Halifax, Nova Scotia Ties for Number One Position with Charlottetown, PEI
Choosing where to live is an important decision. This is especially true given the different regions, provinces, and cities in Canada. And each region and city is unique. With this information, you can decide what is most appealing to you and your family.
While most newcomers usually land in Canada’s largest cities Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary, there are many other cities to consider before you arrive.
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In fact, research from Statistics Canada reveals that a greater number of recent newcomers (those in Canada less than five years) are choosing to settle in small and mid-size cities. This is likely due to affordability. And many smaller cities provide a great quality of life. With benefits such as lower housing prices and cost of living, it’s worth exploring small and medium-size cities in Canada.
5 Regions of Canada
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Before looking at cities in Canada, here’s some information about Canada. It’s a vast country with:
five regions
ten provinces
three territories.
And it has many cities that range in size from small, to mid-size, to large. Canada covers an area of 10 million square kilometres. This makes Canada the second-largest country after the United States in terms of landmass. Despite Canada’s landmass, most Canadians live within 200 kilometres of the US border. This is mainly due to factors related to climate, economy, and historical settlement patterns.
The landscape of the regions is also quite different. With abundant natural resources, the key industries in each region are often tied to resources. From a broader view, Canada has five regions:
Atlantic Region includes the maritime provinces of:
Choosing where to live in Canada is based on your personal and practical needs. And there is much to consider from the region, to the province, to the city in Canada.
Helpful research conducted by Maclean’s magazine can be a great place to start! Maclean’s ranked 415 communities in Canada based on eight factors. Knowing what factors are more important to you, you can use their ranking tool to weigh the factors. Based on your preferences, you may discover a city in Canada that you had never considered.
Ranking Criteria for Cities in Canada
1. Housing affordability
Property tax as a percent of average income
Tax rate for average family by province
2. Crime
Five-year average of crime severity
3. Weather
Annual days with:
a low above 0 C
rain, snow, or other precipitation
a high of about 20 C.
4. Health
Specialists per 100,000 residents
Doctor’s offices per 100,000 residents
Nearby hospitals
5. Amenities
Restaurants and bars
Nearby airport
6. Population growth
Rate of growth over the past five years
7. Community Involvement
Level of community engagement by residents
8. Internet quality
Internet speed
How many people could work or study at home based on internet speed.
The Top 10 Cities in Canada
Results from the 2021 Maclean’s research revealed that four cities from the Atlantic region landed in the top 10 positions.
It’s a tie! Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island tied for the number one position.
Each of these four cities in Canada ranked internet access as their top feature. In a post-pandemic world, internet access provides many people with an option to work from anywhere in Canada. Because of the pandemic, many employers had to move people from working in offices to working remotely wherever possible. And with a rise in the remote workforce, it means fewer people are restricted to living in costly, urban cities. This has been a big driver for small and mid-size cities to attract newcomers.
Size of Cities in Canada
For a helpful reference, city sizes are:
Small city: population below 100,000
Mid-size city: population between 100,000 and 400,000
Large city: minimum population of 400,000
#1 Halifax, Nova Scotia
Halifax is the capital city of Nova Scotia
The City of Halifax is an economic hub for Atlantic Canada. Its major employers range from government services to private sector companies. Halifax also serves as a business, banking, government, and cultural centre for the Atlantic region. Major sectors include:
telecommunications
financial services
information technology
healthcare, and
government.
Top three features: Internet access, amenities, and health.
#1 Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Tied for #1 with Halifax, Charlottetown is also situated in the Atlantic region. Known as a popular tourist location, it also shows economic growth in:
bioscience
agriculture, and
aquaculture.
This growing city offers a great and low cost of living.
Top three features include: Internet access, amenities, and population growth.
#2 Fredericton, New Brunswick
Fredericton is the capital city of New Brunswick
In position #2, this charming city in Canada is also located in the Atlantic Region.
Fredericton was named the Startup Community of Canada because of its high concentration of knowledge industry companies in Information, Communications and Technology (ICT). The city is also known for its growth in:
bio science
clean technology, and
aerospace.
Top three features: Internet access, amenities, and affordability.
Learn what Fredericton offers newcomers at our free Discover Fredericton webinar.
#3 St. Thomas, Ontario
St. Thomas is a small city located in southwestern Ontario with a population of 40,000. It’s located within a two-hour drive to Toronto, Ontario, and a 25-minute drive to London, Ontario. With high-quality internet access and connectivity, you can live in this community and work remotely. Another affordable option to more expensive cities in Canada.
With amenities from breweries and wineries, to parks, schools, and more St. Thomas is projected to grow by 50,600 people by 2041.
Top Three Features: internet access; health; amenities
#4 Belleville, Ontario
Belleville is located within close proximity to larger urban areas such as Toronto, Ottawa, and Kingston. And with a population of 67,666, you can enjoy the charm and community of a small city.
Belleville is also participating in the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program to fill labour shortages and support economic growth. To apply for this pilot, you must complete an intake form and submit it to regionalimmigration@ontario.ca.
Top Three Features: internet access, health; amenities
#5 Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton, is the capital city of Alberta and is located in the prairies provinces. With a population of over 1 million people, it offers many opportunities for employment, business, recreation, and culture. While it’s known for its oil and gas industry, it also has a growing tech sector and is home to many of Alberta’s top employers. Read more about What to Know About Living in Edmonton, Alberta.
Many new Canadians choose to locate in Edmonton and account for 30% of residents.
Top three features: internet access; amenities; health
#6 Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg is Manitoba’s capital city with a population of about 750,000. It’s also a top choice for immigrants and offers an affordable cost of living and boasts a better work-life balance than other cities in Canada. Located in one of the prairies provinces, agriculture is a key industry. Other large employers include government and services such as hospitals and universities. Read more: What to Know About Living in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Top three features: Internet access, amenities, health
#7 Moncton, New Brunswick
Moncton, New Brunswick located in the Atlantic Region of Canada
Moncton is located in the centre of Atlantic Canada. With a population of around 140,000 (including the cities of Moncton and Dieppe, and the Town of Riverview). Moncton is known for its quality of life in a community that is welcoming, friendly, and innovative. It boasts a vibrant arts and entertainment scene with sports, recreation, and education opportunities. The city is growing with a range of career and business options.
Its key industries include insurance, financial services, and ICT. Moncton also has growing expertise in gaming technologies and animation and is known for its Smart City mindset.
Top three features: internet access, housing affordability; amenities
#8 Cornwall, Ontario
Cornwall has a population of just under 47,000. It is located between Toronto and Ottawa, and about a 90 minute to Ottawa. Some of the key sector include manufacturing, logistics, and food processing. And Cornwall has some of the most affordable housing prices in Ontario. Which is great news for first-time home buyers. Cornwall’s average house price is approximately $261.886 compared to the national average of $494,938.
Top three features: internet access; health; community
#9 Brooks, Alberta
Brooks is a small city in Canada with a population of close to 16,000. And, it steadily sees year after year growth. It is located between Calgary (Alberta’s largest city) and Medicine Hat. Some of its key industries include agriculture, cannabis production, renewable energy, and oil and gas.
Top three features: internet access; taxes; population growth
While the large urban centres are familiar, it’s definitely worth researching other cities in Canada before you arrive. You may be surprised by the benefits of living in a smaller city.
To learn more about available jobs in these cities, check out our job board.
For more information, tools, and free webinars about living in Canada visit our Settling in Canada resource page. We’ll help you to settle in Canada successfully!
Corinna Frattini is the content marketing strategist at Prepare for Canada and contributes articles related to working in Canada. With a background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.
The question “how much mortgage can I afford?” is quite different from “how much mortgage can I get?” So, it’s important to understand the risks involved when a lender offers you a mortgage that is more than you need or expected. When buying a home for the first time, it’s important to consider all of the related costs and expenses. And, when you factor in all of the costs, you’ll be in a better position to answer, “how much mortgage can I afford?”
It may seem like great news to get approved for a higher mortgage amount than you expect. But, this can lead to overspending on housing when you get more money than you need.
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The Key Question: How Much Mortgage Can I Afford?
Buying a home in Canada is a big dream for many newcomers! But, buying a home that is more than you can afford, can turn that dream into a financial nightmare. If you have a good credit history, and a healthy down payment, your lender may approve you for a mortgage that is higher than what you need. For example, you may have a personal budget of $800,000 to buy your home. And, your lender may pre-approve you for $1,000.000. To get a general idea of how much mortgage you can afford, use this mortgage calculator.
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But, does that mean you should borrow that much so you can buy a more expensive home? You need to factor in other costs so that you can answer this key question: how much mortgage can I afford?
This is a common mistake that many first-time homebuyers make. And, this often leads homeowners to a situation where they are “house rich and cash poor”. In other words, they are spending between 30 – 40% (or more) of their total income on:
When you spend too much of your income on housing, it means you’ll be “cash poor”. And this means you’ll have very little room to afford other expenses such as:
car payments
a planned vacation
home furnishing or decorating (especially if you’re moving into a larger space).
Or, you end up making these purchases on credit, increasing your debt level, and possibly affecting your credit history.
In addition, you need to consider your other expenses such as daycare, saving for retirement, or saving for your children’s education. All important expenses that you may also be saving for.
So, before buying your home, carefully consider how much you can afford and what other financial obligations you have.
Costs to Include When Asking: How Much Mortgage Can I Afford?
Closing costs are typically paid at the end of the homebuying process. Often, people overlook the closing cost that can become expensive. You can expect to pay closing costs in the range of 1.5 – 4 % of the selling price of your home. So, it’s important to include these costs when calculating how much mortgage you can afford.
Closing costs are one-time only expenses that may include:
Home Inspection Fee:
Getting a home inspection is not required. However, if you are buying a home, it may be a smart thing to consider. A home inspection can provide you with information about the state of the house. You may discover that you will have to spend money on repairs either in the short-term or long-term.
You also want to find out what recent repairs or renovations were completed. A home inspection can provide information about the: insulation; electrical work; and structure.
If the home inspection reveals costly defects, you can try to negotiate with the seller to make the repairs or reduce the selling price.
Property Taxes:
Homeowners in Canada must pay taxes to fund services such as police and fire, schools, public education, transit, parks and recreation, road maintenance, and many other services. And, property taxes are a major source of revenue for municipalities in Canada.
On top of your mortgage payments, you will have to pay property taxes. Most lenders will collect the property tax and this helps you to avoid a large and unexpected tax bill when your annual taxes are due. So, it’s important to factor your property taxes into your mortgage payments as well.
Legal Costs to Buy a Home:
These legal costs include fees for services that your real estate lawyer will do such as:
Conduct a title search
Review all legal documents
Review the Agreement of Purchase or Agreement of Sale (for condominiums)
Draft a title deed
Prepare the mortgage and registration fee
Calculate the land transfer fee.
Land Transfer Fee:
This is a tax that home buyers in most provinces must pay. And, It is usually based on the purchase price of the home.
Property Insurance
Since your lender has a large stake in your home, they will often require you to purchase insurance against fire and weather-related damage. It is also a good idea for you to purchase ‘contents’ insurance to protect your valuables.
Mortgage Life Insurance
This is special insurance coverage to cover the cost of your mortgage in the event of death or severe illness is available from most lenders.
Moving Costs:
Your moving costs will vary depending on whether you rent a truck and move your belongings yourself, or if your hire professional movers. If you hire movers, you can expect to pay a minimum of $1,000 depending on the weight of your belongings, travel distance, and even your moving date.
You can reduce your moving costs if you rent a truck, and kindly ask your friends and family to lend you a hand on moving day!
Utility Bills:
When you set up your utilities, you will be charged a deposit to hook up services and replace the previous owner’s name with your name on the bill.
Property taxes
Mortgage insurance
Maintenance fees (for condos)
Repairs (the roof for homeowners)
Landscaping and lawn care
Routine and general maintenance
Many potential homeowners overlook these additional costs, and they can quickly add up. So it’s important to include these costs when considering how much mortgage you can afford.
Key Takeaways from How Much Mortgage Can I Afford?
Know how much mortgage you can afford. Remember, this is different than how much mortgage you can get!
Overspending on your housing needs will mean you’ll have very little over after you pay your mortgage. And, this means you’ll have little room for other monthly expenses. This can create financial insecurity and stress.
Remember to add in other costs that are associated with buying a home. Before you know it, all of these costs can add up. So be sure to budget for the additional home buying expenses.
When you have a mortgage that’s within your financial means, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you can afford other expenses (especially unexpected expenses).
It’s important to manage all of the costs involved when buying a home. And, knowing how much mortgage you can afford can help you to make the best financial decision for you and your family.
Corinna Frattini is the content marketing strategist at Prepare for Canada and contributes articles related to working in Canada. With a background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.
Driving in Canada, or any new country can be stressful until you become familiar with the environment. Whether you’re moving to Canada or have recently arrived, it’s important to become familiar with the essentials of driving in Canada. From getting your driver’s license, to car safety this information will:
Help you understand provincial driver’s license requirements
Explain how you can get your driver’s license more quickly and reduce associated costs
Increase your confidence and safety when driving in Canada.
So here are 10 essential things to know about driving in Canada.
The process to get your driver’s license will vary by province. So, it’s a good idea to check with the province (links provided below) where you intend to live to find out the specific process to obtain your driving license and:
What identification you will need to provide (for example Confirmation of Permanent Residence Form or Permanent Residence Card)
What documents you will need to provide from your home country (such as your driving license extract).
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You can save time and money when you gather your required driving documents while you’re still in your home country. This will make it much easier to obtain your driver’s license when you arrive in Canada.
When you are in Canada, you must obtain your driving license from the province where you reside. If you obtain your license in one province and then move to another province you must get a valid license from the new province.
2.Canada has a Foreign License Exchange Agreement
You may be able to take advantage of the Foreign License Exchange privilege if you have a valid driving license from one of the following countries:
United States | Australia | Austria | Belgium | France | Germany | Ireland
Japan | South Korea | New Zealand | Switzerland | Taiwan | United Kingdom
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You can also use an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP allows licensed drivers from other countries to drive in Canada without testing or applications. However, an IDP is primarily useful for drivers who are visiting Canada.
Permanent residents can only use the IDP for a defined period of time. This usually varies from 60 – 90 days depending on the province. You must obtain an IDP from your home country.
When you take advantage of the Foreign License Exchange you can get your license quickly without testing.
3. You May be Eligible for Foreign Driving Experience Credits
You may be eligible for credits for previous driving experience if your country is not recognized in the foreign license exchange agreement. The driving credits will reduce the amount of time and cost it will take to get your full license in Canada.
To apply for foreign driving experience credits you must:
Have proper documentation including a current license, proof of identification, and driver’s extract
Pass a vision test, written test, and one or two driving tests depending on the number of years of driving experience and documents that you have
Provide a Letter of Authentication as proof of your driving experience.
Be certain to research what documents you may require to get the driving credits you are eligible for. You can obtain this information from the provincial ministries of transportation (see section: Provincial and Territorial Ministries of Transportation).
4. You Must Meet the Minimum Requirements to Drive in Canada
While minimum requirements may vary by province, generally you must meet conditions related to:
Age you can drive (minimum age is 16 years in most provinces)
Medical health including physical, vision, and hearing requirements
Driver testing including written tests and in-car driving tests.
You can confirm the specific requirements by visiting the website of the Provincial Ministry of Transportation (see links below).
5. Canada has a Graduated Licensing System
The provinces use a graduated licensing system to ensure that drivers have the skills and knowledge to drive safely. The system has three levels:
G1 is a learner’s permit
G2 is a probationary license
G is a full license
To move from a G1 license to a full G license can take up to 2 years. But, you have 5 years to get your G license from the day you pass your G1 test. So take advantage of the foreign license exchange if you can, or obtain foreign driver experience credits to reduce the amount of time and cost to get a full G license.
6. You Must Have Car Insurance to Drive in Canada
Every province and territory in Canada requires drivers to have car insurance. It is illegal to drive in Canada without car insurance and you can face serious penalties that include:
Fines from $5,000 – $25,000 for a first conviction
Fines from $10,000 – $50,000 for a second conviction
Suspension of your driver’s license
Seizure or impoundment of your car for up to three months.
The minimum requirements for car insurance also vary in each province. So it’s important to know what insurance you must carry to drive a car. You can get more information about what car insurance you require from the provincial ministry of transportation websites.
While car insurance can be expensive, it is a legal must-have if you want to drive with peace of mind and protect the safety of yourself and others. Also, many companies want your business, so you can shop around to get the best insurance rates which will save you money.
7. Driving Laws and Rules Vary in Each Province
While the rules of the road in most provinces are similar, there may be slight differences. You can research the driving rules before you arrive to avoid facing tickets and penalties. As well, this can reduce the stress of driving in a new country and prevent accidents.
It’s a good idea to become familiar with the driving laws in the province where you intend to get your driver’s license. This will ensure that you know the rules of the road in that province.
If you are obtaining your driver’s license for the first time, you may want to consider taking driving lessons from a recognized driving school. When you take driving lessons, you can also lower your insurance rates. When you complete driving lessons, it shows insurance companies that you have received professional training and can drive safely. In turn, they will reward you with lower insurance rates. Click here for government-approved driving schools in Ontario.
8. Driving Conditions Vary in Canada
Driving conditions vary in Canada depending on the season. So you’ll need to prepare your car for both summer and winter driving conditions. Your car may be equipped with all-season tires. But if not, you will have to put on winter tires to prepare to drive when there is snow, ice, and freezing temperatures.
It’s also helpful to prepare for winter conditions and carry additional provisions in your car such as:
Ice scraper/brush to remove snow and ice before you drive
Snow shovel
Jumper cables
Blankets and extra hats and gloves.
9. You Must Have a Child Car Safety Seat When Driving with Children
In Canada, all children must be in a child car safety seat from the time they are born until they meet age, height, and weight restrictions. There are four stages of child car safety seats that include:
Rear-facing infant seats
2. Forward-facing child car seats
3. Booster seats for children who weigh 18 kg (40 lb)
4. Seat belts for children who have outgrown their booster seats.
It’s important to know which seat is required for your child and how to install a safety seat correctly. To ensure the safe use of car seats check out these child car seat safety resources.
Operating and maintaining a car in Canada can be expensive. From regular maintenance to annual car insurance the costs add up very quickly.
However, if you need a car, you can choose between a car loan or a car lease. Or, you can pay cash if you readily have the amount for the car cost. However, most people will either get a car loan or lease a car.
Whether you finance a car through a loan or a lease, there are important differences to know and understand. So it’s important to carefully consider each option to help you make the choice that’s right for you.
This is a general overview of what you need to know about driving in Canada. With additional research and driving tools, you’ll be on your way to driving with confidence and safety. To get more information about the specific driving requirements in each province or territory visit the websites below.
Corinna Frattini is the content marketing strategist at Prepare for Canada and contributes articles related to working in Canada. With a background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.
Maintaining a good credit report in Canada is very important. So do you know how to maintain a good credit report in Canada? We’ll share tips to help you maintain a healthy credit report after you have taken great care to build it. Because with a well-maintained credit report, you can save money and have more financial freedom.
The financial decisions you make when you arrive in Canada can have a huge impact on your credit history. And, the concept of credit can sometimes lead to a debate about how it can help, or hurt you when you are building your credit history.
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On one hand, credit can be a fantastic tool to help you:
On the other hand, if poorly managed, credit can haunt you for many years and make you miss out on financial opportunities. Creditors can run a credit check on you to assess if you are a low-risk or a high-risk borrower. And, they will decide to grant or deny you a loan or charge you a higher interest rate.
How Your Credit History is Used in Canada
Your credit history is based on how you pay your bills. For example, do you consistently pay:
on time
in full
the minimum amount due, or
after the due date.
Missing payments can really damage your credit score and make it difficult to get approved for a credit card or a future loan such as a car loan, or mortgage.
Based on your history, landlords may deny you housing. In addition, some employers may conduct a credit check before they hire you. For example, if you are applying for a job that involves access to money or sensitive financial information, an employer will want a credit check to minimize the risk of theft or fraud.
Your credit history speaks volumes to lenders about what kind of risks they take when they agree to lend you money. It takes a long time to build a credit history. Yet, it’s very easy to sabotage and it takes even longer to rebuild.
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So, can you do without credit? Yes. But, should you try to do without it? No. Because without credit, it will be difficult to improve your living standards, at the very least, not as quickly as you would like. And, when it comes to making major purchases such as buying your first home in Canada, a strong credit report is essential.
What is a Good Credit Score?
Your credit score can fall between a range of 300 – 900. Generally, and depending on the credit score model that your financial institute is using a good score is greater than 680. As a benchmark, to get a mortgage to buy a house in Canada, you need a credit score between 600 – 700. If your credit score is lower than 600, you will want to take steps to increase your credit score.
What’s in Your Credit Report?
Credit reporting agencies such as Equifax and TransUnion Canada record your credit history. Your credit report will contain information on your:
loans
credit accounts
certain bills (for example, outstanding cell phone bills can be listed on your credit report)
collections items (for example, if an outstanding debt is sent to a collections agency), and
legal items (for example, if a court order is issued against you for an outstanding debt).
Collections items stay on your credit report for six years; legal items, for ten years. So it’s critical to practice good financial habits so you don’t jeopardize your credit.
Tip 1: Take Advantage of Your Fresh Start in Canada to Build a Good Credit History
Get a credit card or two, and use them, but use them sensibly. It’s best to start with only one until you are financially comfortable enough to afford more. Pay off your balance each month, to show potential lenders your reliability.
Paying in full each month will also reduce the amount of interest you pay. And with the average credit card interest rate at approximately 19%, any balance on your credit card can become very expensive.
Using your credit card for cash advances is even more expensive. Typically, the interest rate is higher and you pay interest from the date of the cash advance. There is no grace period like there is for a regular credit card purchase.
Tip 2: Read the Small Print on Cancellation Fees and Penalties
On top of paying your monthly bills and loan installments on time, you need to be careful when you sign up for services such as cable, telephone, internet, gym subscriptions, and other monthly subscriptions. Check the cancellation fees and deadlines when you sign up for such services. Otherwise, these fees can be high.
Be sure to ask questions about your contract if there is anything that you do not clearly understand.
Tip 3: Keep Track of Your Utility Changes
When you move, don’t forget to cancel or transfer your services and utilities. Because, sometimes final bills end up in collections out of sheer neglect, and from collections, they land on your credit report for the next six years. Always keep track when you make such changes, by recording the date, the names of the agents you speak to, and your case number. Or, if you are given a receipt, be sure to hang on to it to prove that you cancelled the service.
Tip 4: Negotiate a Payment Schedule if You Hit a Rough Patch
If you hit a rough patch, such as an extended period of unemployment, do not be complacent about your credit. Call your creditors and negotiate your monthly payments. They will likely be willing to help you because sending outstanding accounts to collections would cost them more money. Cancel or suspend services you can do without, rather than have the bills rack up.
Tip 5: Use Services to Track Your Own Credit History and Maintain a Good Credit Report
Most banks including Scotiabank offer account holders this facility. Alternatively, use free services like Credit Karma to monitor your credit. If you notice outstanding payments that you have paid off on your report you should inform the reporting agency in writing so that this may be removed.
Key Takeaway:
All in all, credit is a rather sensitive tool, but you will definitely need it. The key is to manage credit to your advantage. Even if some aspects seem confusing, keep in mind that it’s always easier to prevent credit damage than fix it later. And when you maintain a good credit report in Canada, you can gain many benefits and reduce your financial stress.
Corinna Frattini is the content marketing strategist at Prepare for Canada and contributes articles related to working in Canada. With a background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.
Your cover letter for a Canadian job will help employers notice you! And importantly, it can help determine whether or not a recruiter contacts you for an interview. While there is some debate over the need for a cover letter, it’s absolutely essential. Your cover letter format can help you to stand out among other candidates and give you a key advantage. With a cover letter for a Canadian job, hiring managers will notice a compelling story about your skills and achievements. On the other hand, a poorly written letter reflects a casual attitude that may affect your ability to land a job.
Often, newcomers spend much time and energy writing a strong resume but not enough time on writing a persuasive cover letter. This approach can often lead to nowhere. Without a compelling cover letter, it’s easy to get caught in a spiral of rejection from employers or settle for a job that isn’t well suited to you.
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While it can be time-consuming to write a letter that is worthy of notice, you’ll find that it’s time well spent. Many Canadian employers will agree that a great letter can make all the difference when selecting who they will interview. However, if the job posting clearly states that a cover letter is not required, you can avoid it. This will also show that you can follow instructions. So if you’re wondering if you need a cover letter to include with your resume the answer is yes!
It’s an important element when you apply for a job in Canada. A proper cover letter format allows you to share information about yourself that goes beyond what’s on your resume or CV.
A strong cover letter uses clear and concise language and states what is relevant to the job posting. It’s like a sales pitch to convince an employer that you are the right candidate for the position.
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The Cover Letter Format
While you can find many generic cover letter samples to use, it’s best to write your own cover letter. And tailor your letter to the specific job and company that you are applying to.
No doubt, tailoring a cover letter for each job is time-consuming. However, it’s time well spent.
Do your research to identify why you want to work at that company. Take the time to express it in every cover letter that you write. If you can’t express why you want to work for the company in your cover letter, you’ll struggle to answer that question in an interview. As well, thorough research will help you to identify if your past experience, career goals, and values align with that of the company and the position.
Your research will also help you to identify what you admire about the company. For example, has the company successfully expanded in the marketplace? Has the company won a coveted award? Or it is an industry leader in an area that you are passionate about?
Cover Letter Sample
This cover letter sample includes six main sections:
Tip You can create a personal LinkedIn profile URL that will look professional and current.
Section 2: Employer Contact Information
Include this address format for the employer:
Name of the contact (if you have it)
Title of the contact
Company name
Company address
Section 3: Salutation (or greeting)
If the job description mentions the name of the hiring manager, begin with Dear Ms. (or Mr.) followed by their surname. If you’re unsure of the person’s gender, it’s best to use Dear followed by their first and last names.
When the name of the hiring manager is not provided, you could try to find their name on the company website or through LinkedIn. Alternatively, it’s appropriate to use “Dear Hiring Manager” for the salutation. But, do make an effort to find a name. It’s that much more personal and your effort will show.
Avoid using “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam”.
Section 4: Introduction
A great cover letter format will grab the hiring manager’s eye with a compelling opening statement. Explain why you are interested in the position. Show that you want to work for that specific organization. Convey that you’re excited about the role. Employers love to hear that you’re excited about the company and that you have done your research.
Answer these questions:
Why do you want to work for this company?
What excites you about the opportunity?
Section 5: Body
Describe what you can offer the employer. Draw on your past experience and results that relate directly to the job. And help the reader to see why you’re the best candidate.
Make it easy for the reader to connect the dots. For example, your ability to speak multiple languages makes you an ideal candidate for a customer service role. Describe what makes you different from every other qualified applicant. Ideally, this section should be one to two paragraphs.
Answer these questions:
What challenges or pain points is the hiring manager or company facing?
How have you solved similar challenges in the past?
How are you qualified and why are you the right person to solve their challenges?
What are three to five qualities that you would bring to this employer or job? For example are you creative, collaborative, or innovative?
Asking yourself these questions will help you to build a foundation for your cover letter format and make it easier to write it.
There are many personality assessments that can help you to identify your strengths. For example, you can complete our free Drake P3® Assessment. Highlight the strengths that are directly related to the role and convey your passion.
To read more about discovering your strengths, check out this post: Self-Awareness is Key to Your Job Search. When you know your strengths, you show confidence in your unique ability to succeed in the role.
Section 6: Closing
This final section is more than just closing your letter. It’s about opening the door to further contact. This is where you state what your next action will be. For example, you could state that you will phone or email the reader to follow up or arrange a time to meet.
It’s also a great opportunity to express your genuine excitement for the role along with your initiative.
Cover Letter for a Canadian Job | Do’s and Dont’s
Do:
Research the company before you write your cover letter
Grab the reader’s attention within the first few sentences
Personalize your letter for each job you apply for
Explain how you can help the company achieve its goals
Be concise and clear
Keep your letter to a half-page or two-thirds of a page to keep the reader’s attention
Proofread your letter to avoid spelling and grammar errors.
Don’t:
Use a generic cover letter
Repeat what’s on your resume
Cut and paste the job description into your cover letter
Provide unnecessary details (i.e. recent struggles, or why you were laid off from a job).
Writing a great cover letter for a Canadian job is a time-consuming process, but the reward it pays is worth your effort. As a result, a well-written cover letter will pave the way for more job interviews and give you a greater chance to secure a job in Canada that’s perfect for you!
For more helpful information, free resources, and tools to help you resume your career in Canada, visit our Finding a Job in Canada resource page. Get the help you need to achieve your career goals!
Corinna Frattini is the content marketing strategist at Prepare for Canada and contributes articles related to working in Canada. With a background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.
