About Qatar

Frequently Asked Questions

CNA-Q New Contract Process for Existing Employees

  1. What does TWSE stand for?
    • Temporary Work Site Exemption is what Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) grants so that you are not taxed on benefits such as the housing, tuition, per diem and travel monies you may receive from CNA-Q under certain conditions. For more information on these conditions, please review this website: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/tp/it91r4/it91r4-e.html.
  1. What will happen if I am interested in staying but my position or program has been eliminated?
    • It makes good business sense to keep the employees who are settled in and performing well rather than recruit new employees.
    • If your position/program has been eliminated, your competencies may be reviewed to see if there is a match with the requirements of other positions. You should keep an eye out for vacant positions that you might be qualified for.
  1. If I wish to maintain my Canadian residency and stay longer than the five years, and CNA-Q needs/wants my services, will they offer me a new contract?
    • Yes, and since CRA did not grant you a tax exemption, you must decide if it is worth your while to continue with CNA-Q and pay the income tax on the taxable benefits (per diems, housing and travel).
  1. What are the pros and cons of becoming a non-resident in terms of working for CNA-Q?
    • That is something you will have to determine based on your own personal situation. CNA-Q will make the income tax deductions based on the information that you provide.
  1. What are some of the reasons I would not be offered a new contract?
    • Contracts will not be offered to staff whose performance has not been up to the standard required. Performance issues will be addressed as they arise.
    • Contracts will not be offered if CNA-Q no longer has any operational need for your services.  
  1. Can I take a job with another Qatari employer once my CNA-Q contract expires?
    • In order to stay in Qatar, you must have a sponsor. Once your contract expires with CNA-Q, you can be sponsored and employed by another employer after spending a specified time out of the country.
  1. Whom should I communicate with regarding the new contract?
    • To discuss the possibility of a new contract, contact your supervisor.
    • To discuss the contract details, contact Human Resources at CNA in Newfoundland.
    • You are encouraged to attend all income tax information sessions.
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FAQs for Teaching Faculty Only

  1. How is it decided how many and which positions are required for the following year?
    • The College projects student numbers and determines what courses need to be offered. The College also liaises with the industry representatives and determines what courses will be offered, how many courses and how this impacts the staff complement.
  1. Why can’t I have my new contract offer before January so that I will know whether or not I will be employed with CNA-Q the following September?
    • Industry plays a major role in determining the demand. It is clearly understood that the sooner staff are advised of their new contract, the better, but it is difficult, if not impossible, to get industry to commit to sending a certain number of students for a certain program more than a few months in advance.
  1. My contract expires March 15 and these timelines are for those contracts expiring July/August. What are my timelines?
    • Generally all contracts that expire on a date other than the end of August will be automatically extended to the end of the semester. The semester timelines will apply to the majority of employees.
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FAQs for Al Jazeeraland Residents

May 2007

Al Jazeeraland 2 Residents’ Committee members:

Kevin Veitch                                Sheldon Chisholm                         
Mike Kelly                                   Diane Wooden
Ian Brockie                                 Rob Bianchi
Doreen Chisholm                          Gary Elliot 

  1. If there is a fire or medical emergency, who do I call? What is the civic address for the compound for emergency response, taxis, delivery, etc.?
  • The phone number for emergencies here in Qatar is 999. Make sure you specify exactly what your emergency is (police, fire, ambulance) so that you get the help you require. The civic address system in Doha is relatively new. We do have a civic address but no one would recognize it.
  • Tell them to come to Al Jazeeraland 2 by going around the Gulf English School Roundabout towards Gharaffa Sports Club and taking the last driveway before the Gharaffa Sports Club Roundabout. The first compound on the right of this driveway is called Crystal Compound. You pass that compound and then you will turn right. Go past the first gate on your left. Al Jazeeraland 2 Compound main gate is the second gate on the left with a security office.
  • Or you can tell him to go past the Al Kharatayat (North Road) Flyover towards the Gulf English School and take the first right after the roundabout and AJ1, and then the first left. The AJ2 compound is on the right.
  • The street name is Al Maszhabiya.
  • If you are asked for your civic address when you apply for your telephone, just give them the Qtel number which is on a plate above your front door. This will help identify your actual location.
  • The phone number at the security gate is +974 478 5328.
  • You are reminded to post emergency numbers in a prominent place - in case of emergency!
  1. What is the best way to get a cab?
  • You can call one - everyone has a list of numbers for individual cabbies and limousine drivers. Enter them into your mobile so they will always be handy.
  • It is best if you book the taxi ahead of time. Limousines are more reliable than the taxis.
  1. Where is the nearest grocery store?
  • There is a small convenience store in Al Jazeeraland 1.
  • Carrefour is in Landmark Mall but it may be difficult to get a cab back from the mall.
  • Al Meera is not too far to walk but it may be difficult in getting a cab to bring you back. And you may not want to walk to or from the store by yourself after dark.
  • If you go out to the main road, straight through the Al Gharaffa Sports Club Roundabout until you get to the next roundabout. Al Meera is on the left hand side.
  • Family Food is on Al Rayyan Street. It may be difficult to get a cab from there to bring you home.
  1. What should I do if I have a problem with one of the appliances or odors or leaks, etc. in my villa?
  • Mr. Ibrahim is the CNA-Q Housing Officer. He can be contacted if you request maintenance. He is on CNA-Q email and his mobile number is +974 577 2620.
  • If you are still not satisfied with the timeliness of the response, contact a member of the Residents’ Committee for assistance. They will work with you to help get your problem resolved.
  • If it is an emergency and Mr. Ibrahim is not answering his phone, call Lyndon Burry for assistance. His phone number is +974 557 8945.
  • Anthea Van Der Merwe is the Qatar Relations Officer and she can be contacted if you are not satisfied with the service level from the usual contacts.  Her phone number is +974 503 4685. 
  1. What am I responsible for in my villa? What is the landlord responsible for?
  • The landlord will clean the light fixtures and replace all light bulbs (including the lamps); service the air conditioner annually; replace the furniture every four years; and clean up after themselves when you have any maintenance work done. All maintenance (including watering) to the original grass, plants and trees is the responsibility of the landlord, but not he washing down of the front and back areas of your villa.
  • The residents are responsible for cleaning the air conditioning filters regularly (some people do it monthly) and the window cleaning.
  1. Who is on the Residents’ Committee?
  • The Committee is made up of residents who have a variety of interests. Some are single, some are married, some have children, some have pets.
  • This Committee is strictly voluntary and will have its membership change at least by 50% annually. The list of names of the Committee members is on these FAQs.
  1. What is the purpose of the Residents’ Committee?
  • The purpose is to facilitate communication from the College of Technology (COT - the State of Qatar) and/or the College to the residents and from the residents to COT and/or the College. The Committee members are interested in hearing your suggestions and concerns, in a written format. If it is important enough to raise the concern, it is important enough to put it in writing. They are NOT to be expected to police the use of the clubhouse, the pool or the tennis court area.
  1. What is done about bugs?
  • The College of Technology (COT rents the compound for CNA-Q from the landlord) has an agreement to have the villas sprayed monthly, usually the second Saturday of the month. This is a good idea as residents who have not been sprayed regularly are more likely to have problems with ants and cockroaches.
  • Ventilate well after your villa is sprayed.
  1. What should I do if I’m not going to be home when the pest control people come to spray?
  • If you are going to be away the morning of the second Saturday of the month, please leave your key with a neighbor and ask that they let them in for spraying purposes.
  1.  What do I do with my garbage?
  • You can place your garbage bags at the curb. They will be picked up regularly, except Fridays. When a specific schedule is determined, the information will be circulated.