Everything You Need To Know About The Canadian Provinces

If you are looking to migrate to Canada, one of the decisions you have to make is the choice of the province. This can be overwhelming. As you probably know, there are 10 provinces and three territories in Canada. So, how do you decide on the right one for you? And what should you know about the weather, economies and their cities? In this article, we will focus on everything you need to know about the Canadian provinces.

Alberta

Alberta is often referred to as Canada’s version of Texas because of its biggest industries which are oil and gas. The province is a mix of farmland, mountains and cities with extremely cold winters. Aside being famous for its cowboy culture, it has some of the earliest and latest snowfalls of the season. The annual event, Calgary Stampede is one of the province’s central cultural events. Also, Alberta is home to a UFO landing pad.

Below are some interesting information about Alberta.

• Population size: 4,500,917 as of 2022
• Newcomers arriving: 23,987 in 2021
• Average household income: $77,700 in 2020
• Average home price: $449,290 in June 2022
• Top universities: University of Alberta, University of Calgary
• Top colleges: Bow Valley College, NAIT, Red Deer Polytechnic
• Main industries: Oil, gas and mining, manufacturing, agriculture, finance, insurance and real estate, tourism, transportation and utilities, business and commercial services, education
• Largest Cities: Edmonton, Calgary, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Red Deer
• Provincial immigration site: Immigrate to Alberta
• Foreign qualifications: Foreign Qualifications Recognition

British Columbia

British Columbia (B.C.) is Canada’s most western province and it is known for its beautiful forests and mountains. Two of the province’s largest cities, Vancouver and Victoria, are located near the Pacific Ocean and have mild but wet climates. If you prefer rainy rather than snowy winters, then  B.C. should be on the top of your list. Also, the province is home to world-class universities and a growing tech economy.

Below are some interesting information about B.C.

• Population size: 5,286,528 as of 2022
• Newcomers arriving: 34,385 in 2021
• Average household income: $67,500 in 2020
• Average home price: $947,216 in June 2022
• Top universities: University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria
• Top colleges: Camosun College, Douglas College, Langara College, Okanagan College
• Main industries: Agriculture, construction, film, fisheries and aquacultures, forestry, high technology, manufacturing, mining, tourism
• Largest Cities: Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Nanaimo
• Provincial immigration site: Immigrate to BC
• Foreign qualifications: Foreign Qualifications Recognition

Manitoba

Manitoba is one of the prairie provinces and it is located in the center of Canada with several growing industries. The province is known for its advanced manufacturing and heavy-duty manufacturing. So, if you are a skilled trade worker, you should consider this province. Also, Manitoba has a mix of flat agricultural land and forests, a landscape that is apparently a fertile breeding ground for snakes. The province’s Narcisse Snake Dens, which are just north of Winnipeg, have the highest concentration of snakes in the world. More than 75,000 emerge from hibernation each spring.

Below are some interesting information about Manitoba:

• Population size: 1,393,179 as of 2022
• Newcomers arriving: 10,194 in 2021
• Average household income: $63,000 in 2020
• Average home price: $376,267 in June 2022
• Top universities: University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg
• Top colleges: Assiniboine Community College, Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology
• Main industries: Agriculture, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, heavy-duty vehicles and equipment, mining, the creative industries
• Largest cities: Winnipeg, Brandon, Steinbach
• Provincial immigration site: Immigrate to Manitoba
• Foreign qualifications: Foreign Qualifications Recognition

New Brunswick

New Brunswick has an amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean and rich forests. Also, it is a heavily bilingual province with a large population of francophones. So, if you are considering New Brunswick, expect cold winters with heavy storms here. The province depends on its forestry, mining, fishing and tourism industries — as well as french fries. The small town of Florenceville-Bristol is often called the French Fry Capital of the World. About a third of the world’s frozen french fries are made there, and they even have a museum dedicated to the beloved spud, the aptly named Potato World.

Below are some interesting information about New Brunswick:

• Population size: 800,243 as of 2022
• Newcomers arriving: 2,689 in 2021
• Average household income: $56,900 in 2020
• Average home price: $299,000 in June 2022
• Top universities: University of New Brunswick, St. Thomas University, Mount Allison University
• Top colleges: New Brunswick Community College, McKenzie College, Oulton College
• Main industries: Forestry, mining, fishing, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, services
• Largest cities: Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, Dieppe
• Provincial immigration site: Immigrate to New Brunswick
• Foreign qualifications: Foreign Qualifications Recognition

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the smaller provinces in terms of population but it still offers lots of opportunities and jobs in sectors like mining and manufacturing. The province is known for its regional culture, great seafood and friendly residents. Also, the province is known for having been where the first transatlantic flight took off in 1919. John Alcock and Arthur Brown flew 16 hours from St. John’s, Newfoundland, to Ireland.

Below are some interesting information about Newfoundland and Labrador

• Population size: 522,875 (as of 2022)
• Newcomers arriving: 885 in 2021
• Average household income: $59,300 in 2020
• Average home price: $281,300 in June 2022
• Top universities: Memorial University
• Top colleges: College of the North Atlantic, Western College, Eastern College
• Main industries: Mining, manufacturing, fishing, forestry, hydroelectricity
• Largest cities: St. John’s, Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor
• Provincial immigration site: Immigrate to Newfoundland and Labrador
• Foreign qualifications: Foreign Qualifications Recognition

Northwestern Territories

The Northwestern Territories is beautiful, but it is a sparsely populated territory without access to high-speed internet in all locations. However, it has a rich tourism and mining industry and can have good opportunities for newcomers due to a lack of skilled workers and professionals. The Northwestern Territories have a large Indigenous population. It has high cost of living due to the difficulties of getting necessities to towns in the winter and constructing new homes. In addition to its reputation for cold weather, the territory is also known as the Diamond Capital of North America.

Below are some interesting information about Northwest Territories:

• Population size: 45,607 as of 2022
• Newcomers arriving: 144 in 2021
• Average household income: $51,200 in 2021
• Average home price: $515,211 in June 2022
• Top universities: N/A
• Top colleges: Aurora College
• Main industries: Energy, fisheries, construction, mining, oil and gas, tourism, fur, manufacturing
• Largest cities: Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik
• Territorial immigration site: Immigrate to the Northwestern Territories
• Foreign qualifications: Foreign Qualifications Recognition

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces. So, fisheries are traditionally a big industry. The province is also big on shipbuilding and manufacturing. Because the province had a lot of Scottish immigrants, it has rich Gaelic and Celtic cultures. Nova Scotia’s universities are well known for certain programs outside Canada.

Below are some interesting information about Nova Scotia

• Population size: 1,007,049 as of 2022
• Newcomers arriving: 3,536 in 2021
• Average household income: $57,500 in 2020
• Average home price: $417,300 in June 2022
• Top universities: Dalhousie University, Saint Mary’s University, Acadia University
• Top colleges: Nova Scotia Community College, College of Continuing Education
• Main industries: Construction, manufacturing, real estate, fishing, agriculture, transportation, finance, film, natural resources
• Largest cities: Halifax, Cape Breton, Sydney
• Provincial immigration site: Immigrate to Nova Scotia
• Foreign qualifications: Foreign Qualifications Recognition

Nunavut

The northernmost territory, Nunavut has beautiful Arctic wildlife and scenery and is populated primarily by the Inuit people. The territory faces significant resource and development issues, as well as an extremely high cost of living due to the difficulties of getting necessary food and building materials into the territory. While opportunities here are limited and access to things like post-secondary education and specialized medical care limited without travelling out-of-territory, there’s a need for certain professions in Nunavut.

Below are some interesting information about Nunavut

• Population size: 40,103 as of 2022
• Newcomers arriving: 21 in 2021
• Average household income: $73,500 in 2021
• Average home price: No data available
• Top universities: N/A
• Top colleges: Nunavut Arctic College
• Main industries: Mining, fishing, hunting trapping, construction, arts
• Largest cities: Iqaluit, Baker Lake, Cambridge Bay
• Provincial immigration site: Immigrate to Nunavut
• Foreign qualifications: Foreign Qualifications Recognition

Ontario

Ontario is Canada’s province with the highest population and the home of Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, and biggest city, Toronto. Toronto is home to many corporate headquarters and is also the most diverse city in Canada: Newcomers to Canada have the ability to connect with other communities of people from around the world in cities across the province. As you may know, Ontario is the home to some of Canada’s best universities, including the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo. Also, Ontario has Canada’s only professional basketball team. The Toronto Raptors won the NBA championship in 2019.

Below are some interesting information about Ontario

• Population size: 15,007,816 as of 2022
• Newcomers arriving: 107,865 in 2021
• Average household income: $70,100 in 2020
• Average home price: $881,475 in June 2022
• Top universities: University of Toronto, Queens University, University of Waterloo, Western University, McMaster University
• Top colleges: Humber College, Canadore College, Conestoga College
• Main industries: Agriculture, mining, automotive, technology, aerospace, life sciences, financial, retail
• Largest cities: Toronto, Ottawa, London, Burlington, Waterloo, Hamilton, Guelph, Oakville
• Provincial immigration site: Immigrate to Ontario
• Foreign qualifications: Foreign Qualifications Recognition

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) is Canada’s smallest province and it is famous for its lobster rolls and the Anne of Green Gables book series, . One of the longest bridges in the world attaches the island to the mainland. One downside to living here is a lack of access to certain specialized forms of health care as residents are flown to the mainland for certain procedures. Prince Edward Island is known for its tourism and fisheries industries. Despite what its name suggests, it isn’t one island. The province actually includes 232 islands.

Below are some interesting information about P.E.I.:

• Population size: 167,680 as of 2022
• Newcomers arriving: 1,211 in 2021
• Average household income: $59,400 in 2020
• Average home price: $367,200 in June 2022
• Top universities: University of Prince Edward Island
• Top colleges: Holland College, Maritime Christian College
• Main industries: Agriculture, fisheries, tourism, aerospace, bioscience, information technology, renewable energy
• Largest Cities: Charlottetown, Summerside, Stratford, Cornwall
• Provincial immigration site: Immigrate to Prince Edward Island
• Foreign qualifications: Foreign Qualifications Recognition

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan is the farming province of Canada. Aside farming, the province also boasts of other popular industries like mining, manufacturing and oil and gas. Saskatchewan’s flatness offers beautiful prairie vistas. Also, it has typical Canada winters and hot and humid summers.

Below are some interesting information about Saskatchewan:

• Population size: 1,186,308 as of 2022
• Newcomers arriving: 7,321 in 2021
• Average household income: $67,700 in 2020
• Average home price: $333,400 in June 2022
• Top universities: University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina
• Top colleges: Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Cumberland College, Southeast College
• Main industries: Agriculture, energy, forestry, life sciences, manufacturing, mining, minerals, oil and gas
• Largest cities: Regina, Saskatoon
• Provincial immigration site: Immigrate to Saskatchewan
• Foreign qualifications: Foreign Qualifications Recognition

Quebec

Quebec is Canada’s francophone province. The French language is protected and more than three quarters of the population are French speakers. Also, Quebec is the world’s largest producer of maple syrup. Over 70% of global syrup production happens in the province, which was once the site of a maple syrup heist that saw more than $18 million in syrup go missing! Luckily, the thieves were later caught.

Below are some interesting information about Quebec:

• Population size: 8,653,184 as of 2022
• Newcomers arriving: 33,385 in 2021
• Average household income: $59,700 in 2020
• Average home price: $506,024 in June 2022
• Top universities: University of Montreal, McGill University, Bishop’s University, Concordia University, Laval University
• Top colleges: Dawson College, LaSalle College, Vanier College
• Main industries: Technology, video games, electronics, food, life sciences, manufacturing, hydroelectricity, tourism, agriculture, forestry
• Largest cities: Montreal, Quebec, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivieres
• Provincial immigration site: Immigrate to Quebec
• Foreign qualifications: Foreign Qualifications Recognition

Yukon

The territory is well known from tales of the gold rush that took place in the Yukon. Its biggest industry is still mining. However, tourism is also a big industry in Whitehorse and other areas. The Yukon has a significant Indigenous population and a rich cultural history. Like with all Canadian territories, it has a high cost of living. Most necessities have to be flown in during the winter, making for a hefty grocery bill. Despite this, Yukon is home to the highest mountains in Canada. Mount Logan is the second highest mountain in North America.

Below are some interesting information about Yukon:

• Population size: 43,249 as of 2022
• Newcomers arriving: 300 in 2021
• Average household income: $49,200 in 2021
• Average home price: $565,626 in June 2022
• Top universities: Yukon University
• Top colleges: Yukon College
• Main industries: Mining, tourism, manufacturing, telecommunication, service
• Largest cities: Whitehorse, Dawson, Watson Lake
• Territorial immigration site: Immigrate to the Yukon
• Foreign qualifications: Foreign Qualifications Recognition