Living in Canada

As you prepare to embrace your welcome to Canada, it’s important to know that some things are likely to be done differently than what you are accustomed to.

Living in Canada offers a wide range of experiences depending on the path you choose. Canadian culture and everything else you need to know about the Great White North are covered in this section: from practical information, to driving, culture and etiquette, public transportation, and more.

Canada consistently ranks among the best place to live in numerous studies. In both 2018 and 2019, Canada was ranked third best country in the world by US News & World Report. This is due in large part to its access to education, high life expectancy (Canada boasts a universal health care system), and low crime and violence rates.

Excellent Healthcare

Canada’s healthcare system is consistently ranked among the best in the world. One of its benefits is its provision of publicly funded healthcare to all. Canada even has educational healthcare programs that teach the elderly how to avoid injuries and other health risks.

It’s delivered through a publicly-funded system, which is mostly free at the point of use and has most services provided by private entities.

Healthcare, though paid for using some federal funds, is administered by the provinces. A health card is issued by the Provincial Ministry of Health to each individual who enrolls for the program, and everyone receives the same level of care.

Weather

While cold temperatures may immediately come to mind when thinking of Canada, weather here varies widely depending on where you are. After all, Canada is a huge country, stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean and covering five time zones.

Aside from just what the thermometer reads, weather conditions are important to understand before arriving in Canada. From slippery driving conditions in winter to how many hours of sunlight to expect, learn about what weather to expect in major Canadian cities—and be sure to pack accordingly.

Cost of living

The typical cost for basic items in India is extensively lower than in Canada. Everything costs less, from produce at the neighborhood showcase, to lease and land, to childcare, even phones. There’s haggling which is a significantly less regular practice in Canada (with the exception of when purchasing expensive things like a house or a vehicle).

That being stated, Canadian compensations are commonly proportionate to the greater expense of living there, with the normal Canadian acquiring CAD$26.83 an hour or CAD$55,806.40 per year.

Multicultural Environment

Canada is a welcoming country with a unique Canadian culture that embraces diversity and celebrates multiculturalism. In fact, in 1971, Canada became the first country to make multiculturalism an official Canadian policy. According to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, “Diversity is Canada’s strength,” and Canadians’ “different backgrounds… and different stories are all part of what makes our communities and our country strong.”

Population

Canada has a population of about 36.7 million. The majority of Canadians are of European descent from early French and British colonists, as well as later immigrants from eastern and southern Europe. The second half of the 20th century saw a large increase in the number of immigrants from Asia, the Caribbean, and Africa. There are currently more than 260 different ethnic origins reported across Canada. It is also home to a large aboriginal population made up of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.

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