When people think of immigration, Canada is generally one of the first countries they think of. This comes as no surprise because of the several factors Canada has or does that puts it above wanting to immigrate anywhere else.
For one, Canada is one of the only countries that has paid maternity and paternity leave. They are also highly rated when it comes to their education and healthcare system.
Are you one of those people thinking of moving to Canada? Then let’s have a look at the cost of living in Canada in 2022.
How Affordable is Canada?
Cost of Rent in Canada
The main thing to keep in mind when looking at the affordability in Canada is that all the provinces and territories have different ranges. This means that regardless of what you’re earning, you are bound to find something in your range.
Below are considered some of the more affordable cities in Canada to rent a one or two-bedroom apartment.
Affordable Cities in Canada |
||
| City | One-bedroom per month | Two-bedroom per month |
| St John’s | $810 | $890 |
| Saskatoon | $830 | $1,010 |
| Regina | $860 | $1,080 |
| Quebec | $880 | $1,110 |
| Edmonton | $910 | $1,200 |
| Abbotsford | $950 | $1,080 |
| Winnipeg | $970 | $1,240 |
| London | $1,020 | $1,210 |
Cost of Public Transportation in Canada
No matter where you choose to live, the next important thing to do is calculate the cost of transport within the area as you’ll need to travel for work, perhaps school or entertainment.
Here are the monthly travel passes for a few of the cities in Canada. Please note that this monthly card allows you to travel an unlimited amount of times during the month.
| Monthly Travel Pass | |
| City | Monthly Pass CAD |
| Toronto | $156 |
| Ottawa | $122.3 |
| Calgary | $109 |
| Vancouver | $105 |
| Winnipeg | $102.5 |
| Edmonton | $100.71 |
| London | $96.68 |
| Kitchener | $90.64 |
| Victoria | $85.61 |
What is the cost of groceries in Canada?
The price of groceries is important, especially if you’ll be immigrating to Canada with your family as this will amount to how much money you’ll spend per month and change your cost of living in Canada in 2022
| Average Grocery Costs in Canadian Cities (In CAD) | |||||||
| City | 1 Litre Milk | Fresh Bread | Dozen Eggs (12) | Cheese | Chicken Fillets (1kg) | Apples (1kg) | Total Cost |
| Toronto | 3 | $2.88 | $3.55 | $16.55 | $13.86 | $3.91 | $43.75 |
| Ottawa | 3 | $2.95 | $3.45 | $12.64 | $14.59 | $4.43 | $84.31 |
| Vancouver | 2 | $3.41 | $4.47 | $14.59 | $14.69 | $3.63 | $42.94 |
| Halifax | 2 | $2.89 | $3.86 | $11.12 | $14.27 | $5.86 | $40.32 |
| Calgary | 2 | $2.47 | $3.53 | $13.34 | $13.41 | $4.55 | $37.30 |
| Winnipeg | 2 | $2.36 | $3.40 | $11.37 | $14.80 | $3.80 | $82.63 |
How Can I Immigrate to Canada?
Canada has over 100 visas and immigration programs that create a pathway for you to move to Canada. There are several ways you can come to Canada as a permanent resident. They are as follows:
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Express Entry
Express Entry is an online immigration system that allows foreign skilled workers to immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident. This is achieved through the three programs managed by Express Entry.
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP);
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP); and
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Express Entry is highly favored by foreign nationals because of how quick the processing times are, as quick as six months. You can also earn a higher Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score by applying with your spouse or common-law partner. The higher you score, the better the chance of you receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Receiving an ITA means that you may apply for permanent residency.
Canada’s Express Entry applicants are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). To enter an Express Entry draw, you’ll need a profile containing information about your:
- Age;
- Language abilities (English and/or French;
- Work experience;
- Education/Qualifications
- Job offer (if applicable);
- Provincial Nominations (if applicable); and
- Ability to settle in Canada
Your profile will then be scored and will be entered into a draw pool with other applicants, and if you have one of the highest CRS scores, you’ll get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in Canada.
Let’s take a closer look at the three federal Express Entry programs.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) helps highly skilled and experienced workers get permanent residence in Canada. The FSWP has a “pre-scoring system” that requires applicants to score at least 67 out of a possible 100 points before they can receive their CRS score.
- At least 1 year of skilled work experience in a managerial, professional, or technical/skilled trade job (skill level 0, A, or B)
- Language skills in English/French – CLB/NCLC 7
- Have a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian high school or post-secondary institution or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) of your foreign education
- Proof of funds to show you can support yourself and your family
- Be admissible to Canada
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Canada’s Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP) helps skilled and experienced trade workers get permanent residence in Canada. To qualify to apply through this Express Entry Program, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
- Meet the required language abilities in:
- reading & writing – CLB/NCLC 4
- listening & speaking – CLB 5
- Have at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or part-time equivalent) in a skilled trade within the last 5 years
- Meet the job requirements for your skilled trade
- Have a:
- valid job offer of full-time employment for at least 1 year, or
- certificate of qualification in your skilled trade from a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority
You will also need to have experience or currently be employed in one of the following trades to qualify for the FSTP:
- Industrial, electrical, and construction trades
- Maintenance and equipment operation trades
- Supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture, and related production
- Processing, manufacturing, and utilities supervisors and central control operators
- Chefs and cooks
- Butchers and bakers
The Canadian Experience Class
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) helps skilled workers who have at least one year of Canadian work experience, in the last three years, apply for permanent residency. To qualify you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
- Meet the required language levels needed for your job for each language ability
- Canadian Language Benchmark 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs or
- Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for NOC B jobs
- You’ll need language test results for:
- writing
- reading
- listening
- speaking
- have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada, in the last 3 years before you apply – you can meet this in a few different ways:
- full-time at 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full-time (1,560 hours) equal amount in part-time work: for example 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
- You can work as many part-time jobs as you need to meet this requirement.
- full-time work at more than 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months at more than 1 job = 1-year full time (1,560 hours)
- full-time at 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full-time (1,560 hours) equal amount in part-time work: for example 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
- have gained your work experience by working in Canada while under temporary resident status with authorization to work
- Be admissible to Canada
2. Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program was designed to help strengthen the economies of Canadian provinces and territories by providing a pathway for foreign skilled workers to immigrate to a particular province.
You have two options when applying for a nomination. They are as follows:
- Expression of Interest – you can express interest in a particular province or territory. This enables the province to select your profile directly from the Express Entry draw pool and send you a nomination. This is if you possess the skills and experience that they need; or
- Apply through a Provincial Nominee Express Entry Stream – Almost every province and territory in Canada has an Express Entry stream that has a list of in-demand jobs.
Good to know!
It’s always good to apply to a province or territory where your job or skill is in-demand as this will
only increase your chances of receiving a provincial nomination.
3. Community and Region Driven Programs
There are various programs aimed at helping to develop and support smaller communities and regions in Canada. Two, in particular, have already helped thousands of newcomers make their way to Atlantic Canada as well as various rural regions in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. These two programs are the Atlantic Immigration Program and The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.
Atlantic Immigration Program
Are you dreaming of a life removed from the hustle and bustle of big city centres, yet still with the same quality of life and job opportunities? Atlantic Canada may be the destination for you! And to make it just that much easier to get there, the Canadian government has created The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
Originally a temporary pilot program, the AIP has recently been made a permanent immigration program due to its huge success. To qualify, you will need to meet
- Have a high school certificate
- Have a valid job offer in one of the 4 Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island
- Meet language requirements (minimum CLB 4)
- Have enough settlement funds; and
- Have graduated from a publicly-funded learning institution in the Atlantic region (minimum 2-year program).
Rural & Northern Immigration Program
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot helps skilled immigrant workers get permanent residency while assisting smaller communities in Canada to fill gaps in the labour market. The following communities are participating in the pilot programs:
- North Bay, Ontario
- Sudbury, Ontario
- Timmins, Ontario
- Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
- Thunder Bay, Ontario
- Brandon, Manitoba
- Altona/Rhineland, Manitoba
- Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
- Claresholm, Alberta
- Vernon, British Columbia
- West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), British Columbia
To qualify for the RNIP, you will need to meet the following requirements:
- have at least 1 year of relevant work experience or have graduated from a publicly-funded post-secondary institution in a participating community
- meet or exceed the minimum language requirements
- NOC 0 and A: CLB/NCLC 6
- NOC B: CLB/NCLC 5
- NOC C and D: CLB/NCLC 4
- Meet the required educational requirements
- have a Canadian high school diploma or post-secondary qualification; or
- have an educational credential assessment (ECA) of your foreign credential
- prove you have enough money to support your transition into the community
- intend to live in the community
- meet community-specific requirements
4. Occupation-Driven Programs
Canada has two main sectors that are hugely in-demand of skilled talent: the agricultural, care provider, and tech sectors. Each industry has various programs that help skilled workers immigrate to Canada in their area of expertise.
Agri-Food Pilot
The Agri-food Pilot was created to help boost the agricultural sector, which is in great need of skilled workers in the following specialized areas:
- meat product manufacturing
- greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production, including mushroom production
- animal production, excluding aquaculture
- cattle ranching and farming
- hog and pig farming
- poultry and egg production
- sheep and goat farming
- other animal production
To qualify, you’ll need to:
- have at least 1 year of non-seasonal full-time work experience in the last 3 years through a Temporary Foreign Worker Program
- have a permanent full-time job offer in a qualifying occupation
- meet the language requirements – CLB4
- have a Canadian high school diploma or an ECA if you have a foreign qualification
- enough money to settle in Canada
- have maintained your temporary resident status (if already in Canada)
Home Care Provider Pilot
The Home Care Provider Programs are a gateway to permanent residency for both home care and childcare providers. There are two separate programs to apply through:
The Homecare Support Worker Pilot helps support workers get permanent residency in Canada. There are 2,750 spots available for 2022 through this pilot.
The Homecare Child Care Provider Pilot helps childcare workers get permanent residency in Canada. The program will be open for
If you have more than 24 months of full-time work experience you could qualify to apply directly for permanent residency, and your family can join you too. To qualify you will need to meet the following requirements:
- have at least 24 months of work experience in the last 36 months
- meet the language level – CLB 5 in English or NLCL5 in French
- at least 1 year of post-secondary education (ECA is required if obtained outside Canada)
- be admissible to Canada.
If you have less than 24 months of experience you will need to apply for a work permit with your permanent residency application. If successful, you will get an employer-specific work permit and once you have at least 24 months of work experience you will qualify for permanent residence.
5. Business Immigration: Start-up Visa Program
For those looking to start a new or invest in an existing business venture in Canada, the Start-up Visa Program is ideal. You will need to meet various requirements to qualify for this program:
- Have a letter of support from a designated organisation;
- Have at least 10% voting rights;
- Have more than 50% attached to outstanding shares (with the designated organization);
- Play an active role in the running of your business;
- Be located in Canada;
- Meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5;
- Have enough settlement money to support yourself and your family.
There are also various provincial entrepreneur programs that offer permanent residency to applicants looking to bring their business to a particular province or territory in Canada.
What is the Cost of Moving to Canada in 2022?
Cost Of Immigration 2022
| Fee | Amount in CAD |
| Processing fee ($825) + right of PR ($500) | $1,325 |
| Include your spouse or partner | $825 |
| Include A dependent child | $225 per child |
| Biometrics – per person | $85 |
| Biometrics – per family (2 or more people) | $170 |
| Temporary resident permit – per person | $200 |
Living as an Immigrant in Canada
Canada is known as a place of diversity and multiculturalism for a reason. The country has over 250 ethnic origins or ancestries and over 200 languages can be heard spoken all over Canada.
Canada offers more than just a home, it offers safety, great healthcare and education. Even more, it’s the land of opportunity and new beginnings for everyone.
Did you know that Canada has over 500 immigrant-serving organizations across the country? Not only do they create several pathways for you to come to Canada but they also ensure that you have support when you do.
Now that you’re aware of the cost of living in Canada in 2022 and ways to immigrate. Check out which visa you qualify for today!
Move Forward With AG Group!
Take steps to secure your and your family’s future by moving to Canada! A student visa to Canada is one of the most critical steps one can take for a stable and guaranteed future life in Canada and is one of the most important life changing decisions one can make. For your and your family’s future, apply as soon as possible!
Immigrating to Canada is a lengthy and difficult process. It is natural to be confused if you are applying for a visa in Canada since it would be the first time you would have seen any such document and with 60+ visa programs it is natural to be confused which one is right for you. In order to smoothly complete your application, hire AG Group Enterprise Inc. We have been providing immigration help & advice for over a decade and have the skills and knowledge required to help you through the ordeal.
With AG group’s help, you can ensure a stable and secure future for you and your family.
