Your Essential Guide To Canada Natively EN

YOUR ESSENTIAL
GUIDE TO CANADA
All you need to know to make your relocation

smooth and successful.
Copyright © 2023 Natively. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, Natively.
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Disclaimer
Your Essential Guide to Canada is a blueprint for those who wish to enhance
their knowledge on how to live and work legally in Canada. While it does not
replace the expertise of immigration lawyers, it does provide the individual with
the tools to know exactly what is involved in immigrating to another country,
specifically Canada in this case.
The information contained in this guide should not be considered as legal
advice. Although the author and publisher believe the information in this book
to be accurate on the date of its publication, the reader should be aware that
immigration laws, regulations and procedures are constantly changing. It is up
to the reader to make sure that the information is accurate and up to date.
The author and publishers shall not be held liable for any damage suffered
directly or indirectly due to the use of this guide.
INTRODUCTION
Moving to a new country is exciting, but can also be stressful if you are not
prepared. This book will help you become more familiar with Canada and give
you the knowledge you need to live a better life there.
Canada has emerged in a competitive world order with one of the strongest
economies, top ranked education systems and a universal healthcare system
that collectively offer a high standard of living to the people residing there.
A diverse nation comprised of many different ethnic groups with an ongoing
new generation of immigrants who contribute their unique skills to the
economy, Canada is therefore not only financially wealthy but a culturally rich
nation as well. Amazing natural landscapes with waterfall cascades, fun public
holidays, national sports, healthcare, education, shopping tips and
immigration are among the other topics you can look forward to in this
essential guide on Canada. Enjoy!
Basic Facts
 Canada is the second largest country in the world (Russia is the largest).
 There are 10 provinces and three territories in Canada.
 The population of Canada is 40 million (2023).
 Twenty-three percent of the Canadian population is foreign-born.
 Ontario is the second largest and most populated province (15 million).
 Quebec is the largest and second most populated province (8.6 million).
 Canada’s largest metro areas are Toronto (6.4 million), Montreal (4.3 million),
Vancouver (2.7 million), Calgary (1.5 million), Edmonton (1.4 million) and
Ottawa (1.1 million).
 Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto are among the world’s 10 most livable cities.
 Ottawa (Ontario) is the capital of Canada, where the Parliament is located.
 English and French are the two official languages of Canada.
 The Canadian Dollar (CAD) is the currency in Canada (nicknamed the “Loonie”)
 “Canada Day” (July 1st) is a holiday celebrating Confederation in 1867.
 Over 400,000 new immigrants are allowed to move to Canada each year.
 Global surveys have ranked Canada the #1 most immigrant-friendly country.
 Canada is rated highly for quality of life, wealth, safety, and education.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Disclaimer ................................................................................ 3
Introduction 4
The Economy 7
Income and Salaries ....................................................................10
Income Tax ............................................................................. 14
Employment Opportunities........................................................... 14
Resume and CV Formats - Matching Canadian Job Requirements ................. 16
Self-Employment................................................................... 17
Unemployment Benefits .............................................................. 19
Healthcare 20
Health Insurance ........................................................................ 21
Life Expectancy .........................................................................22
Education 23
Public Education for Children ......................................................... 24
Higher Academic Institutions & Universities ........................................ 25
Culture 27
Customs and Religions ............................................................ 27
Language in Canada .................................................................... 30
Arts................................................................................... 30
Sports ................................................................................ 31
Public Holidays .......................................................................... 31
Leisure 34
Nature and Travel ...................................................................... 35
Native Animals .......................................................................... 36
Shopping ............................................................................. 37
Immigration 42
Immigration Programs ................................................................. 43
Immigration Requirements ............................................................ 44
Express Entry ........................................................................ 45
Immigration Benefits ................................................................... 46
Conclusion 47
THE ECONOMY
The Canadian economy has become a worldwide financial force. Highly

diversified, Canada has been able to adapt to many a change and grow at a very
fast rate. Canada’s growth has put more money into the hands of its residents
in recent years than any other country. Residents enjoy a higher standard of
living compared to other nations and are some of the wealthiest people in the
world. Immigrants especially have become an essential part of the economy,
generating a tremendous amount of wealth and contributing to Canada’s
economic diversity and long-term economic competitiveness.
Canada is ranked as the 10th largest economy in the world and, therefore, is one
of the world’s most prosperous nations. An advanced and industrialized society,
Canada’s industries span from technology to fishing and from manufacturing to
services. Resembling the U.S. economy in many ways, Canada now outperforms
the U.S. in a number of economic standards.
Canada has a free, open economy that facilitates strong economic growth.
Economic freedom is essential to market development and movement. It gives
access to business opportunities and makes private ownership easier. The
higher the economic freedom in a country, the more secure and transparent
Natively eBook | Your Essential Guide to Canada | 7

the economy generally is. Steadfast regulations and capital standards are
sufficient in Canada when it comes to property rights, freedom from corruption,
government spending, trade freedom, ability to invest, among other aspects that
are valuable to a successful capitalistic system. Canada has an economy that
many investors, domestic and international, prefer to invest in because they trust
and value the market.
Canada’s federal government in Ottawa (Canada’s capital city) is responsible for
supervising the economy and its democratic system. The federal government
mandates the rule of law while providing autonomy to local authorities in
Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories, very similar to Washington, D.C., in
the United States, and its interactions with the 50 States. By doing so, Canada’s
federal government recognizes the need for provinces to make localized
decisions that directly impact their markets, community and society.
Canada’s federal government is more conservative, however, with stricter
policies and regulations to protect the country’s economic system and financial
institutions. Recently, when banks around the world almost went bankrupt
during the Global Financial Crisis in 2008-2009, Canadian banks to the contrary
firmly stood their ground. Banks in Canada weathered the recession storm
partly because of conservative management styles and partly because of
stronger federal regulations. Restrictions on banks not to financially
overleverage, especially in the sub-prime real estate market, saved the
Canadian economy from disaster. Canada’s financial institutions were affected
by the global crisis, but did not suffer the same dire circumstances that many
banks did around the world.
One of the best indicators of Canada’s economic stability was its real estate
market, which did not “lose its bottom” like the United States where housing
prices plunged by 30% or more (depending on location) from their 2006 peak
prices, or in Britain where prices dropped by some 20% or more from their 2007
listing prices.
Indeed, Canada was among the first nations to emerge from the global
recession. This outcome can be attributed to its banking prudence, firm federal
regulations and economic policies that continue to position the economy for long-
term economic competitiveness.
More recently, Canadian banks worked with the federal government during the
2020 global pandemic to provide the Canada Emergency Response Benefit
(CERB) to 3 million Canadians, as well as to offer flexibility with mortgage

payments for homeowners in Canada, and offer interest-free loans to over
811,000 small businesses via the Canada Emergency Business Account. These
and other steps helped to ease the economic impact of the pandemic on
Canadians. In fact, Canadians ended 2020 even more prosperous than they were
at the end of 2019, due in large part to government support programs.
Open trade is a large piece of the Canadian economic pie. Imports and exports
are crucial to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), growth and wealth
levels. Low tariff and non-tariff barriers make Canada’s trade policies very
competitive. The United States is its main trading partner, absorbing more than
70% of all Canadian exports. Canadian exports include motor vehicles and parts,
industrial machinery, aircraft, telecommunications equipment, chemicals,
plastics, fertilizers, wood pulp, timber, crude oil, natural gas, electricity and
aluminum. Imported goods include machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and
parts, refined petroleum products, chemicals, electricity and durable consumer
goods. Canada’s total exports exceed $521 billion per year, while total imports are
$547 billion per year. Open trade policies allow investments to enter the market
more easily. And these investments help create a more rich and competitive
market that is both efficient and dynamic.
Canada’s best industries contribute to more than half of Canada’s GDP. These
industries are dominated by the service industry (a service industry is a business
that does work for a customer, and occasionally provides goods, but is not
involved in manufacturing.) The services industry employs about 75% of the
Canadian workforce. Canada also has a thriving production/manufacturing
sector. The logging and oil industries, for example, are two of Canada’s most
important production sectors. Canada also has large manufacturing, automobile
and aircraft industries. Furthermore, with the Pacific Ocean running along its
West Coast and the Atlantic Ocean running along its East Coast, Canada boasts
the 8th largest commercial fishing and seafood industry in the world. Other
major Canadian industries include transportation equipment, chemicals,
processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products,
fish products, petroleum and natural gas. Canada has also become a global
leader in the technology sector, which generates billions of dollars in revenue
annually and employs hundreds of thousands of Canadian workers, particularly
in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.
Quantified, Canada has a GDP of $1.7 trillion per year. The OECD forecasts
Canada’s annual GDP growth rate will be around 3.8% in 2022, higher than the
GDP growth rate predicted for the United States. Some sectors make up the
largest parts of the economy’s GDP, such as agriculture at 1.9 percent,

industry at 27.1 percent and the service sector at 71 percent. Canada’s annual
inflation rate was 2.8 percent in June 2023, while average hourly wages increased
4.2 percent compared with June 2022. The overall unemployment rate in Canada
during June 2023 was only 5.4 percent and workers were needed to fill around
843,000 Canadian job vacancies. The country’s main import partners are the
U.S. at 49.5%, China at 10.8% and Mexico at 5.5%, while the country’s main
export partners are the U.S. at 74.90%, China at 3.31% and the U.K. at 4.1%.
Canada also provides economic relief and aid of $4 billion a year.
Income and Salaries

Individuals and families earn more money these days because of a stronger
Canadian currency and the country’s healthy economic growth. In recent
years, the Canadian dollar rose by 15% against the U.S. dollar, 11% againstthe
euro and 40% against the British pound. The average Canadian income rose
according to the currency which has put more money into the pockets of
Canadians compared to other people.
Salaries in Canada tend to be higher than those in the U.K., the U.S. and most of
Europe respectively. The median total family annual income in Canada of $84,000
per year is expected to increase further in the near future.
Canada was ranked #13 on the London-based Legatum Prosperity Index for 2023
out of the 167 countries evaluated. Average net adjusted disposable household
income (e.g., the money available to a household for spending on goods and
services or savings) is about $34,421 peryear in Canada, which is higher than the
OECD average of $30,490. In 2022, the median wealth per adult in Canada was
$151,248 USD, while the average wealth per adult in Canada was $409,297 USD.
These higher income levels are more often than not directly correlated to
higher living standards, including quality education, healthcare and housing
for residents. Canadians also have a higher homeownership rate compared to
Americans, Japanese, Swedes, Danes, French and Germans. They also tend to
live in larger homes of 5 or more rooms.
So, what does all this mean? What kind of income or salary can you expect to
earn in Canada according to your skills and occupation? Of course, it depends

on a number of factors, including location, industry and unique skills, but there
are certain standards that apply across the board. In general, large cities (like
Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver) usually provide higher incomes, but those
incomes are proportional to higher costs of living in those areas. Not only is
location important, but one’s occupation also comes into play, regardless of
where one lives - for example, a petroleum engineer living in Alberta has one
of the highest salaries in Canada. Gender also plays a role in regards to income
levels and salaries. For example, the median hourly wage earn by men in
Canada is $29.87 CAD, while for women it is $25.00 CAD (2022). In 2022, the
average wage in Canada was about $33.28 CAD per hour.
The following charts provide a list of Average Annual Salary per business
sector and then Median Hourly Wage Rates according to occupations. Notice
that the highest paid sectors by a considerable margin are mining and oil/gas
drilling, followed by utilities (e.g., water & electricity) and then professional,
scientific and technical services.

Average Annual Salary per Industry in Canada (2022 Table)
INDUSTRY AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY

Forestry and Logging $68,324 CAD
Mining, Oil and Gas Extraction $117,216 CAD
Utilities $103,750 CAD
Construction $74,754 CAD
Manufacturing $65,422 CAD
Retail and Wholesale Trade $46,831 CAD
Transportation and Warehousing $63,548 CAD
Information and Culture Industries $81,084 CAD
Finance and Insurance $80,645 CAD
Real Estate and Rentals/Leasing $63,542 CAD
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services $84,922 CAD
Management of Companies/Enterprises $80,150 CAD
Administrative and Support $50,249 CAD
Education $60,362 CAD
Healthcare and Social Assistance $53,617 CAD
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation $36,962 CAD
Accommodation and Food Services $24,187 CAD
Public Administration $78,104 CAD
SOURCE: Statistics Canada (2023)

Median Hourly Wages by Occupation in Canada (2023 Table)
OCCUPATION MEDIAN HOURLY WAGE

Retail Sales/Sales Clerk $15 CAD
Data Entry Clerk $21 CAD
Truck Driver $24 CAD
Bookkeeper $25 CAD
Welder $26 CAD
Carpenter $30 CAD
Executive Assistant $30 CAD
Plumber $31 CAD
Aircraft Mechanic/Aircraft Inspector $37 CAD
Electrician $30 CAD
Social Worker $36 CAD
Accountant $38 CAD
Architect $36 CAD
Registered Nurse $40 CAD
Audiologist $44 CAD
Physical Therapist $41 CAD
Construction Manager $41 CAD
Secondary School Teacher $44 CAD
Registered Psychologist $44 CAD
Computer Engineer (not software) $46 CAD
Electrical Engineer $43 CAD
Software Engineer $49 CAD
Finance Manager $53 CAD
Human Resources Manager $51 CAD
SOURCE: Canadian Government’s Job Bank (2023)

Income Tax
Canadians have to file an income tax report every year, which they can do
on their own or with the help of a bookkeeper or accountant. The amount of
income tax that an individual must pay is based on the amount of their taxable
income (income earned less expenses) for one tax year. Personal income tax
returns must be filed before April 30. Income tax can be deducted directly from
an individual’s payroll and sent to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), where an
individual pays his or her estimated taxes during the year instead of waiting to
settle up at the end of the year. It can also be paid in a lump sum at the end of the
year. In addition to paying annual federal income tax, Canadians must also pay
provincial/territorial income tax each year. The provincial/territorial income tax
rates are much lower than the federal income tax rates.
Federal and provincial/territorial income taxes are “progressive” and determined
according to income levels: the lower the income, the lower the tax rate. For
example, the federal income tax rates in Canada during 2022 ranged from 15% for
the first $48,535 of taxable income to 33% for taxable incomes over $214,368.
Between the high and low federal income tax rates, the percentages were 20.5%,
26% and 29% for the middle tax brackets in 2022. These rates may, of course, be
adjusted by the Canadian government, but provide a general idea of the tax
structure.
Certain other deductions are allowed in determining “net income”, such as
deductions for contributions to pensions or to Registered Retirement Savings
Plans, union and professional dues, child care expenses, donations and business
investment losses. Individuals who have overpaid taxes or who were overtaxed
will receive a refund from the CRA upon filing their annual tax return.
Employment Opportunities
Canada offers many job opportunities for a variety of workers and
entrepreneurs alike. Economic growth has created many job openings
and, consequently, the Canadian government has responded by increasing
immigration to over 400,000 permanent resident visas a year. A
permanent resident visa allows an immigrant to legally live, work and
study long-term in Canada and offers the option of applying for Canadian
citizenship after as little as 3 years!
Immigrants have a variety of employment options in Canada. Larger Canadian

cities (such as Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal) offer more job
opportunities, but the coastlines have a lot to offer as well for those who want
to work in the fishing, seafood or shipping industries. Sometimes escaping
the competition of the big cities and moving to a place that’s less populated is
the answer to finding a job, as is the case in the province of Manitoba, which
has one of the lowest unemployment rates of any of Canada’s provinces and
territories.
To find employment when you move to Canada, there are many resources
available for newcomers from job websites to employment agencies. Whether
you will want a full-time or part-time position in the private or public sector,
there are many job openings that may correspond to your professional needs.
The Canadian government also strives to assist newcomers in improving their
outcomes by providing access to employment related tools like job banks that
help one learn how to create effective resumes, how to choose the right career
path, receive a skills assessment, seek employment, etc. In today’s modern era,
it is now possible to more easily apply for a job over the Internet even before
moving to Canada and many foreign workers who have been issued a Canadian
work visa have had pre-arranged employment waiting for them when they
arrived in Canada!
The following is a list of job sites that can help you in your job search:
Canada’s Job Bank: www.jobbank.gc.ca helps you find jobs

across Canada and has listings that are updated daily. You can
advertise your profile to employers and receive a list of
matching jobs. You can also browse job postings from Job
Bank, see what education and training you need, find out if
your occupation is in demand in a particular area and learn
about salaries.
Monster: www.monster.ca provides resume samples,

employment and career resources at one of the largest
job portals.
Indeed: https://ca.indeed.com/ allows you to search for

jobs in Canada using keywords, company name, city and
province.

Glassdoor: www.glassdoor.ca/index.htm lets you search for
jobs, research companies and salaries, and apply for jobs.
Workopolis: https://www.workopolis.com/en has

offices across Canada and currently offers more than
31,000 jobs. You can search by job title and location.
SimplyHired: https://www.simplyhired.ca/lists a wide selection of

employment that is available throughout Canada.
Randstad: www.randstad.ca has listings of hundreds of jobs

in Canada, including engineering, finance, skilled trades,
and technology.
Eluta: https://www.eluta.ca/ allows you to search for jobs at

the top 100 employers in Canada by job title and location.
Resume and CV Formats – Matching

Canadian Job Requirements
So, how do you increase your chances of getting recognized by a potential
employer and landing a job in Canada? As the saying goes, “When in Rome,
do as the Romans do” so, when in Canada, try to match your skills to local job
requirements by tailoring your resume and submitting professional and
relevant cover letters.
Having a good resume/CV is the first step to applying for the job you want.
First, it will help you define your skills and how you want to implement them.
A professional resume says a lot about you to potential employers in Canada.
If your resume is not up to date or up to standards, then it will most likely be
passed over. Start by keeping your resume neat, short, and yet conclusive.
A one to two page long resume in Canada is fine as long as it is clear and
addresses specific job requirements. Mention your strengths and what you have
accomplished, whether it was paid or non-paid experience, including volunteer
experience which might give you an edge. If your resume is one page long, make
sure to print it out before you send it so that you will see how it looks in the

hands of the person who has to read it. If you want to control the page margins
so that it doesn’t spread to two pages, save it as a PDF file and lock in the
formatting and printing perimeters.
Catch any mistakes in your resume before sending it out. Look at your resume
several times and have other people review it, too, before you send it out. Make
sure the company name, job title and date are accurate, and that there are no
typos. Customize your resume for every job opening, especially if you have a
personal statement about your job skills at the top of the page. Rewrite and try
to market yourself every time you send it out.
Organize your resume so that it makes perfect sense and represents your
personal profile. For example, if you are applying for a job that requires
attention to detail, then your resume is a great place to demonstrate your skills
in this area.
Use headings to organize the information in your resume. The most common
headings are:
 Personal Statement
 Highlights of Qualifications
 Professional Experience
 Education
Keep in mind that many employers cross-reference your resume with your online
presence so make sure you know what will come up in a Google or Internet
search when your name is entered in the search box. On the same note, when
you update your skills on your resume, make sure to update your LinkedIn or
other professional online profiles. Employers may also look for you on other
social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and blogs. If you are active
online, make sure to update or edit anything you don’t want a potential
employer to see before you send out your resume.
Self-Employment
Entrepreneurship, innovation and small businesses are central to Canada’s

economy. There are over one million small businesses in Canada (small is
defined as 50 employees or less) and about 100,000 new small businesses, on
average, are opened in Canada every year. New immigrants are responsible for
many of the small businesses in Canada because they are highly motivated to
succeed, have a chance at economic freedom that they might not have had in
their native country and want to work with or employ their family members.
Small businesses are essential to Canada’s economy because as a whole
they employ around 50% of the nation’s total workforce. Although small
businesses in Canada operate in the goods-producing industries, most Canadian
small businesses are actually found in the service industries. The highest
concentration of high-growth firms are in professional, scientific or technical
services, construction, administrative, support, waste management and
remediation services. Small businesses in Canada are responsible for generating
on average $77 billion a year in revenues, or 25% of Canada’s total exports,
making Canada wealthier and expanding the economy.
It’s important to note that not all small businesses start from the ground up.
Many small business owners purchase an already-established business in
Canada from someone that is either retiring or who wants to sell the business
because they need the money. With the “baby boomer” generation reaching
retirement age, a large number of businesses will likely change hands in the
coming years. Some of those businesses will have family members to take over
the business, but about a third will not, so they will have to either close the
business or sell it.
Whether you want to start your own business from the beginning or purchase
an established business, either way, you can improve your chances to succeed
by conducting industry research and having your business stand out, but still be
very relevant to the market. The name of your business should have marketing
potential and it should be registered right away so you can have legal rights to
the branding. Depending on where you reside or where you open your business,
you should also get all the right licenses before you start working. If you don’t
want to self-finance your own business, you can search for a combination of
funding opportunities from other sources such as bank loans, grants and
investors.
When scheduling a business meeting with investors or customers, you will find
that Canadians begin meetings with a minimal amount of small talk or
relationship building. On the other hand, they tend to be informal and relaxed
even if the subjects are serious. Meetings are expected to be well-organized
and on time and on schedule. When presenting information, it is important to

have facts and figures to substantiate claims. While every person is different
and unique, Canadians in general are rational and logical and, therefore, not
convinced by emotions, passion or feelings.
Unemployment Benefits
The Canadian government provides Employment Insurance and temporary
financial assistance to residents who have lost their job at no fault of their own.
Unemployment insurance is issued to those who have lost their job and are
looking for work or upgrading their skills. Canadians who are sick, pregnant
or caring for a newborn or adopted child, as well as those who must care
for a family member with a significant risk of death, may also be assisted by
Employment Insurance.
There are several types of Employment Insurance benefits. The most common
is the Employment Insurance Regular Benefits that are available to individuals
who were fired or lost their job due to shortage of work, seasonal layoffs or
mass layoffs. Benefits are issued only if the person that is unemployed is
available, willing and able to work. How much does unemployment
insurance pay? You can receive unemployment benefits for 14 to 45 weeks.
The basic rate for calculating unemployment benefits is 55% of one’s weekly
average insurable earnings. The maximum yearly insurable earnings are
$45,900 or a maximum amount of $485 per week. Please note that these
figures are subject to change.

HEALTHCARE
Canada has a universal healthcare system, often referred to as Medicare.

Healthcare costs are publically funded by the federal and provincial
governments and paid through funding from income taxes. The federal
government institutes the rule of law regulating the healthcare system at large,
but does not mitigate day-to-day administration activities or collect any private
information about an individual’s health, which means that healthcare and
patient records remain confidential.
The Canadian universal healthcare system ensures that each resident gets
reasonable access to hospitals and physicians without having to pay out-of-
pocket fees. It is worth noting that by law, the quality of coverage does not
depend on one’s socio-economic background or income. Everyone gets fair
access to medical care which is at the core of Canada’s values for national
solidarity and building a strong nation.
Canada’s universal healthcare system is stable and relatively cost-effective partly
due to its management, low advertising costs and its simple administration.

Public hospitals and physicians are required by law to operate within their
budget and although costs are increasing with time, rates are confined by pre-
determined costs so that they are not arbitrary. By monitoring the amount
of money that is spent on medical care, marketing and non-healthcare costs,
Canada’s Medicare system is controlled and checked, making it work for
patients.
How much money does Canada spend on healthcare? That amount reached
$331 billion (an average of $8,563 per Canadian) in 2022. Total spending in
Canada for healthcare is equivalent to 12.2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
which is slightly above the average for other countries, but below the 17.4% of
GDP spent on healthcare in the United States (2022), a country that does not
provide universal healthcare. The greater proportion of the country’s
healthcare money is allocated to hospitals followed by pharmaceutical costs
and then physician orcaregiver costs.
Roles and responsibilities for Canada’s healthcare system are dutifully shared
between the federal and provincial governments. Local governments have to
qualify for their share of the federal contribution by meeting federal
requirements. Provinces are responsible for the management, organization and
delivery of health services. They have a lot of say on internal social affairs that
impact their citizens.
Private insurance is optional and available to those who want it. It is a very
minimal part of the healthcare system, but is there for those who want to
supplement or use private clinics alone.
Health Insurance
In Canada, a health card is issued by the Provincial Ministry of Health to each
individual and with that, everyone receives the same level of care. Basic care
is covered in full including emergency, essential care and even maternity or
infertility problems. Depending on where you live, dental and vision care may
not be covered, but are often insured and offered by employers. Cosmetic
surgery and some forms of elective surgery are not considered essential care
and are generally not covered. These can be paid out-of-pocket or through
private insurers.
Healthcare coverage is not affected by loss or change of jobs, as long as

premiums are up to date. There are also no lifetime limits or exclusions for pre-
existing health conditions, so you will not be turned down if you are sick,
unlike private healthcare insurance plans that might charge you higher
premiums due to pre-existing conditions.
Aside from medical care, Canada tries to promote a healthy lifestyle. Good
health brings many benefits, including enhanced access to education and the
job market, an increase in productivity and wealth, reduced health care costs,
good social relations, and of course, a longer life. Therefore, preventive care
and early detection are important, as are regular yearly checkups. Incorporating
exercise and healthy eating into one’s lifestyle is also encouraged.
Life Expectancy
Life expectancy is an important measurement of health. Most countries made
large gains in life expectancy over the past decades because of better living
conditions, public health interventions and progress in medical care. Canadians,
in particular, have benefited in this respect. Canadians have a longer life
expectancy than most people in the world. For example, life expectancy for
Canadian women is 84 years and 80 years for men (2022).
To reduce disease and increase life expectancy, Canada has implemented

laws to discourage and reduce tobacco consumption across the country. Daily
smokers among adults has been cut by half since 1980 partly due to public
awareness campaigns, advertising bans and increased taxation.
Close to 90% of people in Canada testify that they feel in good health, which is
a strong indicator of the future of their health and the health of the nation. Of
course, older people report poorer health, as do those who are unemployed or
who have less education or income, but those numbers too are below average in
comparison with other nations.

EDUCATION
Canada’s public school system and public universities are among the top-ranked
in the world and provide world-class education to people regardless of their
background. Canada spends about 7% of its annual GDP on education, making
it a priority and as a result, Canada has a very literate society with 99% of
Canadians aged 15 and higher having at least a ninth-grade education and more
than 20% of the workforce holding a post-secondary or higher academic degree.
A lot is invested on the education of children and the future generation of
Canadian leaders and workforce “torch carriers.” The Canadian government
guarantees an education for every child free of charge, which is mandatory by
law starting at the age of four or five until the ages 15 or 16, depending on
where you live in Canada. This type of public education is paid for through
taxes and is administered by the provinces and territories in cooperation with
local school boards.
Both Elementary and Secondary education (Kindergarten through 12th Grade) in
Canada are for the most part funded and regulated by the federal, provincial
and local governments. Within the provinces, under the Ministry of Education,

there are district school boards administering the educational programs.
Curriculum is overseen by the province, giving parents and the community
access and influence on certain programs and education tracks.
Because the Canadian government believes that an educated population is much
more likely to create greater economic success, Canada does not only focus on
educating its youth, but also provides training and high school courses for adults
who need to improve their skills. It is considered to be in the interest of the
country to train its workforce to better compete in today’s global economy.
With more than 50% of adults holding a college or university degree, Canada
stands out as one of the best-educated societies in the 21st century. And the
ratio of high school graduates versus non diploma-holders is changing as well
with a decreasing gap, partly due to changes in the labor market that require
people to have at least a high school diploma and, in many cases, a university
degree.
Provincial and territorial education systems also continue to make headway in
reducing the number of students who drop out of school. Fifteen years ago, one
in five adult Canadians did not complete their high school education. Today,
that figure has dropped to one in ten. Keep in mind that these numbers vary
according to location and some schools have as few as 1 in 100 students who
dropout.
Canada also invites and accepts many international students into its Student
Visa program because as a nation, it wants high-quality students to fill its
schools and then provide higher-caliber workers for the Canadian labor
market. Canada has doubled the number of applications available for Student
Visas (called Study Permits in Canada) in provincial and territorial public post-
secondary institutions in the past decade in line with the growing market for
high-tech and other accomplished individuals.
Public Education for Children

Elementary/primary and secondary/high school are mandatory in Canada for all
children. Kindergarten is available in every province, but the number of hours
provided vary according to funding and province. The traditional school year
starts in September and ends in late June.

Education in both English and French is available in most places across Canada
according to the majority of its population and language-speakers, while
French-immersion as a second language is available to mainly English-speaking
students across Canada.
Core subjects such as language arts, reading, writing, mathematics and science
are provided throughout the school year and assume greater importance than
subjects like music, visual arts and physical education. Canadian students
benefit from a variety of classes that are often tailor-made, as each school
system is designed to meet the unique needs of its students. Many communities
also offer a wide selection of after-school or extra-curriculum activities that
enrich and supplement the student’s classroom education.
Canadian students rank among the best in the world in academic performance
in math, science and reading skills. Compared to students in the United States,
15-year-olds in Canada are more than a year ahead in these subjects. Canada
is also one of only a very few countries where the achievement of immigrant
young people is equal to that of those that are natives/born in Canada. In most
countries, immigrant students usually perform at a lower level than their native-
born peers because of their language gap.
Originally, provinces had educational systems that were divided by religion, but
most provinces today have abolished the separation. Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba,
the Northwest Territories, and certain cities in Saskatchewan, are exceptions and
still maintain publicly funded separate district school boards, usually Catholic,
but occasionally Protestant. In Quebec, the Catholic/Protestant divide was
replaced with a French/English one in 1998.
A small percentage, about 6% of students in Canada, attend private schools
and boarding schools. A minority of these are elite private schools, which are
attended by the kids of the wealthy and prominent population in Canada. A far
larger portion of private schools, however, are religious in nature.
Higher Academic Institutions &

Universities
Canadian universities educate more than 1.5 million students annually. These
institutions also perform more than one-third of Canada’s research and
development on a variety of subjects, including medicine, international relations,

technology and the economy. A $30 billion annual enterprise, these universities
generate substantial economic wealth in communities across Canada. Among
G7 countries, Canada has the highest proportion of university graduates in the
workforce.
Like in the United States, there are two main types of post-secondary schools in
Canada: universities and colleges. Universities grant university degrees such as
Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees and Doctoral degrees, while community
colleges are subsidized by the government, provide diplomas or post-secondary
school completion degrees. For cost-effective purposes, many students start out
their higher education in a college and then transfer to a university to receive
a better degree. Because universities house thousands of students, a smaller
college setting can provide students smaller classrooms and more student-
teacher face time. If a student chooses to attend a university from the very
beginning, it is often because of the resources and prestige they can receive
there.
Provincial and local governments provide the majority of funding to public
colleges and universities, with the remainder of funding coming from the federal
government, tuition fees, and research grants. Some colleges and universities
receive more funding than others according to demand. Universities in Quebec
receive the highest amount of annual funding and have the lowest tuition fees,
while universities in the Atlantic area generally receive the least amount of
funding.
The major Canadian universities include the University of Toronto, McGill
University, University of Western Ontario, University of British Columbia, Queen’s
University, University of Alberta, Universite de Montreal, Universite de Laval,
Universite de Sherbrooke, University of Saskatchewan, McMaster University,
University of Ottawa, University of Calgary and Dalhousie University. Many of
these universities have campuses and libraries that attract visitors who attend
campus tours for students who are thinking about enrolling and for those who
simply want to enjoy the scenery often found at a university.

CULTURE
Canada is a culturally-diverse nation. Many immigrants are able to retain their

cultural identities, traditions, languages and customs because of the freedoms
their ethnic communities are given in Canada.
The foundation of Canada’s culture has been influenced by European cultures
and traditions, especially those from Great Britain and France. Canada’s culture
is also influenced by American culture, especially because of its close proximity,
trade relations and immigration between Canada and the U.S.
Canada’s modern-day culture is considered progressive, diverse, and
multicultural. The federal government also has a role in influencing the society
with programs, laws and institutions that benefit the public. A democratic
governing body that represents the will of its people – Canada’s federal
government creates laws and policies that influence its culture, such as publicly-
funded healthcare, taxation, outlawing capital punishment, efforts to mitigate
poverty, support for cultural diversity and, most recently, legalizing same-sex
marriage. These laws are first debated, voted on and finally become part of
Canada’s political and cultural life.

Canadian society is open and relatively free of class distinctions. Most residents
strive for equality and believe that all people deserve the same rights and
respect, regardless of their gender, race, religion, or cultural background.
Racism and prejudices are not tolerated. Canadians are generally a tolerant,
polite and community-oriented people. Although they enjoy individualism, at the
same time, they place a great deal of emphasis on the individual’s responsibility
to the community. In fact, most Canadians have a stronger allegiance to their
province or local community than to the country.
Customs and Religions

Canadians come from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds. There
isn’t “one typical” Canadian family. The majority of Canadians are Catholic
or Protestant, but there are many other religions in the population and a
representation of Aboriginal people as well. Canada’s religious groups are
divided into Roman Catholics 42.6%, Protestant 23.3%, other Christians 4.4%,
Muslims 1.9%, unspecified 11.8% and non-affiliated 16%.
Ethnicities or nationalities include people of British Isles origin 28%; French
origin 23%; other European origin 15%; Amerindian 2%; Asian, African or Arab
6%; and mixed backgrounds 26%.
There are slight custom differences between regions. The people in the
Atlantic Provinces, such as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island
and Newfoundland, can be characterized in general as more reserved, more
provincial, old-fashioned and conservative. The people in Ontario tend to be
more business-like and conservative. In Western Canada, such as Alberta,
Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the people are open, friendly and relaxed. In
British Colombia, the people are less conventional and more progressive.
Quebec (the mainly French region of Canada) has a distinct cultural identity
where the people are extremely religious and independent. Up North in the
territories, the people tend to have a strong pioneer spirit. Keep in mind that
these are regional generalities and that there are individual differences among
people in each region of Canada.
When approaching or greeting people in Canada, it is customary to shake
hands. The handshake should be firm and accompanied by direct eye contact
and a sincere smile. It is fine to greet someone by his/her first name. Among
the French Canadians, friends may greet each other with a couple of kisses, one

on each cheek.
When it comes to gift giving, Canadians usually give presents for birthdays and
during the Christmas holiday. If invited to someone’s home for dinner, bring a
small gift like a box of chocolates, flowers or a bottle of wine. In Quebec, for
example, sending flowers in advance of a dinner party is customary. Do not
send white lilies, though, as they are used at funerals.
If invited to dinner or to a social event, you should dress for the occasion. Table
manners are relaxed and non-formal in Canada, so you do not have to worry
about what you don’t know. In Quebec, you might see a little more formality.
Table manners are generally Continental, with the fork on the left side of the
plate and the knife on the right for proper eating etiquette. Wait to be shown to
your seat and do not start eating before the host has joined the dinner table. Do
not rest your elbows on the table. Feel free to refuse individual foods or drinks
without offering an explanation. Leaving a small amount of food on one’s plate
at the end of the meal is generally acceptable. In formal gathering, the host
gives the first toast unless he or she asks one of the guests to do the honors.
An honored guest should return the toast later in the meal. Women may also
give toasts at dinner parties.
Communication between two people, especially in public should be polite and
diplomatic. Communication styles are calm, practical and based on common
sense rather than emotions or trying to impress the other person with fallacies.
If you come from a culture where dialogue is very direct, you may want to
soften your approach and tone of voice in order to appear more pleasant and
less aggressive. Keep in mind that communication styles vary, especially
between English-speaking and French-speaking Canadians.
Body gestures are only really used to add emphasis to a message without
vulgarity or aggressive gestures. Canadians like their space and prefer to be at
arm’s length when speaking to someone, so it is better to speak with words
than non-verbal gestures. When engaging in conversation, Canadians are not
always prepared or forthcoming to discuss their personal lives. They expect to
get to know you first, even though they are trusting for the most part. They
also expect people to speak in a straightforward manner and to be able to back
up their claims with facts in order to feel comfortable. They themselves do not
make exaggerated claims and are suspicious of something that “sounds too
good to be true.”
If you are a heavy smoker and are used to smoking in your own country in

public places, you should know that the culture of smoking has taken a
smaller role in Canada. Smoking has become increasingly unpopular and
is not permitted in most public buildings. Many families do not allow
smoking in their homes and they expect other people to abstain in their
home.
Language in Canada
You will hear many spoken languages in Canada, similar to what you would
find in the United States. English and French are the most preferred languages.
Both English and French are recognized by the Constitution of Canada as
the country’s “official languages,” which means that all laws of the federal
government are available in both English and French. Federal government
services are also required to be available in both languages. The five most
widely-spoken non-official languages are Chinese (the home language of 2.6% of
Canadians), Punjabi (0.8%), Spanish (0.7%), Italian (0.6%), and Arabic (0.5%).
Arts
Museums are a great place to find and learn more about Canada’s art and
culture. Public art institutions are created in the public interest in order to
preserve and display art. While “art” itself can have a very wide definition,
museums capture a wide spectrum of Canadian artwork. Canadian museums
acquire, preserve, research, interpret and exhibit tangible and intangible
evidence of art, society and nature. Museums provide a physical forum for
critical inquiry and investigation into the art culture.
Most of Canada’s museums are not-for-profit institutions, with art exhibits that
are regularly open to the general public. These museums showcase many
categories in the art world from modern to classic, maritime to political, and
from local to international artistic items.
The National Gallery of Canada, located in Ottawa, Ontario, is one of Canada’s
premier art galleries. The Gallery has a large and varied collection of paintings,
drawings, sculptures and photographs. It is worthwhile to visit, and although it
focuses on Canadian art, it holds works by many noted American and European
artists as well.

Sports
Sports in Canada are celebrated on a local and national level, and create a sense
of national camaraderie among fans who cheer for a common team. These teams
usually represent their hometown. There are many sports and contests that
Canadians value. The most common are in ice hockey, lacrosse, football,
basketball, soccer, curling and baseball, with ice hockey and lacrosse being
Canada’s official winter and summer sports, respectively.
Ice hockey (referred to simply as “hockey”) is Canada’s most popular winter
sport with the most spectators. The Canadian hockey teams and athletes are
the most successful in international hockey competitions. Lacrosse, a sport with
Native American origins, is Canada’s oldest and official summer sport.
Canadian football is Canada’s second most popular and watched sport, and the
Canadian Football League’s annual championship, the Grey Cup, is the country’s
largest annual sporting event. Soccer has the most registered players of any
team sport in Canada. The top ten sports that Canadians participate in are golf,
ice hockey, swimming, soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, skiing, cycling and
tennis.
With a much colder climate during the winter season, Canada has enjoyed
greater success at the Winter Olympics than at the Summer Olympics. Great
achievements in Canadian sports are recognized by Canada’s Sports Hall of
Fame, while the Lou Marsh Trophy is awarded annually to Canada’s top athlete
by a panel of journalists.
Public Holidays
During “public holidays,” government offices, banks and schools are closed in
observance of a national or religious holiday. A list of these holidays and special
events can easily be found online or on Canadian calendars. The first public
holiday on the list starts off with New Year’s Day on January 1st. Canadians
celebrate New Year’s Eve with fireworks and exciting celebrations, and on the
following day begin the rest of their new year with blessings to their family,
friends, colleagues and more.
Family Day on February 18th is a holiday for families to have a day off. Good
Friday, a religious holiday, is in March or April (it can vary each year) the Friday

before Easter Sunday and is celebrated at the same time and in much the same
way as it is in other Western countries, like in the U.S. Easter Monday is another
important religious holiday where schools, banks and government offices are
closed for religious observance. Victoria Day, observed on the Monday before
May 25th, celebrates former Queen Victoria’s birthday. Since Canada is still a
member of the Commonwealth of Nations, which the King of England heads
(currently, King Charles III), it is therefore observed.
Canada Day is celebrated on July 1st. July 1st marks the anniversary of the
formation of the union of the British North American provinces in a federation
under the name of Canada - that’s the technical explanation, but Canada Day
also means fireworks and the year’s biggest national celebration. It is akin to
America’s July 4th celebration, but on a Canadian scale.
August Civic Holiday (or August Long Weekend) is the most popular weekend
for summer travel. Expect crowds at resorts and busy highways. Labor Day
weekend is the last big travel weekend of the summer, as school starts up
again the day after Labor Day weekend. Labor Day in Canada, like in the U.S.,
celebrates worker solidarity, but also marks the end of the summer vacation
season. Most workers, public or private, are entitled to take the day off with
regular pay. Some businesses remain open on holidays, such as medical clinics
and some stores, restaurants, and tourist attractions.
Although Canadians do tend to get together on Thanksgiving weekend,
the holiday is not as big a celebration in Canada as it is in the U.S., where
Thanksgiving is the year’s biggest holiday occasion. Nevertheless, Thanksgiving
weekend is a popular time for Canadians to gather with family, so more people
than usual are traveling on that weekend. Banks, schools, government offices
and many corporations and businesses are closed. Nonetheless, service
industries, including shopping malls, restaurants and tourist attractions, remain
open.
Remembrance Day or Veterans Day also falls on the same date as in the U.S.
November 11th is a day to remember and honor the men and women who
have died in war and military operations to protect the Commonwealth (it also
commemorates the end of World War I).Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
are on December 24th and 25th. The day after Christmas (December 26th) is a
public holiday called Boxing Day in Canada.
Several theories exist on how Boxing Day got its name. One thing is for certain -
the name comes from storage boxes, not the sport called boxing. However, you

may witness enthusiastic shoppers coming to blows over Boxing Day bargains.
Boxing Day, like the day after Thanksgiving (“Black Friday”) in the US, is the
biggest shopping day in Canada. Stores, malls and most retailers are open and
generally continue to offer sales and bargains until New Year’s.

LEISURE
Niagara Falls (in Ontario), Montreal (in Quebec), and Vancouver (in British
Columbia), are only a few places that provide great leisure getaways for locals
and visitors alike in Canada. These fascinating locations and others attract
millions of people every year.
Tourism peaks during the summer, when more than 28 million visitors come to
Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls is a collective name for three waterfalls that straddle
the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S.
state of New York (the falls on the Canadian side of the border are also known
as “Horseshoe Falls” because of the shape of these spectacular cascades).
Montreal, considered Canada’s “cultural capital” and the second largest city in
Canada (after Toronto), attracts many visitors as well, offering many great places
to visit and experience.
Last, but not least, is Vancouver, a West Coast seaport in British Columbia, that
is ranked as one of the top ten most desirable places to live in the world, and
boasts a forward-thinking culture and a booming economy.

Nature and Travel
Canada is a vast and incredibly scenic country which has many natural wonders,
such as magnificent mountain landscapes that are complimented by beautiful
blue lakes and pristine pine forests. Each region, province and coast is different
and can offer many travel opportunities for those who love the outdoors and
appreciate nature in all its splendor.
You can ask locals about the best travel destinations and nature spots to visit
in Canada; however, you may also want to consider the points of interest on the
following list:
The Cascades at Virginia Falls are about twice the height of the cascades in
Niagara Falls and are a truly spectacular sight. If you can get to this remote
location, as the vast majority of visitors travel to the park by chartered float
plane, with a few brave souls hiking or paddling in, then you will be in for a real
treat.
Thousand Islands in Ontario is exactly what it sounds like - a stretch of 1,864
islands ranging in size from over 40 square miles to smaller islands with single
residence and also uninhabited outcroppings of rocks peeking out above the
water line. The range of island cottages is truly amazing from a mansion with
120-rooms to tiny huts clinging to rocky boulders. When summer travel peaks, the
region buzzes with activities. It is a great place for a boat ride like no other with
the family.
Western Brook Pond in Newfoundland has a spectacular National Park with
dozens of thundering waterfalls cascading off 610-meter-high rock walls. Cruise
ships steer through crystal clear waters, offering visitors views from the water
level, while hiking trails let others gaze from above.
Polar Bear Capital of the World - One of nature’s many unique locations in
Canada is Churchill, Manitoba, which is the location for a large concentration
of the world’s largest land carnivore - the polar bear. In fact, there are so
many polar bears in the Churchill area that it has been nicknamed the “Polar
Bear Capital of the World!” The area around this Manitoban town also offers
some of nature’s most beautiful sights, with winter snow and ice covering this
spectacular frozen landscape.
Algonquin Provincial Park is Ontario’s lake country. The nation’s most famous
painters — the Group of Seven — chose to do much of their artwork there

because of the beautiful landscape and wealth of nature. Millions of tourists
come to the park year-round to camp, paddle canoes, hike, snowshoe and ski.
Its massive size means it rarely feels crowded and with thousands of paddle-in
campsites, there are only a few other places that provide such space away from
the busy city life.
Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta is one of the world’s best areas for finding
dinosaur bones. Aside from the incredible terrain, you will find an exhibit style
museum on dinosaurs, fossils, the geology and natural history of the park. The
Royal Tyrrell Museum, home to more than 130,000 fossils and one of the world’s
premiere showcases for “all things dinosaur,” is in that area as well.
Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy is an amazing collection of rock
formations rising from the shore in New Brunswick. When the water tide is low,
visitors can actually walk among these unique rocks as if they are strolling
through a museum’s sculpture collection. When the tide is high, the only way to
get a close look at the rocks is by boat.
Niagara Falls in Ontario is so well known and for a very good reason. Aside
from the casinos, theme parks and souvenir shops, it is undeniably North
America’s most powerful waterfall attraction. As much as six million cubic feet
of water pours over the cliff of the falls’ three sections every minute — that’s
enough to fill nearly 100 Olympic-sized swimming pools every minute! Tourists
can watch from several locations or a take a boat ride below these majestic
cascades. Wherever you stand, the enormity of the waterfall will surely shock
you.
Lake Louise in Alberta is a glacial lake that is located in beautiful Banff National
Park. If you are looking for emerald-green waters, mountainous surroundings and
glaciers looming over the lake’s west end, this is the spot for you. The Chateau
Lake Louise opened back in 1911 and today is among the most opulent hotels in
the Rockies. In the winter, tourists flock to skate on the frozen lake, while in the
summer they delve into it with rented canoes and also hike the dozens of
surrounding trails. If all of this doesn’t sound like a great escape and a fun
family trip, then maybe shopping is your thing, so read ahead!
Native Animals
The wildlife of Canada is diverse and includes animals such as the Arctic fox,

beaver, bison, caribou, pronghorn, grizzly bear, polar bear, moose, white-tailed
deer, bald eagle, Canadian goose, snowy owl, bighorn sheep, sea otter, walrus,
rattlesnake, wild horse, wolf, cougar, and Canada lynx. Canada has multiple
ecosystems, ranging from the lush forests of British Columbia to the grassy
prairies of Western Canada to the tundra of Northern Canada. With a large land
mass and small population density, the wild lands of Canada provide an
important habitat for many animals, both endangered and otherwise. Canada is
home to approximately 70,000 known species of plants and animals-and perhaps
many more that have yet to be discovered in this enormous, scenic country.
Shopping
If you need to shop for yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada, you
should be aware that there are many discount and value stores that can give
you more for your money.
Stores in Canada may be set up differently than what you have experienced in
other countries. For example, there are many Canadian stores that are grouped
together in large shopping malls so you can get all your shopping done in one
place (and even get a bite to eat while in the mall). Each store has its own
payment system where you pay for your purchases and most will accept credit
cards and, of course, cash. Make sure to keep your receipt with every purchase.
Your purchase receipt is not only proof that you paid for your goods, but often
has details on the company’s return policies and exchanges. You will need this
receipt if you need to return an item for a refund or exchange. It may be a good
idea as well to ask about a store’s return policy before making a purchase, as
these policies will differ for each company and having this knowledge in advance
can help you to have a better shopping experience.
Many places in Canada also have large outdoor markets (sometimes called “flea
markets”) where you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables and other goods from
local farmers and craftspeople. These “flea market” events are great if you like
organic and freshly picked fruits and vegetables. You can find out about them in
advance as they are usually publicized in and around the neighborhood on large
signs, so watch out for them, especially during the summer time. Most of the
“flea market” merchants only accept cash.
A “Farmers’ Market” is a public event (often held on a particular day of the week

or the month) where a group of vendors come together to sell their products.
The most common products at these markets are fresh, organic or home-grown
vegetables and fruits, homemade pastries and desserts, and other specialty food
products. Homemade or handmade products such as jewelry, clothing or artistic
pieces are also commonly found for sale at Farmers’ Markets. Again, merchants
there will usually only accept cash (e.g., “cash-and-carry”).
A “Garage Sale” or “Yard Sale” is very common in Canada (as in the U.S.).
They are informal sales events that private individuals set up right outside
of their home and usually in their car garage or in their driveway where they
sell household items that they would like to get rid of. These sales are most
commonly held during the months of May-September and during the weekend,
either Saturday or Sunday. A “Garage Sale” can be a great place to find indoor
or outdoor furniture items for your home. In fact, many hidden treasures have
been bought in “Garage Sales” when owners did not realize the value of an item
they got rid of (such as a signed copy of the Constitution, which was later sold
for millions). It is a great place to find unique or practical household items that
can be put to good use. Some people, even if they do not need to buy anything,
make a weekend out of going to “Garage Sales” because there are so many
interesting things to find there. If you want to shop for second-hand items in
“Garage Sales” or possibly find a hidden treasure, check the classified section in
a local newspaper or look for “Garage Sale” signs on community bulletin boards
or even posting on trees or lamp posts in your neighborhood.
There are many other ways you can save money when shopping in Canada.
Coupon websites make savings easy. Some websites offer printable coupons;
others will mail you the coupons that you request. For coupon links and offers,
simply run an Internet search for coupons in Canada.
Explore free online classifieds that people place not only in the newspaper
classified ads section but also on Craigslist where you can localize the search
according to the country of Canada and your location there, and eBay-owned
Kijiji which is strictly for Canadians. Unlike newspaper ads, it does not cost
anything to post an ad on these sites, so there are thousands of products and
services being offered on any given day. Although it is intended for private
individuals to sell their product and services, there are also many posts by
commercial businesses which offer new products at deeply discounted prices.
Craigslist even allows you to restrict your search to sellers in your region. Like
an ongoing “Garage Sale,” these are great websites to find and sell items that
are not needed anymore.

Before you go out shopping, look for online coupon codes with your favorite
retailers before you go to the store. An increasing number of Canadians now
shop online at their favorite stores. Major retailers, like Sears, Office Depot
and Best Buy, allow you to enter a coupon code for additional savings before
checking out. Don’t have a coupon code? Run an online search for, or go to,
coupon sites to download coupons with listings of coupon codes for dozens of
items that are offered by Canadian retailers.
Why buy when you can trade goods? New websites are making it easier for
people to trade books, movies, music and video games. These sites have a
simple premise and are based on a system where you earn points for trading
your items on new books, movies, music or video game titles that you want.
Fill up your car on Mondays and Thursdays! Statistics show that gas prices in
Canada tend to be at their lowest in the morning on Mondays and Thursdays, so
make those your regular days to fill up your car with gasoline. To find the lowest
price for gas in your area on any given day, run a search online the day before.
Don’t buy two if you don’t need more than one. There are many marketing
deals like “2 for $10” promotions in department stores and other retailers, but
if you only need one item, then don’t get influenced into spending more money
on a second one. If the price is right and all you need is one, don’t bother with
buying more because in most stores the checkout systems will not be equipped
to scan a single item at a higher per-unit price, so most likely you will get it for
the lower price ($5 in the above example of “2 for $10”), but double-check with
the cashier to make sure before you checkout.
If you plan on buying a house in Canada, refinance your mortgage when
interest rates are low. If you’re paying a higher rate than you can get when the
government lowers the interest rate in order to stimulate the housing market
and the economy, then you should consider refinancing. Even accounting for
penalties for ending your current term early and paying new fees for a
refinancing deal, you will likely come out way ahead in the long run at the
lower interest rate. In most cases, your current lender will be happy to
refinance and maintain you as a client.
When you are ready to open a bank account where you can earn interest on your
deposit, larger banks have lower service fees since most of their transactions
are online and they also offer significantly higher interest rates with no monthly
fees, no minimum balances and easy transfers to and from your existing bank.
On the other hand, smaller and private banks have smaller bureaucracies and
set rules so they might be a better fit for smaller loans, etc. There are many

banks in Canada and some charge more for their services than others, so ask
around, do some research and try to get the best deal you can.
You can be part of Canada’s move towards a greener and more environmentally-
conscious society by connecting with movements like Freecycle. It allows
members to properly recycle or acquire that special something for free. There
are Freecycle groups in most major cities in Canada.
Buy “off-season.” It’s widely-known that the best sales are often after a holiday
season (for example, after Christmas), even though few people take advantage
of it, probably because they have done most of their shopping already. Prices of
holiday season items are at their lowest point right after Canada’s Boxing Day
event, for example, which is an ideal time to buy. Because companies stock up
for the holiday season, the leftovers are sold at a much lower price. From winter
gear, Valentine’s Day cards or Halloween masks, it may be worth buying those
items after the season and save them for the year ahead.
What is “price-matching” and how can it work to your advantage? Many leading
retailers, including Future Shop, Home Depot and Staples, will match the price
of a competitor for the same item. So, if you saw it somewhere else for a cheaper
price, mention this to the sales clerk or manager and you just might get the
lower price. Some companies even offer an additional discount to beat
competitors (so you’ll buy the item from them instead of their competitor). If
you have a preferred retailer or grocery store that is near you and that you want
to buy from, take advantage of possible customer reward programs that issue
“loyalty points” that you can accumulate after shopping with them repeatedly and
you may get more value (i.e., better discounts, special promotions, etc.). In order
to receive “loyalty points,” you usually have to fill out a form in the store and will
then be issued a card that you’ll scan at the register when you pay for items, in
order to get the points and any discounts (so always bring your “loyalty points”
card with you when you go shopping).
Be aware that you do not have to pay for extended warranties when you
purchase a computer or any other appliance. Most electronics and consumer
appliance retailers will encourage you to buy an extended warranty on an item
when you make a purchase. An extended warranty or more insurance on the
product is added insurance on your purchased item (in case it has a problem
after the manufacturer’s warranty expires) that you are not obligated to buy. You
may want to think twice about paying for an extended warranty, especially when
the independent and well-respected Consumer Reports has published data that
shows appliances almost never break down during warranty periods, and when

they do, the average cost of repair is roughly the same as the cost of the
warranty. You also may want to buy electronics accessories at smaller stores
since big retailers like Best Buy and Future Shop often have good deals on
electronics, but when it comes to accessories for the electronics (such as cables,
connectors and batteries), you can usually get comparable quality for a lower
price at your corner electronics store or even at your local Walmart or similar
store.
When buying computers, electronics or appliances, it pays to compare prices
before you decide where to buy. On some sites you can compare prices on the
same or similar products from the comfort of your home so when you are ready
to make a purchase, you are prepared with the facts and figures and can go to
the store with the best price.
Staying in touch with your loved ones does not have to cost a lot. Nowadays,
you can make long-distance phone calls for less (or even for free) with various
services. If you plan on calling your relatives or friends while in your home (and
you have Internet service), online companies like Skype and MagicJack use VOIP
technology to offer free and excellent low-cost plans. Skype offers unlimited
calling to any phone in Canada or the U.S. for a low monthly fee (as well as
free Skype-to-Skype calls around the world, including videoconferencing which
allows you to see your loved ones). MagicJack (already hugely popular in the
U.S.) will only cost you around $40 the first year (including the hardware which
allows you to plug a telephone into your computer for cheap or free calls over
the Internet), and then approximately $20-$30 a year thereafter. If your family
members or friends also buy a MagicJack, they can get a U.S./Canada phone
number and you can call each other free, even if they are living in another
country!

IMMIGRATION
Canada is one of the top destinations for immigrants from around the globe.
Immigrants have helped build Canada’s economy and social systems throughout
the years and continue to contribute today. Over 400,000 people from all over
the world are allowed to immigrate to Canada each year to begin their new lives
for a promise of a better and more secure future.
Now may very well be one of the best times to apply for a permanent resident
visa to Canada because Canada’s economy is expanding and is experiencing
a major labor shortage, not only because more jobs are being created, but
also due to many Canadian “baby boomers” retiring. You have to go where the
opportunities are and with much of the world still struggling economically, a
variety of employment opportunities are available for eligible foreign skilled
workers who immigrate to Canada! Canada is also among the top countries to
attract and accept international students to its fine universities.
A pro-immigrant nation, Canada’s government and Canadian businesses alike
both view immigration positively. New immigrants are viewed as an important
resource for meeting the needs of Canada’s economy. Consequently, the

Canadian government has recently updated its immigration laws and programs
to better facilitate hundreds of thousands of qualified skilled foreign workers
relocating to Canada to fill available positions in a range of various
occupations. The Canadian government is not only interested in addressing
Canada’s economic needs, but also wants to help refugees and increase the
likelihood that immigrants will succeed by truly experiencing the “Canadian
dream.”
Immigration Programs
There are several Canadian immigration programs available for foreign nationals
to apply for, such as the:
 Federal Skilled Worker Program

 Federal Skilled Trades Program
 Provincial Nominee Program
 Quebec Skilled Worker Program
 Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
 Caregiver Program
 Canadian Experience Class Program
 Family Sponsorship Program
These Canadian immigration programs were put in place to meet the needs
of Canada’s mission to become more diverse and competitive in the future.
The provinces or territories in Canada that need qualified workers for specific
jobs will also be able to attract more immigrants with newer and more lenient
immigration laws.
Some of the Canadian visa programs are for professionals with university
degrees (i.e., accountants, engineers, managers, physicians, nurses,
information technology professionals, educators, etc.).
Others immigration programs are for skilled tradespeople (i.e., carpenters,

electricians, welders, plumbers, heavy machinery operators, oil and gas

workers, etc.).
There are also Canadian immigration programs available for trained and
experienced live-in caregivers (to help the elderly, children and disabled);
temporary workers with high-demand skills; and international students who
graduate from a Canadian university and have the desired knowledge and
experience needed in Canada.
There are even immigration programs to help keep immigrant families

together so that people who have immigrated to Canada and have become
established can sponsor eligible family members to join them living in Canada.
Finally, there are educational programs for students who would like to earn a
higher education degree in Canada, learn English or French or take part in a
research program. In some cases, international students who complete their
higher education in Canada and have needed skills and work experience may be
able to apply to live and work in Canada after graduation or even become
Canadian permanent residents if they qualify.
Immigration Requirements
To qualify for most of these visa programs, the following criteria are needed:
 Acceptable language skills in either English or French, which

makes it easier for immigrants to adjust to living in Canada,
find employment, succeed on the job, make friends, etc.
 Good health (a medical exam and related
documentation may be requested)
 Having good character (a police certificate may be required)
 An emphasis for immigrants to be relatively young, as research
indicates that younger immigrants may more easily adjust to
life in a new country than older workers, plus they can work
more years and contribute longer to Canada’s economy
 Possessing the required education and
experience for one’s particular trade

Express Entry
In order to meet the growing demand of Canadian businesses for highly-skilled
employees, Canada’s government created a new immigration system called
“Express Entry.” A key goal of the Express Entry Canadian immigration system
is to more effectively select skilled foreign workers whose characteristics put
them in a strong position to immigrate to Canada and to start working in their
occupation as soon as possible. Skilled foreign workers who meet the criteria for
one of the following “economic immigration” programs may be able to apply for
Express Entry to Canada: Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP); Federal
Skilled Trades Program (FSTP); Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program; and
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
The Express Entry procedure can generally be summarized as follows:
 A skilled foreign worker files an online Express Entry profile with the
Canadian government, which contains his/her relevant details, including
English and/or French language evaluation scores less than two years
old and, in many cases, an Education Credential Assessment (ECA).
 A Canadian immigration official then reviews the Express
Entry profile and if he/she thinks the skilled foreign worker
appears to meet the eligibility requirements for one of the
“economic immigration” programs that qualifies for Express
Entry, the applicant may be placed into the “pool” of potential
Canadian immigration candidates for up to 12 months.
 At this point, if the applicant does not have a qualifying Canadian
job offer, then he/she should register online with Canada’s Job
Bank and try to get a qualifying offer of employment in Canada,
since he/she could gain more points on the Express Entry
Comprehensive Ranking Score, plus this could possible lead to an
Invitation to Apply (ITA).
 In order to leave the Express Entry pool by receiving an Invitation
to Apply (ITA), an applicant must (1) get a qualifying job offer in
Canada; or (2) obtain a nomination for the Provincial Nominee
Program (PNP); or (3) have one of the highest scores on the
Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (a maximum of
1200 points are possible); or (4) be in a high-priority category.
 Once an ITA is issued by the Canadian government, the

skilled foreign worker will have 60 days to submit the
application for a Permanent Resident (PR) Visa to Canada,
along with all of the required documents and fees.
 A visa decision is usually made within six months after the
Canadian government receives a complete PR Visa application
filed on time through the Express Entry system.
Immigration Benefits
There are a number of benefits available to immigrants who have been issued
a permanent resident visa to Canada.
These include the legal right to live, work and study in Canada, which is an
immigrant-friendly country and has one of the highest standards of living
found anywhere in the world.
Canadian permanent residents also get access to free basic healthcare (a
waiting period may be required) and Canada’s excellent education system.
Immigrants can enjoy life in a beautiful, stable, diverse democracy which
protects human rights and basic freedoms.
Permanent residents at least 18 years of age also have the opportunity to
sponsor eligible family members for a visa to Canada.
Immigrants can travel to any of the Canadian provinces and territories, as well
as travel to and from Canada.
Permanent residents may buy a home or other property in Canada and open a
business if they so desire.
After living in Canada at least three years and satisfying other requirements, a
permanent resident can apply for Canadian citizenship!

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we at Natively would like to wish you the best of luck in your
transition and relocation to the great country of Canada. If you have read this
book, you may know more about the country than most, butit is still just the
“tip of the iceberg” as there is so much more to experience and learn about
the vast country and people at the top of North America.
We can’t leave you without providing you with the words to Canada’s National
Anthem, the heart of it all, which highlights the need to protect this glorious
land and its freedoms:
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
If you would like more information about Canada and your immigration options,
contact Natively which may be able to offer additional resources to meet your
relocation needs.

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YOUR ESSENTIAL

All you need to know to make your relocation

Copyright © 2023 Natively. All rights reserved.

The Canadian economy has become a worldwide financial force. Highly

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Income and Salaries

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INDUSTRY AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY

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OCCUPATION MEDIAN HOURLY WAGE

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Canada’s Job Bank: www.jobbank.gc.ca helps you find jobs

Monster: www.monster.ca provides resume samples,

Indeed: https://ca.indeed.com/ allows you to search for

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Workopolis: https://www.workopolis.com/en has

SimplyHired: https://www.simplyhired.ca/lists a wide selection of

Randstad: www.randstad.ca has listings of hundreds of jobs

Eluta: https://www.eluta.ca/ allows you to search for jobs at

Resume and CV Formats – Matching

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Canada has a universal healthcare system, often referred to as Medicare.

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To reduce disease and increase life expectancy, Canada has implemented

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Public Education for Children

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Higher Academic Institutions &

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Canada is a culturally-diverse nation. Many immigrants are able to retain their

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Customs and Religions

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 Federal Skilled Worker Program

Others immigration programs are for skilled tradespeople (i.e., carpenters,

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There are even immigration programs to help keep immigrant families

 Acceptable language skills in either English or French, which

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