Population and Religion
People
The first settlers were Indians. From around the late 15th century, Europeans, initially English and French, settled the east coast.
There are many immigrants living in Canada. Many came from the USA, UK, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands. But also from Eastern Europe, Hungary, Ukraine, Poland, Croatia and Serbia. Today many immigrate from China.
Language
The country has English and French as its official languages, with American English being somewhat different from English in Great Britain. It is interesting that around 400,000 Canadians also speak German.
Language courses in English and French
Among the multitude of language courses, I recommend multimedia language courses because you learn very quickly with this method. The link below provides you with a professional language course with which you can learn English or French quickly and easily:
- American English language course
- French language course
Religion
About 44% of the population are Catholic and 29% are Protestants. The two largest Protestant denominations in Canada are the United Church of Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada.
In addition, around 1.7% are Muslims, 1.1% Jews, 1% Buddhists and Hindus, and around 0.3% Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is estimated that about 16.5% of Canada’s population is non-religious.
School and education
There is no single national education system in Canada. The provinces and territories themselves are responsible for the school system. This means that there is a difference between the school entry age (5 or 6 years) and the duration of primary school (6 or 7 years). Attending school is free of charge.
The secondary level comprises a three-year junior high school (lower secondary level) and a two- to four-year senior high school (upper secondary level). There are exams only in senior high school. The diploma depends on the assessment points achieved.
About 2% of the private schools that are subject to a fee are church-owned, which are attended by about 10% of the students. The level of achievement in private schools is higher than in public schools.
The tuition fees at over 80 universities are different. The universities award Bachelor, Master and Ph.D. degrees. The Indians have had their own since 2003. It is located in Regina, the capital of the province of Saskatchewan. The university is the First Nations University of Canada.
Landscapes and Vegetation
Canada is covered by 70% wilderness. A small part of it is still primeval forest. There is almost no fertile soil north of the tree line.
The vegetation of the southernmost areas of the tundra consists of brush, grass and sedge.
One of the largest coniferous forest areas in the world stretches from Alaska to Newfoundland, i.e. south of the tree line.
In the east there are mainly mixed forests with beech, birch, pine, hemlock and sugar maple.
The lowlands in the south are covered with deciduous forests. For example, hickory trees, oaks and elms, chestnuts, maples and walnut trees grow here.
In the western mountain areas you can find mainly spruce and a certain type of pine and in the plateaus there are also trembling aspen and yellow pine.
On the rainy Pacific coast you will find dense forests with spruce, cedar and fir trees.
Animal species – fauna
Polar bears, walruses, whales and seals can be found in the waters of the Arctic.
Musk ox, caribou, arctic wolves and foxes and arctic hares live in the area of the tundra. Many migratory and sea birds spend the summer there.
Caribou, elk, lynx, black and brown bears live in the forests in the north. Every summer five billion different birds come to the forests. Including the cardinal, the wood warbler, the bald eagle and the mockingbird.
Further south one encounters elk, otters and weasels.
Smaller animals live in the prairie areas. These include prairie hares, pocket rats and the grouse, but also bison and pronghorn antelopes.
Bighorn sheep and mountain goats are native to the western mountains.
Mosquitoes and black flies live in very high densities in many lake areas.
Preparation and visit
Visitors to Canada who are citizens of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, France and other EU countries do not need a visa for entry, up to a stay of 6 months, only a valid passport. However, if you want to stay in Canada for more than 6 months, you will need a visa or an extension. An ETA (electronic travel authorization) has also been required since autumn 2016. You can easily apply for this from your home computer.
Immigration opportunities
In order to be able to emigrate to Canada, there are various options for obtaining a permanent residence permit and being able to settle down and work as a “permanent resident”.
Basically, it is important to know that there are many different immigration programs, some of which are under federal administration and some are under provincial administration. These programs can differ from each other. The categories shown here are simplified and are not intended to replace legal advice.
The easiest way is through Canadian relatives or spouses (Family Class Immigration) who act as guarantors. Among other things, the guarantor must have a regular income in order to be recognized by the authorities.
Another way is through the assertion of “humanitarian reasons”.
The other immigration categories require careful preparation. The grant is dependent on the degree of compliance with certain requirements (eg Sought professions, work experience, education and school attendance, language test, interview, level of planned investment in Canada), which – depending on immigration s required by Canada – class.
Employees who meet these requirements can apply for “ permanent resident ” in the “ Skilled Worker ” category. One must either have a shortage of Canadian occupation or demonstrate qualifications in the occupation that are urgently needed there. Finding a Canadian employer also plays an essential role.
An alternative to “permanent resident” (PR) can be via a (limited) work permit. That means working as a temporary worker in Canada and then (in good time) applying for PR (via Arranged Employment / Federal Skilled Worker Program or Canadian Experience Class or Provincial Nominee Program or Quebec Experience Class).
Language skills in English and / and French are increasingly classified as important. The immigration qualification is determined by a point system.
Business class immigration
Investors willing to invest at least CA $ 800,000 in a government fund will contribute to the prosperity of the community and secure jobs. This group of immigrants needs a business plan and is highly dependent on provincial conditions.
In addition, the following points are a prerequisite for being able to act as an investor:
- Net worth of CAD $ 1,600,000 or more
- a management position for at least two years
- Shareholder of the investment company
- Aptitude test must be passed with at least 35 points
Entrepreneur visa
In order to benefit from this visa, you have to prove that you have run a company yourself. It also requires 35 points on the aptitude test and a fortune of CAD $ 300,000.
