YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CANADA. All you need to know to make your relocation smooth and successful

Transcription

1 YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CANADA All you need to know to make your relocation smooth and successful

2 YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CANADA All you need to know to make your relocation smooth and successful Edition Copyright 2018 All rights reserved. Canadian Visa Expert No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, Canadian Visa Expert Woodbine Avenue, Suite 500, Markham, Ontario L3R 6G2, CANADA canadianvisaexpert.com

3 Disclaimer Your Essential Guide to Canada is a blueprint for those who wish to enhance their knowledge on how to live and work legally in Canada. While it does not replace the expertise of immigration lawyers, it does provide the individual with the tools to know exactly what is involved in immigrating to another country, specifically Canada in this case. The information contained in this guide should not be considered as legal advice. Although the author and publisher believe the information in this book to be accurate on the date of its publication, the reader should be aware that immigration laws, regulations and procedures are constantly changing. It is up to the reader to make sure that the information is accurate and up to date. The author and publishers shall not be held liable for any damage suffered directly or indirectly due to the use of this guide.

4 Introduction Moving to a new country is exciting, but can also be stressful if you are not prepared. This book will help you become more familiar with Canada and give you the knowledge you need to live a better life there. Canada has emerged in a competitive world order with one of the strongest economies, top ranked education systems and a universal healthcare system that collectively offer a high standard of living to the people residing there. A diverse nation comprised of many different ethnic groups with an ongoing new generation of immigrants who contribute their unique skills to the economy, Canada is therefore not only financially wealthy but a culturally rich nation as well. Amazing natural landscapes with waterfall cascades, fun public holidays, national sports and shopping tips are among the other topics you can look forward to in this essential guide on Canada. Enjoy!

5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Disclaimer... 3 Introduction... 4 The Economy 7 Income and Salaries...10 Income Tax Employment Opportunities...13 Resume and CV Formats - Matching Canadian Job Requirements...15 Self-Employment Unemployment Benefits...18 Healthcare 19 Health Insurance...20 Life Expectancy...21 Education 22 Public Education for Children...23 Higher Academic Institutions & Universities...25 Culture 26 Customs and Religions...27 Language in Canada...29 Arts...29 Sports...30 Public Holidays...30

6 Leisure 33 Nature and Travel...34 Native Animals...35 Shopping...36 Immigration 41 Immigration Programs...42 Immigration Requirements...43 Express Enrty...43 Immigration Benefits...45 Conclusion 46

7 THE ECONOMY The Canadian economy has become a worldwide financial force. Highly diversified, Canada has been able to adapt to many a change and grow at a very fast rate. Canada s growth has put more money into the hands of its residents in recent years than any other country. Residents enjoy a higher standard of living compared to other nations and are some of the wealthiest people in the world. Immigrants especially have become an essential part of the economy, generating a tremendous amount of wealth and contributing to Canada s economic diversity and long-term economic competitiveness. Canada is ranked as the 11th largest economy in the world and, therefore, is one of the world s most prosperous nations. An advanced and industrialized society, Canada s industries span from technology to fishing and from manufacturing to services. Resembling the U.S. economy in many ways, Canada now outperforms the U.S. in a number of economic standards. Canada has a free, open economy that facilitates strong economic growth. Economic freedom is essential to market development and movement. It gives access to business opportunities and makes private ownership easier. The higher the economic freedom in a country, the more secure and transparent Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 7

8 the economy generally is. Steadfast regulations and capital standards are sufficient in Canada when it comes to property rights, freedom from corruption, government spending, trade freedom, ability to invest, among other aspects that are valuable to a successful capitalistic system. Canada has an economy that many investors, domestic and international, prefer to invest in because they trust and value the market. Canada s federal government in Ottawa (Canada s capital city) is responsible for supervising the economy and its democratic system. The federal government mandates the rule of law while providing autonomy to local authorities in Canada s 10 provinces and three territories, very similar to Washington, D.C., in the United States, and its interactions with the 50 States. By doing so, Canada s federal government recognizes the need for provinces to make localized decisions that directly impact their markets, community and society. Canada s federal government is more conservative, however, with stricter policies and regulations to protect the country s economic system and financial institutions. Recently, when banks around the world almost went bankrupt during the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, Canadian banks to the contrary firmly stood their ground. Banks in Canada weathered the recession storm partly because of conservative management styles and partly because of stronger federal regulations. Restrictions on banks not to financially overleverage, especially in the sub-prime real estate market, saved the Canadian economy from disaster. Canada s financial institutions were affected by the global crisis, but did not suffer the same dire circumstances that many banks did around the world. One of the best indicators of Canada s economic stability was its real estate market, which did not lose its bottom like the United States where housing prices plunged by 30% or more (depending on location) from their 2006 peak prices, or in Britain where prices dropped by some 20% or more from their 2007 listing prices. Indeed, Canada was among the first nations to emerge from the global recession. This outcome can be attributed to its banking prudence, firm federal regulations and economic policies that continue to position the economy for long-term economic competitiveness. Open trade is a large piece of the Canadian economic pie. Imports and exports are crucial to the country s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), growth and wealth levels. Low tariff and non-tariff barriers make Canada s trade policies very Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 8

9 competitive. The United States is its main trading partner, absorbing more than 70% of all Canadian exports. Canadian exports include motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, aircraft, telecommunications equipment, chemicals, plastics, fertilizers, wood pulp, timber, crude oil, natural gas, electricity and aluminum. Imported goods include machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, refined petroleum products, chemicals, electricity and durable consumer goods. Canada s total exports exceed $521 billion per year, while total imports are $547 billion per year. Open trade policies allow investments to enter the market more easily. And these investments help create a more rich and competitive market that is both efficient and dynamic. Canada s best industries contribute to more than half of Canada s GDP. These industries are dominated by the service industry (a service industry is a business that does work for a customer, and occasionally provides goods, but is not involved in manufacturing.) The services industry employs about 75% of the Canadian workforce. Canada also has a thriving production/manufacturing sector. The logging and oil industries, for example, are two of Canada s most important production sectors. Canada also has large manufacturing, automobile and aircraft industries. Furthermore, with the Pacific Ocean ruing along its West Coast and the Atlantic Ocean ruing along its East Coast, Canada boasts the 8th largest commercial fishing and seafood industry in the world. Other major Canadian industries include transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, fish products, petroleum and natural gas. Canada has also become a global leader in the technology sector, which generates billions of dollars in revenue aually and employs hundreds of thousands of Canadian workers, particularly in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. Quantified, Canada has a GDP of $1.7 trillion per year and an aual GDP growth rate of 4.5% (August 2017). Some sectors make up larger parts of the economy s GDP, such as agriculture at 1.9%, industry at 27.1% and the service sector at 71%. Canada s aual inflation rate is a very low 1.4% (2017) and its unemployment rate of 6.2% (September 2017) is also low. The country s main import partners are the U.S. at 49.5%, China at 10.8% and Mexico at 5.5%, while the country s main export partners are the U.S. at 74.90%, China at 3.31% and the U.K. at 4.1%. Canada also provides economic relief and aid of $4 billion a year. Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 9

10 Income and Salaries Individuals and families earn more money these days because of a stronger Canadian currency and the country s healthy economic growth. In the past few years, the Canadian dollar rose by 15% against the U.S. dollar, 11% against the euro and 40% against the British pound. The average Canadian income rose according to the currency which has put more money into the pockets of Canadians compared to other people. Salaries in Canada tend to be higher than those in the U.K., the U.S. and most of Europe respectively. The median total family income in Canada of $80,940 per year is expected to increase further in the near future. Average U.S. Citizen net adjusted disposable household Lawful income Permanent (e.g., the Residents money (LPR) available to a household for spending on goods and services or savings) is about $30,474 per year in Canada, which is slightly higher than the OECD average. In 2016, the average wealth per adult in Canada was $270,000, which is significantly higher than the global average wealth per adult of $52,800. These statistics show that Canadians have more equity and wealth compared to the rest of the world. These higher income levels are more often than not directly correlated to higher living standards, including quality education, healthcare and housing for residents. Canadians also have a higher homeownership rate compared to Americans, Japanese, Swedes, Danes, French and Germans. They also tend to live in larger homes of 5 or more rooms. So, what does all this mean? What kind of income or salary can you expect to earn in Canada according to your skills and occupation? Of course, it depends on a number of factors, including location, industry and unique skills, but there are certain standards that apply across the board. In general, large cities (like Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver) usually provide higher incomes, but those incomes are proportional to higher costs of living in those areas. Not only is location important, but one s occupation also comes into play, regardless of where one lives - for example, a petroleum engineer living in Alberta has one of the highest salaries in Canada. Gender also plays a role in regards to income levels and salaries. For example, male employees tend to earn more on average, $27.65 an hour in a full-time position, versus $24.11 per hour for women (August 2017). On average, part-time employees in Canada earn $18.41 per hour and full-time employees earn $27.36 per hour (August 2017). Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 10

11 The following charts provide a list of Average Weekly Wage Rates per sector and then Median Hourly Wage Rates according to occupations. Notice that the highest paid sectors by a considerable margin are mining and oil/gas drilling, followed by utilities (e.g., water & electricity) and then management. Visas Allocated Average Weekly Wages per industry in Canada (2016 Table) INDUSTRY Forestry Mining and oil and gas extraction Utilities Construction Manufacturing Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation and warehousing Information and cultural industries Finance and insurance Real estate and rentals Professional, scientific and technical services Management of companies Administration, waste management and services Education services Healthcare and social assistance Arts, entertainment and recreation Accommodation and food services Public Administration Other services AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE $1,109 CAD $2,039 CAD $1,737 CAD $1,217 CAD $1,089 CAD $1,156 CAD $562 CAD $1,015 CAD $1,305 CAD $1,260 CAD $969 CAD $1,317 CAD $1,438 CAD $783 CAD $1,016 CAD $866 CAD $586 CAD $371 CAD $1,232 CAD $787 CAD Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 11

12 Median Hourly Wages by Occupation in Canada (2017 Table) PROFESSION Retail Sales/Sales Clerk Data Entry Clerk Bookkeeper Truck Driver Carpenter Executive Assistant Plumber Electrician Social Worker Architect Registered Nurse Physical Therapist Construction Manager Computer Engineer (not software) Secondary School Teacher Electrical Engineer Finance Manager Software Engineer AVERAGE HOURLY WAGE $12 CAD $17 CAD $21 CAD $21 CAD $25 CAD $26 CAD $29 CAD $30 CAD $32 CAD $32 CAD $36 CAD $36 CAD $38 CAD $40 CAD $40 CAD $41 CAD $41 CAD $43 CAD Income Tax Canadians have to file an income tax report every year, which they can do on their own or with the help of a bookkeeper or accountant. The amount of income tax that an individual must pay is based on the amount of their taxable income (income earned less expenses) for one tax year. Personal income tax returns must be filed before April 30. Income tax can be deducted directly from Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 12

13 an individual s payroll and sent to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), where an individual pays his or her estimated taxes during the year instead of waiting to settle up at the end of the year. It can also be paid in a lump sum at the end of the year. In addition to paying aual federal income tax, Canadians must also pay provincial/territorial income tax each year. The provincial/territorial income tax rates are much lower than the federal income tax rates. Federal and provincial/territorial income taxes are progressive and determined according to income levels: the lower the income, the lower the tax rate. For example, the federal income tax rates in Canada during 2017 ranged from 15% for the first $45,916 of taxable High-Skilled income Workers up to 33% for Low-Skilled taxable incomes Workersover $202,800. Between the high and low federal income tax rates, the percentages were 20.5%, 26% and 29% in These rates may, of course, be adjusted by the Canadian government, but provide a general idea of the tax structure. Certain other deductions are allowed in determining net income, such as deductions for contributions to pensions or to Registered Retirement Savings Plans, union and professional dues, child care expenses, donations and business investment losses. Individuals who have overpaid taxes or who were overtaxed will receive a refund from the CRA upon filing their aual tax return. Employment Opportunities Canada offers many job opportunities for a variety of workers and entrepreneurs alike. Economic growth has created many job openings and, consequently, the Canadian government has responded by increasing immigration to around 300,000 permanent resident visas a year. A permanent resident visa allows an immigrant to legally live, work and study long-term in Canada and offers the option of applying for Canadian citizenship after as little as 3 years! Immigrants have a variety of employment options in Canada. Canada s larger cities (such as Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal) offer more job opportunities, but the coastlines have a lot to offer as well for those who want to work in the fishing, seafood or shipping industries. Sometimes escaping the competition of the big cities and moving to a place that s less populated is the answer to finding a job, as is the case in the province of Manitoba, which has one of the lowest unemployment rates of any of Canada s provinces and Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 13

14 territories. To find employment when you move to Canada, there are many resources available Category for newcomers Visa Allocation from job websites to employment agencies. Whether you will want a full-time or part-time position in the private or public sector, there are many job openings that may correspond to your professional needs. The Canadian government also strives to assist newcomers in improving their outcomes by providing access to employment related tools like job banks that help one learn how to create effective resumes, how to choose the right career path, receive a skills assessment, seek employment, etc. In today s modern era, it is now possible to more easily apply for a job over the Internet even before moving to Canada and many foreign workers who have been issued a Canadian work visa have had pre-arranged employment waiting for them when they arrived in Canada! The following is a list of job and employment sites that can help you in your job search: Job Bank helps you find jobs across Canada and has listings that are updated daily. You can advertise your profile to employers and receive a list of matching jobs. You can also browse job postings from Job Bank, see what education and training you need, find out if your occupation is in demand in a particular area and learn about salaries. provides resume samples, employment and career resources at one of the largest job portals. jobs-emplois.gc.ca is the official website for Government of Canada jobs. has offices across Canada and currently offers more than 31,000 jobs. lists a wide selection of employment Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 14

15 available throughout Canada (has an online resume builder and personalized job search). ca.indeed.com offers a large selection of Canadian jobs that you can search for by keywords and allows you to upload your resume for review by potential employers. is a portal for employment throughout Canada with a free web address to display your resume. has listings of hundreds of jobs in Canada, including engineering, finance, skilled trades, and technology. Resume and CV Formats Matching Canadian Job Requirements So, how do you increase your chances of getting recognized by a potential employer and landing a job in Canada? As the saying goes, When in Rome, do as the Romans do so, when in Canada, try to match your skills to local job requirements by tailoring your resume and submitting professional and relevant cover letters. Having a good resume/cv is the first step to applying for the job you want. First, it will help you define your skills and how you want to implement them. A professional resume says a lot about you to potential employers in Canada. If your resume is not up to date or up to standards, then it will most likely be passed over. Start by keeping your resume neat, short, and yet conclusive. A one to two page long resume in Canada is fine as long as it is clear and addresses specific job requirements. Mention your strengths and what you have accomplished, whether it was paid or non-paid experience, including volunteer experience which might give you an edge. If your resume is one page long, Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 15

16 make sure to print it out before you send it so that you will see how it looks in the hands of the person who has to read it. If you want to control the page margins so that it doesn t spread to two pages, save it as a PDF file and lock in the formatting and printing perimeters. Catch any mistakes in your resume before sending it out. Look at your resume several times and have other people review it, too, before you send it out. Make sure the company name, job title and date are accurate, and that there are no typos. Customize your resume for every job opening, especially if you have a personal statement about your job skills at the top of the page. Rewrite and try to market yourself every time you send it out. Organize your resume so that it makes perfect sense and represents your personal profile. For example, if you are applying for a job that requires attention to detail, then your resume is a great place to demonstrate your skills in this area. Use headings to organize the information in your resume. The most common headings are: Personal Statement Highlights of Qualifications Professional Experience Education Keep in mind that many employers cross-reference your resume with your online presence so make sure you know what will come up in a Google or Internet search when your name is entered in the search box. On the same note, when you update your skills on your resume, make sure to update your LinkedIn or other professional online profiles. Employers may also look for you on other social media tools, such as Facebook, Twitter and blogs. If you are active online, make sure to update or edit anything you don t want a potential employer to see before you send out your resume. Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 16

17 Self-Employment Entrepreneurship, iovation and small businesses are central to Canada s economy. There are over one million small businesses in Canada (small is defined as 50 employees or less) and about 100,000 new small businesses, on average, are opened in Canada every year. New immigrants are responsible for many of the small businesses in Canada because they are highly motivated to succeed, have a chance at economic freedom that they might not have had in their native country and want to work with or employ their family members. Small businesses are essential to Canada s economy because as a whole they employ around 50% of the nation s total workforce. Although small businesses in Canada operate in the goods-producing industries, most Canadian small businesses are actually found in the service industries. The highest concentration of high-growth firms are in professional, scientific or technical services, construction, administrative, support, waste management and remediation services. Small businesses in Canada are responsible for generating on average $77 billion a year in revenues, or 25% of Canada s total exports, making Canada wealthier and expanding the economy. It s important to note that not all small businesses start from the ground up. Many small business owners purchase an already-established business in Canada from someone that is either retiring or who wants to sell the business because they need the money. With the baby boomer generation reaching retirement age, a large number of businesses will likely change hands in the coming years. Some of those businesses will have family members to take over the business, but about a third will not, so they will have to either close the business or sell it. Whether you want to start your own business from the begiing or purchase an established business, either way, you can improve your chances to succeed by conducting industry research and having your business stand out, but still be very relevant to the market. The name of your business should have marketing potential and it should be registered right away so you can have legal rights to the branding. Depending on where you reside or where you open your business, you should also get all the right licenses before you start working. If you don t want to self-finance your own business, you can search for a combination of funding opportunities from other sources such as bank loans, grants and investors. Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 17

18 When scheduling a business meeting with investors or customers, you will find that Canadians begin meetings with a minimal amount of small talk or relationship building. On the other hand, they tend to be informal and relaxed even if the subjects are serious. Meetings are expected to be well-organized and on time and on schedule. When presenting information, it is important to have facts and figures to substantiate claims. While every person is different and unique, Canadians in general are rational and logical and, therefore, not convinced by emotions, passion or feelings. Unemployment Benefits The Canadian government provides Employment Insurance and temporary financial assistance to residents who have lost their job at no fault of their own. Unemployment insurance is issued to those who have lost their job and are looking for work or upgrading their skills. Canadians who are sick, pregnant or caring for a newborn or adopted child, as well as those who must care for a family member with a significant risk of death, may also be assisted by Employment Insurance. There are several types of Employment Insurance benefits. The most common is the Employment Insurance Regular Benefits that are available to individuals who were fired or lost their job due to shortage of work, seasonal layoffs or mass layoffs. Benefits are issued only if the person that is unemployed is available, willing and able to work. How much does unemployment insurance pay? You can receive unemployment benefits for 14 to 45 weeks. The basic rate for calculating unemployment benefits is 55% of one s weekly average insurable earnings. The maximum yearly insurable earnings are $45,900 or a maximum amount of $485 per week. Please note that these figures are subject to change. Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 18

19 HEALTHCARE Canada has a universal healthcare system, often referred to as Medicare. Healthcare costs are publically funded by the federal and provincial governments and paid through funding from income taxes. The federal government institutes the rule of law regulating the healthcare system at large, but does not mitigate day-to-day administration activities or collect any private information about an individual s health, which means that healthcare and patient records remain confidential. The Canadian universal healthcare system ensures that each resident gets reasonable access to hospitals and physicians without having to pay out-ofpocket fees. It is worth noting that by law, the quality of coverage does not depend on one s socio-economic background or income. Everyone gets fair access to medical care which is at the core of Canada s values for national solidarity and building a strong nation. Canada s universal healthcare system is stable and relatively cost-effective partly due to its management, low advertising costs and its simple administration. Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 19

20 Public hospitals and physicians are required by law to operate within their budget and although costs are increasing with time, rates are confined by predetermined costs so that they are not arbitrary. By monitoring the amount of money that is spent on medical care, marketing and non-healthcare costs, Canada s Medicare system is controlled and checked, making it work for patients. How much money does Canada spend on healthcare? That amount reached $228 billion (an average of $6,299 per Canadian) in Total spending in Canada for healthcare is equivalent to 11.1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is slightly above the average for other countries, but below the 17.8% of GDP spent on healthcare in the United States, a country that does not provide universal healthcare. The greater proportion of the country s healthcare money is allocated to hospitals followed by pharmaceutical costs and then physician or caregiver costs. Roles and responsibilities for Canada s healthcare system are dutifully shared between the federal and provincial governments. Local governments have to qualify for their share of the federal contribution by meeting federal requirements. Provinces are responsible for the management, organization and delivery of health services. They have a lot of say on internal social affairs that impact their citizens. Private insurance is optional and available to those who want it. It is a very minimal part of the healthcare system, but is there for those who want to supplement or use private clinics alone. Health Insurance In Canada, a health card is issued by the Provincial Ministry of Health to each individual and with that, everyone receives the same level of care. Basic care is covered in full including emergency, essential care and even maternity or infertility problems. Depending on where you live, dental and vision care may not be covered but are often insured and offered by employers. Cosmetic surgery and some forms of elective surgery are not considered essential care and are generally not covered. These can be paid out-of-pocket or through private insurers. Healthcare coverage is not affected by loss or change of jobs, as long as Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 20

21 premiums are up to date. There are also no lifetime limits or exclusions for preexisting health conditions so you will not be turned down if you are sick, unlike private healthcare insurance plans that might charge you higher premiums due to pre-existing conditions. Aside from medical care, Canada tries to promote a healthy lifestyle. Good health brings many benefits, including enhanced access to education and the job market, an increase in productivity and wealth, reduced health care costs, good social relations, and of course, a longer life. Therefore, preventive care and early detection are important, as are regular yearly checkups. Incorporating exercise and healthy eating into one s lifestyle is also encouraged. Life Expectancy Life expectancy is an important measurement of health. Most countries made large gains in life expectancy over the past decades because of better living conditions, public health interventions and progress in medical care. Canadians, in particular, have benefited in this respect. Canadians have a longer life expectancy than most people in the world. For example, life expectancy for Canadian women is 84 years and 80 years for men. To reduce disease and increase life expectancy, Canada has implemented laws to discourage and reduce tobacco consumption across the country. Daily smokers among adults has been cut by half since 1980 partly due to public awareness campaigns, advertising bans and increased taxation. Close to 90% of people in Canada testify that they feel in good health, which is a strong indicator of the future of their health and the health of the nation. Of course, older people report poorer health, as do those who are unemployed or who have less education or income, but those numbers too are below average in comparison with other nations. Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 21

22 EDUCATION Canada s public school system and public universities are among the top ranked in the world and provide world-class education to people regardless of their background. Canada spends about 7% of its aual GDP on education, making it a priority and as a result, Canada has a very literate society with 99% of Canadians aged 15 and higher having at least a ninth-grade education and more than 20% of the workforce holding a post-secondary or higher academic degree. A lot is invested on the education of children and the future generation of Canadian leaders and workforce torch carriers. The Canadian government guarantees an education for every child free of charge, which is mandatory by law starting at the age of four or five until the ages 15 or 16, depending on where you live in Canada. This type of public education is paid for through taxes and is administered by the provinces and territories in cooperation with local school boards. Both Elementary and Secondary education (Kindergarten through 12th Grade) in Canada are for the most part funded and regulated by the federal, provincial Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 22

23 and local governments. Within the provinces, under the Ministry of Education, there are district school boards administering the educational programs. Curriculum is overseen by the province, giving parents and the community access and influence on certain programs and education tracks. Because the Canadian government believes that an educated population is much more likely to create greater economic success, Canada does not only focus on educating its youth, but also provides training and high school courses for adults who need to improve their skills. It is considered to be in the interest of the country to train its workforce to better compete in today s global economy. With more than 50% of adults holding a college or university degree, Canada stands out as one of the best-educated societies in the 21st century. And the ratio of high school graduates versus non diploma-holders is changing as well with a decreasing gap, partly due to changes in the labor market that require people to have at least a high school diploma and, in many cases, a university degree. Provincial and territorial education systems also continue to make headway in reducing the number of students who drop out of school. Fifteen years ago, one in five adult Canadians did not complete their high school education. Today, that figure has dropped to one in ten. Keep in mind that these numbers vary according to location and some schools have as few as 1 in 100 students who dropout. Canada also invites and accepts many international students into its Student Visa program because as a nation, it wants high-quality students to fill its schools and then provide higher-caliber workers for the Canadian labor market. Canada has doubled the number of applications available for Student Visas (called Study Permits in Canada) in provincial and territorial public postsecondary institutions in the past decade in line with the growing market for high-tech and other accomplished individuals. Public Education for Children Elementary/primary and secondary/high school are mandatory in Canada for all children. Kindergarten is available in every province, but the number of hours provided vary according to funding and province. The traditional school year starts in September and ends in late June. Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 23

24 Education in both English and French is available in most places across Canada according to the majority of its population and language-speakers, while French-immersion as a second language is available to mainly English-speaking students across Canada. Core subjects such as language arts, reading, writing, mathematics and science are provided throughout the school year and assume greater importance than subjects like music, visual arts and physical education. Canadian students benefit from a variety of classes that are often tailor-made, as each school system is designed to meet the unique needs of its students. Many communities also offer a wide selection of after-school or extra-curriculum activities that enrich and supplement the student s classroom education. Canadian students rank among the best in the world in academic performance in math, science and reading skills. Compared to students in the United States, 15-year-olds in Canada are more than a year ahead in these subjects. Canada is also one of only a very few countries where the achievement of immigrant young people is equal to that of those that are natives/born in Canada. In most countries, immigrant students usually perform at a lower level than their nativeborn peers because of their language gap. Originally, provinces had educational systems that were divided by religion, but most provinces today have abolished the separation. Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, and certain cities in Saskatchewan, are exceptions and still maintain publicly funded separate district school boards, usually Catholic, but occasionally Protestant. In Quebec, the Catholic/Protestant divide was replaced with a French/English one in A small percentage, about 6% of students in Canada, attend private schools and boarding schools. A minority of these are elite private schools, which are attended by the kids of the wealthy and prominent population in Canada. A far larger portion of private schools, however, are religious in nature. Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 24

25 Higher Academic Institutions & Universities Canadian universities educate more than 1.5 million students aually. These institutions also perform more than one-third of Canada s research and development on a variety of subjects, including medicine, international relations, technology and the economy. A $30 billion aual enterprise, these universities generate substantial economic wealth in communities across Canada. Among G7 countries, Canada has the highest proportion of university graduates in the workforce. Like in the United States, there are two main types of post-secondary schools in Canada: universities and colleges. Universities grant university degrees such as Bachelor s degrees, Master s degrees and Doctoral degrees, while community colleges are subsidized by the government, provide diplomas or post-secondary school completion degrees. For cost-effective purposes, many students start out their higher education in a college and then transfer to a university to receive a better degree. Because universities house thousands of students, a smaller college setting can provide students smaller classrooms and more studentteacher face time. If a student chooses to attend a university from the very begiing, it is often because of the resources and prestige they can receive there. Provincial and local governments provide the majority of funding to public colleges and universities, with the remainder of funding coming from the federal government, tuition fees, and research grants. Some colleges and universities receive more funding than others according to demand. Universities in Quebec receive the highest amount of aual funding and have the lowest tuition fees, while universities in the Atlantic area generally receive the least amount of funding. The major Canadian universities include the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of Western Ontario, University of British Columbia, Queen s University, University of Alberta, Universite de Montreal, Universite de Laval, Universite de Sherbrooke, University of Saskatchewan, McMaster University, University of Ottawa, University of Calgary and Dalhousie University. Many of these universities have campuses and libraries that attract visitors who attend campus tours for students who are thinking about enrolling and for those who simply want to enjoy the scenery often found at a university. Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 25

26 CULTURE Canada is a culturally-diverse nation. Many immigrants are able to retain their cultural identities, traditions, languages and customs because of the freedoms their ethnic communities are given in Canada. The foundation of Canada s culture has been influenced by European cultures and traditions, especially those from Great Britain and France. Canada s culture is also influenced by American culture, especially because of its close proximity, trade relations and immigration between Canada and the U.S. Canada s modern-day culture is considered progressive, diverse, and multicultural. The federal government also has a role in influencing the society with programs, laws and institutions that benefit the public. A democratic governing body that represents the will of its people Canada s federal government creates laws and policies that influence its culture, such as publiclyfunded healthcare, taxation, outlawing capital punishment, efforts to mitigate poverty, support for cultural diversity and, most recently, legalizing same-sex marriage. These laws are first debated, voted on and finally become part of Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 26

27 Canada s political and cultural life. Canadian society is open and relatively free of class distinctions. Most residents strive for equality and believe that all people deserve the same rights and respect, regardless of their gender, race, religion, or cultural background. Racism and prejudices are not tolerated. Canadians are generally a tolerant, polite and community-oriented people. Although they enjoy individualism, at the same time, they place a great deal of emphasis on the individual s responsibility to the community. In fact, most Canadians have a stronger allegiance to their province or local community than to the country. Customs and Religions Canadians come from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds. There isn t one typical Canadian family. The majority of Canadians are Catholic or Protestant, but there are many other religions in the population and a representation of Aboriginal people as well. Canada s religious groups are divided into Roman Catholics 42.6%, Protestant 23.3%, other Christians 4.4%, Muslims 1.9%, unspecified 11.8% and non-affiliated 16%. Ethnicities or nationalities include people of British Isles origin 28%; French origin 23%; other European origin 15%; Amerindian 2%; Asian, African or Arab 6%; and mixed backgrounds 26%. There are slight custom differences between regions. The people in the Atlantic Provinces, such as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, can be characterized in general as more reserved, more provincial, old-fashioned and conservative. The people in Ontario tend to be more business-like and conservative. In Western Canada, such as Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the people are open, friendly and relaxed. In British Colombia, the people are less conventional and more progressive. Quebec (the mainly French region of Canada) has a distinct cultural identity where the people are extremely religious and independent. Up North in the territories, the people tend to have a strong pioneer spirit. Keep in mind that these are regional generalities and that there are individual differences among people in each region of Canada. When approaching or greeting people in Canada, it is customary to shake hands. The handshake should be firm and accompanied by direct eye contact Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 27

28 and a sincere smile. It is fine to greet someone by his/her first name. Among the French Canadians, friends may greet each other with a couple of kisses, one on each cheek. When it comes to gift giving, Canadians usually give presents for birthdays and during the Christmas holiday. If invited to someone s home for dier, bring a small gift like a box of chocolates, flowers or a bottle of wine. In Quebec, for example, sending flowers in advance of a dier party is customary. Do not send white lilies, though, as they are used at funerals. If invited to dier or to a social event, you should dress for the occasion. Table maers are relaxed and non-formal in Canada, so you do not have to worry about what you don t know. In Quebec, you might see a little more formality. Table maers are generally Continental, with the fork on the left side of the plate and the knife on the right for proper eating etiquette. Wait to be shown to your seat and do not start eating before the host has joined the dier table. Do not rest your elbows on the table. Feel free to refuse individual foods or drinks without offering an explanation. Leaving a small amount of food on one s plate at the end of the meal is generally acceptable. In formal gathering, the host gives the first toast unless he or she asks one of the guests to do the honors. An honored guest should return the toast later in the meal. Women may also give toasts at dier parties. Communication between two people, especially in public should be polite and diplomatic. Communication styles are calm, practical and based on common sense rather than emotions or trying to impress the other person with fallacies. If you come from a culture where dialogue is very direct, you may want to soften your approach and tone of voice in order to appear more pleasant and less aggressive. Keep in mind that communication styles vary, especially between English-speaking and French-speaking Canadians. Body gestures are only really used to add emphasis to a message without vulgarity or aggressive gestures. Canadians like their space and prefer to be at arm s length when speaking to someone, so it is better to speak with words than non-verbal gestures. When engaging in conversation, Canadians are not always prepared or forthcoming to discuss their personal lives. They expect to get to know you first, even though they are trusting for the most part. They also expect people to speak in a straightforward maer and to be able to back up their claims with facts in order to feel comfortable. They themselves do not make exaggerated claims and are suspicious of something that sounds too Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 28

29 good to be true. If you are a heavy smoker and are used to smoking in your own country in public places, you should know that the culture of smoking has taken a smaller role in Canada. Smoking has become increasingly unpopular and is not permitted in most public buildings. Many families do not allow smoking in their homes and they expect other people to abstain in their home. Language in Canada You will hear many spoken languages in Canada, similar to what you would find in the United States. English and French are the most preferred languages. Both English and French are recognized by the Constitution of Canada as the country s official languages, which means that all laws of the federal government are available in both English and French. Federal government services are also required to be available in both languages. The five most widely-spoken non-official languages are Chinese (the home language of 2.6% of Canadians), Punjabi (0.8%), Spanish (0.7%), Italian (0.6%), and Arabic (0.5%). Arts Museums are a great place to find and learn more about Canada s art and culture. Public art institutions are created in the public interest in order to preserve and display art. While art itself can have a very wide definition, museums capture a wide spectrum of Canadian artwork. Canadian museums acquire, preserve, research, interpret and exhibit tangible and intangible evidence of art, society and nature. Museums provide a physical forum for critical inquiry and investigation into the art culture. Most of Canada s museums are not-for-profit institutions, with art exhibits that are regularly open to the general public. These museums showcase many categories in the art world from modern to classic, maritime to political, and from local to international artistic items. The National Gallery of Canada, located in Ottawa, Ontario, is one of Canada s premier art galleries. The Gallery has a large and varied collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs. It is worthwhile to visit, and although it Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 29

30 focuses on Canadian art, it holds works by many noted American and European artists as well. Sports Sports in Canada are celebrated on a local and national level, and create a sense of national camaraderie among fans who cheer for a common team. These teams usually represent their hometown. There are many sports and contests that Canadians value. The most common are in ice hockey, lacrosse, football, basketball, soccer, curling and baseball, with ice hockey and lacrosse being Canada s official winter and summer sports, respectively. Ice hockey (referred to simply as hockey ) is Canada s most popular winter sport with the most spectators. The Canadian hockey teams and athletes are the most successful in international hockey competitions. Lacrosse, a sport with Native American origins, is Canada s oldest and official summer sport. Canadian football is Canada s second most popular and watched sport, and the Canadian Football League s aual championship, the Grey Cup, is the country s largest aual sporting event. Soccer has the most registered players of any team sport in Canada. The top ten sports that Canadians participate in are golf, ice hockey, swimming, soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, skiing, cycling and teis. With a much colder climate during the winter season, Canada has enjoyed greater success at the Winter Olympics than at the Summer Olympics. Great achievements in Canadian sports are recognized by Canada s Sports Hall of Fame, while the Lou Marsh Trophy is awarded aually to Canada s top athlete by a panel of journalists. Public Holidays During public holidays, government offices, banks and schools are closed in observance of a national or religious holiday. A list of these holidays and special events can easily be found online or on Canadian calendars. The first public holiday on the list starts off with New Year s Day on January 1st. Canadians Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 30

31 celebrate New Year s Eve with fireworks and exciting celebrations, and on the following day begin the rest of their new year with blessings to their family, friends, colleagues and more. Family Day on February 18th is a holiday for families to have a day off. Good Friday, a religious holiday, is in March or April (it can vary each year) the Friday before Easter Sunday and is celebrated at the same time and in much the same way as it is in other Western countries, like in the U.S. Easter Monday is another important religious holiday where schools, banks and government offices are closed for religious observance. Victoria Day, observed on the Monday before May 25th, celebrates former Queen Victoria s birthday. Since Canada is still a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, which the Queen of England heads (currently, Queen Elizabeth II), it is therefore observed. Canada Day is celebrated on July 1st. July 1st marks the aiversary of the formation of the union of the British North American provinces in a federation under the name of Canada - that s the technical explanation, but Canada Day also means fireworks and the year s biggest national celebration. It is akin to America s July 4th celebration, but on a Canadian scale. August Civic Holiday (or August Long Weekend) is the most popular weekend for summer travel. Expect crowds at resorts and busy highways. Labor Day weekend is the last big travel weekend of the summer, as school starts up again the day after Labor Day weekend. Labor Day in Canada, like in the U.S., celebrates worker solidarity, but also marks the end of the summer vacation season. Most workers, public or private, are entitled to take the day off with regular pay. Some businesses remain open on holidays, such as medical clinics and some stores, restaurants, and tourist attractions. Although Canadians do tend to get together on Thanksgiving weekend, the holiday is not as big a celebration in Canada as it is in the U.S., where Thanksgiving is the year s biggest holiday occasion. Nevertheless, Thanksgiving weekend is a popular time for Canadians to gather with family, so more people than usual are traveling on that weekend. Banks, schools, government offices and many corporations and businesses are closed. Nonetheless, service industries, including shopping malls, restaurants and tourist attractions, remain open. Remembrance Day or Veterans Day also falls on the same date as in the U.S. November 11th is a day to remember and honor the men and women who have died in war and military operations to protect the Commonwealth (it also Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 31

32 commemorates the end of World War I). Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are on December 24th and 25th. The day after Christmas (December 26th) is a public holiday called Boxing Day in Canada. Several theories exist on how Boxing Day got its name. One thing is for certain - the name comes from storage boxes, not the sport called boxing. However, you may witness enthusiastic shoppers coming to blows over Boxing Day bargains. Boxing Day, like the day after Thanksgiving ( Black Friday ) in the US, is the biggest shopping day in Canada. Stores, malls and most retailers are open and generally continue to offer sales and bargains until New Year s. Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 32

33 LEISURE Niagara Falls (in Ontario), Montreal (in Quebec), and Vancouver (in British Columbia), are only a few places that provide great leisure getaways for locals and visitors alike in Canada. These fascinating locations and others attract millions of people every year. Tourism peaks during the summer, when more than 28 million visitors come to Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls is a collective name for three waterfalls that straddle the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York (the falls on the Canadian side of the border are also known as Horseshoe Falls because of the shape of these spectacular cascades). Montreal, considered Canada s cultural capital and the second largest city in Canada (after Toronto), attracts many visitors as well, offering many great places to visit and experience. Last, but not least, is Vancouver, a West Coast seaport in British Columbia, that is ranked as one of the top ten most desirable places to live in the world, and boasts a forward-thinking culture and a booming economy. Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 33

34 Nature and Travel Canada is a vast and incredibly scenic country which has many natural wonders, such as magnificent mountain landscapes that are complimented by beautiful blue lakes and pristine pine forests. Each region, province and coast is different and can offer many travel opportunities for those who love the outdoors and appreciate nature in all its splendor. You can ask locals about the best travel destinations and nature spots to visit in Canada; however, you may also want to consider the points of interest on the following list: The Cascades at Virginia Falls are about twice the height of the cascades in Niagara Falls and are a truly spectacular sight. If you can get to this remote location, as the vast majority of visitors travel to the park by chartered float plane, with a few brave souls hiking or paddling in, then you will be in for a real treat. Thousand Islands in Ontario is exactly what it sounds like - a stretch of 1,864 islands ranging in size from over 40 square miles to smaller islands with single residence and also uninhabited outcroppings of rocks peeking out above the water line. The range of island cottages is truly amazing from a mansion with 120-rooms to tiny huts clinging to rocky boulders. When summer travel peaks, the region buzzes with activities. It is a great place for a boat ride like no other with the family. Western Brook Pond in Newfoundland has a spectacular National Park with dozens of thundering waterfalls cascading off 610-meter-high rock walls. Cruise ships steer through crystal clear waters, offering visitors views from the water level, while hiking trails let others gaze from above. Polar Bear Capital of the World - One of nature s many unique locations in Canada is Churchill, Manitoba, which is the location for a large concentration of the world s largest land carnivore - the polar bear. In fact, there are so many polar bears in the Churchill area that it has been nicknamed the Polar Bear Capital of the World! The area around this Manitoban town also offers some of nature s most beautiful sights, with winter snow and ice covering this spectacular frozen landscape. Algonquin Provincial Park is Ontario s lake country. The nation s most famous painters the Group of Seven chose to do much of their artwork there Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 34

35 because of the beautiful landscape and wealth of nature. Millions of tourists come to the park year-round to camp, paddle canoes, hike, snowshoe and ski. Its massive size means it rarely feels crowded and with thousands of paddle-in campsites, there are only a few other places that provide such space away from the busy city life. Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta is one of the world s best areas for finding dinosaur bones. Aside from the incredible terrain, you will find an exhibit style museum on dinosaurs, fossils, the geology and natural history of the park. The Royal Tyrrell Museum, home to more than 130,000 fossils and one of the world s premiere showcases for all things dinosaur, is in that area as well. Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy is an amazing collection of rock formations rising from the shore in New Brunswick. When the water tide is low, visitors can actually walk among these unique rocks as if they are strolling through a museum s sculpture collection. When the tide is high, the only way to get a close look at the rocks is by boat. Niagara Falls in Ontario is so well known and for a very good reason. Aside from the casinos, theme parks and souvenir shops, it is undeniably North America s most powerful waterfall attraction. As much as six million cubic feet of water pours over the cliff of the falls three sections every minute that s enough to fill nearly 100 Olympic-sized swimming pools every minute! Tourists can watch from several locations or a take a boat ride below these majestic cascades. Wherever you stand, the enormity of the waterfall will surely shock you. Lake Louise in Alberta is a glacial lake that is located in beautiful Banff National Park. If you are looking for emerald-green waters, mountainous surroundings and glaciers looming over the lake s west end, this is the spot for you. The Chateau Lake Louise opened back in 1911 and today is among the most opulent hotels in the Rockies. In the winter, tourists flock to skate on the frozen lake, while in the summer they delve into it with rented canoes and also hike the dozens of surrounding trails. If all of this doesn t sound like a great escape and a fun family trip, then maybe shopping is your thing, so read ahead! Native Animals The wildlife of Canada is diverse and includes animals such as the Arctic fox, Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 35

36 beaver, bison, caribou, pronghorn, grizzly bear, polar bear, moose, white-tailed deer, bald eagle, Canadian goose, snowy owl, bighorn sheep, sea otter, walrus, rattlesnake, wild horse, wolf, cougar, and Canada lynx. Canada has multiple ecosystems, ranging from the lush forests of British Columbia to the grassy prairies of Western Canada to the tundra of Northern Canada. With a large land mass and small population density, the wild lands of Canada provide an important habitat for many animals, both endangered and otherwise. Canada is home to approximately 70,000 known species of plants and animals-and perhaps many more that have yet to be discovered in this enormous, scenic country. Shopping If you need to shop for yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada, you should be aware that there are many discount and value stores that can give you more for your money. Stores in Canada may be set up differently than what you have experienced in other countries. For example, there are many Canadian stores that are grouped together in large shopping malls so you can get all your shopping done in one place (and even get a bite to eat while in the mall). Each store has its own payment system where you pay for your purchases and most will accept credit cards and, of course, cash. Make sure to keep your receipt with every purchase. Your purchase receipt is not only proof that you paid for your goods, but often has details on the company s return policies and exchanges. You will need this receipt if you need to return an item for a refund or exchange. It may be a good idea as well to ask about a store s return policy before making a purchase, as these policies will differ for each company and having this knowledge in advance can help you to have a better shopping experience. Many places in Canada also have large outdoor markets (sometimes called flea markets ) where you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables and other goods from local farmers and craftspeople. These flea market events are great if you like organic and freshly picked fruits and vegetables. You can find out about them in advance as they are usually publicized in and around the neighborhood on large signs, so watch out for them, especially during the summer time. Most of the flea market merchants only accept cash. Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 36

37 A Farmers Market is a public event (often held on a particular day of the week or the month) where a group of vendors come together to sell their products. The most common products at these markets are fresh, organic or home-grown vegetables and fruits, homemade pastries and desserts, and other specialty food products. Homemade or handmade products such as jewelry, clothing or artistic pieces are also commonly found for sale at Farmers Markets. Again, merchants there will usually only accept cash (e.g., cash-and-carry ). A Garage Sale or Yard Sale is very common in Canada (as in the U.S.). They are informal sales events that private individuals set up right outside of their home and usually in their car garage or in their driveway where they sell household items that they would like to get rid of. These sales are most commonly held during the months of May-September and during the weekend, either Saturday or Sunday. A Garage Sale can be a great place to find indoor or outdoor furniture items for your home. In fact, many hidden treasures have been bought in Garage Sales when owners did not realize the value of an item they got rid of (such as a signed copy of the Constitution, which was later sold for millions). It is a great place to find unique or practical household items that can be put to good use. Some people, even if they do not need to buy anything, make a weekend out of going to Garage Sales because there are so many interesting things to find there. If you want to shop for second-hand items in Garage Sales or possibly find a hidden treasure, check the classified section in a local newspaper or look for Garage Sale signs on community bulletin boards or even posting on trees or lamp posts in your neighborhood. There are many other ways you can save money when shopping in Canada. Coupon websites make savings easy. Some websites offer printable coupons; others will mail you the coupons that you request. For coupon links and offers, simply run an Internet search for coupons in Canada. Explore free online classifieds that people place not only in the newspaper classified ads section but also on Craigslist where you can localize the search according to the country of Canada and your location there, and ebay-owned Kijiji which is strictly for Canadians. Unlike newspaper ads, it does not cost anything to post an ad on these sites, so there are thousands of products and services being offered on any given day. Although it is intended for private individuals to sell their product and services, there are also many posts by commercial businesses which offer new products at deeply discounted prices. Craigslist even allows you to restrict your search to sellers in your region. Like an ongoing Garage Sale, these are great websites to find and sell items that Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 37

38 are not needed anymore. Before you go out shopping, look for online coupon codes with your favorite retailers before you go to the store. An increasing number of Canadians now shop online at their favorite stores. Major retailers, like Sears, Office Depot and Best Buy, allow you to enter a coupon code for additional savings before checking out. Don t have a coupon code? Run an online search for, or go to, coupon sites to download coupons with listings of coupon codes for dozens of items that are offered by Canadian retailers. Why buy when you can trade goods? New websites are making it easier for people to trade books, movies, music and video games. These sites have a simple premise and are based on a system where you earn points for trading your items on new books, movies, music or video game titles that you want. Fill up your car on Mondays and Thursdays! Statistics show that gas prices in Canada tend to be at their lowest in the morning on Mondays and Thursdays, so make those your regular days to fill up your car with gasoline. To find the lowest price for gas in your area on any given day, run a search online the day before. Don t buy two if you don t need more than one. There are many marketing deals like 2 for $10 promotions in department stores and other retailers, but if you only need one item, then don t get influenced into spending more money on a second one. If the price is right and all you need is one, don t bother with buying more because in most stores the checkout systems will not be equipped to scan a single item at a higher per-unit price, so most likely you will get it for the lower price ($5 in the above example of 2 for $10 ), but double-check with the cashier to make sure before you checkout. If you plan on buying a house in Canada, refinance your mortgage when interest rates are low. If you re paying a higher rate than you can get when the government lowers the interest rate in order to stimulate the housing market and the economy, then you should consider refinancing. Even accounting for penalties for ending your current term early and paying new fees for a refinancing deal, you will likely come out way ahead in the long run at the lower interest rate. In most cases, your current lender will be happy to refinance and maintain you as a client. When you are ready to open a bank account where you can earn interest on your deposit, larger banks have lower service fees since most of their transactions are online and they also offer significantly higher interest rates with no monthly Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 38

39 fees, no minimum balances and easy transfers to and from your existing bank. On the other hand, smaller and private banks have smaller bureaucracies and set rules so they might be a better fit for smaller loans, etc. There are many banks in Canada and some charge more for their services than others, so ask around, do some research and try to get the best deal you can. You can be part of Canada s move towards a greener and more environmentallyconscious society by coecting with movements like Freecycle. It allows members to properly recycle or acquire that special something for free. There are Freecycle groups in most major cities in Canada. Buy off-season. It s widely-known that the best sales are often after a holiday season (for example, after Christmas), even though few people take advantage of it, probably because they have done most of their shopping already. Prices of holiday season items are at their lowest point right after Canada s Boxing Day event, for example, which is an ideal time to buy. Because companies stock up for the holiday season, the leftovers are sold at a much lower price. From winter gear, Valentine s Day cards or Halloween masks, it may be worth buying those items after the season and save them for the year ahead. What is price-matching and how can it work to your advantage? Many leading retailers, including Future Shop, Home Depot and Staples, will match the price of a competitor for the same item. So, if you saw it somewhere else for a cheaper price, mention this to the sales clerk or manager and you just might get the lower price. Some companies even offer an additional discount to beat competitors (so you ll buy the item from them instead of their competitor). If you have a preferred retailer or grocery store that is near you and that you want to buy from, take advantage of possible customer reward programs that issue loyalty points that you can accumulate after shopping with them repeatedly and you may get more value (i.e., better discounts, special promotions, etc.). In order to receive loyalty points, you usually have to fill out a form in the store and will then be issued a card that you ll scan at the register when you pay for items, in order to get the points and any discounts (so always bring your loyalty points card with you when you go shopping). Be aware that you do not have to pay for extended warranties when you purchase a computer or any other appliance. Most electronics and consumer appliance retailers will encourage you to buy an extended warranty on an item when you make a purchase. An extended warranty or more insurance on the product is added insurance on your purchased item (in case it has a problem Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 39

40 after the manufacturer s warranty expires) that you are not obligated to buy. You may want to think twice about paying for an extended warranty, especially when the independent and well-respected Consumer Reports has published data that shows appliances almost never break down during warranty periods, and when they do, the average cost of repair is roughly the same as the cost of the warranty. You also may want to buy electronics accessories at smaller stores since big retailers like Best Buy and Future Shop often have good deals on electronics, but when it comes to accessories for the electronics (such as cables, coectors and batteries), you can usually get comparable quality for a lower price at your corner electronics store or even at your local WalMart or similar store. When buying computers, electronics or appliances, it pays to compare prices before you decide where to buy. On some sites you can compare prices on the same or similar products from the comfort of your home so when you are ready to make a purchase, you are prepared with the facts and figures and can go to the store with the best price. Staying in touch with your loved ones does not have to cost a lot. Nowadays, you can make long-distance phone calls for less (or even for free) with various services. If you plan on calling your relatives or friends while in your home (and you have Internet service), online companies like Skype and MagicJack use VOIP technology to offer free and excellent low-cost plans. Skype offers unlimited calling to any phone in Canada or the U.S. for a low monthly fee (as well as free Skype-to-Skype calls around the world, including videoconferencing which allows you to see your loved ones). MagicJack (already hugely popular in the U.S.) will only cost you around $40 the first year (including the hardware which allows you to plug a telephone into your computer for cheap or free calls over the Internet), and then approximately $20-$30 a year thereafter. If your family members or friends also buy a MagicJack, they can get a U.S./Canada phone number and you can call each other free, even if they are living in another country! Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 40

41 IMMIGRATION Canada is one of the top destinations for immigrants from around the globe. Immigrants have helped build Canada s economy and social systems throughout the years and continue to contribute today. Each year, approximately 300,000 people from all over the world immigrate to Canada to begin their new lives for a promise of a better and more secure future. Now may very well be one of the best times to apply for a permanent resident visa to Canada because Canada s economy is expanding and is experiencing a major labor shortage, not only because more jobs are being created, but also due to many Canadian baby boomers retiring. You have to go where the opportunities are and with much of the world still struggling economically, a variety of employment opportunities are available for eligible foreign skilled workers who immigrate to Canada! Canada is also among the top countries to attract and accept international students to its fine universities. A pro-immigrant nation, Canada s government and Canadian businesses alike both view immigration positively. New immigrants are viewed as an important Canadian Visa Expert ebook Your Essential Guide to Canada 41