Guide to the Canadian political system for newcomers

Nothing beats the excitement of being able to vote for the first time in your new home! While you can’t vote in Canada until you have Canadian citizenship – you can use your time as a permanent resident to understand the Canadian political system.

Here are some things you may not know:

✔️ You don’t vote for the prime minister. Canadians elect local Members of Parliament (MPs), and the party leader with the most elected MPs becomes the prime minister.

✔️ Three governments, one country. Canada divides responsibilities among three levels of government: federal (defense, foreign policy), provincial (healthcare, education), and municipal (public transit, community planning). Each level works to address unique issues.

✔️ Canadians in prison can vote. Unlike in many countries, Canada ensures voting rights even for citizens serving prison sentences—talk about democracy for all!

Montreal’s Complexe Desjardins invites you to experience the magic of the holidays with festive activities, shopping, and entertainment for all ages. November 23 to December 24

Toronto’s Bellvue Manor hosts the Toronto Made Holiday Market, a festive celebration featuring 100+ local vendors offering handcrafted gifts, holiday décor, and gourmet treats. Join the holiday magic on Sunday, December 1!

Ottawa’s Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre hosts the World Multicultural Festival, celebrating diversity with live performances, fashion shows, and more. November 30

Ottawa’s Orléans neighbourhood hosts Santa’s Parade of Lights, featuring Santa and beautifully decorated floats in this popular parade by the Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association. Don’t miss it on November 30!

Montreal’s Greek Film Festival presents the 10th edition, showcasing contemporary Greek films that explore everyday life, history, and drama. Immerse yourself in rich storytelling from November 10 to 30!

Vancouver’s Jack Poole Plaza hosts the Vancouver Christmas Market, offering a festive shopping experience from November 13 to December 24

Welcome to Canada! The next several months will be full of excitement and new beginnings; Scotiabank can help navigate your journey by providing resources, banking solutions and tailored advice that help newcomers succeed financially. Newcomers can earn up to $2,200¹ in value with StartRight^TM and can get a credit limit up to $15,000² with StartRight^TM.² 

¹ Potential value in 1^st year. Conditions & assumptions apply.
² Subject to credit approval. Conditions apply.

So turns out Canadians don’t live in igloos — but did you know you can spend an evening in an ice hotel? Here are a few things you can do at the Hotel de Glace in Quebec according to Curiosity.

❄️ Sip a cocktail at the ice bar. Experience sipping a drink in a glass made of ice.

❄️ Stay overnight in sub-zero comfort. For the adventurous, book a frosty suite and experience sleeping in a room kept between 3°C and 5°C. Just be sure to bundle up in warm layers!

❄️ Get married in the ice chapel. Or – even if you’re not tying the knot, the ice chapel is a must-see for its stunning ambiance and popularity as a destination for international weddings.

For some, winter isn’t just a season to overcome, it’s a season of beloved winter sports and activities. Ice fishing, snowmobiling, or hockey – there are so many ways to embrace the chillier season. Here are four sports to get you started:

⛸️ Ice skating — Glide across iconic rinks like Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square or Ottawa’s Rideau Canal Skateway (the world’s largest outdoor skating rink!). Many cities offer free or low-cost outdoor rinks and rental options.

🎿 Downhill skiing — Experience the thrill of skiing at world-renowned spots like Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia or Mont Tremblant in Quebec. These resorts often have “Discover Skiing” packages that can include rental gear, lift tickets, and beginner lessons.

❄️ Snowshoeing — Snowshoeing is a perfect way to embrace the winter wonderland, no matter your fitness level! You can check out beautiful trails in national parks, where rentals typically cost around $10–$20 for the day, and many trails are free to access.

🥌 Curling — This social sport is a Canadian favourite, combining precision and teamwork. You can use Curling Canada to find facilities near you.