7 Things We Need To Change When Coming To Canada
There are so many sources of information on what to do before coming into Canada as an immigrant. But there are so few about what we need to change in us if we want to be successful in settling in the country. I have narrowed it down to seven. But before diving into them, a few refreshers.
Canada is now the top destination of immigrants
These are the top 5 countries where immigrants come from in 2022:
- India (118,095)
- China (31,815)
- Afghanistan (23,735)
- Nigeria (22,085)
- Philippines (22,070)
Why is Canada so very welcoming to immigrants?
On January 28, 2017, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump ridiculing and rejecting refugees from certain countries, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau fired off a tweet: “To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength.”
Lately, it was announced that Canada is planning to welcome over 465,000 new immigrants in the year 2023, 485,000 in 2024, and 500,000 in 2025.
In 2022 Canada admitted 437,180 immigrants and 607,782 non-permanent residents. This resulted in the greatest milestone of Canada: growth of 1 million in population. On course to hit a total of 40 million, Canada is the fastest-growing G7 country in terms of population.
Canada needs more immigrants for it to survive
Of course, Canada and Canadians are a welcoming people. But behind this benevolent reputation is the fact that Canada has no choice but to resort to accepting more immigrants. If it wants to survive economically and maintain its societal infrastructure, Canada must look outward.
For example, starting in 2015 the number of those in retirement, or about to retire, has been overtaking that of those in the working-age group. This bleak trend would mean more money coming out of the coffers and less coming in. The baby boomers are retiring, and a significant number of hands are needed to take their place. And many immigrants are stepping forward.
Immigrants come to Canada for different reasons
However, it should be noted that not all immigrants have come into Canada for the same reason and circumstance. Others made it their choice mainly for economic opportunity. Some found themselves here reluctantly; they were happy and contented back home. But due to political persecution and loss of security of their lives, they left their beloved homeland. Or because their family members are here, and they need to be near for physical presence and support. Or it is not even about themselves but their future generation.
Let’s do it
Nevertheless, to all immigrants like me, let me say this: You have come to choose Canada – either by choice or by any other circumstantial necessity – because you believe Canada is your savior. But do not forget this one truth: Canada needs you more than you have ever realized. While Canada is saving individual lives and dreams, immigrants are here to save the whole nation.
We must do our part
Immigrants, therefore, have a very big role to play in making sure that Canada remains to be the Canada they have chosen to be. Or even making Canada greater and stronger than the Canada they have found on day one. This is the only assurance that Canada can make your dreams and goals, and that of your descendants, come true.
We need to make some changes within us
In short, let us all be good Canadian citizens. And I am one with you on this. Let us start with the concept called “paradigm shift”. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, it is “An important change that happens when the usual way of thinking about or doing something is replaced by a new and different way.”
So, with the paradigm shift at the back of mind, what are the 7 areas we need to change within us?
One: Do not be ruled by emotions.
This is very difficult. Uprooting ourselves and our families from our home country is already fraught with emotions to begin with. But I chose to make this number one because in my experience this can be the root cause of many heartbreaks and failed dreams.
We have noticed when we sat on that plane that brought us to Canada, and the pre-flight safety instructions start. “In the event of a decompression, an oxygen mask will automatically appear in front of you…if you are travelling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask on first, and then assist the other person.”
Think of this as a metaphor of our new life here in Canada. Secure our own life first.
“Please do not forget us when you are in paradise.”
I can easily imagine hearing these parting words in the departure areas at airports of origin. They are made in jest, but those words are taken to heart, nevertheless.
In the beginning of this post, I showed the top 5 countries where most immigrants into Canada are coming from. Many, if not most, of them are known to put emphasis on the value of helping loved ones as part of their culture. This is very noble. But we also need to be practical. If we let emotions guide us financially, we end up supporting one generation after one generation back home.
“Never forget where you came from.”
This is another set of words of wisdom. And it is true. But not always. We must remind ourselves that our focus now is to grow our roots on Canadian soil as soon as possible. Set some parameters on our self-imposed financial obligations to our loved ones back home. Save our own self, and that of our own family here, first. Otherwise, we find out that it is getting longer than necessary to start building our dreams in our new country.
Two: Do not be too racist
Yes, I know this is harsh. And I can already hear you protesting. “Are you kidding me? I am not a racist.” But be careful. I do not personally believe that the world will be able to eradicate racism per se. We can only push against it when it becomes systemic, in our workplaces, institutions, organizations, etc. But on a personal level? Now, let us be honest here. Racism is nothing but another form of personal bias. It is harmless if we just keep it to ourselves. But when it affects how we interact with one another or operate in society, then it is a big problem.
This is very important to be mindful of. You see, the U.S. loves to refer to their society as a “melting pot”, where immigrants of different cultures come together and try to assimilate or acculturate.
Here in Canada it is more of a “tossed salad”. All the ingredients are mixed together, but each ingredient retains its distinct taste and flavor. That is what Canada is about, or is trying to be. As Trudeau said in his tweet, “Diversity is our strength.” If we have a problem with co-existing with people of different cultural backgrounds, believe me, it is very hard to adjust to the kind of life in Canada. We will not have a happy life here. If we cannot manage our own racial bias, we are in trouble.
But the sad part is, racism is very common among immigrants. Most especially if they have unpleasant experiences of a particular group of people of different ethnicity back in their own native country.
Also, it is obvious some immigrants from particular countries project themselves as more sophisticated, more educated, more urbane, than those from other countries.
Three: Do not rely too much on familiarity
This is where things become costly and with far-reaching consequences. It is human nature that we tend to gravitate towards someone or something very familiar to us.
Again, in my professional experience, part of my task is to review a client’s existing financial situation. Many times I would discover something in their portfolios which does not make sense based on their unique situation and long-term goals. When I ask, Who sold you this investment product? Or, Who advised you on this kind of strategy? They say, A friend of a friend of my relatives back home who have been here in Canada for years. But it was a long time ago, soon after I landed here in Canada. But I have never heard from them anymore.
Many times, to make things easier, we just rely on what we are told or advised by someone familiar to us. It does not matter if we understood or not what we are getting into. Sometimes our native cultural bias come into play. It is awkward not to listen to our “own people”.
When we need information about what’s going on in Canada, or any latest on what the government is doing, we are aptly provided with some official tools. We have the canada.ca, the official website of Canada. Everything we need to know is in there. Even each province has one. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has too. We should not rely on what is easier and familiar, like Facebook.
Four: Do not be a smart aleck
No person is more irritating than someone who behaves as if they know everything. Coming into Canada is already a big achievement by itself. There is a feeling of “I made it. I am more fortunate.” Or, “I am more qualified and smarter.” And people back home start monitoring our new life here in Canada through our social media. They are so interested in following our day-to-day activities. At least they can fantasize their own dream of going to Canada by imagining themselves being with us digitally.
Then the temptation comes in to project ourselves as an expert in all things Canadian. And we start preaching our own “expertise” to those who are interested to know more about life in Canada. To those who rely too much on social media, we are their new “influencer”. But to those who know better, we are just a clown.
Five: Do not be a stoner.
No, I don’t mean anything related to illegal drugs. It is about the lack of humility to admit we are wrong in our first assumptions. We now have two sets of knowledge with us, a new one we just acquired in Canada and the one we brought along with us. And we feel like, not only more knowledgeable, but no amount of convincing otherwise or in the face of new facts can sway us from our own close-mindedness. Everything we think, believe, know, is rock solid. It is carved in stone. We are now a stoner.
To be here in Canada, it pays to always keep an open mind. That’s how we grow in knowledge and experience. What is the purpose of coming and settling in another country if our old ways of thinking and doing still rule our lives?
Six: Do not make Canada unsafe
I just learned of the latest ranking a few days ago that highway 401, officially called Macdonald-Cartier Freeway, is “North America’s busiest highway (I thought all this time that this honor belongs to California or New York), and one of the widest.” It is 828 km (514 mi) long, that stretches from Windsor in the west to the Ontario-Quebec border in the east.
I drive on this highway regularly. And it is here where I take a glimpse of peoples’ character, the way they drive on a very dangerous stretch of a highway. I always tell my friends that in every US state that I was driving regularly before I have never been so scared as when I am along 401 now. For a decade, I have lost count of the numerous near-misses I have encountered, because of some very bad drivers.
When I see a crazy driver zigzagging and putting the other drivers in grave danger, I pray only for two things. One, that if a deadly crash happens, no other commuters would be involved. Two, that the fool behind that wheel is not a new immigrant.
We get an idea of a person’s character when they are on the road. Driving is about respect for others, courtesy, obeying simple rules and regulations, being considerate of other’s safety.
So, as new Canadians, please be mindful of this one simple reminder. Keep Canada safe, at least on the highway.
Seven: Do not act like a parasite
Ouch! This really hurts. But I have to say this, for our common good. Some examples:
First, we pay our taxes faithfully.
Canadian tax system is based on honesty and transparency. For sure, we get caught sooner or later when we cheat, but it is not impossible that some get away with it. These kind of people were good in playing with their taxes back in their home country, that they find it so easy doing the same here. But for the sake of our self-respect, we must pay our taxes religiously.
I am saying this boldly because I know of some immigrants who keep complaining about this. During tax filing season they grumble that their taxes are very high. And say that the more they take overtime pay, the more they pay taxes. They seem not to understand it that paying higher taxes indicates we are earning very well. We must, instead, pat ourselves in the back.
It is also very common among newcomers to work “under the table”. I totally get it in some situations – better jobs are hard to come by because of lack of Canadian experience, or short of needed qualifications. But there are those who have become comfortable with this. They receive wages in cold cash, and no tax. How beautiful Canada can be!
Not paying taxes in Canada is likened to being a parasite. We don’t give our due share on purpose, yet we avail ourselves of government programs and benefits, like universal healthcare. Isn’t this called parasitic?
But not paying taxes properly also cuts both ways. We are cheating the government and taking advantage of our fellow Canadians, AND we are destroying our own retirement’s future. Say goodbye to our pension.
While we focus on the present we must not lose sight of our security during retirement. Remember, our young children especially those born here in Canada may not be as attached to the culture of their parents and grandparents when it comes to “taking care of the old”.
So, it is not too early to get ourselves educated on how the following work, like: CPP, OAS, GIS.
Second, we must align some of our goals with that of the government’s.
One example of government benefits and programs include the Canada Child Benefit, or CCB.
Let me comment on this because it is one of the least understood, especially among the newcomers. They cannot believe the government of Canada is giving away money.
Yes, it is a way for the government to help Canadian families with the cost of raising children.
But one must remember that the government is not giving that money because it is very generous. Or that Canada is very rich. Rather, there is a long-term purpose for that. And Canada’s future is closely linked to that so-called free money.
What is one of the primary tasks of a government? Fiscal management! It collects taxes efficiently and makes sure that all public programs and services are effectively delivered to every resident.
This is what’s behind the CCB. You raise your kids decently and healthy, send them to school, make sure they get a good college degree. And they land a better-paying job. And…exactly. Pay significant taxes in return. Good investment strategy by the government. Everybody happy!
So, plan and spend your child’s money from the government of Canada prudently and wisely. It is for their future. It is for Canada’s future.
Otherwise, please be warned that when they reach the age of maturity they can bring you to court, and hold you accountable for that.
Conclusion
So, welcome to Canada! Together let us make this benevolent country great and strong. And be assured that she will take good care of us. She truly is an oasis, a refuge where dreams are created, broken lives are rebuilt, and good lives made better.
But first, there are things that we should not do. Some basic ones that make a huge difference. A “paradigm shift” is needed. And so it helps if we keep in mind the 7 Things That We Need To Change When Coming To Or When In Canada.
