10 Reasons Why Canada is a Good Place to Live

People around the world are flocking to Canada. They’re even coming in from the United States. 

It’s a great time to seek legal permanent resident (LPR) status or citizenship in almost any Canadian province, too. Many of the provinces are experiencing workforce shortages across any number of disciplines. 

Here are 10 reasons why you should consider moving to Canada.

#1) Immigrant-Friendly Policies

It doesn’t matter how great a country is if you can’t navigate the process or find it to be inhumane and terrifying. 

No immigration process is easy; you’ll want an attorney before you begin. Yet Canadian policies are friendly and expansive, with lots of options and multiple pathways for LPR status. The Canadian public also has a friendlier view of immigration and immigrants than the American public does. 

As a result, Canada admits three times as many immigrants as America every year. 

#2) Immigrant-Friendly Services

Almost every province in Canada takes extra steps to make immigrants feel at home.

“Canada goes to comparatively great lengths to help immigrants assimilate by providing them with orientation programs, skills training, social services, and pathways to citizenship. In recent years, roughly 70% of the federal immigration agency’s budget has gone towards settlement programs.” –The Council on Foreigh Relations

There are free pre-departure services available. These services help immigrants create a personalized plan to manage their move, and to get oriented to the way education, healthcare, housing, and transportation work in Canada.  

Once you arrive, there are a variety of services that can help immigrants look for jobs, get language training, find housing, get the kids in school, and plug in to various community services. 

You can find the services you need most by going to this website. 

#3) Human Rights

If your country has a somewhat shaky record on human rights you can breathe easier in Canada. 

Rights are protected by the Canadian constitution. The constitution protects the rights to live and seek employment anywhere in Canada, the right to life, liberty, and personal security, the freedom of conscience and religion, the freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, freedom of the press, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of association. Citizens have the right to vote from the moment they turn 18. Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure and the right not to be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned, and the right to know why they’re being imprisoned and to seek legal counsel if they are being imprisoned. Every person has the right to trial, and the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment. 

The Canadian Human Rights Act of 1985 prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, disability, and conviction for offenses in which pardons have been granted or in respect of which a record suspension has been ordered. 

It is a breath of fresh air for many refugees, who may face death, imprisonment, or economic hardships in their home nations for any one of these characteristics. 

#4) The Job Market

Canada offers an incredible job market that’s full of opportunities for just about anyone. Canada has been consistently adding jobs, even after the Covid-19 pandemic. The unemployment rate is just 7.1%. Canadian residents earn an average weekly salary of $1,124.60. 

Provinces are hungry for skilled workers, and you’d be surprised what qualifies. The nation is experiencing shortages for everything from administrative assistants to bakers: you do not, in fact, have to have a PhD just to come to Canada. 

If you’re having trouble finding work in your home country there’s never been a better time to look outside your borders. 

Note that temporary foreign workers and those who enter as international students have the most success finding and keeping employment in their field once they arrive in Canada. You should also be advised that you might need to obtain new licensing in your current profession once you arrive in Canada. 

#5) Health Care

Canadian citizens and lawful permanent residents enjoy access to Canada’s universal health-care system. Refugees and protected persons can use the Interim Federal Health Care Program (IFHP) until they are eligible for health care through their province. 

Every province has their own plan. British Columbia’s health care system is generally considered to be the strongest, followed by Ontario’s, but all of the provinces offer an outstanding standard of care. Canadians enjoy access to well-appointed facilities, the latest technology, high standards of care, and well-trained medical professionals. 

Private health insurance is also available, covering services Medicare doesn’t cover such as prescriptions, dental care, physiotherapy, ambulance services, and prescription eyeglasses. Wealthier Canadians enjoy access to private clinics where they bypass some wait times. Those who are on temporary visas may still purchase private health insurance which will cover them throughout their stay. 

#6) Education

Canada’s educational systems is one of the top 3 educational systems in the world, comparable to the UK and the United States educational system. Canada offers top-quality free public schooling and some of the most competitive colleges and universities in the world. 

Educational is affordable and tuition is lower than in the United States. Studying as an international student can be a solid pathway towards both employment and legal permanent residency status in Canada, though if that is your strategy you’ll want to work closely with your immigration attorney to make sure your visa applications are handled correctly.

#7) Safety and Security

Canada is one of the safest nations in the world. Crime rates are low. That’s not to say you don’t have to lock your door at night, but even the major cities are relatively safe places to live, work, and raise children.

When crimes do happen, they are more likely to be crimes against property than violent crimes.

#8) Natural Beauty

Canada is full of breathtaking natural wonders. About 90% of the country is uninhabited, creating pristine landscapes for residents to enjoy. National parks are abundant. For outdoor lovers, the entire place is a playground.

Many Canadians love getting out and getting active: hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, and skiing are all common pursuits.  

#9) Diversity

Canada is an extremely diverse country, which makes it easy for people from around the world to fit in, find new communities, and make new friends. 

Only 21% of the population is of British-only ancestry. Canadians themselves are largely in favor of a multicultural society, though these attitudes can be different from region to region. In places like Surrey, BC or Vancouver, BC the atmosphere is raucous and welcoming; rural Alberta might present a different picture. 

#10) Quality of Life

Canada ranks well across the board in every measure of subjective well-being, both in the categories we’ve already discussed and in categories like community, life expectancy, environment, civic engagement, safety, work-life balance, and life satisfaction.

In much of the country you’ll have access to attractions, amenities, shopping, and dining that are world-renowned and which offer high-quality experiences. 

Ready to start the immigration process?

Give yourself your best chance of success by reaching out to our qualified team of immigration attorneys. 

Our attorneys have decades of experience, speak fluent Mandarin and Punjabi, and are committed to helping you find the right path to work, study, obtain permanent residency, or obtain Canadian Citizenship.

Get started by calling our Surrey office at (604) 394-2777 today.