There is a lot of misinformation out there about what life is like in Canada.

As one of the world's most popular immigration destinations, many people create an image of life in Canada that either focuses heavily on the positive aspects of life here or only highlights the negative aspects of life in the country.

To provide a more balanced picture of life in Canada, this article will delve into some of the internet's most common misconceptions about Canada.

Misconception 1: Immediate Recruitment

Newcomers can find a job in their desired industry immediately upon arriving in Canada.

Fact

Finding a job in Canada is often a time-consuming process for newcomers.

Only some job seekers are lucky enough to find jobs quickly, and job search can be a lengthy process for newcomers and established residents.

Getting a job interview is one of the first challenges. It can take weeks or months for an employer to contact you. Then, when newcomers (and other Canadians) finally get a job interview, employers can take several months to be hired for a position. This is because hundreds of people often apply for a position, the interview process itself can be a commitment. It should be widespread. In fact, TopResume.com, an online resume writing resource provided by CNBC and the Huffington Post , suggests that the average job search in 2024 typically takes between five and six months.

A more specific reason for newcomers to look for a long job is what is commonly known as  a newcomer's skills mismatch . It is a term used to describe what happens when a newcomer has a lot of experience in a job or industry in their country of origin, but struggles to get a job in their field after arriving in Canada. There may be more work for newcomers than for Canadians.

However, the situation shows signs of improvement. Recent Statistics Canada data shows that the number of immigrants working in occupations commensurate with their qualifications increased by 4.4 per cent between the 2016 and 2021 censuses.  

 Misconception 2: Weather

Canada is always cold.

Fact

Your experience of Canada's climate will depend on where you live. Canada's climate, which is displayed in degrees Celsius (degrees Celsius), varies significantly, as some areas of the country have harsher and consistently cold climates, while others benefit from temperate weather patterns.

One example of this can be found when comparing  Canada's normal weather data in 1991 with 2020 published by Environment Canada.

According to this dataset, in Eureka, Nunavut (a research base located in the far north of Canada) had the highest average daily temperature in any given month of 6.8 degrees Celsius (July). In addition, the average daily temperature for the whole year was -18.1 degrees Celsius.

Eureka is considered one of the coldest places in Canada. In fact, it plotted negative daily average temperatures (in Celsius) for 9 out of 12 months of the year.

On the other hand, Victoria, British Columbia  (BC) is considered one of the evergreenest cities in Canada. According to the same dataset, Victoria had a monthly high of 17.2 degrees Celsius (average daily temperature) in July and an average daily temperature of approximately 10.3 degrees Celsius throughout the year. Victoria also had no months with a negative average daily temperature.

However, the climate in Canada changes throughout the year.

Once again, using BC as an example, the city of Leyton recorded the hottest day of the year with a temperature  of 42.2°C on August 15, 2023 . Meanwhile, the city just over two hours away from Lytton, Abbotsford,  recorded daytime lows of between -11°C and -16°C on January 12, 2024.

Even in the same month and season, the peak and lowest temperatures in Canada can vary significantly.

In Saskatchewan, for example, the city  of Regina experienced very hot and very cold temperatures in October. According to Canadian environmental data, Regina recorded a "maximum" temperature of 32.0 degrees Celsius one year, but also recorded a "maximum" of -26.1 degrees Celsius in 2011. In a colder winter

Misconception 3: High Cost of Living

Living in Canada is equally expensive.

Fact

Although the cost of living involves a variety of factors, a common measure of the cost of living for newcomers to Canada is the average rent in different cities. Costs are typically higher in major cities such as Vancouver and Toronto. In June 2024, according to Rentals.ca , these were the average rental costs for a two-bedroom unit across Canada .

Note: Scrolling on each bar in the average cost chart (in Canadian dollars) shows a two-bedroom unit in the city

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Misconception 4: Instant Access to Free Healthcare

Newcomers to Canada will have immediate access to Canada's universal health care system , provided they submit the correct documents to official government offices.

Fact

In Canada,  a health card allows all holders to access public health insurance in their province or territory.

Healthcare eligibility generally depends on the status of a newcomer to Canada. In other words, health cards are typically reserved for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, although some provinces allow temporary residents (international students, temporary foreign workers, etc.) to receive general healthcare coverage.

 The following webpages provide more information on eligibility for health care coverage in each Canadian province and territory:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Ontario
• Manitoba
• Quebec
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Prince Edward Island
• Nova Scotia
• Brunswick
• Saskatchewan
• Nunavut
• Northwest Territories
• Yukon

In some provinces, new health card applicants are also not immediately eligible for universal health care coverage. This is because some provinces and territories require newcomers to wait up to three months for their benefits to begin. This can also apply to Canadians moving from one province to another.

Note: The only provinces without a waiting period are Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador.