It is a staple memory in almost every desi household, when we looked forward to the visit of our Dubai, UK or US return uncle
It is a staple memory in almost every desi household, when we looked forward to the visit of our Dubai, UK or US return uncle or aunt. More than anything, it was the novelty of someone returning from a foreign land with tales that would keep us fascinated until their next visit. As time progressed and moving abroad became more of a common practice, the novelty gave way to resolve for a better life. Even back then, most vied to land in Dubai, US or UK – in this particular order.
In recent years, there has been a considerable shift as we see Canada becoming a destination of choice for most instead of the US & UK. To put things in perspective, the US and UK have an immigration population of only 14% whereas Canada’s stats stands at 23%.
The question stands, why is that so? Let me break it down for you:
1. Multiculturalism is a policy matter:
In the 1970s, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau implemented a policy to promote multiculturalism in Canada, which has since become a defining aspect of the country’s identity. Canada has one of the highest per capita immigration rates among developed nations. Unlike the ‘melting pot’ approach of some cultures, Canada follows a ‘mosaic’ approach to multiculturalism, where individuals from all cultures coexist peacefully while preserving their cultural heritage and religious practices. Canada is home to more than 30 ethnic communities with over 100,000 people, and 11 communities with over a million people.
2. Inclusive approach:
In addition to its multiculturalism, Canada is recognized for its diversity and inclusivity in various aspects. To quote one aspect, in 2015, when Justin Trudeau became Prime Minister, he pledged to have a cabinet with equal representation of both genders. Although there is still progress to be made in promoting women to leadership positions in Canada, the country’s women have a high participation rate in the workforce, with 82% of women aged 25 to 54 choosing to work outside their homes.
3. Strong economic growth
Canada has a strong presence in the global economy, surpassing its size and population. As per the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Canada is expected to have the third-highest Real GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth over the next two years, ranking only behind the United States (in 2023) and Spain (in 2024). Real GDP is a widely used measure of a country’s overall economic well-being. This economic growth provides new immigrants to Canada with improved employment opportunities across the country, increasing their chances of finding a job that leads to economic stability as a permanent resident (PR).
4. World class education
Canada has the highest per capita spending on education among all industrialized nations worldwide and has been recognized as the most educated country globally. The K-12 public education system in Canada is widely regarded as one of the best in the world. Furthermore, Canada is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities, including McGill University, the University of Toronto, McMaster University, and the University of British Columbia, which are among the top 100 institutions globally. According to Statistics Canada, 54% of Canadians aged 25-64 hold a post-secondary degree, and an additional 10.8% have completed an apprenticeship or a trades certificate. Moreover, some provinces in Canada provide full or partial tuition coverage for low-income students.
5. Universal healthcare
Canada adopted its universal healthcare system in the 1960s, which provides all residents with reasonable access to medical services without incurring any out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare, such as hospital visits or consultations with doctors. Every province or territory in Canada has a healthcare plan under this program. According to the OECD, Canada spent $6,323 per person on healthcare in 2017. Despite spending only half of what the US does per capita, Canada’s quality of care is rated significantly higher. Canada’s reliable healthcare programs are accessible to everyone in the country, contributing to one of the world’s highest life expectancy rates, just below 82 years. This places Canada’s life expectancy at 18th place globally.
6. Safe & secure
Canada consistently places within the top 10 safest nations globally across various polls and indexes. In the 2018 Global Peace Index, Canada was ranked 6th as the most peaceful nation worldwide. The index considers various factors such as homicide rates, militarization, political stability, diplomatic relations, ongoing conflicts, incarceration rates, and terrorism impact, among others. Canada is renowned for its strict gun control laws and peaceful foreign diplomacy approach. Generally, Canada has low crime rates, which have significantly decreased since their peak in the 1980s.
7. Stable, democratic political system
While Canadian governments alternate between various liberal and conservative parties based on the political climate, all of Canada’s political parties have moderate positions on contentious issues such as women’s rights, environmental concerns, and immigration, which can be highly divisive in other democratic countries.
Now you know why Canada has become the top destination for immigrants, especially from Asia. So when are you moving to Canada?
