What is Canada like? It is more than wide mountain ranges, and snowfall. Moving to a new country is a daunting task, it’s a new environment, new home, and you’ll be adjusting to a completely new lifestyle. iConnectGlobal can help you answer your burning questions, and give you an insight as to what life is like in Canada. Here are some of the things to know about Canada before landing as an immigrant.
Weather
Despite what most people think, it doesn’t snow every single day in Canada. Depending on the province you decide to reside in there may be more or less snowfall. In Canada winters are very cold, and summer is often very warm. Spring, and fall weather depends on the province you live in, but you can expect rainfall to occur throughout the year. Dress appropriately, if you are used to living in a warmer climate you may want to invest in clothing for winter. Be prepared for extreme winters in Canada.
Social Norms
People in Canada are often very friendly. In some countries, respect is highly prioritized. People often use greetings such as bowing and addressing people with honorific titles. This is not the case in Canada. While Canadians are polite but they are quite casual. Using titles such as Sir or Madame are often used in formal workplace settings as opposed to everyday life. It is not uncommon for strangers to strike up friendly conversation in Canada so be prepared to socialize with the occasional neighbor or stranger on the street. Another societal norm in Canada is tipping. In some cultures such as Japan, tipping can be seen as rude, but here in Canada it is proper etiquette. It is also greatly appreciated by service workers. Bartenders and food service workers often only make minimum wage depending on the province. It is standard to tip 15 percent, twenty percent for excellent service, and a dollar per drink at bars. The only instance when one wouldn’t tip is if the service is poor.
The Cost of Living
This is one of the most important things to know about Canada before landing as an immigrant. Do your research when looking into which city you wish to reside in, Numbeo has a section on it’s site to compare the cost of living between Canadian cities. Using this site, and through personal research you can calculate the basic cost of living. Don’t forget to make a note of the cost of transit if you are using the bus or skytrain. If you have a car, look at the gas prices. Pay attention to areas with your desired city; some have a lower or higher rent than others. Another thing that may differ in Canada is the price of products in stores. The price that is listed is not the exact price that will be paid. This is due to sales tax, which is added at the time of paying for your items. Be sure to calculate the tax when making any purchases in Canada.
Canada’s Healthcare System
Canada’s Healthcare system is one of big attractors for those coming to Canada. Canada has a universal healthcare system that is paid for through taxes that allows everyone to receive the same healthcare services. As long as you have a healthcare card you will be able to receive these services. Keep in mind that although healthcare is free there may be some additional fees, such as prescription medications, therapy, dental treatment, and prescription eyeglasses. These fees may partially be covered if you purchase a health insurance plan. The coverage of these services is determined by factors such as health, age, and the province you live in.
This knowledge will help you prepare for your migration, and with this information in mind, planning for your move should go smoothly.
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