19/08/2015
Things to consider before moving to Canada
Moving to any new country is always giong to be a big decision. There are many things to consider such as housing, lifestyle, living expenses, employment etc. Below are some of the things to note:-
1. Weather
Keen to emigrate but can’t choose between sun or snow? Why not have both?
Unless you’re living on the BC coast (or to a lesser extent, parts of Southern Ontario), you are almost certain to experience cold, snowy winters and hot summers, with short transitional seasons.
If you come from a mild or warm climate, the bitter cold of a Canadian winter is sure to surprise you. It’s difficult to describe how cold -25°C can feel, but fear not, the good news is that you can come prepared with the right clothing and attitude.
Another upshot is that Canadians don’t take summer for granted — they know how to make the most of the warmer months.
2. Diversity
Multiculturalism is part of the Canadian ethos, and central to national policy.
Some 41 sitting Members of Parliament were born abroad. In any major city, as well as many rural communities for that matter, you will encounter myriad languages, religions and cultures.
You don’t need to let go of your culture or values after moving to Canada, but you do need to evolve so that you can successfully adjust and have the greatest chance of achieving success. Keeping an open mind will benefit you, as well as those around you.
3. Tipping
You may come from a country where workers in the service and hospitality sectors earn a guaranteed livable wage with additional benefits, and therefore tipping may not be a part of your culture. That’s great, but Canada is different, and becoming accustomed to tipping is a basic ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do’ situation.
Bartenders and servers generally earn minimum wage, which, depending on the province, is around $10 per hour. Indeed, some provinces have a lower minimum wage closer to $8 for service workers, on the expectation that they will earn tips to compensate, and staff usually have to “tip out” other staff (such as those in the kitchen), with a portion of their sales.
This might seem strange and you may disagree, but by not tipping, the server is effectively paying out of their own pocket to serve you. So, unless the service is poor, please tip.
The standard tip is 15% of the total bill (or 20% for highly knowledgeable, attentive service), or a dollar per drink (a couple of dollars would suffice for a round).
4. The job hunt
Researching, looking for and applying for jobs in Canada can be lengthy process — perhaps much longer than what you are used to. Months can pass before you land a professional position, so plan accordingly.
This means you should:
Bring enough funds to tide you through your first few months.
Be prepared to take on a non-career job in the short term.
Begin to think and act Canadian before you even set foot in Canada. This means adapting your resume, networking and being proactive.
5. Cost of living
You should know the basic cost of living in your adopted city before you move. If you move and are surprised by how expensive rent or transportation is, that’s not the city’s fault — it’s yours.
Research is crucial. Toronto and Vancouver, particularly the downtown areas, are relatively expensive, as is the booming Northern Alberta town of Fort McMurray. High salaries can compensate for this.
Rent-controlled Montreal, on the other hand, has low property values and low rent, but also lower salaries.
This site allows you to compare the cost of living between Canadian cities and towns.
6. Smoking
It is illegal to smoke in public places, such as restaurants, stores, offices, hospitals and other places of employment. This also includes public or shared areas of apartment buildings and rental complexes.
If you smoke, the only places you can now do so are in your own living space, your vehicle (unless you have a minor with you) and in the great outdoors.
7. Healthcare
Healthcare in Canada is 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.
Depending on the type of visa you have on arrival in Canada, you may or may not be entitled to a health card. If you require private insurance (first-time IEC candidates, for example, require this), you can view your options here.
Health Canada has an extensive FAQ section.
8. Driving licenses
Many of the tests or examinations you have completed in your home country may not be valid in Canada, or require paperwork in order to be converted.
Driving licenses are a minefield for two reasons.
Firstly, licenses are awarded by the provinces, not the federal government, and individual provinces have their own rules and testing procedures.
Secondly, different countries around the world have particular agreements with the provinces.
Take Ontario, for example. Some countries, such as the United States, Australia, France and Korea, have an agreement with Ontario that allows licensed drivers to obtain an Ontario licence without having to go through the regular process for obtaining a licence.
Many other countries do not — though a recent agreement allows mutual exchange of licenses between Ireland and Ontario. In Saskatchewan, Irish license holders can exchange their original license quite easily, and a similar arrangement was put in place in British Columbia in June 2015.
9. Taxation
Under Canada’s decentralised federal system, taxes are levied at multiple levels.
Income taxes are collected by both the federal and provincial governments, and you can use this tax calculator to gauge how much you will end up paying in your province. When negotiating an employment opportunity, take into account the variance between gross and net income.
Depending on your status and terms of employment, you may be entitled to a tax refund at the end of the fiscal year.
Sales taxes vary between the provinces, from 5% in Alberta to 14.975% in Quebec. These are added at the point of sale, not on the price tag, so be aware that an item advertised as $10 will cost you more when you pay for it.
10. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
When moving to Canada, it is important to know what rights you have on arrival and throughout your stay.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees certain political rights to Canadian citizens and civil rights to everyone in the country, from the policies and actions of all areas and levels of government. The Charter forms the bedrock of Canadian political, civil and social society.
http://www.visas-ca.com/
This year a little-known suburb grabs the top spot on Canada's Best Places to Live.
