Living in Canada makes complete sense. Canada is safe, politically stable and growing economically. It’s a First World Country, with all that entails, and offers career opportunities a plenty. They're particularly fond of migrants and they are ever so welcoming of diversity. We know that you know what to expect when you emigrate to Canada, but there are a few other great reasons to make the move.
We took a look at what people really liked about Canada; besides the usual reasons.
You can leave your tin of Lyles Golden Syrup back home
Canada is home to the real deal, the best of the best, the most authentic, yummiest syrup in the world; maple syrup. We are not exaggerating here. Canada is responsible for producing over 80 percent of the world's maple syrup. Maple syrup is so popular that the maple tree is known as the national tree in Canada.
You are not going to work your fingers to the bone in Canada
Canadians respect the sanctity of a healthy work / life balance which is why the country continually scores exceptionally well when residents are asked about how happy they are with their work and their lives. Canadian workers rarely go into overtime working around 36 to 40 hours a week.
As is the case back home, most employers are happy to give you two-weeks of paid vacation – this is not common practice all over the world.
Canada is known for really, really good chocolate
Canada is known for their authentic chocolate and that is with the help of a company by the name of Purdy's Chocolates. Purdy's Chocolates was founded in 1907 and it is made of 100% sustainable cocoa.
Legend has it that once you’ve tasted Purdy's Chocolates, nothing else will do.
Canadians are notoriously polite
Who doesn't like politeness? It makes us feel at home. At a young age we are taught to greet everyone, say please and thank you, to never stare and to always remember our table manners. We are taught to smile and be welcoming and give up our seats to the elderly. The Canadians are even more polite – all of them. They just really hate rocking the boat or upsetting someone.
There’s no price on your health
Canada has one of the world’s most progressive health care systems. Anyone with Canadian Residency or Citizenship has access to free healthcare. The country even offers great maternity and even paternity leave for its employees. Besides being free it is also one of the best health care systems in the world. It is currently ranked either 5th or 9th (depending on who you ask) in the world.
You can still buy and braai your ostrich steak
Like South Africa, Canadians don’t mind eating meat other than chicken or beef. You are likely to find all kinds of meet including ostrich and goat at Canadian supermarkets.
Winters are fun
Get ready for winter to be way colder but much more enjoyable than anything you’ve ever known before. Canadians fully embrace the cold weather and instead of being cooped up inside all day will get out and have fun in the snow. The winter really brings the Canadian community together. Canada experiences a white Christmas – just like we see on Christmas cards – and last year the country was voted “The Most Christmassy Country in the World”!
Canada keeps things really clean
Canada keeps their cities and overall country very clean. It’s so clean that it is rumored that when film directors film in Canadian cities, which are supposed to resemble New York, for example, they have to make prop garbage to make street scenes look more realistic.
On film, it’s a better America than America
Toronto is often (very often) used as the back drop for New York City movies and series. In fact so much filming takes place in Canada (acting to be America) that Toronto is colloquially known as ‘Hollywood North’!
- Good Will Hunting — known for its Boston setting, a lot actually filmed in Toronto.
- The Twilight Saga — supposed to be Washington, filmed in various U.S. locations, but the beautiful aerial shots? Yup, Canada.
- Brokeback Mountain — supposed to be in Wyoming, actually shot in majestic mountains of Alberta.
- Happy Gilmore — supposed to be Connecticut, actually shot in British Columbia.
- Superman — supposed to be in "Smallville," U.S.A., actually shot in Calgary and other locations in Alberta.
- My Big Fat Greek Wedding — supposed to be Chicago, actually shot in Toronto.
- The Incredible Hulk — supposed to be NYC, actually filmed in Toronto.
- American Psycho — supposed to be NYC, actually filmed in Toronto.
- Get Rich Or Die Tryin' — supposed to be NYC, actually filmed in Toronto.
- Serendipity — famous for its NYC setting, some parts actually shot in Toronto.
- How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days — supposed to be NYC, some scenes actually filmed in Toronto.
- Chicago — supposed to be ...Chicago..., actually filmed in Toronto.
- Suites, The Bold Type, Orphan Black, Arrow, 21 Jump Street, The X-Files and Fringe are all set in America but shot in; guess where… Canada!
Don’t worry you are only going to lose one public holiday
We all know how dear our 12 public holidays are to us and that, when well planned and stacked, we know we can sneak in a two week holiday by taking just two days actual leave… Well don’t worry, because Canada is generous about celebrating everything too. Canada has, at 11 public holidays, only one less day than SA.
Source: thetravel.com, Business Insider, Toronto Star, Wikipedia and BuzzFeed