What people wish they’d known

Most British people who move to Canada settle in well. But the same handful of surprises come up again and again, from the length of the winter to how hard it can be to find a family doctor. Knowing them now makes the first year easier.

1. Winter is longer than you think

In Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary and the Prairies, winter usually runs from December to March, with snow on the ground for weeks at a time and spells far below freezing. You need proper boots, a winter coat, and in most places winter tyres (they are compulsory in Quebec in winter). Vancouver and Victoria are the exception: mild and wet, more like Britain. Many people grow to love winter once they ski, skate or snowshoe. See How do we get through a Canadian winter?

2. Housing eats a big share of your pay

Rents have eased since their 2024 peak, but are still high compared with most local salaries, especially in Toronto and Vancouver. Landlords often ask for references, a credit check and proof of income, which newcomers don’t have. Many people book a furnished let for the first month. See How do I find a place to rent? and rental scams. Check the latest Rentals.ca National Rent Report

3. Finding a family doctor can take months, or years

Each province runs its own health plan, such as OHIP in Ontario, MSP in British Columbia (BC) and RAMQ in Quebec. Care is free when you use it, but getting it can be slow:

• About 5.9 million adults had no regular family doctor or nurse practitioner in 2025 (OurCare survey)
• Half of adults said they had no family doctor or struggled to see theirs (Angus Reid, Dec 2025)
• The median wait from a GP referral to specialist treatment was 28.6 weeks in 2025. Ontario was shortest (19.2 weeks), Nova Scotia 49.0 weeks (Fraser Institute)
• Most people join a provincial waiting list for a family doctor and use walk-in clinics or virtual care meanwhile

There can also be a gap before cover starts. In BC, you wait for the rest of the month you arrive plus two more months. Quebec has a wait of up to three months. Ontario removed its three-month wait in 2020. Buy private health insurance for the gap. See How does healthcare work in Canada?

4. Your qualifications may not count straight away

Nursing, medicine, teaching, engineering, law, accounting and many trades are regulated by the province. You need that province’s licence to work, and it can take months. Statistics Canada found immigrants with a foreign degree are about twice as likely as Canadian degree holders to work in a job that needs less education than they have. Start the paperwork before you move. See Will my UK qualifications be recognised?

5. “Canadian experience” matters

Employers often prefer someone who has worked in Canada before. Some newcomers take a step down for their first job. Networking, a Canadian-style résumé and volunteering all help. Ontario has banned most regulated professions from requiring Canadian work experience for a licence, but employers can still weigh it. See How do I get a job in Canada?

6. Every province is different

Health plans, driving licences, rent rules, holidays, minimum wages and even alcohol sales all vary by province. Quebec is the biggest difference of all: French is the official language at work, in school and in government. Check the rules for your province, not just “Canada”.

7. Home is a long way away

Eastern Canada is only 7 to 8 hours’ flying from London, but the west coast is 9 to 10, and the time difference is 3.5 to 8 hours. Summer and Christmas flights for a family are expensive. Budget for trips home, and remember that domestic flights within Canada are pricey too. See Is Canada right for you?