One of my 2021 goals is to write more so that I can hone my skills. One of my friends asked me if I had a niche for my writings and I said no, because I plan to express my thoughts about a variety of topics. I hope to publish new content twice a month. To start off my writing adventure, I have decided to weigh in on the Canadian immigration debate as there has been arguments for and against emigrating (from Nigeria).
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Canada is one of the countries with a simple and straightforward immigration process. I have been an active evangelist for people (friends, colleagues, family, friends of friends, etc.) seeking to migrate legally for almost 7 years since I moved here. My message to those I am evangelizing is simple — become a Canadian Permanent Resident and give about 4 years to the “Canadian Project” and when you officially become a Canadian citizen, you can decide what you want to do.
Is moving to Canada a worthwhile experience? I will attempt to provide a balanced opinion of some of the things that Canadians and Canadian Permanent Residents enjoy and you decide if moving to Canada is a good move for you. The items listed below are not exhaustive in any way and are based on my experience, experiences of those I know and also from official Canadian websites.
1. Healthcare:
a. Universal healthcare: In Nigeria, getting access to good basic primary health care may mean visiting private hospitals, which may be out of reach of the less privileged. Easy access to healthcare is a very strong proposition for me (and most people) and in Alberta (and I think Canada as a whole), your basic healthcare needs are taken care of by your provincial health insurance. There is equal access to basic/primary health care by everyone. As an immigrant in Alberta where I live, you are eligible for medical coverage from the day you establish residence in the province. Going to see your doctor for that headache or cold will not cost you a cent at the time of visit. However, you may need to pay out of pocket for things like prescribed medication, dental visits and optometrist visits, etc. — most people have these covered through employer benefits.
On the flip side, if you need to see a specialist, your primary care doctor may not be able to get a specialist to take on your case or the wait time may be extremely long. For example, I once needed to see a Dermatologist; my doctor made a referral in March and the earliest date available was in September! What I needed to see the Dermatologist for was resolved before the September date. My daughter was once referred to an Orthopedic Surgeon and there was none to take on her case for over 2 years. A Google search of “referral wait times in Canada” turns up a ton of stories. Those who can afford it and can’t afford the long wait times often go to the US where you can see a specialist as long as you can pay for it.
2. Travel and Adventure:
a. International travel: As a Nigerian, you have visa-free or visa on arrival access to some countries for a limited time. CNN Travel ranks the Canadian passport as the 9th most powerful in the world, granting you access to 183 countries! As a Canada Permanent Resident (PR), some countries grant you visa on arrival to access them. Essentially, if you love travelling and adventure being a Canadian or PR gives you plenty opportunities to fulfill your travel dreams.
b. Travel within Canada: Canada is home to a lot of natural wonders (beautiful lakes, mountains, national parks, etc.) and tons of attractions across all the provinces. I have been to Banff National Park, Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Jasper National Park. And if you love road trips, there’s a lot of ways to enjoy road trips in Canada.
In the next instalment of the article, my thoughts will focus on Education and Child Benefits and Career and Culture.
