Province of opportunities and prospects: why do many want to live in Ontario?

The province of Ontario is a true record-holder! Although Canada is huge and divided into 13 provinces and territories, Ontario is home to about 40% of the country's population. Why have so many people chosen to live here? Perhaps they know something about Ontario that you don't yet?

In this article, we'll tell you about life in Ontario, its climate, healthcare, education, and ways to immigrate to this province.

Ontario — a province of contrasts

This is perhaps the simplest and quickest answer to why many people are so eager to move to Ontario.

This province has everything you need for a full life, and everyone finds something for themselves here.

Where to live?

Let's say you're very active and want to live in a bustling, noisy metropolis. Then Toronto would be perfect for you, which, by the way, is one of the most multicultural cities in the world.

If you prefer quiet and peaceful places, choose any of the many small towns in the province. Good options include Oakville, Cobourg, Windsor, and London.

Where to work?

Looking for jobs in heavy industry or mining? Ontario is the place for you! You can start your search in the industrial region traditionally called the "Golden Horseshoe".

Or if you're good at agriculture, don't worry, Ontario has jobs for you too! Animal husbandry and horticulture are well-developed here, and the province boasts the best vineyards in the country.

How to relax?

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For party lovers, there are numerous large-scale festivals. Not to mention famous tourist attractions like Niagara Falls, CN Tower, museums, and castles.

Nature enthusiasts will surely enjoy the dense forests in six national parks and the waters of the Great Lakes and Hudson Bay.

Fun fact about the province!

Dear immigrants, please pay attention and remember this important point. The largest city in Canada is Toronto, located in Ontario. But it's not the capital of the country, as many think. In fact, Canada's official capital is Ottawa. It's also located in Ontario.

Perfect for students

Ontario will certainly interest those who intend to get an education in Canada and are looking for a suitable university. Ontario universities consistently rank among the best in North America and worldwide. Their level is confirmed by numerous rankings, such as QS World University Rankings. The top ten universities in Ontario include:

• University of Toronto;
• University of Waterloo;
• Western University;
• McMaster University;
• University of Ottawa;
• Queen's University;
• York University;
• University of Guelph;
• University of Windsor;
• Carleton University.

Now add equally strong colleges to this list, and you get a true intellectual paradise for students:

• Georgian College;
• Fanshawe College;
• Seneca College;
• Cambrian College;
• Algonquin College;
• Conestoga College;
• Centennial College.

Fun fact about the province!

Ontario has given the world many talented people who have become real stars. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams were born in London, Jim Carrey in Newmarket, Drake in Toronto, Avril Lavigne in Belleville, Shania Twain in Windsor. And all these cities are in Ontario!

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A reliable way to protect your health

Ontario has a strong health insurance program — OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan). It covers the most essential medical needs, such as visits to family doctors, clinics and emergency departments, as well as surgeries and medical tests.

OHIP is available to Canadian citizens living in Ontario, permanent residents, foreign workers, refugees, and holders of temporary residence permits.

Ontario's climate suits even those sensitive to cold

Given that Canada is a northern country and low temperatures are common here, Ontario stands out pleasantly in this regard.

First, this province is in the south of the country, and Canada's southernmost point is located south of many American states. We're talking about Pelee Island. The weather here is often much better than in American Dakota or Minnesota.

Second, numerous water sources have their influence. On one hand, they make the climate more humid. But on the other hand, in autumn and winter, the lakes release heat, which softens the climate near the shores. That's why some areas of southern Ontario have milder winters.

Financial aspect: salaries and taxes

Salaries

As we mentioned earlier, there are job opportunities in Ontario in various fields. Even if you get the simplest job, you'll likely earn a higher salary than in many other provinces. That's because the officially established minimum wage is also higher here. From October 2025, the minimum hourly wage in Ontario will be $17.60 CAD, up from the current $17.20 CAD.

Taxes

In this part of Canada, the VAT is 13%. Besides VAT, there's income tax, which depends on the salary amount and is calculated as follows:

A Nice Bonus: Great Neighbors!

As you might guess, the province's southern neighbor is the United States of America. This means that with the right documents, you can visit the US anytime you want. What might seem impossible from your home country becomes a reality here! Plus, flights to America are often cheaper than flights within Canada itself.

New York, Washington, and Boston are quite close to Ontario, so flights don't take long. This makes it easy to visit the US for seminars, courses, or cultural events.

But Doesn't Ontario Have Any Drawbacks?

Let's be realistic: every coin has two sides, and you can find downsides to everything. Here are a few examples:

• While there are plenty of job openings in Ontario, competition is high due to the large population. You'll need to work hard to land a good job, but finding entry-level work is usually easy.
• Housing costs and rent in Toronto are indeed high. We recommend looking at nearby cities where prices are more reasonable. For example, you can rent a similar-sized place in Hamilton for about half the price of Toronto.

We'll stop there because the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages! The nearly 15 million people living in Ontario would surely agree!

Immigration

The province has its own immigration program called the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). It includes several streams:

Employer Job Offer

This stream includes pathways for candidates who have received job offers in Ontario:

• Foreign Worker (for highly skilled workers);
• International Student (for graduates of Canadian universities);
• In-Demand Skills (for workers in high-demand occupations).

Human Capital — International Graduates

This stream includes pathways for university graduates:

• Masters Graduate (for graduates of Canadian universities with a master's degree);
• PhD Graduate (for graduates of Canadian universities with a doctoral degree).

Human Capital — Ontario's Express Entry

This stream includes pathways for those invited through the Express Entry system:

• French-Speaking Skilled Worker (for French-speaking professionals);
• Human Capital Priorities (for skilled professionals with a bachelor's degree or higher);
• Skilled Trades (for workers in high-demand skilled trades).