It is very diverse in its people, landscape, climate and its way of life.  However, Canadians do share the same important values, values that guide and influence much of our everyday life.  These are values of pride, a belief in  equality and respect for all individuals in society.  Women, men, children and seniors are all equally respected in Canada.  These shared values make Canada a friendly, caring,  peace loving and secured society in which to live.

Famous for its natural scenery from coast to coast, you will really love it if you enjoy the wide open spaces! It is geared to outdoors.  

Canada is a nation that boasts beautiful countryside that is interspersed with stunning modern cities with excellent lifestyle attractions.

People from many cultures call Canada their home creating a diverse and vibrant society.  Multiculturalism is embraced throughout the country and  provides a huge spectrum of food, arts and festivals in its eye-opening urban life.

Canada is a popular living location with people who are looking to bask in natural beauty whilst enjoying all the modern conveniences that are found in the Western world. The United Nations Human Development Index consistently ranks Canada as one of the world’s best countries to live in which considers factors such as job oportunties, quality of schooling, decent standards of health care, life expectancy and cost of living. It has one of the strongest economies in the world and is a member of the G8, the world’s most prosperous nations.

Canada it is a first world nation with a positive immigration policy, and because the quality of life available can be excellent for those earning a decent salary, middle class Canadians can usually afford to live in detached real estate partly because the country is so vast that there is not a restriction on space!  Having said that, in the most built up areas where there is intense demand for space for business and residential real estate, of course costs can be higher.

The climate, despite what many people think, all of Canada is not covered in a blanket of snow for up to 6 months of the year!  Canada has seven distinct climate zones and during Canada’s winters the nation is fully geared up to cope with snow and therefore infrastructure does not fail as it does in other places. Life is structured around the winter weather with its snow and ice so that sports and community events for example, embrace the conditions and make the most of the weather.

First names are more readily used in Canada than in other countries.

You should say “Mr” (for men) or “Ms” (for women) and the person’s last name when talking to people in a position of authority, your professors, or your elders, unless they ask you to call them by their first name.

If you have accepted an invitation or if a meeting has been set, Canadians expect you to arrive at the agreed location at the right time. North Americans tend to be quite punctual. If you have to cancel an appointment or know that you will not be able to be on time, you should call your friend or host to cancel or reschedule.

If you are invited to a person’s home for a party or dinner, ask if this will be a formal, semi-formal or casual occasion, and dress accordingly.
When formally invited to someone’s home, it is considerate to bring a gift to your host. Common gifts are a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates, or flowers. No gift is expected when friends visit each other casually.

Canadians think of themselves as open-minded and are proud of their multicultural and diverse population. As in any nation anywhere in the world, Canadians have certain expectations of behaviour. Here are a few tips:

* be on time for both professional and social occasions
* be respectful in conversation and behaviour
* Canadians believe in equality between genders, so show respect to the          opposite sex
don’t tell jokes or make comments that are insulting to people’s race, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation or appearance – Canadians are very inclusive as a people
* avoid personal questions about things like age, salary, marital status, relationships, and the cost of personal items until you are well-acquainted with people.