IS
IT TIME TO GO BACK? There is a
Slovak woman who has considerable experience in
Slovakia and Canada in physiotherapy, but the
governing body in Ontario doesn't want to
recognize her experience as being equivalent to
standards in Canada, and denies her membership!
There is a Slovak orthopaedic surgeon Canadian
medical authorities refuse to grant a licence,
but allows him to perform major operations so
long as there's a Canadian doctor in the
vicinity!
There is a young Slovak lawyer who wanted to
be a judge but was told his qualifications didn't
matter because the priorities in Ontario were for
women, homosexuals, visible minorities and
physically handicapped to be appointed!
In the last year, I have had many requests for
information about going back to Slovakia, not
just by immigrants of the last 20 years, but by
native born Canadians. It seems present-day
Slovakia with its economic success is beginning
to attract people back from Canada which at one
time was considered a land of opportunity by
Slovaks.
Today the unemployment problem in Canada
increases as both the government and the private
sector try to cut back their costs by laying off
people. What's the point in getting a university
degree only to become a waitress? If you can get
that job!
Slovakia is a country with growth potential
and it is at the point where Canada was in the
50s. If that is the case then a good argument can
be made for Slovaks to return to the mother
country and take advantage of the growth that is
taking place there.
Slovakia needs people experienced in democracy
just as it needs people who have practical skills
and business experience. With today's computers
and Internet, it really doesn't matter any more
where you are located, you must only have access
to a telephone line!
This means as we approach the year 2000,
Canada will not be the attractive place it once
was for immigration -- for anyone but third world
countries. If Slovakia joins the European Union
and NATO, there will be a huge demand for people
who speak English, and Canadian Slovaks will have
a big advantage.
While prices are rising, the exchange rate is
still very favorable to Canadians, so now is the
time to get the bargains while they last! And
take back things with you they don't yet have
readily available.
Yes, it is a risk, but it seems better than
the risk of staying in Canada which is going to
have a huge number of unemployed in the next few
years while Canada and its provinces tackle the
deficit and the huge national debt.
Slovakia needs the infrastructure you expect
to see in western countries: attractive hotels,
shops, television programs, tour operators, a
national newspaper independent of the political
parties, golf courses, athletic and spa
facilities, medical fitness centres, housing
comparable to Canadian standards. The list is
endless. Where are our entrepreneurs now that we
need them?.
Take a look at the most recent figures: the
National Bank of Slovakia forecasts a rise of
5.8% in the Gross Domestic Product while other
countries consider 4% to be good; Volkswagen
Bratislava has increased its car production to
20,000 units in 1995 and expects to reach 30,000
in 1996. Clearly wonderful things are happening
in Slovakia, and given the time the lifestyle
will be equal to that found anywhere else in
Western Europe.
Do you dare risk the opportunity?
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