ThinkGeek Desktop A/C
(depending on climates we stay in)
Screen room


Research by manufacturer

Casita - Insulation rating? Completely enclosed floor, around 13000 with options. Rice, TX
Scamp - R15 insulation in walls, dry 1750 lbs, antifreeze water lines?, around $13000 with options. Backus, MN
Shadow Cruiser -
Sun Valley - Several small models, X-Treme Lite has R7 insulation
Taylor Coach - Lower cost, all the amenities but still the most lightweight we've seen, all wood inside no particle board (wow!), R7 insulation upgradable to R12. Millgrove, ON


Airstream - Too expensive
Bigfoot - Too heavy
Burro - No cold weather features?, no longer in production?
Escape - Insulated, looks well-built, but wet weight is 2600-2800 lbs, and pricey at CAN$19200 w/shower
Fleetwood - Too heavy
Gulf Stream - Too heavy
Jayco - Too heavy
Keystone - Too heavy
Nash (Northwood Mfg) - Too heavy
Palomino - Too heavy
R-Vision (Trail-Lite) - Too heavy
Sunline Coach - Too heavy
T@b (Thor Industries) - No bathroom,lots of insulation?, heater not for use in weather below 40 degrees (yes, you read that right)
Trillium - No bathroom


Fiberglass trailers - Casita Trillium Scamp Escape Burro

Good information gathered from Lightweight RV News
and RV Towing Tips

Spouse Outside Canada - Notarized statements, photos, medical exam

To do:

• Go with at least 2 friends/relatives to a notary public, to make a notarized statement that our relationship is genuine and continuing
• Hit up other friends/relatives with an unnotarized statement to fill out and send back

Do the following while waiting for letters:

• Call photographers
• Get photos done*
  
• Make doctor appointment and bring:
  
  • Passport and photocopy of passport bio-data page
    
  • Eyeglasses
  • Previous medical reports - any documentation including physician's reports, treatment, prescriptions
  • Five recent photos taken within 6 months of exam
    
  • Completed Appendix D
    
  
  
• Make final copies of all forms and supporting documents
• Mail everything by certified mail with receipt

* Note: the only photographer I found that really seems to know what I'm talking about and can do the right size is Passport Photos Photo Center, 7961 Beverly Bl., Los Angeles (323) 653-6689, M-F 9:30-6:00p, Sat 9:30-12:30p, for $28.95. Just bring in the specifications, he said. I found them in the yellow pages under "passport & visa services"

Spouse Outside Canada - FBI & Police Clearance

1/25/07 Received FBI clearance - fi-nal-ly! Sheesh.

California LiveScan was received a couple days after it was done, FBI took 4 months. Took so darn long to get, I'm left wondering if we'll be asked to do the California one again. Grr.

My advice to anyone reading this: Get fingerprinted and send for your FBI clearance first. Then after about 14 weeks or so, send for your state police clearance. Depending on your state, you'll probably get them both around the same time.


Updated timeline:

09/29/06 - Got FBI and California DOJ fingerprints done
09/30/06 - Mailed paperwork to FBI and DOJ
10/03/06 - FBI received fingerprints
10/04/06 - Received DOJ clearance letter
01/25/06 - Received FBI clearance letter


Next: Photos and medical exam.

Transpo planning - RVing

• Check Canadian rules for importing a trailer
  
• Get truck's full trailering specs from truck dealer
• Make a list of trailers within specs
  
• Do web research, request brochures
• Truck dealer questions
  • Wheel base sufficient?
  • Suspension sufficient?
  • Effects of long-term towing on transmission?
  • Winterizing, i.e. antifreeze, tire chains/snow tires
    
• RV dealer questions
  
  • Tongue weight 10-12% of trailer weight?
    
  • Functionality of water system and tanks in the cold?
  • Insulation rating of roof, floor, walls?
  • Location of tanks, i.e. will they increase tongue weight?
  • Withstand full-timing?
  • 3-way refrigerator? (12V, 120V, LP)
  • Weight rating of bed(s)?
    

Health Coverage

Canada's universal health coverage doesn't start immediately in most provinces, even if you are already a permanent resident or citizen - any supplemental insurance you purchase during the time you aren't covered must be bought within 5 days of arriving in Ontario, or the insurance companies will not provide coverage for you.

• Paying for health insurance prior to health coverage eligibility
• Private health insurance for new immigrants
• Applying for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan
• Canadian Health Centres (CHCs) - Some of these offer health services to people who do not yet have their health card (OHIP).
  

I'm still researching this, but one source shows roughly $167/month for coverage for Nickie, supposing 1 year coverage, and if we chose to cover me, about $126/month for 3 months. My dad, should he come with, would pay about $277/month for 3 months (assuming he is allowed to retain his PR status). Any pre-existing conditions in the preceding 3 months would not be covered, nor would any treatments that could be safely performed in the U.S. if we were to return there. This looks like basic emergency-related coverage, so that if you have a medical emergency and are too sick to travel back to the U.S. for treatment, you can at least get enough treatment to get stabilized.

This is only one insurer, so more research to follow. Obviously, some comparison shopping is in order.

Transpo planning - example: Albany, NY

Flying
Flights start around $200 for two (about $20 more for Toronto)
Transit time: 6.5 - 8.5 hours
Shipping cost for cars?
Shipping cost for belongings?
Advantages: Fast, start working and settling right away, no motel expense, no concern about snow/accidents/car trouble
Disadvantages: Cars and most other belongings must be shipped which will be expensive

Train
Tickets start around $277 for two
Transit time: 58 hours
Shipping cost for cars?
Shipping cost for any remaining belongings?
Advantages: No motel expenses, allows more checked baggage and less shipping, no concern about snow/accidents/car trouble
Disadvantages: Could be working instead of traveling, sleep not very restful, cars must be shipped, may still have to ship some belongings

RVing
Advantages: Less hectic pace, work as we travel, no motels, no separating from cars or belongings, no expense for shipping cars or belongings
Disadvantages: Must purchase either small RV or camper shell and small trailer, gas expenses for each vehicle, possible snow/accidents/car trouble

Driving
Roughly 3090 mile drive
Rough guesstimate of gas expense, per car: $570
Transit time (minimum): 46.5 hours
Potential hotel cost: $240
Rental cost for hauling trailer?
Advantages: Possibly less hectic, no separating from cars or belongings, no expense for shipping cars or belongings
Disadvantages: Could be working instead of traveling, possible snow/accidents/car trouble, expense for rental trailer

* ** *** ** * ** *** ** *
Related Research

Driving
U.S. current snow cover
Google maps
Mapquest



Given our non-existent experience driving in the snow, we'll want to route around snowy areas as much as possible. It looks like the best way to get around it is basically take freeways 10, 20, 30 out to Fort Worth, then swing north on one of several routes northeast.

Tornado season is roughly March-August, peaking in April and May, and predominantly occurring along Tornado Alley – a flat stretch of land from west Texas to North Dakota. Texas is the hardest hit.

Auto Transport/Shipping
Car shipping tips

Costs vary widely, but just as an example I got some prices for shipping our cars from Los Angeles, CA to Albany, NY. Some of them have somewhat higher prices for trucks than cars. Range for the truck: $799 - 1592. Car: $649 - 1392.

Cold weather living, and settlement

For those of us who have lived most of their life in a place like Southern California, a place where "cold weather extremes" consist of 28-32F degrees and an occasional light hailstorm, we really need a primer on living in a colder climate. Here is some good info I've found on this:

Checklist and tips for safe winter driving
Winter safety
Winterizing your car
Driving in snow and ice
Cold weather tips - geared towards camping but still good info
How to dress for Ontario winters
How to survive a cold winter


Car tips from dad:
Block heater
Plenty of antifreeze
Emergency supplies
Lighter weight oil for easier starting
Pump brakes to avoid losing traction

General settlement information
Immigrating and bringing your belongings
Your first days in Ontario
Finding short-term accommodation in Ontario
Help finding work in Ontario
Ontario Immigration
Going to Canada

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
Immigrating or settling in Canada
Moving back to Canada

Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC)
A newcomer's Introduction to Canada

Job and Training Resources

Labor Market Info
www.labourmarketinformation.ca
www.workdestinations.org
www.jobfutures.ca

General Internet Job Sites
Workopolis - www.workopolis.com
SkillNet - www.skillnet.ca/pub/index.html?iin.lang=en
Government - Canadian Job Bank - http://jb-ge.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/Intro_en.asp
Government - Jobs Etc - www.jobsetc.ca
The Workplace - www.theworkplace.ca
Career Edge Internships - www.careeredge.org

Job Opportunities by Province/Territory
Alberta - www.alis.gov.ab.ca/
British Columbia - http://workinfonet.bc.ca/
Manitoba - www.mb.workinfonet.ca/
Newfoundland & Labrador - www.gov.nf.ca/nlwin/
Nova Scotia - http://workinfonet.ednet.ns.ca/
Northwest Territories - http://northwin.ca/
Ontario - www.onwin.ca/
Prince Edward Island - www.gov.pe.ca/infopei/Employment/index.php3
Saskatchewan - www.sasknetwork.gov.sk.ca/
Yukon - http://yuwin.ca/

Exporting/Importing a Vehicle, etc.

Canadian government offices will be closed tomorrow for Boxing Day, but after that I will need to start contacting them for various information. Here is a quick to-do list.

Follow steps at RIV website
- my car has a minor recall so there will be some extra steps here

• Have recall repair performed 1
  
• Obtain manufacturer's recall clearance letter 1 2 3
  
• Check Transport Canada's list of admissible U.S. vehicles 1 2 3
  
• Check vehicles for manufacturer's valid U.S. statement of compliance label 1 2 3
  
• Valid 17-digit Vehicle Identification Numbers 1 2 3
  
• Ensure vehicles have daytime running lights 1 2 3
  
• Trucks - Manufacturer's cargo capacity label if manufactured after April 1, 1999 1
  
• Determine additional costs, such as duty and taxes
• Gather title documents, registration, sales receipts, statement of compliance label and manufacturer's recall clearance letter
• Find out about any additional provincial or territorial requirements, such as safety inspections and emissions tests
• Arrange for insurance on vehicles 1 2 3
  
• Notify U.S. Customs and follow procedures:
• Provide Certificate of Title including the VIN
  
• Provide 2 complete copies of Certificate of Title
• Submit this required documentation at least 72 hours prior to exportation
• Present vehicle for exportation at time of export
• Port Directors will determine at what location vehicle(s) must be presented
• Original document will be authenticated and usually returned
• Dirt must be washed from vehicles including undercarriages (see BIS contact info below to get requirements)
  

Things that can wait until after landing if we do an Inside Canada PR app:

• Check this - vehicles may be able to be brought in as "temporary" at first, then official importation filed later - this may work for Nickie as a temporary resident but it may be different for me as a citizen
  
• Obtain SIN from HRSDC
• Ensure that the Inside Canada forms are ready to go
• Photos - PR app
  
• Medical exam - PR app

Important Contacts:

Registrar of Imported Vehicles
1-888-848-8240
Fax: (416) 626-0366
info@riv.ca
Mon. to Fri.: 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight (EST)
Sat. and Sun.: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST)

Canada Border Services Agency
In Canada: 1-800-461-9999 (English) ; 1-800-959-2036 (French)
Outside Canada: (506) 636-5064 (English); (506) 636-5067 (French)
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Transport Canada
In Canada: 1-800-333-0371
Outside Canada: (613) 998-8616
Fax: (613) 998-4831
www.tc.gc.ca

Border Information Services
In Canada: 1-800-461-9999
(204) 983-3500 or (506) 636-5064
24-hour recorded info
Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00 local time press "0" for an agent

Import Service Centers
(for Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) requirements)
In Canada or U.S.:
Eastern ISC (Montréal): 1-877-493-0468
Central ISC (Toronto): 1-800-835-4486
Western ISC (Vancouver): 1-888-732-6222
www.inspection.gc.ca

General Motors (Oshawa, ON)
888-467-6853
905-440-7689

Toyota
1-800-331-4331

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is the Canadian equivalent of a Social Security Number (SSN) in the U.S. It takes about 3 weeks to get your card, and there is no charge for your first application. You need one in order to work.

I don't know if I have an SIN yet, so I will have to call them to find out what to do.

There is a toll-free number for callers inside Canada:

1 800 206-7218 option 3
Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (your local time), except statutory holidays

but if you call from abroad you have to call long-distance

(506) 548-7961
8:00am to 8:30pm (Atlantic time)

Here is where you can get the form to request a SIN:

http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/sin

Update 12/27/06:
I called and found out that if you come into one of their offices in person with your Canadian birth certificate, you will receive your SIN on the spot and then it takes about 10 days for you to get it in the mail. If I do it by mail, I was told, I may be separated from my original birth certificate for up to 8 weeks during processing. This is obviously something better taken care of after landing.

Locations

This is a list of some locations currently under consideration for our immediate move. Items will be turned gray if we cross them off our list. Because we are (A) visible minorities and (B) gay, and want minimal hassling over either of these, things like racial diversity/tolerance and legal recognition of gay relationships will weigh heavily on our decision about where to go.

SSM= Same-Sex Marriage
civil union = same rights as marriage but with a different name
domestic partnership = most of the legal rights of marriage

div = amount of racial diversity
unempl = unemployment rate
jobout = job outlook (the higher the better)


Alaska - anti-SSM constitution, no recognition

• Juneau
• Fairbanks

California - domestic partnership, racially diverse

• Brea
• Fullerton
• Irvine?
  
• La Mirada
  
• Monrovia
  
• Pasadena
• Placentia
  
• San Dimas
• San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles - 3.2% unempl
• Temple City
  
  avoid:
  
  
• Anaheim
• Garden Grove
• Santa Ana
  

Connecticut - civil union

• Bridgeport - $? 5.3% jobout
  
• Danbury - $? 50-60% div 3.4% unempl 6.3% jobout
  
• Hartford
• New Haven-Meriden - 50-60% div 6.5% jobout
  
• New London-Norwich - 30-40% div
  
• Stamford-Norwalk - $? 50-60% div 3.2% unempl 5.1% jobout
  
• Waterbury - 6.7% jobout
  

Massachusetts - SSM

• Barnstable-Yarmouth - $? 10-20% div
  
• Boston - $? 50-60% div
  
• Brockton - $? 10-20% div
  
• Fitchburg-Leominster - 30-40% div 7.1% jobout
  
• Lawrence - $? 30-40% div
  
• New Bedford - $? 10-20% div
  
• Pittsfield - 10-20% div 5.4% jobout
• Providence-Fall River-Warwick - 5.7%
  
• Springfield - 5.8% jobout
  
• Worcester - 50-60% 6.4% jobout -2.4% jobgro
  

Minnesota - no recognition

• Minneapolis - major traffic, colder than Ontario
  

New York - no recognition

• Ithaca
• Rochester
• - Skaneateles
• - Victor
• - Perinton
• - Pittsford
• Syracuse

Ontario - SSM

• Ottawa
• Peterborough
• Markham
• Toronto

Vermont - civil union

• Burlington - 3.1% unempl

Comparison

• Los Angeles - 6.2% jobout
  

Spouse Outside Canada - Forms

gray - Not applicable
red - Completed items

(Numbering is a little off because that's the way it is on the Document Checklists.)

Case Processing Centre - Mississauga
P.O. Box 3000, Station A
Mississauga, ON L5A 4N6

Sponsor forms

• IMM 5491 - Document Checklist - original

1. IMM 1344A - Application to sponsor and Undertaking - original


2. IMM 1344B - Sponsorship Agreement - photocopy


3. IMM 5481 - Sponsorship Evaluation or IMM 1283 - Financial Evaluation - original


4. Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) - original


5. IMM 5401 - Receipt - Copy 2


6. IMM 5409 - Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union - original


7. IMM 5540 - Sponsor Questionnaire - original

Supporting Documents - Sponsor

13. Canadian birth certificate - photocopy


14. If spouse is a co-sponsor, marriage certificate - photocopy


15. Proof of spouse's PR status or Canadian citizenship, if s/he is co-sponsoring - photocopy


16. Proof of severance of any previous marriages or common-law relationships - photocopy


17. "Option C Printout" from last year's Canadian taxes, or explanation why missing - original


18. Evidence of last 12 months' income (Letter from employer or self-employed statement) - original


19. If you must meet the minimum income requirement, more evidence of income (i.e. paystubs)


20. If you are a Canadian citizen exclusively living outside Canada, proof of intent to accompany spouse in Canada


21. Medical Condition Statement for adopted children

Applicant forms

8. IMM 0008 Generic - Application for Permanent Residence - original, 3 copies
   


9. IMM 0008 Schedule 1 - Schedule 1 - Background / Declaration - original, 3 copies
   


10. IMM 5490 - Spouse / Partner Questionnaire - original


11. IMM 5406 - Additional Family Information - original


12. IMM 5476 - Use of a Representative - original
    

Supporting Documents - Applicant
(Details are in Appendix A, in Country-Specific Instructions)

22. Identity and civil status documents - birth certificates, baptismal certificates, domestic partnership certificate - *************** not finished, adding later **************
    
23. Children's information
24. Travel Documents and passports - photocopy
    
25. Proof of relationship to sponsor - photos, letters, phone bills, airline ticket coupons, boarding passes, etc. For common-law partner:
    
    • evidence that your relationship is genuine and continuing and has existed for at least 12 months prior to your application
    • details of the history of your relationship
    • at least two (2) statutory declarations from individuals with personal knowledge of your relationship supporting your claim that relationship is genuine and continuing
      
26. Police certificates / clearances - original {1 year}
27. Proof of medical exam - Copy 2
    
    • Photos - five (5) recent *identical* photos {6 months}
28. Photos - four (4) recent *identical* photos {6 months}

Country Specific Instructions - USA

• Appendix A - Document Checklist - Applicant - original


• Appendix B - Police Certificates/Clearances - original


• Appendix C - Photo Specifications


• Appendix D - Medical Instructions - original
  

Spouse Outside Canada - FBI & Police Clearance Certificates

Received the police clearance letter from California DOJ today, yes already. That was fast!

Time for a timeline:

09/29/06 - Got fingerprints done
09/30/06 - Mailed paperwork to FBI and California DOJ
10/03/06 - FBI received fingerprints
10/04/06 - Received DOJ police clearance letter

Spouse Outside Canada - next steps

I think we've more or less decided to do an Outside Canada PR application, due to having some things to take care of here, plus wanting to minimize the amount of time Nickie will go without health insurance (or the amount of time that we'll have to be buying it). Now we wait for the police clearances from the FBI and the California DOJ.

Next steps, while we wait:

• Finish the last of the information on the forms
  
  
• Photos and medical exam

That way, when the clearances come in, everything else will be all ready to go. We'll be able to throw them in a big envelope with all the rest of the paperwork and send the whole pile up to Mississauga Processing Centre. :)

Warning: if you haven't looked these forms over yet, they can be pretty intensive. You'll need to supply a thorough history of the applicant's home addresses since 18 years old (no gaps) with a minimum of 10 years; a thorough history of the applicant's activities since 18 years old (no gaps) with a minimum of 10 years; information on any past marriage(s) or any past relationships where you lived with the person for more than a year (common-law); the names, addresses, and marital status of any siblings... whew! I know it's all for security's sake but some of the questions make you wonder why they really need to know all that. I mean, what does a PR application look like for, say, a 60-year-old who moved a lot and took odd jobs? Isn't the past 10 years enough? Why do they need 30, 40, 50 or more years of history? I know all this will be worth it but it's just kind of odd at times.

Spouse Outside Canada - FBI & Police Clearance Certificates

While the paperwork from CIC is somewhat different for Police Clearances depending on whether you're filing an Inside vs. Outside Canada PR application, the paperwork for the FBI and California DOJ is not. And since in both cases, the Police Clearances get sent directly back to you so you can send them to the appropriate agency, the end result is the same. With this in mind, we got Nickie's fingerprints and have sent the paperwork in today with CIC's Outside Canada version of the cover letter.


FBI fingerprinting:

1. Write to the FBI to request an FD-258 Blank Fingerprint Form - Note: this may not be necessary as fingerprinting agencies seem to have this form
   
2. Bring the form and your picture ID to a local police station or fingerprinting service and be fingerprinted, preferably by a fingerprinting technician
   
3. Send the following items to the FBI at: (9/30/06)
   

   FBI CJIS Division – Record Request
   1000 Custer Hollow Road
   Clarksburg, West Virginia 26306

   1. Complete cover letter (provided on FBI website)
   2. PC-1 request letter from CIC (also provided in Appendix B)
   3. Fingerprinted FD-258 form
   4. $18 fee (money order or certified check, or online with credit card)
4. Wait 8-10 weeks for processing
5. The FBI will mail back either the fingerprint card stamped with "No Record" or an FBI Identification Record
6. Sponsor sends originals to Case Processing Centre - Mississauga (CPC-M) with rest of forms
   

California Live Scan:

1. Fill out a BCII RR8016 Request for Live Scan Service (provided on DOJ website)
   
2. Bring the form and your picture ID to a Live Scan site
3. PC-1 request letter from CIC (also provided in Appendix B)
4. Fingerprinter completes the bottom of the form and keeps the original, you get two copies: one to send to California DOJ and one for your records
5. Send the following items to the DOJ at: (9/30/06)
   

   California Department of Justice
   Record Review Unit
   P.O. Box 903417
   Sacramento, CA 94203-4170
   

   1. Copy of completed form
   2. PC-1 request letter from CIC (also provided in Appendix B)
   
   
6. Wait a few weeks for processing
7. The DOJ will mail you a clearance letter
8. Sponsor sends originals to Case Processing Centre - Mississauga (CPC-M) with rest of forms

So in short, if you find a Live Scan site that is also equipped and certified to do ink fingerprinting, you can combine these two sets of steps. We brought the FBI cover letter and instructions, the DOJ cover letter and instructions, to such a site to get both done at the same time. Ink fingerprints were about $15, Live Scan was about $17.50 plus $32 California processing fee. Then we put the appropriate paperwork in each envelope, FBI and DOJ (we used a large padded envelope for the FBI mailing to protect the fingerprint card) and sent them certified mail with receipt. This way we will know be able to document the date received.

RV sale - YAY!!!

The "Deed" has been done! We have so much to be thankful for.

Because the RVing season is basically over, I knew finding a buyer would be much more difficult than during the summer. I had exactly one response to my ads, and upon viewing the RV they loved it and immediately commented that it's "sooo clean!" and made me an offer on the spot.

We went to her bank together and I was present while she bought a bank cashier's check from her bank. I made a point of going immediately to a branch of my bank just across the street from hers. It cleared immediately, with no 2-day "hold" like they sometimes do.

Since DMV's website is not forthcoming with clear information on the paperwork let me just outline it here.

• Fill out and sign Certificate of Title (pink slip). Top portion goes to you, bottom portion to the buyer.
• Fill out and sign a Bill of Sale (REG 135), found on DMV's website here. Keep a photocopy for you, original goes to buyer.
  
• Fill out and sign a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (aka NRL) (REG 138), or you can now do it online here.
• Buyer brings Bill of Sale (REG 135) and Certificate of Title (pink slip) to DMV. There will be a transfer fee, and if I understand correctly, the buyer will also be required to pay the sales tax at that time.

We are immensely grateful because when I met the buyer at the storage facility, I found that there had been an RV fire just on the next aisle, a few feet away, the previous day. Yes, almost immediately after weeks of problems and setbacks had culminated in finally getting the RV washed and waxed, the RV was splattered with soot and charred debris! Even so, there was PLENTY to be thankful for. Despite the burning debris flying from a total of 3 RVs going up in smoke, ours was not one of them! And all our irreplaceable photos and personal belongings had only just been cleaned out, so that if it had caught fire only a couple weeks prior, we would have lost some of the things we most cherished. Thank you God!!!

What's more, the RV owner whose rig had malfunctioned and started the fire was fully insured, so the 2 families whose neighboring RVs caught fire will be getting reimbursed for their losses. My deepest thanks to God as that whole thing went 1000 times better than it could have.

Spouse Inside Canada - Health care considerations

I've sent an e-mail to the Ministry of Health inquiring if one can apply for OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) upon arrival to settle in Ontario, or after submitting a PR app (in anticipation of CIC confirmation), or if one has to wait until CIC confirmation to apply and then still wait another 3 months for coverage. The amount of time Nickie will have to go without health coverage is a major consideration, if not the most important one, for us to determine whether it's better to do an Inside Canada or an Outside Canada application. Knowledge is power. :)

Follow-up: The e-mail address given for eligibility questions doesn't appear to exist. I filled out a feedback form on their website pointing this out. I will try by phone tomorrow (8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). It says if you're in Toronto you can call 416-314-5518 (there's a toll-free number for the rest of Ontario), but I assume I can also call long-distance from here and get through.

Follow-up: I called and was told that you must have the written confirmation from CIC first before you will be eligible. The date of eligibility to apply will be based on the date on the letter. The 3-month waiting period begins then.

Next step: Find out about how long the confirmation usually takes, and whether CIC just sends it or you have to request it.

Follow-up: I can't seem to find an answer on this anywhere on the web. CIC has an 800 phone number but that's only usable from within Canada. For those outside Canada it directs you to your nearest Consulate. I will call the Consulate General in Los Angeles between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. to ask those questions. (213) 625-7154.

Follow-up: Oops. That's a fax number and there's no phone option for immigration questions. So I faxed my questions and await an answer.

Spouse Inside Canada - Health care considerations

The Canadian Medicare system (Canada's national healthcare system - no relation to U.S. Medicare for seniors), while apparently regulated by the Federal government, is administered by the provinces. So each province has its own requirements for eligibility, waiting period if any, etc. Each province seems to also have its own website to help people immigrate there. Ontario's is excellent and is found at Settlement.org.

I don't know about the other provinces, but Ontario's system doesn't require you to have Permanent Residency status. According to the FAQ at Settlement.org , as long as you have filed a PR application and "have been confirmed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada as having satisfied the medical requirements for landing", you can apply for a Medicare card. There is a 90-day waiting period. All this meansPublish that if we do an Inside Canada app, Nickie doesn't have to wait 12-15+ months for medical coverage (9-12+ months for her PR plus 3 more months waiting).

I don't know how soon the medical confirmation from CPC takes, but this is good news if we decide to do an Inside Canada app. Which, more and more, seems to be the way to go. Why pick up and move twice when we can do it once and be done with it? Yes, there's the risk that her app would be denied, but it seems like a small chance that will happen. Even so, what's the worst that could happen? We'd have to move twice after all?

RV prep - Wash and wax

Hallelujah!

After many (and I do mean many) trials and tribulations, I have finally managed to get someone to actually show up, and wash the RV within the restrictive parameters set by the RV storage facility.

I took out a free ad on CraigsList and will wait a bit to see what kind of response I get. I'll post flyers at local RV parks, too. I just can't see spending $90 or more just to get 3 lines or so in an RV magazine, unless I absolutely have to.