Since 2010, more than 240,000 people have been migrating to Canada every year. According to internet rumblings, come November, that number could shoot up even higher. Our country is about to face one of the most divisive elections in its long, rich history. The winner may be anyone’s guess, but the one thing we know for sure is that no matter who wins, a lot of people are going to be upset. Hundreds, if not thousands, of voters have even promised that they’ll move to Canada if the election doesn’t shake out in their favor.
But how easy would it be for an American to go full Canadian? Our neighbor to the north is a strange land with customs and traditions very different than the ones we have here in the States. Going in totally blind could lead to disaster. That’s why we wanted to cover some of the basics.
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First and foremost, you don’t want to enter Canada as an illegal immigrant; otherwise you might get the boot and find yourself right back across the border. The quickest way to get in is by applying for residency. An express entry application will cost you $550 Canadian, which is about $424 American. Once you’ve handed over the cash, you can apply in one of several different categories. Entering as a skilled worker or professional is generally considered the easiest way to get in. This means you have at least 12 months of experience in a skilled trade. But you could also get in as an investor or entrepreneur or by being sponsored by a family member.
Next, you need to find the perfect place to live. Canada is split into 10 different provinces and three different territories. The big difference between them is that the provinces have a higher degree of autonomy from the federal government than the territories. But that’s not really of issue to you, because you won’t be voting anytime soon. You can choose the province or territory that suits you best! Toronto and British Columbia are generally considered the best for former Americans, as they have big urban areas with large populations of English speakers. But if you’re adventurous, you could try the European flavor of Quebec or salty ocean air of Nova Scotia.
Next, you’ll have to learn the language if you want to fit in. If you’re bilingual in English and French, you should have an easy time in Canada. 56.9% of the population speaks the former and 22% of them speak the latter. But even if you’re in an all-English area, there are still a few key slang words you’ll definitely want to start incorporating into your vocabulary. In Canada, they don’t drink soda; they drink pop. If you want more caffeine, then order a double double — a coffee with two creams and two sugars. If you find yourself in a kerfuffle, that means you’re in an awkward situation. If it’s cold outside, then you won’t want to forget your bunny hug and your toque — that’s your hoodie and knit cap. But most importantly, you’ll want to start saying “eh” all the time. No one is really sure what it means, but you can use it at the end of almost every sentence.
You’ll also have to get used to some new holidays in Canada. A lot of the big ones like Christmas are still the same. But others are slightly different. For instance, in Canada, Thanksgiving is on the second Monday in October. That’s right, you celebrate Thanksgiving before Halloween! You also don’t get a 4th of July party because Canada has no reason to celebrate its emancipation from the crown. But don’t worry; you can still get in all your summer drinking and grilling on Canada Day, which happens on July 1. Canadians also don’t have a Black Friday; it seems they don’t really think trampling each other for deals is in the Christmas spirit. Instead, they trample each other for deals the day after Christmas on Boxing Day.
Now, this is just a starter course for moving to Canada. There’s still a lot for you to learn, like the fact that in Canada you buy milk in bags and you can get fries covered in gravy and cheese at literally every single eating establishment (it’s called poutine). But the election is still a few months away. With a lot more studying, you’ll be all ready to say “Eh’ Canada” when that final vote comes in!
[tweetthis]Headed to #Canada after the #election? Check out this handy guide before you go! [/tweetthis]