US News recently ranked Canada as the fourth best country for raising kids (The US didn’t make the top 5 list). While this, a new job, family, or a plethora of other reasons might be why you want to move to Canada, it might be harder to convince your kids to leave the Lone Star State for the Great White North, eh?
The good news is there are numerous benefits for children in Canada that may help convince your kids (and the grown-ups) that Canada is a fantastic place to raise kids whether they’re six months old, six years old, or 16!
Independence From Safety
Each year the Global Peace Index releases a list of the most peaceful (aka safest) places in the world to live. In 2019, Canada ranked number six on this list (the US ranked 128 on a list containing 163 countries), making it a highly sought-after place to live. While this number may not impress kids looking for more independence, as a parent it can provide peace of mind for you to loosen the reigns and allow for some extra freedom, particularly for older kids.
It’s A Winter Wonderland
If your kids are used to Texas sized adventures, Canada may just impress them. While Texans see snow from time to time, much of Canada brings winter and snow to extremes. Let your kids try out skiing, snowboarding, skating, snow biking, or even hockey to help them embrace the colder weather, make new friends, and perhaps even find a hobby that lasts a lifetime.
Cheaper Post Secondary Education
American post secondary education is known for coming with a hefty price tag. Even those who end up paying international student fees (this will be substantially lower should your family be granted permanent resident status or Canadian Citizenship) end up paying significantly less than they would for a school that is out of state or a private American College. This, along with universal health care, frees up money for the pursuit of a post graduate degree, living on campus, or maybe even the purchase of a car to help them with the commute. What teen is going to say no to that?
Wildlife Abound
Do your kids love wildlife? Canada is jam packed with it. Take your animal loving child to the west coast and Vancouver in the spring so they can watch 20,000 gray whales complete their enormous migration north (the longest mammal migration). Other animals you may run into while you live in Canada (depending on where you’re travelling) include grizzly bears, cougars, moose, gray wolves, Canada geese, marmots, wolverines, and bison. Remember to learn about safe distances from wild life and what to do if you come across Canadian wild life, before your first adventure.
Explore Canada On Foot
Interested in hiking? Check out the Great Trail spanning 24,000 kilometres (that’s 14,900 miles), all around this beautiful country. Four out of five Canadians live within 30 minutes of this multi-province and territory spanning trail, so odds are it’s nearby. Want to check out some national parks, national historical sites, and national marine conservation areas? Kids 17 and under can visit any of these locations operated by Parks Canada for no cost whatsoever (sorry parents, you must pay, but we promise it’ll be worth it).
Parental Leave
While this may not apply to older kids, it does apply to those who want to expand their family and enjoy more time with their little ones. If your child has always wanted a younger sibling, living in Canada may be the time to consider it. In Canada, employees who are covered by the Canadian Labour Code (research to see if this applies to you) are able to enjoy as much as 17 weeks of maternity leave, and a parental leave for either parent caring for a newborn infant or newly adopted child for a combined period of up to 63 weeks. Many parents are eligible for receiving some employment insurance during this time period.
Orbit International Moving Logistics Ltd.: Your International Moving Expert
We have over a decade of experience moving customers around the world. Some of our customers like us so much, they’ve used us more than once. Why did they come back to Orbit? Our customer service is what sets us apart – customer service representatives answer every question, no matter how small, and our moving crew shows up on time with all the materials they need to get the job done correctly the first time. To learn more about Orbit, call us at 416-661-4228.
We have over a decade of experience moving customers around the world. Some of our customers like us so much, they’ve used us more than once. Why did they come back to Orbit? Our customer service is what sets us apart – customer service representatives answer every question, no matter how small, and our moving crew shows up on time with all the materials they need to get the job done correctly the first time. To learn more about Orbit, call us at 416-661-4228.
