Canada is the second largest country in the world. How do you even begin choosing where to live in Canada? To help you make the big decision, we’ve gathered some information and resources to help you understand what each region offers.
Canada comprises 10 provinces, and three territories spread over six time zones. You could further divide the regions by geography, from the Rockies and the west coast to the prairies in the center of the country, and the “Canadian Shield” marked with plateaus across most of central Canada, and finally, the rolling Appalachian mountains that roll towards the Atlantic Ocean. To the North, you’ll find Arctic tundra and a lifestyle unlike most of the world. Looking at all your options before choosing a province or territory to move to and call home is essential.
With that picture in mind, here is a broad overview of each Canadian province and territory.
Quebec
Quebec, the heart of French Canadian culture, stands as Canada’s largest province in terms of landmass and second most populous.
Approximately 94% of its residents speak French, while 52% speak English proficiently. Montreal, the province’s largest city, thrives with diversity, while Quebec City, its capital, boasts historical significance along the St. Lawrence River.
Quebec offers many captivating attractions, including the Gaspésie Peninsula, exhibiting quintessential Quebec architecture along the Atlantic Ocean. Adventure seekers can kayak with whales in Tadoussac, where the St. Lawrence River meets the sea, a four-hour drive northeast of Quebec City. For winter enthusiasts, Mont-Tremblant, located less than two hours northwest of Montreal, offers fantastic skiing opportunities.
The province contributes iconic Canadian foods like poutine, a delicious dish of fries, and cheese curds smothered in gravy. Additionally, Quebec is the world’s largest maple syrup producer, responsible for over 70 percent of global syrup production.
Despite paying the highest taxes in the country, the cost of living in Quebec is generally more affordable than in other Canadian regions, particularly in Montreal, the most budget-friendly among Canada’s major urban centers.
With a population of 8,787,554 as of 2023, Quebec welcomed 221,175 newcomers in 2022, comprising 68,685 permanent residents, 90,150 temporary workers, and 62,340 international students. The average household income in 2020 stood at $92,000, and the average home price reached $451,313 in March 2023.
Quebec houses several prestigious universities, including the University of Montreal, McGill University, Bishop’s University, Concordia University, and Laval University.
The province thrives in various industries, including technology, video games, electronics, food, life sciences, manufacturing, hydroelectricity, tourism, agriculture, and forestry.
Quebec’s largest cities are Montreal, Quebec, Sherbrooke, and Trois-Rivieres.
Immigrate to Quebec. Follow the link, fill out the form, and get professional consultation from our experts.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador may be smaller in population than other provinces, but it offers abundant opportunities and employment prospects, particularly in the mining and manufacturing sectors. The province is renowned for its distinct regional culture, unique dialect, and delectable seafood.
Its breathtaking and one-of-a-kind landscapes attract filmmakers who film popular movies like Aquaman, Peter Pan, and Wendy, among others, in this Atlantic province.
The capital city, St. John’s, hosts the Royal St. John’s Regatta, an annual boat racing event that brings communities together. Moreover, Newfoundland and Labrador boast several notable attractions, including the Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its majestic fjords. Visiting Quidi Vidi Lake is like stepping into a picturesque painting.
As of 2022, the province’s population stands at 522,875. In 2022, Newfoundland and Labrador welcomed 11,695 newcomers, comprising 3,490 permanent residents, 4,340 temporary workers, and 3,865 international students. The average household income in 2020 was $71,500, while the average home price reached $272,600 as of March 2023.
Memorial University is the top university in the province, while notable colleges include the College of the North Atlantic, Western College, and Eastern College.
The province’s leading industries encompass mining, manufacturing, fishing, forestry, and hydroelectricity.
Among the largest cities in Newfoundland and Labrador are St. John’s, Corner Brook, and Grand Falls-Windsor.
Immigrate to Newfoundland and Labrador. Follow the link, fill out the form, and get professional consultation from our experts.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick, Canada’s sole officially bilingual province, captivates with its picturesque views of the Atlantic Ocean and lush forests. However, be prepared for cold winters accompanied by heavy storms; a sturdy pair of boots will be essential!
New Brunswickers rely on the flourishing forestry, mining, fishing, and tourism industries. The province abounds with nature parks, offering ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. For leisure, you can blast with friends tubing down the Miramichi River or embark on snowshoeing adventures in Mount Carleton Provincial Park.
Moncton is the largest city in New Brunswick, while the capital is Fredericton. Interestingly, the small town of Florenceville-Bristol is hailed as the French Fry Capital of the World, producing about a third of the world’s frozen French fries. They even tribute to this beloved spud with the aptly named Potato World museum.
As of 2023, the province’s population stands at 825,474. In 2022, New Brunswick attracted 27,495 newcomers, comprising 10,205 permanent residents, 9,670 temporary workers, and 7,620 international students. The average household income in 2020 was $56,900, and the average home price reached $270,900 as of March 2023.
New Brunswick houses prestigious universities such as the University of New Brunswick, St. Thomas University, and Mount Allison University. Additionally, notable colleges include New Brunswick Community College, McKenzie College, and Oulton College.
The province thrives in diverse industries, including forestry, mining, fishing, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and services.
Among the largest cities in New Brunswick are Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, and Dieppe.
Immigrate to New Brunswick. Follow the link, fill out the form, and get professional consultation from our experts.
Northwest Territories
Though sparsely populated, the Northwest Territories is undeniably breathtaking but comes with a higher cost of living. Unfortunately, much of the region lacks access to high-speed internet, which can be a challenge. However, the territory presents many opportunities, particularly in its flourishing tourism and mining industries, thanks to a scarcity of skilled workers and professionals.
The territory does not have top universities in terms of education, but it does have Aurora College as a notable college.
Obtaining supplies in the northern regions, especially during the long, bitterly cold winters, can be tricky and contributes to the higher cost of living. Nonetheless, many residents in this area earn sufficiently well to offset these additional expenses. Apart from its reputation for cold weather, the territory is renowned as the Diamond Capital of North America, with numerous diamond mines scattered across the region.
As of 2023, the population size in the Northwest Territories is approximately 45,493. In 2022, the territory attracted 535 newcomers, comprising 235 permanent residents, 265 temporary workers, and 35 international students. The average household income in 2020 was $144,800, while the average home price reached $422,787 as of March 2023.
In terms of education, the territory does not have top universities, but it does have Aurora College as a notable college.
The Northwest Territories thrives in various industries, including energy, fisheries, construction, mining, oil and gas, tourism, fur, and manufacturing.
Among the largest cities in the territory are Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Hay River, and Inuvik.
Immigrate to Northwest Territories. Follow the link, fill out the form, and get professional consultation from our experts.
Prince Edward Island
Renowned for its delectable lobster rolls and the beloved Anne of Green Gables book series, Prince Edward Island (PEI) is Canada’s smallest province, easily traversable by car within a mere three hours.
PEI thrives primarily on its flourishing tourism and fisheries industries. Surprisingly, despite its name, PEI is not just one island; it encompasses 232 islands. The province’s picturesque landscape is dotted with numerous lighthouses, boasting a count of 63 still-standing structures, with 35 actively guiding mariners.
Linking PEI to the mainland in New Brunswick is the impressive 8-kilometer-long Confederation Bridge, recognized as one of the longest bridges globally.
Charlottetown, the capital city and the island’s largest city enjoys enchanting surroundings with stunning red beaches stretching across the province.
While PEI offers many charms, one potential downside for residents is limited access to certain specialized forms of healthcare. Sometimes, medical authorities may need to transport individuals to the mainland for specific medical procedures.
As of 2023, the population size in PEI stands at 173,954. The province enticed 8,950 newcomers in 2022, including 2,670 permanent residents, 3,870 temporary workers, and 2,410 international students. The average household income in 2020 was $87,900, while the average home price reached $334,900 as of June 2022.
The University of Prince Edward Island stands as the top university in the province, while notable colleges include Holland College and Maritime Christian College.
PEI’s main industries encompass agriculture, fisheries, tourism, aerospace, bioscience, information technology, and renewable energy.
Among the largest cities in Prince Edward Island are Charlottetown, Summerside, Stratford, and Cornwall.
Immigrate to Prince Edward Island. Follow the link, fill out the form, and get professional consultation from our experts.
Nunavut
Nunavut, the northernmost territory and the largest region in Canada, is captivating with its stunning Arctic wildlife and landscapes, mainly inhabited by the Inuit people. The territory faces significant resource management and development challenges, resulting in an exceptionally high cost of living due to the logistical difficulties of importing essential food and building materials into the remote region.
Iqaluit is the capital city, offering adventurous activities like dog sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. The province’s extreme northern location means experiencing two months of continuous daylight during the summer, followed by weeks of perpetual darkness in the winter.
Interestingly, Nunavut’s climate bears such a striking resemblance to that of Mars that the Haughton-Mars Project conducts astronaut training in the region for future Mars missions.
As of 2023, the population size in Nunavut is approximately 40,692. In 2022, the territory attracted 94 newcomers, including 34 permanent residents and 60 temporary workers. The average household income in 2020 was $144,800, while data on the average home price was unavailable.
Nunavut doesn’t have top universities but has the notable Nunavut Arctic College.
The territory’s main industries encompass mining, fishing, hunting, trapping, construction, and arts.
Nunavut’s largest cities are Iqaluit, Baker Lake, and Cambridge Bay.
Immigrate to Nunavut. Follow the link, fill out the form, and get professional consultation from our experts.
Yukon
Yukon, renowned for its tales of the 19th-century gold rush, continues to thrive in its biggest industry, mining. However, tourism has emerged as another significant player, particularly in the province’s capital city, Whitehorse, and surrounding areas. Visitors flock from around the globe to witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights and engage in exhilarating dog sledding adventures.
The Yukon boasts a substantial Indigenous population, contributing to its rich cultural history. Like other Canadian territories, it grapples with a relatively high cost of living, given that most necessities must be flown in during the harsh winters, resulting in hefty grocery bills. Additionally, this logistical challenge hampers new housing construction, leading to higher home prices. Nonetheless, Yukon has the advantage of having no territorial sales tax, a feature shared with other Canadian territories.
Mount Logan, the highest mountain in Canada and the second-highest in North America stands proudly within Yukon’s territory.
As of 2023, the population size in Yukon is approximately 44,238. In 2022, the territory attracted 1,320 newcomers, including 450 permanent residents, 705 temporary workers, and 165 international students. The average household income in 2020 was $118,900, while the average home price reached $519,190 as of March 2023.
Yukon University is the top university in the territory, while notable colleges include Yukon College.
Yukon’s main industries encompass mining, tourism, manufacturing, telecommunication, and service.
Among the largest cities in Yukon are Whitehorse, Dawson, and Watson Lake.
Immigrate to Yukon. Follow the link, fill out the form, and get professional consultation from GLC’s experts.
