A low crime rate
The chances of being attacked - even verbally - in the street are low, and urban burglaries are quite rare. The country's low crime rate - among the lowest in the world - is likely due to the heavy police presence.
We also note that Canada has very strict anti-gun laws. Permits to possess and carry weapons are subject to federal laws. To obtain them, the applicant must be over 18 years old and prove that he has a real need for a weapon for his protection. Possessing or using a firearm - even for hunting - without permission is punishable by a heavy prison sentence.
Compared to its American neighbor, Canada is a true haven of peace.
Access to housing
Being able to find accommodation quickly and without difficulty is a recurring criterion for judging the safety of a place. Canada has not put the same policies in place as Sweden or Germany, for example, which did everything very early on to ensure affordable housing for the middle class. The Government has therefore put in place a national housing strategy to address the long-term housing problems that the population has had to face, particularly in the cities.
It is a 10-year action plan worth more than 70 billion Canadian dollars. It has greatly facilitated access to affordable housing. However, we note that rents remain very high in large cities in high demand, such as Toronto, Ottawa or Vancouver.
Emergency and health services
Public assistance services are very developed in Canada. The firefighters, the police, the gendarmerie are at the service of the Nation and the population. Canada has a very important security system to maintain order on its territory. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the various local police agencies prevent and fight crime on a daily basis.
The country is not immune to natural disasters, which is why it has put in place systems for the prevention, mitigation and management of this type of event. It has also provided for arrangements in the event of a nuclear, explosive, biological, chemical or radiological incident.
Political and economic stability
The various successive governments have certainly oscillated between liberals and conservatives, but in reality they have all been rather centrist on the issues most important to the country. The population generally has confidence in the government, its institutions and the decisions it makes. The country also owes this political stability to its ability to enforce the law, the independence of the judiciary, human rights and economic freedom on its territory. It is a country that encourages its citizens to live their culture, without discrimination.
Canada is rich and prosperous because of a robust and diversified economy, with much of it based on natural resource extraction, oil companies and energy production, including electricity. There is also a very large amount of Canadian products exported, which helps strengthen the country's economy around the world. These include, for example, maple syrup, mustard seeds, or even cranberries.
Health and safety at work
Workers are well protected by Canadian labor law. This law gives them rights, in particular the right to refuse to work if the conditions and their professional environment seem unsafe to them. In return, workers have duties, such as using all the safety elements made available to them to protect them. Employers, for their part, have the responsibility to inform, train and supervise their workforce. It is also their responsibility to investigate if necessary to identify potential security breaches.
Foreign workers immigrating to Canada are also protected by this Labor Act.
Effective immigration and multiculturalism policies
Immigration is a sensitive subject in many countries around the world, particularly in countries where immigration policies are rigid, which has the effect of encouraging clandestinity.
Since the 1970s, Canada has officially adopted policies of multiculturalism - an important facet of Canadian identity. The country encourages the arrival of foreigners for a specific purpose, generally studies or work. Each case is properly supervised, which makes it possible to limit clandestinity. Access to permanent residence is also facilitated for foreigners residing in the territory for several years.
There is another important point that makes all these different communities feel good in the country. In other countries, such as the United States, they are forced to assimilate the culture of the country and integrate. Large Canadian cities like Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver contain a multitude of ethnic neighborhoods, such as Chinatown, Little Italy, Koreatown, etc.
All these communities live in harmony, without renouncing their religious practices or their cultural heritage. In Canada, we are more on a policy of multicultural mosaic than of melting pot - unlike in the United States.
Inclusivity: a value dear to the country
Diversity and inclusiveness are two values for which Canada is recognized. He also very strongly supports the LGBTQ community. A survey carried out in 2017 showed that the vast majority (74%) of those questioned were in favor of same-sex marriage. In 2005, it was the first country outside of Europe and the 4th country in the world to adopt equal marriage. The month of June is declared Pride Month in the country in 2015 and many parades take place in the major Canadian cities during this period.
The situation of women is also important in Canada, which protects their rights (voting, access to contraception, etc.). Current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pledged that his cabinet will be made up of equal numbers of men and women when he takes office. The majority of women of working age are in the workforce, although improvements are still needed for women to access decision-making positions in Canada.
Canada is considered a safe country worldwide, even for people passing through. Tourists who travel by train, in a motorhome, by car or by public transport feel good there. Women traveling solo also feel safe there. If you are planning to take a trip there or are considering settling there, you can rest assured that Canada is a country at least as safe as ours.
In the meantime, come and discover our selection of Canadian products on our site. We offer you various items, from food to decoration, including cosmetics. Treat yourself to a maple-scented candle or even make your own to bring a little bit of Canada home.
