Canada, which is sometimes portrayed as a place of boundless possibilities and an unspoiled environment, has many myths about life there. These myths frequently sway the opinions of foreigners, whether it be regarding the appeal of universal healthcare or the romanticized images of Canadian winters. But the truth is more complicated than that. Dispelling these myths highlights Canada’s distinct blend of cultures, climates, and social policies while also highlighting the country’s actual diversity and issues. Examining and dispelling these stereotypes helps people grasp what it really means to be a modern Canadian. In this article, we are going to debunking popular myths about life in Canada.
Myth 1: Instant job opportunities
Newcomers may expect to secure employment in their preferred industry soon after arriving in Canada.
Fact
It might take a lot of time to find work in Canada, especially for immigrants. Both newcomers and long-time residents experience a protracted job search process, but some are lucky enough to find employment quickly.
The first obstacle is getting a job interview, which can take weeks or months while candidates wait for a response from employers. The employment process itself might take a long time, frequently lasting several months, if you are asked for an interview. The vast number of candidates vying for jobs has caused a lengthy interview and selection procedure, which is mostly to blame for this delay.
As per the credible resume writing website TopResume.com, which has been featured by CNBC and the Huffington Post, the normal length of a job search in 2024 is expected to be five to six months. This timeline is indicative of the difficult job market in Canada, where applicants must move through several hoops in order to land a position.
Newcomers entering Canada encounter a number of important challenges, one of which is the “newcomer skills mismatch.” This phrase refers to the circumstance in which immigrants find it challenging to find work in their field after moving to Canada, even when they have a great deal of experience in that sector or industry back home. Because of this, immigrants frequently take longer than Canadian natives to get employment.
There are signs of progress in this area, though. According to new data from Statistics Canada, between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, there was a 4.4% rise in the number of immigrants working in positions that matched their skills. This encouraging pattern shows that attempts are being made to better integrate skilled immigrants into the Canadian labor market, which may lessen the obstacles they encounter in locating acceptable jobs.
Myth 2: Another misconception relates to the climate
A common belief is that Canada consistently experiences cold weather.
Fact
The weather in Canada is not always the same where you are. Temperatures are expressed in degrees Celsius (°C) nationwide, and there can be large variations in the weather. While certain regions of Canada experience extreme and persistently low temperatures, others enjoy more temperate weather patterns.
For example, understanding these differences can be gained by comparing statistics published by Environment Canada between the Canadian Climate Normals for 1991 and 2020. The highest daily average temperature ever recorded in any month was 6.8°C (in July) at the research base Eureka, Nunavut, in Canada’s extreme north. The annual average daily temperature was -18.1°C.
With negative daily average temperatures (in Celsius) for nine of the twelve months of a regular year, Eureka is known as one of Canada’s coldest places. This discrepancy draws attention to the diversity of climates found throughout Canada, where regional variations in local weather patterns are common.
Victoria, British Columbia (B.C.), on the other hand, is well known for being one of Canada’s reliably warm cities. The same dataset shows that Victoria had an annual average daily temperature of almost 10.3°C and a monthly maximum daily average temperature of 17.2°C in July. Interestingly, Victoria never had a month where the average daily temperature was below zero.
Nonetheless, there are seasonal variations in the weather throughout Canada. Again using B.C. as an example, on August 15, 2023, the city of Lytton recorded the hottest temperature of the preceding year at 42.2°C. On January 12, 2024, Abbotsford, a little more than two hours distant, experienced a midday low temperature that ranged from -11°C to -16°C.
Canada has wildly variable temperatures, even within the same month and season. For example, in October, the city of Regina, Saskatchewan, has seen both high heat and extreme cold. Regina had a “extreme maximum” temperature of 32.0°C in one year and a “extreme minimum” of -26.1°C in 2011, according to data from Environment Canada. Windchill effects, which can make the cold during the winter months even more intense, are not included in these readings.
Myth: Perception of a high cost of living
Living expenses in Canada are uniformly high.
Fact
Living expenses in Canada can vary significantly due to a range of factors. One common metric used to gauge these costs for newcomers is the average rental prices across different cities. Major urban centers like Vancouver and Toronto generally command higher living expenses compared to smaller cities. As of June 2024, Rentals.ca reported the average costs for renting a two-bedroom apartment across Canada. For detailed information, you can view specific rental prices by hovering over each bar in the chart provided.
Myth: Immediate availability of free healthcare
New arrivals to Canada will have immediate access to Canada’s universal healthcare system.
Fact
In Canada, having a health card allows individuals to access public health insurance in their province or territory.
Healthcare eligibility is primarily determined by an individual’s status in Canada. Normally, health cards are issued to citizens and permanent residents. However, some provinces provide public health coverage to temporary residents like international students and temporary foreign workers.
You can find further details on healthcare coverage eligibility in each Canadian province and territory on the following webpages:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Ontario
- Manitoba
- Quebec
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Prince Edward Island
- Nova Scotia
- New Brunswick
- Saskatchewan
- Nunavut
- Northwest Territories
- Yukon
In certain provinces, new applicants for health cards may not immediately qualify for public healthcare coverage. This waiting period can extend up to three months before their benefits take effect. This requirement also applies to Canadians who relocate from one province to another.