PLANNING YOUR LIFE IN CANADA

 In Canada, you can expect many different types of taxes, including land transfer tax, sales tax, gas tax, liquor tax, and even custom tariffs on imported goods. You can also expect to pay tax on assets, including property taxes and income tax, as in any other country too. While tax is not something many people bother to be informed about, it is something that we must all pay, as there can be consequences for those who don’t pay it.

When in Canada, for every dollar you make, you must pay tax on it, which is otherwise known as income tax. While tax is recognized as something we encounter daily worldwide, it used to be thought of as something that the Canadian government resisted. Now, high taxes promise Canadians a high quality of life. Canadian residents understand that they are paying for their quality of life and know that the country offers the best there is, which makes every tax dollar owed worth it. Click here for more information on your tax responsibilities.

 If you plan to live in Canada, the province of Ontario has its own unique healthcare plan called the OHIP. This healthcare plan applies to all residents of Ontario, who have an Ontario Health Card. If you have successfully applied for your Ontario Health Card you qualify for the OHIP.   

• Make Ontario your primary home (not secondary, holiday home, or other)

If you meet all of the basic requirements above, you need to meet at least 1 of the requirements listed below to qualify for the OHIP. You must:

• Be a Canadian citizen, indigenous person, or permanent resident of Canada
• Have applied for permanent residence to the IRCC to:
  • Prove you can apply for the OHIP
  • Prove that your request for permanent residence in Canada has not been denied
• Have:
  • a valid Ontario work permit that has let you work full time for at least 6 months;
  • a valid Ontario work permit that is under the federal Live-in Caregiver Program (now closed)
• Be a protected person or convention refugee, as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Canada
• Have a Temporary Resident Permit (this applies for case types 86-95 only)
• Belong to a legal religious organization (minister, priest, etc) that will minister for at least 6 months of full time. To apply for OHIP click here.

Moving to a new Country is hard especially on your own. This newcomers guide will help you navigate through all the unknowns. Being prepared is always better! Click here to download a PDF copy of the newcomers guide to Canada.

Affordable housing in Toronto can be tough to find, for help finding housing in your desired area please click here. They offer resources in many languages and will assist you in your housing search; they have resources for newcomers to Canada. Pirani Immigration Consulting Incorporated has no affiliation with this service.

To legally drive in Canada, you will need a valid driver’s license. With a license, you can drive anywhere in Canada, however, you must always make sure that you have the license on hand.

If you have a valid driver’s license from your home country, you will be able to use the license for a short period of time in Canada, though this will depend on your individual province and governmental laws.

If you plan to use your foreign license, the best thing to do is get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your home country before travelling to Canada. An IDP will give you a translation of your license in French and English. For information on driving in Ontario click here.

In Ontario, we have walk-in clinics and urgent care centres. These will meet your medical needs until you can apply OHIP. Click here for information on walk in clinics. 

If you should require more serious medical attention that's not quite worthy of an emergency room visit please click here for an urgent care clinic in Ontario.

 Requirements include:

Rabies vaccination certificate

Dogs and cats are not allowed to travel to Canada if they do not have a rabies vaccination certification that is written in either English or French. This is to prevent diseases from entering Canada. For this reason, the CFIA has established importation laws under the National Animal Health Program that applies to all animals that enter the country, whether it’s temporarily or permanently.

The certificate must also be signed and dated by a licensed veterinarian, state the colour, weight, and breed of your pet, state that your pet is vaccinated against rabies, specify how long immunity against rabies will last, and indicate the relevant and licensed vet’s trade name and serial number.

Microchips

With the rabies vaccination requirement when moving to Canada, pets are also required to be microchipped, except for service dogs and pets that are younger than three months old.

According to a CFIA, a service dog is a dog that can provide a specific, trained service to people who are otherwise limited in their abilities to perform specific tasks. Service dogs don’t have to meet import  requirements if they are accompanied by someone that they aid when they arrive in Canada. However, they must have official documents that state that they are service animals.

Inspection process and fees

At the Port of Entry (POE), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers are stationed to check whether the rabies certificate for all of your pets has been issued recently. They will also check whether the pet description matches that of your pet, as well as if your pets show signs of illnesses. If your pet(s) pass all of the requirements, they will gain entry. Click here for more information.

 There are so many ways that you can save money while living in Canada. Besides checking online, the best way to find the great deals is to speak to Canadians in your area. You’ll find that they often know where all the good unadvertised deals are, which could save you quite a few dollars.

Some chain stores in Canada such as Walmart and The Real Canadian Superstore have a 10 percent price match or will match their competitors’ prices. Many stores also offer coupons which could lead to great savings.

Prepare for unexpected expenses:

It is always a good idea to have some money kept aside for unexpected circumstances. For instance, if you immigrate to Canada through programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program, where you don’t need a job offer in Canada, you may need some funds to cover you for your first few months in Canada until you find a job.

Other unexpected costs could arise if you are a homeowner and you may be required to have money available for maintenance. A good amount to set aside is between three and five percent of the value of your home.

Stick to your budget:

As difficult as it may be, try not to stray from your budget. It is better to have some money on stand by for those unexpected circumstances that we mentioned. Having an emergency account with funds set up before you arrive in Canada could be the best idea so that you won’t have to dip into your savings. The more prepared you are the better. Click here for financial and budget resources.

Canada is the most multicultural, diverse country on earth. You can find many of your native foods close to home. We have street festivals and food festivals highlighting the cuisines from around the world! International grocery stores are in every neighbourhood! You won't feel far from home at all in Canada. Finding your favourite cuisines is just a quick google search away!