Elsewhere on this blog, we covered some reasons on why you should move to Canada. But not every immigrant will have the same experience, just like not everyone will equally like a movie, even if it’s a blockbuster. Let’s don our skeptical hat for a minute and explore what some of the immigrants may not like about Canada. Some of these points are specific to Canada while others relate to immigration in general.
1. Weather
It can get quite cold in Canada, wherever you may be. Winters in Canada range from very cold to extremely cold. In major cities, sometimes temperatures can drop under -35° Celsius. The good news is that centralized heating exists everywhere – homes, schools, offices, shops. You can be in a T-shirt and shorts all day everyday, even if it’s freezing outside. The exposure to cold is usually when you are walking outside or waiting for your ride.
Winters can also be long depending on the region and you can assume 6 months of cold in a year. However, summers are very pleasant and it rarely gets too hot to handle.
Read more about how cold it gets in Canada and how people survive the cold.
2. Getting your first job
It takes some time for new immigrants to get a job in their own field. A lot of employers would prefer hiring someone with Canadian experience instead of putting faith in someone fresh off the boat. It is illegal to discriminate against any applicant based on Canadian experience but it is hard to prove. That’s why it can take 1 to 6 months to get your first job.
However, there are a large number of employers who would like to take their chances and hire new immigrants (hint: that’s how immigrants eventually get a job). Sometimes, as a new immigrant, you may have to compromise on your salary or position because you are looking to get your foot in the door. But if you are a fast-learner and learn the ropes quickly, you will be at par with every other Canadian in a short span of time. We have shared some job search tips for newcomers that will help them get a job sooner than later.
3. Far from friends and family
Leaving behind your loved ones is a necessary evil that comes with immigration. Those who you used to hang out with every day, won’t be as accessible anymore. Maybe, you will be meeting them once in a year. Yes, the technology has revolutionized communication and you can have video calls with anyone and anywhere but can that beat the fun of sharing a slice of pizza with your best friend? Although, you can sponsor permanent residence for your parents and grandparents but not everyone is lucky enough to get that chance.
4. Learning a lot from scratch
When you settle in a new country, you will have to get used to the ways of working in that country. Something that is done in your home country in a particular way may not be done the same way in Canada. For example, if you drive on the left side of the road, it will be a big change getting used to driving on the right side of the road. You will have to learn so many things in a short span of time that it may feel a little daunting, although it can be fun too.
If you don’t already have a good grasp on English or French (the official languages of Canada), that will be another thing you will have to worry about learning.
5. High cost of living in the beginning
If you are not from a high income country, the costs of living in Canada may appear quite a bit when you move. For example, your rent in Canada could be many times more than what you are used to paying back home. These costs become meaningless once you start earning in Canada and it won’t feel that expensive anymore. But in the initial few days, you will be burning your savings quite fast and you will have to plan your finances meticulously.
6. Liberal environment
Canada is one of the most liberal countries in the world. If you hold conservative thoughts, you may not feel connected here. For example, if you have negative perceptions about homosexuality and you are vocal about it, or if you have a racist attitude, then you will find yourself in trouble very soon.
7. High taxes
Like other developed countries, income taxes are high in Canada. In return, you do get a lot of things for free because of these taxes, such as free healthcare or free education or toll free highways. But taxes are not equal for everyone. If you have a very high income, you would be paying disproportionately higher taxes for using the same services as someone with low income who wouldn’t be paying as much as you do. On the other hand, if you earn lower than average, you will not have to worry about paying too much in taxes while you will still get all the benefits.
Some of these negatives could be big for you and in that case, we would suggest staying put wherever you live or trying for another country. But we strongly feel, speaking from our personal experience, that the positives about Canada far outweigh the negatives and that’s why so many immigrants move here every year.