Problems are inevitable no matter wherever a newcomer is planning to shift and settle down. Canada is no exception where you cannot ignore some of the problems related to banking, environmental conditions, living cost, and so on. However, this gets balanced by some welcoming factors which make Canada such a popular country among immigrants.
Factors That Force Immigrants to Move Back
There are a few problems that you will have to face inevitably if you are shifting to Canada as an immigrant:
Canadian Weather
Canada has four seasons, the disparities between which are quite remarkably registerable. The country experiences hot and dry spells as well as cold Arctic conditions in the northern end. Thus, the residents experience temperature differences from -40 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius. Hence, the prospect is not very welcoming for those habituated to subtropical climatic conditions. It, therefore, becomes necessary to go through a very expensive winter shopping after stepping into the land.
Cost of living
Living in Canada is not cheap. There is only a little similarity in the pricing compared to other countries. Moreover, it becomes difficult for newcomers to calculate the working sales tax into the stated prices and so the final prices come as a surprise for immigrants.
- Food
In Canada, the expenses spent on food are constantly rising due to the last pandemic, the import cost, and so on. Recent statistics also show that the food bought from stores is rising at the fastest pace.
- Housing
While accommodation is of high quality, the expenses are also quite high. In terms of expenses, Canada tops the list of property markets in the world. However, you might find affordable accommodation in smaller cities and on the outskirts of the city. Do not forget to do your own research before shifting.
- Transportation
In Canada, to get permission to drive, you need to get your license issued by the provincial or territorial government of the area in which you want to drive. Along with the requirement for an international driving license permit, you will also have to check the specific requirements of the province you are traveling to. For language-related barriers, you may take the help of multilingual information services and timetables.
- Canadian Habits
Before shifting to Canada, make a habit of tipping at restaurants, salons, and taxis. This is because in Canada tipping is standard practice as the employees expect tips after almost every action. Moreover, getting things repaired in Canada is certainly next to impossible since it becomes difficult for one to find a repairer for most things. Even if you do find someone, getting your thing repaired can cost you the same as getting it replaced.
- Phone bills
The mobile phone plans offered in Canada are not prepaid but need to be purchased on a contractual basis. Added to this is the telecommunication taxes. The only way to deal with this is to connect to public WiFi to avoid extra data expenses.
Banking
A part of the banking system, compulsory in Canada but not quite common in India is the “Negative interest”. In this, you have to pay the bank to keep your money with them. It is indeed a problem for immigrants to grasp this notion but it is the only mode of forming a credit history in Canada. It becomes a necessity if you are to make purchases like a house or a car.
Social Isolation and Language Barrier
The problem of cultural and social isolation for immigrants is quite common in every country. However, even in a country with diverse cultures and social settings, immigrants do feel difficulty in adjusting to Canadian societal workings. Also, the problem of language is a serious one as the country has more than one major language, having a large population who speaks French.
Bringing Up a Family with Kids in a Foreign Country
Another problem that branches out from the issue of cultural differences is the problem of parenting. This requires the parents to maintain a balance between educating their own cultural standards and values to their children as well as encouraging them to integrate into the new culture. While it is important for them to adopt multilingual skills, they must not become oblivious to their own language and culture. However, the schooling system as well as the universities of Canada are widely cherished across the globe.
What Makes Immigrants Stay Back in Canada
While such problems might be enough to leave Canada and go back to your homeland, you can not deny the great opportunities that Canada has to offer.
Employment
Canada has been willing to welcome immigrants into their provinces for a long time now to combat their difficulties with labor force availability as well as the aging population. The yearly immigration plan is aiming for a higher and higher number of immigrants by the year 2025.
Sectors like transportation, warehousing, accommodation, food services as well as, professional services including teaching, health professionals, therapists, and so on are willing to take in more and more numbers of workers from other countries. For this, there are various immigrant programs like the Express Entry system, PPR work permit, student work permit, and so on. Provinces like Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba have been most welcoming towards immigrants at present.
Good Healthcare
Canada’s Medicare is affordable as well as of good quality. Immigrants with PR status are entitled to free Medicare services. Also, they have the liberty to choose their own healthcare provider. However, the entitlement to free health care insurance often does not cover optometry. Even the dental care service isn’t publicly funded. To cover these issues, third-party health insurances are quite common.
Multicultural Environment and Lack of Racism
Multiculturalism makes the Canadian identity so rich and accommodating. This is more relevant for the sitting MPs of the Parliament, where more than 40% are not Canada born. The mutual respect and the integrating nature of the people make it so welcoming. Further, the country being almost classless and anti-racial land does not need the immigrants to fit into any particular cultural setup.
Safety
Canada, being the sixth safest country in the world, is quite welcoming of its immigrants as well. The overall rate of crime within the country is low. As for the kind of security, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is operative in almost all Canadian territory, except for the cities of Ontario and Québec, which are looked after by their own patrols. The overall condition of the country in terms of safety is quite reliable.
Conclusion
It might take five to six months for an immigrant to get habituated to the manners and conditions of Canadian society. For immigrants from South Asia, the manners of the west might not be completely new but can be quite difficult to adjust to immediately. It is through patience and practice that immigrants are able to adapt to Canadian society.