I Am Canadian

Unlike many immigrants, I’ve never planned to move to Canada—it kind of happened. Basically, I came here and I decided to stay. That said, it wasn’t a spur of the moment decision because I still had to go through the immigration process. I was in Canada on a tourist visa for almost a year, I had extended, then I applied for a working holiday visa. Only then I felt ready to apply for permanent residence.

Canada welcomes about 250,000 new immigrants a year. I doubt all of them stay and make Canada their permanent home, but it’s hard to get numbers and feedback when permanent residents or new citizens decide to leave.

Moving to a new country and adapting to a different lifestyle isn’t as easy it as it seems. It takes a lot of work, more than merely filling out paperwork. Immigrants may have to learn a new language, decipher new traditions and social norms, recreate a community around them and more. You never really stop being an immigrant, even long after becoming a Canadian citizen.

Yet I chose to stay. The first few years were tricky but little by little, it got easier. Looking back, I think five reasons made me stay in Canada.

I Was Able to Find Work Relatively Easily

When I graduated from high school in 2021, our generation was facing bleak future with jobs scarce. “C’est la crise,” as French say. Life felt like a tough competition because there weren’t enough jobs, enough housing, enough options.

The entire country was stuck—workers who should have retired couldn’t afford to because they didn’t have enough savings and faced increasingly higher cost of living, workers who should have moved up the corporate ladder (thus freeing entry-level positions) were stuck at the same level with no pay raise, etc. As students, we couldn’t even get hired at McDonald’s because skilled professionals who should have had better options but didn’t were already on the waiting list.

My future would have been spending four, five or six years at university using scholarship money for living expenses, and hopefully finding some kind of minimum-wage position in my field or not at one point. Canada was offering me a more optimistic future—I found work easily and people gave me a chance despite my lack of experience (with life, with work and with using English in a business environment!).

I Was Able to Get a Legal Immigration Status

To put it simply, I stayed in Canada because Canada let me stay. I wouldn’t say immigrating to Canada is easy, but there are options, programs and clear paths to permanent residence and citizenship.

I wouldn’t have stayed in Canada without a legal residence status. I hated being on a tourist visa for the first few months in Canada because I felt I couldn’t do anything—couldn’t work, couldn’t open a bank account, couldn’t study, etc. I mean, obviously, I was a visitor.

Getting a Working Holiday Visa was a step up but I still felt like an outsider. I started to feel at home after I was granted permanent residence.

I Knew I Would Be Able to Become a Canadian Citizen

Not all countries offer immigrants the option of becoming a citizen of their new country. I appreciate the fact Canada does. I didn’t want to be an expat or a foreign worker forever—I wanted to belong somewhere, to have a real status in Canada. I know I will always be an immigrant to a certain extent and I don’t mind it. But I’m also Canadian, which gives me the right to vote and to participate fully in this country’s life. I’m proud of the fact that I have a second home, a second identity and a second passport.

Relatively Speaking, Things Work Out Fine

A year ago, one of my students asked me what I liked best in Canada. I paused for a minute and said: “Because overall, things work out fine.” French people love to rebel and there is always a strike or some kind of protest going on. Sure, anything is better than political apathy, yet it gets tiring because it feels like France is against everything and going nowhere. Canadians are more balanced. People tend to trust each other, work together and respect other opinions and cultures.

As I wrote three years ago, “Canada gave me a future, hope and the ability to choose the life I wanted. Little by little, jigsaw pieces fell into place. Today, I can’t really imagine what would have been my life if I had stayed in France. Maybe better, maybe worse, who knows. But I’m glad I took a chance. ”

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35 Comments

  1. Soleil March 24, 2010 at 6:15 pm

    A fascinating post, especially your fifth reason that things in Canada generally work out fine, and the general sense throughout the post that you find there’s more hope here than in France. In her song California, Joni Mitchell sings from Paris that she “wouldn’t want to stay here/it’s too old and cold and settled in its ways,” and I really think that’s true. The Americas are a lot more flexible in everything – hiring, firing, schooling, etc – than France is, and maybe Europe in general.
    .-= Soleil´s last blog ..It’s here! =-.

    Reply
  2. Michelle March 24, 2010 at 7:07 pm

    I just found your blog and LOVE it! I’m trying to immigrate to Canada right now and having a heck of a time making it happen. Your blog is making me feel like it might be more attainable than I’ve been thinking 🙂

    Reply
  3. shionge March 24, 2010 at 8:27 pm

    We love Canada too and especially living in this densely populated city, I truly enjoyed nature & parks 🙂 Having said that, Canada is a very expensive place too then again…..now Singapore is getting expensive too ;(

    Reply
  4. Agnes March 24, 2010 at 8:31 pm

    OK, you’re making me want to come visit! 😉
    .-= Agnes´s last blog ..Another day older =-.

    Reply
  5. Nigel March 24, 2010 at 8:41 pm

    hm, I thought housing in Montreal wasn’t all that expensive thanks to the rental board and rules, etc.
    .-= Nigel´s last blog ..The Women in my Life =-.

    Reply
  6. Lizz March 24, 2010 at 9:35 pm

    I love Canada. I’d try to immigrate if only it wasn’t so cold, haha.
    .-= Lizz´s last blog ..My Beautiful Mum, Korean Beauty Products, and Pink Ribbons =-.

    Reply
  7. khengsiong March 24, 2010 at 11:44 pm

    Not every country welcomes immigrants. Japan, for one, is terribly xenophobic.

    Some countries welcome migrant workers, but don’t give them the option of becoming citizens. Dubai is one example. (OK, Dubai is not a country.)

    Due to its red hot economy, there are plenty of expats in China. But I suspect even a naturalized Westerner will continue to be seen as 老外. After all, China’s 55 ethnic minorities don’t include Westerners.
    .-= khengsiong´s last blog ..作文班招生 =-.

    Reply
  8. Seraphine March 25, 2010 at 2:04 am

    i want a working holiday visa. or mastercard. or better yet, just give me a holiday credit line that i don’t have to pay back.
    .-= Seraphine´s last blog ..Top of the Food Chain =-.

    Reply
  9. Seraphine March 25, 2010 at 2:06 am

    p.s. you are fortunate to be able to say
    “things work out fine”
    with confidence that it is true
    because it’s not true for everybody
    no matter where you live.
    .-= Seraphine´s last blog ..Top of the Food Chain =-.

    Reply
  10. Cynthia March 25, 2010 at 5:57 am

    In Canada I liked that I was able to think about the future in a hopeful way. In France, to be happy you have to think about the past since misery seem the norm for young people.
    .-= Cynthia´s last blog ..La photo du mois =-.

    Reply
  11. Bluefish March 25, 2010 at 7:25 am

    Maybe you can convince my husband to move to Canada! Hehehe…I love this red and white country.

    Reply
  12. Gabriel March 25, 2010 at 9:17 am

    Loved this post, and I couldn’t agree more with your list, Zhu.

    I should resume my ‘Stealing posts’ series and feature some of your recent post in my blog, with the excuse that I translate them into Spanish (when everybody knows that I do it because I have no clue of how to write like that!) 🙂
    .-= Gabriel´s last blog ..Tell me Thursday #27 – Artist II =-.

    Reply
  13. Gabriel March 25, 2010 at 9:17 am

    I meant ‘recent posts’. Darn.
    .-= Gabriel´s last blog ..Tell me Thursday #27 – Artist II =-.

    Reply
  14. micki March 25, 2010 at 10:55 am

    Beautiful post! I think you found a great place to settle. I love Canada as well, great scenery all over. Although I have never lived there to get a taste of the life style there, I can tell from your posts. Things work out fine except the cold weather, but you will still have pleasant weather at least 7-8 months right?
    .-= micki´s last blog ..Anping Fort =-.

    Reply
  15. Lis of the North March 25, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    I’m glad you took the chance too, because it means you write this blog 🙂
    This is a great post. I am at a loss to explain exactly how it is that France seems to keep limping on year after year, because when one looks at some deep-rooted issues in the economy, in politics and business, logic says the country should implode 😉
    .-= Lis of the North´s last blog ..Paid assassins? =-.

    Reply
  16. Crikette March 25, 2010 at 7:40 pm

    BRAVO , you took the right decision.

    Eventhough I think you exagerated the price of stuff in France.
    If my life didn’t turn the way it did (to complicated to write) I would still be living in Ottawa.

    Take care, have a great life in my second home.
    I miss Canada so much.
    .-= Crikette´s last blog ..Le peuple de France se soulève ? … =-.

    Reply
  17. Nisha March 25, 2010 at 9:38 pm

    I am glad that you took this decision. somewhere we all have to … and looking down the memory lane to analyse what you did why you did actually opens up a new perception of things.

    Very inspiring post.. for you, for them who took similar decision and for them who want to.
    .-= Nisha´s last blog ..Uncertainty =-.

    Reply
  18. Zhu March 26, 2010 at 12:04 pm

    @Soleil – I agree. I like the flexibility here. It was kind of weird at first because I was used to French laws, contracts etc. (especially at work) but after a while, I realized most people are looking for a win-win situation. It still amazes me how smooth things are here.

    @Michelle – Immigrating to Canada isn’t that difficult really. Adapting takes times but the paperwork is not that bad. I have to look at your blog to know your story!

    @shionge – I heard Singapore was really expensive… I can imagine, I already found HK very expensive, especially compared to mainland China.

    @Agnes – In summer, maybe? 😉

    @Nigel – It is still more expensive than many places in Canada but it’s normal, it’s a big city, Law of supply and demand… depends on the area too.

    @Lizz – I think the cold weather is the reason why many decide to not immigrate here!

    @khengsiong – I know what you mean, and that makes me appreciate Canada even more.

    @Seraphine – You made me laugh out loud! 😆 I think the society is definitely more flexibly and smooth here than in Europe. God my English is bad this morning!

    @Cynthia – I hear you! I felt “doomed” in France too. Weird… Life is hard there these days and I can’t even pinpoint why exactly.

    @Bluefish – I know you miss Canada!

    @Gabriel – Steal away my friend! Hopefully I sound good in Spanish too 😆

    @micki – The way of life is pretty unique. It is definitely North American, but it’s not American at the same time. It’s an interested country!

    @London Caller – French do know how to rebel, for sure!

    @Lis of the North – I think a lot of French think the same. Any time there is a major demonstration, people think this is it. And somehow, nothing changes.

    @Crikette – I’m pretty sure the prices I quoted are accurate since my last trip was last year. But as usual, it’s a perception. It’s always hard to talk numbers, especially for me 😆

    @Nisha – Thank you! I love walking down the memory line, it’s my French side 😆

    Reply
  19. kyh March 26, 2010 at 3:20 pm

    @ khengsiong, China has 56 recognized minorities (unless the one you excluded refers to the ethnic Russians, whom are Whites).

    All those prices you stated at the time you left France were almost the same as in Malaysia now. I can’t believe a pair of Jeans cost that much in France now! I could buy a high-end mobile phone with that price! Or even a return trip to somewhere in South East Asia, all expenses included, and still have a lot of change left! 😀
    .-= kyh´s last blog ..March o’ hell =-.

    Reply
  20. Delph March 26, 2010 at 7:32 pm

    Je vais répondre en français, c’est plus rapide… Moi à cette question je réponds toujours pour la qualité de vie ce qui résume ce que tu viens de dire… Pour une grande ville, on ne peut pas vraiment faire mieux que Montréal!
    .-= Delph´s last blog ..Celle qui ne sait pas ce qu’elle veut =-.

    Reply
  21. Yasmine March 27, 2010 at 9:13 pm

    Love your post Zhu! I agree with you on Canada’s official immigration program. I was very pleasantly surprised with all the services offered to new immigrants. The best of all, Canadians work hard to improve the existing programs in order to facilitate the installation process.
    .-= Yasmine´s last blog ..The Love Story About Two Dirty Socks =-.

    Reply
  22. Cornflakegirl March 29, 2010 at 4:17 am

    I like this post. The reasons becase you live in Canada are so reasonable that they give me some confidence especially now; this week I will apply for the canadian visa.

    Take care,
    M.
    .-= Cornflakegirl´s last blog ..Chasing Dorothy Gale =-.

    Reply
  23. Fede March 29, 2010 at 11:07 am

    Hi!
    Some of your words made me feel you were talking about Argentina, not France 🙂 (i.e.: affordable living and strikes all the time)

    Fede
    .-= Fede´s last blog ..Retomando el francés =-.

    Reply
  24. Zhu March 30, 2010 at 2:47 pm

    @kyh – I can’t believe how expensive everything has gotten in France, it’s just crazy. Prices do change in Canada too but not as much and there are always sales going on.

    @Delph – Je ne sais pas trop ce que recoupe la qualité de vie mais je pense qu’on est sur la même longueur d’onde. Même si je préfère de loin Ottawa et l’Ontario! 😉

    @Yasmine – This surprised me too, especially considering Europe doesn’t have such programs for immigrants. I like the way it’s done in Canada, it’s very transparent.

    @Cornflakegirl – Well, good luck with your application!

    @Fede – I think Argentina and France are very similar on many grounds, especially when it comes to social protest and stupid government!

    Reply
  25. Dave May 15, 2010 at 1:33 pm

    As an American wishing to immigrate to Toronto, is it true that my wife and I must have $13,000 saved up before we can consider moving to Canada to prove we can take care of ourselves for 90 days?

    Also, how does NAFTA affect our desire to move to Canada? I’ve read in some places that NAFTA allows for things to go easier but nobody was clear as to how.

    The biggest obstacles to us moving is the $13,000 requirement-if it exists- and whether or not one has to be debt-free when applying for permanent residency in Canada. Can anyone please clarify these issues?

    Reply
    1. Zhu May 15, 2010 at 9:49 pm

      If you are immigrating in the skilled workers category, yes, you must have settlement funds (see here: . Trust me, you will need it – immigrating to another country, no matter where you are from, is expensive.

      I haven’t heard anything about being debt-free and I know people who keep on paying the mortgage back in their home country, so I guess this is not a requirement as long as you have the settlement funds.

      As far as I know (I’m French and Canadian, not American!) the NAFTA agreement doesn’t make immigration much easier than it is now. I know that as a Canadian, I can’t move to the USA just like that, so I assume it is the same for you guys 😉

      Reply
    2. Brendan June 7, 2011 at 3:33 am

      Honestly, NAFTA will really have very little impact on you. It is a trade agreement and does not really do anything in terms of immigration.

      Now it may have an impact on items you bring/send across the boarder. Some things may incur tax, for instance if you are bringing you car. A car built outside of north america will get a duty charged on import into canada (this can be expensive depending on what you drive). If it was built in north america though, you are free and clear. This is not brand dependant, but rather where it really was built, so a BMW X5 built in South carolina is the same duty (zero) as a Ford truck built in detroit, but your BMW car built in germany, or your toyota built in japan will get you hit on taxes.

      Nafta really streamlined things for import and export, beyond some things like cars you wont see nafta impacting you at all.

      Reply
      1. Zhu June 7, 2011 at 9:47 am

        Thank you for you input! I admit I know relatively little about the trade agreement, mostly because it’s that, a trade agreement. That said, it’s much easier to cross the border as a Canadian than as a French or whatever citizenship!

        Reply
  26. Alecsandre Volti August 13, 2012 at 10:07 pm

    Hi, i am contemplating on the issue of me permanently moving to Canada. I recently graduate from high school in the United States but am a Mexican citizen, since I was born in Mexico (I am of Spanish decent). I will be returning to Mexico and will be attending university there but I want to further my French, that is why i’ll be taking classes abroad in France (Montpelier). I can already speak French well, and I also speak English, Spanish, and Portuguese (my mother is from Portugal/i thought i let you know). To get back on track, My intentions are to seek work in Canada and potentially move there permanently. My question is, what procedures you took to apply for Canadian citizenship or permanent residence? If you can, please, specify in detail.

    Reply
    1. Zhu August 14, 2012 at 5:29 pm

      You would be looking at permanent residence, citizenship is not an option (you have to be a permanent resident first in order to apply for citizenship).

      You can start by reading this series: .

      The official website of reference is http://www.cic.gc.ca. Good luck!

      Reply
  27. Anna April 1, 2013 at 2:49 pm

    God, how i wish to live in Canada!!!

    Reply
    1. Zhu April 1, 2013 at 5:32 pm

      Where do you live now?

      Reply
  28. Magali July 11, 2013 at 9:46 pm

    I’m glad I found your site. I’ve got my New Zealand Residence approved, and same as you, it sort of happened. I came from Argentina on a W&H in 2011, but then things started working out, found my kiwi lover, and started writing my story here, although I still got a long way to go ahead. Nobody can explain better than us how it feels to be an expat, and your five reasons are the same ones I choose since NZ and Canada have lots of similarities. Thanks for your posts! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Zhu July 14, 2013 at 6:40 pm

      Thank you for sharing your experience! NZ is a really cool place; lucky you 🙂

      Reply

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