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Canada is one of the best countries to retire to and offers a wide variety of choices for those looking to acquire permanent residence abroad. From picturesque waterfronts to lively cities, it is one of the most popular immigration destinations for foreign nationals between 24 and 40 years old. No matter your age, you are never too young or old to start investing in your future. Now is the time to take that first step towards building a new life for you and your loved ones in one of the most diverse and welcoming communities worldwide.
Why Retire in Canada?
There are various reasons that make Canada a top destination to retire to. Canada is a multicultural and diverse community, with nearly 22% of its population comprised of foreign-born immigrants, and it is only set to increase as the government's aims to invite 1 million newcomers over the next 3 years. Canada is rated as one of the safest countries in the world and boasts amazing benefits such as free public healthcare and education, a wealth of employment opportunities, affordability, freedom and liberal attitudes and not to mention that it is one of the friendliest countries to relocate to. We focused on 4 points to consider before choosing your Canadian destination to retire to.
1. Healthcare
Canada offers free public healthcare to all citizens and foreign immigrants with permanent residence status. Although this is offered nationwide, it is important to consider which province has medical facilities available to your specific medical needs. The top provinces for specialized medical requirements include Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia. For those with specific requirements, it may be a good idea to consider moving closer to family members.
Canada offers 4 different Family Sponsorship Programs for those who want to immigrate and have relatives who are eligible to sponsor them.
We’ve summarised some of the highly recommended provincial facilities offering various specialized medical services.
| Provincial Specialized Medical Facilities | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hospital | Location | Speciality |
| Hospital for Sick Children | Toronto, Ontario | Paediatrics |
| Centre for Addiction and Mental Health | Toronto, Ontario | Addiction and Mental Health |
| Women's College Hospital | Toronto, Ontario | Women’s Health |
| Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital | Toronto, Ontario | Pediatric Rehabilitation |
| University Health Network | Toronto, Ontario | Research Hospital |
| Institut de Cardiologie de l'Universite d'Ottawa | Ottawa, Ontario | Cardiology |
| Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital | Montreal, Quebec | Neurology |
| Clinique de Fertilite Ovo | Montreal, Quebec | Human Fertility |
| Kidney Foundation of Canada Northern Alberta | Edmonton, Alberta | Nephrology |
| Cancer Care Manitoba | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Oncology |
| British Columbia Lung Centre | Vancouver, British Columbia | Pulmonology |
2. Education
Those wanting to immigrate to Canada for educational purposes will be pleased to find that not only is public schooling, up until Grade 12, available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents free but there are also a wide variety of tertiary institutions that foreigners can apply to study at for a very reasonable cost. In order to study abroad, you will need to acquire a student visa, which allows foreign students to study at any Canadian institution for the duration of the qualification.
Thereafter, graduates are able to apply for work or an extension if they decide to further their studies, ie. masters degree. Choosing the right institution for your area of study is imperative, and Canada offers a number of institutions with specialised departments in various fields of study. Top provinces to consider when applying to study in Canada are Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec and Alberta.
Below are some of the top provincial education institutions and their specialized areas:
| Provincial Education Institutions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Institutions | Location | Top Programs |
| University of Toronto | Toronto, Ontario | Arts and Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering |
| University of British Columbia | Vancouver, British Columbia | Anthropology, and Arts and Sciences |
| Simon Fraser University | Burnaby, British Columbia | Science and Engineering |
| McGill University | Montreal, Quebec | Law, Medicine, and Engineering |
| University of Alberta | Edmonton, Alberta | Humanities, Sciences, Creative Arts, Engineering, Business, and Health Services |
| University of Waterloo | Waterloo, Ontario | Math, Engineering, Science, and Psychology |
| University of Calgary | Calgary, Alberta | Business, Medicine, and Engineering |
| McMaster University | Hamilton, Ontario | Science and Engineering |
| Universite de Montreal | Montreal, Quebec | Science and Medicine |
| York University | Toronto, Ontario | Humanities, Arts, and Business |
3. Job Opportunities
Canada offers a wealth of employment opportunities for immigrants searching to obtain permanent residence.
There are also various ways to immigrate, and although having a job offer when applying via the < a href=https://canadianvisa.org/canada-immigration/express-entry>Express Entry (EE) System is not required, it gives applicants the edge as having a job offer awards applicants with extra points that can be added to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores.It is also beneficial to select a province and express interest in immigrating to 11 out of 13 Canadian provinces that offer provincial nominations to applicants who are deemed suitable, specifically those who have employment offers in sectors that are in demand. The Provincial Nominee Program is perfect for those who do not qualify for the EE system yet are qualified and have experience in an in-demand occupation of a particular Canadian province as well as a job offer. Those who manage to secure provincial nominations are essentially guaranteed permanent residence as they will be awarded an extra 600 points to add to their CRS Scores.
| Provincial Employment Opportunities | |
|---|---|
| Province | Industrial Sector |
| Ontario | Automobile industry, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Journalism, and Health Care |
| Quebec | Technology, Manufacturing, Mining, Electric Power, and Paper and Pump |
| British Columbia | Construction, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Technology, Mining, Lumber, Health Care, and Social Assistance |
| Alberta | Oil and Gas Production, Agriculture, Mining, Forestry, Government |
| Manitoba | Agriculture, Mining, Energy, Manufacturing, Education, Healthcare, Retail, and Social Assistance |
| Saskatchewan | Professional Services, Health Care, Dairy Farming, Oil and Gas, and Social Assistance |
| Nova Scotia | Natural Resources, Health Care, Education, and Social Assistance |
| New Brunswick | Construction, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Technology, Lumber, and Social Assistance |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Public Administration, Health Care, Social Assistance, Mining, Natural Resources, Fishing, and Forestry |
| Prince Edward Island | Public Administration, Health Care, and Social Assistance |
| Northwest Territories | Mining, Construction, Health Services, Public Administration, Fishing, Arts and Crafts, and Tourism |
| Yukon | Retail, Construction, Public Administration, Food Services, Accommodations, Mining, Fishing, Forestry, Trapping, and Agriculture |
| Nunavut | Mining, Fishing, Hunting, and Arts and Crafts |
4. Affordability
Canada can be an extremely affordable place to relocate to with your loved ones depending on the province you decided to relocate to as well as your lifestyles and personal needs. We’ve listed the average cost of living for each province, to give you an idea of how much you would spend on a monthly basis for a family of 4.
| Average Cost of Living per Month for Family of 4 | |
|---|---|
| Province | Average Cost of Living per Month for Family of 4(without rent) |
| Ontario | 4,863.60C$ |
| Quebec | 3,750.50C$ |
| British Columbia | 4,215.37C$ |
| Alberta | 4,034.65C$ |
| Manitoba | 3,499.22C$ |
| Saskatchewan | 4,064.23C$ |
| Nova Scotia | 3,943.75C$ |
| New Brunswick | 3,674.34C$ |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 3,945.75C$ |
| Prince Edward Island | 3,450.67C$ |
| Northwest Territories | 4,755.95C$ |
| Yukon | 4,800.15C$ |
| Nunavut | 5,409.13C$ |
Another option for those who do not wish to take the permanent resident route is to retire to Canada on a Tourist or Visitor’s Visa. This allows you to spend up to 6 months in Canada leaving you free to spend the rest of your time in another destination of your choice. This, however, may be slightly more labour intensive and expensive in the long run as it requires applying for a tourist visa for every visit.
Top Cities To Retire To
For those who do not have specific requirements, we’ve selected some of the top destinations popular amongst immigrant retirees.
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston is a quaint romantic city with plenty of lakeside restaurants and historical landmarks. It is also one of the safest cities in Canada, perfect for those who appreciate a slower pace and scenic views.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver is the perfect city for those who enjoy an active lifestyle. Vancouver has a wide variety of entertainment, restaurants, arts, and culture to indulge in. Although it is slightly more expensive than other destinations, it is an excellent investment for you and your family’s future due to its balance of nature and big city living, offering the best of both worlds.
Victoriaville, Quebec
Victoriaville is an enchanting scenic riverside city, perfectly suited for nature lovers who enjoy activities such as hiking, golfing, and river canoeing. It is extremely affordable and a great place for those looking to settle down and relax.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Halifax is a temperate maritime city where you can expect to enjoy breathtaking beaches, incredible wineries and parks.
Toronto, Ontario
For those searching for a dynamic and exciting atmosphere, then Toronto is the place for you. It boasts a magnificent downtown area, great entertainment, and some of the top restaurants that Canada has to offer. Once again real estate is perhaps not the cheapest in Canada, but it is definitely a great investment.
Bragg Creek, Alberta
Bragg Creek is a small town just west of Calgary, ideal for those who take pleasure in magnificent scenery as it is surrounded by the magnificent Canadian Rockies. It also has a range of charming shops, parks, and restaurants to enjoy, whilst taking pleasure in the town calming and serene atmosphere.
White Rock, British Columbia
White Rock is a scenic seaside community with eight kilometres of sandy beaches and a glorious pier to take long strolls along. Its temperate weather makes it the perfect tranquil place to live all year round.
How We Can Assist With Your Visa Application
At Canadian Visa, we strive to make the immigration process as simple and effortless as possible. The Canadian immigration application process is available to all applicants worldwide, however, there are eligibility requirements that need to be met. Delving into the immigration process on your own can be overwhelming and complicated, but with our personalized guidance and support throughout the entire application process, immigrating to Canada will be simple and easy. Why take on the stress of sifting through mountains of paperwork, and making sure that your application is completed correctly and submitted on time when we can do it for you. Let us worry about the fine print so that you can focus on the important things in life, such as planning your upcoming move to Canada.
You’re one click away from your ideal destination. Simply fill in your details on our registration form and we’ll take care of the rest.
