Moving To Canada? Here Are 11 Things You Need To Know

Note: All prices are in Canadian $.

There are many reasons why people move to Canada  – some hope to find a better-paid job and lower costs of living. Others want to experience a new multicultural environment overseas, while there are those that are simply attracted to the beautiful scenery.

However, moving to a new country can be very daunting for any traveller. With so much to do before you travel, it can be hard to know where to start!

In this guide, we will take a look at  10 important things you need to know before you move to Canada.

1. Canadian Climate

Locals joke that there are eight months of winter in Canada, followed by four months of repairing the roads!

In truth, the Canadian climate is quite diverse and you can enjoy the four distinct seasons here with a hot summer, cold winter, and mild spring and fall.

The climate you experience will really depend on where you settle down.

Winters can be really harsh. Temperatures can go up to 35°C during the summer and fall to -25°C in the winter.

The bitter cold of Canada should not surprise you. It’s hard to describe how -25 feels, but if you come with the right attitude and clothes, you’ll have nothing to fear!

Non-coastal regions have snow for up to 6 months.

Provinces on the East and West coasts experience an average summer high of about 20°C and some inland provinces can have temperatures of 25-30°C.

The coast of British Columbia (think  Vancouver) is the only place where the average temperature is above the freezing point (32 degrees Fahrenheit or zero degrees Celsius) in winter. The climate is oceanic, cold, and rainy.

The Atlantic coast (see Nova Scotia, Newfoundland) is significantly colder than the Pacific coast, due to the prevailing winds that originate from the west.

So, from January to April, the temperature of the water near Halifax is 1 °C (34 °F), while it reaches a low of 8 °C (46 °F) on the coast near Vancouver.

The sun shines more than 2,300 hours a year in cities such as Calgary, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Regina, which are located east of the Rocky Mountains on the Great Prairies (Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan).

However, southern British Columbia (see Vancouver) is sunny in the summer, while Arctic locations (see Alert) are sunny in the late spring.

2. Cost of living in Canada (Summary)

The cost of living in Canada is lower when compared to many countries in Europe and you may find out it’s cheaper compared to your home country.

Remember, however, that there are significant differences in incomes between the cities, provinces, and industry sectors.

Canada is classed as moderately expensive in terms of affordability, as household bills can consume up to half of the take-home pay. However, most people can enjoy a high standard of living.

Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, and Ottawa are among the most expensive Canadian cities.

You can compare the cost of living between Canadian cities here.

While the cost of living is different in each city,  the national average cost of living for a single person is estimated at $1,131.25 per month (without the rent), and for a family of 4, it is around $4,055.81 (without the rent) in 2022 according to Nimbeo.com.

The average monthly utility bill in Canada is around $304.75 according to movingwaldo.com.

Some of the most affordable cities in Canada for 2022 are:

Quebec City, Quebec
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Montreal, Quebec
Kingston, Ontario
Edmonton, Alberta
Abbotsford, British Columbia
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Regina, Saskatchewan
Trois-Rivières, Quebec
Saint John, New Brunswick
Brockville, Ontario
Saint Catherines, Ontario
Quesnel, British Columbia
Sherbrooke, Quebec
Timmins, Ontario
Weyburn, Saskatchewan

The table below shows the average rent prices of various types of property in Canada in 2021 according to movingwaldo.com.

City District
Rent for 1 Bedroom
Rent for 2 Bedroom
Rent for 3 Bedroom

Toronto
$1755
$2331
$2900

Vancouver
$1925
$2600
$3400

Montreal
$1375
$1699
$2100

Ottawa
$1400
$1700
$2062

Quebec City
$714
$965
$1104

Calgary
$1095
$1308
$1550

Victoria
$1585
$2000
–

Winnipeg
$945
$1304
$1563

Edmonton
$986
$1175
$1375

 

3. Job opportunities in Canada

Canada can offer you a lot of job opportunities in various fields.

Employers are always on the lookout for university graduates who would like to work and live in the country and can contribute to its thriving economy.

Canada is one of the most educated countries in the world, with more than 56% of its adult population having some form of tertiary qualification and with an impressive 99% literacy rate.

If your intention is to immigrate permanently and you don’t have a job offer already, check out sites like https://ca.indeed.com/, https://www.canadajobs.com/, and https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home.

The highest-paid occupations are in the mining and gas/oil drilling industry, electricity, IT, and telecommunications.

The lowest-paid sectors are accommodation and food sectors, as well as the arts and entertainment industries.

Can I move to Canada without a job?

You do not need a job offer to immigrate to Canada.

There are programs available for you that give you the opportunity to apply for permanent residency in Canada without securing employment beforehand.

4. Schools in Canada

If you are moving to Canada with kids, you obviously need to consider additional factors like schools.

Keep in mind that education is a provincial responsibility in Canada and you will find significant differences among the different provinces.

Education institutions are not ranked in Canada, but you can find quality institutions across the country.

When choosing your school, consider the size, type, and location of the institution.

If you are interested in a particular area of study, try to find out which schools have more to offer in that discipline.

Schooling is mandatory for all kids to the age of 16 and to the age of 18 in Ontario.

Canada is one of the world’s top education performers so wherever you relocate your kid will have access to high-standard education.

While public schools are funded by the government, private schools in Canada are expensive, and the fees annually can cost between $4,000 (2,977 USD) to $26,000 (19,349 USD) according to internations.org.

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5. Health care system in Canada

Canada’s healthcare system is kind of similar to the UK’s.

The Canadian government provides “free” essential medical services.

When you move to Canada as a permanent resident, you will be able to see a doctor at no cost.

Medicare is Canada’s publicly funded health care system and the cost of medical and health expenses is shared by taxpayers. Medicare is available only to residents of Canada.

Permanent residents, Canadian citizens, some foreign workers on work permits and international students can apply for public health insurance from their province.

If you decide to move to Canada permanently (or on a work visa), you should apply for a Medicare health insurance card in your province.

It will typically take three months to be issued, and when you get it, you’re covered by your province’s Medicare plan.

During this three-month period, it’s advisable to have some short-term private medical cover.

If you find yourself in the hospital, you’ll be billed even for emergency care.

Private health insurance is popular in Canada because Medicare does not cover everything.

What does Canadian Medicare not cover?

Prescription medicine
Dental care
Ambulance services (except in the Yukon Territory)
Eyecare
Physiotherapy
Hearing aids
Limb prostheses
Psychologist care
Chiropractics
Tests required for official documents (e.g. driver’s license)

Private health insurance policies usually cover things such as ambulance services, prescription medicine, dental care, eye care, physiotherapy, and so on.

If you don’t expect to receive any employment-based health insurance – it’s advisable to sort out some cover before you go to Canada.

6. Languages

Canada has two official languages – French and English.

The further west you go, the less French you will encounter. The truth is that you can easily get by without ever learning French.

That said, noting on your CV that you can speak French will definitely help you in your job search.

Keep in mind that Quebec is predominantly French-speaking, while New Brunswick is the only province that is officially bilingual.

7. Smoking

Smoking in Canada is prohibited in public transit facilities, indoor public places, workplaces, including restaurants, casinos, bars, stores, offices, hospitals and other places of employment.

The only places you can smoke are outdoors, your own living space, and your vehicle (unless you have a minor with you).

8. Driving license in Canada

If you want to use a foreign driver’s license, you need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your home country.

It will give you a translation of your license into English and French.

Many of the tests you have completed in your home country may not be valid in Canada or require additional paperwork in order to be converted.

Keep in mind that licenses are awarded by the provinces, not the federal government, and individual provinces have their own rules.

Also, different countries around the world have particular agreements with the provinces.

Check the rules for international license-holders in the province you have chosen and make sure you gather the correct documentation before you arrive in Canada.

9. Local Canadian SIM card

Maintaining communication with friends and family worldwide is crucial when relocating to Canada, so you may consider obtaining a SIM card for your big move.

With PhoneBox, you will enjoy exceptional 5G coverage, international calls to 30 countries, and unlimited calls and texts throughout Canada, all at an affordable price!

Their diverse range of plans caters to various needs, and their multilingual customer service ensures you’re well-supported.

Don’t wait any longer! Enhance your experience by switching to PhoneBox today!

And by activating a plan through the special link for Taxback clients, you’ll get a $10 discount on the SIM fee! Weekly plans start from $9, and 30-day plans start from $28. But the crowd favourite is the $30 plan offering a whopping 40GB of data! Stop wasting time! Switch your number to PhoneBox today!

10. Taxes

Provincial and territorial income tax rates vary from one province to another.

How much income tax you need to pay is determined by the province you reside in on 31 December.

Depending on your terms of employment, you may be entitled to a tax refund at the end of the fiscal year.

When you start a new job in Canada, you are obliged to fill out a TD1 form and submit it to the Human Resources/ Payroll.

That’s how employees provide the government with the information it requires on salary and relevant tax credits.

By correctly completing it, you may be able to drastically reduce your Canadian tax bill by claiming personal tax credits.

Every new employee should fill out both the provincial TD1 and the federal one. They are included in the onboarding documents.

The simplest way to complete your TD1 is with Sprintax TDS Canada.

Why?

After you create your account, the software will generate the applicable forms (TD1 and TP-1015.3-V for Quebec) and determine if you are eligible for any deductions, credits, or tax treaties so that you don’t have to figure this out on your own.

It will also assist you in determining your residency status for tax purposes.

All of this will save you a lot of time and stress.

Also, it is cloud-based software, and you don’t have to install anything on your computer or device.

To get started, simply create your Sprintax Canada account.

Filing a Canadian tax return and claiming a tax refund in Canada

Remember that submitting a tax return is one of your responsibilities as a Canadian taxpayer.

Each year, many working holidaymakers, international students, and other foreigners working on temporary visas overpay on their tax bills and are due a big tax refund.

If you are a non-resident and have worked in Canada, most likely you have overpaid taxes, and are due a significant tax refund.

So, why leave your money at the Canadian tax office?

The only way to get your money back is to file a Canadian tax return and the filing deadline is 30 April.

The great news is that you can easily do this with the help of Sprintax Canada.

After you create your account in Sprintax TDS, you can transfer all your data to Sprintax Tax Preparation which will help you file your tax return and claim your Canadian tax refund electronically.

The software will guide you through the entire process from start to finish and will guarantee your compliance with the Canadian Tax Office.

Sprintax Canada software supports tax filing for the 2019, 2020, and 2021 tax years.

If you want to file for a previous tax year, you will be prompted to register with their partner Taxback.com.

Sprintax Canada can help with:

determining your residency status for tax purposes
preparing your federal and provincial TD1 form
determination of applicable tax treaties, credits, and deductions depending on your personal circumstances
preparing your Canadian tax return, and claiming your maximum legal Canadian tax refund (including Quebec income tax return)
tax withholding calculation
ITN application
100% compliance with CRA
step-by-step- guide to claiming relevant expenses

The average Canadian tax refund is $998, so it’s definitely worth taking yours!

11. Visa

While heading to Canada, you need to have some cash to maintain your family and yourself for the first few weeks in the new country.

You need to start organizing your visa long enough in advance as it might take really long to get approval.

With Visa First, you get a free estimation of all your visa options and a professional assessment of your application.

Our team can help you to secure your Canadian Working Holiday Visa or Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).

Visa First is the world’s leading international immigration consulting company.

We can help you to apply for your visa fast and hassle-free.

Visa First has over 20 years of experience in providing fast, convenient, and reliable services to our consumers.

Why choose Visa First?

Every year, we process over 10,000 visas
One of our visa experts will be your personal account manager and will answer any questions you may have
Our visa professionals will take care of the paperwork and make sure that your application is properly prepared
We will save you time and stress

For additional information about Canada visa applications, you can email us at contact@visafirst.com.

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