One of the most commonly asked questions amongst those who are considering immigrating to Canada is whether or not Canada is really as tolerant as we think it is, and with National Pride and Multiculturalism Day just behind us, we thought we’d take a moment to take a closer look.
On 27 June, Canadian Multiculturalism Day, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a heartfelt statement about how Canada celebrates its diversity and is committed to making Canada an equal and inclusive country to live in for all, no matter your race, religion, or culture.
“Today on Canadian Multiculturalism Day, I join Canadians across the country to celebrate our diversity and reaffirm our commitment to equity, inclusion, and mutual respect.”
"Canadian Multiculturalism Day is an opportunity to recognize the important contributions that Canadians from different backgrounds have made – and continue to make – to build and shape a stronger, more diverse, and inclusive society.
"Multiculturalism is one of Canada's greatest strengths and a vital component of our national fabric. All Canadians – regardless of ethnicity, religion, culture, or language – have the right to be true to who they are, and to live peacefully as friends, neighbours, and colleagues. ”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Although Canada has a mixed history regarding tolerance, it has since made strides to become one of the most dynamic, multicultural, and tolerant places for thousands of immigrants to call home.
Let's take a look at what makes Canada such a special place to live in and why it may be the perfect place for you and your family to relocate to and live in a community free of religious persecution and discrimination, with rights to equal treatment, dignity, and freedom of choice.
To find out how you and your loved ones can immigrate to Canada, simply click the link below to speak to one of our highly trained immigration consultants or keep reading to find out what some of your best options are to relocate to one of the most dynamic and tolerant communities in the world.
3 Reasons to Immigrate to Canada & Change Your Life
Freedom of Religion
Canada’s diverse demographic is part of what makes it such an amazing country to live in. Canada has a wide variety of different beliefs and religions. More than two-thirds of the population is Christian, while 2.4 million Canadians are Islamic, Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist. In fact, the Islamic faith has one of the largest ex-pat communities in Canada, making up 3.2% of the total population. Over 300,000 people belong to the Canadian Jewish community and almost 65,000 are associated with Aboriginal spirituality.
Canada is a melting pot of culture and religious beliefs and not only will you have access to various places of worship but you will be able to find communities within these organizations, making it just a little bit easier for you and your family to settle in and meet new people after immigrating in Canada.
In celebration of Multiculturalism Day, the country hosted various virtual events on the 27th of June, such as the All For One Multiculturalism Filipino event in Toronto and the Cultural Expressions Festival organized by Iranian Canadians in Fredericton.
Below are some online religious communities that you may find useful:
- Muslim Link
- Muslim Association of Canada
- Hindu Federation of Canada
- Canadian Hindu Foundation
- World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO)
- Dharma Centre
Canada Pride
By passing the Civil Marriage Act in 2005, Canada became the fourth country globally to legalize same-sex marriage. This was, however, not the first time same-sex couples could get married in Canada. In fact, same-sex marriage was actually first introduced on a federal level as early as 2003 in Ontario.
Same-sex couples can also start a family in Canada and were first allowed to adopt in British Columbia in 1996 as well as nationally since 2011.
Canada, also usually has a number of pride celebrations across the country. Gay Pride, the most well-known and biggest event in the US, is held in all major Canadian cities and is attended by thousands of proud Canadians, including Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. One of the largest Pride celebrations worldwide is Toronto Pride which usually draws in over 1 million people. This year, however, due to pandemic restrictions, Pride celebrations were not cancelled but simply moved online including events such as Global Pride and Pride Toronto Festival, which will continue throughout this week.
Supportive Immigrant Communities
Canada not only welcomes foreigners with open arms but also goes to great lengths to offer help and support for those who are newly immigrating to Canada. The Canada For Me Immigration Office has a Newcomers Support Program that helps foreigners integrate into Canadian life. This program includes:
- Pre Landing Services – providing you with all the information that you will need before you move to Canada;
- Post-Landing Services – provides you with all information that you’ll need to prepare for the touch down in Canada, including pick up from the airport, setting up bank accounts, Social Insurance and Health Cards, getting used to your local neighbourhood, shopping, and grocery tips, school recommendations, household goods purchases, driving license, business registration as well as tax preparation and job search;
- Insurance Services – this includes all information regarding medical, life, education, and pension plans, insurance for new immigrants and travellers as well as travel insurance for newcomers, students, and visitors; and
- Accounting, Tax Preparation, Mortgages, and Line of Credit for Newcomers – this includes helpful tips and information about opening a business, annual income tax preparation and filing of business taxes, applications for personal credit cards and lines of credit, mortgages for newcomers and first-time homeowners.
If you plan on immigrating to Canada with your family, Kids New to Canada is a great website containing great regional community resources in each Canadian province or territory. It has all the information you need to help you and your family settle into life in Canada.
Canada also has various online support communities for nationalities from all over the globe, such as:
- Nigerian Canadian Association
- WaKenya Canada
- India Canada Association
- Asian Canadian Communities (including, China, Japan, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, and other Asian communities)
For more information on how to immigrate to Canada in 2020 be sure to visit our blog here.
How We Can Help You Immigrate to Canada
Immigration to Canada can be both complex and confusing. By using our accredited Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) you will not only optimize your chances of success in the visa application process, but you will receive expert advice on which program is best for your personal needs. Our RCICs are registered with the ICCRC and are legally permitted to assist you by evaluating your eligibility, reviewing all documentation, and submitting it to the Canadian government on your behalf.
Don't risk your chances of living your Canadian dream. Let us make sure that all forms are completed correctly and sent in on time. Simply fill out our application form to receive your assessment today and take one step closer to a liberal life in Canada.