Nova Scotia Childcare Investment

Nova Scotia Immigration recently announced that they plan to spend $4.4 million to establish 403 new child-care centres as well as assist 108 non-profit organisations. This is fantastic news for immigrants hoping to relocate to Canada as it means that there will be a high demand for childcare practitioners in the province, increasing the likelihood of a successful application for employment and permanent residency.

Funding was allocated to the following areas:

Funding Allocation
Strategic Growth Initiative Fund	Four operators have received $350,000 to create 127 new child-care spaces in Cape Breton, Cumberland and Victoria counties. The operators also have access to an additional $300,000 to assist with annual operating costs.
Space Conversion Grants	21 centres received between $10,000 and more than $260,000 for a total of $1.4 million in one-time funding. Funding was used to convert existing space to support the changing child care needs of their communities. The centres will create spaces for 276 children.
Program Enhancement Grant:	108 non-profit child-care centres received between $500 and $50,000, for a total of $2.7 million in one-time funding, to assist with minor repairs and renovations, replacing equipment, or purchasing new materials to support high-quality, inclusive early learning programming.

The implementation of these grants has had a positive effect on Nova Scotia’s health care employment sector, creating numerous job opportunities for much needed early childhood educators in the province. The regulated child-care sector has seen a growth of approximately 2,000 spaces over the past few years, with 4,000 new pre-primary positions already filled so far.

The funding has not only helped to create openings in the labour market but has also improved access to childcare for families permanently residing in Nova Scotia. Funding was also instrumental in making improvements to the institutions themselves, including the general refurbishment of institutions and purchasing of new playground and classroom equipment. With more job opportunities being created and families being put at ease regarding health care for there young ones, what else can newcomers expect when immigrating to Nova Scotia?

Life in Nova Scotia

The exquisite maritime province of Nova Scotia is Canada’s second-smallest and has an estimated population of 936,347. It is known for its rolling green hills and high sea cliffs overlooking beautiful beaches and charming waterfront cities. For those wondering about how easy it will be to integrate, rest assured that you and your loved ones will be welcomed by a kind-hearted community with family-oriented values. Locals can enjoy a variety of leisure activities amongst scenic views such as road tripping down the winding roads of the Cabot Trail or visiting historic sites, such as Grand Pre National Historic Site (One of Nova Scotia’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites). For wine enthusiasts there are a number of local distilleries, such as Ironworks and Glenora Inn (which produces the only malt whisky in Canada), producing a selection of local craft liquor.

Cities in Nova Scotia

Cities in Nova Scotia are pastoral and enchanting, and those who enjoy a slower pace of life will feel right at home.

• Halifax is considered to be the economic hub of Atlantic Canada. The average household income is about $90,134, which is higher than the national average. It is the perfect destination for young professionals and families.
• Cape Breton is a delightful city located on an island and is disconnected from mainland Canada yet still has a strong economic hub.
• Truro, popularly known as the “Hub of Nova Scotia”, is a tranquil city located near to Halifax.
• Lunenburg is a quaint pastoral town situated in one of Nova-Scotia’s five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, perfect for those who take solace in small town living and rolling dramatic hills.
• Baddeck is a charming lakeside village with about 1,000 residents, perfect for the recluse.

Living Costs

The cost of living can be quite high with average living expenses amounting to $1,114 for one person and for a family of four, the monthly cost averages around $3,069.26. Rental of a one bedroom apartment will set you back about $1,510 per month, whereas the average price of a house costs approximately $265,513. All things considered, in comparison to larger cities like Toronto, where rent would cost you $2,230, it could be considered to be rather reasonable.

Employment

The unemployment rate in Nova Scotia is 6,2% which is higher than the country’s average of 5,8%, meaning that there are more opportunities to fill, especially in childcare. This makes it the ideal destination for foreign immigrants seeking employment.

Healthcare

Canadians and permanent residents don’t pay out of pocket for medical services. Those living in Nova Scotia can enjoy publicly funded healthcare deemed medically necessary.

Education

A great deal of importance is placed on education in Canada. Public schooling up until Grade 12 is free to all locals and permanent residents. There are also 10 Nova Scotia universities to choose from, 6 of which are located in Halifax.

Transportation

There are various forms of transportation available in Nova Scotia, including taxis, buses, the Metro Transit(Halifax), rail, ferry, carpooling and ride-hailing, such as HFXRideMatch (only for Halifax) and CarpoolWorld.

Please note that ridesharing applications such as Uber are currently not available in the province

Also bear in mind that small town living means fewer cars and thus less traffic, which is a plus in our book any day of the week!

With all these amazing benefits and more, you’re probably wondering how to start the process on your Canada Visa Application.

How Do I Immigrate to Nova Scotia?

There are many ways to immigrate to Nova Scotia but perhaps the most popular and easiest option is the Nova Scotia Provincial Nomination Program (Nova Scotia PNP). The Nova Scotia PNP allows potential foreign workers, who possess the necessary skills and work experience, to be nominated by the province to apply for permanent residency. Receiving a Nova Scotia Nomination certificate would essentially speed up the immigration application process, making it easier for candidates and their families to integrate into the Nova Scotian community. There are 8 possible streams that fall under the Nova Scotia PNP (Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program) to choose from, including:

Nova Scotia Provincial Nomination Program Streams
Physician Stream;
Entrepreneur Stream;
International Graduate Entrepreneur;
Skilled Worker Stream;
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream
Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream;
Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry Stream; and the
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

Ready to take the next step? With a choice of over 60 programs to choose from, relocating to Canada can not only be stressful but also a confusing and taxing ordeal too. But with our RCIC professionals to guide you on your way, it doesn’t have to be! Simply sign up for your assessment today and let us assist you in making the perfect choice for you.