Canada is an amazing destination for anyone who wants to move to a completely new country. It has a very dynamic economy and diverse culture, with pleasant people who makes foreigners feel welcomed. Read on for more information about moving to Canada and get settled in!
Over the years, Canada has welcomed a large number of immigrants from different parts of the world with different languages and cultural backgrounds. Presently, more than 40 members of the Canadian parliament were all born abroad and came into the country as immigrants.
In many major cities in Canada, you will see a myriad of religions, languages and cultures all existing and thriving together in the same space. The Canadian people do not require that immigrants lose touch of their culture while in Canada; however, you would need to evolve and adjust to the different way of life in order to make the most of the resources available to you. Keeping an open mind will therefore be of great benefit to you because a lot of people around will be willing to learn from you and hope that you teach them something as well.
Weather & Climate
Canada is often associated with cold weather and snow, but the truth is: its climate is as diverse as its landscape. Generally, Canadians enjoy four distinct seasons, particularly more in the highly populated regions along the US border.
Daytime summer temperatures can climb to about 35°C and expect lows of -25°C in winter with plenty of snow.
Summer is the driest season on the prairies and it is humid in Central Canada and at the coasts.
Spring and fall have moderate temperatures and autumn is a season of beautiful orange and red colour displays from most trees.
Holidays
National Public Holidays include:
New Year’s Day
Victoria Day/National Patriots Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Quebec National Holiday (Quebec only)
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
British Columbia Day (BC only)
Heritage Day (Alberta only)
Thanksgiving Day
Remembrance Day
During public holidays, most shops, businesses, banks and government offices will be closed.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
Be punctual
Dress casually and accordingly for the climate, unless otherwise indicated for parties or restaurants formal wear is not necessary
Unless very close to someone, the normal mode of greeting is the handshake
Respect the wildlife in the country, which is plentiful and diverse
Do say sorry and excuse me
Don't:
Eat while walking in public
Smoke in public
Drinking is prohibited by law in public
You cannot import firearms, explosives, endangered animals and plants, animal products and dairy
Be careful around the Canadian flag, you don’t want to sit or eat on it
Fun Facts
We love maple syrup (the essential sweetness for your pancakes), Ice Hockey and the Northern Lights.
English and French are the most widely spoken languages in Canada.
Canada is the world’s second largest country.
Cost of Living
C$5,329 for a family of four and C$2,891 for a single person (as of 2021).
This average excludes house rent and is the basic living expense for one person in Toronto. The cost of living varies across the cities of Canada. The 5 most expensive cities are:
Vancouver
Toronto
Victoria
Calgary
Hamilton-Burlington
Tax Rates
Personal Income Tax – 15% on the first C$49,020 of taxable income, 20.5% on the next $49,020 of taxable income. For more information about the personal tax rates, visit here.
Goods & Services Tax – The goods and services tax is a value-added tax that is levied by the federal government. That rate is set nationally at 5 percent. No matter where in Canada you are, you will have to pay at least 5 percent for a good or service. There are four areas that only pay 5 percent sales tax: Alberta, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut. These areas do not have additional taxes on top of that.
Provincial Sales Tax – Provincial sales tax is a value-added tax that is levied by some provinces, including British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec. This tax rate varies based on the province that you are in. The following provincial sales tax rates are British Columbia (7 percent), Saskatchewan (6 percent), Manitoba (7 percent), and Quebec (9.975 percent). Each of these sales taxes is charged in addition to the federal goods and services tax (5 percent).
Harmonized Sales Tax – it is a value-added tax that blends the federal government’s goods and services tax (5 percent) with a provincial sales tax into one rate. This appears as one tax on your restaurant, hotel and store bills. This sales tax system is used in Ontario, as well as the four Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Ontario’s sales tax rate blends to be 13 percent and the four remaining Atlantic provinces blend to an even 15 percent rate.
The average canadian household now spends a larger portion of their income on taxes than basic necessities, with C$38,963 on taxes payable and C$33,178 on basic necessities per year (as of Sep 2020).
Famous Things
Maple syrup
Niagara Falls
Ice Hockey
It is one of the safest countries in the world
It’s healthcare system
A whole lot of celebrities including Justin Bieber, Celine Dion. Jim Carrey, Michael J. Fox and a whole lot more
Alexander Graham Bell – Inventor of the telephone
Visa & Employment Passes
Canada currently has 13 different visa types. All immigrants intending to work in Canada, are usually required to obtain a work visa/permit. It may differ, depending on the purpose and duration of stay in the country. To qualify for a Canadian Work Visa/Permit, you have to have a valid passport, be in good health and of good character and genuinely intend to work lawfully in Canada for a limited time.
Visa And Citizenship
Canada has Temporary Visas, Student Visas, Super Visas for Parents and Grandparents, Visitor Visa, Work Permits, Business Class Immigration, Canadian Experience Class Visa, Federal Skilled Worker Visa, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Quebec -Selected Skilled Workers Program, Provincial Nomination Programs, Family-Sponsorship Program, Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP).
The Canadian immigration website offers all the necessary information immigrants need to know prior to their trip. It is therefore important that you take enough time reading through the website to ensure you know the right documents to carry. Immigration laws in Canada have definitely improved over the years in the bid to attract more immigrants.
Work Permit Process For Foreigners
The Canadian Government mainly admits new immigrants based on two categories: the family class and Economic class. The Economic class category brings in immigrants based on their professional skills and qualifications. The family class category promotes the unity of Canadian families with their spouses, or close family members by allowing them to migrate to the country for visitation or on a permanent basis.
Every foreigner, except for those moving from Canada, will need a work permit. A work permit/visa will give you the freedom to work legally without hassle.
Obtaining a Canadian work permit typically involves a two-step process. For most cases, you will need a job offer first before you can start applying for a Canadian work permit.
Step 1: The first step towards getting a Canadian work permit is to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The usual process involves the employer in Canada to undertake domestic recruitment efforts and showcase that there are no qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents for the job position.
Step 2: The applicant can begin applying for a Canadian work permit after a positive LMIA has been issued.
Unless the worker has an open work permit, work permits are usually employer specific. For workers who wish to change employers, they must obtain a new Work Permit before they can perform another job in Canada
Job Opportunities
Wages in Canada vary according to industry, qualifications, profession and geographic area. In Alberta the average weekly wage is higher than that of Nova Scotia, but the national average is $896.63/week.
There are programs in Canada that encourage services to recruit newcomers and immigrants. Challenges such as lack of recognition of your foreign education and work credentials may lead to people working in a different field to what they qualified for.
Like most of the world, the biggest item that you have to budget for when relocating to Canada is your rental or property purchase.
Buying Property
Purchasing a property in Canada is rather straightforward. The open-door housing policy makes it very easy for foreigners to buy properties too. Compared to other global locations, properties in Canada are considered quite affordable. Canada’s current housing market is very attractive even in the big cities like Toronto and Vancouver, and are a great form of investment.
Once you have decided on the location, the next step would be to do a little research on housing prices in your chosen area. You would also need to decide on the kind of property you want to buy. You can start by searching online for available properties or in the local newspaper.
In Canada, the property purchasing process takes about 60–90 days. The following are the steps for buying a property in Canada:
1. Find a local, professional realtor to search for available houses according to your specifications and in your desired area. Your realtor will be responsible for liaising with the seller’s realtor and coming up with a great deal that would be favourable to you.
2. Get mortgage qualified from the bank on time so you have a clear picture of what you can afford to pay for a home. This would help narrow down the search for your realtor.
3. Work closely with your realtor and ensure that you see all the available houses so you can make a choice. Be in the loop for all discussions with the seller too.
4. Once you have agreed on a property, your realtor will draft a sale contract and have you sign on it. He will then contact a Canadian real estate lawyer who would then work on registration of the property in your name and sort out other necessary details.
Housing Rental
Typically, the rental on a home will be taking up 35% to 50% of your monthly expenses. The average housing rent is $1,794 as of 2021.
Foreigners have no difficulties in renting properties in Canada. There are several types of rental accommodations available including houses, condominiums and apartments. These can be found through the classifieds section of newspapers, websites, libraries, Facebook and even by walking through the neighbourhoods you prefer, where owners post signs.
Before you are offered a lease to a rental property, the landlord will request the following documents:
A letter from your current or recent employer indicating what your yearly income is.
A bank statement showing that you have enough savings to cover the rent for a few months.
References from previous landlords.
You will be required to pay a security deposit of at least half a month.
The leases are usually fixed-term with a minimum of one year and the amount that the rent can increase after that is set by law. It is currently at 1.8% and the tenant has to be given a 90 day notice of the increase.
Even though these documents are not always easy for a newcomer to have, there are landlords who are willing to rent to newcomers to Canada.
Mobile Network Providers
There are four largest mobile network providers: Rogers Wireless, Telus, Bell and Wind.
In order to get a mobile phone contract you will need some form of identification and a credit card or prior a prior credit history. Most newcomers find it easier to get a prepaid system until they establish a credit record.
Internet Service Providers
The average monthly internet bill (as of 2021) is CAD$54 .
It is not difficult for a foreigner to sign up with an Internet Service Provider.
You will need a proof of address and an Identification document. Some apartments in Canada already have internet and it is included in the price of the rental.
Providers also vary and options include contracts, non contracts and bundling.
Some providers include:
, Altima Telecom, CIK Telecom, Gemstelecom and Transat Telecom
The average monthly utility bill (as of 2021) is CAD$113.
This includes heating, electricity and gas. For many rented properties these services are included in the rental price.
Getting Around
Canada is an ideal destination for those who wish to road trip or explore the country while on holiday. In fact, the country has 900,000 k.m. worth of driving routes! As the second biggest country in the whole world, there are plenty of places to drive to and sights to see.
All the major cities in Canada have public transportation which includes bus, train, subway, light-rail trains and trams. The bus is the most common mode of public transportation. Transit passes are cheaper if you use the transport regularly and are issued on a monthly basis. These give you unlimited use for that period; otherwise you will need to buy a ticket.
All cities have at least one taxi service. They are quite expensive so most people use them when they have no other choice.
The single use bus ticket in C$3.15.
Intercity Transport System
All major cities have airports and this is the best way to travel between them because of the great distances. In order to fly within the country you will need:
Identification with a photo issued by federal, provincial or territorial government or foreign passport
Canada has safe and comfortable trains with a rail network that runs across the country. Tickets can be bought from Via Rail Canada or by going to a train station.
Buses are one of the cheapest ways to travel between cities. Some of the smaller towns can only be reached by bus. Greyhound runs the largest network of bus routes.
Ferries are used a lot in the coastal areas of Canada and can also transport vehicles.
The country offers a large network of highways allowing you to travel to most places by car if you so wish.
Driving In Canada
The driving tests you took in your home country may not be entirely valid in Canada. In the case where it is valid, you might need to convert it in order for it to be accepted by the Canadian law enforcement agencies. To get a driver’s license in Canada, you need to be aware of the following information:
Licenses are not issued to residents by the federal government. Instead they are issued by individual provinces and each province has its own set of laws, testing procedures and regulations. We advise that you research the procedure for your own province to stay on the right track.
Some provinces have laid out agreements with different countries in the world that make it possible for immigrants from the said countries to use their old driver’s license on arrival. Sometimes, residents from these countries might just need their license converted to fit the provincial format before they can start driving in their province.
To avoid stress of any kind, you should take enough time to look over the provincial driving laws pertaining to international driving licenses. This would give you a clear picture of the kind of documentation you need and what to expect on arrival. If you are moving to cities like Vancouver or Toronto, having a car might be a necessity to move around quickly.
Healthcare
The free healthcare system offered in Canada is one of the country’s main attractions. You don’t pay any direct fees for visits to the doctor, dentist, and optometrist or for any emergency or other medical visit.
This is funded by the country’s tax system, which is considered quite steep by foreigners; Canadians agree that it is worth it considering that they get a limitless health care system in return.
Banking
Anyone can open a bank account in Canada as long as they can show proper identification and be there in person. Most institutions allow non-Canadian citizens to open a bank account, but its best to phone and confirm this with them first.
You don’t need to prove that you have a job and don’t have to deposit money right away.
For those not in possession of a Canadian identification, a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship or Naturalization or a Permanent Resident card or a Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) form IMM 100, IMM 1442 or IMM 5292 will suffice.
You can open a savings account at a bank, credit union, Caisse populaire or trust company. Some of the most popular banks include:
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank)
Bank of Montreal (BMO)
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD)
Education
All children up to the age of 18 can enjoy a free public school system. Tertiary education is much cheaper than that in the U.S., but a bit more expensive than that of European Universities.
Elementary School
The elementary school curriculum in Canada may vary depending on the educational objectives of individual schools and local communities. Getting promoted from one grade to the next is based on tests and a student with poor performance may be required to repeat another year, while a gifted student may be allowed to skip a year. Elementary schools equip children with the fundamental skills of reading and writing, on top of other subjects such as math, science, history, geography, music, art, crafts, and physical education.
Secondary School
For students aged from 12 to 18 (grades 7 to 12), secondary education in Canada generally takes place in a high school, which can be divided into junior and senior high (in separate locations or in different buildings). Junior high applies for students aged 12 to 14 (grades 7 to 9) and senior high is for students who are 15 to 17 years old (grades 10 to 12). In the Quebec province, students in grades 7 to 11 attend high school before transferring to a collegiate technical college, also known as CEGEP (collége d’enseignement général et professionnel/CEGEP) for additional two to three years.
Private Schools
Private education allows your child to forge a deeper relationship with their teacher as classes tend to be smaller in size with individualised attention. For your child to enrol in a private school, they will have to undergo interviews and pass an entrance exam. To prepare your child for higher learning, private schools may be a better option as it is more university-oriented than public schools.
Shipping a beloved pet to Canada can be a stresssful and worrying task. Here’s a general breakdown of the costs needed to relocate with your furry friend.
Microchips and Vaccinations
Canada does not quarantine dogs or cats that arrive healthy and have the required entry documentation. They do, however, require that all pets entering Canada be vaccinated against Rabies. Other vaccinations recommended for your pets include:
For dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus (DHLPP) and Bordetella.
For cats: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia (FVRCP)
These vaccinations should be implemented at least two weeks before take off.
Animal Import Documents
All pets need a health certificate stating they are healthy and fit to fly. Your USDA accredited veterinarian should complete an APHIS 7001 health certificate. This certificate must be completed by your vet within 10 days of travel.
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