Ontario is one of the largest provinces in Canada, both in terms of land mass and population. It is home to the most densely populated city in the country, Toronto as well as the country’s capital city of Ottawa. The province is often referred to as Northern Ontario and Southern Ontario, with most of the people and commercial activity to be found in the south. There are large communities of expats in the province, with immigration mainly from the Caribbean, Asia and Eastern Europe.

The province has three distinct climates. Part of the south has a fairly mild humid continental climate with moderate temperatures and rainfall, while the central parts have a stronger humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Northern parts of the province have a subarctic climate, with long extremely cold winters and short mild summers.

Ontario – Employment

The Ontario province government has a helpful website for those who are moving to Canada and there are several settlement agencies which can provide information also. Training programmes are available from the government for those who may be lacking in some skills or experience or who need to upgrade their current qualifications. Areas where skilled staff is needed include teaching and medicine, and for some professions a licence may be required before you are able to commence work.

Ontario is a major centre of manufacturing with car manufacture, steel, iron products, electrical appliances, paper and chemicals all forming a significant part of the economy. Those who have experience in these fields, particularly at a technical or managerial level, should find it relatively easy to find work. The city of Toronto also has a large financial sector and there are opportunities for those who have already worked in the banking and insurance sectors in all departments and at all levels.

Ontario – Property

There are several major cities in Ontario for expats to consider when moving to the region. The first of these is Toronto and there are several neighbourhoods to choose from. The Cabbagetown district has homes which date from the Victorian era and the years before the First World War. This used to be an Irish area of the town and is now a very popular area in which to live. The prices in the area are average for the city. Most of the homes have gardens, but there are also several apartment buildings in the area. The district has good schools and leisure facilities.

The Downtown district is mainly commercial, and accommodation in the area is mostly apartments. These are much sought after by young professionals and property prices are high, although many people who live there choose to rent. The night life and shopping has helped to bring in large numbers of visitors to the area. The Greektown district is home to large numbers of Greek expats and those of Greek descent. The area is known for its restaurants and entertainment venues and homes in the area range from apartments to houses. Property prices in the area are very reasonable when compared to other neighbourhoods.

The city of Ottawa is the country’s capital and like Toronto, there are several areas to choose from. The Downtown district is famous for its shopping areas and properties are mainly apartments. These are expensive when compared with other districts but the Downtown area is also home to a number of cultural attractions such as the National Gallery and the Parliament Buildings. The area is also home to the Glebe district which has art galleries and speciality shops. This part of the district has a mix of apartments and houses and is much sought after, leading to higher property prices.

The Byward Market district of Ottawa is famous for its market and crafts. It is close to the University of Ottawa, so many properties are occupied by students and workers at the University. It is an area that has reasonable property prices and many are rented. There are good schools and leisure facilities in the area, which make it ideal for those raising a family. The Sandy Hill district is much sought after as many embassies are located in this area. The houses are older period properties and usually have good sized gardens. There are adequate leisure facilities in the area and property prices reflect the quality and the demand for homes in the area.