With its spectacular landscapes, renowned quality of life, and relatively open immigration policy, this North American country continues to attract hundreds of thousands of newcomers each year. Whether for studies, work, a new family life, or simply a change of scenery, Canada offers a safe, structured, and multicultural living environment.

Geography of Canada

Canada, located in North America, covers an area of 9,984,670 km². It is the second-largest country in the world after Russia. Comprising 10 provinces and 3 territories, it stretches from east to west from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, and northward to the Arctic Ocean. It shares a land border of nearly 9,000 km with the United States, making it the world's longest binational land border. Bordered by 3 oceans (Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic), Canada spans 6 time zones. The most populated provinces in Canada are Ontario, with Toronto as its provincial capital; Quebec, with Quebec City as its capital; British Columbia, with Victoria as its capital and Vancouver as its largest city; and Alberta, with Edmonton as its capital. The capital of the country is Ottawa in Ontario.

Democracy and official languages in Canada

Canada is a constitutional monarchy with a federal parliamentary system. It still recognizes the British monarchy (currently represented by King Charles III) through the symbolic role of the Governor General. However, the real political power is exercised by the Prime Minister and their government. The country is distinguished by a strong democratic tradition and a commitment to human rights. These elements make it a stable political environment, essential for expatriates seeking a peaceful and freedom-respecting place to live.

It is also a bilingual and multicultural nation, with English and French as the two official languages at the federal level. In reality, New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province. Quebec is officially French-speaking, but English is also used there. The other provinces are English-speaking. The decline of French outside Quebec has become a political issue. Ottawa bolstered the Official Languages Act in 2024, requiring bilingual services in regions with a French-speaking minority.

Read also Discover Quebec

Demographics of Canada

Among the various provinces listed, Ontario leads in population, with Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta following. Two-thirds of Canadians live in the south, near the border with the United States. In 2024, the population of Canada exceeded 40 million according to Statistics Canada. More than 80% of Canadians live in urban areas, primarily in the Greater Toronto Area, Greater Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary.

The median age of Canadians is about 41 years, and the country is facing an aging population. This demographic reality underscores the need to welcome immigrants to support the labor market and ensure generational renewal.

Politics in Canada

Since 2015, Justin Trudeau, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, has served as the 23rd Prime Minister of the country. In March 2025, he resigned after a decade in power. He was succeeded by Mark Carney, elected leader of the Liberal Party in March 2025. Under his leadership, early federal elections were scheduled for April 28, 2025, initially planned for October of the same year, to secure a more stable parliamentary majority against a minority government.

The Governor General of Canada, currently Mary Simon, is appointed by King Charles III on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Although her role is primarily ceremonial, she represents the Crown and embodies the formal executive authority. Her official residences, Rideau Hall in Ottawa and the Citadel of Quebec, remain important symbols of Canada's monarchical tradition.

The federal parliamentary system in Canada is rooted in the British democratic tradition and is based on a bicameral Parliament consisting of the House of Commons and the Senate. The House of Commons has 338 elected members, with a relative majority held by the Liberal Party, followed by the Conservatives and the New Democratic Party. The Senate, meanwhile, is composed of 105 members appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Its role is mainly advisory, with limited political influence.

Economy of Canada

Canada is a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the G7. It has a mixed market economy with a higher degree of government intervention than the United States, but less than most European countries. In 2024, Canada's gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at about 2.2 trillion US dollars. The unemployment rate, historically low in November 2018, remained at 5.8% in January 2025, despite challenges posed by trade tensions with the United States.

Major issues in 2025 include the energy transition, marked by the completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline project, as well as Canada's role in global leadership in artificial intelligence, notably during the G7 Summit in Paris in February 2025. The 2025 federal elections are also dominated by debates on the climate crisis. Health and housing issues remain central concerns.

Read also Temporary stay in Canada

History of Canada

The history of Canada dates back millennia before the arrival of Europeans, when the territory was inhabited by a multitude of Indigenous nations. These people, including the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, formed organized societies with unique languages, cultures, and political systems. Their relationships with the land, based on harmony and respect for nature, still influence today's discussions on the environment and Indigenous rights.

European exploration began in the 16th century with Jacques Cartier, sent by France in 1534 to explore the St. Lawrence River. The colony of New France took shape in the 17th century under the leadership of Samuel de Champlain, marking the beginning of a lasting European presence. However, conflicts between the French and British for control of the territory culminated in the British conquest in 1763, after the Seven Years' War. Canada then became a British colony.

After several political reforms and negotiations, the country achieved partial autonomy in 1867 with the creation of the Canadian Confederation, uniting four initial provinces: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The 20th century was marked by Canada's participation in both World Wars, economic growth, massive immigration, and the gradual recognition of Indigenous rights.

In 1982, Canada repatriated its Constitution and adopted the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Today, Canada is recognized for its stable democracy, institutional bilingualism, and open immigration policy. However, issues of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and debates on national identity remain at the heart of political and social news.

Climate of Canada

Situated mostly in northern latitudes, Canada is known for its long and harsh winters, particularly in the Prairie provinces, the North, and the interior of Quebec and Ontario. Winter temperatures can easily drop below -20°C, accompanied by heavy snowfall, especially in Winnipeg, Edmonton, or Quebec City.

However, coastal regions like Vancouver and Vancouver Island in British Columbia enjoy a milder oceanic climate, with little snow but abundant rainfall during the fall and winter.

Conversely, some parts of southern Ontario, around Toronto, benefit from a humid continental climate with cold winters but less extreme, and hot summers that can reach 30°C.

Canada experiences four distinct seasons, each with its own characteristics: spring is often brief but eagerly awaited after winter, summer is bright, warm, and pleasant in most populated regions, while autumn is famous for its flamboyant landscapes thanks to maples turning red and orange.

Northern Canada, on the other hand, endures an Arctic climate, with freezing temperatures almost year-round and near-permanent summer daylight (midnight sun phenomenon). Climate change is also affecting the country, causing rising average temperatures, accelerated glacier melting, and an increase in extreme weather events. For expatriates, being well-prepared for the climate, especially in terms of clothing and housing, is essential for enjoying this new Canadian adventure.

Read also Discover Toronto

Immigration to Canada

Canada continues to position itself as a preferred destination for immigrants worldwide, with population growth largely supported by immigration. In 2024, the country welcomed a record number of 483,591 new permanent residents, a figure not seen since the 1970s! This dynamic is also accompanied by a strong presence of non-permanent residents, such as international students and temporary workers, who accounted for about 7.3% of the total population at the beginning of 2025. The Canadian government adjusts its immigration plan annually.

For 2025, the plan anticipates the admission of nearly 395,000 new permanent immigrants, marking a slight decrease from previous projections, but with a significant focus on candidates already in Canada, who are expected to represent about 40% of admissions.

International students play a crucial role in this migration strategy. In 2024, over 300,000 new study permits were issued, attracting young talent from around the world and helping to fill the need for skilled labor in several key sectors.

Quebec, in particular, continues to promote the integration of foreign graduates through its Quebec Experience Program, which is expected to allow for the admission of 13,500 to 15,000 new residents in 2025. Meanwhile, temporary workers, who hold jobs in fields as varied as healthcare, agriculture, or technology, represent a significant portion of the foreign workforce, with nearly 370,000 permits issued in 2025.

Read also Study in Quebec

Multiculturalism remains a fundamental pillar of Canadian identity, enshrined in the Multiculturalism Act of 1988. This policy aims to promote harmony among diverse cultural communities while combating discrimination. The federal government actively supports multilingual services, community programs, and initiatives against systemic racism. Large Indo-Canadian, Chinese, and Filipino communities enrich Canadian society.

The cuisine in cities reflects this cultural diversity with specialty grocery stores and restaurants offering halal, Jamaican, or Korean cuisines. On the religious front, Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh communities are experiencing significant growth. Linguistically, languages like Punjabi and Mandarin now have more speakers than French outside Quebec.

Read also Diversity and Inclusion in Canada

Challenges in Canada

The shortage of affordable housing is undeniable. The government has allocated a fund of 15 billion dollars to accelerate housing construction, but inflation and rising mortgage rates still hinder property access.

Economically, although the employment rate of recent immigrants is relatively high, significant wage gaps persist compared to natives.

Moreover, the geographical distribution of new arrivals remains uneven: Alberta and Ontario welcome about 60% of migrants, while Atlantic provinces are developing targeted programs to attract and retain talent.

Some key figures on Canada

The best-rated Canadian cities internationally

Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary
("2025 World's Best Cities", Resonance Consultancy)

The Canadian political system

Federal parliamentary monarchy

Prime Minister of Canada: Mark Carney

Currency: the Canadian dollar
1 euro ≈ 1.50 CAD (approximate rate in January 2025) (Forbes)

The population of Canada

41 million (Statistics Canada, 2024)

The proportion of foreigners in Canada's total population

23% (2021 Population Census) (Statistics Canada)

The number of Francophones in Canada

• Canada has ~37 million inhabitants, of which 22.0% are Francophones (first official language).
• 84.1% of Francophones live in Quebec.
• ~1 million Francophones outside Quebec.
• ~10.7 million Canadians can converse in French.

(Canada.ca)

Life expectancy in Canada

80 years for men, 84 years for women (Statistics Canada)

Canada in the happiness ranking

18th country out of 147 ("2025World Happiness Report")

Human Development Index (HDI) in Canada

18th country out of 193 ("Human Development Reports", United Nations)

Unemployment rate in Canada

6.8% (November 2024) (Statistics Canada)

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