How to enjoy Canada Day

Phone Plan Canada Day Deal

Looking to save on your cell bill? PC Mobile (on Bell’s network) has a Canada Day flash sale plan for $29/month with a whopping 30GB of data. It’s a steal, so you must be wondering: what’s the catch? 

It’s a 12-month promo (auto top-up required), after which the data drops to 25GB, but even at that, it’s still a great deal. The plan includes unlimited Canada-wide and U.S. calling plus texts, and as a bonus, you’ll snag 30,000 PC Optimum points (10k for getting the SIM + 20k after two months). 

It’s a limited-time offer, so if you’ve been thinking about a cheaper phone plan, now’s a good time to make the shift. 

And if you’re not convinced as to why you should take this deal, compare this to other providers’ $29 plans and you’ll instantly find that you’re getting more data here for your dollar!

👉 Check out the PC Mobile $29/30GB plan and claim your bonus points

Job Openings

If you’re job hunting, there are some cool opportunities out there right now. The federal immigration department, IRCC, is building a diverse team (they even run an internship program to give newcomers Canadian work experience).

 👉 Browse current job listings:

• IRCC is hiring IT pros with salaries up to $141K (even with a 2-year tech diploma)
  

• Island Health (BC): Nurse Practitioners, $74–$82/hr + relocation help
  

• Northern Credit Union (ON): Member Experience Reps, ~$23/hr
  

• Mid Island Co-op (BC): Customer Service Reps, $18–$20/hr

Tip: To boost your chances, consider focusing on regions and sectors with lots of openings. Right now, BC and Alberta have the highest job vacancy rates (around 3.5% and 3.2%, vs. about 2.7% in Ontario). Industries like finance, insurance, and public service are on the upswing, even as sectors like health care and retail cool off a bit.

Foreign Worker Wage Thresholds Up

Canada just raised the wage thresholds for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program across most provinces. In plain speak: if a foreign worker’s pay is below a new cutoff (which jumped by about 3–5% in many provinces), that job counts as “low-wage” and the employer has to use the low-wage TFWP stream. 

Why does that matter? Low-wage LMIAs (work permits) come with extra hoops and even freezes. In regions with high unemployment (≥6%), Ottawa isn’t processing any low-wage work permits at the moment: they want those jobs open for locals. So if you’re a foreign worker or an employer hiring one, you might need to offer a higher wage to meet the new threshold and avoid getting caught in the low-wage category. 

On the flip side, if you’re an employer with a role that suddenly falls below the new bar, you could be temporarily out of luck filling that spot with a foreign hire unless the wage is bumped up. Consider this a nudge to re-evaluate salaries and maybe negotiate a raise (it could literally make a work permit possible). 

Check the new provincial wage cutoff for your job offer; for example, Ontario’s is now $36.00/hr. This change is all about balancing access to foreign labour with protecting the local job market.

👉 See the official updated wage thresholds by province

Made-in-Canada Social Networks

Tired of the usual social media sludge? So are some Canadian tech folks, and they’re doing something about it. 

One new platform making headlines is Gander Social, built by a team of five Canadians as a friendlier alternative to Facebook or Twitter (aka “X”). 

The app (launching this October) aims to “bring the social back to social media,” meaning you see content you actually want, not whatever the algorithm decides. You can toggle your feed to just Canadian content if you want, post to smaller private friend groups (they call them “pods”), and rest easy knowing everyone’s verified human. 

The idea is basically a neighbourhood block party feel, but online. It’s a refreshing twist on social media, and worth keeping an eye on if you’ve been craving a more positive corner of the internet.

Canada Day Is Coming: How to Celebrate in Small Spaces

July 1st is Canada Day, a national holiday that marks the birth of Canada as a country in 1867. For many, it’s a day for BBQs, fireworks, parades, and just enjoying the summer with friends and family. If you’re new here, think of it as a bit like the Fourth of July in the U.S. or Bastille Day in France: a chance to soak up national pride and community spirit.

But what if you don’t have a backyard or a big space? No problem. Here’s how to host a fun, cozy Canada Day gathering in an apartment, condo, or small home:

• Make the Most of Your Space: Shift furniture around to create a natural flow. Add folding chairs, stools, or even cushions so everyone has a spot. Your countertop or coffee table can double as a snack or drink station.
  

• Keep It Intimate: A smaller guest list (say 4–8 people) keeps things friendly and low-stress, and you won’t have to squeeze people in.
  

• Simple Food, Big Impact: Go for easy bites (sliders, chips, fruit skewers). For dessert, add a festive touch with strawberries, whipped cream, or maple-leaf cookies.
  

• Decorate Light: A few Canadian flags, red and white napkins, or string lights are enough to set the vibe. Hang a banner or flag on the wall to make your space feel festive without clutter.
  

• Easy Entertainment: Put together a playlist of Canadian artists to set the mood. Keep a board game or deck of cards handy for laughs. If you’re up for it, end the night with a group walk to see the fireworks in a nearby park.
  

• Got Outdoor Access? A balcony, shared courtyard, or rooftop can be a bonus spot for fresh air or fireworks viewing; just reserve early if needed!

👉 Check out Canada Day events and ideas near you