Canada benefits from a busy job market. A number of expats decide to make the move to Canada to work and live. It has similarities to other Western countries and feels like a home away from home in many ways. Despite the recent global recession, Canada remained unshaken and whereas other G8 economies crumbled, Canada has added to its job tally since 2009 and the economy is stronger. The federal government and many Canadian industries have started to expand trade with emerging Asian markets, in an attempt to diversify exports. Widely debated oil pipeline proposals are hoped to increase exports of Canadian oil reserves to China and add even more opportunities to a country which is ideal for the modern expat family.

While Ontario and British Columbia tend to be areas of choice for expats, Canada offers a number of other key employment opportunities outside of cities like Toronto and Vancouver and these should be researched and explored fully before you make the move to the country.   more ...

Since at least 2009, in which a survey sponsored by HSBC determined that "expats in Canada have the best quality of life" and "found it among the easiest places in the world to integrate with the local population," [i] the nation has been glowing with pride. Canada, which probably shouldn't be blamed for acting in its own self-interest, is fond of promoting itself to the rest of the world as a shining beacon of social and technological advancement: something that is occasionally done with a bit of a 'nudge nudge, wink wink' implication that it is much better in these areas than its crazy and chaotic southern neighbor.

However, one has to be careful when speaking of Canada as a monolithic, mono-cultural entity, and prospective expats may not be able to just randomly choose any locale within this gigantic land mass and find themselves at home there. It has to be remembered, that nearly 90% of Canada's total population lives within 300 km of the border with the United States, with a full 60% of that population inhabiting either southern Ontario or southern Québec (even in southern Ontario, the weather can already be chilly enough in November, and all the way through mid-April, to necessitate several layers of clothing.) The only major metropolitan area outside of this 300 km (i.e. 500,000 inhabitants or more) is Edmonton in Alberta province.   more ...

Public education in Canada is free of charge for all citizens, though "free" should not be taken to mean - as it often can - a product or service of poor quality. In 2010, the OECD [Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development] ranked Canada favorably among the rest of the industrialized world, with several Canadian provinces lagging only behind the Shanghai province for global reading proficiency. The nation as a whole placed 6th in the world - well ahead of the U.S. or U.K. - after data from the OECD's International Student Assessment was collected (notably, it achieved this while spending far less money per pupil than either of those nations.) To put it simply, even state education in the country is nothing to scoff at, and some provincial initiatives - such as having a maximum number of students allowed per classroom teacher - aim at maintaining this standard through resolute measures.   more ...

by John Rooney on behalf of Autoshippers

Providing a fascinating mix of strong national identity with stunning natural beauty, it is no surprise that every year thousands of Brits make the decision to up sticks and move to Canada. Nearly 10,000 UK residents were admitted to the country in 2010, complimenting an already broad range of ethnic diversity made up of 34 ethnic groups with at least 100,000 members in each.

However, if you're considering becoming one of the many migrants who choose Canada as their new home you will need to consider numerous factors before you begin the process of starting your new life.   more ...

by Thelma O' Connor, Canada Wise

Moving to Canada means leaving behind family, friends, familiar food, routines and your place in the community.

In Canada, you have to start all over again, build a new life, make new friends and find your place in a new community. This is a challenge all newcomers face, but if you come here alone - with no close family or friends to help and support you - then this challenge may seem even more daunting for you.

However, there are a number of steps you can take to help yourself through this 'settling-in' period. Here are our ten tips for survival to get you started.   more ...