Why you should choose Canada?

If you are thinking of moving to Canada then you must know why Canada can be a great choice & why you should choose Canada. The “Life in Canada” section provides a brief introduction to living in Canada and Canadian society.

Canada, the summit of the Americas, your sides lapped by the two great oceans, your brow thrust into the Arctic ice your humble name is that of a giant.

– Berthe de Tremaudan, Canadian poet.

There are many reasons why you should choose Canada. Provinces and territories are one of them. Deciding where to live once you immigrate to Canada is a big decision. Take some time to learn about the various provinces and territories to determine which one is the best fit for you.

Canadian Provinces and Territories

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• Brunswick
• Newfoundland And Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island (PEI)
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan

Geography of Canada

Canada is the most northerly country of the Americas and the second-largest country in the world.

It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean on the west, the Arctic Ocean to the north and the United States of America (USA) to the South. It spans a total area that covers almost ten million square kilometers (9,984,670 sq km). To put it into clear perspective, Canada could contain 18 countries the size of France, or 40 United Kingdoms. Canada has six time zones, as well as the longest coastline of any country.

Canada is a mosaic of regions, from the rugged mountains of the West to the farm communities of the prairies, from the industrial and political powerhouse of Ontario to the modern Francophone culture of Québec, and from the quaint fishing communities of the east coast to the great white North. The beauty and diversity of Canada are proud icons of what Canada has become.

Most of the country is made up of plains, with mountains in the west and prairies in the central areas. Approximately 90 percent of the over 35 million people living in Canada are located within 160 km of the US border and about 75 percent of the total population lives in major cities or towns. There are more lakes and inland waters in Canada than in any other country. There are over two million lakes in Canada, which translates into 7.6 percent (755,180 sq km) of the world’s freshwater.

Canada is divided into 10 provinces and three territories. The northernmost part of Canada extends into the frigid Arctic Circle, while the southernmost parts stretch down to or below the US border. Canada and the United States share many geographic characteristics in common, such as the Rocky Mountains, four of the Great Lakes, the Appalachian Highlands, and various rivers.

Canada has a boreal climate. Winters are cold, with average daily temperatures ranging between -2.5°C and -10°C (though much colder temperatures are possible), while summers are relatively warm by comparison, with temperatures ranging between 16°C and 28°C in the southern regions. Canadian temperatures have climbed up to a scorching 35°C in the summer and descended to a glacial -40°C during winter.

British Columbia receives the most temperate climate in all of Canada. It rarely snows in the low-lying areas, and the Coastal Range and the Rocky Mountains prevent the Pacific air from traveling to the Prairies.

The Canadian Prairies traverse east from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Lakes. Farming is a major industry in this part of the Country. Cold winters and muggy, hot, summers are common. Ample spring rainfalls and clement autumns make the Prairies one of the top grain-growing areas of the world.

More than half of Canada’s population lives near the Great Lakes or along the St. Lawrence River. Winter is very snowy and wind-chilled, while summers are humid and longer than anywhere else in Canada. There’s enough rainfall to sustain the region’s sizable farm industry.

This territory is quite inclement and has one of the most capricious weather systems anywhere in the country. In winter, temperatures can vary tempestuously as the Arctic’s breath is replaced by maritime air from cursory storms. Snowfall is relatively strong, and fog is frequently present in spring and at the beginning of the summer season. July is the warmest month of the year.

North of the Prairies and St. Lawrence is an expansive hyperborean forest. This area is snow-capped most of the year, and summer lingers for approximately two months. Above the tree-line lies the Arctic, temperatures rise above freezing only for a few weeks a year and the ground is permanently frozen.

Politics in Canada

Canada is what is known as a “Democratic Federation” with both federal and provincial levels of government. Responsibilities and powers are divided between the federal branch and its provincial executives. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is a department of the government of Canada.

The government of Canada and the Canadian political system are quite complex and based loosely on the British Westminster system. The system Canada follows today was initially drafted by the “Fathers of Confederation” in 1864 and became law in 1867 when the Constitution Act was passed. The Act gave executive authority to the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland (as was the official title for the Monarch at the time), which made Canada a sovereign constitutional monarchy.

The federal government has the power to create laws for the peace, order, and responsible government of Canada. This includes federal jurisdictions such as international affairs, defense, immigration, criminal law, customs and border control. The provincial governments are responsible for or share jurisdiction over, healthcare, education, and driver licensing and registrations, among other items.

The Canadian political establishment is centered in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, with the two houses of Parliament, situated on Parliament Hill. There is an upper house, The Senate, and a lower house, The House of Commons. Members of the House of Commons are called “Members of Parliament” (MPs) and are elected by the people to represent their interests and deliberate on various national issues affecting Canadians.

Electoral districts are divided into geographical areas known as ridings. The candidate with the most votes in the riding in which he or she is standing for office wins the authority to act in the best interests of the riding by taking his or her “seat” in Parliament.

The provincial political systems are based on the same doctrine as their federal counterpart. The provincial governments are referred to as “Legislative Assemblies” (except the “National Assembly” of Quebec), and the Queen’s representative in each Assembly is called the “Lieutenant Governor”. Generally, every four or five years an election is called by the reigning Premier. Pending the results of the election, the Lieutenant Governor will ask the leader of the party with the most seats in the Assembly to become the Premier of the province and form a government.

Economy of Canada

Canada ranks among the 10 leading manufacturing nations. Most of Canada’s manufacturing industry is located in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Other important manufacturing sectors in Canada include food and beverages, paper and allied products, primary metals, fabricated metals, petrochemicals, and chemicals.

The Atlantic, Prairie, and Pacific regions of Canada have concentrated on establishing their natural resource-based economies such as fishing, forestry, and mining. The Prairie provinces are dependent on agriculture and mineral fuels, while British Columbia’s primary industries are forestry and mining, and tourism.

In recent years, Alberta has played an increasingly important role within the Canadian economy due to its abundant natural resources and strong oil and gas sectors. From oil and gas to precious minerals, lumber, and agriculture, the country is rich in natural resources.

Education System in Canada

Canada is home to some of the world’s top educational institutions. Canada has a strong and well-funded system of public education, largely managed provincially. Consequently, some aspects of the education system can vary between provinces. However, as education is overseen by the federal government, the standard of education remains consistently high throughout the country.

There is both a public and private education system in Canada. The Canadian government heavily subsidizes education from kindergarten through to the post-secondary level, spending on average almost six percent of its GDP on education. This means Canada spends proportionately more on education than the average of OECD countries.

Generally speaking, the education system is divided into three levels:

• Primary
• Secondary
• Post-secondary

Private education and other schooling systems — for example, religious schools — are also available at all three levels.

Education in Canada is available to children the year they turn five (except in Ontario and Quebec, where children may start a year earlier). Depending on the province, kindergarten may be optional. The table below shows, generally speaking, the ages between which children are required to attend school (note that requirements may differ for homeschooling, which is legal across Canada).

Primary Education

Also known as elementary school, this level runs from Kindergarten or Grade 1 (ages six to seven) and runs through to Grade 8 (ages 13 to 14). The school year normally runs from September through to the following June. 

Secondary Education

Also known as high school, this level runs from Grade 9 (ages 14 to 15) to Grade 12 (ages 17 to 18). Ontario has a Grade 12+. In Quebec, students attend high school until the age of 16. They may then proceed to CEGEP, a publicly-funded two-year college where students may pursue either a university preparation diploma or a vocational diploma.

Post-secondary Education

Canada has a wide network of colleges and universities, offering some of the best post-secondary education worldwide. 

Canada has many internationally recognized university programs located in both urban and rural regions throughout the nation. Degrees awarded from Canadian universities are generally recognized as equivalent to those from other universities worldwide.

The university year usually runs from September to April or May and is comprised of two semesters or terms. Many post-secondary institutions offer the option of taking courses in a third semester during the summer months. Generally speaking, students may begin a study program at a university in September (in most cases), or in January.

College programs may run throughout the year, and students may be able to begin a course at various points during the year.

Education in English and French

International students may choose to study in either one of Canada’s two official languages. Some institutions may offer instruction in both languages, although students do not need to be fluent in both languages to attend school at any level in Canada.

Across most of Canada, the main language of school-level education is English. However, French-language education is widely available throughout the country. Regardless of the main language of instruction, French or English as a second language is generally taught from an early age.

In Quebec, students are generally required to attend school in French until the end of high school. There are some exceptions under which a child may obtain a certificate of eligibility to receive instruction in English:

• If a child’s mother or father pursued elementary studies in English in Canada;
• If a child, or a child’s sibling/s, has received the major part of their elementary or secondary school instruction in English in Canada (if the child’s mother or father is a Canadian citizen);
• If a child’s mother or father attended school in Québec after August 26, 1977, and could have been declared eligible for instruction in English at that time (if the child’s mother or father is a Canadian citizen).

In addition, children whose parents are in Quebec temporarily (for example, on a work or study permit), may attend school in English.

However, generally speaking, when newcomers to Canada settle in Quebec, their children are required to attend public school in French. However, private schooling options in English may be available.

Learn more about education in specific provinces and territories:

• Education in Alberta
• Education in British Columbia
• Education in Manitoba
• Education in New Brunswick
• Education in Newfoundland And Labrador
• Education in Nova Scotia
• Education in Ontario
• Education in Prince Edward Island
• Education in Quebec
• Education in Saskatchewan

Health Care in Canada

Canada has a public health care system that makes critical care accessible to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents alike. Although the health care systems are run by Provincial ministries of health, the Federal Government sets the standards for health care across the country.

Three provinces charge health care premiums (BC, Alberta and Ontario). In the remaining provinces and territories, health care is paid for through taxes. Provincial governments are responsible for the actual administration and delivery of health care in their jurisdictions.

Learn more about health care in specific provinces and territories:

• Health Care in Alberta
• Health Care in British Columbia
• Health Care in Manitoba
• Health Care in New Brunswick
• Health Care in Newfoundland And Labrador
• Health Care in Nova Scotia
• Health Care in Ontario
• Health Care in Prince Edward Island
• Health Care in Quebec
• Health Care in Saskatchewannada

Culture

With only 35 million people, Canada’s population is modest compared to its more densely populated southern neighbor. There are over 200 distinct cultures in Canada. The nation is often defined as a “cultural mosaic” with a greater mix of people from diverse backgrounds than almost anywhere else on Earth. Canada encourages its people to hold close to their traditions and culture. Around two-fifths of the country’s population comes from an origin other than British or French.

The Canadian government, through the Multiculturalism Act, aims to preserve and enhance multiculturalism through official policy. Among other aims, Canada strives to “promote the understanding and creativity that arise from the interaction between individuals and communities of different origins.”

Bilingualism in Canada

There are two official languages in Canada: English and French.

Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms assures the protection of both languages, and the Canadian government is required by law to recognize, preserve and support the equality of both languages in Canadian society. All of the services offered by the federal government are available in both languages, and almost every product sold in the country has English and French labeling and packaging.

Quebec is Canada’s only predominantly French-speaking province and New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in the country. The city of Montreal, Quebec, is recognized as the world’s largest French-speaking metropolis outside France. Outside the borders of Quebec, most people speak English, with about 18 percent of all Canadians being fluently bilingual.