Living and Working in Canada
Quick links: Accommodation / Bank Accounts / Healthcare / Pay & Bens / Tax / Visas / Travel
Accommodation
Canada has some of the cheapest housing in the developed world. The country has huge forests and timber is readily available as a building material. Houses in Canada are typically timber-framed and, because of climate extremes, the housing stock is usually high quality and well insulated. The average price of a house in Toronto is $354,000. Cost for rentals can vary depending on size and type of accommodation.
Bank Accounts
The largest banks in Canada are the Royal Bank of Canada, the Toronto Dominion Bank and the Bank of Montreal. Notable second tier banks include the National Bank of Canada, the Mouvement Desjardins and ING Bank of Canada.
Healthcare
Health-care in Canada is delivered through a publicly funded health care system, with most services provided by private entities. Although it’s a public system, it is not ‘socialized medicine’. Many employers offer private health insurance but you’ll also need a State Health Card.
Pay & Benefits
Salaries in Canada are slightly lower than in the US or Europe but this is offset by a substantially reduced cost of living. Employees can also expect benefits, employee insurance and 14 days holiday as standard.
Tax
Tax ranges from zero to 47%, with the amount based on income earned, minus expenses for the tax year.
Visas
Obtaining a visa is obligatory and is a three tiered process: once you have a valid offer of employment, your Canadian Employer applies for a Labour Market Opinion (LMO). Finally you apply for the work permit through Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). If you have any concerns it’s always helpful to talk to an immigration lawyer.
Travel
Despite its size, it is relatively easy to get around Canada. The Toronto subway, or RT, is the third largest public transit system in the world and it is inexpensive and air-conditioned.
