About Canada

A neighbor of USA and home to ice hockey, maple trees and salmon Canada is an amazing place to live, work and study. Ranked quite higher in leading economies Canada also is a picture of serene beauty and realm of calmness.

Canada's 2006 census counted a total population of 31,612,897. Population growth is from immigration and, to a lesser extent, natural growth. About three-quarters of Canada's population live within 150 kilometres of the United States border.

Average winter and summer high temperatures across Canada vary depending on the location. Winters can be harsh in many regions of the country, particularly in the interior and Prairie provinces with severe wind chills. In noncoastal regions, snow can cover the ground almost six months of the year (more in the north). Coastal British Columbia is an exception; it enjoys a temperate climate, with a mild and rainy winter.

Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Calgary.

Canada is a geographically vast and ethnically diverse country. Canadian culture has also been greatly influenced by immigration from all over the world. Many Canadians value multiculturalism and see Canadian culture as being inherently multicultural. Due to an exceptional rate of immigration Canada is a personifcation of cultural exchange which is a salient feature of country’s growth. American media is dominant and cross border cultural participation unify the USA and Canada as North America. University campuses throughout the country reflects one reality: a multitude of languages are spoken and hundreds of culture interconnect.

Canada’s economy and way of life are directly tied to its national transportation infrastructure system.Transportation in the country is facilitated by road, air, rail, and water networks. Most Canadian cities have public transportation, if only a bus system. Six Canadian cities have rapid transit systems and three have commuter rail systems. Not many Canadians use public transportation to get to work. This compares to a majority that got to work by car. In general, Canadian cities have rates of public transit use which are two to three times as high as comparabl to U.S. cities.

Each year Canadaina universites welcome more than 100,000 students from around the globe. Canadian institutions are home to a wide variety of internationally-respected programs offering incredible educational value.

A Canadian degree is recognized globally as equivalent to degrees from the United States and Commonwealth universities, while Canada’s lower tuition and living costs create exceptional value.

The students in the Canadian school system receive a variety of classes that are offered to them. The system is set up to meet the diverse needs of the individual student.

According to an announcement of Canadian Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Canada is introducing a new, fast-track system to let foreign students and graduates with Canadian work experience become permanent eligible residents in Canada.

Tuition fees for international students vary from province to province and will depend on your

academic program of choice. Fee schedules are based on citizenship, not country of origin or residence. The following table indicates the range of tuition fees for each province (in Canadian dollars) for general arts and science programs.

Province	Undergraduate tuition fee (per academic year)*	Graduate tuition fee(per academic year)**
British Columbia	$9,248 - $17,667	$2,600 – 33,667
Alberta	$8,000 - $15,767	$5,550 - $21,546
Saskatchewan	$8,489 - $11,482	$2,000 – $7,078
Manitoba	$5,573 - $8,283	$4,170 - $7,937
Ontario	$6,900 - $16,800	$5,650 - $26,764
Quebec	$10,068 - $12,810	$9,078 - $20,000
New Brunswick	$7,843 - $12,810	$7,260 - $9,384
Nova Scotia	$8,233 - $14,349	$5,735 - $19,476
Prince Edward Island	$8,970	$4,854 - $7,281
Newfoundland and Labrador	$8,780	$1,896 - $3,549

Source: Statistics Canada

*undergraduate programs in arts

**graduate programs in all faculties

All prices are in Canadian Dollars

Compared to many other countries, the cost of living in Canada is very affordable. Approximate prices ($CDN) for basic goods and services are as follows:

Monthly rent (2-bedroom apartment): $500.00 – $1000

Bus fare, one way: $2.50

Lunch at restaurant: $10.00

Dinner at restaurant: $18.00

Admission to cinema: $10.00

As a rough guideline, you will need approximately $19,000 to $25,000 CDN ($15,000 to $20,000 US) to cover all expenses for an academic year. This includes tuition and living expenses but not transportation to and from your home country. This figure is an average only. Actual expenses may vary with geographic region and will depend upon the specific tuition fees for the program you choose and the university you attend.

IGEC TIP!

Because winters are cold in most parts of Canada, a budget for warm clothing is strongly recommended. Expect to spend between $350 and $500 CDN for winter clothes.

According to Canada's 2001 census, there were 579,640 Muslims in Canada, just under 2% of the population. In 2006, Muslim population is estimated to be 783,700 or about 2.5%.

As the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees freedom of religious expression, Canadian Muslims face no official religious discrimination. The wearing of the hijab is permitted in schools and places of work. Religious holidays and dietary restrictions are also respected, but outside major urban areas it may be difficult to find halal food. It is also often difficult to observe Islamic rules against usury.

Student-led initiatives are generally well supported and successful, including annual events such as MuslimFest and the Reviving the Islamic Spirit conference, the largest Islamic event in Canada.