Your 2024 as a Newbie in Canada

Welcome to another edition of New Local👋

If you’ve been looking for a resource to help you navigate work-life in Canada like you’ve lived here forever, you’re in for a ride!

Please do us a favour and don’t gatekeep. Share this with a friend …or foe (lol)

LOOK WHO’S HIRING! 💼

Sobeys

• Personalization Operations Manager

• Senior Financial Analyst, E-Commerce

• Copywriter

• Application Developer

• Specialist Creative Operations

Affinity

• Project Manager

• Senior Software Developer

• SEO Specialist - Content Creator

• Senior UI/UX Designer

• Delivery Lead/Business Analyst

Perseus Group

• Marketing Intern

• Business Analyst

• Implementation Manager

• Senior Marketing Manager 

• Software Engineer (Technical Support)

See more jobs

CHEERS TO OUR LAST NEWSLETTER FOR THE YEAR 2024

Early this year or late 2023, you made a huge leap of faith from the familiar warmth of your home country to FREA-Z-ing Canada. I am certain it’s been a year of endless self-discovery, learning, and some hard-to-believe culture shocks!

Let’s see how you survived it all:

• Your most Repeated Words:
  “Sorry!” (even when it wasn’t your fault),

  
  “Eh?” (Congrats, you’re officially a Canadian now),

  
  and “Where can I find plantain?” or ‘Goat Meat’ or ‘Indomie’

• Your most Confusing Moments:

  • Is the sun setting at 4 PM in winter? [ panics in Judgement Day]

  • Telling someone ‘I’m at your back’ on a queue and no one gets it

  • Trying to figure out the difference between a loonie and a toonie

• Biggest Culture Shock:

  • Canadians' ability to make small talk about the weather for 10 minutes straight.

  • Discovering there’s no such thing as a “small” winter jacket.

• 🍴 Most Missed Foods:
  Suya, puff-puff, egusi soup, Smoky Jollof, fresh live chicken—or am I the only one?

• Proudest Moment:
  Successfully navigating the transit system without getting lost? (Does that count?)

You must have considered returning home several times but every day you realized, things kept getting better. So here’s to celebrating every little win, laugh, and learning curve from 2024!

What’s your favourite 2024 win as a new immigrant in Canada? I’d love to read all about it.

INSPIRE ✨

“”I grew up looking for an escape from drug dealers and crime. Everyone I looked up to was going to jail. Everything extra that you needed as a kid was not possible on welfare

Born in Eritrea, Mehari Hagos overcame a tough upbringing in a violent, low-income Canadian neighbourhood to become a community pillar, inspiring disadvantaged youth through fitness, life skills, and hope. 

His journey from struggling immigrant to changemaker proves that one positive role model can transform lives.

Be Inspired

COMMUNITY CORNER 🔗

Transitioning into Canadian professional life comes with its fair share of surprises. From workplace customs to everyday interactions, the cultural journey is full of eye-opening moments. As people who have navigated the rollercoaster of cultural transitions, we know firsthand how impactful those 'aha' moments can be.

We are eager to learn about your own experiences – the good, the bad, the unexpected, and the downright hilarious! Reach out to us below 👇

HERE’S WHAT’S UP 🤝

• In a bid to combat immigration fraud, Canada is planning to end the privileges enjoyed by temporary residency applicants  

• Canada has revealed a new permanent residence pathway for French speakers

• Alberta wants to build huge centres for AI. Check it out

• How much will turkey dinner cost this holiday season? See the numbers yourself

• Chrystia Freeland has resigned in a new blow to Trudeau. Meet your new finance minister

TOP RESOURCES FOR YOU 🗃️

#1 - Step-by-step: Sponsoring your Spouse for Canadian PR

Education and Skill Development 

• Work permit holder? You can continue your study here without a study permit. Here’s how

• Tips to improve your English after moving to Canada

• Interested in working in Canada? The 2025 International Experience Canada is now open 

• Best Canadian Universities for MBA and Management Programs

• 8 ways to meet new people and grow your network in Canada

Health and Well-being

• How to prepare for your first winter in Canada

• Is healthcare free for international students in Canada? Find out 

Cultural Integration

• Everything you need to know about the holiday season in Canada 

• 10 Canadian gift ideas for the holidays 

DON’T MISS THESE EVENTS! 👔

• Tending the Fire: For Tired Leaders Who Need Permission to Rest | Learn More 

• 2025 Economic Outlook Roundtable: Insights on the Year Ahead | Learn More

• Vancouver Entrepreneur Networking Event | Learn More

• Calgary Social Networking Event For Young Professionals | Learn More

• Financial Inclusion, Business Financing & Networking for Immigrants | Learn

TOOLS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT! 👔

• MarketAlerts - this tool helps you monitor stocks and find trade ideas

• Symbolab - your AI math calculator that can help you solve any math problem

• SoLogo - generates stunning logos for you with AI

• WebWave - customizes and publishes a website for you in 3 minutes

• VoiceGen: generates realistic AI voices

You definitely know someone else who’ll benefit from this newsletter. Don’t gate-keep