Immigration to Canada
Why Canada?
Canada is the
home of immigrants. All Canadians are immigrants except the native people.
Multiculturalism was adopted as the official policy of the Canadian government
during the premiership of Pierre Elliot Trudeau in the 1970s and 1980s. Since
then, the Canadian government has often been described as the instigator of
multicultural ideology because of its public emphasis on the social importance
of immigration.
Multiculturalism is reflected in the law through the Canadian Multiculturalism
Act and section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In recent
years, approximately 300,000 people immigrated to Canada every year. The
newcomers settle primarily in the major urban areas of Toronto, Vancouver and
Montreal. Canadian society is often depicted as progressive, diverse, and
multicultural. Racism is a severe crime in Canada.
Since both
English and French are the official languages in Canada and there are many
ethnic communities in the major cities, the language barrier to new immigrants
in Canada is one of the lowest in the world. Numerous outdoor activities,
wildlife, sceneries, a clean environment, better welfare, legal, health and
education systems are the main attractions of Canada.
Geography and Climate
Canada is the world’s second-largest country by total area, with ten provinces
and three territories. The ten provinces are listed from their position west to
east: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New
Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Meanwhile, the three territories are the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and
Yukon.
Due to its extreme size, the climate across Canada varies greatly; average
winter and summer high temperatures differ depending on the region. In many
parts of the country, winters can be harsh. That is particularly true in the
three Prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba), which experience
a continental climate, for their daily average winter temperatures are near -15
°C but can drop below -40 °C with severe wind chills. Of course, the three
territories are also icy in winter due to their northern location. The extreme,
cold weather is one of the main reasons many people may not like to immigrate to
Canada. That said, British Columbia tends to have a relatively mild climate
compared to the rest of Canada. Besides British Columbia’s proximity to Asia,
this fact makes this Canadian province the one that immigrants most welcome.
With regard to the geography of Canada, there is great diversity. Mountains,
forests, and lakes accompany this vast country’s landscapes. The western region
(British Columbia) is famous for its majestic mountain range and crystal ocean
view; similarly, the eastern region (Prince Edward Island) is well-known for its
green rolling hills and welcoming ocean view. The middle parts tend to be
flatter, and this is especially true in the Prairie region. Canada is home to
many lakes and rivers; most notably, there are the Great Lakes: Lake Huron, Lake
Ontario, Lake Michigan, Lake Eerie, and Lake Superior. These lakes are often
used for outdoor water-related activities like fishing and kayaking. There are
also various forests and numerous biomes, such as the Tundra, Boreal forest,
Prairies, and many more.
Environment
The Canadian environment is pretty clean; like Australia, Canada has relatively
unpolluted fresh air and clean water. In fact, according to the 2019 World Air
Quality Report, Canada’s air quality was rated relatively clean on a global
scale, ranking 90th on the list of 98 countries in terms of poor air quality.
However, like many countries in the world, Canada is currently grappling with
many environmental issues on the side. Some prominent problems include soil
degradation from the use of chemical products, deforestation, and other wastes.
Demographic
Canada is a bilingual country; that is, it has two official languages: English
and French. Most of the people in Quebec speak French, while most individuals in
other provinces communicate in English. Canada, like Australia, is a country of
immigrants. Less than 5% of the Canadian population consists of Indigenous
peoples, the First Nations, Inuit and Métis, who compose the Aboriginal
population native to Canada. Canada is a highly multicultural country with
numerous different ethnic groups. Toronto is one of the world’s most diverse
cities by percentage of non-native-born residents, with about 49% of the
population born outside Canada. The main ethnic groups in this city are English
(21%), French (15.8%), Scottish (15.1%), Irish (13.9%), German (10.2%), Italian
(4.6%), Chinese (4.3%) and Aboriginal.
In addition to being ethnically diverse, Canada is also exceptionally
religiously diverse. That is because the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
protects numerous rights, and religion is one of these many civil rights. As
such, Canadians have great freedom to practice their beliefs, and many different
religious groups exist.
Canada’s population is roughly 35 million people. Still, due to the large size
of this country, its population density is among the lowest in the world. Due to
this low population density in such a large area, the Canadian public
transportation network has always been an issue. Most Canadians have their own
car for commutes.
The bulk of this small population is concentrated in Ontario and Quebec, and the
respective major cities of these provinces, Toronto and Montreal, are also the
largest in Canada. Meanwhile, the most densely populated part of Canada is the
Quebec City-Windsor Corridor, across Southern Quebec and Southern Ontario along
the St. Lawrence River to Lake Ontario and Lake Eerie.
Economy
Canada is known as one of the world’s wealthiest nations, with a relatively high
standard of living. It is not only part of the G7 (Group of Seven) but is also a
member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD.
Interestingly, unlike many developed countries, Canada is quite reliant on its
natural resources industries. Mining, oil, and logging are all critical to
Canada’s economy. Other vital Canadian industries include telecommunication and
information technology. You may find jobs in all of the areas mentioned above.
Most jobs tend to be found in more densely populated areas, so the job market is
generally better in Ontario. As of July 2023, the overall unemployment rate in
this country is roughly 5.5%.
Moreover, this country has one of the world’s highest tax rates and broadest tax
bases. The maximum personal tax rate is around 50% plus pension and employment
insurance contributions. There are also merchandising taxes, such as the 5%
federal sales tax and approximately 7-8% provincial tax. The respective
governments receive these taxes in return for providing many social goods and
welfare programs, which will be outlined later.
Social System
Canada offers various social and welfare programs for its citizens and
remarkably accepts individual differences among its population. For instance, it
treasures and is immensely proud of its multiculturalism. For this reason, the
government often subsidizes different cultural organizations, encouraging these
various ethnicities to promote their culture and have their own language
programs for children. It is, therefore, not difficult to get the unique ethnic
products you need and find service providers who speak your language.
Health care within Canada is publicly funded. Each province separately runs
these health care programs and generally covers doctor consultation fees,
hospitalization costs, and the bulk of the surgery costs. Seniors may have
subsidies for most of their prescribed drugs. In addition to this well-balanced
healthcare program, the government offers many support programs such as pension
plans and unemployment insurance for its eligible citizens.
Finally, schooling is compulsory in Canada, and children are required to attend
school from the age of about five up until approximately 16. Elementary and
secondary education are free in Canada, except for private schools and certain
programs. Meanwhile, most institutions offering tertiary education (e.g.,
colleges and universities) are subsidized by the respective provincial
government. These institutions located in Quebec are most heavily subsidized.
A Pathway to Permanent Residency
Embarking on a journey to immigrate to Canada and attain
Canadian Permanent Residency is an aspiration shared by many
individuals seeking a new chapter in their lives. This process
begins with pursuing a Canada Immigration Visa, the key to
unlocking the door to permanent resident status in this diverse
and welcoming nation.
Diverse Immigration Programs
Canada offers many immigration programs, each tailored to
specific circumstances and qualifications. These programs
include the Canadian Experience Class Program, Business
Immigration Program, Express Entry system, Provincial Nominee
Programs, and Family Class Sponsorship. The selection of the
most suitable program depends on factors such as educational
background, language proficiency, work experience, financial
resources, and more.
To simplify this intricate process, the government of Canada
provides a valuable resource: a FREE assessment tool. This tool
allows individuals to gauge their eligibility in principle,
providing a preliminary understanding of whether they qualify
for Canadian immigration. It's an indispensable first step for
those considering the Canadian dream.
Inadmissibility and Its Reasons
While Canada is renowned for its welcoming stance toward
immigrants, some individuals may be considered "inadmissible"
under Canada's immigration law. Inadmissibility arises due to a
variety of factors, and it's crucial to be aware of these
potential barriers before initiating the immigration process.
Reasons for inadmissibility encompass a broad spectrum of
concerns:
Security Risk: Individuals who pose a security risk to
Canada or its citizens may be considered inadmissible.
Human or International Rights Violations: Those involved
in activities that violate human or international rights may be
barred from entry.
Criminal Convictions: Individuals with a criminal record
in Canada or abroad may face inadmissibility unless they obtain
special permits or waivers.
Ties to Organized Crime: Associations with organized
crime groups can result in inadmissibility.
Serious Health Problems: Certain medical conditions that
may significantly burden Canada's healthcare system can lead to
inadmissibility.
Serious Financial Problems: Those who may become a
financial burden on Canada or lack the financial resources
required to support themselves and their dependents could be
deemed inadmissible.
Misrepresentation: Providing false information or lying
during the application process can lead to inadmissibility.
Failure to Meet Immigration Law Conditions: Not adhering
to the requirements set out in Canada's immigration law can
render individuals inadmissible.
Inadmissible Family Members: If a family member
accompanying an individual is also inadmissible, it can affect
the admissibility of the entire family unit.
Temporary Resident Permits
For individuals deemed inadmissible to Canada, the path to
permanent residency may appear blocked. However, there are
situations where entry may still be possible. Individuals can
apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) when there is a
valid reason to travel to Canada.
A TRP is a document allowing an otherwise inadmissible
individual to enter Canada for a specific purpose or duration if
granted. For example, if someone has been convicted of driving
while impaired by alcohol or drugs, they may be considered
criminally inadmissible. However, they can apply for a TRP to
gain entry for a specific visit.
Conclusion
Navigating the complex landscape of Canadian immigration
requires careful consideration of eligibility, potential
inadmissibility issues, and the appropriate immigration program.
While inadmissibility is a concern for some, the existence of
Temporary Resident Permits offers a glimmer of hope for those
with valid reasons to visit or reside in Canada.
Aspiring immigrants should approach the process with diligence,
seek expert guidance when necessary, and remain committed to
fulfilling their Canadian dreams, knowing that the path to
permanent residency in this welcoming nation is both challenging
and rewarding.
The common ways to apply immigration to Canada
include the followings:
Express Entry
Provincial Nominees
Atlantic Immigration Pilot
Start-up Visa
Family Sponsorship
Quebec-selected Skilled Workers
Caregivers
Self-employed
Permanent Residence Pathways for Hong Kong
Residents