Newcomers must understand Canada’s job market before and after arrival to make it easier to find a job. According to Statistics Canada’s latest labour force survey (August 2024), recent immigrants and students are the hardest hit by Canada’s job market slowdown.
However, unemployment rates for those born in Canada and immigrants who have been here for a while were basically unchanged in August.
This recent job market data continues a trend from July, showing that more recently arrived permanent residents are being affected by the slowing economy, which many economists partly blame on an oversupply of temporary foreign workers and international students.
Still, Derek Holt, Scotiabank’s Vice President and Head of Capital Markets Economics, says, “The country’s job market remains resilient!” According to Holt, Canada’s gain of 22,200 jobs in August was close to most estimates.
Canada’s healthcare sector added jobs in August.
Healthcare Sector Added Jobs in August
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The August unemployment rate increased from 6.4 percent in July to 6.6 percent in August. Again, said Holt, this was in line with expectations. Canada’s unemployment rate has risen from a low of 4.8 percent in July 2022.
Job market sectors that saw growth include:
Health care and social assistance
Educational services
Finance, insurance, real estate, and leasing.
However, there were job losses in the professional, scientific, and technical services, utilities, and natural resources sectors.
Job gains in August were mainly in Quebec and Alberta while Ontario lost 8,000 jobs.
Average hourly wages in Canada’s job market rose 5 percent from August 2023.
Job Market Wage Growth Continues
Despite the slowdown in hiring, Canadian workers continue to see rapid wage growth, and many have seen their earnings return to pre-pandemic purchasing power. In August, average hourly wages rose five percent to $36.15 from a year ago. However, wage growth for recent immigrants has been flat.
Full-time positions fell by 44,000, with part-time jobs up by 66,000. This, said Holt, reflects volatility in Canada’s job market more than anything else. For example, full-time jobs surged by 62,000 in July, while part-time jobs fell by 64,000.
Youth employment was flat. Meanwhile, the 25-plus age group gained 23,000 jobs, primarily among women (19,000), with men 25-plus gaining 4,000.
The number of unemployed people rose to 1.5 million in August, a 22.9 percent jump from August 2023.
Statistics Canada says the average hourly wage growth for immigrants who have settled in Canada since 2019 fell by 1.3 percent annually. However, more established immigrants saw their average hourly wages rise by 6.3 percent over the same time.
Canadian-born workers’ wages rose six percent over that period.
According to Holt, Canada’s wage growth has exceeded inflation since the beginning of the pandemic.
“The make-up pay argument is a load of horse pucks,” said Holt. “Wages are outpacing inflation and real wages are outpacing terrible productivity.”
He said this remains a cause for concern around inflation, which currently sits at 2.5 percent.
Wage growth remains elevated, which indicates sustained demand for workers
Brendan Bernard, Indeed Economist
While Canada’s population grew by 96,000 in August, the job market added 22,000 jobs.
According to Statistics Canada, the summertime unemployment rate for youths aged 15–24 was 16.7 percent. That’s the highest it has been since 2012 and higher than 12.9 percent in August 2023.
Youths continue to encounter the most significant job challenges.
The 15–24 unemployment rate has risen by 5.2 percent since July 2022.
Canada’s population grew by 96,000 in August.
Adult Employment Remained Stable
Black, Chinese and South Asian students faced considerably higher unemployment rates in the summer job market.
Black students had the highest unemployment rate, 29.5 percent, up 10.1 percent from the summer of 2023.
The unemployment rate for men 25 and older is up just 1.4 percent, and for women 25 and older, it’s up only 1.0 percent.
Economists attribute even this small rise in adult unemployment to the impact of non-permanent residents (temporary foreign workers, international students, and refugees) on the Canadian job market.
Job Market Has Mostly Avoided Layoffs
“Canada overshot on immigration,” said Holt, “with too much too fast relative to the ability of the country’s job market and infrastructure to absorb so much.”
In assessing the job market report, Royce Mendes, head of macro strategy at Desjardins, noted, “The only silver lining (in the report) was that rising joblessness continues to be driven by new entrants not finding work rather than existing workers losing their jobs.”
Canada is placing caps on the number of non-permanent temporary foreign workers and international studentsas the job market slows
Construction Labour Shortage Continues
The August unemployment numbers followed another interest rate cut by the Bank of Canada to 4.25 percent. This was the third cut in four months, and the Bank will likely make more cuts.
Economists say the goal of the interest rate cuts now seems to have shifted from fighting inflation to bolstering a slowing Canadian economy.
Labour shortages continue in several key sectors. A new Desjardins report finds that the ongoing labour shortage in the construction industry is the “primary constraint” stalling badly needed new housing starts.
Some Employers Have Reduced Hiring
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association says the industry needs more than one million additional residential construction workers to meet housing targets.
However, Matt Lundy in the Globe and Mail points out that some Canadian employers have cut back on hiring as interest rates remain high despite the recent cuts.
Also, the number of non-permanent immigrant job seekers remains strong as businesses and politicians wait for the recent government-imposed quotas on temporary foreign workers and international students to take effect.
Pay attention to changes in the Canadian job market when searching for a job.
Job Market Outlook for Fall 2024
For the remainder of 2024, newcomers should pay attention to job market trends that can affect their job search such as:
Rising unemployment
Decreasing tech jobs
Increasing wage growth.
“Wage growth remains elevated, which indicates sustained demand for workers,” said Indeed job site economist Brendon Bernard.
So far, the Canadian economy has not seen a wave of mass layoffs, which would increase the unemployment rate and weaken the need for workers. However, many sectors (health, education, construction, etc.) continue to hire, which is good news for newcomers arriving in Canada this year.
“This should give job seekers reason for cautious optimism,” said Bernard, who predicted that Canada will remain attractive to foreign job seekers.
Summary:
For newcomers seeking work, it’s vital to pay attention to changes in the Canadian job market. While Canada added 22,000 jobs in August, the unemployment rate at 6.6 percent has been slowly but steadily rising. Recent job market changes have made it hard for recent immigrants and youth seeking work, but employment has remained stable in the core 25-54 age group.
Canada has now put caps on temporary foreign workers and international students to shrink that non-permanent workforce demographic. Meanwhile, wage growth continues to outpace inflation, raising fears of higher inflation, which could impact job creation. Newcomers should pay attention to inflation and interest rates as these impact the Canadian job market.
Steve Tustin is the Editor for Rentals for Newcomers and a contributing editor for Prepare for Canada. He is also the former managing editor of Storeys.com and a former senior editor at the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star.
Finding accommodation in Canada can be challenging for newcomers and international students amid a rental housing crisis. While finding a short-term rental before you arrive is an important first step, the hard work is finding your first long-term rental.
Of course, researching the rental market before you arrive will help you compete in Canada’s tight, low-vacancy rental markets. Get a helpful overview of Canada’s rental market and tips to prepare for a successful housing search!
A recent 2024 National Rent Report from Rentals.ca showed that asking rents in Canada increased 9.3 percent year-over-year to an average of $2,188 in April.
Slower but steady rent increases are predicted throughout 2024 due to high demand and low supply. The demand stems from an influx of newcomers, and people who cannot enter the homeownership market despite falling prices and sales.
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The competition for rental units will get tighter as newcomers continue to arrive.
Rentals for Newcomers helps people avoid the headaches of searching for rentals in Canada.
How to Find Accommodation in Canadawith Rental for Newcomers
For help finding accommodation in Canada, many newcomers turn to Rentals for Newcomers (RFN).
Why has this site become so popular with newcomers seeking their first rental home in Canada?
Rentals for Newcomers help people avoid the headaches, heartaches, and expenses of their rental search by promoting landlords who value newcomers.
Registration is Free
For immigrants arriving in Canada’s competitive rental market, sites like Rentals for Newcomers are invaluable. Plus, it’s FREE, but you must create an account!
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Registering will allow you to interact with landlords behind the rental listings.
Watch the video and discover how Rentals for Newcomers can help you find accommodation in Canada.
Canada will welcome at least 485,000 permanent residents this year and 500,000 in 2025, mainly from India, the Philippines and China. The country hopes to land 485,000 newcomers in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025. Canada has also welcomed a record number of international students. However, it has recently imposed new restrictions.
Rental Demand Makes Finding Accommodation in Canada Difficult
“We have unprecedented levels of demand that are met by low vacancy,” says Jesse Greenwell, Head of Communications Culture and Inclusivity at Mainstreet Equity Corp., a leading real estate company for mid-market rentals in Western Canada.
“Everything is outpaced by the demand,” he said.
“Rentals For Newcomers is a great example of a partner agency,” said Mainstreet’s Greenwell, which can help prepare newcomers for Canada’s rental market.
Researching Canada’s Rental Housing Market
Newcomers looking to find accommodation in Canada need to research before and after arriving. Canadian landlords won’t rent to you before you land, but knowing the rental landscape can help you find your first home more quickly.
Rentals for Newcomers is a great place to research and find that rental.
How Rentals for Newcomers Can Help You Find Accommodation in Canada
In addition to hosting rental listings from across Canada, Rentals for Newcomers provides:
Information about the best neighbourhoods for renting in Canada’s most popular cities.
Current rental prices in Canada’s major rental markets (for example, a Toronto one-bedroom apartment rented for $2,459 in April 2024, while a one-bedroom in Saskatoon costs $1,215 monthly – a difference of $1,244).
Links to a monthly housing newsletter with the latest rental market trends and a comprehensive renter’s guide for newcomers.
Tips to impress Canadian landlords, avoid rental scams, rent without a credit history, and much more!
Dave Frattini, managing partner of Prepare for Canada and Rentals for Newcomers, says RFN is an invaluable tool to give you a head start to find a rental.
Newcomers must prepare to “sell themselves” as suitable tenants to landlords.
Prepare to Find Accommodation in Canada
“Vacancy rates in most cities across Canada are now hovering around 1.5 percent,” said Frattini, “meaning landlords have all the power in choosing the tenant they want. Searching for accommodation in Canada is more difficult than ever for newcomers.”
Frattini advises newcomers to prepare to find accommodation in Canada and:
Frattini emphasizes that when newcomers meet landlords “they need to prepare because landlords have the pick of the crop”.
Protect Yourself from Rental Scammers that Target Newcomers
Rentals for Newcomers also ensures that scam listings are not on its site to protect newcomers. The RFN site is part of the Rentsync rental technology software network, that verifies landlords.
“Importantly, our listings are well managed,” said Frattini. “It’s both technologically and manually driven. Rentsync knows the landlords that are listing on Rentals for Newcomers.”
Frattini added, “We educate our audience about scam alerts. Through Rentals for Newcomers’ blog posts, we update our audience about scams in the rental market.”
Summary
Finding accommodation in Canada remains challenging for newcomers searching for their first long-term rental. Renters face fierce rental demand and competition. Using Rentals for Newcomers can help you overcome hurdles with resources and tools to make your search easier and faster!
Steve Tustin is the Editor for Rentals for Newcomers and a contributing editor for Prepare for Canada. He is also the former managing editor of Storeys.com and a former senior editor at the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star.
However, finding an affordable, suitable long-term rental in many parts of Canada can now take up to two months.
According to a recent Rentals.ca report, that’s due to fierce competition and historic low vacancy rates amid a rental housing crisis.
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Short-term rentals are the most popular solution, and here’s what to know about how to find them:
Do Your Online Research Before You Arrive
Short-term rental operators rent their homes or rooms via companies such as Airbnb.
The bylaws that govern short-term rentals vary across Canada. For example, in Toronto, the initial short-term rental period is less than 28 consecutive days. So, check with the operator about the city’s bylaws and rules.
According to Statistics Canada, the short-term rental industry is thriving in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Ontario.
Montreal, Halifax, Toronto, Ottawa, Victoria, and Vancouver are the most popular Canadian cities for short-term rentals.
Arriving in Canada during the winter makes it easier to find a short-term rental when demand is lower.
When You Arrive Matters
There are busy and slower seasonsfor short-term rentals.
Generally, spring and summer (March to August) are busiest, and winter is the slowest.
However, many rentals are also event-driven, so be aware of large events in the city where you intend to land.
Prices and available rentals change based on demand (and supply). Booking well before you arrive will help you secure a rental and get the best deal.
A downtown location gives you access to public transit and other services while searching for a long-term rental.
Location Matters
If you know where you want to settle long-term within a specific city, it can be a strategic move to get a short-term rental in that area. That way, you can explore the neighbourhood and determine whether it is right for you and your family.
If you know where you will be working, a rental near your work can help you judge commuting times and costs.
A rental in or near a city’s downtown core allows you to look for your first long-term rental home in Canada and offers many benefits (though rental fees may be higher) such as access to:
Government services
Settlement agencies
Shopping
Healthcare
Employers
Public transit
Adjoining neighbourhoods.
Be sure to do plenty of research before you arrive. There are webinars, websites, and videos about neighbourhoods in most major Canadian cities. Pre-arrival settlement agencies can also offer guidance before you arrive in Canada.
A recent survey shows it can take renters two months to find a long-term rental.
Short-Term Rental Costs Vary
Short-term rental costs in major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary are higher than in mid-sized cities such as Hamilton, Regina, or Fredericton. That’s a fact. So, research many short-term rental websites (see below) to find the rental that fits your budget.
Consider this: a recent survey by Rentals.ca showed that it can take renters in Canada as long as two months to find a suitable, affordable rental.
Hopefully, that won’t be your experience.
Still, it’s vital to know that the Canadian long-term rental market is competitive, and vacancy rates are at historic lows in many cities popular with immigrants and students.
So, budget accordingly for your short-term rental. You could be there longer than you anticipated.
It’s also a smart strategy to follow rental housing trends and solutions in Canada before you arrive.
An Example of Short-Term Rental Costs
Short-term rental prices vary in cities and provinces.
However, a recent Ontario government short-term rental report showed that from January to April 2024, the average DAILY rental rate in the Greater Toronto Area was $114.32. That’s up 9.2 percent from the same months in 2023.
The average daily rate in the famous tourist region of Niagara was $194.44 for the same period.
According to the Ontario report, the average rental daily rate in Canada for that period was $159.88. That’s up 11.8 percent from 2023.
Remember, January to April is a slow season for demand for short-term rentals.
Keep track of your rental payments to build your credit history.
Maintain Rental Records in Canada
Once you arrive in Canada, most financial transactions, such as your short-term rental, can help to build your credit history. So, keep track of your rental payments, AND the addresses of your rental(s).
All legitimate short-term rental operators advertise and define their cancellation policy. Look for it and study it before you book your rental.
If the rental does not provide a policy, be suspicious and ask questions. For example, many operators have a 30-day cancellation policy with a full refund.
How Can You Find Short-Term Rentals in Canada?
Airbnb is a well-known and popular short-term rental site with a major presence in the rental market.
However, many others operate in Canada, and researching them is a smart strategy for newcomers.
Other popular sites include Sublet.com, VRBO, HomeAway, Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, FB Groups, HostelWorld, and many others you can search online.
When securing a short-term rental from Kijiji and Craigslist, immigrants to Canada and international students must remember that these are classified ad websites and historically home to rental scammers.
Do your homework before renting through either Kijiji or Craigslist and be careful when considering a listing on these sites.
Beware of rental scammers that are active on classified listing sites.
Beware of Short-Term Rental Scams
Unfortunately, newcomers and international students are the primary targets of short-term rental scammers.
Generally, scammers post their rental offers on well-known sites such as Facebook, Kijiji, and Craigslist. Classified sites are difficult to regulate, so they are popular with scam artists.
How to Protect Yourself from Scams
If the price sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a scam. Walk away.
2. You’re asked to wire cash. Any request for cash is a scam warning. Walk away.
3. You are unable to verify the address. Walk away.
4. The pictures of the rental don’t seem right or don’t match the price (meaning the property and the amenities are too impressive). Walk away.
5. You’re unable to reconnect with the rental host. Walk away.
6. You’re asked for too much personal information regarding banking and credit cards. Walk away.
If you get scammed, contact your Canadian bank (if you have opened an account) and credit card provider to see if you can stop payment. You can also report the scam to the local police.
Pre-arrival newcomers to Canada need to do their rental research.
Action Plan for Newcomers:
Use short-term rentals as a first step in your Canadian housing journey.
Remember that rental prices vary across Canada, and cities like Toronto and Vancouver have higher rates.
Research short-term rentals before you arrive and understand local bylaws.
Be on the lookout for rental scams.
Keep records of your rental payments to build credit history in Canada.
Work with pre-arrival settlement agencies before you book.
Steve Tustin is the Editor for Rentals for Newcomers and a contributing editor for Prepare for Canada. He is also the former managing editor of Storeys.com and a former senior editor at the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star.
*Prepare for Canada used no AI-generated content in the writing of this story, and all sources are cited and credited where possible.
Recently, Dave Frattini, Managing Partner of Prepare for Canada and Rentals for Newcomers, sat down with Robin Ingle, CEO of Ingle International Insurance, to discuss the importance of Travel Medical Health insurance for immigrants arriving in Canada.
In their discussion, Ingle, whose mother was an immigrant, explained the Canadian healthcare system, how Travel Medical Health insurance for immigrants works, and why it’s important for newcomers. He emphasized the social-based nature of Canada’s healthcare system and the need for newcomers to buy medical insurance to avoid unexpected expenses
Ingle is an acclaimed specialist in special risk insurance.
Myths About Healthcare in Canada
Ingle provided valuable insights for immigrants on Travel Medical Health insurance and why it’s important to understand coverage levels and policy information. This can help newcomers who do not have provincial health insurance when they first arrive avoid unexpected and high medical costs.
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Their discussion explains why newcomers to Canada (and international students) should prepare for healthcare and insurance costs before arriving in Canada. Ingle also dispelled myths about Travel Medical Health insurance.
Watch the video for an overview of the importance of travel medical health insurance.
PfC:You’ve been helping newcomers with insurance for over 50 years. Can you share your company’s history and why you’re passionate about it?
Robin Ingle (RI): I come from an immigrant family. Two hundred years ago, my father’s family moved from Pennsylvania to Canada, and my mother moved from Finland to Canada for a better life with her family. That’s how they met.
After World War II, when Canada started receiving an influx of immigrants, my parents focused on health insurance for newcomers. That was before there was a social health care system in Canada. They concentrated on helping people in the way that Prepare for Canada helps newcomers acclimate to Canada, find housing, and the biggest part, health insurance.
Today, we work worldwide. Providing services and coverage to new newcomers is in our DNA.
Emergency room visits can cost anywhere from $2,000 – $5,000.
PfC: Before we discuss the importance of insurance for newcomers, can you give an overview of the Canadian healthcare system and how it works?
RI: There are misunderstandings about the Canadian healthcare system. It is a social system, but it only applies to permanent residents in Canada who are part of a provincial government health insurance plan. If you do not have PR status, you’re considered a non-resident. If you are getting your permanent residency but haven’t applied for your provincial health plan, you’re considered a non-resident until you join the provincial plan.
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In Canada, the costs of healthcare services for non-residents are high. Visiting a clinic can cost anywhere between $100 and $200. Going to a hospital and emergency room can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000. If you have to stay in the hospital on an inpatient basis, it can be $3,000 or more per day.
Major hospitals charge $17,000 or more for a day’s stay in an intensive care unit. This is very expensive for people outside the provincial government health system.
An important thing that people need to understand is that healthcare providers in Canada are private. The provincial government is the biggest payer and manager of the government health system. A private doctor bills the government, and the government pays the largest portion of their bills (only a small amount of patients are non-residents). The government pays the physicians and the hospitals. So it’s a slightly different system than in the UK or Europe.
PfC: Why should newcomers buy Travel Medical Health insurance?
RI: The cost is not high. For example, for a family, you will pay insurance for three months. You might pay upwards of $500 for three months to cover the waiting period before you get onto a provincial health plan. That would cover inpatient hospitalization, outpatient care, and emergency visits to a clinic.
Most newcomers who have come through the immigration process are healthy, so the cost is reasonable and in line with the type of risk.
Travel Medical Health insurance can protect immigrants in the case of an accident.
PfC: You stated that newcomers don’t have provincial coverage until they obtain their health card. It’s important to stress that any medical incident can be costly without provincial or private healthcare.
RI: You need to be prepared. You pay a small amount for the coverage and know you and your family will be covered if something happens, like an accident.
A while ago, my sister fell and broke her hip and had to go to the hospital. That was an accident. You could get the flu, or a bee sting and need to go to the hospital because of an anaphylactic shock. Insurance covers hospital visits under these plans.
There may be a 48-hour waiting period for coverage if buying insurance after arriving in Canada.
PfC: When should newcomers purchase Travel Medical Insurance?
RI: People can purchase insurance before or after they arrive. However, depending on the coverage, there is a 48-hour waiting period when you arrive. This means you can’t claim for a sickness within 48 hours of buying it.
PfC: Who should purchase Travel Medical Health insurance?
RI: Newcomers do not want to begin their lives here with extra bills. Health insurance coverage is worth a small amount of money for anybody not covered under a provincial government health plan.
Also, Canadians returning from working, studying, or living outside Canada for more than 183 days must reapply for their provincial government health plan, depending on the province. And they have to wait up to three months to get that coverage. So insurance is not just for newcomers. It’s also for those who have been out of the system for some time.
PfC: Who is eligible for Travel Medical Health insurance?
RI: Anybody coming into Canada who is a non-resident, a newcomer, or anybody applying for permanent residency. Or anyone going through the immigration process as a refugee. Anybody in these categories considered a newcomer can apply.
First and second-generation Canadians who are already citizens often buy coverage when their families visit. They often don’t think about this because they’re now Canadian citizens. They don’t realize how much medical costs can be for visitors or grandparents visiting.
You also have new rules, like the Super Visa, where you can bring an older relative over for a period of time if you’re a new Canadian. So, you need Super Visa visitor insurance. You need a minimum coverage of $100,000 for 12 months. There are different categories, but anybody visiting who’s not covered should get coverage.
PfC: Are there groups that are not eligible for Travel Medical Health?
RI: There are no ineligible groups. If you do not have coverage under a provincial government plan, you should get it. And, if you have a pre-existing medical condition, you need to ask questions because the plans may not cover that medical condition.
If you’re (a visitor) taking medication for a pre-existing heart condition, for example, and go to the hospital and try to buy the coverage, you will not be eligible for most plans.
PfC: What should newcomers look for in a Travel Medical Health Insurance policy?
RI: Often, newcomers or Canadians bring relatives over and must buy visitor insurance or provide coverage before they enter a provincial health plan. They’ll buy the cheapest product, which means less coverage. I advise that they buy the mid-level coverage. With low coverage, you can get $100,000 or $50,000 worth, but that can disappear quickly. If you’re in the hospital for even a few days, it can cost $50,000, and the low-coverage insurance won’t cover anything else.
Choose between $350,000 and $500,000 worth of coverage. Make sure you’re covered for the full period you need. Ask for additional coverage if you need it.
Visitors to Canada Health Insurance is what newcomers should look for.
PfC: We’ve talked about “travel medical health insurance,” which often goes by different names. What should newcomers look for to ensure their travel medical health needs are covered?
RI: Here, it’s called Visitor to Canada insurance. Be sure you read the information provided and understand what is covered. Financial literacy is important, especially with insurance and financial products.
Ensure the insurance covers you and your family for doctor visits and hospitalization if needed. If you need medication for an emergency, ensure it is covered. For newcomers, that would be Super Visa insurance.
PfC: Could you expand on the difference between travel medical health insurance and travel insurance?
RI: Travel insurance in Canada draws a good distinction between the two.
Travel insurance in the Canadian market is traditionally for a Canadian citizen travelling outside of their home province in Canada. Travel insurance within Canada covers the difference between what the province and the insurance will cover. So, it’s a different level of coverage.
Also, when people leave their country of origin or their original country of residence, they often buy local coverage, which may not have the same level of coverage they will need in the Canadian market. So make sure you compare the products. We’ll provide background information if anybody has questions.
PfC: Can you explain the relationship between Ingle Insurance and Aha, your broker of choice for Prepare for Canada?
RI: Aha is a great property and casualty organization providing automobile, home, and business insurance access. We like how they do business, and we use their platform to compare products. We fit well because we have access to our products, and all major companies to get the right product to fit the individual’s needs. That makes a big difference. Plus, Aha provides information to help individuals understand what kind of coverage they need and how to get it. We do exactly the same thing.
Settling in an Ontario city can be expensive for newcomers and international students. However, cities in Ontario remain by far the most popular with immigrants to Canada, so let’s look at the 10 best Ontario cities to live in.
First, rent prices in Ontario cities, particularly those in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), are among the highest in the country, except for Vancouver.
The unemployment rate in Ontario in June was 6.8 percent, up from 0.3 percent from May. Nationally, it is 6.4 percent.
Ontario’s Quality of Life Matters to Newcomers
However, city life in Ontario, Canada’s largest and most populated province, is about more than rent prices. Quality of life and job opportunities are also crucial to newcomers when choosing the best city in Ontario to live in.
Recently, The Globe and Mail published research* listing the most livable cities in Canada for immigrants.
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The Globe, one of Canada’s premier news outlets, collected data from 439 Canadian cities with a population of at least 10,000 in partnership with Environics Analytics Group Ltd.
Criteria to Assess Best Cities in Ontario
ECONOMY: Jobs, earnings, taxes, and economic stability.
DEMOGRAPHICS: Population, stability, diversity, languages spoken.
HEALTHCARE: Ease of access and satisfaction with care.
SAFETY: Crime rates and feeling of safety.
EDUCATION: Residents’ academic qualifications and availability of schools and universities.
COMMUNITY: Social spaces, events, volunteering opportunities, and the sense of connection residents feel.
AMENITIES: Number of recreational places, shopping options, and other facilities, plus cannabis stores, gyms, movie theatres, and essential services such as childcare, grocery stores, libraries, and parks.
TRANSPORTATION: Public transit, ease of getting around, and proximity to airports and public transportation.
WEATHER: Extreme conditions, overall climate, humidity and coldness.
Housing was rated as one of THE most important concerns of newcomers to Canada. As the Globe pointed out:
“As housing costs have marched steadily upward in Canada, discussing real estate prices has become as common as chatting about the weather. And so often, the conversation about where to live focuses on one number: The cost of buying a home.”
Burlington is Ontario’s Most Livable City
Unsurprisingly, Globe research determined that Burlington, at the western end of the GTA, is Ontario’s most livable city (it was also ranked as the fifth most livable in Canada).
Burlington’s geographic location makes it the perfect commuter city. For work or play, people can travel by road or rail to Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, and the Niagara region.
While Burlington rent prices are not cheap, a one-bedroom apartment there is over $300 cheaper per month than in Toronto. Also, Burlington scored extremely high regarding amenities.
In a recent Point2 research study**, Burlington was rated as the top Ontario city among the country’s 10 best for juggling professional and personal life. According to the Point2 study, “Burlington enjoys a balanced mix of positive health perceptions, with 93 percent of its residents reporting high levels of life satisfaction.”
Steve Tustin is the Editor for Rentals for Newcomers and a contributing editor for Prepare for Canada. He is also the former managing editor of Storeys.com and a former senior editor at the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star.
*Prepare for Canada did not use AI-generated content in writing this story; all sources are cited and credited where possible.
