Overview

Canada is the home of millions of immigrants who decided to move here for so many reasons. As we know, immigration is a decision that everyone chooses to do it for a better life, and a better future for themselves and their family.

The movement of individuals from one country into another for resettlement is central to Canadian history. (The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2021, Immigration to Canada, para 1)

Over the years, Canada has changed its immigration acts by providing many programs and benefits for all the immigrants who want to move to Canada. These acts have given lots of remarks to the Canadian immigration history as much as it has given benefits to the Canadian government and directly to the country.

All these acts are made to stabilize the livelihood of every immigrant and enable their mobilization and coexistence with locals.

What are the difficulties that an immigrant face when he first arrives in Canada and what are the difficulties that accompany them during the years as an immigrant here?

What are the things that people get attracted to a community, in our case, the Canadian community?

Benefits that attract people to the Canadian community

Canada is the dream country of so many people around the world. It offers a lot of benefits that allow so many people to have a better, joyful life.

-        Employment opportunities

Canada is one of the most developed countries in the world and as such, it is a country that offers employment opportunities for everyone. At the same time, Canada is a country that every day is facing economic growth by building new businesses, factories, and scientific laboratories. All of these are the best factors for creating a new job position and making Canada one of the most requested countries in the world for immigrants to build their careers.

-        Educational opportunities

The most prestigious universities in the world are in Canada. Around the world, students are applying for student visas to get the best education which is the most important step for their future careers. The students are referred to as "the brain of society," which means that they are the best prospects for the economy. Canadians also benefit from their presence by accepting the smartest layer of the future society

-        Access to cultural and religious amenities

As we all know, Canada is one of the friendliest countries in the world, which means everyone has the right to practice their religion freely. Canada has probably practiced a variety of religions as one of the countries with the most immigrants in the world by allowing everyone to learn about the various religions.

-        Rural and small center lifestyle

Canadian towns and villages are among the most unique in the world. Immigrants who choose to live in these cities fit in better with their surrounding environment. Canada's residents are incredibly kind to each other, which gives meaning to Canadian culture. (Esses, V., & Carter, C. (2019, July). Beyond the big city: How small communities across Canada can attract and retain newcomers. pages 14-15)

The difficulties that an immigrant faces while in Canada

Newcomers in Canada face everyday difficulties. These difficulties can relate to their job environment or their private life.

-        The difficulty of finding a job in Canada

Finding employment opportunities that match their skillset and experience is the biggest challenge for most people who move to Canada. Canadians need skilled workers, but there are not always enough applicants with the right qualifications or experience. Being in a COVID situation, finding a job for the newcomers is even harder.

So as per Helps, ( Impacts de la COVID-19 sur les nouveaux arrivants, les immigrants et les travailleurs migrants dans les régions rurales du Canada.  2021, page 5) The flow of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) was dramatically influenced by the onset of the global pandemic. Canada like all the countries in the world had its economic crises.

Like everywhere the labor force participation rate held steady, and the unemployment rate ticked down, setting a new all-time low. (Wiginton, L. (2013). Canada’s decentralized immigration policy through a local lens para 1)

-        The continuing education/language barrier

Most Canadian jobs require either English or French.

Public services and social programs are inaccessible due to a lack of resources. Health care, education, and even social assistance in Canada are very different from other countries. 

For example, the Canadian national healthcare system, for instance, offers free healthcare. However, it is possible that people who have moved to Canada may not be able to access these services without a Canadian work visa or citizenship. On the other side, most newcomer moms who need to take care of their children, sacrifice their careers and continuing education. Not having affordable childcare often meant that immigrant mothers had to sacrifice their careers and jobs to take care of children, which further reduced the family income. (Chun, Jennifer Jihye. Vancouver, B.C.:Metropolis British Columbia, 2011 Immigrants, and low-paid work, page 46, para 3)

-        Finding affordable housing in Canada

Many newcomers in Canada are looking to rent a place to live, but only a few of them can buy a property. This is for the main reason that you can not buy a house if you’re not a Canadian Citizen or Canadian Permanent resident.

People are unable to afford even necessities like food and heating during this time, which makes life very difficult for them. 

-        Getting used to the cold weather, including snow and ice 

The climate of Canada differs greatly from the climate of many other countries. The Canadian Climate is often cold during the winter with lots of snow in some regions. This makes life very difficult for some people who come from warm countries.

This can make life difficult both inside and outside the home and can take a lot of getting used to if you have just moved from a warmer country where it doesn’t get so cold. 

-        Dealing with discrimination

Despite Canada’s law against discrimination, not everyone in the country follows the laws. There are so many cases where the immigrants have been discriminated against based on their race, ethnicity, and religion

Many new incomers can not get their jobs because some people assume that they are undocumented workers.

Conclusions

Moving to Canada has its pros and cons.

On one hand, coming to Canada means that you will have a better education, a better job, and as a result a better life. You will have the benefit of living in one of the most beautiful and richest places in the world.

But on the other hand, living in Canada means that you face every day with various difficulties that add to the homesickness, and the longing for your relatives and your hometown makes life difficult.

But as I started this article, routing for a better life and a better future, immigration will always be one of the biggest social movements.

References

1.     Ortiz, A.. Toronto, Ontario: World Education Services, 2015,

Considering Canada: a look at the views of prospective skilled immigrants  1 electronic text (19 pages): illustrations. Language: English, Database: Conestoga College Library Catalogue

2.         Helps, Louis; Silvius, Ray; Gibson, Ryan. Journal of Rural & Community

Development. Vulnérable, inéquitable et précaire: Impacts de la COVID-19 sur les nouveaux arrivants, les immigrants et les travailleurs migrants dans les régions rurales du Canada.  2021, Vol. 16

3.     Esses, V., & Carter, C. (2019, July). Beyond the big city: How small

communities across Canada can attract and retain newcomers. Report. Retrieved from https://ppforum.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/BeyondTheBigCity-PPF-July2019-EN-1.pdf

4.     Wiginton, L. (2013). Canada’s decentralized immigration policy through

a local lens: How small communities are attracting and welcoming immigrants [PDF file]. Retrieved from https://www.conferenceboard.ca/insights/featured/canadian-economics/unemployment-rate-reaches-record-low-in-march

5.         Chun, Jennifer Jihye. Vancouver, B.C.: Metropolis British Columbia,

2011  Immigrants and low-paid work [electronic resource]: persistent problems, enduring consequences (Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Electronic Library, 2012). 1 electronic text (53 p.) https://www-deslibris-ca.conestoga.idm.oclc.org/ID/230831

6.     Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC.

Research Connections. Employment and Labour Market. (June 17, 2011) https://www.amssa.org/arc/

7.     The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2021, Immigration to Canada,

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/immigration