It may seem that since Canada ranked the fourth best country in the world in 2024, it is indeed a better place to live. However, our lives show that life ranking does not always reflect the truth. Sometimes, it is necessary to experience things independently instead of following the internet statistics. Immigration to Canada is one of these cases. After two years living in Toronto, I can share the bitter truth, particularly for immigrants.
Prices. One of the biggest problems is the high cost of living, with costly education, rent, groceries, and high taxes. For international students attending college, the tuition fee may reach 18,000 CAD (55374.69 PLN) per year, four times more than Canadian citizens pay. The rent also costs fabulous money, which makes life there even more challenging. Renting a private house in Toronto may cost 3,000 CAD (9226.83 PLN) monthly. Grocery prices are shocking even to Canadians, as they often pay the same price for lower-quality products as, for instance, we pay for high-quality goods in Europe. The cheapest milk will cost 6 CAD (18.46 PLN) for two liters in one of the most affordable grocery stores, such as No Frills, while in Poland, the same quality milk will be 2 CAD (7.4 PLN) in Biedronka.
Yet another problem that comes from the high expenses is the difficulties in employment. To cover such costs, people need to work. Immigrants must spend a lot of time, patience, and energy to find a job. Students or older people without higher education must frequently go to workplaces such as convenience stores or public catering and ask for a job. It is better to attend the same place multiple times to show engagement, even for the lowest job positions, while in many European countries, online job searches are usually sufficient. Despite this, the probability that a person will not find a job stays high. Recent statistics provided by the official website of the Canadian government and by Canadian newspapers such as CIC News have revealed that immigrants who have been in Canada for less than five years face an unemployment rate of approximately 11% compared to 4% of Canadian-born residents. Moreover, it is common for people with higher education to remain unemployed for a long time, as HR managers often require Canadian work experience over experience from one’s home country. According to the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC), a survey showed that 65% of newcomers feel they were not given opportunities because of their lack of Canadian experience. For this reason, newcomers should have friends to stay with in case the job search takes longer than expected.
Another issue that leaves people wondering if Canada is worth dreaming about is bureaucracy. Living in this country means being prepared for long lines and difficulties in government institutions. For example, waiting four hours to receive a Social Insurance Number is common, as there is not enough staff to handle many visitors. Finding a family doctor takes a year since there is a lack of specialists but a high demand for care. Instead of letting immigrants work at clinics, the Canadian government creates an endless waitlist. Statistics provided on the official website of the Canadian government show that similar delays apply to other services, whether it is updating tax data or processing a work permit, which usually takes 6-12 weeks.
The transportation system also leaves much to be desired. Travelling from the suburbs to Toronto can take almost two hours on public transport. The buses come once an hour, and the subway breakdowns are frequent, causing traffic jams and delays. While living without a car is possible in Europe, in Canada, having a vehicle is essential. Residents from the age of 16 are usually getting to school by their car. Since each family owns a vehicle, it may seem that public transport is not a necessity. But what should newcomers do if they do not have an opportunity to buy a car yet?
When we think of Canada, we often imagine what we’ve seen in movies, which creates unrealistic expectations and leads us to underestimate our countries, considering North America is better in every aspect of life. Therefore, when people hear that someone has left Canada because of its disadvantages, they are surprised. This reaction is understandable since before moving there. I had been expecting it to be the best country to live in. However, due to the bureaucratic challenges, high expenses, and, at the same time, problems with job searching, I consider Canada to be best suited for immigrants who have a financial safety net. That is why learning a lot about the country differs from living there. It is better to “try” the place for some time before moving there to avoid disappointment and to have a better quality of life.
Yuliia Filipchenko
Photo: Pexels – Daniel Joseph Petty