I retired as Deputy Minister of Natural Resources in Ontario in 1995 and moved to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan to live with my wife, Mimi Vandermolen, who was a design director at the Ford Motor Company, now retired.(She also is a Canadian and Ontario College of Art graduate.) During my first year of retirement I worked for James Dobbin Assoc. in Virginia, an international firm that specializes in coastal planning. Much of my time there involved a coastal planning project in Barbados. During the following few years I worked for CIDA for six months in Zimbabwe writing a white paper on the national parks system in that Country,consulted with the Government of BC on a heritage planning and parks governance project and provided input to former colleagues who were consulting to the Premier's office in Ontario regarding the structure and management systems of the Minstry of Environment. In recent years I have consulted for the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission in Ann Arbor,Michigan regarding human resource development and leadership. Since 2001 I have lived in this wonderul little town at the southern terminus of the Big Sur drive enjoying hikes on the coast and in the Santa Lucia Mountains. We own a property on Mayne Island in the Gulf Islands of BC and are currently planning to build a summer place there....to escape the fogs of summer along the central coast of California....but mostly just to be HOME for a few months of the year.

Robert M., Cambria CA, Ontario
November 2, 2005
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My name is Vladimir Pshyk and I relocated from Montreal to Miami Florida in 2002. I came to Miami for business purposes after graduating from McGill University. I have always had a deep-rooted interest and involvement in financial fields and felt that my transition to the U.S. market place would benefit me at the earliest stages of my career. I also felt that if I was going to move to the U.S. I might as well go somewhere with no snow for a change. Miami seemed a logical progression given my criteria. Three years later I have had successful ventures in the real estate market and obtained my license for mortgage brokering in the states of Florida and North Carolina. I currently work for Kensington-Ashworth Financial Group in Ft. Lauderdale originating loans for just about every type of person and situation you can imagine. Please feel free to contact me if you need help with anything pertaining to my expertise at vpshyk@bellsouth.net. I'm always happy to hear from fellow Canadians but you don't need to be a Canuck to contact me. As I mentioned Montreal is my home city and I miss her charm. I travel back to Montreal quite often to visit with family and friends. There is nothing quite like Montreal in the summer with events like the Grand Prix and the Jazz Festival. I've actually never missed either in my 27 years of existence and make it a point to go back home every year for these events in particular. Of course, Christmas is a must with the family. Being that it's smack dab in the middle of winter, I always take advantage of some skiing and of course playing hockey, my true passion in life just like every other Canadian. I hope to get the opportunity to meet my fellow Canadians at some events and or through you contacting me with your questions about a mortgage if need be. I have attended alumni events for McGill University put on by the South Florida chapter, and recently had the pleasure of meeting our new Consul General in Miami Marcy Grossman and her husband Michael Kofsky (a fellow hockey enthusiast). I intend to be actively involved with events pertaining to the Consul General and hope to get a chance to meet many of you there.

Vladimir P., Ft. Lauderdale FL, Quebec
November 2, 2005
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Born in the US but having a Mother from PEI, I applied and gained Canadian Citizenship in 2000. I love the connection to Canada and specifically, PEI. I travel there every year (only during Summer, thank you) to visit my family and use a house that I own there.

I'm proud to be related to the Shaw family that owns & operates Canada's oldest "family-run inn", Shaw's Hotel. In business since 1860, the Hotel recently received Canada's National Historic Site significance.

I currently live and work in Atlanta, GA as a Technical Advisor for InterContinental Hotels Group.

Bill J., Atlanta GA, Prince Edward Island
November 2, 2005
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My wife and I are "duals". We met in Montreal while attending McGill University. She likes to say she imported me to the US, where I became a citizen. I eventually returned the favour by bringing her back to Canada. She became a Canadian citizen earlier this year and is now working at the CBC in Toronto. Tres Canadien, non?!

I have an entertainment law practice based in Toronto. I also have an office in Los Angeles. Having started in practice in NYC, I realized how much of a competitive advantage I had in being able to practice in these major entertainment centers. With my wife's family in the US and mine on the East coast of Canada, it all combines for a lot of travelling.

I'd like to say that the travelling has gotten easier, but it hasn't. Still, we are committed to taking full advantage of what our families, careers and living in North America have to offer, and giving as much back in return.

Stephen F., Beverly Hills CA, Ontario
November 2, 2005
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Hi! Hailing from Edmundston, New Brunswick, I made the move to West Virginia in April 2005. West Virginia is an incredibly beautiful place, looking somewhat similar to the Saint John River Valley in New Brunswick, so it doesn't feel like I've gone very far. I am here to study - acquiring my Ph.D. at West Virginia University, specializing in forensic entomology. Its unfortunate that I could not find that program in Canada, but most certainly intend to return upon my completion. Miss hockey, and Canada Day just isn't the same, but everyone here is really nice and I am enjoying the experience of living in the United States.

Christine P., Morgantown WV
November 2, 2005
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Our family moved form Burlington, Ontario, to El Paso, TX, when I was just starting high school. What a change! After a degree in business from UT-El Paso, I spent the next 25 years with Coors Brewing, which is now Molson-Coors. The last year of my career there I ran the logistics and service teams for Molson USA, so my trips to Toronto and Montreal were frequent. I left in February 2005 to move back to Texas (the Dallas area) to start my real estate career with RE/MAX. I get back to Canada every year and continue to miss it. I proudly sing O Canada every time a Canadian team plays at a U.S. event, and I wear my Roots stuff every chance I get. I love working with Canadians in the DFW area on the sale or purchase of their homes, as it gives us both a chance to reconnect and share stories about home. If you are in DFW or moving here, please give me a call at 972-355-3580 if you need a real estate professional.

Mark B., Lantana TX
November 2, 2005
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My name is Brenda Acham. My husband, son and I moved to leesburg, Virginia 5 years ago. I was born and raised in Dartmouth Nova Scotia. My husband works in the hospitality industry and I am a registered nurse (operating room). We moved to the US when my husband received his greencard. I came here on a T-N visa. My husband, son and I are all Canadian. On July 14, 2005 we added to our family with a baby boy. He is the first American in our family. Our 5 year plan includes moving back to the great province of Nova Scotia. I miss the beautiful scenery and the great people!! Thanks for reading our story.

Brenda A., Leesburg VA, Nova Scotia
November 2, 2005
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Moving to the U.S. for work has been a life changing experience with no regret. In 2002, I moved to Atlanta to work for a high tech start-up firm as an IC design engineer after working for a number of companies in Ottawa and Toronto. I have learned so much about the American culture and how it differs from the Canadian culture. When I first moved to Atlanta, I had the impression that the city was not safe, not a good place to live. Over the years I've been convinced of the opposite - Atlanta is like any other city, there are good and bad areas, opportunities are available for those who seek, and the cost of living is actually quite reasonable for such a major city. And I now understand Southern hospitality!

Kenneth C., Sunnyvale CA, Ontario
November 2, 2005
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Moved to the u.s. two years ago. I am married with four children. I work with a canadian steel company that opened a facility in Indiana.I was born in northern New Brunswick (Acadian) and left home when i was 20 yrs old seeking fame and fortune ( found neither nor). We lived in Montreal for 12 yrs then my job brought us to Toronto for 6 yrs and now Georgetown Indiana, just across the Ohio river from Louisville Ky. The U.S. certainly is a great country, but Canada is second to NONE!!

Christophe G., Georgetown IN, New Brunswick
October 13, 2005
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