Lifestyle Advantage

A Great Place to Live

Canada is one of the best countries in the world to live, learn and work.  From wide-open spaces to the most cosmopolitan places, Canada offers beauty, variety and an enviable quality of life.  Canada is a place where people can realize their dreams, where families can enjoy a standard of living second to none, and where businesses enjoy a competitive edge. 

Strong and Free

Canadians are hard-working, ambitious people who are proud of our successful, independent country.  We want better lives for ourselves, our children and future generations.  We believe in tolerance, justice and providing a helping hand to the less fortunate.  More than empty promises, equality is enshrined in Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms and our country’s Constitution, guaranteeing freedom and fairness for all.

Equality and Multiculturalism

Canada is a large country in both size and spirit. Canada ranks first among the G7 countries in providing equal opportunities for individuals, whether native-born or a new arrival. Canadians welcome immigrants from around the globe. Almost all of the world's ethnic groups are represented in Canada, creating one of the world’s most culturally diverse and multilingual societies, with over 100 languages spoken. Canada is also a world leader in integrating newcomers, with progressive immigration laws highly conducive to hiring foreign workers.

Commitment to Each Other

Canadians place a premium on health and well-being, and are proud of our universal health system and social safety network that ensure equitable opportunities for citizens to participate in the life of our communities and country.  This approach is both a social and economic asset.  For instance, Canadians spend significantly less GDP on health care than their US neighbours.  This provides cost benefits that give Canadian businesses a competitive advantage.

 

#1 among G7 Countries

• Best overall quality of life—In a recent quality-of-life ranking of 215 world cities by Mercer Human Resources Consulting, five Canadian cities ranked among the top 25. Canada has the best overall quality of life among the G7.
• A land of equal opportunity—Canada ranks first among the G7 in providing equal opportunities for individuals.
• Lowest cost of living—Canada has the lowest cost of living among the G7.
• Best in addressing environmental concerns—As measured by the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), Canada’s ranks 2nd in the G7 and 8th in a 133-country study in terms of effectively reducing environmental stresses on human health and promoting ecosystem vitality and sound natural resource management.
• Safest place to live—Canada leads the G7 in terms of the safest place to live and conduct business with the most fairly administered judicial system.
• Optimal human development—According to the United Nations 2006 Human Development Index, Canada ranked first among the G7 and sixth among the 177 countries surveyed.

Information in this section is provided by the Government of Canada