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Living in Canada

Three Canadian cities feature in the top ten of the Economist's Global Liveability Index: Calgary sits at number five and Vancouver at six while Toronto lands in seventh place. It’s not difficult to see why Canada is so attractive to expats.

In this vast, beautiful and diverse country, there are plenty of places you’ll want to call home. So, whether you’re thinking of relocating to Canada or have recently moved there, here are some essential things to know about everyday life in Canada.

Weather and climate

As the second-largest country in the world, the weather in Canada varies. Generally, you can expect to enjoy four distinct seasons. That said, it’s undeniable that Canada experiences some seriously cold temperatures. That’s why Canadians, both home-grown and newcomers to the country, never take a mild winter for granted.

The Government of Canada even offers official advice and guidance to enjoy the winter weather safely. That’s because winter weather conditions in Canada can quickly become dangerous, as temperatures can drop to -22 °F (-30°C) or below in many areas. The lowest temperature ever recorded in the country was -81 °F (-63 °C) at Snag, Yukon, in 1947.

Excessive cold in Canada claims over 100 lives each year, which is more than the combined number of annual deaths caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, extreme heat and lightning.

To help new arrivals stay safe and warm during the colder months, wearing plenty of layers is an absolute necessity. Think coats, hats, fleeces, woollen socks and thermal trousers. You’ll also need to consider covering your face with scarves, snoods and specialist masks/eyewear, especially when facing blizzard-like conditions and biting winds.

You should also consider how to handle icy conditions. Slippery pathways underfoot can make simply getting down the street an ordeal. Some items to add to your wardrobe should include heavy boots with grippy soles. You can also buy special cleats or slip-on soles that go over your shoes to increase traction on icy surfaces.

Canadian winters can prove overwhelming for those who are not familiar with cold climates, which is why you should be as prepared as possible. This doesn’t mean Canada experiences cold weather all year, of course. The country welcomes warm summers, too, with 10 cities that have daily high temperatures averaging 77 °F (25 °C) or more. The highest temperature ever recorded in the country was set in June 2021, reaching 121.28 °F (49.6 °C) in Lytton, British Columbia.

Education

Each Canadian province and territory has a system of education, which may appear unusual to expats moving from countries that have national educational systems. While there are some differences among provinces and territories, they’re similar across Canada because the system is overseen by the federal government to ensure that standards remain consistent across the country.

The education system is one of the benefits of living in Canada. It’s classed as one of the best in the world, according to the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). They awarded Canada sixth place out of 79 countries for its performance in reading literacy, science and math. That’s a higher ranking than other major countries, including the US, which ranked 13th.

In Canada, the school system is divided into three levels: primary, secondary and post-secondary. The country offers both public and private schooling. Private schools are often more selective when it comes to enrolling students. Unlike public schools, students usually have to undergo an interview and pass an entrance exam for admission.

While the required documents for enrolling your children in school varies between institutions, you’ll usually have to provide the following documents and information.

  • Application form
  • Birth certificate
  • Proof of guardianship or custody
  • Proof of residency
  • Record of immunizations
  • Emergency contact information
  • Former school records
  • Previous or current teacher recommendation letter.

Driving

The rules and regulations around driving licences often depend on which Canadian province or territory you’re moving to/living in and where you’re moving from.

For example, if you’re immigrating to Ontario from the US, UK, Australia, Austria, France, Korea, Belgium, Germany, the Isle of Man, Japan, New Zealand, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Switzerland or Taiwan, you can simply exchange your current licence for one issued by the government of Ontario.

Some provinces and territories may require you to pass a written exam on the rules of the road or pass one (and sometimes two) practical driving tests to receive a licence.

In most regions, you are allowed to drive for up to 90 days on a foreign licence. This period is limited to 60 days in Ontario and 120 days in the Yukon territory. It’s only four months on Prince Edward Island and six months in Québec.

Some areas, including the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, may require you to have an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) in conjunction with your home country’s driving licence. An IDP is valid for non-residents for up to one year. You may also need an IDP if your driving licence is not in English or French.

Once the allocated period has passed, you’ll need an official driver’s licence issued by the government of your province or territory to drive legally. This permits you to drive anywhere in Canada, but you must carry it with you whenever you’re behind the wheel.

Canada's legal driving age is determined on a province-by-province basis, but is generally 16. The lowest is in Alberta, where a Learner’s Permit may be obtained at 14 years of age.

For further details about driver’s licence requirements for each of the country’s provinces or territories, visit the official Government of Canada’s website.

Culture and community

Canada boasts a beautifully diverse culture, making it easy for expats to integrate and feel at home. According to the 2016 Census conducted by the National Household Survey (NHS), Canada is home to more than 7.5 million foreign-born individuals, making up 21.9% of the total population.

The majority of the country’s immigrant population are from India, the Philippines, the UK, the US, Italy, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Vietnam and Iran.

Adding to this, around 650,000 Chinese live in Canada. This is partly the legacy of the Chinese workers who contributed to the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880s. To celebrate their contributions and to acknowledge the long and rich history of its Asian population, the Government of Canada signed an official declaration in 2002 to designate May Asian Heritage Month.

This is a terrific example of Canada’s welcoming and celebratory approach to people with different backgrounds, making it an ideal place for expats.

Canada is also home to more than 1.67 million Indigenous people, or 4.9% of the population. Canada formally recognizes three Indigenous groups: the Inuit, Métis and First Nations. There are 630 First Nation communities in Canada, representing more than 50 Nations and 50 Indigenous languages. Inuit are the Indigenous peoples of the Arctic, while Métis are of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry.

Canada's colonial history is the origin of the country's large French Canadian population. French is now the country's second official language. The majority of French speakers are found in the province of Quebec – over 85% of people living in Quebec are French-speaking.

Home to people from all over the globe with a rich history of its own, Canada is a truly diverse and inclusive country.

Lifestyle

Expats moving to Canada can expect a life lived very much outdoors. Offering some of the world’s most stunning natural landscapes and vistas, that's no surprise. There’s an abundance of opportunities for outdoor recreation, from hiking, biking and mountain climbing to sailing, fishing, skiing - and more.

As with many major metropolitan areas, Canada’s cities offer a wide range of shopping outlets, restaurants, theatres, music venues, festivals, and so much more. What makes Canada’s cities unique, though, is that the natural world is never far away, producing the perfect blend of urban and rural living.

For example, Calgary is surrounded by stunning national parks and boasts more than 10,000 hectares of parkland and public green spaces. Likewise, Toronto is nestled between Canada’s Great Lakes with Niagara Fall, only a two-hour drive away.

Nature and wildlife

Home to blue lagoons, lakes, rivers, sandy beaches, majestic mountain ranges, valleys and awe-inspiring forests, Canada’s breathtakingly beautiful landscapes are bursting with wildlife.

Canada is home to approximately 80,000 animal and plant species. That’s a huge array of mammals, native birds, reptiles and fish.

Mammals common to parts of Canada include beavers, moose, bison, caribou, wolves, wild cats, foxes and, of course, bears. There are four main types of bear found in Canada: black bears, grizzly bears, Kermode bears and polar bears. Approximately 20,000 bears live in Canada, with most of these found in British Columbia.

Canada is also home to around 462 species of bird, most famously the Canada goose, Canada jay, Atlantic puffin, snowy owl and common loon. And Canadian waters host a broad range of sea creatures, including seals, walruses and pods of beluga and killer whales.

As a new arrival, it may be worth conducting research to find out more about Canada’s wildlife.

Cost of living and taxes

The cost of living in Canada varies depending on the city, province and region. According to Mercer’s 2020 Cost of Living Survey, Vancouver is the most expensive Canadian city, followed in descending order by Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Ottawa.

While some of Canada’s major cities can be expensive to live in, they still offer a lower cost of living than some of the world’s other major cities like New York and London. For example, rent prices in New York are around 85% higher than in Vancouver, while London’s rents are 34% higher.

One compulsory expense that can be both unfamiliar and expensive to newcomers are some forms of tax. For example, Canada’s universal healthcare system is paid for by taxpayers. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), the average Canadian spends $6,604 in taxes for healthcare coverage per year.

It is important to note that only those who have obtained permanent residence status or Canadian citizenship are eligible for tax-funded Canadian health insurance. If you aren’t a permanent resident or citizen, you will have to make sure you have international health insurance.

Canada also has a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST), also called the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). It’s charged on goods and services except those deemed essential, such as basic groceries, prescription drugs and medical devices like hearing aids and dentures.

Mobile phone contracts are also known to be more expensive in Canada compared with other countries. A 2020 study from Cable.co.uk gathered and analysed 5,554 mobile data plans in 228 countries and ranked them from the least expensive to the most expensive. They found that Canada ranked 209th because of its expensive mobile plans. The price of 1GB of mobile data costs an average of $12.55 in Canada compared to $8.00 in the US. The survey revealed that the cheapest country is India, where the same amount of data costs $0.09.

For more information on the cost of living and how to calculate the cost of living in Canada, read our guide. If you want to find out how to save money in Canada, click here.

Career opportunities

If you’re relocating as part of your current job or you’ve already had a job offer, then you’re off to a good start. To help you settle in, you may be interested in our guides:

If you don’t have a job lined up, there are plenty of ways to find a job that suits you and your experience.

Due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are in-demand jobs in major sectors like technology and IT, health care, transportation, agriculture, engineering and finance. Canada is actively seeking registered nurses, commercial drivers (e.g. truck drivers, forklift drivers), customer service representatives, general labourers, electrical engineers, software developers, accountants, HR managers and financial advisors.

You’ll find plenty of opportunities in Canada’s key industries like the service sector, health care, transportation, construction, banking and tourism. Manufacturing, mining and natural resources are also key sectors that could be a good fit for you.

To continue your research into relocating abroad, read our guide ‘Moving to Canada’ – it offers useful information about obtaining a visa, finding a job, opening a bank account, relocating pets and more. And don’t forget to put your health and well-being firmly on your priority list and get a quote for expat health insurance.

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