Which Canadian company's brand has the strongest reputation among shoppers?
Recently, Canadian Business magazine and Reputation Institute teamed up to compile a survey of Canadians' favourite companies in 2011. The survey is based on corporate governance, innovation, workplace environment, innovation, products and other factors.
The survey also evaluates a company's brand value in the minds of consumers.
The following are the top 25 finishers in the survey.
The May 14th Globe and Mail article on the release of 2009 immigration statistics led with the headline, “Leap in temporary foreign workers will hurt Canada long-term, critics say,” and went on to opine that this “marked a major shift in policy for a country that historically was built through permanent immigration.”
The article continued in an alarmist tone suggesting that Canada’s immigration policy was becoming similar to “European guest-worker programs, which spawned years of social unrest in countries such as Germany.” This betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of Canadian immigration policy and German immigration policy.
Here’s the truth for Canada. On December 1, 2009, there were 282,771 temporary foreign workers in Canada. In 2009, Canada admitted 252,124 permanent residents (immigrants). (CIC, Facts and Figures 2009). Sounds like we have more temporary workers than permanent residents? This is what those who oppose temporary foreign workers claim.
But wait! They are comparing apples and oranges. They are comparing the total number of temporary foreign workers in Canada with the annual intake of permanent immigrants. If we compare total immigrants to total temporary foreign workers in Canada, we have a dramatically different picture. The 2006 Census of Canada reported that there were a total of 6,186,950 immigrants in Canada. (Statistics Canada, Immigrant population by place of birth, by province and territory - 2006 Census).
Therefore, the fact is that immigrants in Canada outnumber temporary foreign workers by 22 to 1! And this figure doesn’t include the roughly 860,000 permanent immigrants Canada has welcomed in the three and a half years since census day in 2006. (CIC, Facts and Figures 2009 )
The truth of the matter is that Canada remains a country dedicated to permanent immigration. In fact recent changes to the immigration legislation creating the Canadian Experience Class, have now made it possible for most temporary foreign workers, who have a permanent job offer in Canada, to apply for immigrant status without leaving Canada, which had not been the case before. It is unfortunate that the legislation excludes temporary foreign workers in lower-skilled occupations but in 2008, they numbered 96,673 or about only 38.5% of the total. (CIC Facts and Figures 2008 Digital Library (available only on CD on request from CIC.)
Now what about Germany? Does the presence of less than 100,000 persons who are not eligible for permanent residence put Canada on a par with Germany? Not by a long shot. In the first place, until 2005, Germany had no legislation allowing permanent residents. Gastarbeiter (guest workers) were admitted on the basis of bilateral agreements with Italy in 1955, then with Spain (1960), Greece (1960), Turkey (1961), Portugal (1964), and Yugoslavia (1968). By 2003, there were over seven million foreigners in Germany. There were 1.9 million Turkish citizens alone, of which 654,000 had been born in Germany but were not eligible for citizenship. It was only in 2000 that Germany’s citizenship legislation allowed any of the guest workers’ children born in Germany to claim German citizenship. (Migration Policy Institute, Germany: Immigration in Transition)
When 8.5% of your population is excluded from qualifying as an immigrant and, in time, obtaining the benefits of citizenship, social unrest is surely likely. When less than one third of one percent are ineligible to apply for immigrant status, it is a different situation entirely.
So, by all means, let’s debate the merits of temporary foreign workers as a means to meet Canada’s labour market needs, but let’s get our facts straight first. Canada is not abandoning its traditional policy of welcoming permanent immigrants in large numbers; nor is Canada creating a mammoth guest worker ghetto. Having said that, let’s focus on an effective program that both meets Canada’s needs and respects the human dignity of all temporary foreign workers in Canada.
The number of foreign workers admitted to Canada on a temporary basis more than doubled in a 10-year period, census data shows.
Similar growth in temporary worker programs was seen in many industrialized countries, Statistics Canada said Tuesday. .
More than 112,000 foreign-born nationals were working in Canada on census day in 2006, according to census figures. That number was 118 per cent higher that the figure from the 1996 census. About 94,000 were working full-time.
Many of these workers were admitted under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, which is designed to help employers address labour shortages in Canada. The program restricts non-permanent resident workers to a specific job or location as a condition of entry.
There are a variety of programs that allow foreign-born nationals to come to Canada to work. Some programs bring in skilled workers, while some target unskilled workers. Other programs allow some non-resident students to work for up to six months while on an exchange program..
A minority of non-permanent residents — mainly refugee claimants — are granted work permits that allow them to accept almost any job with no restrictions.
"The increase in the number non-permanent residents working in Canada may be a result of increased labour market requirements during the economic expansion which ended in the latter part of 2008," Statistics Canada said.
Diverse lot
Who are these foreign-born non-resident workers? Statistics Canada's analysis of the 2006 census data shows they are diverse, depending on the program that brought them to Canada.
While many came from developing parts of the world, including South East Asia, Latin America and South Asia, many others came from high-GDP areas like the United States and western Europe.
Where are they working?
Toronto: 33%
Montreal: 15%
Vancouver: 12.5%
Calgary: 5.5%
Edmonton 3.7%
Source: 2006 Census
Women made up 40 per cent of all non-resident workers, most often working as caregivers or domestics — many from the Philippines.
Men who hailed from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean were more often employed in agriculture. In Leamington, Ont. — the greenhouse capital of Canada — non-resident foreign nationals account for 9.1 per cent of the town's full-time labour force.
Non-resident workers from high-GDP economies like the United States and western Europe were more likely to be working as university professors, post-secondary teaching and research assistants, computer programmers and senior managers.
The census analysis notes that non-permanent residents account for less than one per cent of the total full-time workforce in Canada. In some occupations, however, they represent a much bigger share.
For instance, more than 20 per cent of all full-time nannies or parents' helpers in Canada in 2006 were non-permanent residents. More than 13 per cent of post-secondary teaching and research assistants were non-residents — many also going to school in Canada, too. Nine per cent of farm labourers, eight per cent of nursery workers and six per cent of all physicists and astronomers working in Canada were also non-permanent residents.
Not to compete
Generally speaking, non-resident workers are not supposed to compete with permanent residents for jobs. Employers are often required to obtain a federal certificate stating that no qualified Canadians are available to do the work.
Still, the presence of non-resident employment programs in times of higher unemployment has attracted some criticism over the years, even though employers like them and some international treaties like NAFTA sometimes oblige Canada to admit non-resident workers.
On Monday, the federal government cancelled a program that makes it easier for foreign workers to fill vacant technology jobs in Canada — especially in software development.
Federal officials say the shortage of highly skilled technology workers in the late 1990s no longer exists. Employers will now have to show that no suitable Canadian is available to do a job before a foreign national can be brought in.
Canadians enjoy many government-funded benefits, such as healthcare, education systems, interconnecting highways, clean drinking water and sanitation systems. Canadians pay a variety of taxes to the federal and provincial governments to support these benefits.
Each year, you determine your final tax obligation. On the return, you list your income and deductions, calculate federal and provincial or territorial tax, and determine if you have a balance of tax owing for the year, or whether you are entitled to a refund of some or all of the tax that was deducted from your income during the year.
Sales Taxes
When you purchase an item or a service one or more types of tax may be added:
Goods and Services Tax (GST) - A 5% federal tax applies to most goods and services sold in Canada.
Provincial Sales Tax (PST) - With the exception of Alberta, the provinces also tax many new and used items (but not services). The rate varies by province.
Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) - In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador, the GST and PST are combined into a single tax - the HST. The HST is 13% (5% GST plus 8% PST) and is added to the cost of the goods or services for the final total price.
6.05% on the first $36,848 of taxable income, + 9.15% on the next $36,850, + 11.16% on the amount over $73,698
Manitoba
10.8% on the first $31,000 of taxable income, + 12.75% on the next $36,000, + 17.4% on the amount over $67,000
Saskatchewan
11% on the first $40,113 of taxable income, + 13% on the next $74,497, + 15% on the amount over $114,610
Alberta
10% of taxable income
British Columbia
5.06% on the first $35,716 of taxable income, + 7.7% on the next $35,717, + 10.5% on the next $10,581, + 12.29% on the next $17,574, + 14.7% on the amount over $99,588
Yukon
7.04% on the first $38,832 of taxable income, + 9.68% on the next $38,832, + 11.44% on the next $48,600, + 12.76% on the amount over $126,264
Northwest Territories
5.9% on the first $36,885 of taxable income, + 8.6% on the next $36,887, + 12.2% on the next $46,164, + 14.05% on the amount over $119,936
Nunavut
4% on the first $38,832 of taxable income, + 7% on the next $38,832, + 9% on the next $48,600, + 11.5% on the amount over $126,264
The following deductions are standard for all employees in Canada. The deductions are automatically taken out from your paycheck before you receive your pay.
Income taxes
Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan
Employment Insurance
Union dues - if you belong to a union
Contributions to a retirement or pension plan
Any other necessary or agreed upon deductions between you and your employer
The above deduction could reduce your pay by as much as 25% to 35% of your total income.
If you plan to live in a city and will not have a car, budget for public transportation. Public transportation in Canada is reliable and safe, and is reasonably priced.
If you will be buying a motor vehicle, budget for gasoline, maintenance, and repairs and automobile insurance, along with the cost of the vehicle.
Insurance
Canadians purchase a number of different types of insurance. Some are required by law and some are purchased to provide financial security. Common types are:
Automobile insurance (required to drive a vehicle)
Property insurance (to protect your home and your belongings from theft or damage)
Medical insurance (addition provincial health coverage)
Life insurance (to protect your family if anything should happen to you)
Creditor's insurance (to cover outstanding debts if you are unable to work)
Telephones - You can buy your own telephone, or rent one from the telephone company. Major home phone companies are: Rogers, Bell and Primus
Average Cost of Telephone (Monthly): $20 - $40 plus long distance charges.
Cellular phones - Many Canadians have a cellular (cell), or mobile, phone instead of or in addition to a land-line. You will need to purchase a phone and pay for the monthly phone service. Major cell phone retailers are: Rogers, Bell, Fido, Telus, Virgin Mobile, Solo and Koodo.
Average Cost of Cell Phone (Monthly): $40 + Cost Initial Cost of Phone
Cable or satellite television - you may need to purchase cable or satellite service. There is a monthly fee for such service, and it usually varies depending on the provider, the scope of the package and the options you choose.
Average Cost of Cable (Monthly): $25 - $50
Internet - Many Canadians subscribe to an Internet service, which allows them to surf the web or send emails from their home computer. You can purchase Internet service from most cable or telephone companies.
Average Cost of Internet (Monthly): $20 - $60
To keep in touch with your relatives abroad, get a free $5 calling card when you sign up for the Scotiabank StartRight Program
Education
Education is important to Canadians, and attendance is mandatory for children between the ages of six and 16. In Canada, children are eligible to receive free elementary and high school education through the government-funded public education system. Budget for additional expenses such as school supplies, some books, sports equipment and musical instruments.
One of the most important things you need to do as soon as you arrive in Canada is to apply for a health insurance card. All members of your family, even newborn babies, must have their own card. You can get an application form from the provincial ministry of health office, any doctor's office, a hospital or a pharmacy.
To apply for a health card, you will need your birth certificate or Confirmation of immigration status in Canada (IMM 5292) and passport. Your Permanent Resident card may also be presented. In most provinces, you will receive coverage as soon as you apply.
Health-care services covered by medicare include:
examination and treatment by family doctors;
many types of surgery;
most treatment by specialists;
hospital care;
X-rays;
many laboratory tests; and
most immunizations.
Health-care services not covered by medicare, and for which you will have to pay, include:
ambulance services;
prescription drugs;
dental care; and
glasses and contact lenses.
ScotiaLife Financial™1 can help protect you and your family from life's unexpected events. Find out more.
Medical Expenses
Canadian residents enjoy a healthcare system that is publicly funded. Many health services are paid for from taxes and are free to all residents of Canada who hold a provincial health card.
However, not all medical expenses are covered. Depending on the province in which you live, you may have to pay for services such as:
Dental care
Eye examinations and prescription eye wear
Treatment provided by psychologists, chiropractors, physiotherapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, dietitians and naturopaths
When you move to Canada, your expenses may be different from those you are used to. Canada is a very large country, and costs can vary significantly depending on where you live. When you move to Canada, it's helpful to know a little about the money that you'll be using when you get there.
Coins come in six denominations. Each is a distinct size, shape and color for easy identification.
penny = 1¢
nickel = 5¢
dime = 10¢
quarter = 25¢
dollar = $1.00 (known as the "loonie")
two dollar = $2.00 (known as the "toonie")
Paper money is all the same size, but each bill is different in color.
$5 - blue
$10 - purple
$20 - green
$50 - red
$100 - brown
It's a good idea to exchange some of your money into Canadian currency before you leave your home country, so that you have cash on hand for small purchases as soon as you arrive. Once you're here, there are several ways to exchange your money for Canadian currency.
Financial institutions - Scotiabank offers competitive exchange rates. By visiting a branch, you can exchange money from just about anywhere in the world.
Foreign exchange outlets - you can find foreign exchange outlets in select locations across Canada, including airports and tourist attractions.
Housing
You've arrived in Canada. One of the most important tasks ahead of you is finding a place to live. This is likely to be one of your biggest expenses.
Many people rent their home for their first few years in Canada, which usually costs less than buying a home.
Did you know that you can own your first home with a hassle-free mortgage designed specifically for Newcomers to Canada? Find out more
Generally speaking, housing is less expensive outside of cities, whether you rent or buy.
The following information applies only for the first tax year that you are a new resident of Canada for tax purposes. After your first tax year in Canada, you are no longer considered a newcomer for tax purposes.
If you immigrate to Canada, we consider you to have acquired (deemed acquisition) almost all your properties at fair market value on the day you immigrated. If you are re-establishing Canadian residency and you had a deemed disposition when you left Canada, see Dispositions of property.
You become a resident of Canada for income tax purposes when you establish significant residential ties in Canada, usually on the date you arrive in Canada.
Newcomers to Canada who have established residential ties with Canada may be:
people who have received approval-in-principle from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, to stay in Canada.
If you were a resident of Canada in an earlier year, and you are now a non-resident, you will be considered a Canadian resident when you move back to Canada and re-establish your residential ties.
must report "world income" (income from all sources both inside and outside Canada) on your Canadian income tax return;
must ensure that you pay the correct amount of taxes according to the law;
have the right and responsibility to verify your income tax status each year;
can claim all deductions, non-refundable tax credits, and refundable federal, provincial, or territorial credits that apply to you.
As a newcomer to Canada, you should be aware that most individuals who reside in Canada file only one income tax return for the tax year, because the Canadian government collects taxes on behalf of all provinces and territories except the Province of Quebec.
As a resident of Canada for part or all of a tax year (January 1 to December 31), you must file a tax return if you:
owe tax; or
want to receive a refund.
Even if you have no income to report or tax to pay, you may be eligible for certain payments or credits. In order to receive the following payments or credits, you must file an income tax return.
the GST/HST credit (goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax);
For the tax year that you are a newcomer to Canada and for each tax year that you continue to be a resident of Canada for tax purposes, use the General Income Tax and Benefit Guide and the forms book for the province or territory where you live on December 31 of the tax year.
It is important to use the forms book for your province or territory because tax rates and tax credits are different in each province and territory.
Your income tax return has to be filed on or before:
April 30 of the year after the tax year; or
if you or your spouse or common-law partner carried on a business in Canada (other than a business whose expenditures are mainly in connection with a tax shelter), the return has to be filed on or before June 15 of the year after the tax year.
NoteA balance of tax owing has to be paid on or before April 30 of the year after the tax year, regardless of the due date of the tax return.
