I came in to work this morning to discover my Quebec driver’s abstract waiting in the fax machine! When you don’t have a QC license any more you have to go through another service, the Service de la diffusion et liaison–corps policier (er, the police corps broadcasting and liaison service).
I thought that if the SAAQ (DMV) took three months and $65 to get me an abstract the last time and nine months to cancel my motorhome registration monthly payments and send me a reimbursement that there was no way the SDLCP (or whatever initials they go by) would be any faster. Well, they have demonstrated themselves to be the exception that makes the rule as they are apparently the only efficient government-run organization in the province! And they didn’t charge me for this abstract! Merci Mme. Langlois!
After work, I headed over to Lethbridge Vehicle and asked to be served by the gal I’d been emailing with. She confirmed that I had everything to get a full Alberta license, so she called head office to get confirmation for the trade. Well, she got a tongue lashing for not digging deeper into my file! I don’t think it’s reasonable to be expected to ask everyone who comes in “Have you ever held a Quebec driver’s license?” but I do agree that she should have questioned the fact that I only had two years of experience come up. Anyway, she apologized sincerely and made it right so there’s no sense beating a dead horse!
Confirmation was finally given by head office, so my shiny new probationary Alberta license was put through the shredder and I got another paper interim license. I’ll be glad to get my official license in a couple of weeks because carrying my passport for photo ID is stressful!
Well, all that excitement is over and with my health card now being valid, I’m an Albertan! I have to go roll on the floor and laugh now.
That’s great that everything is now taken care of with the license. I think all government entities everywhere can be maddening when you must deal with them.
Quebec is its own particular brand of infuriating! 🙂
Always happy to meet a fellow Albertan! Just don’t start voting Conservative!
And here I thought California was difficult six years ago even though I was a returning Native. Had to send away for my officialized birth certificate thanks to new Homeland Security requirements. But that seems SO easy after reading of your travails, Rae. Glad to know things worked out OK in the end.
Croft, that’ll happen when hell freezes over!
Ted, I still maintain I would have had an easier time getting refuge status in the States. 😉
Salut Rae,
My gf and I are planning to become full-timers in 3/4 years and you have a wonderfully helpful blog, thanks! We can’t wait to start this new life but there are so many things to prepare first. Apparently deciding for your state of residence is already an obstacle, we are from Montreal and you didn’t make it sound easy 🙂 why did you choose Alberta?
Merci et bon courage dans ton appartement!
Salut Thierry, bienvenue au blog!
I am in Alberta because there are doctors here. That’s the short of it. Taxes and vehicle registration fees are also very low.
Quebec is the most expensive province to live in and BC comes in second. I’d suggest doing like I did and running away from Quebec (and the bad roads!) and never looking back! 🙂
Merci, c’est tout un ajustement!
Ah okay merci, yes 1st thing I noticed coming from France is the lack of doctors here, I’m an International citizen anyway, Qc or another province doesn’t really matter to me, I just want to hit the (good) road and travel 🙂
have fun!
ciao
Ah ha, someone else agrees that there are no doctors here! 🙂 Warning: there are no good roads in Quebec. 😉 Bonne route!