Canada is a country known for its warmth—both in its people and its winter festivities. As a newcomer, you can transform your first holiday season in Canada into a magical experience by embracing the warmth of its diverse communities. From attending multicultural festivities to trying your hand at winter sports, there’s a wealth of adventures waiting for you.

Embrace the Cultural Display

As a newcomer, you can enrich your Canadian experience by fully embracing the cultural diversity that defines this country. Take the time to explore and appreciate the various holiday celebrations that unfold around you. Attend community events and multicultural festivals to witness the beauty of traditions from different corners of the world. Engaging with these festivities not only broadens your cultural horizons but also allows you to connect with locals who are eager to share their heritage.

Dive into Winter Wonderland Activities

Canada’s winter wonderland offers a unique playground for newcomers. Embrace the snowy landscapes and dive into winter sports and activities. Don’t shy away from trying ice skating, skiing, or building your first snowman. Canadians are friendly and welcoming, and you’ll likely find locals more than willing to share their love for winter pursuits. Use this season as an opportunity to bond with fellow newcomers and Canadians alike over shared winter adventures.

Explore Festive Markets and Events

Your first holiday season in Canada wouldn’t be complete without exploring the festive markets and events that light up cities across the country. Venture into these lively spaces to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of the season. Engage with vendors, learn about local crafts, and indulge in seasonal treats. As a newcomer, these markets are not only a gateway to Canadian holiday traditions but also a chance to make new friends who share your excitement for the festivities.

Embrace Canadian Holiday Customs

To truly feel at home during the holidays, immerse yourself in Canadian holiday customs. Whether it’s joining in the lighting of the Christmas tree or participating in workplace celebrations, understanding and embracing these traditions will help you integrate seamlessly into the community. Take note of specific customs in your workplace and community, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Your genuine interest in Canadian traditions will likely be met with warmth and a willingness to share.

Navigate Winter Travel with Confidence

If your holiday plans involve travel within Canada, you, as a newcomer, can navigate winter travel with confidence by planning ahead. Familiarize yourself with local transportation options, check weather forecasts, and ensure you have the proper winter gear. Connect with locals for travel advice and insights into the best routes, making your journey smoother and more enjoyable.

Infuse Your Own Traditions

Your unique cultural background is a valuable addition to the Canadian mosaic. As a newcomer, you can enrich the holiday season by infusing your own traditions into the festivities. Host a gathering showcasing dishes from your home country, share stories about your own customs, and invite others to join in your celebrations. By creating a blend of traditions, you contribute to the rich cultural fabric that makes Canada a welcoming and inclusive home for newcomers.

In summary, your first holiday season in Canada is a canvas waiting to be painted with the colours of multicultural celebrations, winter wonders, and shared traditions. Embrace the opportunities around you, create connections, and make this festive season a memorable chapter in your Canadian journey. Happy holidays!

As a newcomer to Canada, you’re dealing with an ever-growing list of things to do, from finding a place to live to navigating grocery stores. One of the items on this list might say “finances” with a cloud of question marks around it. Which bank should you choose for your first account? How many credit cards do you need? What type of account is best for you and your family? Money is often a taboo subject, but to build a solid future in a new country, you need solid answers. In this article, we’re addressing the top three myths about personal finances among newcomers.

1. “I can’t start saving money now.”

Many newcomers tend to think that you should only start saving money and investing after certain aspects of life in a new country have been established. Whatever those aspects are, saving for your future can feel like a far-off dream during those first few years. However, the best time to start investing and saving money is now. A little goes a long way, and your future self – as well as your family – will be grateful for the savings you’ll slowly and steadily accumulate.

If you find yourself thinking “I’m struggling to make my ends meet. Monthly bills and payments eat up all my budget – there is nothing left to save and invest,” give yourself some grace. You’re doing your best, so pat yourself on the back. Secondly – and if you could only take one thing from this article, it’s this: saving is not about money, it’s about forming a habit. Get into the habit of saving 10 dollars every week or 20 every month, whatever works for you. You can use automated banking features to transfer money from a chequing account into a savings account or simply set up reminders on your phone. But once you start putting money away, there is no going back, and very soon you’ll be ready to look at investment options in Canada.

2. “I should choose one of the top banks.”

When you search “banks in Canada,” the top five banks jump at you from every page. It is very tempting to pick one of them as the main bank for your household because size is often associated with a feeling of security. And depending on the country you come from, security might be the factor you care most about. But don’t stop there.

You are free to have accounts at as many banks as you want, but it is considered best practice to have a primary bank plus one or two additional accounts with different financial institutions that match your personal needs and wants. For example, you can use your primary bank for day-to-day transactions, such as depositing your pay cheque, paying bills and using credit cards, but it might make sense for you to open a savings account with a bank that offers stronger interest rates and more favourable terms and conditions. Check out Motive Financial to see one of the best returns available for a traditional savings account.

3. “Having conversations about finances is hard, so it’s best to avoid them.”

If English is not your first language, you might not feel extremely comfortable talking about finances. It can be challenging to understand how various accounts, offers, and investment products compare to each other even if you are a born-and-raised Canadian. Plus, your saving and investing strategy should be based on your current situation and personal goals, and since there is no one-size-fits-all formula, you should talk to an advisor who can help you create a plan that works for you.

Remember that regardless of the bank you choose, you can take initiative by following these tips:

• Ask questions. Whether you’re opening your first account or asking for more information about a special offer, it is critical that you have a solid understanding of how everything works, including the terms and conditions.
• Take it slow. Bank employees are extremely knowledgeable on the topics of money, accounts and investing, and it’s possible that they move through the information too quickly to truly understand. If there is anything that’s unclear to you at any moment, ask them to slow down and go over it again. It’s critical that you know what you’re signing up for, so don’t be shy to say, “explain this to me like I’m 5 years old.”

Don’t fall victim to financial scams

One last but very important thing: fraud schemes and scams are not a myth. Be very cautious when sharing your personal information online or over the phone. Make sure you know who you’re talking to, and if your gut is telling you that something is off, it probably is. Read more about how to protect yourself and the most recent scams here.

To sum everything up, there is no better time to start investing than now. Remember to do your own research when choosing primary and secondary banks, and don’t forget to ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable and in control of your financial situation

Starting a new school year is an exciting time for many children, but it can also bring stress and anxiety. This can be particularly true for newcomer children transitioning to learning in a Canadian school, as they have unique concerns such as making friends in a new place and learning a new culture. Here are eight useful tips for helping ease your newcomer child’s transition into a Canadian school and set them up for a positive experience.

Begin Following a Routine

Children respond quite well to routines. Having a routine can help reduce anxiety and stress as your child knows what to expect each day. Do some research in advance to get a sense of your child’s school routine. When is lunch? When do classes transition? Helping your student understand this ahead of time can be useful. Additionally, develop a morning routine at home that mirrors what your child will do once school starts. This can help ease the transition.

Ensure Your Child Gets Enough Sleep

An essential aspect of your child’s academic success is their nighttime routine. In fact, many people are surprised at the importance of getting enough sleep. It can help students focus, lower their stress, and become prepared for academic success. Children under 12 typically need at least nine hours each night, while those 13 to 18 tend to need at least eight hours.

Tour the School

This tip may not always be possible and will likely vary depending on your child’s school. However, many schools will happily arrange for you to do a tour prior to the first day of classes. For newcomer children, this can help them feel more comfortable in their environment. They will understand the school’s layout, including where to find bathrooms, offices, and classrooms. Your child may also be able to meet teachers or administration.

Encourage Extracurricular Activities

An important part of transitioning to a new school is feeling connected to the new environment. Encouraging your child to join extracurricular activities is a great way to help facilitate this. School clubs and sports provide your child with the opportunity to pursue an interest while also helping them grow a larger social circle. Schools in Canada offer many activities, such as sports, theatre, choir, book clubs, and more.

Ask Your Child About Their Day

Once your child has started school, be sure to make time to actively chat with them about the school experience. Ask them how their day went, what classes they enjoyed, what they learned, and other things. Finding time to do this is a great way to provide an additional outlet for your child to process the experience of transitioning to a new school. It can also encourage your child to bring any concerns to you.

Prepare Your Kids to Accept Students from Many Cultures

One of the great things about Canadian schools is that many are quite diverse. This means your child will be interacting with peers from many different places, including other newcomer children to Canada. Help your child understand the importance of being open to people with different backgrounds, religions, and traditions. This can include chatting about stereotyping, discrimination, and other things.

Advocate for Your Child

While your child’s school has their best interests at heart, parents will sometimes need to advocate for their children. If your child has any special needs or concerns, feel free to discuss these with their teacher or administration. You want to be sure that your child is set up for success. Sometimes, this means chatting with their teacher to resolve any concerns or needs your student has.

Transitioning to a new school as a newcomer to Canada presents many challenges for newcomer children. These eight tips can help ensure your child’s success.