Maple News reports on a personal story that highlights the complex decisions and trade-offs immigrants often face when relocating to Canada. Originally from Kuwait, the author explores both the difficult adjustments and the deeper freedoms that led to their move.
One of the first challenges encountered was the climate. Canadian winters, known for their severity, are a dramatic shift for anyone coming from a desert climate. Yet weather was just the beginning.
Living in Kuwait meant life without taxes. In Canada, the layers of taxation—federal, provincial, sales tax, and more—were initially overwhelming. The process of budgeting after tax deductions, learning about credits, and adapting to sticker prices that don’t reflect final costs required a steep learning curve.
Another surprise was the cost of connectivity. In Canada, mobile and internet plans come at a premium. The author pays around $45 monthly for basic services and just 5 GB of data—far more expensive than back home where the same amount could buy ten times the data.
Time off is also limited. Most provinces guarantee only two weeks of paid vacation per year, with Saskatchewan offering three. While some employers may offer more, five personal days for illness or family issues is the national minimum—placing Canada behind most developed nations, with only Japan and the United States offering less paid leave.
Despite these drawbacks, the author chose Canada for reasons that can’t be measured in dollars or degrees. At the heart of the decision was a desire for freedom—particularly the freedom of speech and expression that Canada upholds. In a country where individuality is protected and being authentic is not just accepted but encouraged, the author found a deeper sense of belonging and mental freedom.
Though the cost of living and cultural adjustments are considerable, the opportunity to live a life free of censure and full of personal truth outweighs the challenges. “No country is perfect,” they conclude, “but for me, Canada offers something irreplaceable: the right to be who I truly am.”
Maple News will continue to share real immigrant stories that shed light on what it’s truly like to start fresh in a new country.