Immigration Matters to Canadian Businesses

Canada's business sector employs over 12 million people. Entrepreneurs are an important part of the business sector and the Canadian economy in general. More than 2.7 million Canadians are self-employed, and of these, more than 800,000 rely on salaried employees.

These entrepreneurs ensure that there is competition and that consumers can choose between various products and services in communities (large or small) from coast to coast. In the future, immigrant business leaders and entrepreneurs will have an important role to play in a thriving and successful economy.

Effects of immigration

• Immigrants make up 33% of all business owners with salaried staff, creating vital local jobs in all sectors of our economy, such as construction, professional services, healthcare and retail.
• More than 600,000 immigrants from across the country are self-employed, and more than 260,000 of them have salaried employees.
• More than 47,000 immigrants hold senior management positions across the country, including:
  • more than 15,000 in finance, communications and business services;
  • 12,000 in commerce, broadcasting and other services;
  • more than 12,000 in construction, transportation, production and utilities.
• Percentage of immigrants who own a business (self-employed with salaried employees), by sector:
  • Software publishers: 30%;
  • Dentist offices: 36%;
  • Data processing, hosting and related services: 40%;
  • Restaurants : 50 %;
  • Design and services related to computer systems: 51%;
  • Groceries: 53%;
  • Transport by truck: 56%.

Immigration Matters for Health Care

More than 1.6 million people work in Canada's healthcare sector, and more employees will be needed in the coming years to ensure continued access to high-quality care. Nearly 500,000 workers in the health sector are over the age of 55, and most of them will be retiring within the next ten years. In addition, there are recruitment issues across the country for nurses, residential care staff and home health care staff. As a result, immigrants have the potential to play an important role in the health sector workforce.

Effects of immigration

• Immigrants represent a quarter of workers in the health sector.
• In Canada, immigrants count for:
  • 23% of registered nurses;
  • 35% nurse aides and other related workers;
  • 37% of pharmacists;
  • 36% of physicians;
  • 39% of dentists;
  • 54% of dental technologists and other related workers.
• More than 40% of those who arrived in Canada between 2011 and 2016 who worked in the health sector held positions related to important areas of residential care, residential care and home health care.

The Eldorado of the French and for the whole world

Canada is a key destination for expatriating as French people. In fact, more than 4,000 take the plunge each year. To these are added the ten thousand students, holders of temporary permits or working holiday permits. In 2019, approximately 99,289 French people residing in Canada were registered in the register. Canada offers a unique living environment between wide open spaces and large metropolises and an incomparable quality of life with its economic dynamism and high purchasing power. The reasons for moving to Canada are therefore many and varied. After the USA, here is a new Eldorado for the French and for the whole world.

1. The dynamism of the labor market

Canada   has enjoyed growth ranging between 1.8% and 2% since 2017 and is characterized by a low unemployment rate of 5.5% . According to the economist Pierre Fortin, its causes are the educational revolution with 71% of post-secondary graduates and the family policy which considerably reduced the price of daycare centers allowing the development of women's work.

Also, Canada has one of the highest employment rates of OECD countries. Hundreds of positions are also to be filled for Francophones, in various fields such as food, tourism, transport, technology. These job opportunities are concentrated in major Canadian cities. Here, it is a market of employees and not of employers, as in France. “We're hiring” signs are everywhere and many companies fail to fill all positions. Thus, they must attract and build loyalty, which changes the employer/employee relationship.

On the other hand, the labor market in Canada is characterized by its flexibility in the management of human resources. Indeed, hiring is much more flexible and only the payslip acts as a contract. As in the United States, it is also possible to lay off easily if the activity and the income of the company decrease.

Canada's economic dynamism has an impact on the increase in foreign investors, entrepreneurship, wages and significant household spending.

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Eat

Eating in restaurants in Canada  costs on average 28% less than in France. However, food prices are higher, especially for fruits and vegetables and milk.

Accommodation

Real estate rents  in Canada  are quite affordable, on average €785 for a studio in the center of major cities.

Education

There is no   federal ministry of education or national education system in Canada . Canada  has both a public and private education system  . From kindergarten to university, the  Canadian government  funds much of the education of its students.

Canada has one of  the  highest training standards compared to other industrialized countries.

Health

The  Canadian healthcare system  is very different from the French. But, the philosophy and the general quality is the same.  Health care is free for  Canadians  and  permanent residents.

Security

Canada  is  renowned for its security. In 10 years, from 2008 to 2018, it fell by 1.6%.

In the evening, the bus drivers stop where the women want between 2 stops, to bring them as close as possible to their homes.

4. A climate for all tastes

Winter in  Canada  is very cold, temperatures can drop to -30°C. The snow is falling in abundance. For winter sports enthusiasts, these are the ideal conditions. Canada  has over 50 ski resorts, the  most famous being Whistler located near  Vancouver .

Rest assured  Canada  enjoys a beautiful summer season. You can enjoy the beaches of Brunswick (South-East of the country).

5. Large green spaces and large lakes

Close your eyes and dream of the great lakes, a boreal forest with the most diversified fauna and flora…  Canada  is an incredible landscape as far as the eye can see. Expatriating to Canada  is therefore the possibility of visiting the  44 national parks  and discovering this summary of what the planet has to offer. By bike, on foot, by motorbike and in RV, we told you about American roadtrips, these are masterful in terms of nature and adventure. Over the seasons, Canadian attractions and colors are constantly changing… enough to satisfy you 12 months a year.

6. Diversity and immigration policy

Canada  is  very  cosmopolitan . This country has understood that it is what it is thanks to the multiple cultural heritages. The  immigration policy in Canada  is very flexible: everyone is welcome.

Canada  welcomes nearly 260,000 people of all nationalities every year  . It wishes to attract even more  migrants  with a goal of tripling its population by 2100.  French speakers  are particularly sought after. Indeed, the Canadian government supports the vitality of  Francophone communities , in  Quebec  and in the other provinces. Good news for  moving to Canada , it's an open door that you will find.

Introduced in 2003, the  PVT  ( work holiday permit, or “working holiday visa” ), allows more than 6,000 people aged 18 to 35 to expatriate to Canada every year   for a maximum period of 24 months, with the opportunity to work.

7. Canadian culinary specialties

Fries drizzled with brown meat sauce, fresh cheese melting under your teeth…  Poutine  is the traditional dish, the essential “ comfort food ”  of Canada .

Maple syrup on   your pancakes and other dishes, and maybe even everywhere, is also a  “ must have ” in Canada.  It is so important and significant that it is on the flag of the country.

You also have a range of bakeries and pastry shops run by  French expatriates in Canada . Something to satisfy your French palate mixed with nostalgia.

8. Major cities

Ottawa: The Capital

Capital of Canada ,  Ottawa  is one of the most liveable cities in Canada . On the  job market , you have your chances if you are  bilingual in English  and another language. Many  Francophones  work there while living in 

Toronto: The American

Capital of the province of Ontario,  Toronto  is  the most populous city in Canada . Indeed, it has experienced strong immigration and is one of the most multicultural cities in the world.

Toronto presents the characteristics of American cities with its downtown financial center   in the heart of the city and a rich and diversified cultural life.

Finally, The Economist newspaper   designates  Toronto  as  the safest city in North America  and the 4th safest in the world.

Montreal: The French

Montreal is the  second largest city in Canada  behind Toronto. This metropolis is dynamic, innovative and very cosmopolitan. It is in this city that we find  the largest French community in Canada.

Indeed, as of December 31, 2019, 13,190  French people  residing in the riding of  Québec  were registered in the consular register of  French people  living outside France. They represent 13.28% of the total number of  French people residing in Canada .

Between the Pacific Ocean and the North Shore Mountains,  Vancouver  is a port city located in British Columbia. Very cosmopolitan, Vancouver also offers an excellent quality of life and is at the top of the various world rankings of  the most pleasant cities. 

9. Become bilingual

English is the first official language of the country and the second is French. You have an advantage as a French expatriate in Canada  to want to settle there. No communication problems most of the time and the country gives you the opportunity to practice your English.

You can also learn Québécois which  differs from French and have its share of Canadian expression not to be missed.

10. Close to the United States

Moving to Canada is an opportunity to visit or rediscover the  United States . A good network of air transport and trains link the major American cities to the  Canadian metropolises.