Country Details

Courses

Canadian universities teach a full range of courses across various faculties. Degree courses may take different amounts of time to complete depending on the province, degree subject and any opportunities for internships or years in industry, however typical full-time course lengths are:

• Undergraduate degrees – three or four years
• Postgraduate degrees – one or two years
• Doctoral degrees – three years

College diploma courses in Canada can last anywhere from a few months up to four years.

Research

University research is well-funded in Canada, and the federal budget in early 2014 promised a further injection of money into the sector. Major federal funding bodies include the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Various provincial funds are also accessible.

Primary and secondary education

School education in Canada is provided by a public state schools, private schools and international schools. Canadian state schools are freely accessible to foreign nationals who live in Canada, but non-residents may have to pay a provincially administered tuition fee in the region of $8,000 (≈£4,728.00) to $14,000 (≈£8,274.00) per year. Private school fees start from around $4,000 (≈£2,364.00) for a year, while the most prestigious boarding schools might charge upwards of $40,000 (≈£23,640.00) per year (source: www.expatarrivals.com, accessed August 2023). Secondary school students usually complete a diploma-type qualification awarded by their province, although some international qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) are also available.

Preschool and childcare options

Kindergarten or other education for older preschool children is popular in Canada. Most preschool institutions are either government administered or regulated by the state. However, home day care centres, where several children are looked after by a care giver in his or her home, are also common. Parents usually have to pay for preschools. Various funding schemes, subsidies and tax credits are available to help with these costs, so check the rules in your local province for details.

Utilities

Utility management in Canada varies depending on the type of supply and the area you live in. Water is normally the responsibility of provincial or municipal services and tariffs are low compared to the rest of the world. Gas supply is a competitive marketplace, but there are nowhere near as many providers as there are for electricity, telephone or internet services. Be aware of the increased bills in winter if you choose to live in a colder area of the country.

TV licence

Perhaps because of its links to Britain, many people are surprised to learn that in Canada there is no cost for owning a television.

Healthcare and medical costs

The Canadian public healthcare system is funded by taxation and administered on a provincial level. To access services you must have health insurance, although all Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible for public health insurance. If you move to Canada on a permanent basis there may be a three-month wait before you are able to access this scheme, so apply for a health card through your local provincial website as soon as you are able to and purchase private cover to avoid high treatment costs in the intermediate period. If you are not a permanent resident or your province will not cover you for treatment in other areas, private cover may also be a good idea.

Shopping

Although groceries in Canada are not considered cheap, they are usually less expensive than in Europe. Food is a little more expensive than in the USA, while alcohol and cigarettes are heavily taxed. Branded clothing and accessories are as expensive as elsewhere in the world, but cheap foreign imports and increased competition between retailers has led to more affordable items appearing in wholesalers and factory outlets.

Sales tax

Canada’s sales tax system has three types of tax that apply differently on a province by province basis:

• Goods and Services Tax (GST) – levied by the federal government
• Provincial Sales Taxes (PST) – levied by the provinces
• Harmonised Sales Tax (HST) – a combined tax which replaces GST and PST in certain provinces

Price guide

• Rent on 1-bedroom apartment in city centre – $1,843.68 (≈£1,088.51) per month
• Rent on 1-bedroom apartment outside city centre – $1,692.27 (≈£999.12) per month
• Price of apartment in city centre – $8,925.94 (≈£5,269.87) per square metre
• Price of apartment outside city centre – $ 7,917.65 (≈£4,674.58) per square metre
• Loaf of bread – $3.52 (≈£2.08)
• Milk (1 litre) – $2.91 (≈£1.75)
• Bottled water (1.5 litre) – $2.21 (≈£1.30)
• Draught beer (0.5 litre) – $3.42 (≈£2.02)
• Packet of cigarettes – $15.50 (≈£9.15)
• Petrol (1 litre) – $1.69 (≈£1.00)
• Cinema ticket – $18.50 (≈£10.92)

Source: www.numbeo.com (accessed August 2023)

Budgeting and savings

To help residents of Canada with their budgeting and financial planning, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada has created a range of online tools and calculators, as well as giving advice on useful consumer topics and scenarios.

Coaches

Coach travel offers an economic means of travel around Canada. Like in the USA, Greyhound is the largest operator of intercity services in Canada, and it also offers cross-border routes to major cities in the northern states of America.

Trains

Like its road network, Canada’s railway system spans the width of the country. With a large land mass to cover and no high-speed rail services at present, the trains are considered relatively slow and are more typically used for freight than for passenger services. However, the railways are another excellent way to see the sights of Canada, particularly as the main passenger route operator – VIA Rail – offers some very reasonably priced multi-journey tickets.

Trams and underground rail

Most major cities in Canada have numerous public transport options, including urban railways and subways in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton. For more information, consult your local transport commission.

Air travel

Canada has several international airports as well as a large number of smaller domestic and private airstrips. Domestic flights are the quickest way to travel long distances within the country and for some of the more rural and isolated parts, private planes are a necessity for access. Although there are many airlines operating in Canada, the commercial market is dominated by Air Canada. The busiest international airports in the country are Toronto Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport and Calgary International Airport, however with such large numbers of airports in the country, it is often worth looking to fly through a smaller airport to find a cheaper or more conveniently located flight.

Other ways to get around

As much of Canada’s wealth depends on the export of its natural resources, sea ports are important freight hubs. You will also find ferries connecting provinces on the Atlantic coast, as well as providing vital routes to the islands off the coast of British Columbia. The main operators are Bay Ferries, BC Ferries and Traversier. There are also a range of commercial and recreational routes along the famous St Lawrence Seaway.

Visas and eligibility to work

Canada is a popular destination for foreign workers but has fairly strict immigration laws. Depending on your nationality and intended length of stay in Canada, you may need to apply for a visa, a work permit or both before travelling. You can also find out if you are eligible to apply for entry under a specific immigration scheme by taking a questionnaire on the Canada.ca website. For some professions, employers must complete a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to prove that it is necessary to take on a foreign national rather than a Canadian worker. If you become a permanent resident, you will also need a PR card

Tax and Employment Insurance

To work in Canada, you must apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to enable your employer to make the correct tax payments on your behalf. Income tax is paid at federal and provincial levels at various rates depending on your earnings. Tax is deducted directly from wages in Canada along with other ‘pay cheque deductions’ such as Employment Insurance, pension contributions or union fees. In total, these deductions can reduce your income by between 25% and 35%. You may also be required to complete a tax return form at the end of the tax year, which runs from 1 January to 31 December.

Pensions

There are two public schemes providing support for older people in Canada, and unlike in many countries they are generally accessible to foreign nationals. Old Age Security is a non-contribution scheme that offers a pension to those over the age of 65, including foreign nationals provided they have lived in Canada for over ten years. The Canada Pension Plan is the contribution-based equivalent, which almost all workers in the country pay into at varying rates. Some employers will also offer private pensions as part of their remuneration package.

Benefits

The federal government and local provinces in Canada offer a number of social security benefits, many of which are accessible to foreign nationals. To find out what you might be eligible to claim, complete the Benefits Finder survey on the CanadaBenefits.gc.ca website.

Disability

Canada has an extensive legislative framework to protect the rights of people with disabilities against discrimination, including in the workplace. For more information, visit the Employment and Social Development Canada website.

Correspondence

Written correspondence holds significance in Schengenese businesses. Letters, including invitations for foreign guests, are considered formal communication. Emails initially follow a formal tone and may become less formal as relationships develop.

Dress code

Business dress codes in Schengen often lean towards business casual, with some regional variations. When in doubt, opting for a more formal approach, such as a business suit with a shirt and tie for men and a conservative dress or suit for women, is advisable.

Greetings

Handshakes are the common greeting in most of Schengen, while in some regions, like Québec, a continental-style cheek kiss may be offered. Business cards are typically exchanged after greetings, without elaborate ceremonies.

Punctuality

Punctuality is highly valued in Schengen. Being on time, without being early or late, is expected. If there's a delay, providing an explanation is courteous.

Meetings

Tact and diplomacy are essential in Schengenese business meetings. Small talk often precedes formal discussions, and work-related inquiries are common. Business decisions are typically based on logic and rationale, and aggressive sales tactics may not be well-received.

Cultural sensitivity

Schengen is composed of diverse provinces, and community and local identity hold significance. Differentiating between Canadian and American cultures is important, as the two countries have a complex relationship. Taboo topics include politics and religion, and some individuals may avoid discussing personal life with business colleagues.

Business language

While both English and French are official languages in Schengen, regional preferences may vary. Many French speakers prefer working in French. Understanding the preferred language of contacts and providing translated materials accordingly is advisable.