10 reasons to immigrate to Canada

Desk

TORONTO: Here are 10 good reasons to immigrate to Canada:

1: Racism: Canadians are open and tolerant people. Though subtle racism exists in this country, by and large you don’t feel it in your daily life.

2: Free primary and secondary education and subsidized post-secondary education. Higher education ranks among the very best in the world. But mind you, unless you are a permanent resident or citizen of Canada, you pay three times more fee in colleges and universities. And the bitter truth is that there are not many jobs for new graduates and post-graduates.

3: Free health care, though it leaves a lot to be desired. It is not absolutely free and not many things are covered under it. Wait times can get very very long.

4: Canada has often been rated as one of the best country to live in. Canadian cities such as Vancouver and Toronto also rank among the best to live in.

5: Good for raising children as both federal and provincial governments give monthly child care benefits. But we have seen many immigrant families exploiting it by having many children so that they live off child welfare.

6: Pension plan and old-age pension: A Canadian citizen can avail of pension benefits from the age of 60, but it is optimal at 65. For full old-age pension benefits, you should have lived in Canada for at least 20 years after the age of 18.

7: Social welfare for those who are unable to support themselves or unable to find employment.

8: Unemployment benefits for six months to the tune of 60 percent of the last wage drawn in case you are laid off from a job where you worked at least for sixth months.

9: Canada is blessed with the largest reservoirs of natural resources such as fresh water.

10: Canada’s proximity allows you visa-free access to the US. (Updated version of the first article that appeared on March 16, 2015)

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