Immigrants moving to Canada have many amazing choices when deciding which province to put down roots. Canada is the second-largest country in the world and has plenty of unique, natural beauty and hometown charm. Choosing between Canada’s ten provinces and three territories can be a tough choice for immigrants and foreign workers. However, expats may find themselves feeling right at home in sunny Alberta. In 2021, Alberta was the fourth most popular choice for transplants moving to Canada. Alberta’s lower taxes, small but vibrant cities, and picturesque landscape make it one of Canada’s best provinces.
Is Alberta the sunniest destination in Canada?
There are many reasons immigrants may choose to move to Alberta over other provinces. Alberta is located in Western Canada and is well known for its gorgeous countryside. It’s home to the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff National Park, and the iconic Lake Louise.
Expats are choosing to settle in the popular cities of Calgary and Edmonton, the two largest cities in Alberta. They’re actually the two sunniest cities in Canada since they receive more hours of sunshine than any other spot in Canada. If you’re a little worried about surviving Canada’s famously long winters, the Albertan sunshine may pull you through. Also, once summer rolls around, Albertans can experience toasty temperatures as high as 35°C.
Alberta is a gorgeous province with the wall of the Rocky Mountains on the west and open prairies on the east. Those that call Alberta home will enjoy scenic drives along the Icefields Parkway, which runs between Jasper and Banff. Drivers and passengers can witness stunning mountain ranges and glaciers on either length of the long parkway.
Since Alberta is home to magnificent landscapes, that also means it’s home to high altitudes. These altitudes may be ideal for immigrants who are accustomed to living in that type of environment. If you’re not used to living in high altitudes, your body may need some time to adjust.
Is Alberta the most affordable province in Canada?
Alberta is also one of the most affordable places to live in Canada. The province offers lower taxes in comparison to other provinces. There is no provincial sales tax, so residents only pay a federal tax of 5%. This is much lower than Ontario, where residents may pay up to 13% tax.
Alberta also has the highest minimum wage of all the provinces at $15 an hour. Alberta also has a high job creation economy in its primary industry, oil and gas. The high-income possibilities combined with affordable real estate and housing in Calgary and Edmonton make Alberta very affordable.
Alberta is particularly popular with immigrants because the province developed an upgraded immigration policy in 2022 with Canadian Immigration. The policy is called Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). The province hopes to attract at least 24,000 immigrants to Alberta each year to fill skilled worker shortages. The policy works with immigrants to help with settlement, language barriers, and other initiatives and programs related to immigration. If you need help with interpretation or translation, career services, and further settlement assistance, this policy is extremely helpful for foreign workers.
One of the other excellent reasons to move to Canada is to take advantage of Canada’s affordable education system. Public university is highly subsidized in Canada for locals and international citizens, and Alberta has two highly respected academic institutions. The University of Alberta is the oldest and largest university of Alberta located in Edmonton, and The University of Calgary is a public research university and is the second largest university in Alberta.
What is there to do in Alberta?
Alberta is the ideal destination for anyone who loves the great outdoors. Fishermen and hunters will find plenty of game in Alberta’s natural landscape. Also, Alberta is home to many fine ski resorts like Sunshine Village, Marmot Basin, and Mount Norquay.
The city of Calgary is situated in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and hosts the yearly Calgary Stampede & Exhibition, which is one of the largest outdoor rodeos in the world. Nicknamed the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, the stampede features all the greatest hits of a rodeo, from bull riding to calf roping.
Edmonton is the capital of Alberta and calls itself the “Festival City.” It actually hosts over 30 festivals annually, including many heritage days. It is home to the Edmonton Fringe Festival, which is the world’s second-largest fringe festival.
Alberta is a wonderful place to live in Canada because of its natural wilderness, sunnier weather, and affordable resources. Immigrants and foreign workers moving to Canada have a fantastic choice when it comes to living in Alberta.
Staying Connected to Family and Friends
Being far away from those you love can be tough, even in the sunniest of destinations. But don’t worry, Alberta also has international airports in Edmonton and Calgary, so you can easily travel back home or go to another beautiful international destination whenever the mood strikes.
You can also invite family and friends to visit and explore Canada with you once you get settled. Consider sending them money to help fund their trip, or if they can’t travel, you can always send money home to help with the things they need. With Western Union’s money transfer service, sending funds from your phone or computer is easy and reliable.
