Best Cities in Canada to Raise a Family
JUL 29, 2021
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KAYLA PETERS
Moving to a new country is a big decision for anyone, especially when moving with a family. When one moves with a family, there are several factors to consider to ensure the place you choose works for you and everyone in your family.
Canada’s government has a goal of inviting 1.23 million foreign nationals to Canada as permanent residents. When foreigners move to Canada as permanent residents they qualify for several benefits, which include free healthcare for you and your family.
Discover the best cities in Canada to raise a family and how to live there.
Best Cities To Live in Canada With a Family
1. Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is a cosmopolitan city in Alberta with several skyscrapers, it is also the centre of Canada’s oil industry which plays a big role in the rapid growth of its economy. Calgary is known to be one of the cleanest and most liveable cities in Canada.
Residents enjoy a strong economy which results in attractive salaries. This can be especially important when raising a family as it can be costly.
2. Saint John, New Brunswick
Saint John is known to be one of the world's most affordable cities. In 2020, Saint John was named the 6th most affordable city in the world for middle-income housing. Those coming from French countries would benefit in this city as residents speak both French and English. The University of New Brunswick ranks among the top learning institutions in the province.
3. Ottawa, Ontario
Ottawa, Canada's beautiful capital is a fantastic place to raise children. Ottawa is often considered one of the safest cities in the country. A study by Canadian Business ranked Ottawa as Canada's best place to live based on incomes, car ownership, unemployment rate, housing, weather and lifestyle. The city is also full of good-rated schools for kids of all ages.
4. Guelph, Ontario
The city of Guelph has been a popular choice for families. Located just 100 kilometres from Toronto and full of green space The low-crime community was named one of the top 10 cities for new families in Canada. Guelph has many great features, including great schools, a low unemployment rate and many parks and trails.
5. Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver is home to many true community-feel neighbourhoods and hosts events that are geared towards families such as the Point Grey Fiesta, a weekend-long carnival full of rides, crafts and music at Trimble Park. Not only is it great for play, but there are also several great elementary schools that offer teaching in both French and English.
6. Toronto, Ontario
Toronto is said to be ethnically and culturally diverse. It has great public transportation, hospitals and community centres. For those families who love the great outdoors, there are breathtaking beaches, parks and trails for the summertime.
Some of the best schools in Canada can be found in Toronto.
Below is a table comparing costs of the above-mentioned cities.
| Cost Comparison | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| City | Daycare Cost | Average Household Income | Rent (3 Bedroom) |
| Calgary | $1,170 | $140,919 | $1,200-2,800 |
| Saint John | $664-868 | $79,580 | $1,050-1,675 |
| Ottawa | $939 | $106,372 | $943-2,053 |
| Guelph | $774 | $100,175 | $2,000 |
| Vancouver | $1,207-1774 | $78,373 | $2,827 |
| Toronto | $1,407 | $96,423 | $3,500 |
Immigrate to Canada With Your Family
Family Sponsorship
The Family Sponsorship allows Canadian citizens, persons registered under the Canadian Indian Act and permanent residents of Canada to sponsor their family members. We take a closer look at spouse and child sponsorship for those wanting to move to the best cities in Canada to raise a family.
Who is eligible to sponsor their spouse, partner or child?
Persons are eligible if:
- They are 18 years and older;
- If they are a Canadian citizen, person registered under the Canadian Indian Act or permanent resident of Canada;
- If they can prove that you aren’t receiving social assistance unless it’s for a disability; and
- They can provide for the basic needs of whoever you’re sponsoring.
Who can eligible persons sponsor?
Those eligible to sponsor may sponsor the following family members:
- Their spouse;
- Common-law partner;
- Their conjugal partner; and
- Their dependent children.
| Family Sponsorship Costs | |
|---|---|
| Fees | CAN |
| Sponsor your spouse or partner | $1,050 |
| Sponsor your spouse or partner without the right of permanent residence fee | $550 |
| Sponsor a dependent child | $150 per child |
| Include any child | $150 per child |
Express Entry
Designed for foreign skilled workers, the Express Entry system manages three federal programs that allow foreign nationals to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents. The programs are:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program;
- Canadian Experience Class
The Express Entry system is one of the largest immigration entry points in Canada and will be responsible for contributing 332,750 Invitations to Apply (ITA) within the next three years. Many foreign nationals favour this program as it has a quicker processing time of six months.
Eligible candidates for Express Entry will need to create an online profile. Once done, they will get placed in a pool with other eligible candidates and receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score which determines their ranking. Candidates will only receive an ITA if they meet or exceed the qualifying score. Receiving the ITA will give candidates the chance to apply to become Canadian permanent residents.
Once candidates have their ITA:
The Express Entry invitation to apply is valid for 60 days only. It is recommended that candidates fill the online form right away so that they can get all the information and documents they need before the invitation expires.
When filling out the form:
- Make sure all of the required documents are submitted;
- All answers must be complete and true.
- Make sure all the mandatory fields are completed, or candidates will not be able to submit their application
- Candidates can save their information on the form and go back as often as needed.
Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is an agreement made by the local provinces of Canada and the government. Local provinces can nominate foreign skilled workers, based on their labour needs, to live and work in the particular province.
When choosing a province, it is best to apply where the candidate’s skills are needed because this will increase their chances of being nominated. There are 11 PNP’s that foreign nationals can immigrate to Canada through. They are:
- Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP);
- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP);
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP);
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NW PNP);
- Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NL PNP);
- Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP);
- Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NS PNP);
- Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP);
- Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP);
- Saskatchewan PNP (SINP); and
- Yukon Nominee Program (YNP).
Applicants can apply for a nomination in two ways:
- Direct Application Process; and;
- Express Entry Application Process.
Applying through the Express Entry-linked route has its advantages including the fact that the processing time is much faster.
Move to Canada With Your Family
Canada is a wonderful place to live, especially with a family. The country is known to practice a healthy work-life balance which gives parents more time to spend with their children. When immigrating to Canada as a permanent resident it also means that your children will have access to incredible public school at no cost to you. Moving to the best cities in Canada to raise a family means to live an overall higher standard of living.
Click on the link below to see you are eligible!