Canada has secured a remarkable second-place spot in the world’s rankings, as per the 2023 Best Countries survey conducted by U.S. News. This global opinion survey took into account the perspectives of over 17,000 individuals across 36 countries. In this comprehensive survey, a country’s global reputation is measured across ten distinct categories, encompassing aspects like power, cultural influence, heritage, and social purpose, to name a few. Remarkably, within these categories, nearly 100 unique factors were considered.
Canada shines brightly in several key categories, where it outperformed 87 competing nations:
- Agility (2nd Rank): Canada is viewed as exceptionally adaptable and responsive to change.
- Quality of life (3rd Rank): Renowned for its robust job market, economic stability, and family-friendly atmosphere.
- Social purpose (4th Rank): Canada is hailed for its progressive, inclusive, and socially just ethos.
- Entrepreneurship (5th Rank): Canada is recognized for fostering innovation and enterprising citizens.
Notably, Canada’s reputation for being a welcoming haven for immigrants plays a pivotal role in its global identity. The nation prides itself on its multicultural policies, which celebrate diversity and encourage residents to cherish their unique cultural heritages. These factors are underpinned by Canada’s exemplary scores of 100/100 in the ranking factors of “Religious freedom” and “Racial equity” within the “Social purpose” category. These scores, along with top marks in “Responsive” under “Agility” and “Not corrupt” under “Open for business,” further solidify Canada’s standing as a world leader.
Canada’s Global Standing: Areas of Improvement
Canada has earned high praise in a recent global survey, but there are a few areas where it didn’t score as well.
First, in the “Movers” category, Canada’s score was 17.8 out of 100. This category looks at how well a country can handle global economic challenges. Attributes like being “Different,” “Distinctive,” “Dynamic,” and “Unique” were considered, and Canada didn’t score above 50 in any of these.
Then, there’s the “Power” category, where Canada scored 41.9 out of 100. This category assesses a country’s influence in world politics. Countries that do well here often have strong foreign policies and military budgets that impact the global economy. The United States ranked number one in this category. However, while Canada didn’t excel in “Power,” it did get decent scores in subcategories like “Economically influential” and “Strong international allies,” which boosted its overall ranking. Being a strong ally with the U.S. likely played a part in this.
But let’s not forget, no country is perfect. The fact that people around the world view Canada as one of the best countries speaks volumes about its international reputation. People generally believe that Canadians enjoy a good quality of life, live in an inclusive society, and have a favorable environment for doing business.
Canada’s Job Market Enhances Quality of Life
Canada has truly aced the “Good job market” category with an impressive score of 98.4 out of 100. This is largely because of the widespread message that Canada is a land of opportunities, especially for immigrants, with plenty of job openings waiting to be filled. But it’s not just about jobs. Canada’s identity is deeply rooted in multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusion. Beyond that, there’s a practical need to welcome immigrants due to labor shortages across the country.
According to the latest data from Statistics Canada’s Job Vacancies Survey, there are a whopping 780,200 job vacancies in Canada as of the second quarter of 2023. While the labor market is slowly easing up, experts and policymakers often emphasize the importance of bringing in more immigrants to ensure Canada’s long-term workforce growth.
That’s why Canada opens its doors to a substantial number of immigrants each year. In 2023, it’s on track to set a new record by welcoming 465,000 newcomers. The majority of these new arrivals will come through economic-class immigration programs like Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). As we await Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026, set to be unveiled before November 1, we’ll get a glimpse of the country’s immigration priorities for the upcoming year.
Securing Employment as an Immigrant in Canada: A Guide
If you’re eyeing a career in Canada, you’ll need what’s known as a work permit. But here’s where it gets interesting: there are different types to choose from, each offering unique possibilities.
First up, there’s the open work permit, granting you the freedom to work anywhere in Canada for any employer. On the flip side, you’ve got a closed work permit, which hinges on a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to support your job application.
Now, let’s dive deeper into the options. Your eligibility hinges on various factors, such as your country of origin. Take the International Experience Canada (IEC), for instance—it might be your ticket to Canadian employment. Alternatively, if you’ve completed qualifying studies in Canada, you could be eyeing the coveted Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). And if you happen to have a job offer in certain tech fields, you could find yourself in the fast lane with the Global Talent Stream, known for its lightning-fast two-week work permit processing.
But hold on, these are just the tip of the iceberg. Canada offers a myriad of work permit pathways, each with its own set of possibilities. So, if Canada is your career destination, the journey begins with choosing the right work permit for you.
In essence, Canada’s remarkable global ranking, robust job market, and commitment to immigrant integration make it an enticing destination for individuals pursuing diverse opportunities and a better quality of life. Whether embarking on a career journey or seeking a fresh start, Canada continues to stand as a beacon of promise on the global stage.
