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Suppose you’re interested in moving to Canada. In that case, you probably want to choose a city that matches what you’re looking for in terms of accommodation costs, sights to see, things to do, and job availability.
Best Cities to Settle and Work in Canada
Canada is a huge country, offering many diverse provinces and cities to choose from if you want to settle in this beautiful country. Whether you are a young single student or have a family, you are guaranteed to find a city that offers you everything you are looking for.
1. Toronto
Toronto is perfect for you if you are a young professional interested in finding employment but enjoying a good time out and about.
Toronto offers many employment opportunities and a host of in-demand occupations, including school teachers, registered nurses, transport drivers, and many more. Though housing in Toronto does not come cheap, it’s near major employers, offers a bustling nightlife scene, and is very culturally diverse. Toronto also has three major universities on its doorstep if you are interested in studying there.
Like many cities in Canada, Toronto is diverse. The city is one of the most multicultural cities in Canada, and almost half of the population is not originally from Canada. So chances are, if you choose to move to Toronto, you will not feel out of place.
2. Edmonton
Edmonton offers beautiful outdoor sights and has massive parkland even bigger than Central Park in New York, according to expatra.com. Edmonton has a rich arts and culture scene. The city has great career opportunities, especially in the technology industry, as Edmonton has a strong technology sector.
Edmonton has a good reputation when it comes to education. The city has ample colleges to choose from, as well as technical institutes and prestigious universities.
Edmonton also offers a delicious array of food options. Many people worldwide have chosen to make Edmonton their home because the city is diverse, and restaurants abound with different cuisines and new, out-of-the-ordinary dishes.
The tranquil outdoors, employment opportunities, good schooling, and an average cost of living that will not break the bank make Edmonton a good option for the whole family. If you are still deciding which city in Canada to settle in, Edmonton should be on your shortlist.
3. Montreal
Montreal is the biggest city in the province of Quebec. Montreal will make you feel as though you are taking a step into history with its old French-style buildings, museums, and art galleries that are known the world over.
Montreal is a French-speaking city, so if you speak French or wish to learn the language, consider settling into the city of Montreal. Not only is Montreal a beautiful city and unique in its own way, but it also does not cost excessive money to take in all its goodness.
The cost of living in Montreal is reasonable. You can do everything from housing and groceries to entertainment in Montreal for a relatively low price. Montreal also has good employment opportunities and was ranked the number one place to find a job in Canada.
So, if you want to make Canada your new home, Montreal is certainly where you can have it all.
4. Oakville
If you want to live in a peaceful environment but don’t want to be too far from the fun in the bustling city, then Oakville is made for you.
Oakville is a beautiful suburban town in the province of Ontario. The city is on Lake Ontario, so you will have easy access to nature’s wonders if you live here.
Oakville offers the best of both worlds. You can take your pick from a walk in nature, experience city life in Toronto which is only a 30-minute drive, or have an adventurous day at Niagara Falls, which is an hour’s drive.
Okay, so clearly, Oakville has fun, but what about jobs? Many life science companies specialize mostly in pharmaceuticals and eldercare. Large advanced manufacturing companies can also be found in Oakville, and employment opportunities for general electricians will most likely be in demand here.
However, if none of these professions fit your line of work, there is no need to worry. Many Oakville residents commute to Toronto, where many diverse employment opportunities exist.
5. Burlington
Similarly to Oakville, Burlington also offers both a peaceful scene and the hustle and bustle. However, in this case, the hustle and bustle can be found in Burlington, and you can escape to nature close by and enjoy the outdoors and refreshing hikes.
Regarding housing and cost of living, Burlington is one of the more expensive cities. However, this does not necessarily have to be a bad thing. Burlington remains an attractive option because of its many employment opportunities.
The leading employment sectors are food processing, packaging, electronics, transportation, business services, and pharmaceutical and environmental services. However, employment opportunities are not limited to these industries, as the city has plenty of diverse, well-paying employment opportunities.
Burlington also has various schools and colleges and good healthcare facilities.
6. St. Albert
St. Albert is one of the highest-ranking places to live in Canada. In 2014, St. Albert earned the number one spot in the annual Best Place to Live in Canada in the small-town category. Years later, it remains one of the best small towns in Canada.
St. Albert is the perfect place for families to set up camp. It has everything you need nearby, from schools and healthcare services to large green spaces, recreational facilities, and numerous parks.
The city is ideal for keeping fit while gathering a breath of fresh air in the outdoors and even biking trails along the Sturgeon that the city has to offer.
The city hosts an International Children’s Festival annually that draws about 55,000 people annually. St Albert is a good place to settle if you have young children. The green surroundings offer outdoor fun for the whole family. Plus, it can be easier to warm up to your neighbors in a small town, and your children can make friends too in a family-friendly environment.
St. Albert is 30 km away from Edmonton, the regional capital. So, if you find employment in Edmonton but do not wish to live there, you can easily commute to work and back home.
So now that you know what the six best cities to live and work in Canada are and how to get there, start bringing your immigration vision to life.
The Best Immigration Programs To Live and Work In Canada
Express Entry
The Express Entry system is one example of an immigration program that takes the stress out of the immigration process.
This system was created mainly because Canada has many in-demand job opportunities. The Express Entry System allows immigrants who want to work in Canada to move here and offers a short processing time.
The Express Entry System has Three Programs, Namely:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FTSP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
How Does the Express Entry System Work?
To apply, you must choose one of the programs and ensure you meet the requirements. Each program has its requirements. This system is a great immigration plan because of its short visa processing time, which is only six months!
Post-Graduation Work Permit
Another immigration program that will help you set up your life in Canada is the Post-Graduation Work Permit program.
This program allows international students who have graduated from a Designated Learning Institution to obtain a work permit. The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) can be valid for three years, depending on the graduate program's length.
The PGWP is a great gateway to applying for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) at a later stage. The Canadian Experience Class is one of the programs you can apply for through the Express Entry System. You must have at least one year of experience working in Canada. If you apply for the PGWP and gain some work experience, you can obtain permanent residency in Canada with the CEC program.
Working Holiday Visa
The International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday work permit program provides temporary work permits for young people from over 30 countries to legally live and work in Canada.
The permits are valid for 12 or 24 months, depending on the applicant's country of origin. To be eligible for the Working Holiday Visa in Canada, candidates must be a citizen (passport holders) of one of the 35 countries that have a “bilateral youth mobility agreement” with Canada.
Candidates must first create a profile that notifies Canadian authorities of their desire to receive a working holiday visa in Canada. Successful candidates will receive an invitation to complete their application for a work permit. Formally, however, this success is subject to eligibility and availability.
To apply for a working holiday visa in Canada, you must create a profile on the International Experience Canada (IEC) website.
The profile notifies Canadian authorities of your desire to receive a working holiday visa in Canada. You will need an IRCC account to create and submit an IEC profile. Once you have created your profile, you will be placed into the IEC pool of candidates. If selected from the pool, you will receive an invitation to apply for a work permit.
Provincial Nominee Programs
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are Canadian immigration programs that allow provinces to nominate individuals for permanent residence based on their skills, education, and work experience. PNPs are one of the fastest-growing economic immigration pathway in Canada.
OINP
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is an immigration program through which Ontario nominates individuals and their families for permanent resident status based on a pre-approved job offer in the province.
The OINP has multiple streams, including streams for skilled workers and post-graduates without a job offer, streams for entrepreneurs, and other streams for job offer holders. The OINP is one of Canada's most diversified Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).
The main objectives of the OINP are to respond to skill shortages in targeted areas, make it easier to invest in Ontario and ensure newcomers can settle and integrate well in the province. Job offers must be full-time and permanent positions with a minimum of 1,560 hours per year and 30 hours of paid work per week.
AINP
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is an economic immigration program that targets prospective immigrants with the desired skills and experience to meet skill shortages in Alberta or those intending to acquire or set up a business.
The program allows applicants nominated via the AINP program to apply for permanent residency in Canada. Applicants must have a job offer from an Alberta employer, live and work in Alberta, and meet minimum eligibility criteria.
To be eligible for the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) in 2023, applicants must have a minimum of a high school degree and 12 months of work experience in Alberta in the last 18 or 24 experience in Canada in the last 30 months. They must also be temporary residents in Canada and be employed in an eligible occupation for the program.
The AINP has several streams, including the Alberta Express Entry Stream, Tech Workers Stream, Rural Renewal Stream, and Self-Employed Farmer Stream.
How Can We Help You
Immigration can be a complex and intimidating process. Whether you want to move to a new country, extend your stay, or apply for citizenship, we understand that navigating the immigration system can be overwhelming.
At CanadianVisa, we’re here to help you every step of the way. We offer comprehensive solutions to make your immigration journey as smooth as possible. We offer advice on visas, residence applications, work permits, etc.
We believe in providing personalized attention to every client. We understand that every immigration journey is different, and thus, it requires a tailored approach. Our team of immigration experts is here to guide you through the process and provide you with the best advice and solutions for your situation.
We also have a wealth of resources, such as RCICs with specialized knowledge in the immigration field. Our team is committed to doing everything possible to make your immigration process successful.
We’re here to help you navigate the immigration process and make your dreams of living and working abroad a reality.
FAQs
Which City Has The Most Immigrants in Canada?
Toronto has the most immigrants of any Canadian city, with nearly 118,000 immigrants arriving last year (2022). Other cities with many immigrants include Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, and Edmonton. According to a recent study by Statistics Canada, Calgary has the highest proportion of immigrants among Canada's 41 largest urban centers at 31.5%
Which is The Best City to Settle and Work in Canada?
Several cities in Canada are great to live and work in. Some of the best cities include Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Albert, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Waterloo. The best city for you depends on your preferences and career goals.
What is the Easiest City To Find a Job in Canada?
There are many cities in Canada where it is relatively easy to find a job. Some top cities for job hunters include St. Catharines, Saskatoon, Guelph, Halifax, Oshawa, Calgary, Ottawa, Edmonton, Kelowna, and St. John's.
