Why More People are Choosing Canada for Work, Study and Family Life

Canada is often regarded as a beautiful country, and an increasing number of people are choosing to emigrate there. If you’re one of the many, you may already be searching online for phrases such as Canada immigration lawyer to help get the ball rolling. But is it all going to be worth it in the end?

In this article, we will explore all that Canada has to offer migrants from overseas and hopefully help you reach a definitive conclusion for yourself. So, why Canada?

Why Canada?

Situated in North America, Canada is known for its snowy Northern mountain ranges, its long coastlines, and its spectacular array of wildlife. As the second-largest country in the world by land and sea mass, and with a population of approximately 41.5 million, it has a LOT to offer the avid tourist. Think freshwater lakes, marine ecozones, and some of the most aww-inspiring natural scenery in the world.

Canada is steeped in history; for example, experts believe Canada’s inhabitants date back some 14,000 years. There are two famous archaeological sites known as Old Crow Flats and Bluefish Caves, and the indigenous people are thought to have built permanent settlements and trading networks there. 

Historians have also found evidence of indigenous people partaking in agriculture and constructing complex social hierarchies way before European explorers made their way to the country in the 15th and 16th centuries. 

With one of the most diverse cultures across the globe, Canada is universally recognised as one of the most multicultural countries out there. Its demographic is made up of descendants of its indigenous people and European settlers, alongside visibly expanding minority populations driven by years of global immigration. 

Canada is also known for its tolerance of the LGBTQ+ community and is widely considered one of the safest places in the world to live due to its low crime rates, strong social stability, and strict laws and regulations.

Working in Canada 

Canada is often considered a good place to work due to its employment laws and regulations. Its work culture offers a great balance between the fast-paced, money-making intensity of countries such as the United States, and the leisure-focused culture of European countries such as Switzerland. 

For example, Canada has severance pay and paid statutory holiday laws, and a 40-hour working week is generally respected by employers. Employees often find they can make enough money to survive comfortably, but can also take advantage of their time off work, perhaps enjoying long weekends or days off. 

Multicultural cities in Canada have diverse industries and offer employment in various sectors such as tech, finance, natural resources and the public sector. There are some employers who even seek out overseas skilled workers to maintain their business production levels, and so on.

Furthermore, workers in Canada have access to a universal healthcare system, which is government-funded. Medical care is accessible; for example, health insurance is not tied to employment, which means workers can switch jobs without the risk of losing coverage. 

Studying in Canada

Canada is widely considered an excellent place to study due to its world-class universities and clear post-grad work experience pathways. For example, there is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) available to those eligible, which allows post-grads to stay in Canada to work and live after graduation, providing them with extremely valuable professional experience.

In addition, eligible international students are allowed to work part-time during the school term and full-time during the school holiday. Furthermore, Canadian educational institutions (such as McGill University and the University of Toronto) are famous world leaders in fields such as research and academic excellence. 

For children, the Canadian school system is renowned as one of the world’s greatest. Each province in Canada is responsible for its own education, and so each province designs its own curriculum, however, high standards are visible across the whole country. 

The school system does not rely on national exams to test the ability and knowledge of its students; rather, it incorporates ongoing coursework and projects throughout the year, as well as standardised provincial testing. 

Family Life in Canada

Family life in Canada is attractive to many due to its multicultural society, good work-life balance and strong outdoor recreational culture. However, there are some factors to consider before taking the plunge. For example, Canada is known to have a high cost of living, especially in the bigger cities such as Vancouver and Toronto. 

Also, public tax is usually higher than in other countries; however, this is counteracted by the excellent public services available, such as free healthcare and education for young children.

Parents can also take advantage of robust parental leave policies that are implemented across Canada.

For example, parents are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity and 35 weeks of parental leave, which is paid at the amount of at least 55% of their normal earnings. Leave can be extended for up to 18 months, however, in this instance, the pay goes down to 33% of your normal earnings. Compared to some other countries, though, this is particularly generous.

In addition, though not responsible for the organisation of the education system in each province, the federal government have agreements with their authorities regarding heavily subsidised childcare. This significantly reduces childcare costs for parents of young children who may need to work outside of school hours.

Should I Move to Canada?

As we have discovered in this article, Canada has so much to offer those from overseas. Not only is that a safe and welcoming environment, but job opportunities, free healthcare and world-class education. However, the cost of living is quite high compared to other countries, and such factors need to be considered before making a final decision. Ultimately, though, that decision is yours to make.