Your Essential Guide To Canada 2016 en BAC

YOUR ESSENTIAL
GUIDE TO CANADA
All you need to know to make your
relocation smooth and successful
BecomeACanadian eBook
Your Essential Guide to Canada 1
YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE
TO CANADA
All you need to know to make your relocation
smooth and successful.
2018 Edition
Copyright © 2018 All rights reserved. BecomeACanadian

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,
BecomeACanadian
1136 Centre Street, Unit 3, Suite 469, Thornhill, Ontario L4J 3M8 Canada
www.becomeacanadian.org
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 and shopping tips are among the other topics you can look forward to in
this essential guide on Canada. Enjoy!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Disclaimer�� 3
Introduction�� 4
The Economy 7
Income and Salaries �� 10
Income Tax�� 12
Employment Opportunities�� 13
Resume and CV Formats - Matching Canadian Job Requirements�� 15
Self-Employment�� 16
Unemployment Benefits�� 18
Healthcare 19
Health Insurance�� 20
Life Expectancy�� 21
Education 22
Public Education for Children�� 23
Higher Academic Institutions & Universities�� 25
Culture 26
Customs and Religions�� 27
Language in Canada�� 29
Arts�� 29
Sports�� 30
Public Holidays�� 30
Leisure 33
Nature and Travel�� 34
Native Animals�� 35
Shopping�� 36
Immigration 41
Immigration Programs�� 42
Immigration Requirements�� 43
Express Enrty�� 43
Immigration Benefits�� 44
Conclusion�� 45
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 11th 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 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, 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.
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 and an annual GDP growth
rate of 4.5% (August 2017). Some sectors make up larger parts of the economy’s
GDP, such as agriculture at 1.9%, industry at 27.1% and the service sector at 71%.
Canada’s annual inflation rate is a very low 1.4% (2017) and its unemployment rate
of 6.2% (September 2017) is also low. 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 the past few
years, the Canadian dollar rose by 15% against the U.S. dollar, 11% against the 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 income in Canada of $80,940 per year
is expected to increase further in the near future.
Average net adjusted disposable household income
U.S. Citizen (e.g., the money
Lawful Permanent available
Residents (LPR)
to a household for spending on goods and services or savings) is about $30,474
per year in Canada, which is slightly higher than the OECD average. In 2016, the
average wealth per adult in Canada was $270,000, which is significantly higher
than the global average wealth per adult of $52,800. These statistics show that
Canadians have more equity and wealth compared to the rest of the world.
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, male employees tend to earn more on average, $27.65 an hour in a full-
time position, versus $24.11 per hour for women (August 2017). On average, part-
time employees in Canada earn $18.41 per hour and full-time employees earn
$27.36 per hour (August 2017).
The following charts provide a list of Average Weekly Wage Rates per 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 management.
Visas Allocated
Average Weekly Wages per industry in Canada (2016 Table)
INDUSTRY AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE
Forestry $1,109 CAD

Mining and oil and gas extraction $2,039 CAD
Utilities $1,737 CAD
Construction $1,217 CAD
Manufacturing $1,089 CAD
Wholesale trade $1,156 CAD
Retail trade $562 CAD
Transportation and warehousing $1,015 CAD
Information and cultural industries $1,305 CAD
Finance and insurance $1,260 CAD
Real estate and rentals $969 CAD
Professional, scientific and technical services $1,317 CAD
Management of companies $1,438 CAD
Administration, waste management and services $783 CAD
Education services $1,016 CAD
Healthcare and social assistance $866 CAD
Arts, entertainment and recreation $586 CAD
Accommodation and food services $371 CAD
Public Administration $1,232 CAD
Other services $787 CAD
Median Hourly Wages by Occupation in Canada (2017 Table)
PROFESSION AVERAGE HOURLY WAGE
Retail Sales/Sales Clerk $12 CAD

Data Entry Clerk $17 CAD
Bookkeeper $21 CAD
Truck Driver $21 CAD
Carpenter $25 CAD
Executive Assistant $26 CAD
Plumber $29 CAD
Electrician $30 CAD
Social Worker $32 CAD
Architect $32 CAD
Registered Nurse $36 CAD
Physical Therapist $36 CAD
Construction Manager $38 CAD
Computer Engineer (not software) $40 CAD
Secondary School Teacher $40 CAD
Electrical Engineer $41 CAD
Finance Manager $41 CAD
Software Engineer $43 CAD
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 2017 ranged from 15% for
the first $45,916 of taxable income up
High-Skilled to 33% for taxable
Workers incomesWorkers
Low-Skilled over $202,800.
Between the high and low federal income tax rates, the percentages were 20.5%,
26% and 29% in 2017. 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 around 300,000
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. Canada’s larger 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
Category Visa that may correspond to your professional needs. The Canadian
Allocation
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 and employment sites that can help you in your job
search:
nn www.jobbank.gc.ca Job Bank 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.
nn www.monster.ca provides resume samples, employment

and career resources at one of the largest job portals.
nn jobs-emplois.gc.ca is the official website for Government of Canada jobs.
nn www.workopolis.com has offices across Canada and

currently offers more than 31,000 jobs.
nn www.canjobs.com lists a wide selection of employment available throughout

Canada (has an online resume builder and personalized job search).
nn ca.indeed.com offers a large selection of Canadian jobs that
you can search for by keywords and allows you to upload
your resume for review by potential employers.
nn www.bestjobsca.com is a portal for employment throughout

Canada with a free web address to display your resume.
nn www.randstad.ca has listings of hundreds of jobs in Canada,

including engineering, finance, skilled trades, and technology.
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:
nn Personal Statement
nn Highlights of Qualifications
nn Professional Experience
nn 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
tools, 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 $228
billion (an average of $6,299 per Canadian) in 2016. Total spending in Canada for
healthcare is equivalent to 11.1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is
slightly above the average for other countries, but below the 17.8% of GDP spent
on healthcare in the United States, 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 or caregiver
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.
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 Queen of England heads (currently, Queen
Elizabeth II), 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. Each year, approximately 300,000
people from all over the world immigrate to Canada 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 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
Thus, there are several immigration programs available for foreign nationals to
apply for, such as the:
nn Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

nn Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
nn Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
nn Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP)
nn Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program
nn Family Sponsorship Program
nn Student Visa Programs
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 visa programs are for professionals with university
degrees, while others are for skilled tradespeople (i.e., carpenters, electricians,
welders, plumbers, heavy machinery operators, oil and gas workers, etc.), 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 in
Canada. Finally, there are educational programs for students who would like to
earn a higher degree in Canada, learn English or French or take part in a research
program.
Immigration Requirements
To qualify for most of these visa programs, the following criteria are needed:
nn 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, etc.
nn Good health (a medical exam and related documentation may be requested)
nn Having good character (a police certificate may be required)
nn 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
nn 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
Nominees Program (PNP).
The Express Entry procedure can generally be summarized as follows:
nn 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).
nn 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.
nn At this point, if the applicant does not have a qualifying Canadian
job offer, then he/she should register with Canada’s Job Bank.
nn 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 Nominees Program (PNP); or (3) have one of
the highest scores on the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System.
nn Once an ITA is issued by the Canadian government, the skilled foreign
worker will have 90 days to submit the application for a Permanent Resident
(PR) Visa to Canada, along with all of the required documents and fees.
nn 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 has one of the highest standards of living found anywhere
in the world; access to free basic healthcare (a waiting period may be required) and
Canada’s excellent education system; life in a beautiful, stable, diverse democracy
which protects human rights and basic freedoms; and the option to apply for
Canadian citizenship after as little as three years!
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we at Become A Canadian 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, but it 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 Become A Canadian for support on immigration opportunities for skilled
workers. Our authorized immigration consultants that we work with will help you
identify your best immigration options and provide you with the assistance you
need to live and work in the great country of Canada.

Your Essential Guide To Canada 2016 en BAC

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INDUSTRY AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE

Forestry $1,109 CAD

PROFESSION AVERAGE HOURLY WAGE

Retail Sales/Sales Clerk $12 CAD

nn www.monster.ca provides resume samples, employment

nn jobs-emplois.gc.ca is the official website for Government of Canada jobs.

nn www.workopolis.com has offices across Canada and

nn www.canjobs.com lists a wide selection of employment available throughout

nn ca.indeed.com offers a large selection of Canadian jobs that

nn www.bestjobsca.com is a portal for employment throughout

nn www.randstad.ca has listings of hundreds of jobs in Canada,

Resume and CV Formats – Matching

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

Public Education for Children

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

Customs and Religions

nn Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

nn Acceptable language skills in either English or French,

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