Atlantic Canada is arguably the nation’s most underrated region. Although the Canadian Immigration Law Firm (CANADIM) claims that the best provinces to migrate to are Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec, the Atlantic region has more to offer than ever as more immigrants consider new beginnings in humble, low-key provinces.
Here are the top reasons why immigrants migrate to Atlantic Canada.
Rent Prices and Housing
Due to rising housing costs, Canada’s hotspot cities like Toronto and Vancouver are becoming unlivable. Rent prices have been steadily soaring to new heights since the pandemic started to cool down. Rentals.ca’s January 2023 report notes that the average one-bedroom apartment in Vancouver now costs $2,596 monthly, with Toronto averaging $2,457.
Prominent Atlantic Canadian cities like Halifax and St. John’s generally have more affordable rent. Halifax’s average price of a one-bedroom is currently $1,725, certainly higher than St. John’s, but almost $1000 less than Vancouver. While the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in St. John’s has steadily risen, the median rent in 2023 remains sustainable at $935 per month.
Safety
Canada is a safe country. According to Statistics Canada, Atlantic Canada, notably Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island (PEI), have low violent crime and homicide rates. But certain provinces, particularly Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the territories, have a comparatively higher crime rate per 100,000 people.
Less Traffic and Population Congestion
Many immigrants leave massive cities with crowds and unrelenting traffic, searching for a quieter existence. Luckily, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland, and Labrador have low traffic and population congestion, meaning you can quickly get from point A to point B.
But why is this so important? A 2022 report from Transport Reviews found that traffic congestion in major cities impacted drivers’ quality of life and led to increased feelings of stress, tension and anxiety.
COVID-19 Mitigation
The Maritimes, Newfoundland, and Labrador put themselves on the global map during the COVID-19 pandemic with responsible protocols and an organized approach that put health and safety first.
Atlantic Canadian provinces kept COVID-19 rates low and re-opened the economy before other regions by imposing travel bans and ensuring the “Atlantic bubble” was safe from other provinces. This approach gives citizens and immigrants a sense of security and trusts in their government.
Education
Not only do the Atlantic provinces have some of the best schools in Canada, including Dalhousie University, Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) and more, but some schools have lower tuition rates for international students compared to other provinces. Furthermore, Atlantic Canada hosts several colleges that offer valuable and lucrative skilled trades to immigrants.
For instance, international MUN students pay roughly $20,000 per year in tuition fees as of Fall 2022, which is over $40,000 less than international students attending the University of Toronto, who will pay just over $60,000. International students attending Dalhousie will pay roughly $30,000 for all school terms in 2023.
Community
Statistics Canada’s report on community belonging notes that Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI residents experience a greater sense of community belonging and welcoming than provinces like Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta.
And this is attracting young people to Atlantic Canada. A case in point is Charlottetown, PEI. Despite its humble population of roughly 80,000 people, a 2021 CBC article by Kevin Yarr notes that the median age of PEI’s capital is dropping.
Employment
While there are many opportunities in major cities, the job market in places like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal is often oversaturated and competitive to the point where securing employment is difficult.
Furthermore, it’s important to debunk the myth that there is no room for career growth in Atlantic Canadian provinces. Industries like tourism, construction, healthcare, sales, administration, and finance are all consistently hiring in Nova Scotia, as shown by job listing on Jobbank.gc.ca. Other Atlantic provinces, like PEI and New Brunswick, have employment opportunities in similar in-demand industries.
Scenery
Outside of British Columbia’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean and Ontario’s closeness to the Great Lakes, a big chunk of Canada is landlocked, including Alberta, the prairies and many territories. But in Atlantic Canada, newcomers can enjoy living next to the Atlantic Ocean and the benefits of coastal living.
A study from PubMed found that people who live by the coast and have more access to greenspace experience stress reduction and a boost in physical activity, resulting in better overall health.
And as someone from Newfoundland, I know many parts of Atlantic Canada are objectively beautiful.
Immigrant Muse Magazine 