Perks of being a bilingual expat in Canada

Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your background?

My name is Florent, and I am 28. In France, I used to work in R&D and studied biology. But after giving all this a good thought, I gave up everything and came to settle here in Canada and start a new life. At the same time, I started a blog.

What made you want to leave Valence?

I chose to leave Valence, especially France because I find the work environment complicated as a young professional. With a degree in a niche industry, it was difficult for me to find long term work. Besides, the system in France is based much more on diplomas and the length of work experience than on the real skills we have. Here I really feel that all my skills are being valued.

What brought you to Canada, especially Ontario? How long have you lived there?

What particularly attracted me was all the career prospects Canada has to offer. But I finally to chose Canada after meeting several expatriates when I was in Paris. They really praised the benefits of living in Canada, such as the culture, the job opportunities and the breathtaking scenery. Like most French people, I chose to live in Ontario and not in Quebec to practice my English and become bilingual. But with Covid-19 and social distancing, it's quite hard to practice daily. I have been living in Toronto for a year and a half now.

In what field are you currently working? Was it difficult to find a job in Canada?

Currently, I am in the IT field. I am a beta tester for mobile apps. But this is far from my core sector, which is sensory analysis (a research sector in R&D). I didn't find it hard to get a job in Canada. I got my first job within my first two weeks here and the next one in the following months. It isn't difficult to find a job here if you show determination.

What are the career prospects for expats in Ontario?

There are really a lot of opportunities here! I started working in the catering field at Daniel and Daniel within a few weeks. Today, I am in the IT industry, although I had no diploma or professional experience in this field. One of the benefits of Ontario is that French is an official language here, and many sectors are finding it hard to hire people who are bilingual. So it's a great advantage for people who speak French. Besides, personal skills are really valued here, and this is how I got into the IT industry. I also run a website in my spare time. Ontario is a great place for immigrants, and it's ideal for expats who are looking to boost their career.

What was the impact of the global health crisis on the Canadian labour market? Has your industry been affected?

The impact of Covid-19 has been terrible on Canada and still is the case today. During the first weeks of the crisis, if I'm not wrong, the unemployment rate was around 30-35% (compared to 5% before the crisis in Ontario). There were a lot of uncertainties for all sectors. I was very lucky, because when you work in IT, you don't need to be physically present. I also work for the banking sector, which has a strong backbone for these kinds of events. The only significant change is that I have been working from home for one year now.

What are the most striking differences between France and Canada? What are the essential things to keep in mind when moving to a country like Canada?

There are considerable differences between the two countries. One of the most striking things I remember is the lack of historic buildings. Canada is still a young country, and many buildings are still new in the big cities. The second thing that struck me is the very rich food. Also, it is expensive to eat relatively healthy food in North America. And I remember the kindness and respectful culture of Canadians: they line in to take the bus, do not get angry while driving, pays attention to the highway code, etc.

One thing to keep in mind is that Canada is a totally different country from where we come from. You have to stop looking for the same stores or products that you are used to finding in your country. You have to embrace the culture and find new alternatives with what is available where you are. We must also be careful: this country is a land of opportunities, but your illusion can quickly fade out if you don't make an effort. So you really have to hang in there sometimes.

Did you find it hard to adapt to Ontario? What are the main challenges you had, and how did you overcome them?

I struggled to adapt to Ontario at first. I tried to isolate myself from French expats and meet only Canadians, but it was a cold shower. It was really hard to meet new people by going to events or at the bars. So I ended up meeting more French expats who had been here for a long time. They gave me precious advice on life in Toronto and were of great support.

You have a blog where you write about the challenges of being an expat in Canada and give advice for overcoming them. Tell us more.

Upon arriving in Canada, I started the blog fizzy-travellers.com to help people. Basically, it was really to help expats on the whole administrative side because some things are not clear, and you have to do a lot of research. I try to make the steps as simple as possible so that anyone can understand. To avoid falling into boredom, I punctuate with articles that are relaxing or that tell about my adventures and my feelings.

What do you miss the most about your home country?

As a French expat, the things that I miss the most in Canada are:
the food: I'm still wondering where to find good cheese or a bakery to buy good bread
my family: Covid-19 made the distance more unbearable. Rules are changing every week, and there are restrictions on vacations in Canada (2 weeks per year). So it's difficult for me to return to France or to have my family visiting me.

Do you have any advice for people who would like to relocate to Canada, especially to Ontario, after the crisis?

When the crisis is finally over, it will be the perfect time to move to Ontario. Canada will have even more opportunities to offer. Toronto, more specifically, has an immigrant-based economy. However, the crisis has held back many immigrants, which is why Canada is struggling to fill its immigration quota. Since the beginning of the crisis, many have returned to their homelands, and I think there will be a labour shortage in all sectors. So this will be the ideal time to land the job of your dreams or to try your luck in different industries. However, be careful when looking for apartments and wait until you are on the spot before committing. Rents are expensive, and it is best to be here for choosing where you would like to live for a long period.

If you had to go through your move to Canada all over again, is there anything you would do differently?

There's nothing I would have changed because even in times of Covid-19, I was lucky to meet some really great people. Perhaps, I would have moved to the United States before the Covid-19 crisis hits us.