A Few Challenges Facing Canadian Immigrants

Contemplating a new life in Canada? You are not alone. Almost a million people moved into Canada legally in 2004 alone and hundreds of thousands more have their applications pending. Canada is one of the Western countries that admits the most immigrants next to the United States. The immigrants are lured by the high standards of living which stem from low crime rates and a sound economy. Once you get to Canada, what are you likely to expect?

Seventy percent of all new immigrants into Canada report little hassles settling in. Many already have friends and family in Canada who help them assimilate. If not, there are many immigration advocacy groups that help newcomers make the transition. Most of the new arrivals find work in less than a year. This can be work in almost all fields and sectors of the economy.

It has also been reported that most immigrants, almost 90 percent, tend to flock with their own ethnic groups. Because Canada is a multi-ethnic society, much like the United States, new arrivals quickly find their own countrymen already established. Many also bridge the cultural divide and establish new friends among other ethnicities.

Weather Barrier
One of the major impediments to getting settled was the weather. Canada boasts some of the coldest winter months in the entire Western Hemosphere. This is because of the continent’s close proximity to the Arctic circle and North Pole. This problem is compounded by the fact that many immigrants to Canada come from the tropics where the weather is relatively warm all year round.

Qualifications
While it is true that the Canadian immigration system only desires to legalize people who have formal skills, there is stiff competition for jobs in Canada. This is because Canada has one of the highest literacy rates on the planet. If one is seeking menial jobs, these are plenty in Canada. But if one desires to advance higher to the blue-collar corridors, then one has to be well educated and have skills and experience. Newcomers may only have a rudimentary knowledge of an advanced economy’s inner workings and this can hinder assimilation.

Language
English and French are the predominant languages in Canada. French is especially dominant in some states such as Quebec. While immigrants coming from French-speaking lands such as some West African states would have no problem, this may not be the case with English-speaking migrants. One may find themselves enrolling either in English or French classes before fully being assimilated into the Canadian workforce.