Your Essential Guide To Canada Natively EN
Your Essential Guide To Canada Natively EN
Your Essential Guide To Canada Natively EN
GUIDE TO CANADA
Natively.com
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 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.
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
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
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.
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
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).
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,
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.
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
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
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.
Native Animals
The wildlife of Canada is diverse and includes animals such as the Arctic fox,
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
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
Immigration Programs
There are several Canadian immigration programs available for foreign nationals
to apply for, such as the:
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.).
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.
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:
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
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!
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!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
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.