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Why is Canada so special?
Canada is one of the most famous countries in the entire world. With over 9.8 million square kilometers, this is the second-largest country in the world when it comes to the area.
It is bigger than the likes of Australia, Brazil, India, China, the United States, and many other countries.
Canada is truly a special place that happens to be the home to over 37 million people regardless of their age, culture, gender or religion. In most of the studies and researches that were concluded in the past few years, Canada has always been among one of the most chosen destinations for people to migrate to in the entire world.
There are plenty of opportunities for visitors and newcomers who are interested in moving there.
Many immigrants decide to move to the Maple Leaf Country because it’s environment-friendly but that is just one of the many reasons.
After all, the country is known for its beautiful flora and fauna, breath-taking nature, guaranteed safety and secure life, stable economy, high-quality healthcare, excellent education, and different work opportunities.
It has many nicknames with the most commonly used one being The Great White North.
The “Great” comes from the fact that the country is the second-largest country in the entire world. “North” comes from the country’s location – it’s located in North America’s most northern part.
As for the “White”, that is because the country is covered by at least 40% of Arctic frozen tundra and in almost every part of the country, there is snow that might stay around.
The Great White North is made of many big cities such as Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Ottawa. Most of the time, immigrants find it hard to choose from all the Canadian cities and provinces as they all have something different to offer.
Whether it’s the atmosphere, climate, nature, livability, or work opportunities. Here is a list of all of them which might help you choose which one is the best province in Canada to live and work.
1. Ontario
The Ontario province is the most popular destination for newcomers. Located in the center of Canada, Ontario has a population of 14.5 million people.
The capital and largest city is Toronto, which is also the most populous city in the entire country with over 6 million citizens. Toronto is often compared to New York because they have a lot in common. Toronto is an economical capital that brings a lot of head offices to many different Canadian companies. Among some of the other big cities in Ontario are:
Known as Canada’s economic heart, the province is known for its beautiful parks, economic growth, natural diversity, modern service, vast forests, and nature.
The province is home to many diverse cultures as it’s home to people from all parts of the world.
The unemployment rate there stands at just 6.8% and on average, the Ontario residents earn incomes that are the highest in the country.
The average wage for an hour is $27.50 and annually it can be roughly about $53,625. It is because of the high standard of living in Ontario that every year, at least 250 000 people that come to visit Canada eventually become permanent residents.
The average price for a house in Ottawa is $403.000 and in Toronto, it’s just above $635.900. Ontario is also the home twosome of the research institutions that are world-leading.
Some of Ontario’s universities such as Queens University, University of Toronto, University of Western Ontario, and York University are some of the world’s best and they have been recognized internationally.
Some of the landmarks that can be seen in Ontario are:
- CN Tower (in Toronto)
- Horseshoe Falls (near St. Catharines)
- Algonquin Provincial Park (near Ottawa)
- Royal Ontario Museum (in Toronto)
- Casa Loma (in Toronto)
- Rideau Canal (in Ottawa)
- Skylon Tower (close to St. Catharines)
- Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada (around Mississauga)
2. Quebec
Quebec is the second-largest province in Canada with 8.4 million citizens.
The capital is Quebec City and the largest city is Montreal. It is the only province that has French as the sole official language.
This prosperous and dynamic society offers plenty of advantages to its citizens such as an excellent education system which includes preferential fees for permanent residents, private and public healthcare systems, unspoiled and clean environment with many strict controls.
The province is also the largest by land area in the country. Besides Montreal and Quebec City, the other big cities in Quebec are:
- Gatineau
- Saguenay
- Sherbrooke
- Troi-Rivières
- Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Whether it’s in a big or small town, living in Quebec is not as expensive as in other provinces. The average rent in Toronto is $1.463, while in Montreal it’s $877. It is the best and most affordable destination for students who have just moved away from home.
The tuition rates are the lowest in the entire country and there are some the world-renowned universities such as Université de Montréal, McGill University, Université Laval, and Université de Sherbrooke.
Some of the landmarks that can be seen in Quebec are:
- Montmorency Falls (close to Quebec City)
- Fairmont Le Château Frontenac (in Quebec City)
- Mount Royal (in Montreal)
- Old Quebec (in Quebec City)
- Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal (in Montreal)
- Montreal Botanic Garden (in Montreal)
- Gatineau Park (in Ottawa)
- Mont Tremblant Resort (around Montreal)
- La Citadelle de Québec (in Quebec City)
3. British Columbia
This is the most western province which is bordered by the Pacific Ocean. British Columbia has a mountainous interior with diverse geography and coastal islands.
It’s the perfect place for mountain climbers and bikers, skiers, kayakers, and people who love outdoor activities and adventures.
British Columbia has a population of 5 million people and it is the second-largest province in Canada when it comes with an area of over 925.186 square kilometers. The capital of B.C. is the quaint town Victoria which has plenty of winter sports, horse-drawn carriages, and other attractions.
The vibrant cosmopolitan, Vancouver is the largest city.
It is located between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean and has some of the most beautiful views.
Besides Victoria and Vancouver, some of the other big towns in British Columbia are Kelowna, Abbotsford, Nanaimo, Kamloops, and Chilliwack with all of them having over 100 000 citizens.
British Columbia is truly one of the most appealing provinces in Canada.
Not just in Canada but in the entire world. Its largest city, Vancouver, has appeared in many lists that include the best cities to live in.
The province has excellent healthcare, diverse culture, a rich cultural heritage, and a high standard of living.
Besides being safe, there are many education and work opportunities in agriculture, health, manufacturing, construction, and forestry.
One of the downsides of living in British Columbia is that it’s very expensive.
All of the expenses could cost up to $2.500 per month.
The property taxes are approximately $3.900 and the average amount that you might need to live there annually is about $80.000.
With Vancouver being one of the most expensive cities to live in, the tuition fees are also very expensive. For example, the annual fees for private colleges could cost about $30.000.
Some of the most popular universities in B.C. are Vancouver Island University, University of the Fraser Valley, The University of British Columbia, and Simon Fraser University.
Some of the landmarks that can be seen in British Columbia are:
- Stanley Park (close to West Vancouver)
- Capilano Suspension Bridge (in North Vancouver)
- The Butchart Gardens (near Victoria)
- Emerald Lake (around Calgary)
- Yoho National Park of Canada (around Calgary)
- Granville Island (in Vancouver)
- Gastown (in Vancouver)
- Kootenay National Park (near Calgary)
- Whistler Blackcomb (close to Vancouver)
4. Alberta
With over 4.3 million citizens, Alberta is one of the three prairie provinces in Canada. Just like British Columbia, it is nearby the Rocky Mountains and it’s a famous destination for outdoor sports and activities such as hiking or skiing. The capital of Alberta is Edmonton.
It is full of rich history, culture, and many festivals such as the Edmonton Folk Festival. Calgary is the largest town in the province. It frequently hosts the famous Calgary Stampede which showcases the cowboy culture of the province.
Besides Edmonton and Calgary, the other large cities in Albert are:
- Red Deer
- Lethbridge
- St.Albert
- Medicine Hat
- Grande Prairie
One of the best ways to describe Alberta is a giant medley of many things such as road trips, landmarks, and small towns.
One of the things that the province is famous for is the above-mentioned Calgary Stampede which is part of the summer.
It’s full of different activities and you can easily find food, drinks, concerts, rodeos, and rides. The climate in Alberta is very mild.
Although, it’s close to the Rocky Mountains, unlike B.C., it is not near the Pacific Ocean.
The summers are beautiful and hot, while the winters could be as cold as -20 to -40 degrees, especially at the beginning of each year.
Some of the landmarks that can be seen in Alberta are:
- Banff National Park of Canada (close to Calgary)
- Jasper National Park of Canada (near Edmonton)
- Fairmont Banff Springs (close to Calgary)
- Athabasca Glacier (near Red Deer)
- Peyto Lake (around Red Deer)
- Lake Louise (near Calgary)
- Moraine Lake (around Calgary)
- Maligne Lake (near Edmonton)
- Lake Minnewanka (near Calgary)
5. Manitoba
Manitoba is located in the western part of Canada.
It has been the home to the Métis and Aboriginal people for over 6.000 years.
The north part of the province comprises arctic tundra and rock and that is the reason why it is so uninhibited.
The population of Manitoba is 1.3 million people.
The capital and largest city is Winnipeg. Besides Winnipeg, the other big cities that make Manitoba such a beautiful destination are:
- Brandon
- Steinbach
- Thompson
- Portage la Prairie
- Winkler
- Selkirk
Manitoba is a land full of friendly, safe, and clean towns that offer an enriching lifestyle.
It’s one of the many destinations in Canada that has a natural beauty and it’s very affordable.
Manitoba is located just 150 kilometers away from the Canadian border with the United States.
There are many job opportunities, great schools, and universities that offer a good education and good healthcare.
The province is often called the land of the lakes because of the thousands of lakes that are nearby. Unlike the other big provinces, Manitoba is very affordable.
The annual costs (which include housing, taxes, utilities, and insurance) can cost approximately $25.000.
Some of the landmarks that can be seen in Manitoba are:
- Riding Mountain National Park (near Winnipeg)
- Canadian Museum for Human Rights (in Winnipeg)
- Assiniboine Park (in Winnipeg)
- Assiniboine Park Zoo (in Winnipeg)
- The Forks (in Winnipeg)
- Whiteshell Provincial Park (around Winnipeg)
- The Manitoba Museum (in Winnipeg)
- FortWhyte Alive (in Winnipeg)
- Wapusk National Park (near Churchill)
6. Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is located right in the middle of Canada. It is locked between the bigger provinces of Manitoba and Alberta.
Most of Saskatchewan’s population lives in the southern part of the province, especially in Regina and Saskatoon.
Regina is the capital and Saskatoon is the largest town.
The population of Saskatchewan is 1.1 million people.
The most famous activities in that part of Canada are hunting, fishing, and many other outdoor activities and adventures.
The most famous cities in Saskatchewan are:
- Prince Albert
- Moose Jaw
- Swift Current
- Yorkton
- North Battleford
- Saskatoon
- Regina
The benefit of living in Saskatchewan is that housing can cost lower in any of the other cities or provinces in Canada. The education costs are lower as well.
The healthcare is well arranged and quite beneficial to Saskatchewan.
There are also a very good tax-charge structure and plenty of health care facilities that offer medical, hospital, and insurance plans for the residents.
Some of the landmarks that can be seen in Saskatchewan are:
- Prince Albert National Park (near Big River)
- Grasslands National Park (around Val Marie)
- Wanuskewin Heritage Park (in Saskatoon)
- Wascana Centre (in Regina)
- Royal Saskatchewan Museum (in Regina)
- Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo (in Saskatoon)
- Waskesiu Lake (close to Big River)
- Fort Walsh National Site (near Elkwater)
- Tunnels of the Moose Jaw (in Moose Jaw)
Conclusion
The rest of the Canadian provinces are:
They are all beautiful and magnificent, especially Prince Edward Island, which is preferred by people who want a more quiet life far away from the big metropolitan cities.
Most of the provinces have locations that are truly mesmerizing and that is because Canada is right next to the Pacific Ocean.
On top of that, it has some of the most abstract nature views in the whole wide world.
What every province has in common is the endless opportunities for outdoor sports and adventures such as hiking, skiing, mountain climbing and biking, fishing, etc.
The weather can be very different in all of the cities.
The northern part of Canada is known for its cold climate and winters that could be extremely hard to deal with. The temperatures can go from 0 to -20 or even -40 degrees Celsius.
Places like Vancouver and other cities that are situated in the western part tend to have a more mild climate that offers warm and hot weather throughout most of the year. In these places, the temperatures can go from 20 to 40 degrees Celsius.
For the past few years, the Canadian Government has strived for a great education, job opportunities, economics, and healthcare and that is visible in all of the Canadian provinces.
Each and every one of the provinces have a “Canadian” look.
If you are a fan of the metropolitan cities and luxurious life, then Toronto and Vancouver are the best choices because they are the most expensive places in Canada.
For the citizens who prefer to live in a quiet and cheap environment, then most of the cities in Quebec such as Drummondville, Sainte-Marie, Rouyn-Noranda, Rimouski, Bécancour, and Sept-Îles are the perfect choices.
Then there are also cities like Ottawa, Calgary, and Saskatoon that can offer both peace and plenty of options.
In conclusion, it’s safe to say that Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia are definitely the best provinces in Canada that people can live and work in, mainly because life there is much easier and the residents have thousands of different job opportunities.