6 of the Sunniest Places to Live in Canada

Are you looking to start a new life in a safe and vibrant country? Canada is a top choice for immigration worldwide and attracts more new arrivals than anywhere else. One of the main concerns immigrants have is about the weather and how easy it will be to adapt to a different climate.

We can assure you that life in Canada can most certainly be sunny and has plenty of different cities that could be just right for you. Discover the best climates in the country to give you a feel of what your new life in Canada could be like!

Seasonal Weather in Canada

Seasonal weather in Canada

The majority of Canada lies above the temperate climate zone within the continental and polar regions. These regions perennially experience cold weather with rare and brief moments of reprieve. Its freezing weather conditions are reflected in the landscape which topographically can be categorized as tundra and is covered in ice and snow.

The only provinces and territories that lie entirely within Canada’s polar and continental regions that have significant populations are Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.

This means that the majority of Canadian provinces (8 provinces, 2 territories) that are inhabited lie within climate zones (mostly temperate) that can experience sunny weather for significant periods of time.

Canada has progressively opened its borders to more and more diverse populations. The consequence of this has resulted in a contingent of international immigrants who come from nations that have far warmer climes than Canada. Most of these immigrants will want to move to a place with fairly warm weather that is reminiscent of their home nations.

As a service to these people, here at Canadianvisa.org, we have decided to compile a list of the 6 sunniest places in Canada that prospective immigrants from warmer climates can look forward to as a place to settle down in Canada.

Sunniest Places to Live in Canada

seasonal places to live in canada

Calgary

Calgary is the largest city in Alberta, a piece of sun-kissed turf! Calgary is one of Canada’s largest metropolitan areas, situated where two rivers meet between the hills of the Canadian Rockies and vast agricultural land. Calgary receives about 2396 hours of bright sunlight annually and sees sunshine 333 days each year.

Calgary can be described as the sunniest city in Canada with nearly humid high temperatures. In summer you can expect daytime readings of more than 30 degrees Celsius and in winter, below-freezing temperatures of down to -20 degrees Celsius, giving you the best of both worlds.

Winnipeg

This city comes close behind Calgary with 2353 hours of sunshine annually. With such a pleasantly sunny climate, the city is a popular destination for relocation. The real estate market has good-value housing and there is a high employment rate, meaning an enriching lifestyle for you and your family.

Winnipeg, just like its neighboring provinces and territories, offers high quality free public healthcare and education. What could be better than all this plus 316 days of sun annually?

Toronto

Ontario is home to some of the sunniest cities in the country, including Toronto, which sees as much as 2084 hours of bright sunlight annually. The nation’s capital, Ottawa, is an impressive city located at the confluence of the Ottawa, Gatineau and Rideau rivers in south-eastern Ontario. 

The city is a popular vacation destination with plenty of opportunities for adventure, including colorful nightlife and weekend hiking sessions. The province was ranked as top performing in Canada in 2014 thanks to its high overall GDP. It also has several world-famous attractions including the CN Tower and a series of museums and galleries.

Kindersley

Kindersley in Saskatchewan is ideal if you are looking to relocate to a quiet, rural town. Immigrating to smaller communities in Canada is a good option financially and considering the growing concern about vacancies in certain labor market occupations. Read more about life in urban Canada versus rural regions for insight on how it can affect your life in Canada.

Furthermore, Kindersley has a semi-arid climate, without too much precipitation. This town is perfect for those who are looking to immigrate away from the gray, rainy days.

With generous housing options, for almost half the price of similar properties in the major cities, Kindersley might be calling your name. This charming town experiences a whopping 2416 hours of sunshine (an overall 326 days) of glorious sun per year.

Swift Current

Another sunny city is Swift Current (also in Saskatchewan) where there are many warm spells scattered throughout the year. This town is the fifth largest city in the province, with an average of 2411 hours of sunshine and 324 sun-drenched days a year.

This city has a positive atmosphere with a small population of under 20, 000 residents that all embody a fulfilling way of life in Canada. Its affordable real estate helps to complement its location alongside the Trans-Canada Highway where commuters will find it easy to travel between cities.

Estevan

Estevan is the ‘energy city’ with 2404 hours of sunshine annually, situated 16 kms north of the border with the United States. Only declared a city in the 1950s, Estevan offers great employment opportunities (as it grows its different sectors) in the power generation, oil and gas industry with most residents earning over $100,000 per year.

There is plenty of potential for those looking to start a family here while the city remains mostly unknown to the general immigration influx.

As Canada has announced plans to accept more than 1 million new immigrants in the next three years, we have rounded up the best ways to immigrate to Canada and live anywhere in the country! With its exciting adventures, welcoming atmosphere, beautiful cities and truly spectacular scenery, Canada definitely presents endless opportunities.

Why Move to Canada?

Employment Opportunities

The need for workers to fill gaps in Canada is dire due to a decline in births and an increase in the number of people retiring. And apart from the thousands of existing vacancies, many jobs are also created yearly. The country is therefore in need of not only skilled and semi-skilled workers but also low- and unskilled ones too.

Permanent Residency Benefits

Gaining Canadian permanent residency comes with many benefits. You will have the same benefits that come with being a citizen of the country. This includes having access to free universal healthcare, as well as free schooling for all children up to the high school level.

Top Level Universities

Canada's colleges are amongst the highest-ranked post-secondary schooling systems globally and with hundreds of world-class universities, the opportunities for yourself and your loved ones are endless. Canada values post-secondary studies highly. It may even be a requirement for you to obtain permanent residency, depending on the program you choose to apply through.

Some visa programs, such as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, have dedicated streams for foreigners who complete studies at Canadian institutions. So by simply completing a qualification at a Canadian post-secondary school, you could be eligible for permanent residency.

Canada is a Real Democracy

The rights of Canadians are protected by a liberal government that values freedom above all else. In Canada, people are free to be who they want, news broadcasters are free to report on interesting events without restrictions, and human rights are respected with complete dignity.

You Don't Have to Leave Family Behind

Canada is serious about keeping families together. If you meet the minimum settlement fund requirements, you can bring your family with you.

You Can Join Canada's Melting Pot

The big concern about immigration often comes down to how well you think you will adjust to a new country. Because Canada is such a multicultural hub, welcoming thousands of new immigrants every month, it is one of the easiest societies to integrate into. Immigrants from all over are settling and making Canada their home and are being warmly welcomed by Canadians and other immigrants alike.

Best ways to Move to Canada’s Sunny Places

If the aforementioned sunny places in Canada interest you and sway your mind into considering making the decision to move to Canada, we have a brief outline of the best ways to move to Canada.

Express Entry System

If you’re really eager to move to Canada and want to use an immigration visa application program that will get you there as quickly as possible, then we recommend using the express entry system.

The express entry system is a fast-track program used to get prospective immigrants to Canada as fast as possible, with some application processing times that have turnaround success rates as quick as 6 months.

Express Entry offers three immigration visa programs through which international migrant workers can use to immigrate to Canada. They are enumerated as follows:

Federal Skilled Worker Program

Federal Skilled Worker programs are designed for individuals with the qualifications, skills, or work experiences to contribute to the Canadian economy. Applicants applying under the Federal Skilled Worker Program must meet the minimum program requirements.

You must have work experience in managerial jobs (skill type 0), professional jobs (skill level A), Canada skilled trades and technical jobs (skill level B) and meet the pass mark (67 points) on a points-based assessment. Successful applicants will obtain Canadian permanent residence to live and work in Canada.

Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is designed for foreign trade workers with work experience in eligible trade occupations to immigrate to Canada. It is not the only pathway for skilled workers to apply for permanent residence in Canada. There are also other ways to immigrate to Canada in an unskilled capacity but this will not be through a fast-track program like this one under Express Entry.

Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of three Canadian skilled worker immigration programs that are managed by the Federal Express Entry system. Specifically, the CEC is designed for permanent residence applicants who have Canadian work experience that they obtained through a temporary work permit.

Seeing as temporary foreign workers are most likely already settled in Canadian society with support networks, they can easily transition to becoming permanent residents and eventual citizens of Canada.

Provincial Nominee Programs

There are nearly 80 different Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) across Canada, as 11 of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories has its own PNP streams. Each PNP also has its own set of eligibility requirements and some have a list of occupations that are in demand in that province/territory.

If you’re eligible for just one of them, that could be your ticket to Canada! Here are some of the specific Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams offered that you can consider.

The Provincial Nominee Program was designed by the Canadian government with local provinces, to invite immigrants who wish to live, settle and work in a particular province/territory to come to Canada.

These PNP streams can be applied directly and have their own set of criteria that needs to be met. Often foreign workers with experience in occupations which are in-demand stand a good chance to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

Moreover, it is important to know that some provinces and territories have streams that are aligned with the Federal Express Entry system. The Express Entry system has the fastest processing times of all Canadian permanent residency programs, usually within 6 months or less.

Apart from your application itself, they can also help you ease the stressful nature of the application period from submitting documents on time to providing accurate and complete information to immigration officers.

How we can Help you Move to Canada

For professional help and guidance, put your visa application in the trusted hands of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC). These professionals will assist in looking over your information and help you choose your best options as the RCICs have all been through the Canadian visa application process themselves and can give insights into how to strengthen your profile.

Our team of dedicated student advisors also provide excellent options for designated learning institutions that suit your budget and career goals and even guide you through the enrollment process to obtain your letter of acceptance.

Using our services, you will receive a document checklist, and we’ll submit your application on your behalf to ensure fast and optimal results!

FAQs

What is the Sunniest City/Town in Canada?

Calgary, Alberta is the sunniest city in Canada. It receives an average number of sunlight that totals to roughly 2,405 hours of sunlight a year. Expressed in numbers of days this totals to 333 days of sunshine a year.

What is the Most Overcast Place in Canada?

The most overcast place in Canada is Prince Rupert which on average receives only 250 hours of sunshine per year. It is to be avoided by anyone who doesn't like gloomy, cloudy weather.

Which Place in Canada has the Best Weather?

Victoria, British Columbia is world renowned for having some of the most stunning weather in Canada. It is the only major Canadian urban center that is entirely within a warm-summer Mediterranean climate region.