As Donald Trump is set to return to the White House next year, many Americans are considering moving to Canada, with searches on requirements for relocation surging in the days following his win.
Nearly one in five Americans would consider moving north after unfavourable election results, according to polling by Casino.org, with searches like “how to move to Canada from U.S.” surging over 3,000 per cent in the past 24 hours, according to Google Trends.
When it’s time to hit the road, Americans are seeking the easiest transition possible, with Canada landing the top spot for a post-election move destination.
Now that the dust is settling and reality sinks in, Canadian officials are issuing warnings to their southern neighbours.
“I want to make sure we protect the physical border and that we protect the airports and if needed, I will make sure we have some of our people ensuring that,” said Quebec Premier François Legault on Thursday.
According to Google Trends, the states with the highest search rates for “how to move to Canada” are Rhode Island, Alaska, and South Dakota.
Another popular search term among Americans is Canada’s abortion laws, with the highest search rates coming from Vermont, Michigan, and Washington — all states near the Canadian border.
‘How much does it cost to move to Canada?’: What Americans are searching
One of the main questions Americans are inquiring about costs associated with moving to Canada.
Moving to a new country is not only a huge life decision but also requires a substantial financial commitment.
As an individual applicant, you would need approximately CAD $17,100 to immigrate to Canada, according to data compiled by Arrive.com. Couples would need about $23,200, while families with children would require between $27,800 and $33,100.
Moving to Canada requirements
Another popular search query Americans are plugging into search engines are what the requirements are to move to Canada.
The methods through which someone can immigrate to Canada from the U.S. are similar to those of other Commonwealth countries. Some of the easiest ways the Government of Canada says for a U.S. citizen to immigrate to Canada are:
Is abortion legal in Canada?
Yes, abortion is legal in Canada. It’s a regulated medical procedure that’s publicly funded through the Canada Health Act and provincial health-care systems, the Government of Canada website states.
Government data suggests the majority of abortions happen in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Different clinics and hospitals have different limits for how far into pregnancy they offer abortions. Some hospitals are now offering services later into pregnancy than they used to. Late-term abortions are rare and usually occur because of serious medical issues.
Some provinces have established “bubble zones” around abortion clinics, which are legally defined areas where protesting and related activities are not permitted.
What is the minimum wage in Canada?
As of April 1, 2024, the federal minimum wage in Canada is $17.30 per hour. This is an increase from $16.65 per hour, which was the minimum wage in 2023. The federal minimum wage is adjusted each year based on inflation.
The minimum wage in Canada varies by province and territory, and is higher than the federal minimum wage in some areas, according to data from wagepoint:
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Northwest Territories – $16.70
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Nova Scotia – $15.20
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Nunavut – $19.00
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Ontario – $17.20
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Alberta – $15.00
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British Columbia – $17.40
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Saskatchewan – $15.00
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Manitoba – $15.80
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Quebec – $15.75
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New Brunswick – $15.30
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Nova Scotia – $15.20
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Prince Edward Island – $16.00
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Newfoundland & Labrador – $15.60
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Yukon – $17.59
Is Canada’s healthcare really free?
Yes, Canada has a publicly funded healthcare system that provides free or low-cost access to medically necessary services for all citizens and permanent residents, Canada’s government website states.
Since 1984, the Canada Health Act (CHA) has guaranteed all Canadians have access to publicly funded healthcare, often referred to as a “single-payer” system because the federal government is the sole source of funding. Insured health services include in-patient and outpatient hospital care, medically necessary treatments to maintain health, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment of injuries, illnesses, and disabilities, as well as medically required physician services.
The system is funded by taxes, with the federal government setting standards and contributing to funding. The government covers about 70% of health care spending.