Living in Canada
Outstanding natural beauty, vibrant cities and a high standard of living make Canada
an attractive country to emigrate to
With a total land area more
than 40 times that of the UK, Canada is
the second largest country in the world.
Because of its size, Canada's climate varies greatly
from place to place.The north is within the Arctic
Circle and is almost entirely ice-bound, yet the
southernmost point is on the same latitude as sunny
California. Canada's distinct seasons attract large
numbers of tourists who come for the beautiful
autumn scenes, the outdoor pursuits and wildlife in
the summer, and of course the skiing in the winter.
With ten provinces and three territories covering
mountains, lakes, coast and prairie lands, Canada has
something for everyone.
Politics and economy
The Canadian parliament is made up of the Senate
and the House of Commons for which there are
elections every fi ve years.The government is run by
a prime minister who is the leader of the majority
party.The British monarch is head of state. The
major issue in Canada is the relationship between the
English- and French-speaking areas, which could
result in a split in the federation.
Canada has high living standards and low interest
rates. Unemployment is slightly higher than in the
UK, but it has been falling steadily for more than a
decade. In terms of industry, the service sector has
been growing in importance and now accounts for
around three out of every four jobs. International
trade, especially with the USA, plays a large role.
Education
In Canada, individual provinces or states run their
own education, and there is no national ministry.
However, the Council of Ministers of Education
Canada (CMEC) acts as a forum for coordinating
education nationally. Primary and secondary
education is free and is compulsory from the age
of 5 to 7 until 16 to 18. The school year runs from
September to June. As well as publicly run schools,
there are private schools and colleges.These must
meet government standards but do not have to follow
the curriculum. Home schooling is possible in all
provinces.
There are 90 universities in Canada, 64 of
which teach in English, 20 in French and six in a
combination of both.Tuition fees must be paid at all
colleges and universities except in Quebec, where
residents may attend free. UK students must obtain a
visa to study in Canada.
Healthcare
Canada has a publicly funded system for necessary
healthcare, known as Medicare. It is provided on
a needs rather than ability-to-pay basis. In most
provinces, there are some restrictions on what
Medicare will cover, for example dental care,
ambulances, prescription drugs and spectacles. To
have access to Canadian healthcare you will need
a health insurance card, which is available from
doctors and hospitals as well as immigration services.
In some provinces, there is a waiting period during
which time you will need to get short-term private
medical insurance. Preventative healthcare, such as
immunisation, is key in Canada. Before becoming a
permanent resident you will need to have a medical
examination and may have to have another one when
you arrive.
Lifestyle
Canada has a multicultural society, which is refl ected
in its food and drink. Although there are no particular
national dishes, there is access to a wide range of food,
especially seafood along the coastal regions. Maple
syrup is probably Canada's best known fare, and
pancakes, steak, stew and clam chowder (a kind of
thick seafood soup) are all popular foods.
Pets
Pets are allowed into the country but you will need
a certifi cate to show that they have had a rabies
injection within the previous 36 months. The Pet
Travel Scheme (PET) could allow you to avoid
quarantine. Seeing-eye dogs are allowed access
without restriction both to the country itself and to
shops, restaurants and other businesses.
Retirement and pensions
There are two main types of pension in Canada.
The Old Age Security (OAS) pension is available to
Canadian citizens and permanent residents. To get
the full pension you must have been in the country
for 40 years after the age of 18, although you may be
able to get a reduced amount if you have been in the
country for less time. In addition, those receiving
Quebec is three times the size
of France
this pension may be eligible for the Guaranteed
Income Supplement (GIS) if they are on low income.
The Canadian and Quebec Pension Plans are a
form of insurance to which you must contribute
while working.The amount paid depends on the
amount you have contributed. It is available at the
age of 65 or at a reduced amount from 60 and can
be claimed by anyone whose income has paid both
contributions and income tax. The Consolidated
Arrangements on Social Security came into force
in 1995.This means that certain periods of residence
in Canada can be treated as if they were periods of
contribution to the National Insurance scheme in the
UK when determining whether that person is eligible
for benefi ts. The Convention on Social Security
came into force in 1998 and means that if you work
temporarily in Canada you don't lose out under the
UK pension scheme.
