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Living in Canada and BATUS


Living In Canada


Weather/Environment/ Acclimatisation On arrival in BATUS you will be jetlagged. The flight time from Heathrow to Calgary is approximately 9 hours, and the onward flight to Medicine Hat is about 40 minutes. BATUS is also 7 hours behind the UK. Children, particularly babies and toddlers can find it difficult to adjust with routines being upset. It can take up to a week to fully adjust to the time difference.


BATUS is also at a higher altitude than we are used to in the UK. We are approximately 2500 ft above sea level, and this too can affect how quickly you acclimatise. Do not be surprised if you feel unusually tired, or particularly breathless, especially when doing PT during the first few weeks of your time in BATUS.


The weather can be quite extreme, and depending on the time of year you arrive, it can also make acclimatising a more lengthy process. In the summer, temperatures can be in excess of 30º C, it being a dry heat often accompanied by warm winds. In winter, the temperatures can dip as low as – 40º C, and again can be accompanied by winds, this time cold ones, contributing to wind chill that can make it seem 10º colder. During the winter months snow is often in the forecast. However, it can be much warmer than this in winter, with warm Chinook winds blowing in from the West, and equally snow in the summer months is not unheard of.


CFB Suffield and Ralston Village can get a lot of mosquitoes in the early summer months, and mosquitoes can be particularly large and give rather nasty bites. Added to this is the danger of West Nile virus, which can be carried by mosquitoes in this part of Canada. It is therefore strongly recommended that some kind of mosquito repellent, preferably containing DEET, be used. Suitable insect repellent is readily available at the CANEX supermarket in Ralston.


Pay/Allowances


There is a lot to think about in terms of your personal financial arrangements when moving overseas, and this is particularly true of moving to BATUS.


Regimental Administration Office (RAO) All new arrivals in BATUS should report to the BATUS Regimental Administration Office to sign in. The RAO staff will be able to advise you on JPA, start the allowances and charges appropriate to BATUS and explain the various financial issues related to life in BATUS they will also signpost you to some of the more useful agencies and organisation who will be able to assist you with personal financial matters arising from your move and future tour of duty in Canada.


Advance of Salary


It is possible, on posting to Canada, to apply for an Advance of Salary. You can apply for this advance via JPA approximately 1 month prior to your arrival in Canada or shortly after your arrival. The Advance of Salary allows serving personnel to apply for up to 2 months salary and this will be paid to your main pay bank account along


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